#I use the lesbian flag for icons I make for myself because it represents my sexuality

[veryblushyswitch]

Some lesbian Sumo icons because I’m becoming obsessed ✨ (If you use these please reblog) 💖

[cat-sapphics]

why is it that having luz icons with a lesbian flag twibbon is perfectly fine (rightfully so) but having amity icons with bi flags is "lesbian erasure." i'm sensing some hypocrisy at a two-way street here tbh, perhaps with a side of careless biphobia!!

like, i'll see lesbians on twitter who favor luz over amity have lesbian flag icons, which is VALID and there SHOULDN'T be anything wrong with that. you shouldn't even need a big neon sign with an arrow in your bio clarifying that you being a lesbian is not inherently stating that luz is too. this is obviously common sense. such restriction is unneccessary.

but i see a lot of disapproval and discomfort and wary behavior around bi sapphics who have amity as their icon along with a bi flag to show their individual pride. thankfully it's much less common than i make it out to be, but i've seen "callouts" for lesbophobia and the offense in question is a bi amity icon without a disclaimer in their bio about knowing amity isn't bi... which, again, isn't an obligation if people aren't stupid. i only really attach onto luz being autistic in addition to having adhd because i feel like properly representing myself through amity only as autistic would still somehow be lesbophobia, and that's some ridiculous bullshit.

it's like this is the only time bi sapphics (in this case, luz) who favor/date only girls are seen as lesbians - which isn't to glorify the mistake, as it's not real validation and is actually harmful, but it seems like every other instance we get seen as disgusting "bihets" and i'm so fucking tired of it.

i only recently changed my icon here from catra with bi flag backgrounds, not out of pressure, but because i prefer my current one. and guess what?? one of the reasons why i was blocked by a popular blog centering around amity's lesbianism was simply because i was apparently claiming/implying catra was bi and being lesbophobic about it, which... literally never happened. ever.

y'all treat bi sapphics so shitty for refusing to be ashamed of our bisexuality. it's unfair. many of us deserve an apology, especially on twitter (lol).

[9puppiesdrowninginapool]

I‘ll be rating Pride Flags

(This is not meant to offend anyone, it’s just an aesthetic valoration of the flags based on my own opinion, none of the actual indentities or sexualities are any less valid than the others because of the rating, I am aware that not all existing pride flags are represented in this post. And I acknowledge every single one of the sexual identities and sexualities that the flags represent, even if they’re not found in this post (minus pedophilia). No tolerance for pedophilia on this blog.)

1. Lesbian flag

Ultimate Tier

Just look at it, uh I get chills. The first lesbian flag, created by a terf and sexist lesbian was bland and kitschy. Though add orange? Uh yes, you get the best flag in the world. This screams cottage core and lesbian essence.

2. Gay men flag

This one I discovered just a short while ago, I don’t know if it has been around a long time or not, but I’ve always thought the rainbow one was for gay men as well as the whole lgbtq community in general. But I am glad that they also get to have their own flag, and even though I’m not familiar with it nearly as long as the others, it slaps. Look at those colours. Uh yes, hit me with that acqua marine shit. It absolutely is the aesthetic opposite of the lesbian flag. And we’re here for that shit.

3. Aromantic flag

The frog pride flag, we’ve been knew that frogs are the national icons of the aromantic nation. When I found out about aromanticism I was absolutely delighted, (especially as I’m still figuring out if I belong to the spectrum or not) then imagine my joy when I found this colour coordinated beauty of a flag. It reminds me of fresh weed and rolling green hills.

4. Bisexual flag

Okay with this one I struggled for a very long time but which I’ve learned to love so much.

I used to ignore that this flag existed, it was too kitschy for me, with the hot pink and all. Instead in my early gay years the general pride flag WAS IT for me and I used to ask myself why I wasn’t gay just for the sake of having a prettier flag. But now? Ugh yes. This is the shit I’m here for, it exudes the bisexual energy just perfectly, it’s bold, it’s chaotic (as us bisexuals tend to be).

I’ve used to have internalized biphobia. But coming to terms with who I am and learning to love myself came hand in hand with learning to love this flag. Long live the bisexuals.

5. Gay flag

As I’ve mentioned earlier. This was my former favourite, when I was a baby gay. But, wasn’t it for everyone at some point? It’s the rainbow for fucks sake, you get all the best; aLL oF tHeM colours.

Though today it just doesn’t slap as hard as it used to, it’s too simple compared to others, it’s a safe bet for a beautiful flag but nothing too risky. And it isn’t all that original either if you think about it. Nature should claim copyright on their rainbows.

6. Pansexual flag

Ah yes, baby colours, even though those aren’t actual pastel colours I always have the feeling I am looking at pastel colours. I also get the feeling that I’m looking at a cupcake with delicious frosting. It looks so tasty. I want to bite into it.

I used to put this one above the bisexual one as well, but I’ve learned better. Nevertheless it’s a gorgeous flag and I’ve been obsessed with this one for quite a while. Whoever had the idea of putting together blue yellow and pink is a genius and should receive an award they knew what the fuck they were doing.

7. Transexual flag

Ah yes, pastel colours. This flag is beautifully put together and adorable, pastel colours are a blessing and I’m glad that the trans community got that blessing.

8. Asexual flag

Okay, to be fair: purple is my “hate” colour, and as the ace flag is purple centered that could explain why it is one of my least favourite (even though I still love it infinitely like all of the pride flags).

Nevertheless I must say they did an amazing job by putting it together with black, grey and white. This makes it look elegant, which is very suiting for asexuals if you ask me. I know, that’s another weird statement to make, but in my eyes asexuals are the description of elegance. Those elegant motherfuckers, bless.

9. Non binary flag

Last but not least. The reason this is last is because it has a similar structure to the asexual flag (it’s basically the ace flag plus yellow) and well, in this case the white makes it look cheap instead of elegant. As opposed to: if they had made it just black purple yellow I’m sure it would have slapped, as yellow and purple go together very nicely.

[usagi-cons]

About/DNI (please read!!)

this is a pride flag/icon edit blog!! we are 100% aspec, bi, pan, mogai, and nb inclusive! mod’s name is usagi, an aro gay dude (he/him). my main is @jigoku-no-ouji. 

do not interact (like, reblog, follow, request, or use any icons) if you are:

-TERF, SWERF, radfem, transphobe, etc, or supporter

-truscum, transmed, nb-phobe, etc, or supporter

-aphobe, exclusionist, etc

-anti-kink, kink-negative, etc

-anti-cglre, anti-agere

-map/nomap/somap, etc

-racist, white supremacist, nazi, alt right, trump supporter, etc

-homophobe, lesbophobe, biphobe, panphobe, etc, or supporter

-uncomfortable with the fact that i identify with the term queer and don’t personally believe it is a slur. i respect if you are uncomfortable with the word and will tag it along with every other identity, but sorry, it won't be censored or tagged as a slur.

flags we will use:

-aesexual, aromantic, demisexual, demiromantic, etc

-pan, bi, lesbian, gay, trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, agender, intersex, etc

-queer and mogai/microlabel/pronoun flags!

-aesthetic flag recolors

-any flag that represents a community even outside of the lgbt+ umbrella, including kink flags, disability flags, country flags, and the age regression flag. just because we use a flag on this blog doesnt mean we’re claiming the community it belongs to is lgbt+.

-we’ll do non-pride edits too! transparents of characters, or icons with a solid color/patterned background.

flags we will NOT use:

-any anti-community flag, or a flag for any community built on hate or exclusion (terf, transmed, white supremacist, etc. basically if its in our dni, we wont use a flag for it)

media we will make edits for:

-anything “problematic”

-anything “cringy”

-i won’t be accepting criticism of any fandom/character i make edits for, nor will i judge anyone for the fandom/character they request.

media we will NOT make edits for:

-real-life people, any live action show or movie, or anything that looks close enough to realism, including realistic video games like detroit: become human and newer final fantasy games. this is only because it’s really hard to make transparents from realism lol

-books/podcasts, or anything where the only images of the characters are fanart. i only do official art, no art theft here. (if you want me to use your own fanart, submit it to me with your request).

-i have the right to decline any fandom later on, as there’s some i just cannot stand, and some i may not be able to find good pictures for. i’ll try my best for now, but we’ll see

other stuff you should know:

-once again, the flags we use or decline to use, the fandoms we will or will not make edits for, do not reflect the views of this blog or the mod. don’t send discourse about it, it will be deleted. i’m too tired and i don’t need or want to be “educated” on anything.

-its okay to tag anything we make as kin/me/id

-do not add banners to our posts when you reblog them. even if they match our dni. it’s just rude.

-for now, “gay flag” means the rainbow flag, "queer flag" means the chevron, and “lesbian flag” means the new lesbian flag, with the pink white and orange. if you would like a different version of any flag, like my mlm flag, or the “original” lesbian flag, with all pinks and reds, just let me know!! if you would like an aesthetic flag used in an icon (such as starry gay, frog lesbian, etc) and i didn’t make it myself or already reblog it, please submit me the link with your request!

-i can make icons, dni banners (please specify text), headers and lock screens (please specify background), transparents, flag edits, simple pixel art (hearts, stars, food, animals, etc. no characters). 

-you don’t have to credit for icons, headers, lock screens, banners, or transparents, but i would like credit for flag edits and pixel art.

-please like or reblog a post if you plan on using the edits on it, so i can keep track of where they are.

thanks for reading all this, i know it was a lot but its important that you read it before interacting!! ciao!

[submalevolentgrace]

i realty don't feel like the queer community has benefited from the flag wars and the atomisation of identity... all I've experienced is getting yelled at for not knowing all the flags, or for using the "wrong" flag for pride, or for being a lesbian, or for being queer: or for daring to not like the trans flag...

i just, as I've said on other posts, i don't want this to be the start of the same bullshit in the disability community that has been going on in the queer or "LGBT+" community for two decades now, fueled by people online not knowing any actual community history and constantly needing to reinvent everything

because the thing is, we already have an iconic symbol for disability that is instantly recognisable and infinitely flexible

it's a white pictogram of a person sitting in a wheelchair on blue!

"oh but that wasn't designed by us for us!"

THIS ONE WAS

it was designed by on the ground disability activists to represent the positive and powerful aspects of living with disability, and while perhaps its intended use is signalling accessibility it's been taken up well by what you could call the disability pride community (although tbh most of us call ourselves cripples, because words of power)

I've spent my entire adult life in the disability community around people proud to be disabled, offline too. and there's never been any desire or need for a queer style flag because we already have the wheelchair pictogram, used it as a flag with pride, and like I said it's so flexible! i think graphic designers call it a "design system" or "logo system" and it's basically the holy grail of design because you can modify to change the tone of it!

I've seen versions of the wheelchair in pink and white for the girly girls, red on black for the metalheads, wearing a bubble helmet in space among the stars, punk mohawk, every possible colour, fields of flowers... you can even put it on a rainbow background for us queer cripples!

but every single instance is still a unified symbol and is instantly recognisable, you don't have to spend precious spoons and activist energy on getting people to even know what it is!

because the thing i love about the disability community is that it doesn't have, or at least hadn't had, all the bullshit infighting and horizontal violence and subgroups in competition and energy wasted on petty divisions that makes me feel so unwelcome in the queer community. but I've started to see it creeping in lately, mental illness vs physical disability, visible vs invisible vs chronically ill... and it's happening at the same time as people are making these new flags and terms for disability pride seemingly out of nowhere and i just...

we don't need to copy the (very online) queer ways. we don't need a flag war.

every new flag, new terminology, new pendulum swing on people first vs holistic language, it wastes energy we could be using to prevent actual abuse going on at a systematic international level of us!

the doctors that performed surgery on me against my consent were very respectful about my pronouns and what language to use around my disability!! i don't need a 3rd flag i need action

idk

i am in a lot of pain and angry and just want solidarity around what we already have, not fracturing around the endless creation of new subcommunities each with their own flag

as someone multiply queer, lesbian, and trans, I've had that community torn apart in ways that affected my irl community

as someone disabled both very visibly and very invisibly and also mentally ill... please, please don't push the same fracturing and wasted energy into the disability community

i barely have anywhere left to belong and i don't wanna find myself excluded in a few years because im not using the same piss coloured flag as all the new kids are when it's less old than my most recent surgery

If I’d known that THIS Disability Rights flag existed as early as 2017 (if it had shown up in ANY of my Internet Searches), I MIGHT not have continued trying to design one myself

Wikipedia Article on the Disability Flag, designed by Valencian dancer Eros Recio in 2017 (warning:. an image of the zigzag flag I designed also appears in the right-hand sidebar to this article, beside the “Influence of Disability Pride” section [section 3]).

[Image description: a flag of three equal horizontal stripes, from top to bottom: Gold, pale grey (silver) and muted orange (bronze). Description ends]

Apparently, according to the Wikipedia article linked above, it was officially adopted as the official flag of all persons with disabilities on December 3, 20`7 (the 3rd of December is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities) by “parliamentarians from Latin American countries gathered in a plenary assembly in Peru.”

This is another clue that the “Worldwide Web” is not actually that world wide – because even though I read this Wikipedia article just yesterday, when I searched for “United Nations Disability Flag” today, this image was absolutely no where in the first page of search results. But I bet it would have shown up, if I were searching from anywhere in Europe, or Latin America.

On the other hand, even if I had known about it, I might have decided that we still needed a more punk flag than this, and kept on working a black, pirate-inspired, eff-ewe, flag

Because the gold, silver and bronze stripes were inspired by the Paralympics. And I’ve always hated how disabled athletes have been used as a “so what’s your excuse?” cudgel against the rest of us.

To be fair, though, Eros Recio (who is disabled, himself), has said this flag represents overcoming the ableism we face, rather than overcoming our disabilities.

But since the queer community benefits from multiple flag designs (The Gilbert Baker flags, the Progress Flag, the Bear Flag, the Leather Pride Flag, etc.), than so can the Disability Community.

So I am hereby encouraging people (especially anglophone White, USA people) to spread awareness of this particular flag. USA culture is like honey: just one spilled drop can spread over everything, and make everything sticky. And this is especially true of USA-based Internet culture. If enough American based English-speaking people spread awareness of this flag online, than maybe the next time someone searches for “United Nations Disability Rights Flag,”  this image will pop up, instead of photos of Wheelchair accessible parking spaces in fron the UN building in New York.

[cantquitu]

1/ Ok you answered (advised) the anon so I was telling myself to stfu but really I couldn’t. they said they are 1) feeling excluded due to fans comments on social media - those comments such as he is gay because such & such reasons has been happening since the start so anon, do what you were doing before to survive this far. And he is not unique, this is the same for most famous person at this moment, some more than others. I mean I personally find those who are telling him to re-arrange their

 guts or any mention of d*ddy gag worthy & I avoid them but to each their own 

2) feeling excluded b/c he supports everyone to be themselves & raises lgbt+ flag in his shows which signals it also means our community (b/c that is not to be taken for granted as that is not how the world is) and we feel safe & THAT makes you uncomfortable? I don’t care. And yes that's homophobia. And I would rather you/people like you feel 1000X more uncomfortable than take away 1 happy minute from lgbt+ youth

3/ feeling excluded due to comments like ''singing medicine is gay culture'' , ''harry is lesbian icon'' ''this are only for gays don’t interact'' etc listen, this is online fandom, and it is only real when you are logged in. In real life? LGTB+ community members are not allowed to get married in majority of the world, some are not allowed to use public bathrooms, they get bullied, they get beaten, they are refused service, and in some parts of the world, they are illigal. THAT IS EXCLUSION 

 4/4 If the community gets some comedic relief in hyperbolic posts (I am specifically referring to the jokes and not real posts that might have different context to them) about this being only for gays and that makes you uncomfortable, you can fucking kick rock and I genuinely don’t care. Feel excluded and think about how LGBT+ community ( and other minorities who make similar posts) must feel in THE REAL WORLD when they are not afforded the basic human right. ok i am done ( sorry cantquitu :( 

Posting this even though I’d rather leave this conversation now, because I feel you needed to get it off your chest, Anon!! :)

You know I totally agree with your point 2. With point 1, we don’t know if this anon is new to the Harry fandom or even fandom in general, so I don’t think it’s particularly helpful to say “this has always been the way” or “he’s not the only one”. They’re writing about their experience of the fandom, so I think your point 3 is more relevant. As I said to the anon, the fandom response is not representative of reality and should not be mistaken for either the reality of what Harry himself is doing, or the reality that the LGBTQ community face in the real world. 

For point 4, that’s fine if you don’t care how the jokey hyperbolic posts make others feel uncomfortable or excluded (I don’t either). My opinion is that it is up to the person who is uncomfortable/irritated/bored with them to avoid them. Unfollow. 

I will say that it is sometimes hard for people - especially those new to a particular fandom - to tell the difference between the jokey hyperbolic posts and the real ones. There is some really nasty shit posted and then excused as “just lolz” when called out. I can understand people getting confused or upset by that. Again; nothing is making anyone follow or engage with the people who post that stuff. Take responsibility for your own fandom experience.

[koncreates]

I think people forget a lot of the time that people use icons and characters to represent themselves and like honestly???  like if someone’s big favorite is tracer and they want to show off their own sexuality/gender at the same time then let them.  Even if that’s not the case for these, they’re icons that were made by request- not something the OP even HCs.

like there’s no need to shit your pants over someone wanting icons of tracer in front of the pan flag my guys.  it doesn’t erase her identity within the game, it doesn’t erase the fact that she’s canonically a lesbian. I can understand how it could feel like erasure ( I don't really agree, but i dont id as a lesbian so I'm not gonna stop you, because it's your right to feel that way) but something like this is No Excuse to send hate or go out of your way to hurt someone else. (And by that I am referring to the nasty messages the OP says they've been getting and the message telling ME to kill myself I got after first posting this)

Tldr: it costs $0 to idk, block or move along from content you don’t like instead of sending the creator hate and telling them to die over some icons, jfc some of yall need to go outside, and maybe use that energy you would have used to send hate or get mad to make something that makes you happy like your own overwatch pride icons.

Bigender Pansexual Tracer Icons for Anon

(These are free to use credit appreciated but not necessary!)

[jennymanrique]

LGBT Latino artists express their diversity and creativity in an exhibit traveling across Texas

Marco Saucedo points at the painting "Boys in the Garden" by artist Armando Sebastian displayed in the Art exhibit "MariconX" in Dallas. Photo: Brandon Wade

The word "maricón" is no longer an insult — at least for a group of Latino LGBT artists who want to embrace the word, just as "queer" has been accepted within the English vocabulary to identify those who are not heterosexual.

"We took away its offensive connotation in order to give a platform and a voice to a community that has some things to say through art," said Alejandro Treviño, board member of Arttitude and program director of MaricónX, an art show focusing on, for the first time in Dallas, the work of Latino LGBT people.

Through pieces of art and photography, they are seeking to promote understanding of their community. "We thought about doing a show all over Texas, particularly in South Texas, where there's a budding gay movement," Treviño said.

"We made a call in social media, and all these artists showed up with their work. We opened our doors without prejudice. Whatever they choose to call themselves — gay, bisexual, transgender — this space is for them."

The show, which opened May 4 at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, hit the road to Austin, San Antonio, Houston and McAllen, a city that will have its first Gay Pride Month this June.

The show returned to Dallas on Wednesday, June 8, at the Latino Cultural Center, featuring the works of 29 artists. It will remain open through July 27.

Treviño thinks Latino artists are "underrepresented," especially when it comes to being "a person of color and a homosexual. We want to be a vehicle to keep celebrating diversity."

Four of the artists talked with The Dallas Morning News about their views on identity, culture, religion, media and politics, as well as sexual and gender identity.

For Marco Saucedo, painting is therapy

The artist Marco Saucedo photographed with his paintings during the art show MaricónX featuring Hispanic LGBT artists at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center on May 4. Photo: Jenny Manrique/Staff Writer

For Marco Saucedo, painting became a form of therapy.

The 30-year-old DACA recipient said he grew up with the "shame" of being homosexual, immigrant and undocumented, and, while he used to be shy and quiet, drawing since he was 4 years old led him to choose a life in art.

"I like to paint something that creates an emotion, either of sadness or joy, things you can have a conversation about," said Saucedo, who was born in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico, and whose art is being exhibited for the first time in Dallas.

In his paintings, Saucedo captures scenes from his own childhood and his life as an immigrant.

In one of them, he depicts himself with his brother holding a U.S. flag, a sight evoking a day when a snake crawled into their house.

"It's a representation of the culture and racism: of what this country has given me and how it has hurt me at the same time."

In another piece, called No Eres de Aquí (You're Not From Here), Saucedo recalls his first days in school, when children singled him out for not speaking English.

In yet another one he appears handcuffed — a reference to one of his two arrests for being an unauthorized immigrant.

And the one epitomizing the most painful moment of his life: a crying child clinging to his dad — it is Saucedo himself as a 7-year-old facing the deportation of his father, who later died in an unsuccessful attempt to sneak back into the U.S.

"Few times have I seen a snapshot of what I represent in other galleries. I don't think there are many spaces, let alone in Dallas, where we can feel totally open to be who we are," he said.

Olivia Peregrino wants to increase visibility for lesbian families

The photographer Olivia Peregrino poses with her photos during the art show MaricónX featuring Hispanic LGBT artists at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center on May 4. Photo: Jenny Manrique

In 2009, Olivia Peregrino went to Monterrey to spend some time with her female friends. She realized most of them were living as couples and forming families with children.

Fortuitously, she started taking pictures of them. She ended up with a series of portraits illustrating the experience of being a lesbian mother in Mexico, a setting where same-sex marriage is still an open-ended struggle .

"I wanted to give visibility to these families. It's an issue people don't talk about much back in Monterrey, as same-sex marriage is only legal in Mexico City and Coahuila state,” said the 47-year-old artist, who's been a photographer for 10 years, two of them in the U.S.

Her portrayals show the spontaneity of love between mothers and daughters and sons, a window into gay parenting.

Peregrino has taken part in a number of shows in Mexico, but this is the first time she is exhibiting her work in the U.S., after she met curator Treviño in Washington, D.C.

She said she believes she has more opportunities to grow as an artist here than in her own country. "I think spaces for the gay community are still lacking. But people have been gaining freedoms. It is important we keep fostering art amid discrimination in Texas and nationwide," she said.

In a second photo sequence — still a work in progress — two naked men look intently at the camera lens.

They're more intimate pictures, personal representations of body identity free of shame.

"My purpose is showing who we are under our clothes," Peregrino said.

"Exploring our relationship with our own body — how we look at ourselves, how we would like to look, how other people look at us and how they want us to look. At the end of the day, it's a work about acceptance," she said.

Armando Sebastian uses other artists, cultural icons to express himself

The artist Armando Sebastian poses with his paintings during the art show MaricónX featuring Hispanic LGBT artists at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center on May 4. Photo: Jenny Manrique

An androgynous figure combs a long, black mane surrounding them. The phrases scribbled around their hair attest to loving one's self in every possible way.

Armando Sebastian drew his inspiration from Frida Kahlo's Autorretrato con Pelo Corto (Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair), which the renowned Mexican artist painted shortly after divorcing her cheating husband, Diego Rivera.

In her original painting, Kahlo appears wearing a man's shirt, shoes and an oversized suit. Hovering are the lyrics of a Mexican popular song: "I loved you because of your hair. Now that you cropped your hair, I don't love you anymore."

"I never let my hair grow until a couple of years ago. I always had it close-cropped," said Sebastian, a Monterrey native and a Dallas resident since 2004.

"I thought about doing a painting of myself where I did the opposite to Frida — saying I love my long hair and now I love myself more. It's a small tribute to Frida and myself," said Sebastian, who besides Kahlo, has being inspired by the work of Remedios Varo, Marc Chagall and Salvador Dalí.

Sebastian's pieces are an unusual mix of religious images, bright colors inspired in Mexican folk art, Japanese manga and 18th-century art.

He says he conveys biographical moments and memories from his childhood and teenage years, as well as drawing from icons of literature and music.

His works have also been shown in Los Angeles and Tyler.

He'll have an exhibit in New York next July.

"The 'm-word' is too strong for me because its meaning, as I grew up in Mexico, is the opposite of what we want to do here, which is making the community aware of us and celebrate who we are," Sebastian said.

Debra Gloria works to celebrate women's beauty

The photographer Debra Gloria poses with her photos during the art show MaricónX featuring Hispanic LGBT artists at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center on May 4. Photo: Jenny Manrique

A naked woman's torso, which was shown on MaricónX's page, was censored in Facebook as organizers were advertising the event.

The black-and-white photograph by artist Debra Gloria, which is part of the Sensualidad series, showing the naturalness of the female body, had to be replaced with another, more "universally accepted" image.

"It's incredible how a woman's nipple gets immediately censored, but a shirtless man is accepted as a natural thing," said Gloria, 56, who taking photos for 28 years after she fell in love with it while attending an after-school class at San Antonio University.

In Sensualidad, Gloria wants to celebrate love among women, the vulnerability of the female gender but also its passions, women’s ways of loving and the meaning of unconditional love.

"Ever since I have shown my work publicly, I have been censored," she said. "Sometimes I'm afraid people won't view women as I see them, which is a celebration of their beauty."

Originally published here

Want to read this piece in Spanish? Click here 

[faeuniblog]

Bi-Zine - Script

(Page 2)

My name is Fae-Jinni and I will be your guide through this Zine about the Bisexual community.

So, what is Bisexuality?

Bisexuality is the romantic or sexual attraction toward both males and females. It’s one of the three main classification of sexual orientation along with heterosexuality and homosexuality.

(Cute little drawing of Bi-person, Homo-person and Hete-person with their flag coloured over them)

The term bisexuality, hetero- and homosexuality, were all coined in the 19th century.

(Page 3)

While it’s true that being bisexual, meaning you're attracted to both sexes, these attractions are not always equal to each other.

To help explain this, below I have put the Kinsey Scale and the Purple-Red Scale of Attraction.

The Kinsey scale, also called the Heterosexual–Homosexual Rating Scale, is used to describe a person’s sexual orientation. It was created by the sexologist Alfred Kinsey in 1948. (Picture of Kinsey)

It is a scale that goes from 0, meaning exclusively heterosexual, to 6, meaning exclusively homosexual. (Picture of Kinsey Scale)

In 2016, Langdon Parks created a new scale after learning that he was asexual but still attracted to women. This new scale allows the user to label how they experience that attraction on a scale of A to F. A represents asexuality, while F represents hypersexuality. (Drawing or picture of Langdon Parks) (Picture of Purple and Red Scale)

(Page 4)

The point I’m trying to make is that everyone has a different experiences of being bi as there are different levels of being bi. I myself am a 2 on the Kinsey scale and a D2 on the Red and Purple Scale as I personally seem to fancy men more but I have always found women attractive.

(Page 5)

You know, at this point I was going to give examples of animals that have shown bisexual behaviour in nature however when I typed into Google ‘bisexually animals’ this is what came up… (screenshot)

A few links about the definition of 'bisexually'. Animals that have both sex organs and animals that reproduce bisexually. But nothing about animals showing bisexual behaviour.

And this isn't because it doesn't exist! When I typed in ‘homosexual animals’, google can't seem it get enough of it. (screenshot)

If there are animals that have shown they're gay by fucking the same gender, then there are going to be animals who have fucked both genders. (draw a animal or something)

Which means! = Bisexual! (Draw funny picture of a lion or something fucking both sexes and it = bi)

So, this segues nicely into my next topic, bi-erasure.

(Page 6)

There is this lovely little thing called ‘bisexual erasure’ or ‘bisexual invisibility’. At best, it’s the tendency for people, media or shows to ignore, remove or just not acknowledge bisexuality. At worst, it’s blatant biphobia.

·         It's just a Phase.

·         You'll choose a side

·         Your sexuality isn't real

·         You're just confused

·         So you’re straight

·         You’re invading queer space

·         So you’re gay then

·         Want to have a threesome with me and my boyfriend/girlfriend/friend

·         You're greedy

·         Promiscuous

·         But I thought you were gay/straight!

·         Are you gay or straight?

·         How do you know you're bi if you've never been with someone of the same sex?

·         You're not bi enough

·         You're not a real bisexual

·         You're half gay and half straight!

·         You have straight passing privilege!

·         I can't date you because you've been with guys.

·         You won't stay faithful and hop onto the next straight man you see.

·         You're just doing it for the attention

(Page 7)

For some examples, let’s look at some TV shows!

Friends!

Prior to the start of the series, Ross’s wife Carol came out as lesbian after being married to him for several years and then married Susan their lover. This isn’t particularly unusual in the not so gay-friendly early ‘90s context. However, it’s made clear that she and Ross still enjoyed a sexual relationship together still even after she got involved with Susan. Ross even brings up how they had "some good times before she became a lesbian...and a few afterwards, as well," and Ross’ and Carol’s son was even conceived at three months after she admitted to seeing Susan. Carol however, is only ever referred exclusively as gay, bisexuality is never brought up.

(Page 8)

Glee!

In the TV show Glee, there are two female high school students that appeared to be bisexual, Brittany and Santana. Santana is referred to as a lesbian character despite previously having two ex-boyfriends while Britany identified herself as ‘fluid’ and ‘bi-curiou’.

Blaine is a gay exchange student who becomes confused with is orientation in one episode and is convinced he's bisexual. His friend Kurt dismissed his confused saying that gay teenagers called themselves bi "when they want to hold hands with [the opposite sex] and feel normal for a change" Blaine calls it out as a double-standard. Despite all this, Blaine turns out 100% gay at the end of the episode. Ryan Murphy, one of the show’s creators of the show, defended his decision by saying that the ‘kids need to know he’s one of them’.

Apparently, us bi kids out there don’t need that kind of support!

How about we look at how the media treats celebrities that are bisexual

(Page 9)

Examples from real life aren’t much better.

Freddie Mercury is considered one of the most famous gay icons. Did you know he was Bi? Freddie was openly bisexual, had relationships with both men and women and never formally came out as gay.

Bisexual erasure at its finest my friends.

(Page 10)

Then we get people like Boy George, someone from ‘our’ own community going on a biphobic twitter rant.

His response to his fans who felt hurt and upset “that you’d reduce my valid sexuality to a lie or joke,” was (Example/sceenshots)

(Page 11)

I think some words from dedicated bi leader, Faith Cheltenham and Ph.D., Contributor, Activist and writer, Beth Sherouse would be a nice closes to this zine.

Until bisexuals stop being the unmentionables of the LGBTQIA community we will continue to be the punching bags of both gay and straight, with respite nowhere to be found.

- Faith Cheltenham

Lesbians and gay men, this angry bisexual is tired of being your afterthought.

- Beth Sherouse

(Highly recommend reading Sherouse’s article on growing up bi and the treatment she got from it.)

Do a small personal conclusions talking about 50% 50%, personal expressents of myself and others.

No, I am not 50% gay, 50% straight. No, I’m not saying it for attention and No, I’m not scetatly gay.

I’m bi, and I deserve to be acknowledge and seen for what I am.

Extra shit and notes that I didn’t use

Change title, ‘The Bisexually community’ to ‘Bisexual Culture’

Intro

These are the topic’s all be covering in this zine:

·         What is bisexuality, and to be Bisexual?

·         Queer Theory and Identity

·         LGBT Community & Treatment of bisexuals

·         How the media and celebrities treats bisexuals

I’m going to be talking about

Intro into Bisexuality Specially

Biphobia and the LGBT+ Community

“Being Bi is only something I’ve really come to except recently in my life, self-acceptance is the first hurdle when it come being part of the LGBT+. But, just because I’ve accept this doesn’t mean “

You’d think that being bi would be great, you’ve basically doubled your dating options and if you’re family doesn’t like it, just pretend to be straight right?

Wrong!

Being bi is normal, animals and shit. Give a history lesson, talk about famous people who are bi for something.

There’s a nifty little scale created by Alfred Kinsey around 1948 called Kinsey scale.

(Picture of Kinsey Scale)

Which was later expanded upon by a Southern California dude named Langdon Parks (improvised drawing of Park dude as I don’t know what he looks like) who created the Purple and Red Scale of Attractions!

(Picture of Purple and Red Scale)

It was weird for me growing up as I always thought that everyone was also attracted to everyone else.

One women I spoke to said that because she was in a relationship with a women at the moment, she finds women more attractive and that when she’s dating men, she more attracted to men.

I’ve spoken to some bisexual who say they are more attracted to the sex there current partner is.

A nice metaphor for this is liking both tea and coffee. Coffee is men, Tea is women. Some people prefer Tea but coffee is also fine. Some people like coffee and tea equally. Some people’s prefers can change temporarily and others permanently.

It’s like someone liking both Coffee and Tea (I happen to be a hot chocolate person myself but that’s beside the point).

That’s a simple version of it but being bisexual is a little more complicated.

To help demonstrate what I’m talking about, I present that Kinsey Scale and Purple-Red Scale of Attraction.

It’s really not as simple as that. If you’re a girl coming out as bi, you’re just doing it for attention.

If you’re a boy, you’re secretly gay and are just afraid to ‘come out’ fully.

Bisexuals are called greedy, promiscuous and carrier STDs. They’re untrustworthy and traitors but they’re good for threesomes.

It doesn’t help that on top of that, the treatment we get from that Gay and Lesbian community is just as bad as well.

Some people describe bisexuals as being half-straight and half-gay, this is wrong and thinking this ways leads to segregation from both the straight and gay community. Being bisexual is being 100% bisexual, not half anything.

Okay, I think I’ve hit the required page minimum for this project now so it’s time for some closing words from dedicated bi leader, Faith Cheltenham and Ph.D., Contributor, Activist and writer, Beth Sherouse.

References

(1) http://www.bisexualindex.org.uk/index.php/bisexuality (Page 1, what is Bi)

(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexuality (Page 1, what is Bi)

(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosexual%E2%80%93homosexual_continuum

(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_bisexuality

(5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsey_scale

(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Kinsey

(7) https://mic.com/articles/126346/what-s-your-true-sexual-orientation-the-purple-red-scale-is-here-to-help-you-find-out#.FsriffCag (Purple and Red)

(8) http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NoBisexuals (TV Tropes) (Friends) (Glee)

(9) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexual_erasure

(10) https://www.advocate.com/news/daily-news/2011/09/23/ending-bi-erasure-tv-and-our-lgbt-worlds

(11) https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/418060777886957446/ (Insults)

(12) https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/564005553310394660/ (insults)

(13) https://www.theodysseyonline.com/15-annoying-phrases-bisexuals-are-tired-of-hearing (Insults)

(14) http://friends.wikia.com/wiki/Ross_Geller

(15) http://friends.wikia.com/wiki/Carol_Willick

(16) http://friends.wikia.com/wiki/Susan_Bunch

(17) http://glee.wikia.com/wiki/Santana_Lopez

(18) http://glee.wikia.com/wiki/Brittany_Pierce

(19) http://glee.wikia.com/wiki/Blaine_Anderson

(20) http://www.youthareawesome.com/freddie-mercury-bisexual-erasure/ (Freddie Mer)

(21) http://www.vulture.com/2017/01/boy-george-accused-of-biphobia.html (Boy George)

(22) http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/01/03/boy-george-posts-erratic-series-of-tweets-after-criticism-for-biphobia/ (Boy George)

(23) http://binetusa.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/finding-the-good-in-goodbi.html (Faith Quote)

(24) https://medium.com/defiant/dear-lesbians-and-gays-im-bisexual-and-you-treated-me-like-crap-1dee4deeaeb8 (Last Page Beth Sher)

https://us.ditchthelabel.org/i-am-a-bisexual-man/

https://www.xojane.com/sex/what-being-bisexual-really-means