Web Spotlight: LGBT Chat

LGBT Chat is a newly created community based forum with discussion topics relevant to queer identity and issues. Among the sub-forums are specific identity boards, coming out, relationship, family, religion, health and many others.

Open Forum: Constitutional Amendment Allowing SSM?

We are always fighting off propositions to have constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage. In many locales voters have voted to define marriage as between one man and one woman within their state constitutions.

What about a fight to amend the state constitutions to allow for marriage equality? If it loses, we lose nothing. If it wins it would be unprecedented and make world history. It would be the first time voters decided to grant marriage rights to all couples.

Do you think this could work anywhere, if so, where? Why aren't there efforts by pro-equality forces engaging in these tactics? Is there a state or country where voters are most likely to vote to approve same-sex marriage and on what basis?

Open Forum: How Are You Celebrating?

Today is National Coming Out Day. Since the march on Washington on October 11th 1988, LGBT people have declared this day to be a day to come out of the closet, and to get politically active on behalf of LGBT rights.

How are you celebrating this day? Will you be coming out to anyone and if so whom? Will you be taking part in any aspect of queer activism (marching, signing a petition, or engaging someone in discussion on LGBT issues).

Open Forum: Queer Bookworms

We take for granted how easy it is for most of us to access queer fiction as well as non-fiction today. There was a time when LGBTQI people craved books solely about their lives but they came up empty handed when perusing the shelves. Even today there are very few books out there for people who are asexual, intersexual, or queer. We also do face some struggles at certain libraries and bookstores who refuse to carry queer lit for a host of reasons including religious objections, or on the grounds that the book is sexually oriented.

Even in the face of opposition to queer literature many bookstores and libraries are carrying books with topics of interest to sexual and gender minorities. The internet is also a great way to access information or to purchase an obscure book you wouldn't normally find. We also often have trendy gay bookstores within urban centers that specifically carry themes we want and many LGBT centers have a library or stack of books where one can take out a book free of charge.

So, what are your favorite queer books and why? Any good recommendations?