#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.

[ashleymilesphil]

Urgent Call for Help: LGBTQ Refugees in East Africa Need Your Support🚨❤️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🙏

Hello everyone,

I’m reaching out today with an urgent plea for help. As a representative of LGBTQ refugees in East Africa, I am witnessing firsthand the unimaginable hardships my community faces daily. Our situation is dire, and we need immediate assistance to survive.

We are a group of individuals who fled persecution in our home countries only to face continued violence, discrimination, and neglect in the refugee camps where we hoped to find safety. Many of us have been attacked, our shelters have been destroyed, and our belongings stolen. We are left exposed to the elements, with nowhere to sleep, no protection from further attacks, and limited access to life-saving medication.

Right now, we urgently need:

• Food: Many of us are going hungry every day, struggling to find even a single meal.

• Tents/Shelters: Our makeshift homes have been destroyed, leaving us vulnerable to the weather and further violence.

• Medical Care: There is a severe lack of access to basic healthcare, and many of us are injured or in poor health with no means to recover.

This is a call to action for anyone who sees this message. We need allies who can advocate for us, raise awareness about our situation, and connect us with organizations or individuals who can provide the support we desperately need.

Please share this post widely and reach out if you know of any resources or agents who can help us. Your voice can make a difference in our fight for survival and dignity.

Together, we can show the world that no one should have to suffer simply for being who they are.

Thank you for your compassion and solidarity.

With hope

Ashleyphil

@fairuzfakhira @ibtisamsa @fallahi @sar-soor

@pomegranate @nabulsi @sayruq @palipunk-blog

@northgazaupdates2 @stil-macher @queerstudiesnatural @bluebellsinthedells @palestine @rizzyluke @self-hating-zionist @thenewgothicromance @raelyn-dreams @licencetokrill-blog @jezebelgoldstone @ramelcandy @petracourtjester @sammywo @autistwizard @tortiefrancis @sparklinpixiedust @feluka @revcuse @rainbowywitch @marscodes @oursapphirestar @annoyingloudmicrowavecultist @boyvander @the-bastard-king @13ag21k @agentfascinateur @marnotrawstw-o @shellofashadow @a-shade-of-blue @appsappsapps @neptunerings @stuckinaprill @unfortunatelyuncreative @malcriada @heritageposts @determinate-negation

[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

[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.

[neurodivergentdingo]

Here's a little explanation of queerplatonicrelationships(QPR)

How does a QPR differ from a friendship? Well, a QPR can be very similar to a friendship! While a normal friendship may include "I love you"'s and a strong love platonic towardsome and other, they usually don't include a deep desire to spend the rest of your life with said person, sometimes longing for marriage, to go on dates, and be in a committed relationship with said person.

Usually people see those things attached to romance, but they aren't always associated with that. QPR are common amongst aromantic folks, due to the lack of the romantic and sometimes sexual feelings too. Some QPR do include sexual activities but just lack the romantic aspect of the relationship.

Queerplatonic can be defined in many different ways because it can be used as an umbrella term for relationships that don't fit the mold or friend๋࣭ship or a romantic relationship. There is no "right way" of having a QPR! it's different for every individual. Some people may have a queerplatonic relationships that is a serious monogamous commitment, and others may have multiple queerplatonic partners (QPP) like a romantically oriented polyamourus person does. Some individuals may have their committed QPR, as well as a romantic relationship at the same time, with the consent of both parties of course.

Overall, it's a beautiful thing. Help decolonize relationships standards :)

I hope this is helpful!

[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.

[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 🏳️‍⚧️