#and to please take time to educate yourselves on the history of the lgbt movement not just in the US but internationally across the world

[ballad-of-the-lamb]

happy pride month only to people who can describe their gender as a despondent 1700s-1800s pauper who has witnessed the horrific depravity of humanity all of their life and in their final moments decided that in a pact with a dead forgotten god that they will be the cleansing that the world needs to heal, history will make them a villain, but they will have no other suffer the same fate that they did

[caelpictor]

✊🏽 🌈 😷

Hello hello hello! Happy Pride, and a very happy Juneteenth to you all! For those of you who don’t know, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the day the final group of enslaved people was freed in Texas in 1865 (which was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed… but that’s beside the point). So I recently took about a month-long unplanned break from social media, because, as I’ve said before, I’ve been REALLY low energy these past few weeks, what with everything that’s been going on in the world. I am at the intersection of multiple marginalized groups, and that knowledge can be very heavy sometimes. But I wanted to make a post today in my own words, because I realized my staying silent doesn’t help me or anyone I care about; it only helps maintain the status quo. So now I’m here to check in with all of you and to put my thoughts and feelings on the record. 

First of all, I’ve been doing a lot of drawing and writing and bingewatching and bingeplaying video games since quarantine started, and I’m having a great time with that! But I’ve also been staying up-to-date on the news, as any good person should, and what I’m seeing isn’t so good. More and more Black people, including children and the often overlooked women and trans folk, are being murdered every day. Speaking of trans folk, their basic human rights are being taken away before our very eyes. Brown immigrants continue to be abused by our government. Indigenous people continue to have their bodies, lands, and cultures violated. People who riot and loot are being condemned in the name of “respectability politics,” despite the fact that they’ve been systemically disenfranchised all their lives, and their anger is justified. People who oppose fascism are being dubbed terrorists. The pandemic isn’t getting any better, but people are acting like it’s over. Political leaders and celebrities who claim to be on our side are taking performative action that does nothing to foster actual progress. And that’s just in the United States! There are more crises going on in countries around the world than I can even think to name. 

So right now I’m doing what I can to stay safe and sane and help out in whatever small ways I‘m able to. That means continuing to practice social distancing while also signing petitions, spreading information, supporting my fellow Black and Brown and LGBT+ artists/businesses/individuals, elevating our voices, and donating wherever I can. But Juneteenth is about education, and I’ve also been doing some reading. I have two really great books to recommend to you, if you haven’t read them already: 

The first one is called The End of Policing, and it’s by Alex Vitale; it basically breaks down that phrase that seems to scare and confuse a lot of people: “Defund the police.” Vitale talks about how policing as an institution is ineffective at its best and harmful at its worst, how attempts at reforming the institution are also ineffective, how policing permeates every area of our society, including schools and politics and several other places where it doesn’t belong, and about the criminalization of homelessness, sex work, drugs, gangs, immigration, and more. The End of Policing is available as an ebook for free right here, for your convenience! 

The second book is by the great political activist Angela Davis, and it’s called Are Prisons Obsolete? Like Vitale, Davis questions and critiques an institution which is often said to be in need of reform when it actually, she argues, needs to be done away with entirely. She talks about how the current system incorrectly values punishment and vengeance over reform and rehabilitation, how people of color are vastly overrepresented in the penal system, how the system treats people of color, women, the disabled, the mentally ill, the poor, and LGBT+ folk differently from well-off cishet white men, and how prisons have become an industrial complex that serves capitalistic desires over human needs. This one is also available for free, as a pdf right here, for your convenience!

Both authors discuss controversial, interconnected topics through thorough research, write in clear, concise, and fact-driven language, dive deep into the history of policing and prisons in America and around the world (including their shared origins in slave-catching), and finally offer alternatives, which are detailed, doable, and proven effective by precedent, such as decriminalization of certain acts and substances, and reallocation of bloated funds to areas that more effectively address crime at its source (as crime doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and mostly occurs as a direct result of people’s needs not being met!). I highly recommend these if you’re interested in reading. If not, there are lots of videos and infographics and articles that discuss these topics in much shorter, simpler ways, and a quick Google search will lead you in the right direction. 😉

In conclusion, coronavirus is alive and well, and so is racism. I urge my friends and followers not to be quiet about the injustices we have been facing every day for centuries, all over the world, and not to let the attention and momentum shift away from our movement.  It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are or where you are. Keep wearing masks and socially distancing. Keep educating yourselves and each other. Keep protesting and contacting officials and donating and signing petitions. Keep supporting Black and Brown and Queer artists and businesses and individuals. Keep elevating our voices. Use your voice to call for an end to white supremacy, the patriarchy, and transphobia. Be careful with spreading images of violence (as they can be disturbing and disrespectful), as well as protestors’ faces (as they can be used to identify and track people down). 

On a more personal level, respect and value the lives of people who look different from you. We don’t exist for you. We exist for ourselves. We are complete human beings, and we will not be broken down into parts for your easy consumption. And sure, voting is important, but direct action has proven to be much more effective at causing immediate change. I understand if you need a mental health break. As I said at the beginning, I needed a mental health break. But please do so quietly, safely, and respectfully, and don’t make this about you. I see some of you are still out here fighting the good fight daily, and I thank you for it. But I can’t begin to express how troubling it is to watch other people go about their lives as if all these crazy things aren’t happening. Remember, no voice is too small to be used as a platform of positive change! I realized that includes me. Now you need to realize that includes you! 

Lastly: Black Lives STILL Matter, Black WOMEN’S Lives Matter, Black TRANS Lives Matter, Black DISABLED Lives Matter, Black MENTAL HEALTH Matters. Defund The Police. Abolish ICE. No One Is Illegal On Stolen Land. Eat The Rich. Pride Is A Protest. Be An Ally. We’re In This Together. 

And once again, happy Juneteenth. 

P.S: My book recs are free, and Google is free, but as my friend Javon so perfectly put it, “my emotional labor and racial education will only be free when I wish them to be.” So if you want to debate me on any of these topics, OR if you want me to do more research for you, I would be happy to accept payment via Venmo (@KyleBryant), PayPal (kylemb13), CashApp ($KyleMarcusBryant), et cetera! (I’m also accepting drawing/painting commissions, reparation payments, and general donations! Yes, I’m dead serious!) 

✊🏽🌈😷

[ashestoashcraft]

This piece is dedicated to all my fellow goths that are so goth they were born black, but still are told "goth is white" when trying to express themselves. It's dedicated to all of my LGBT+ brothers and sisters of whom are targeted simply for being born (of no choice of their own) both queer and colored. It's dedicated to everyone of whom is oppressed and unheard even when they speak. It's dedicated to everyone the criminal justice system has failed. Most of all, this piece was inspired by and dedicated to the late George Floyd, of whom was unjustifiably murdered by corrupt officers. His death is not in vain - in his daughter's words, "Daddy is changed the world." If you aren't an artist yourself and you would like to repost this piece in support of the BLM movement, you are more than welcome to do so. In an effort not to promote myself through any possible reposts of this piece, please DO NOT link back to me. ONLY copy and paste the following information for how to get involved with BLM and fighting racism, or better yet provide new information of your own! "Anger is a powerful force. It can be a useful force, but left on its own, it will only corrode and destroy and sow chaos on the inside and out. But when anger is focused, when it is channeled into something more, oh that is the stuff that changes history." -Michelle Obama; June 2020 Support BLM through any of the following resources. The following links are to a few different masterposts with lots and LOTS of information; I've been going through each of them myself. Some of this information overlaps, but I'd rather link you twice than not at all. (1) https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ (2) https://www.caths.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/How%20to%20Support%20%23BlackLivesMatter%205Jun2020.pdf (3) https://www.reddit.com/r/larrystylinson/comments/gvv1tw/black_lives_matter_masterpost/ (4) https://weheartit.com/articles/344784714-blacklivesmatter-masterpost-how-to-help White Supremacy is currently not legally considered terrorism, which I found distressingly shocking. Sign the following petition to help change this: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-treat-white-supremacism-as-the-biggest-terrorist-threat/ If you'd like to show off your support whilst donating, Blackcraft cult has this simple yet effective "Fuck Racism" T-shirt for sale. 100% of the profits go to the NAACP now, but before then this shirt managed to raise $166,632.12 for the George Floyd Memorial Fund. Wear it with pride, anti-racists: https://www.blackcraftcult.com/collections/frontpage/products/fuck-racism One of the most important and unsettling things to me that often gets forgotten are Missing Persons cases. Here is a list on Twitter of a series of missing POCs; please give it at least a glance just in case you may know anything about anyone here: https://twitter.com/pinnocksworld/status/1266732128005480449 This post is surface-level, no more than a place to start. Don't stop here. Please learn from those around you and educate yourself as I am. It doesn't take too much of your time, and supporting BLM - be it with your voice and/or your money - it may mean the difference between life and death for so many people. Thank you for your time. Take care of yourselves, and be kind to humankind.

[southernadhdmomma-blog]

Let me start by telling you a bit about myself. I am a bisexual, Caucasian, Blue-Collar class, agnostic, assault surviving, homemaker. I identify as female (technically I identify as frustrated, tired, mother), and I am pro-choice on both abortion and adoption. You still reading? I’m shocked.

Social media is absolutely full of LGBT Pride posts, events, rainbow like buttons, and frames for your profile picture to show your support this month. Most of you already know it’s because the month of June is considered LGBT Pride Month. An entire month dedicated to celebrations and parades for the LGBT community. June was originally chosen as the unofficial celebration, initiating as an idea for a week long celebration to commemorate the stonewall riots on June 28, 1969 in Manhattan…wait, a whole week for one day? Yep, you read correctly; they gave themselves an entire week in lieu of one day, which has now spanned an entire month. US Presidents began making official declarations to honor “Gay Pride Month” starting on June 2, 2000 with president Bill Clinton. Jump ahead to President Obama, and every year a declaration was made to honor this month. Now, it is also in observance of the legalization of same-sex marriages back in 2015.

The official definition of “Gay Pride” or “LGBT Pride” is as follows: Gay pride or LGBT pride is the positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance.

Now, I am all about having a positive stance against discrimination and violence against ANY PERSON. Every human being deserves equality and the ability to be themselves. Yes, I fully believe you are born gay, straight, bisexual, pansexual, etc. I believe people need understanding of all races, sexualities, genders, and religions. Without history, we cannot grow and evolve and we are forever doomed to repeat our mistakes. But can I say I have “pride” that I like girls and guys? Not exactly, I am proud of who I am yes, but being bisexual is only a small part of who I am and who I will be in future years. Have I been cut down and discriminated against for being bisexual? Absolutely. I have been mentally abused by family, friends, and strangers because I “like girls”, I have been assaulted for it, called numerous vulgarities, if you can think of it, it has probably happened. I fought against myself for many years, because it wasn’t “Christian” or proper. All in all, there are many reasons to educate the masses on the LGBT community; however, an entire month dedicated to “pride” is excessive.

Pride is not so much about increasing visibility (believe me, the straight people and homophobes see us loud and clear), as much as shock factor by today’s standards. People all over celebrate, whether they be a straight supporter or part of the diverse community, they bring their children, wanting them to be exposed and be accepting or a part of it. So please, tell me where is it ok that my 8-year-old daughter see a man in a g-string and chaps with his penis hanging down in a sock type of contraption positive? When is it ok that the same 8-year-old, and the three-year-old see a woman marching around in barely any clothes, or nothing at all except body paints? This is not the image we want our children to think is acceptable. Pride is not shock factor, pride should be a willingness to accept and a longing to educate.

Fast forward to October. October is the official LGBT History month. Falling in this month to coincide with national coming out day on October 11. National Coming Out day was established in 1987 to commemorate the Second March of Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Also in 1987, October was commemorated in observance of the First March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation by LGBT people in 1979. LGBT History Month is intended to encourage honesty and openness about being LGBT. LGBT History Month is a month-long annual observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community, and makes the civil rights statement about our extraordinary national and international contributions.

But wait, doesn’t that sound a lot like what Pride month is supposed to do as well? Yes, I believe it does. Why do we have two months out of the year dedicated to this community, my community? Pick a month. Either make June the official Pride/History month, or make it in October, but not both. You (speaking figuratively to others in the community) want dignity, equality, visibility and community? Stop acting a fool. Traipsing around with your boobs, butt, and sex organs out for the world to see is not dignified, it is not respectful, and no one will ever take you seriously. You want to look like that, then please take it back in the clubs and bars where children are not present. Clubbing and partying is one thing, but on a public street, marching for a positive image and acceptance is not the time or place to show out. When my children ask me why that person dresses that way, or acts like an over spoilt diva, am I supposed to tell them it is ok because they are LGBT? (And this goes for all walks of life) If you want respect, you have to show respect.

Why are we using the term Pride for a month of celebration/education? We have Native American History (heritage) Month, Black History Month, Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, Jewish-American Heritage Month, Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month, and Italian-American History Month. Do all these ethnicities and communities not have pride in where they come from too? Yet the LGBT community is the only one to have not just a History month but a Pride month.

But wait, Southern Momma, where is White-American Heritage month? That is a whole new pan of biscuits darlin’, but I will say this: In all these Heritage months we celebrate, we talk about role models, significant events, influential people in the distant past and not so distant (see role models), “white America” is taught and spoken of in most history lessons and schools. When we learn about the founding of our nation, the world wars, civil wars, etc., we learn about these people every day. The Heritage months dedicated to other ethnicities and communities is an opportunity to learn something new, to educate yourselves on something that was not commonly taught or even discussed.

“That’s a load of bullshit!” yeah, I hear ya. I hear you every damn time you scream it to the masses, but thanks to our society, the way we have raised our younger generations (mine included unfortunately), and the never-ending racism that spans all races and ethnicities, “white-american heritage month” will never happen, because anything a Caucasian person wants that might have anything similar to another movement, is racist and white privilege (another pan of biscuits my loves). So since I cant be proud of my skin color and where I came from (think not just white, but Southern Confederates), I hereby announce I will be claiming “Homemaker Pride Month” during the month of July (Not that I get the month off to celebrate running a household with young children in it) and I will be celebrating “Blue-Collar Worker Pride” in August (you know, when the school systems nickel and dime you to death with t-shirts, supplies, fund raisers, year books, etc).

To sum it up, to the rest of my LGBT community, pick a month. You are not any more special than the next sprinkle on my cake, and one month is plenty of time to educate on our history, as well as possibly show the world you are more than the stereotypical fairie, diva, and shock factor. I’m friends with many people from all different walks of life, and showing out, making a fool of yourself, scaring the straight people, doesn’t help what we are trying to do. Love is love, but have some respect too.

And now, at the end of my newly pariah status topic, I urge you to take the time to learn about the LGBT community, or any other group you find yourself uneducated on. I’m available for questions too, though I have a feeling my views are about to cost me subscribers and any standing in the community. All I have to say on that, is I hope to see you again and for those that I won’t, well…

Bless Your Heart. ❤

LGBT Pride/History. Enough Shock factor. Let me start by telling you a bit about myself. I am a bisexual, Caucasian, Blue-Collar class, agnostic, assault surviving, homemaker.