Queer the Census - Fill It Out!

Help the government expand services to the LGBT and HIV affected communities by filling out the census. This simple document enables the federal government and nonprofit organizations to better serve our communities.

Gay couples can be recognized as married to their spouse by specifying that their spouse is of the same-sex. Transgender people are encouraged to select their gender identification on the form.





For more information check out http://www.queerthecensus.org/ and http://ourfamiliescount.org/

Queer D.C. Will Set Guinness World Record

Washington D.C. has officially kicked off same-sex marriage recognition this week but more history is to be made in the upcoming days as a mega wedding of same-sex couples seeks to create a world record. Billed as the "Our Time Has Come" celebration on March 20th hundreds of same-sex couples will tie the knot in a mass ceremony that will qualify for the Guinness Book of World Records.

To learn more or to register click here.

Organization Spotlight: NoLose

NOLOSE is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to ending the oppression of fat people and creating vibrant fat queer culture.

Cheers Queers - Happy New Year!

May you all have a fun and safe time tonight wherever and however you choose to celerate the New Year. Let's move forward into 2010 more energized and ready to live, love, and thrive as openly queer people and allies.

What are your plans for New Year's and more importantly what are your queer resolutions for the the upcoming year?

Open Forum: LGBTQAIZ5123?

Labels for the community have been evolving and continue to evolve to this day. It started with "Gay" which included same-sex attracted males and females, then it branched out to include "Lesbians" as their own separate label. Over time other movements like the "Bisexuals" and "Transgender" populations joined in under the acronym "GLBT". The acronym was thought to be biased towards the "G" and hence the more popularized acronym became "LGBT". Now we see movement to change the acronym so that perhaps the "B" or "T" come before the "L" or the "G" in the sequence of the letters to be more reflective of an inclusive community.

Just when you thought the whole "LGBT" or is it "GLBT" drama was settled we now have new movements boarding the sexual/gender minority bandwagon. "Queer" people who reject the notion that sexuality is fixed and who don't attach binaristic labels want "Q" added to the ever long list of letters in the acronym. People who are "Questioning" their sexuality or are curious want the "Q" to represent the term "Questioning". "Intersex" people don't want to be lumped under the "Transgender" umbrella and want the "I" added to the list. "Asexuals" want to be recognized as a legitimate sexual orientation and have "A" added to the list. "A" has also been representative of those who consider themselves "Allies" to the community.

So we already have a long and varied list with letters overlapping for different communities who want representation. Confusing huh? Well there are also movements by "Polyamorous" families, fetish groups, "Pansexuals", "Two-spirits", and others who want to be part of the acronym.

How far do we go with the acronym, is the label "LGBT" fair and inclusive? Or should we come up with a new term to describe all of these sexual/gender minorities. Is Queer too broad and open so that if we use it nobody will know what we are talking about? Share your thoughts on this ever growing and evolving debate...

Word of the Gay: "Queerotica"

"Queerotica" represents writing, film, pictures, or art that have queer elements and are designed to be sexually arousing.

Open Forum: How Inclusive Should 'Queer' Be?

The term queer has been evolving rapidly as of late, and has become an inclusive term of more identities, some people consider this positive, others confusing and unnecessary. In your mind is queer just an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities or does it stretch beyond that? Is queer radical and political in the sense that anything non hetero-normative can be described as queer? Could a straight couple consider themselves queer, or is it impossible for them to be considered non-hetero normative? Are people who practice BDSM and kink, queer in the sense that they engage in alternative sexuality or is the term limited for those with sexual preferences as opposed to sexual orientation? What are the social and political connotations of limiting or extending the definition of queer identity?

Say it Loud - A sexual and Proud!

The Asexual movement has been picking up steam and along with education, media visibility, and awareness there is a growing group of people who are embracing their asexuality and wearing it proudly on their sleeves.

Asexual Pride is important in an effort to show that this minority exists and to create awareness about what this segment of our population faces. "Asexual Pride" is relatively new so whether you are Asexual or an ally you can be part of the process of demonstrating your Pride and commitment to diversity with a few of these simple steps...

Asexual Pride Merchandise:

Asexual Visibility Education Network Store


Asexual Pride Graphics:

Listing of A-sexy Icons & Banners


Asexuality Education FREE pamphlets to distribute:

Asexuality Pamphlets (Free - Color)

Asexuality Pamphlets (Free Grey-Scale)

If anyone knows any other resources or has ideas to demonstrate A-Pride please feel free to post in the comments section!

Diversity Lesson 101: Queer

Queer is a complicated and "radical" term that has been used disparagingly, an outside of the binary way of self-identifying, and an umbrella term to describe sexual/gender minorities.

Queer Historically Seen as an Insult:
The word Queer has typically and historically been used as an insult to gay men and lesbians, it is considered a synonym to "strange", "unusual", and "different" and has been on par with hateful rhetoric such as "faggot", "dyke", "shemale", and "he/she".

Reclamation of the Term by Sexual Liberation Movement:

The term has been reclaimed by sexual/gender minorities to be an umbrella term for people who are different from the heterosexual "norm", this term now encompasses those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Asexual, and Intersexual.

Queer as a Sexual/Gender Identity:

Queer is also a way for people to self-identify with regards to their sexual orientation or gender identity. People who are Queer may feel that sexuality is not just black or white but falls into shades of gray. They do not box themselves into categories such as gay, lesbian, or straight but see sexuality as lying on a continuum with varying degrees. Queer people often describe their sexual orientation as being "pansexual" and are open to males, females, transgender, and intersexual people. Hence, Queer as a sexual orientation is different than "bisexuality" which conveys an attraction to males and females and works within the gender binary system. Sexuality for many Queer identified people is seen as fluid and changes throughout their lifespan. Their interests, passions, and behaviors change with them as they grow as individuals.

Many Queer people also do not box themselves into the gender binary system of male or female. They feel that they are genderqueer and have masculine and feminine aspects to their personality and choose to embrace their gender identity/expression in various ways.

Open Forum: Is Ted Haggard A Queer Spokesperson?

Ted Haggard, the anti-gay preacher of the New Life Church and President representing 80 million Evangelical Christians was caught in a major sex scandal. He was discovered to be taking methamphetamine's while engaging in gay sex with a male escort and as a result he has suffered and become an outcast due to his outing. Due to his actions the former preacher has a tough time finding a job, friends, and support system to move forward.

Here is a funny song by Roy Zimmerman about the scandal and what Ted Haggard was like:



In light of new people coming forward in the scandal and his upcoming HBO documentary 'The Trials of Ted Haggard' which documents his life after the outbreak of the gay sex and drug scandal, Ted Haggard now for the first time publicly discusses private issues.

Ted Haggard when asked about his sexuality doesn't claim to be "ex-gay", straight and healed, he simply says he is a "heterosexual with issues" or a "heterosexual with homosexual attachments." When asked to define his sexuality he says that "he does not fit neatly into a box" and that he doesn't feel the need to label himself. He now says he believes "he didn't need to be cured, because he wasn't ever sick, and that one cannot avoid having gay thoughts, but can decide whether to act on the behavior."

Whether Haggard knows it or not, he basically just publicly discussed for America the idea of a sexual continuum and queer sexuality. It is very much possibly that Mr. Haggard lies closer to the heterosexual side of the continuum. He also may be downplaying his same-sex attraction in an attempt to be more mainstream and keep his relationship with his wife going.

How will this play out in the minds of Americans? It is helpful or hurtful? Also, is Ted Haggard possibly a spokesperson for the queer identity even though he doesn't know it or intend to be? Or is he just making bisexual identity out to be a "confusion and sexual immorality" the Church has so long claimed it is?

Real World Brooklyn - Queer as Ever!

The twenty-first season of MTV's, Real World: Brooklyn, premieres on Wednesday, January 7. It promises to be gayer than a particularly gay picnic basket; packed with enough gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning participants to ensure this season will be the most rainbow-friendly one so far. No longer onboard for shock value, novelty or conflict-baiting, the lavender-leaning members of this eight-person cast will (if the press materials aren’t lying) do their part to keep it real and make life in their Red Hook warehouse digs particularly fabulous. (Wicked Gay Blog)

Why am I posting about MTV on an activist blog? I feel Viacom has been integral to the LGBT community, having LOGO a 24/7 gay channel, and showing many LGBT themed programs on their other networks is vital in putting out our stories and lives to millions of viewers.

Open Forum: The Asexual Rights Movement?

This blog is about uniting sexual and gender minorities in the fight for equality. We are about calling out those who discriminate, boycotting and protesting against those that seek to destroy our lives, and showing appreciation and support for those who have been allied with us in our fight for true liberation.

It is without doubt that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are fighting for genuine rights, such as the right to marry, adopt, serve openly in the military, donate blood, and be free from discrimination and hate. Likewise the transgender movement is about creating acceptance for gender diversity, obtaining the rights listed above and in addition fighting to change the notion that gender identity variance is a "disorder" make sure sex re-assignment is affordable, safe, and approved. There are also efforts to make the process to change the birth certificate, passport, license, etc to reflect the new gender identity of the individual. The intersex movement does not have to fight for medical care in the same way the transgender community does, instead they are fighting against childhood genital mutilation of intersex babies. They are also on a mission to create awareness, advocacy, and acceptance of third gendered people.

That leaves us with one group under the queer umbrella that begs to question if it is indeed a civil rights movement. Asexuality is a legitimate sexual orientation, one that needs awareness and understanding within society. The question is, will there be an asexual rights movement and what would the fight be for?

Some things to consider about the current movement and status of asexuality:

-It is newly organized and just beginning to receive publicity, due to the internet people are learning about and coming out as asexual and/or questioning.

-There is a division within the movement over whether asexuality falls under the queer umbrella and whether it should be added on to the LGBTQ acronym.

-Asexuality is not being taught in sex-ed or in books with regards to human sexuality.

-There is a complete lack of resources available for an asexual or questioning asexual person.

-Laws which mandate marriages be consummated are discriminatory against asexual couples.

-The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association lists asexuality as "Hypoactive Sexual Desire isorder"

-Asexuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or intersex face additional struggles and lack of equal rights.

Those points being noted, do you think that asexuality is the next battle on the civil rights front? Is this a battle for some degree of equal rights and recognition or more a battle for acceptance and understanding?

Word of the Gay: "Non-Heterosexual"

"Non-heterosexual" is a term used to describe anything that doesn't fit the woman/man heteronormative mold. It can include everything from gay, bi, and queer, to gender non-conformity, gay for pay, or gay when drunk.

Queers United Urges You to Vote for Obama/Biden Ticket!

Queers United stands firmly in support of Barack Obama for president because of his principles of fairness and equality for all citizens. Barack Obama is rated 89% by the Human Rights Campaign (indicating a pro-gay rights voting record). In contrast John McCain is rated 33% by HRC (indicating a mixed gay rights voting record).


Civil Unions
Barack Obama: Support
John McCain: Opposed

Defense of Marriage Act
Barack Obama: Repeal
John McCain: Remain

Don't Ask Don't Tell
Barack Obama: Repeal
John McCain: Remain

Hate Crimes Legislation
Barack Obama: Include sexual orientation/gender identity
John McCain: Opposed to inclusive policy

Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Barack Obama: Include sexual orientation/gender identity
John McCain: Opposed to inclusive policy

Adoption
Barack Obama: Supports LGBT adoption rights
John McCain: Opposes LGBT adoption rights

Constitutional Amendment Banning SSM
Barack Obama: Opposed
John McCain: Opposed


Find your polling location here.

Word of the Gay: "Gender Blind"

"Gender Blind" is a term used to indicate that an accommodation or activity is open to all genders. Traditionally the term used was unisex, however linguistically the term means one gender. There is an ever increasing number of "gender blind" bathrooms, college dormitories, and other facilities and services.

In some scenarios people use the expression "gender blind" to indicate that they are open to a romantic and/or sexual relationship irregardless of gender.

Word of the Gay: "Kweer"

The term "kweer" is not widely used, but is sometimes used as an alternative spelling for queer. The term is just a fun and unique way of conveying difference.

We're Here, We're Queer, We're Penguins - Get Used To It!

"A German zoo has scrapped plans to break up homosexual penguin couples following protests from gay rights groups.

The Bremerhaven Zoo had earlier flown in four female Humboldt penguins in an attempt to encourage three couples discovered to be all male to reproduce.

The zoo originally defended the experiment, claiming that the birds were an endangered species, but following protests from gay rights groups, director Heike Kueck has said that the zoo is abandoning the plan.

She said: “Everyone can live here as they please.”

Kueck said that it was neither her intention nor possible to separate the gay couples by force and interest them in their new female companions.

She added that the penguins had shown little interest in their new female companions but said that the programme could have been started too late in the year.

Gay groups had earlier protested against “the organised and forced harassment through female seductresses” in an open letter to Bremerhaven’s Mayor Joerg Schulz."

On this cute & happy note, don't forget to demand your taxpayer money stop going to fund gay sheep "sexual re-orientation" and murder.

Crossposted Via NC Gay Activist

Web Spotlight: TJobBank

TJobBank is a new and innovative site to bring together professionals from the transgender community and employers. All too often well qualified gender variant people are not hired or promoted within their respective fields. TJobBank seeks to help transgender people link up with LGBT friendly employers.

Check them out at http://www.tjobbank.com

Shameless Self Promotion Sunday

Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.

Web Spotlight: Asexual Visibility Education Network

Today's web spotlight and shout goes to the Asexuality Visibility Education Network (AVEN). AVEN offers information for asexuals and questioning people as well as allies who want to expand their knowledge on this sexual orientation. The website also offers a popular forum which serves as a safe space for A people. In addition to those offerings there is a store, media section, meet up groups, and much more. Please check them out...
http://www.asexuality.org/