Word of the Gay: "Lesploitation"

"Lesploitation" is the objectification and use of female same-sex imagery to entice males sexually.

Vigil for Lesbian Rape Survivor in Richmond, California

There is a vigil tomorrow for the tragic case of the lesbian who was brutally gang-raped by four men because of her sexual orientation.

Community Vigil for Peace and Healing

Peaceful vigil in response to hate-motivated gang-rape

Where: 1500 Visalia Avenue, Richmond, CA
(near Richmond BART Station)
When: Saturday, December 27, 2008
Time: 9:30 pm - 10:00 pm

"Help A Sister Out" Benefit for Lesbian Hate Rape Victim

On December 13th, a twenty-eight-year-old California woman was brutally raped by four men because she is a lesbian and had a rainbow sticker on her car. See the story at SFGate.

The woman will need months to recover physically and years and years to recover psychologically. She needs our emotional and financial support.

If you would like to send a card, please mail it to:

Richmond Police Department
Attn: Sgt. Brian Dickerson
1701 Regatta Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804

If you can send a financial contribution (even a few dollars) to help her pay her medical bills and other costs associated with her recovery, please mail a check payable to Community Violence Solutions to:

Community Violence Solutions
2101 Van Ness Ave.,
San Pablo, CA 94806
Attn: Mrs. Joanne Douglas

In the memo section of the check please write: Richmond Jane Doe.
For details and to show support join the Facebook group.

Word of the Gay: "Black Triangle"

The inverted "black triangle" is a symbol that was placed on people deemed "asocial" by the Nazis. While there is no official documentation of persecuted lesbians being forced to wear this symbol under the Nazi regime the Nazis did adhere to a strict gender and heteronormative philosophy. The symbol of the "black triangle" is now one of pride and defiance against oppression in the lesbian community.

Lesbian Kicked Out of Social Security Building

Ms. Lapriss Gilbert an African-American Lesbian was subject to discrimination yesterday while going to the Social Security office. A federal guard hired by Homeland Security objected to her lesbian.com t-shirt on the account that it was "offensive." Lesbian.com is an education and resource site for lesbian identified women.

The unnamed guard is contracted by Paragon Systems. Ms. Gilbert along with the ACLU are filing a lawsuit against the company. Please urge the company to fire this homophobic "security agent."

Paragon Systems Inc.
14160 Newbrook Dr.
Suite 150
Chantilly, VA 20151-2297

Phone: (703) 263-7176
Fax: (703) 263-9527
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, EST

Word of the Gay: "Lesbophobia"

"Lesbophobia" can be described as negative sentiments harbored towards an individual lesbian or a group of queer identified womyn. It is an irrational fear or hatred of womyn who are physically and/or emotionally drawn to other womyn. The term is used to describe a fear of same-sex attraction among womyn, as well as the fear by some men of these womyn for not loving men. "Lesbophobia" can range from the stereotype that all female athletes are lesbian, to the notion that all are angry and hate men, to a subordination of "L" issues within the the broader LGBT rights movement.

"Lesbophobia" unlike its similar counterpart homophobia has a focus on issues affecting lesbian identified womyn not only on the basis of societies stigma based on sexual orientation but also on the sexism that pervades our culture.