#women and the lgbtqia+ community and people of a different race and people of a different faith

[voyagegrace]

Original Sin

If you gave a man a choice to worship

He’d take Judas over Mary

Because Mary was a little girl, didn’t know what she was doing

When she had the choice to have her son

And he would save humanity

Maybe women just aren’t human,

Original sin, how it clings to me

Growing over my womb. But in a womb was Jesus

The man known for his Father

But Mary was the one who’s blood He came wearing to the world

Oh bless the Lord he is our father,

Bless the Lord he is our king

Bless the men of the disciples, forget the women who helped them in

Cast their names out from the bible,

Cast the devils from Magdalene

And turn her to a whore, she’s clothed in original sin

If I could go back in time, I’d take the hand of Eve

And offer her a better plan, a better man than he

I’d warn her from the apple, tell her that I’ll love her still

Because men blamed Eve for their sin, original sin, it’s all their sin.

I want to kiss the girl I love in church,

And sing the songs of Mary. I want

My preacher to be a woman, and my choir full of love,

Women are only saints after the brutal men of violence

But my girls have enough halos to bring Gabriel to shame.

If you gave a man a choice of worship,

He’d take Judas over Mary,

But I’ll take Mary, mother, Magdalene, Eve, Phoebe too.

Pilate’s wife and all the saints, suffered under Adam’s sons,

I’ll take them, I’ll take them too,

And I’ll take the original sin from you.

[cyarsk52-20]

5 Mental Health Resources for People of Color & LGBTQIA+ Communities

BY: Sierra Kennedy

In the wake of the recent election results, many of us grapple with a rollercoaster of emotions. Whether it’s anxiety, relief, fear, or something in between, these feelings are valid and impactful, especially for communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ population, and our allies. In times like these, taking care of our mental health becomes important and essential.

According to The Trevor Project, “the overwhelming majority (90%) of LGBTQ+ young people said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics.”

Fortunately, numerous mental health resources are available to help you navigate these challenging times. The right support network can provide both relief and a sense of community.

Let’s explore some mental health resources tailored to your needs during this emotionally turbulent period.

1. The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project, which caters to LGBTQIA+ young adults, reported a 200% increase in election-adjacent search terms like “rights” and “election” in the days leading up to the final night of the presidential race. The organization, which offers free, confidential support through chat or over the phone 24/7, is also there for you post-election as well.

2. Therapy for Black Girls

This resource is essential for Black women and girls seeking professional mental health care. Therapy for Black Girls provides a directory of culturally competent therapists, blog content, and a supportive community.

3. Trans Lifeline

This peer support service is specifically designed for transgender people of all ages. It offers an essential lifeline staffed entirely by trans individuals and can provide supportive resources and assistance in moments of crisis.

4. Latinx Therapy

Created to destigmatize mental health within the Latinx community, this platform provides bilingual therapists, workshops, and a supportive podcast addressing various wellness topics.

5. National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)

This network advances healing justice and provides mental health resources specifically geared towards queer and transgender people of color. They help connect you with a directory of experienced and culturally competent therapists.

As if the winter blues weren’t enough, the personal stakes and societal implications surrounding the election’s outcome hit hard for many. Navigating these emotional waters can be challenging, but there are ways to regain focus and recenter. Here are a few ways to destress that you can start implementing today:

Mental health check-ins: Engaging in virtual or in-person discussions with friends or support groups can help process feelings in a shared environment.

Mindfulness practices: Activities like meditation or yoga can offer calming techniques to manage stress and anxiety effectively. Make mindfulness a daily habit for an overall improvement in mood.

Therapeutic writing: Journaling can be a powerful outlet to articulate and reflect on your emotions.

Build a self-care routine: Incorporate activities that promote wellness and calm into your daily life, such as nature walks, reading a new book, or a fitness class.

Remember, taking care of your mental and reaching out for support is a step toward healing. Connecting with the right resources can make a significant difference, offering comfort, stability, and a well-needed community.

How are you taking care of yourself during this troubling time? Let’s chat and pour into one another below.

[nieded]

FAQ #rainbowroad for Rainbow Railroad Charity Drive

Hi everyone! As we've rolled out the first week of preorders, we have been getting a few questions, so I'm going to add them here.

FAQ under the cut! I will continue adding to the post if more questions come in.

Here's the link to the #RR for RR master post

Edit: Apparently Tumblr didn't like my numbered list and applied numbers to every paragraph I wrote, which was not my intention. Sigh.

1. This is less a question and more of a PSA to start. Why did I choose Rainbow Railroad as a charity? I wanted to conserve space on an already astronomically long post about the charity initially, so I'll take some time to elaborate here.

Rainbow Railroad works at a global level to secure safety for individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community. They also are very transparent about how they spend their funds! I saw this news article today that Iraq has banned the word 'homosexual' because it doesn't align with the country's values. Rainbow Railroad is working to protect people in these countries, and it seemed like a good fit for a story about Formula 1.

If you remember from my notes, Formula 1 visits many countries that have poor human rights. The FIA--the governing body of F1--has banned any protests supporting BLM, the LGBTQIA community, and women as to not upset their sponsors. McLaren, Ezira and AJ's team, is owned by the Bahraini government and high profile members from Saudi Arabia. Both countries have scored low on their human rights.

Other examples of the FIA disregarding human rights include: continuing to race in Hungry where they banned any education about the LGBTQIA community in schools, hiring an openly homophobic race director to lead the Portugues GP, and refusing to allow drivers to boycott racing in Saudi Arabia by grounding all their flights unless they raced after a bomb went off a mile from the track. Former WDC Nelson Piquet openly used the N-word when talking about Lewis Hamilton and made crude, derogatory comments about Hamilton and his former teammate, Nico Rosberg, that were both homophobic and misogynistic in tone. While the FIA did ban Piquet from entering the paddock unless he did sensitivity training and community service, Max Verstappen--current WDC and basically Piquet's son-in-law--gave a very bland, dismissive statement about Piquet's comments and Redbull failed to comment at all.

I love this sport. I love the drivers. I love the engineering and technology that goes into creating rocket ships that eclipse 200 mph. I 100% loathe the politics and funding sources for the sport, and I wanted to do a charity drive to help offset that in any small way I could. /rant

2. Is the art included in the book? No, unfortunately. Initially, when the idea came around to print the book, we talked about including all the art and Notes and References. This book is now 428 pages and over two lbs. It is a behemoth, and a lot of our grand visions had to be cut to keep the book a reasonable size!

3. Why is shipping so expensive? Unfortunately, shipping internationally will cost us $20-40 dollars depending on where you live. Dust and I are shipping from our homes in two separate states and are already eating the cost of shipping for individuals who are ordering both art and the book. We averaged the cost of shipping and are going to cover the difference. This was the most affordable option, sadly!

4. Are you planning on printing parts 2 and 3? Tentatively, yes! If there's enough interest in the first part, I will consider doing AALS and Fools Rush In. I would probably release them at the same time. My goal is minimum 100 books for STTH, so if you're interested in the next parts, please spread the word!

[tcplnyteens]

Cemetery Boys By Aiden Thomas

This captivating page-turner, filled with magic and murder, is told from the perspective of a transgender teen who longs to be accepted by his magical family. In Yadriel’s family most people have magic, but the magic is segregated by sex. Men communicate with and raise the dead, women heal. Instead of allowing Yadriel to perform men’s magic, they expect him to do women's magic.  But Yadriel knows that he can communicate with the dead, and if he is allowed to do this “men’s” magic, to him that feels the same as his family accepting his gender. 

To prove that he has this ability and to become a Brujo himself, he attempts the final act of initiation… (drum roll please) to summon a ghost. Trouble is, he summons the wrong ghost, a murdered boy who then refuses to leave. Yadriel then finds himself caught up in a complicated scheme of multiple murders that he has to solve.

Cemetery Boys is set in Los Angeles with a wonderful twist of dark magic without creating an overall gloomy feel. I would describe the book as a fantasy set in the real world, without quite crossing over into magical realism. It has interesting characters, an engaging plot, and well rounded lgbtqia+ representation. I could not put it down, was racing to finish it, but was sad when it was over.  One of my favorite things from this book was seeing the diversity of personalities and backgrounds in the different characters. I was laughing out loud reading their dialogue and felt like I was in the story with them. I would re-read this, something I don't often consider. I would recommend it for ages 13+.

-Ayu

[zamiramendoza111]

Week 8: Climate Justice & Youth Leaders

This week, we're switching gears to understand the topic of climate action and the importance of expanding the opportunities for youth everywhere to step into leadership / activism.

In the fall 2024 edition of the Nonprofit Leadership Quarterly, this magazine shares an article titled "Changemakers, Disruptors, and Protectors of Our Earth: Young Women and Girls of the Global Majority Leading Climate Justice" written by Yasmina Benslimane.

Benslimane's article emphasizes the experiences of women and girls across the global south- who particularly face unique challenges due to intersecting oppressions: including those associated with gender, age, location and socioeconomic status.

Intersectionality is crucial to understand how many different forms of inequality interact to make some communities more marginalized than others. The term was first coined in 1989 by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and a scholar of critical race theory. (Taylor, 2019)

As further defined by the global nonprofit Womenkind Worldwide, the term intersectionality is the concept that all oppressions are deeply linked. It encompasses the interconnected nature of social identities and the range of human experiences: including all those related to race, class, gender- which create systems of discrimination or disadvantage that then become overlapping and interdependent.

Intersectionality Venn Diagram from Womenkind Worldwide (2019)

Climate challenges and its effects are very layered and complicated. In this nonprofit quarterly article, we see that the global majority of women and girls face multifaceted and significant challenges related to climate. These climate challenges are amplified by existing gender inequalities- and the impact of these challenges are heightened for marginalized groups: such as "women and girls who are Indigenous, Afro-descendent, LGBTQIA+ community, differently abled, and/or on the move." (Benslimane, 2024)

Climate disasters are disproportionately affecting women and girls: given the stark disparities in decision-making power, information, mobility and access to resources. According to the United Nations Development Programme, women and children are 14 times more likely to die during a climate-related disaster in comparison to men. Furthermore, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights shares that displacement from climate disasters increasingly puts women and girls at risk of experiencing sexual and gender-based violence.

In addition to these above risks: climate emergencies often become a disruptor to education. Around the world, when families face climate related challenges, girls education is often the first to be sacrificed. Girls are frequently taken out of their schools to care for their siblings and/or to help with locating food and water resources- which results in the continuous disruption to education and future opportunities.

Disruptions to education has its long term consequences, and often compromises girls future socioeconomic opportunities: increasing their susceptibility to a variety of situations to cope with resulting economic hardships- including child marriage, early pregnancy, etc.

Commonly observed within some regions of Africa and South Asia, climate disasters such as floods and droughts increase the rates of poverty and food insecurity, which prompts many families to enact survival strategies- such as marrying their daughters at a young age. For instance, in Bangladesh: ongoing climate disasters have led to a 39 percent increase in child marriages, as families struggle to cope with the economic fallouts of climate-related disasters and events.

According to various reports cited in the article, it is estimated that less than 1 percent of global climate finance goes towards projects with a focus on the environment and gender equality. Funding for youth-led climate action is overall insufficient, despite the essential part that young people play in driving innovative climate solutions. Without dedicated financial resources and institutional support for youth to participate in climate action, this space presents significant barriers for youth to fully participate and create impactful changes.

This is why access to education becomes pivotal in the ongoing fight towards a sustainable future for all. As Benslimane shares with us, "Education has been a cornerstone for many young climate activists."

Fiscal investments towards gender-inclusive education and policies becomes essential to empowering our youth to step into leadership. In addition to the importance of funding resources and education- the mentorship of young people also becomes central: as mentorship opportunities offer a source of guidance and support for the young climate activists navigating the complexities of climate action today.

The inclusion and acknowledgement of global climate change issues in curriculum pushes for environmental education that speaks to our overlapping realities. We must amplify the voices of youth today and center their perspectives- because their personal experiences have the power to educate and motivate people everywhere to become active agents of change in their own communities and environments.

Oh yeah! One more thing- in politically unstable regions, systemic issues magnify the challenges faced particularly by women activists. The safety of many women activists is a significant concern globally, especially for the women activists operating in hostile environments: where their efforts are often attacked, blocked and/or criminalized. Activists endure threats to their physical and psychological safety- and even their own livelihood, contributing to adverse health effects. Especially for those who are on the frontlines of war & climate crisis.

The call to action in the fight towards climate justice should actively include historically marginalized voices, such as the perspectives of youth activists everywhere whom are stepping into leadership. Youth activists should be supported through investment in their education, have access to ongoing mentorship / training opportunities and also included as key stakeholders in climate justice policy and discussion.

When we center intergenerational equity- we're sending the message to youth that their insights, concerns and experiences are valid and crucial for long-term planning. In the end, youth will inherit the future that is shaped by those decisions that we all collectively make today.

--

References

• Benslimane, Yasmina. "Changemakers, disruptors, and protectors of our earth: young women and girls of the global majority leading climate justice." Nonprofit Quarterly Magazine, (Fall 2024).

• Taylor, Bridie. "Intersectionality 101: What is it and why is it important?". Womankind Worldwide. (November 24th, 2019). https://www.womankind.org.uk/intersectionality-101-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/

[icarlycarl]

Is "Bakla" Still a Derogatory Term?

Disclaimer: This is just my two cents. I'm trying to share my thoughts and how I've changed my perspective over time. It's important to remember that words can mean different things to different people, especially across cultures. I’ve tried my best to be respectful and understanding, but I know everyone’s different. If anything I’ve said has rubbed someone the wrong way, please know it wasn’t my intention.

I remember a time when calling someone "bakla" was a way to tease, insult and degrade. I was guilty of doing this when I was a kid and getting called that in return during playground fights. While it used to be a common, casual term, people now use it carefully.

The term "bakla" has a complex history in the Philippines. its usage can still be sensitive, depending on the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. While it's often used casually among friends, using "bakla" in a hostile way can be hurtful. When used by a stranger or in a hostile environment, it can be deeply insulting and disrespectful. Similar to racial slurs, if used by a non-LGBTQ+ person, this can be seen as derogatory, especially if it's used to mock or belittle. We should be careful about how we use the word and who we say it to. It's important to be respectful always.

In recent years, there's been a growing movement to challenge outdated and harmful stereotypes. You may have heard the term "woke" from some GenZs. Many people, particularly those who support LGBTQ+ rights, consider the term "bakla" to be outdated and offensive. They argue that it reinforces harmful stereotypes and promotes discrimination against gay men.

Although "bakla", has been used in the Philippines for decades to describe gay men or even now women, it has now transformed into a term of self-empowerment for many. It's no longer a source of shame, but rather a badge of pride.

While the LGBTQIA+ community continues to make strides, there are still instances of discrimination and prejudice. That incident with the transwoman personality, for example, highlights the need for empathy and understanding. While addressing workplace misconduct is important, it should be done with respect and dignity. Not how this person did it. Unfortunately, there are still people closed-minded and not accepting, bringing in religion as a reason. We should not force them to change their beliefs and force people to theirs, but don't condemn or shun the community because of that.

The Philippine Government's stance on LGBTQIA+ is complex and ever changing. The country is still working towards greater LGBTQIA+ rights. While there's growing acceptance, laws are still needed to protect the community (Yaas, SOGIE Equality Bill!). Same-sex marriage remains illegal. But, despite roadblocks, they continue to fight for equality and inclusion.

As I see it, people of the LGBTQIA+ simply wants equality, acceptance, and freedom of expression. They just want legal and social recognition, supportive communities, and policies that protect their rights. They also want to emphasize the importance of embracing individuality and celebrating the diversity.

I'm fortunate to have many wonderful gay friends, and I'm proud to call them my own. They are individuals, human beings deserving of respect and dignity. In today's world, we must embrace equality and respect everyone's right to love and be loved.

And let's not forget the fabulous world of drag! I'm a huge fan of RuPaul's Drag Race and am always amazed by the creativity, talent, and humor of the queens. They fearlessly express themselves, challenging norms and inspiring others. Werk! Sadly, some people view them as strange or abnormal, even going so far as to accuse them of being sexual predators who prey on children. Like, seriously?!

As a straight ally, I stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+. Just because I support them, hang out with them and enjoy watching drag queens, doesn't mean I'm gay myself. But, I believe that everyone should be free to be themselves, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. So what if you're bakla, bading, beki, beks? Embrace it! Be proud of who you are. Yaas, Kween!

[vtori73]

You know what I find a tad confusing? When groups more oppressed hate another group like... you do realize if they don't like us it's VERY likely they don't like y'all?

This happens kind of often but in this case this is about trans people who are biphobic and honestly it makes NO sense. Like are y'all really THAT desperate to be like and assimilate with the LG✂️BT groups/individuals that y'all will stoop to hating other queer people for no real reason (yes, bigoted reasons aren't real reasons). Sort of similar to when poc are bigoted towards LGBT people, like do you think this will make white Christians/bigots like you? More often than not these people are racist, and the extreme kind and will hate you no matter what.

Also, I'm going to say it despite it probably being controversial but biphobia is NOT just some minor issue, it should be treated on the same level as homophobia and lesbophobia (but as it's OWN thing). Anyone who says otherwise is just ignorant on what our actual issues are and are just full on biphobes. No one wants to admit it though because then they have to reckon with how entrenched LGBT communities are in perpetuating and encouraging biphobia and they don't want that they need easy targets they can punch at to relieve their anger at the allocishetero patriarchy and its MUCH easier to do that at an oppressed group then at the dominate ones actually in power.

"Well bi people ARE privileged," no, they aren't only straight people get privilege for their sexuality and no, passing privilege isn't a real or valid concept and only is used to excuse people's bigoted treatment of an oppressed group. Sure white bi people hold privilege but that's because of their RACE which means none of you other white LGBTQIA+ people are exempt. If you are white you have more privilege than most, but considering these online spaces are mostly made of white people they will always try to divert attention away from that fact and instead find ways to talk about privilege in ANY other capacity to the point of applying in ways that don't make sense at all (basically almost to the point of appropriating the term like they do often with other terms/word like medical ones or aave) and because they REALLY want to believe (or want YOU to believe) they cant oppress others.

Passing privilege, even if a valid concept, would only really benefit white people (or benefit them the most). Same thing for when (usually) white people try to apply it to trans people the only ones who can obtain that privilege are middle class or up white people because gender affects poc much more differently because the standards our society seems out and upholds on us are influenced by whiteness. Like when white trans people & allies gang up on trans poc by calling them transphobic or something they accuse the POC of even though all they did was call out their racism and how much what they said/do is influenced by whiteness.

It is interesting to note also how most of this "privilege" talk only ever is selectively wielded at one specific group even though it doesn't make any sense to do so. Bi women are ALWAYS brought up as being henchmen to the patriarchy even though more often than not white cishet women the ones who are actually the lackies to the patriarchy but also literally everyone has the capacity to be, yes, even Lesbians because doing so isn't dependent on what type of sexual/romantic relationships you are in (shocker I know)!

Also the fact that bi men are never considered in these conversations, by that I mean why is it no one ever stops to think the man in the relationship is the queer one and not the woman or is also queer? It's always "bi woman and their het boyfriends," never the other way around or both and its because this response isnt just based on biphobia but misogynistic biphobia. The boyfriend due to biphobia is assumed straight for being in a relationship with a woman (or maybe more precisely his possible queerness is erased because people assume bi men are just gay & so when a man is with a woman they aren't willing to believe he could possibly be queer). Bi women though deal with that and misogyny on top and because of that are targeted more because yes misogyny adds on to the bigotry we face.

"But bi women are only targeted because het men are dangerous," I won't argue that a lot of cishet men are dangerous but a LOT of these conversations always hinge on assumptions made on people's LOOKS which is bad, you can't assume someone isn't queer based on looks and doing so only feeds into binary thinking on presentation of gender and sexuality. How exactly do you know for sure the man in question is a cishet man and not a closed trans woman, or bi man, or nonbinary person or trans masc/ man or combo of these identities? Or the woman, how do you exactly know she is a cis bi woman?

And also, not going to lie but this really just seems like nothing more than the continued rhetoric that came from political lesbianism. Also ALSO, not to mention if these cishet men are dangerous their first victim isn't going to be a stranger they don't know, that type of thing is in general a pretty rare occurrence, because even if they are homophobic statically speaking their victim is going to be people closest to the cishet man aka THE BI WOMAN, the PARTNER! If he is homophobic there is no way in hell he isn't biphobic, and it makes sense considering how high our rates of abuse are, straight women don't even have as high of levels which just helps prove we face this amount of abuse BECAUSE of biphobia + misogyny & not just because of our "proximity" towards men.

Which moves me to my last point in which this supposed panic and concern for others in the LGBT community over these hypothetical cishet boyfriends let in by bi woman seems nothing more than a lie to openly attack bi woman for what on the surface seems like a reasonable concern and at best performative because if there REALLY was a concern the person you should all be most concerned for is the bi woman but instead they get ridiculed, attacked, and accused of being enablers of homophobic predators.

And again, this all just comes down to ideas and beliefs that came from political lesbianism but let's also take a moment to realize just how eerily similar this is to the trans panic rhetoric of evil men (the cishets boyfriend) pretending to be woman (bi woman pretending to be queer while in a "straight passing" relationship) to get into safe but public spaces designed for cis women (queer public spaces like pride). Both the conservatives and queer people even shift the blame onto the marginalized person instead of the actual person at fault (cishetero predators)!

It honestly goes to show just how much our society will whether intentionally or not protect predators first and foremost over anything else and would rather shit on marginalized people who are often more times than not victims themselves. But it makes sense because our society REALLY hates victims.

[blondietalks]

Are gaming communities becoming more toxic environments for some communities?

Hey, it’s blondietalks again! For the last post of my Digital Communities thread, I’ll be exploring the topic of social gaming. More specifically, I’ll be delving into the question of whether gaming communities are becoming a more toxic environment for some communities.

In my opinion, it is often found that gaming circles can get toxic pretty quickly by directing their frustrations towards vulnerable targets. These targets are often women, people of colour and the LGBTQIA+ community – essentially those who deviate from societal norms. However, I do believe that more and more people from the gaming industry are actively promoting a positive gaming experience due to an increased awareness of the importance of inclusivity and providing safe spaces.

How it can become toxic

Men – particularly those fitting within societal norms – often encounter less toxicity in gaming communities compared to minorities for several intertwined reasons (ok I know that I used a picture of a female avatar being a bully). And it is important to note that male gamers face a different type of toxicity in comparison to other minorities; one is more harmful than the other because it is a direct discrimination against a race, gender or sexuality.

Historically, gaming was dominated by a male demographic resulting in a more accepting environment for male participants. The online gaming culture that sometimes fosters a “boys-only club” mentality can create an exclusionary atmosphere for other underrepresented communities. This causes minorities that have perceived differences to become targets for discrimination without any repercussions.

And it is okay to admit that we were all once toxic when we didn’t know any better, regardless of which group we belong to. I would like to think that the majority of the gaming community grows out of their toxic phase once they’ve learned how harmful their behaviours are.

Are they getting worse?

The rise of online multiplayer games has exponentially increased the size and diversity of gaming communities, leading to a wider range of personalities and behaviours. Unfortunately, this diversity can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and conflicts if not managed appropriately.

The integration of social media platforms within gaming ecosystems further amplifies toxicity. Public forums and chat features allow toxic behaviour to spill over from the game itself into broader online spaces that might make people perceive that the toxicity of social gaming has increased.

It's crucial to note that this perception may not reflect the behaviour of the entire gaming community. Many social gamers actively work towards promoting positive environments while developers are implementing measures such as robust reporting systems and moderation tools to counteract toxicity and foster inclusive gaming experiences.

However, going back to the question of whether or not underrepresented groups face more toxicity, my answer is yes. Although the gaming community are getting more and more politically and socially aware of their actions, there is no doubt that women, people of colour and the LGBTQIA+ communities would face more discrimination, if not more harmful ones compared to the majority demographic.

Fostering good gaming ethics

Fostering good gaming ethics towards minorities is essential for creating inclusive and respectful gaming communities. To achieve this, education plays a pivotal role. Gamers need to be informed about the diversity within the gaming community and understand that individuals from various backgrounds contribute to the richness of the gaming experience.

Promoting cultural sensitivity is important in cultivating positive gaming ethics. Game developers and community leaders can actively work towards creating diverse and representative content that reflects different cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives. This not only enhances the gaming experience but also helps combat harmful stereotypes and prejudices.

Implementing and enforcing strict anti-discrimination policies within gaming platforms might be the most crucial step and the most effective one. Transparent reporting systems should be in place to allow users to report instances of harassment or discrimination. Respecting and not abusing the system will help create a safe space for everyone who desires to join the community.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, the gaming community confronts its toxic past by fostering inclusivity. Fostering good gaming ethics, through education and anti-discrimination policies, is crucial for creating a safe, diverse, and respectful environment for all players. I hope I don’t come off as an SJW in this last post, but some things needed to be said. With the power of friendship, we all can strive to be better. Ar ar ar ar ar, ar ar ar ar ar.

[intuitivehearthealer]

Knowing Your Truth

I was asked the other day about my Trans Rights Now tee that I have created and have been wearing.  The person assumed that my view and values were based on what I have been hearing in the mainstream media, which is not the case.  I was also told to do my own research which I have.  I also base it on my life experiences.  

I am not trans and I don’t know what it is like to walk in their shoes.  But I have always been and will always continue to be gender non conforming and gender fluid.  There have been times I have not been accepted for many reasons.   have been yelled, which I can still see the rage and hate in their eyes,  but I have never experience any violence like some members of the LGBTQIA+ community,

I have been blessed because I have an amazing family who has always loved and supported me, which is not always the case with the trans community.  My parents have always allowed me to discover who I am by supporting me, surrounding me with love, and giving me the space I needed throughout my life to explore who I am, they still do.  They have taught me the importance of love, how to accept others, have an open mind, and to follow my heart.

Which has instilled in me a natural curiosity.  When I am curious about something I go out and get information from multiple sources which can include listening to many different people with different perspectives and experiences, reading bills, reports, articles, and looking at statics and science.  From there I discern my own truth.  I also follow my gut and intuition while being my heart space.

I am not here to convince anyone of anything or to tell you how to think or what to believe.  I am going to ask you to broaden your horizons.   If you want to know why I say Trans Rights Now go listen and talk to Trans people and parents of trans kids from multiple different experiences.  Which you can easily do on social media if you don’t know anyone or where to start.  Read the actual bills that are being introduced in your state and/or other states including the federal government.  Look at multiple studies about gender affirming care from different resources.  And listen to parents of trans kids that are sharing their experiences.

You can apply this to learning about race, history, indigenous community, women's rights, and other bills that are being introduced in your state and at the federal level.  Don’t take one person's word on it or the mainstream media.  Go out with your heart open and be curious to figure out your own truth.

Spreading Love,

Valeri

[blueraspberrycoke]

This obsession with labeling every preference is really a major factor in what’s dividing the gay community. I personally can’t stand “microlabels” because they imply that we are all so different and so special that we need our own individual sexualities that are personal to each one of us, and yet have a name and flag that everybody else has to know. We all have noticed how LGB became LGBT became LGBT+ became LGBTQ+ became LGBTQIA+ etc.

It comes down to this new idea that everyone is so unique and so special and being anything like anybody else ever is a bad thing and you must be completely 100% original in everything you do, say, and think.

I believe it ties into the pick me/npc/main character trends that are prominent now too. This narcissism breeds resentment for other unique individuals. It convinced people that they are the only ones who have complex thoughts and ideas and now it’s commonplace to write other people off as stupid or even as BACKGROUND CHARACTERS in their story! That’s crazy to me! How can you call someone else an NPC and not feel like a total asshole?

Thousands of years ago being alike was a good thing! It symbolized solidarity and community. Now having things in common with others makes you basic, especially in regards to women. (I’m not talking about things like race, where people excluded those who didn’t look like them. I mean more in regards to clothing styles and interests.) I believe it also has something to do with this refusal to share culture because everyone has their own society and cultural practices and you have no right to infringe upon that with your otherness. This is a super half-baked thought but I hope it makes some sense.

yes, actually there is. it is called bisexual.

you, specifically, are a bisexual man.

[melodicheauxxlovesfood]

The way gunning for everything that we fought for is fucking wild to me. They trying to take away abortions, interracial relationships, lgbtqia+ rights—it’s not going to end. The main reason they want this abortion law abolished is because apparently white women are the main ones getting abortions, and it’s decreasing the white population. (If black women were to get one, they would also have to be sterilized, a very old law that they want to bring back).

Never mind that atopic pregnancy exists. Never mind pregnancy mortality rates and complications or even rape pregnancies exists, they don’t matter right? I’m so sick of cis gendered old ass men that never owned a uterus telling women/non binary/trans women what they can and can’t do with their bodies.

Want us to have these kids that y’all know are fucking expensive while living in a high ass economy that we already can’t afford to live in by our own selves; arresting women because these buffoons can’t tell the difference between an abortion and a miscarriage and now having to deal with men who don’t understand the meaning of no and get angry when they don’t get their way (thanks to their horrible ass parents)

The people that don’t want kids send them to orphanages where, let’s be honest, are either selected by age (everyone wants the cute baby and not the kid that’s three with a name and a formed personality cause they can’t control them) and race (everyone knows it’s white kids, POC kids and then, if they’re lucky, black kids that get adopted, in that order) or these children don’t get adopted, get mistreated in the system (as they often do) and at least 50%-75% are molded into evil ass adults who to turn to crime to survive cause it’s all they know and it creates a cycle of evil! Or they skip all that and kill the babies or themselves.

Now let me clarify that I love children and always wanted a few of my own. But between the evil ass men in this world and the threat of getting arrested just for a possible health complication during a pregnancy, having children will never be option for me and it’s not fair. We should not have to suffer at the hands of some moral high ground over men who can’t separate church and state (we all know that the Bible was revised thanks to king James, everything written is stolen from other religions and written as a lie). And I don’t wanna hear that just move bullshit cause you damn well hardly anyone has the means to do so.

Erasing the existence of all of these communities—black, lgbtqia, POC, interracial—is a slap in the face and we know this. We know it and once again it’s up to certain people to fix it cause we know who ain’t 😒😒😒. The Lovings didn’t fight for nothing, Marsha P. Johnson didn’t fight for nothing—our leaders didn’t fight for nothing!

**also, The fact that 1 in 3 pregnancies result in miscarriage outside of any control of the woman (transgender, non-binary, cis) the psychological trauma to have to be investigated for it and then grieve the loss is a wonder how these people haven’t lost their fucking minds yet. Cause if I know that if I am being forced to go through pain (they already believe black women don’t feel pain) of labor or a miscarriage, then be subjected to an investigation of said miscarriage AND THEN live through the fear of that investigation, waiting to be cleared of all charges just to have to grieve a loss by the end of it, I’d be emotionally scared. Rape victims already get victimized cause their rapist wants custody of the children from the result of the action if a pregnancy happens out of it. The same muthafuckas that don’t want to get vaccinated are the same ones that want to police us for our bodies, our skin, and who we love.

[nerdygaymormon]

The Pride Month We Know & Love

In 1969, the Stonewall Riots occurred. This is considered the beginning of the modern queer rights movement. At the time, it was called the gay rights movement and the word gay, while meaning homosexual, also was an umbrella term that included all of what we now call the queer community.

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On November 2, 1969, a group of people proposed the first gay parade be held in New York City, both to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots and to be an annual reminder that we are in a struggle for fundamental human rights. They called on homophile organizations throughout the country to hold demonstrations the same day to show nationwide support. 

On June 28, 1970, the Christopher Street Liberation Day marked the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots with a march. Christopher Street is the road in front of the Stonewall Inn and the road participants marched down. The New York Times reported (on the front page) that the marchers took up the entire street for 15 city blocks. Marches were also held in Chicago & Los Angeles while San Francisco held a “gay-in.”

In 1971, marches took place in Boston, Dallas, Milwaukee, London, Paris, West Berlin, and Stockholm.

By 1972 the participating cities included Atlanta, Brighton, Buffalo, Detroit, Washington D.C., Miami, and Philadelphia, as well as San Francisco.

————————————————————

The first marches were both serious and fun and served to inspire the widening activist movement. There was a dramatic increase in the number of people organizing for queer rights. In 1969, there were 50 to 60 gay groups in the country. In 1970 that increased to at least 1500. In 1972 it was 2500.

Prior to 1969, the organizations called themselves the homophile movement. They focused on showing that gay people are respectable and politely asked for discriminatory policies to be removed. Their marches had dress requirements, age limits as to who could participate, and even the signs held had to be pre-approved.

The Stonewall riots with images of gays retaliating against police changed things and inspired new activists. They considered the movement an uprising and renamed it the gay liberation movement. We are gonna be who we are and live as we want, respectability be damned. Parades and festivals were to specifically to not have dress requirements or age limits. 

————————————————————

In Nazi Germany, gay men were prisoners in the concentration camps and their clothes had inverted pink triangles sewn on them to mark them as homosexual men (this also included bisexual men and trans women). This pink triangle was extra large so they could be easily identified from a distance. 

After the concentration camps were shut down at the end of World War II and prisoners freed, the gay survivors were not released but locked up in prison. Homosexuality was illegal in Germany. West Germany continued to imprison them until 1994!

In 1973, Homosexuelle Aktion Westberlin, a German gay liberation group, called for gay men to wear the pink triangle as a memorial to past victims and to protest continuing discrimination. This pink triangle became a symbol of the gay rights movement and many displayed it proudly, but the symbol couldn’t shake its association with the horrors of the Nazis. 

Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., urged artist Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man and a drag queen, to create a new inspiring symbol for the gay community to replace the Nazi symbol. 

It’s thought that Baker was at least partially inspired by the Judy Garland song "Over the Rainbow" (Garland being among the first gay icons). He also liked the idea of a flag, as that is a way of being visible. The rainbow flag was unveiled at the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade. After the parade, hot pink was removed from new flags due to fabric unavailability. The murder of Harvey Milk in November 1978 led to a surge of requests for the Rainbow flag, which led to it being adopted by people around the country.

For the 1979 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade, the organizers reduced the number of colors from 7 to 6 so that they could divide it in half and have 3 colors decorating one side of the street, and the other three colors on the other side. This 6-colored rainbow flag became the standard and quickly replaced pink triangles.

In 2003, a mile-long version of the rainbow flag was made by Baker for the 35th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, this recognized the rainbow flag as THE international symbol for LGBTQ pride, it can be seen all around the world.

On June 26, 2015, the White House was illuminated in the rainbow flag colors to mark the legalization of same-sex marriages across the country.

In June 2017, the city of Philadelphia adopted a revised version of the flag that adds black and brown stripes to the top of the standard six-colors to draw attention to issues of people of color within the LGBTQ community.

In June 2018 designer Daniel Quasar released a redesign incorporating elements from both the Philadelphia flag and trans pride flag to bring focus on inclusion and progress within the community.

————————————————————

But when did it go from Gay Liberation to Pride? 

Meetings to organize the first march in New York City began in early January 1970. Brenda Howard, a bisexual activist, is known as the "Mother of Pride" for her work in coordinating the march. She also originated the idea for a week-long series of events around the march.

She wanted to create a number of events to bring in people from out of town and wanted to unite the events under a label. The first idea was 'Gay Power,’ however gay activist L. Craig Schoonmaker didn’t like that suggestion. He explained, “There's very little chance for [gay] people in the world to have power...But anyone can have pride in themselves, and that would make them happier as people, and produce the movement likely to produce change."

Brenda Howard, L. Craig Schoonmaker and bisexual activist Robert A. Martin (aka Donny the Punk) are credited with popularizing the word "Pride" to describe the festivities in New York.

As the 1980s approached, there was a cultural shift in the gay movement. Just as the elections of Ronald Reagan & Margaret Thatcher indicated a conservative shift in their countries, activists of a less radical, more conservative nature began taking over the march committees in different cities. They dropped "Gay Liberation" and "Gay Freedom" from the names, replacing them with Schoomaker’s idea of "Gay Pride." This also coincided with the replacement of the more radical pink triangles for the more positive rainbow flags.

The word "pride" was embraced as it defies the bigotry and hatred against the LGBTQIA+ community. It also teaches people they should be proud of themselves rather than feel shame. Replacing shame with pride helps people to come out and to be more assertive about who they are and that they deserve the same rights as others. 

In 1999, President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation declaring that the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies would "celebrate the anniversary of Stonewall every June in America as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." President Barack Obama issued a proclamation in 2009 declaring June LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. 

This is how we got Pride Month!

————————————————————

Part of the original ideas of parades was to bring queer people and queer culture into what was considered heteronormative spaces. Queer lives were seen as dissident and radical. 

Today Pride events have taken on a festive character and it’s fun to join hundreds or thousands of other queer people. 

Pride events still have some of the original political or activist character. Most offer some aspect dedicated to remembering victims of AIDS and anti-LGBT violence. Booths are often on hand with people collecting signatures in support of constitutional amendments or petitions for laws & policies to change.

Large parades often involve floats, dancers, drag queens and amplified music, and they usually include political and educational contingents, such as local politicians, and groups from LGBT institutions of various kinds, such as PFLAG. Other typical parade participants include local LGBT-friendly churches and LGBT-employee associations from large corporations. 

The Stonewall riots, as well as the immediate and the ongoing political organizing that occurred following them, were fully participated in by lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people, and gays, from all races and backgrounds. Pride festivals and parades continue to be inclusive spaces. 

Historically these events were first named Gay, the word at that time being used to cover the entire spectrum of what is now called the queer. Today these festivals & parades are often called Pride.

[urtopia]

You have an incredibly colonialist privileged view on feminism and what being a “terf” entails. Laetitia ky comes from a place where little girls clits are cut off when they’re 13. Sex based oppression exists. Saying u don’t support her bc sHeS a tErF is showing your privilege and how little you care about women around the world.

I am aware of her context and this is why I have posted about her in the first place.

BUT: I don't see why her context should excuse behaviour that is so damaging for a whole group of women that is already one of the if not THE most marginalised group in the world.

This is not something that comes from my privileged, European bubble. I share this opinion with a lot of people from different continents, cultures, lives, contexts, genders, races etc too. You can't hold up the rights of a group but then exclude maginalised people within this group, that's hypocratic and not how political justice works.

If you want to receive tolerance and be an activist for human rights, you need to work on your own tolerance too. If you don't, you are not better than the people who oppress you and weaken your own movement.

I don't see this problem only in feminism but in the lgbtqia+ communities too. When people talk about lgbtqia+, the first people think about are the gays, the white , slim cis gays, which fight for their rights. The problem: They fight for *their* rights and acceptance and not even that, they distance themselves from and discriminate people who are not the same as them and this creates a community where everybody needs to fight by themself and where visibility is just given to the privileged ones.

It could be different. If people would work on themselves, be concious about what they are fighting for, embrace their differences and stick together, they would be more powerful too. I don't see Laetitia Ky do that. What I see is that she calls her criticisers "pathetic" and says that she will expose everybody who criticises her. This is a behavior that hurts trans people, the discussion, her movement and herself too.

Listening to critics, reflecting about it and working on yourself is tough, especially with this background and when you are constantly criticised by all possible people (and often attacked personally, receive death threats...) and need to fight for every single thing in your life it's natural to react like this when you are criticised. But if you don't do it, you stand in your own way and the way of the people you actually could support with the influence you have already built up.

For the future: You don't need to like what I post or don't post but please be respectful and show yourself

[hellomynameisbisexual]

I’m writing today from a place of frustration and aggravation. I am writing because I am exhausted by having bisexual people be disregarded, ignored, and redefined. I believe we can do better to support and care for our bisexual community.

I was at a training recently coordinated by a national organization for educators about creating LGBTQIA+ inclusive school environments. While most of the training was helpful, the organizers shared definitions of terminology for use with elementary students. Among those was this definition of bisexual: People who love people of two genders.

THIS DEFINITION IS COMPLETELY WRONG AND IT IS HARMFUL TO BISEXUAL PEOPLE.

A simple and correct definition of bisexual is: People who love people of more than one gender. This definition aligns with community definitions from organizations including the Bisexual Resource Center, Bisexual Organizing Project, and BiNet USA. Why does the definition matter? My experience has been that there have been attempts to more narrowly define bisexual people.

Why did the incorrect definition make me so upset? I’ve been self-identifying as bisexual for over twenty years. I recognize my gender as genderqueer. The number of genders I acknowledge and have loved has never been something I’ve needed to restrict to any particular number for myself nor for acceptance in the bisexual community. The idea of there being a number of genders or a limit to my capacity to love within those genders is as nonsensical to me as proposing that there’s some number limit possible for how many or what kinds of cupcakes I might want to eat. Hearing and seeing that definition of bisexual left me feeling like my story, my community, and my life was being erased. I was very hurt that this incorrect and harmful definition clearly written without bisexual community input was being transmitted to elementary schools across the country.

It’s important to point out that there is nothing wrong with the pansexual identity or the definition of pansexual given at the training: People who love people of any gender. I radically support individuals making and choosing their own terms. I also recognize that the decision to self-identify as bisexual or pansexual is deeply personal, can be fluid, and may also be informed by a person’s race, class, gender, age, or where they live. This applies similarly to any of the other more than fifty identity labels that may be used by people who love others of more than one gender. I use the word bi+ for this big umbrella that includes bisexual, polysexual, omnisexual, and many more.

It’s also critical to acknowledge the commonalities of experience among bi+ people, using whatever personal identities fit them best. This matters in making policies and programs that support the needs of bi+ people. We need a larger understanding of who is in the bi+ community in order to effectively advocate for bi+ people.

According to MAP’s 2016 report on Bisexual people, Bi+ folks experience more erasure and invisibility than straight and homosexual peers. They are less likely to be “out.” Bi+ people in the MAP study, on average, reported poorer outcomes than those who are gay or lesbian. Of particular note, for example, is the very high rate of sexual violence experienced by bi+ girls and women. Bi+ community leaders point to bi+ erasure and harmful myths about bisexual people as contributing greatly to these poor outcomes.

To move forward, I urge accepting the many different labels that LGBTQIA+ individuals identify with regardless of how similar their definitions may sound. The purpose of these identities is, I believe, to create ever more possibilities for understanding ourselves and others. I urge community definitions and listening to those who identify with those terms. Let bisexual be defined by the bi+ community for our community!

Clark Hoelscher, Ph.D., they/them is an educator and community leader in St. Paul, Minnesota and a member of GLSEN’s Educator Advisory Committee.

[safeandtuckedaway]

Is it possible to like anything? Mixed thoughts on morality, turning a blind eye and "The Matrix"

I care a lot about media, and communication. As a guy that has some issues talking about exactly how he's feeling and has low social energy, things like shows, movies and books were a lot more important and relevant to my formative years than interaction with other people – not that I didn't have friends on my teen years, I did, just. Well, a lot of stuff to consider at that time that is irrelevant to this stream of consciousness. Something that I also care about is the message said media brings, and how that is inherently linked to who wrote, or directed the piece of media. This brings question to some of the internet's most infamously discussions: is it "ok" to like something made by someone that does very questionable decisions? I honestly don't have a definitive answer for that. More often than not, this kind of discussion feels to me to be in a vacuum in the internet, or of less politically inclined people. There are good articles out there, but they never seem to demand you not watch something, but to make people reflect on the bad writing, direction or production something got. Which I think is the way to go. Most of what I read and watch of radical left doesn't even mention such an issue with representation and how it should be completely isolated and burned to the ground, as I'm afraid they're more concerned with some more "tangible" problems, like the rise of imperialism, neoliberalism and fascism and imperialist and neoliberal feminism as a tool to maintain the capitalist system, often times built by people of color and resources from the "Southern" countries, and maintained cleaned and pristine by women of color (VERGÈS, 2019)¹.

I'm just a guy in his mid twenties with a degree in graphic design and a thesis in communication design. I didn't study political science in university. So I think I can do my part by talking about communication, then. Also I will try not to pull info out of my ass.

As some people might know from now, Matrix "4" Resurrections' trailer launched this week, and with that, some people were kind to remind past's fuck ups of Lana Wachowski regarding race in many of her works, like Sense8, Speed Racer and Cloud Atlas. Listen, I can't ignore the fact that the decisions made in these films are in the very least, questionable and distastful, specially regarding Asian people. Also she really out there rocking dreads, which I'm not even gonna get into, as I think it's already very well established why that's not a good look for white people. I only watched maybe one episode of Sense8, but this article here sums up pretty well what's weird about it. It also brings a good message by the end.

So, can you like anything without being morally crushed by what you know is right? Can you enjoy a piece of media that is flawed by the creator's White Gaze/Straight Gaze/Cisgender Gaze? I admit I have a hard time dealing with feelings of morality. It feels rather individual and super subjective on most accounts, and doesn't leave out (ironically?) a lot of nuance for different cultures and practices in the world. I wanna talk about that more in the future. Either way, about media, I'm of the opinion that you can enjoy those things if you wish to. Fuck it. Make it your own. Be critical of what you consume, as most things we do are made under the wing of big corporations owned by people that don't care about us, if we need screen time or actually be portrayed as a human being.

If anything, I would like to plead that people pay more attention to the independent side of media creation, if possible. The internet has its advantages in that regard. Don't lock yourself in on Netflix and [insert other streaming services here] and its desperately neoliberal vision of queer people. It's hard, but there's many POC and LGBTQIA+ folks that work hard to bring better stories for people just like them. Look for POC that make books and short films and documentaries. By comparison, it will be easy to spot how flawed The White Gaze makes when telling a story.

I'm gonna talk a little about The Matrix (1999) below, so I'm gonna do one of those fancy "Keep reading" right now.

So, I re-watched The Matrix (1999) yesterday and found the plot with Cypher turning against the other members of the Resistance as a pretty good analogy of what most people live their lives currently, under capitalism and overconsumption: Willing to throw your group under the bus, to literally destroy the remains of human existence that are still left, for the comfort of being blissfully ignorant. "I wanna be rich, and someone important, like an actor", he said to Agent Smith, that probably wouldn't fucking do that even if the plan did the way they wanted to. I like to believe it was the greed of the few that brought down humanity by their own creation in the Matrix universe, but unfortunately that is not brought up, in that case, bring in that "humanity" as a whole did it. There's another scene, when Agent Smith is alone with Morpheus, where he monologues about how "humanity" is a "cancer" for the Earth, for "abusing all the resources from an area and have no way to survive but to move to another area". This again shows the lack of perspective from The Wachowskis, blaming humans, that have existed for thousands of years, for the environmental atrocities that capitalism, that has only existed for a couple hundred years, has caused to the planet.

Like I said, it is okay to like things that can be questionable. I like this slip that the character Cypher is. He is the embodiment of a lot of issues and he is inherently opposite of our "good guys" characters in Matrix. I can still be critical of their lack of eyesight on what – and who – is really killing the planet, and their very distasteful idea of going post-racial when the fact is that race still very much matters.

¹ VERGÈS, FRANÇOISE, Decolonial Feminism. 2019

[nothingisliteral]

Literary Agents Accepting Queries 2020

A note; these agents are according to my research as of June 12, 2020. To find more information on these agents, just look up their name and agency. How to query to these agents differ, so it would be wise to look into them more. Bolded is the categories, genres, and/or tropes that said agent is interested in. This list was put together by me, and it was only the agents who’s name start with A. Even though this is labeled as YA, many of these agents are interested in other genres.

* Adria Goetz (Martin Literary Management), Mill Creek, WA General fiction Suspense/thriller Fantasy/science fiction Juvenile fiction Religious

* Adriann Ranta Zurhellen (Foundry Literary + Media), New York, NY all genres and for all age groups, but has a penchant for edgy, dark, unusual voices, unique settings, and everyman stories told with a new spin. She loves gritty, realistic, true-to-life narratives with conflicts based in the real world; women’s fiction and nonfiction; accessible, pop nonfiction in science, history, and craft; and smart, fresh, genre-bending works for children.

* Adrienne Rosado (Stonesong Literary Agency), New York, NY adult and children’s fiction, as well as select non-fiction in the areas of pop-science, business, memoir, and humor. In both adult and children’s fiction, she is looking for contemporary, mystery, historical, thriller, fantasy, and anything with a wickedly dark sense of humor. She’s especially drawn to multicultural fiction, lgbtq+ works, and stories about people from atypical walks of life. She is not currently looking for poetry or children’s picture books.

* Agnes Carlowicz (Carol Mann Agency), New York, NY both fiction and non-fiction, with a special passion for literature that amplifies underrepresented voices and subverts the status quo. Among others, she enjoys: intersectional feminism, millennial self-care, female-driven memoir, true-crime, and humorous pop culture.

* Aimee Ashcraft (Brower Literary & Management), New York, NY busy seeking out stories that feature all-encompassing worlds and compelling female characters. She loves books that are told from an original point of view and are more addictive than a good Netflix binge

* Albert Longden (Albert T. Longden Agency), Bloomfield, NJ (AAR Member) General fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense/thriller, Fantasy/science fiction, Biography, Business/investing/finance, Sports, Paranormal (want writers that are preferably experienced and are willing to listen to productive critiques of their work)

* Albert Zuckerman (Writers House), New York, NY books in all adult categories, fiction and non-fiction. And lately I’ve been enjoying working with some YA and Middle Grade authors. I'm interested in working with a few more novelists, literary and commercial

* Alec Shane (Writers House), New York, NY mystery, thrillers (though he’s experiencing terrorist fatigue at the moment), suspense, horror, historical fiction, literary fiction, and middle grade and young adult fiction. He DOESNT want Romance, straight sci-fi, high fantasy, picture books, self-help, women’s fiction, food, or travel memoir.

* Alex Glass (Glass Literary Management), New York, NY General fiction, Mystery, Suspense/thriller, Juvenile fiction, Biography, History, Mind/body/spirit, Health, Lifestyle, Cookbooks, Sports, Literary fiction, Memoir, Narrative nonfiction, Pop culture

* Alexa Stark (Trident Media Group), New York, NY drawn to literary debuts with a unique voice and perspective, stories about dysfunctional friendships and families, edgy coming-of-age tales, character-driven suspense and thrillers, and fiction that delves into the surreal

* Alexandra Levick (Writers House), New York, NY Picture book author-illustrators, a wide range of middle grade and YA, and more speculative-leaning or genre-bent upmarket adult works. I’m committed to working with writers from diverse backgrounds and am looking to put forth a list of outstanding creators who will be able to provide windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors (thank you, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop) into all kinds of experiences. I’m particularly looking for own-voices stories about historically underrepresented characters, identities, and cultures.

* Alexandra Machinist (International Creative Management), New York, NY Commercial fiction Literary fiction Upmarket women's fiction Historical fiction Suspense Fantasy Young adult Middle grade

* Alexandra Penfold (Upstart Crow Literary), New York, NY specializes in young picture books, middle-grade fiction, and young adult

* Alexandra Weiss (Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency), New York, NY contemporary, magical realism, and light SFF. I’d also like to see more rom-coms that make my heart feel warm. dedicated to representing marginalized creators and diverse books, including #ownvoices. I’m actively seeking LGBTQIA+, POC, gender fluid, neurodiverse, and disabled voices for all age ranges and across all genres.

* Alexis Hurley (InkWell Management), New York, NY domestic works in the areas of literary and commercial fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction and more

* Ali Herring (Spencerhill Associates), Lakewood Ranch, FL I’m open to all YA: Contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, speculative, horror, romance, issue books (though I have a few already on my list so not my top choice), etc. All the contemporary fantasy right now. Contemporary with a speculative element YA suspense/thrillers All the horror right now, or horror-bordering Anything with an edge Fun teen romance like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Vibrant Teen rom-coms Dystopian or failing Utopia/Utopian worlds (fresh government or control system in place or none at all) Near-future dystopian where the world is not cleaned up and pretty. I want a sense of the horror but without tons of gore. Bold unexplored settings

* Alice Martell (The Martell Agency), New York, NY Open to all/most Genres Excluding: Fantasy, Science Fiction.

* Alice Speilburg (Speilburg Literary Agency), Louisville, KY In YA Fiction, I'm looking for diverse retellings of classic stories, stories rooted in mythology, contemporary fantasy with magical/supernatural worlds alongside our own (but not necessarily "urban," rural & suburban magical systems could be nice). Across the board, I'm looking for an inclusive cast of characters, across gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, and mental health spectrums.

* Alice Tasman (Jean Naggar Literary Agency), New York, NY Alice's fiction tastes, for young adult and adult books, ranging from commercial, literary fiction and history to thrillers and suspense, and women's fiction.

* Alicia Brooks (Jean Naggar Literary Agency), New York, NY she is looking for Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Self-Help, Pop Culture, Literary Fiction, Commercial Fiction, YA Fiction, Mystery/Crime, and Historical Fiction

* Alison Picard (Alison J. Picard Agency), Cotuit, MA Adult fiction and non-fiction, children's and young adult NO: short stories, poetry, plays, screenplays or sci-fi/fantasy.

* Allison Hunter (Janklow & Nesbit Associates), New York, NY literary and commercial fiction, especially women's fiction, as well as memoir, narrative nonfiction, cultural studies and pop culture. She is always looking for funny female writers, great love stories, campus novels, family epics, smart beach reads and for non-fiction projects that speak to the current cultural climate

* Alyssa Jennette (Stonesong Literary Agency), New York, NY children’s and adult fiction and picture books, graphic novels, and select pop culture nonfiction. She values diversity and inclusion; in fiction she enjoys ensemble casts with distinct voices, stories about poor characters and communities, and formats that are specific to a story and give it its own context. Alyssa is particularly interested in art/art history/art conservation, archaeology, mythology, language/translation, and criminal justice reform

* Alyssa Reuben (Paradigm Literary and Talent Agency), New York, NY adult, young adult, and the occasional middle grade fiction as well as smart, platform driven, nonfiction ranging from pop-culture, lifestyle, cookbooks, and narrative to memoir. She gravitates toward voice-driven non-fiction presenting a fresh point of view and particularly loves novels with an edge or a great romance arc.

* Amanda Leuck (Spencerhill Associates), Lakewood Ranch, FL contemporary and speculative fiction that explore social issues, YA fantasy based in mythology across cultures, historical novels that spark my need to know more, characters with disability, chronic illness or mental illness - that doesn't necessarily drive the plot, #ownvoices, women and girls in STEM, romantic plots and subplots that surprise me, LGBTQIA+ characters, the intersection of science and religion, or magic and convention, where what is real is not clear, animal and ecological themes

* Amanda Rutter (Red Sofa Literary), St. Paul, MN Open to a broad Audience, including: Adults, Middle grades, Young adults. Fantasy. Science fiction.

* Amelia Appel (Triada U.S. Literary Agency), Sewickley, PA For YA, she is particularly interested in stories with a savvy protagonist and a slightly dark tone that deal with serious coming-of-age issues well.

* Amy Elizabeth Bishop (Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC), New York, NY Fiction-wise, I'm interested in both upmarket and literary women’s fiction, mysteries, and fiction from diverse and underrepresented authors. I'd love more literary fiction from women of color. I'm choosy about my historical fiction, preferring it voice-driven and female-centric, focusing on the stories of those that history has largely chosen to not tell. [[A bit tuckered out from American Revolution, Civil War, WWII, and Vietnam War, so I'm not really looking in that space.]] I'm always interested in stories that are not set in Western Europe or the East/West Coast. I'd love to see more speculative fiction/light horror, though I'm not as interested in science fiction or fantasy in the adult space at this time. I'm also looking for a literary thriller/literary suspense a la THE TWELVE LIVES OF SAMUEL HAWLEY or BARBED WIRE HEART. In YA: would love a smart contemporary rom-com that isn't just boy meets girl in high school (or if it is, it has to be a seriously new story), a fascinating, creepy retelling in the vein of Carmen Maria Machado, and light horror. I'd love to find a multi-generational story and am particularly interested in the intricacies of family (and sister!!) relationships. I'm a sucker for stories that take place in closed environments (like boarding schools) and though I appreciate romantic elements, I'm also eager to see narratives where a happy ending for women isn't necessarily a relationship. #ownvoices, always, please. Anything with some serious creep to it!

* Amy Brewer (Metamorphosis Literary Agency), Kansas City, MO She’s seeking: Romances of all kinds; if your plot revolves around love or angst or both, send it to her. She is also looking for general fiction, LGBTQ+, women’s fiction, book club reads, and quirky humor.

* Amy Jameson (A+B Works), New York, NY loves children’s literature, and is actively seeking Middle Grade and Young Adult projects.

* Amy Rennert (The Amy Rennert Agency), Tiburon, CA General fiction Mystery Biography Business/investing/finance History Mind/body/spirit Health Lifestyle Sports Literary fiction Narrative non-fiction especially memoir and reportage

* Amy Stapp (Wolfson Literary Agency), New York, NY Mystery/suspense Contemporary romance Contemporary coming-of-age Historical fiction Southern Gothic

* Amy Stern (Sheldon Fogelman Agency), New York, NY Summer camps, boarding schools, reality television, kids who are in some way extraordinary, puzzles, puns. I really love stories that involve close family relationships that both enhance and complicate the protagonists' lives. I want to see more mental illness stories that aren't just about diagnosis and LGBTQIA+ stories that aren't just about coming out.

* Andrea Barzvi (Empire Literary), New York, NY General fiction Romance Suspense/thriller Juvenile fiction Biography Business/investing/finance Mind/body/spirit

* Andrea Somberg (Harvey Klinger), New York, NY Upmarket fiction (i.e., bookclub fiction) that has a twist or sheds light on an intriguing issue Novels that explore cultural heritage YA or Adult novels that are based on a true story from the 20th century YA contemporary love stories/romantic comedies Epic fantasy, especially ones set in a non-Western culture, military sf or space opera Magical realism for the adult, YA or MG market. YA and MG novels that feature diverse protagonists YA psychological thrillers MG mystery novels MG novels that are funny and are illustrated MG or YA novels that'll make me cry Nonfiction for MG or YA audiences Any novel with great characters and a compelling storyline Unique nonfiction

* Andy Ross (Andy Ross Literary Agency), Oakland, CA (AAR Member) narrative non-fiction, history, politics and current events, science, journalism, cultural subjects. We also work with literary and young adult fiction

* Angela Rinaldi (The Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency), Los Angeles, CA (AAR Member) I am actively looking for fiction commercial, literary, mainstream women’s fiction, multicultural, suspense, book club fiction – novels where the story lends itself to discussion.

* Anjali Singh (Ayesha Pande Literary), New York, NY Her interests are wide-ranging and include literary as well as popular fiction, young adult, women’s, African-American and international fiction. She is also seeking authors of nonfiction, including biography, history, popular culture, cultural commentary, and memoir. She is particularly drawn to distinctive, original voices.

* Ann Behar (Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency), New York, NY searching for wonderful children's books, from picture books to YA, ever since. I am looking for anything that is beautifully written, with a strong, distinct voice and characters that come alive on the page. Ideally, a book should grab my attention from the very beginning and hold it there, and leave me thinking about it for a few days after I am finished.

* Ann Rose (Prospect Agency), Upper Montclair, NJ YA of all genres: But especially stories that have heart and humor. I want you to transport me to new worlds--even if those "worlds" are in the middle of Iowa. But especially if its fantasy, I really want you to take me there and show me something I haven't seen before. I'd love some fantasy that's based on something other than western cultures. I'm always looking for strong character who are willing to stand up for their convictions--whether it be with their brains or their brawn. Give me fabulous friendship stories (and some no so fabulous ones). LGBTQIA+ stories!!! I'd still really love a story where two girls are running against each other for class president and then they fall in love. In both YA and MG I don't shy away from stories that deal with issues kids are dealing with today. I will say, if you are going to discuss topics like suicide make sure you've done your homework--proper language matters. I'd love to see more YA thriller--not necessarily gore but a story that keeps me on the edge of my seat, guessing until the very end. I'm still looking for my YA version of CLUE (and if it has three different endings, even better.) Which means mystery is a go for me, too. I'd love some YA that deals with toxic masculinity. A funny how to survive high school book with tips and tricks how to make the most out of your four years would be good. Show me characters who are beautifully flawed doing the wrong things for all the right reasons. Give me body positive MC's. Unique sports books--crossfit, ultimate Frisbee, rock climbing, mountain biking, roller derby, and even speed walkers. Oh, and twins - good twins, evil twins, twins that get along, twins that don't, rom-coms where twins switch places and hijinks happen... anything goes. Historicals that tackle things other than WW2--bonus points if there are badass women in in history.

* Anne Bohner (Pen and Ink Literary), New York, NY commercial women's fiction, romance, YA and popular nonfiction.

* Anne Hawkins (John Hawkins & Associates), New York, NY (AAR Member) Fiction of all sorts, non-fiction (contemporary journalism, history, biography, etc.), juveniles (although primarily young adult and middle grades, since we don´t specialize in illustrators, but having said that I should add that we represent several of the best), science-fiction and fantasy.

* Anne Tibbets (Red Sofa Literary), St. Paul, MN Right now, she's acquiring YA and Adult: Thrillers, Mysteries, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Historicals.

* Annelise Robey (Jane Rotrosen Agency), New York, NY women’s fiction, romance, historical fiction, YA, fantasy, mystery, and suspense, and is always looking for exciting new voices in fiction

* Arielle Datz (Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency), New York, NY (AAR Member) She is looking for literary and commercial fiction (mostly adult, some YA), featuring unusual stories and voices.

* Ashley Lopez (Waxman Literary Agency), New York, NY Ashley is looking for literary and young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and cultural criticism. Most importantly she seeks authors with a strong point of view and an eye for language.

This is the end of my fist alphabetical list of agents accepting queries in 2020. I hope this list was helpful to you, and wish you good luck in your querying!