| Living in a small town and have issues with gender. | [20 Mar 2010|11:56pm] | | Does anyone find it really difficult making friends and developing relationships with people because of your views on gender? I have had a really difficult time moving back to W.V. and people just treating me like I'm a leper almost. And is there anyone who lives in any small towns or places that are not large cities where it's especially hard and what ways do people cope with it? I have no friends and anytime I meet anyone new they instantly write me off it feels when the issue of gender comes up. | |
| Attention: Queer Jewish Students | [21 Dec 2009|07:33pm] | The National Union of Jewish LGBTQQI Students's 14th annual conference will take place January 15th to the 17th at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As usual the conference will be held over a weekend, and co-hosted by a campus Hillel, the NUJLS leadership conference features workshops, services, community building, and social time. This year's keynotes are Rabbi Bradley Artsen, Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and comedian Dana Goldberg!
We welcome students from all sorts of backgrounds (religious, not, newly out, not, liberal to conservative, and more). Workshops, speakers, and text studies address such topics as Judaism and homosexuality, activism, relationships, ethics, coming out, and politics. Last year more than one hundred students came from across the United States and Canada to participate, and we anticipate a similar turnout this year! Registration ($80) includes meals (all kosher), housing, and all conference events. Travel and registrations subsidies are available upon request (in the registration form). View past schedules and register at http://www.nujlsonline.org/conferenceinfo.html | |
| Looking For Story Contributions | [09 Nov 2009|11:31pm] | I apologize if this is not allowed here.
I have published a couple of books and my current one is going to be potentially called "Coming Out" or "Knocking the Closet Door Down". It is going to be made up of various people's coming out stories. Whether gay, lesbian, trans, poly, kinky or even funny ones like Republican (kidding!)
So I need stories. If you are interested in being in the book please email me your story to shampoo150@gmail.com and out "coming out story"
also let me know here if you're interested so I can look for you email.
thanks!
EDIT
So sorry, I copy and pasted only half of what I wanted to say. First off, here is a link to my current books. http://stores.lulu.com/shampoo150. I don't want to hear, "self publishing isn't real publishing", there are mixed feelings and I consider it legit because there is an ISBN number and I know plenty of sucsessful authors who self-publish.
Second, regretably because I fund this, I can't give you compensation and so I hope people will contribute for the sheer joy of having their story published. HOWEVER, in order to get the book at it's lowest price I opt to set my revenue to $0.00 so therefore I do not get anything either. | |
| [10 Oct 2009|09:53pm] | What's up?
I'm applying for a scholarship from an LGBTQ foundation that does an annual scholarship essay contest, has for awhile now. One of their prompts for possible essays they'd like to see involved interviews. So, in addition to interviewing some of my friends, I made a neato internet survey with a service called FormSpring (ominous name, right?) and I'm posting it to a few select queer LJ communities in hopes that cool people will pick it up and fill it out and give me quotes and food for thought to work (attributed duly) into my essay.
In conclusion, click here and thanks for supporting me! | |
| Transcending Boundaries! Early Reg Ends tomorrow! | [29 Sep 2009|10:41am] | The Transcending Boundaries Conference (TBC) is for bisexual/pansexual, trans/genderqueer, intersex and polyamorous people and our allies. TBC is for and about those who do not fit into simple categories, and we couldn't be more excited about our 6th upcoming conference!
When: November 20-22, 2009
Where: DCU Conference Center and the Hilton Garden Inn in Worcester, Mass.
Special Guest-Tristan Taormino!!
go to http://www.transcendingboundaries.org/registration/ to register and get more info! | |
| The Advocate Refers to Trans Woman as a Gay Man | [16 Jun 2009|04:33pm] | The Advocate a premiere LGBT news magazine has come under pressure from trans activists and allies after it referred to a couple who were legally married in New York as a "same-sex" couple. In the article N.Y. Unwittingly Marries "Same-Sex" Couple, the couple Hakim Nelson and Jason Stenson were given a marriage license because the clerk was unaware of the birth gender of Nelson who now goes by Kimah.
Neither Jason nor Kimah identify as gay, and this is a poor example of reporting. Please read this and contact The Advocate and let them know it's time to report on trans issues accurately. | |
| toys | [15 Jun 2009|07:43pm] | hey there.
The reason I am posting this here is because in the last few years these lj communities have done nothing but good for me, so this is me giving back.
First, a bit about me..
I am currently 1 year and 6 months into medical transition. I take 100 mg of injectable testosterone every ten days. I am 3 months post chest reconstruction surgery. Since starting on hormones my entire sexual world has opened and my likes/dislikes have changed completely. With my ever changing body I am more in tune to explore and that's why I am here.. to share my experiences. Basically I took another job up.. testing out sex toys. I have created this on-line journal in order to post about toys I have tested in order to broaden a perspective from someone who identifies as FTM. There are many sex toys out there and the growing trans community seems to be at a loss as to what might better work for their bodies and minds. I would like to be another voice in the mix to help people who might need a reference. If you'd like to add me ([info]toys_for_t_boys) please feel free. I promise I wont fill your page with loads of crap, as I really only do about 3 reviews a week. Usually under cuts as to not take up too much space. anyway, I hope my reviews help in your search for the perfect toy!
ps. I just got started on this project so there really isn't much to read yet.
x-posted. Apologies if you see this a few times. | |
| Hey :) | [21 Jan 2009|09:11pm] | | [ | mood | | |  artistic | ] | Hey everyone,
A very happy new year to you all!
My name is Imogen, I live in Cambridge UK. I was born female and am happy with my body but consider my self Gender Queer. I came out as gay at 14 (nearly wrote 144!!) and have been with my partner for a number of years now.
I am a photography student in Cambridge and I am just about to go into the final term of my 3rd year. I have covered quite a few topics over the last three years including self harm, mental health, eating disorders and physical disability. You can see some of my work here: Flickr or my own web site here: Indigo Clouds Photography
This term I want to do a project surrounding 'Gender Queer' and 'Transsexuality'. So I am looking for people who might want to be involved in the project. I will be hoping to photograph a few aspects of the topic including things like: following someone through aspects of their transition, photographing people with their families, following people to Dr's appointments, visiting and photographing both home & work, doing some studio shots (including partners, with/with out make up, in underwear etc) .. For helping me out you would get a copy of your images on a disk, a copy of your favorite 5 printed up to A2 and many many thank yous from me!
Having dealt with subjects that are often unknown to family members or friends I am more than happy for people to remain anonymous. As you can see from my self harm images most participants don't have their face in the images. I would like for some of those who wish to take part to be able to have their face in the images, purely due to the nature of the project.
I don't have any money to pay those who take part but I could help with travel costs if people are on a low income and I am more than happy to provide accommodation in the form of the sofa in my front room!
Please feel free to contact me with questions, anything you might like to know. Also, feel free to pass this post onto friends who might not see it on LJ or even to other communities. I would also like people to take part in a survey that will be part of the final project so if you would like to receive that you can get in touch.
Finally, during previous projects people have contacted me suggesting that aspects of the project might be highlighting the 'wrong' parts of the issues. I warmly welcome this contact and can only understand the subject to a point with out this source of information.
My contact details:
E mail - Imogen.Jo@Gmail.com
Mobile - 0754 99 33 030
LJ - New_Kinda_Freak
Thank you for reading,
Kind Regards,
Imogen May | |
| Know any queer rural zines? x-post (if this doesn't belong/breaks rules, sorry; tell me&I'll delete) | [20 Dec 2008|12:22am] | | [ | mood | | |  hopeful | ] | Sorry if this doesn't belong here, but my friend Jenna (a.k.a.  trashcan_chica) needs some help:
"does anyone know of any queer zines about living in rural areas or going to rural areas?
any help/pointing in the right direction would be amazing. i went through the whole Queer Zine Archive and couldn't really find anything.
thanks!
jenna b
p.s. i just got a wordpress site, sassyfrasscircus.com!"
Her (AIM) away message also says: "is looking for zines about/by members of radical queer ANTI-URBAN communities, so if you know of any..."
So please comment if you can help at all; thanks. :]
-Beth | |
| Transphobia on Dr. Phil | [09 Dec 2008|12:28pm] | It seems Dr. Phil likes to capitalize on transgender misunderstanding and hatred on his show.
"You fool me once shame on you, you fool me twice shame on me"
We must commit to no longer stand idly by as Dr. Phil continues his knack and enjoyment for stigmatizing trans folks.
More information and ways to take action here. | |
| x | [05 Nov 2008|09:28am] | I was reading that Obama wants to pass the Matthew Shepard Act. No, he is opposed to gay marriage, but this does not make him homophobic. Most candidates do not approve of gay marriage, and that is fine. But, this act will be historical and something a lot of people have been waiting for. I cannot begin to even explain how important this act is to me and probably a lot of people.
What do other people thing? Do we think it will get passed, and if so will it be soon? | |
| For people in MA, Pioneer Valley area. | [28 Oct 2008|10:35am] | 
Worlds Apart Games Transgender and Friends Game Night
When: Nov 2, 2008. 6:00pm-10:00pm
Where: Worlds Apart Games. 48B North Pleasant St Amherst, MA. Worlds Apart Official Web Site
Recommended Donation:$5.00
2008 was one of most violent years on record of assaults on transgender people. Transgender people continue to face high levels of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, credit and in other areas.
Worlds Apart Games is a non-profit game store that is run by the community. Our first and foremost goal is to bring communities and people together through gaming. T.G.F.G.N. will be a night where people who identify as transgender, transsexual, androgynous, bi-gender, gender queer, transvestite, cross dresser,etc and their friends can come to a safe place and socialize over games.
We have a large library of games that step outside the bounds of Monopoly and Scrabble! Come learn the clue-esque game, Kill Doctor Lucky, stop a zombie outbreak in Chaos Isle or get a +4 Repeating crossbow crossbow crossbow of my Grandfather in Munchkin Fu. Plus many many more!
All money raised that night will go to The National Center for Transgender Equality | |
| [26 Oct 2008|08:04pm] | Hi all,
I’m an intern in the UC Berkeley Gender Equity resource center, and I’m helping organize a workshop centered upon the analysis of media portrayals of domestic violence/abuse, entitled “Comedy or Crisis: What is so funny about domestic violence?” Our plan is to show clips of domestic violence and have attendees rate and discuss the seriousness of the proceedings in each clip.
Any suggestions are requested and welcomed! I’m also desperately searching for any short clips (preferably humorous, and through youtube, sidereel, etc, although these qualifications aren’t necessary) that depict domestic violence in lgbt relationships or with men as victims (both hetero and homosexual). If anyone has any thoughts or interesting information about these specific types of domestic violence that would also be much appreciated. Thanks!
x-posted | |
| Might the "Bradley Effect" Also Hold True for Queer Issues? | [23 Oct 2008|12:25pm] |  Today's open forum is set to examine whether we may see something similar to the "Bradley effect" on queer issues in the upcoming election."The Bradley effect, less commonly called the Wilder effect, is a proposed explanation for observed discrepancies between voter opinion polls and election outcomes in some American political campaigns when a white candidate and a non-white candidate run against each other. Named for Tom Bradley, an African-American who lost the 1982 California governor's race despite being ahead in some voter polls, the Bradley effect refers to an alleged tendency on the part of some voters to tell pollsters that they are undecided or likely to vote for a black candidate, and yet, on election day, vote for his/her white opponent." (Wikipedia) The "Bradley Effect" was a shocking dose of reality about the inconsistency of polls to determine how truthful people are about their voting decisions. It also went on to show the racial implications of the governor's race.
While it is now 26 years later, the notion of a "Bradley Effect" has resurfaced because Barack Obama, a bi-racial candidate is running for president of the United States of America. It is interesting to ponder whether people are indicating they will vote for the democratic ticket while in private will vote against it because of the racial implications.
I also wonder whether this can be applied to certain LGBT issues up on the ballot this Nov. 4th. There are marriage amendments in California, Arizona, and Florida this year. There is also the question of a constitutional convention in Connecticut and a ban on adoption by unmarried co-habitating couples in Arkansas. All of these referendums hold major implications for Americans straight and gay.
People opposed to gay rights often argue that they "have gay friends" or are "not bigoted against gays." It has become increasingly unpopular to be associated with "homophobia." Is it possible there is a segment of the population that claims they will vote against these marriage amendments and in favor of LGBT rights while secretly espousing another point of view to hide their own fear of being labeled a bigot?
http://queersunited.blogspot.com/2008/10/open-forum-can-queers-have-something.html | |
