#lgbt advocacy

[terror-punk]

Win for the queers today, I think.

We went to and spoke at a local council meeting this week. Long story short, our town is planning a pride festival and we're helping get it off the ground for its second year running. And, of course, the council doesn't like that very much. They were holding a vote in their meeting about whether or not to remove their funding from it, and if so, how much. The amount ended up getting dropped a bit, but nowhere near as much as a lot of them wanted it to be. A small win, though not the best outcome.

We'd been to a council meeting about the festival before. The first time was before the first festival, and one particular councilor had called for a vote to cancel it. We, helping run the festival, of course registered to speak at that council meeting as a member of the public and give our two cents. This was earlier this year, and we won--the festival was a huge success! That particular councilor wasn't happy, but oh well! That's a him issue.

Yesterday, though, we saw that specific transpbobic councilor in the dollar store. He, behaving like something out of a damn cartoon, looked us dead in the eye--then slowly turned away and started literally whistling. I cannot make this up. Literally whistling innocently. He seemed to wander around for a bit, then make a line straight for the door to leave. Like okay, the scary transgender who's spoken at your meeting twice is in the craft isle at the dollar store. So damn scary. We had a good laugh about it with our partner who was also there with us, and carried on with our day.

But, later that night, we get a notification on our phone. This councilor had looked us up on Facebook of all places--a place we don't have our face, we have our chosen name and a random bird as our icon--and followed our account. This guy, so damn pressed about us being outspoken and contesting him and his attempts to cancel the festival, remembered our chosen name, and sought us out on Facebook to follow us. We had to use our legal name for the registration forms! He remembered that in our speech, we introduced ourselves as our chosen name.

If that's not proving we live rent free in this old queerphobes head, I don't know what is. I see this as an absolute win, and a sign we're doing the right thing--being a person that assholes feel the need to keep tabs on. That's right, be threatened.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Armin Navabi

To be sure, the Palestinian people have suffered more than their fair share, and it’s easy to see how the Palestinian resistance narrative can carry the allure of righteous rebellion, especially for factions of the hard left who have their own aspirations of a large-scale dismantling of our liberal society. The vicarious thrill of romanticized revolution that leads some to go far beyond simply advocating for the Palestinian people and expressing solidarity with Hamas, ignores the jihadist ideologies at the core of such organizations. These ideologies are oppressing LGBT Palestinians at this very moment, and given half a chance, they would oppress the very leftists now voicing support for the Palestinian cause. And, indeed, this has happened before.

The aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran is a harrowing tale of leftists being tortured and executed en masse by the very Islamic regime they supported for the sake of their anti-imperialist goals. Many Iranians who aligned with leftist organizations supported the revolution only to find themselves persecuted by Islamists they helped put in power.

Immediately following the revolution, the new regime led by Ayatollah Khomeini began systematically oppressing LGBT people and publicly executing them by the thousands. These atrocities were justified as a means to "eliminate corruption" and prevent the "contamination" of society. Between 4,000 to 6,000 gay, lesbian, and bi people have been executed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution​​. Iran’s legal system, rooted in Islamic law, criminalizes consensual sexual relations between same-sex individuals, with penalties ranging from lashes to death. Iranian law does not distinguish between consensual and non-consensual same-sex intercourse, allowing authorities to prosecute both perpetrators and victims of sexual assault​.

Source: The Algemeiner

Images of gay and bi men hanged from cranes so that they may slowly suffocate to death serve as grim reminders for anyone interested in human rights: align with Islamic fundamentalists at your peril.

"Queers for Palestine", and the nuanced realities it glosses over, underscores the need for a more informed and discerning discourse — a discourse that transcends catchy slogans and moral binaries and delves into the complex, often discordant ideologies at play in the Israel-Palestine conflict. That way, we can advocate for a better future without bolstering forces antithetical to liberal values, and without betraying LGBT people by undermining their very rights and freedoms. We can’t do that while overwriting the complicated dynamics of a 75-year foreign conflict with our own provincial identity politics.

[radiocurrency]

Ya girl talked about their own journey growing up queer in regional Australia and the importance of supporting Queer Youth on my local radio today!

[faery-snow]

Again for the people in the back: AO3 is a nonprofit! Rejoice!

Every year… Every damn year…

[transsexualfiend]

Repeat after me: kink is not a "gateway" to committing a crime.

[intersexfairy]

it's not intersexist to acknowledge that intersexness can result from a health condition or be related to one. intersex is an umbrella term for a variety of experiences, including ones involving disability, and it's okay and important to admit that. we don't gain anything by throwing intersex people who experience complications from their variation/related condition under the bus.

but even beyond that, we don't have to separate ourselves from disability in order to prove we deserve human rights. our variations being linked to chronic illness wouldn't mean that all the medical abuse towards us is founded. disabled and intersex people all have a right to bodily autonomy and proper healthcare that needs to be upheld.

even if our sex nonconformity were somehow universally an illness, intersex and disabled people have a right to exist. just as much as abled and dyadic people do. there is no "proving" that we have human rights - that is something we all inherently have.

[lgbtq-refugees]

Dear Friends,🙏🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We are reaching out to ask for your support in building a shelter for trans kids, providing them with the safety and care they deserve. Our goal is to raise $1,000 to make this vital resource a reality.

Your intervention is crucial—please consider donating and sharing this message. Together, we can create a positive change in our community. Thank you for your kindness and support!

[themagicfolfsartgallery]

Since it's Intersex Awareness Day tomorrow I decided to make an info Pamphlet for anyone to use!

Below are the links the QR codes use, and a printable version for... well, printing!

Printable PDF Version

Dr. Morgan Carpenter's website

Tony Briffa's Story

Steph Lum's speech, not a TEDx talk

[ashleymilesphil]

Hello world🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈❤️🙏

It has been a while since I last made a post here, but today, I’m here with a heavy heart and a message that needs to be heard: the lives of LGBTQ refugees in East Africa have not improved. Daily persecution is still the norm, and discrimination and hate have become the air we breathe. Each day, we face attacks physical, emotional, and systemic from both local communities and authorities.

So many queer personalities, community leaders, and advocates have fallen victim to death due to the rampant homophobia. We have lost friends, partners, and allies. Being LGBTQ is still criminalized, and that leaves us no room for protection, no opportunity for justice. When violence strikes, when our lives are endangered, any hope of legal recourse is nearly impossible.

I speak not just for myself, but for a community of resilient survivors who endure unimaginable hardships to simply exist. And yet, the world seems to have forgotten us. Our cries for help have too often fallen on deaf ears.

Let me take this moment, once again, to call for global solidarity. Stand with us the silenced queers of East Africa. Your voices amplify ours. Your support gives us strength. Together, we can keep the fight alive, even when everything seems hopeless.

With hope and resilience,

Ashley 🏳️‍⚧️

[ash-the-fluffy-cat]

it would be really nice if we stop telling people how they should live their lives or touching people without permission, especially strangers.

Stop telling people that they should be with someone of the opposite gender.

Stop telling people that they are too pretty or too young to be disabled.

Stop telling people that they should smile more.

Stop telling people that they don’t look masculine enough or feminine enough to be their own gender.

Stop moving people in wheelchairs out of your way.

Stop grabbing the arms of people with white canes or guide dogs and “helping” them cross the street.

Stop touching service dogs, I know they’re cute, but that distracts them.

Stop seeing people who are different as objects that you control.

[contagious-watermelon]

so what is it with people being incapable of talking about, thinking about, raising awareness for aromanticism without bringing up asexuality. why are we acting as if aromanticism is just some special status buff for aces

[frostralia]

I Support Black Trans Futures 🩷 Please look into supporting the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. It's a wonderful Black-Trans led organization dedicated to advancing the rights of Black Transgender people. We can all build a better world for everybody.

🩷 Frost

[alwaysinbetweeninsaneandinsecure]

This queer family has had a harrowing journey with becoming political refugees of an anti-trans state and then becoming unhoused. They managed to get housed BUT their new home is majorly inaccessible. They need help to add a stairlift so that members of the family can safely and easily access their basic needs. Please give what you can and please reblog! Alternative ways to contribute to this family's well-being (and avoid GFM's fees):

V*nmo & C*sh*app: SoundsFromGinen (organizer of this fundraiser on behalf of the family)

V*nmo & C*sh*app: BlackTransParent (the parent of this family, Tae)

[idylls-of-the-divine-romance]

So @prosphoramuncher asked me to write about why I say the make-up industry is demonic.

Gladly hehehe.

So this idea is rooted pretty firmly in the Book of the Revelation and so first thing to understand is I am an idealist: I do not believe it is just for the first century, or just for the last one; nor do I think the historicist perspective makes much sense either. But rather I believe the Book of Revelation is using symbols and archetypal language to talk about the spiritual meaning and significance of the rise and falls of powers in the world. It is about the ongoing cosmic conflict between God and the forces of darkness.

That said, there are some radical idealists (*agressively side eyes Brian*) that reduce the symbols to just being internal and about personal sin and whatnot. I do not hold to this and refer to this as "abstracting". It's taking "the Cup of God's Wrath" from Jeremiah and making it about hell when you die instead of about God allowing his people to be trampled by Babylon. That's dangerous, don't do that.

With all that out of the way, let's start talking about the beast.

There are 2 Beasts in the Revelation are the Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Land.

The Beast from the Sea is a state or human kingdom that is in opposition to God and conquers through violence. So yes the Roman Empire. But also Greece and Persia and Babylon and Assyria and Egypt and etc etc etc. The British Empire, Germany, The United States, I mean just look for a military power in history or in modern times that has set itself in opposition to God and his will. Spoilers: it's just almost if not all of them.

The second one, the Beast from the Land, is an economic machine that exalts it's power as divine, looking like God but having the voice of the Adversary. It exists for the purpose of promoting the authority of the military state and for performing great signs. It is a liar and a deceiver that denies the kingship of the Anointed One (anti-Christ, "against the anointed one"). It demands that people worship the nation-state or be killed and ordains that all people must give their allegiance via their thoughts and actions.

Both are powered by the Dragon, who is the Serpent of Old (Genesis 3) who is called both "the Slanderer" and "the Adversary", who is the deceiver of the whole world but is defeated by the death of the Lamb.

So, I mean, do I even need to spell it out?

The make up industry, at least in modern times, is an industry that sustains itself through exploiting the insecurities of young women.

That's demonic. That is freaking demonic it is literally a servant of the Beast from the Land are you even kidding me!?

Now, I wish to make something quite clear: I am

Not saying that the people at the heads of make-up industries are worshiping with demons. I am not a charismatic for goodness' sake.

I am also not saying that by buying and wearing make-up that you are opening yourself to demons. Again: I am not a charismatic T-T. My little sister wears make up, not because she's insecure, but because she's a little kid who likes to play dress up all the time lol.

What I am saying is this: that we, as the Church, the Body and Bride of the Lamb, can NOT blindly support such industries without even thinking about it. Taking the Mark of the Beast is not getting a freaking vaccine or a chip implant; it is when we thoughtlessly contribute to, benefit from, and refuse to even become aware of these systems of oppression and violence.

So, to anyone reading this, young or old, man or woman, whatever: if you like make up keep wearing it. But if you think you need make up, do not wear it. You are being taken advantage of not only by an industry but also by the Adversary who wishes to destroy your body and your mind. Do not let anyone feed on your insecurities. You are a human image of God, do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

Keep fighting Babylon, family. Till His kingdom comes.

[penguicorns-are-cool]

Instead of posting your criticisms of homophobia in judaism that are almost always misinformed and antisemitic, if you really want to combat homophobia in Jewish communities, here are some links to Jewish Queer groups that are doing exactly that. By supporting them and listening to them you will be combatting homophobia without risking being antisemitic and also not speaking over Jews

Jewish Queer Youth

JQ International

Keshet

Eshel

OrthoGays (very bright colors)

Keshet Ga'Avah (also very bright colors but like in the text)

Sojourn

Svara

I got all of these from a very quick google search, and there's so many I didn't include. There's literally a wikipedia page for this, although it's not a very complete one.

Like, learn some more about queer jewish communities and what we're doing to combat homophobia and advocate for LGBT+ rights and how we're doing all this before making your little criticisms. better yet, instead of making those criticisms, support these organizations and share their resources, you'll be helping so much more than when you make rants on tumblr that inevitably end up being antisemitic in ways you don't even understand.

[uncanny-tranny]

About that thing re "trans men dont know what its like to be seen as predatory", I feel like everyone in the lgbt community generally agrees lesbians are treated as predatory by str8 women, gay men are treated as predatory by str8 men, I (as a trans man) used to think I was a lesbian and went throught life as one. Accordingly I was treated like I am predatory. I am now a gay men, and accordingly I am treated as predatory. On top of that, cis gay men treat me as predatory (scawy transes trying to get them to have sex w a vageenay boohoo) and women treat me as predatory every time I open my mouth about sharing some of their experiences (because me needing iuds at the obgyn inherently means I, as a man, inavde their man-free space). Literally all queer people are constantly treated as predatory by cishet society at large, everyone knows it and keeps saying it and is talking about it because its no secret and everyone is aware of it.

But the second the convo turns to how terfs hurt trans men? Suddenly, we have no idea what its like to be treated as predatory and suddenly the world sees trans men specifcially as helpless little girly victims.

And honestly? Even if it were the case that trans men and transmasculine* people were solely infantilized... it's still harmful. I was initially bringing up that because it's like... I guess the only narrative people want to hear about our suffering, I guess, because it's easier to digest. It's easier to look at it and write it off as, "well you're just infantilized, show me a real problem," and that's the issue - it's twofold. It is simultaneously the need to relegate the experiences of a diverse community into one box and then say, "well, it's just infantilization, who cares when [x] issue is more dangerous" afterward.

It is frustrating, at best, to not be heard. And I've found that so many people aren't just infantilized... I think a lot of queer people are, I don't think it's unique to us. However, people are almost surprised when trans men and transmasculine* people open up more, in my experience.

It's definitely more complex to include more trans experiences with transphobia and the intersections of things like rascism, homophobia, antisemitism, islamophobia, misogyny, ableism... but it is still important. In fact, it often informs in addition to how trans people are treated. Transphobia doesn't exist in a vacuum, and it often doesn't exist alone. That is why we need to have these complex discussions.