Untitled

[asagimeta]

But you know what I think my favorite thing is about the Mr. Ratburn thing?

PBS didn’t gloat about it

I mean, listen, it’s not ever a bad thing for creators to be excited about representation, and it’s good to come out with it (pun unintended) ahead of time so that people who may not be a religious fan of the show can mark their calendars to see it, but so often it’s clear that the bigger corporations like Disney do something really small an make an ENORMOUS deal of it, patting themselves on the back, cheering themselves on, and in actuality put very little on the line in taking this risk- oftentimes having a one-off charector or an unimportant charector or a charector that soon dies, etc… but Arthur?

Arthur put ALL of the cards on the table

Mr. Ratburn is a charector that’s existed since the very first season and is a CONSTANT in the show, not going anywhere soon and not hidden in the background, in a franchise for VERY young children with a VERY long reputation for being squeaky clean like nobody’s business, and they really went out there and shoved the gay down everyone’s throats without saying one. single. damn. WORD.

Imagine all of the homophobic parents who had strokes today when this happened and uh-oh too late they watched the episode anyway :) Unlike things such as Disney that give a “warning” and lose ticket sales from those idiots

Furthermore, wile Arthur is not… great… with continuity (the last episode said they were transitioning into fourth grade but now they’re back in third, for example) it has a good history of keeping charector traits, things that could easily be one-off details like Mr. Ratburn’s love of puppets or Francine loving horses- things that aren’t “necessary” about their charectors but still important- come up often, wich means there’s no reason to believe Patrick is a one-off who will never come back and that’s AMAZING

But just…. the fact that PBS really went out there and put their hand on a loaded gun like this and didn’t even say one single word ahead of time is so fantastic because they’re making it into a very average episode, it isn’t a big deal, they aren’t making it a big deal, because getting married to someone born with the same gender that you have SHOULDN’T be a big deal

Thank you PBS, for once again inspiring kids everywhere

[bonnieblue628]

Normalized representation matters

[pixelpapi]

[vintagelasvegas]

Vegas World’s Galaxy Bar, 1980s

via Pixelpapi

[bonnieblue628]

Am I the only one who can hear this picture?

[queeranarchism]

BDE

I can’t really imagine body-positive activists saying that ‘anyone can have skinny energy’ or ‘anyone can have clear skin energy’ and thinking that’s progressive, so how are the same people so comfortable with their ‘lol anyone can have big dick energy’ and think that doesn’t reproduce existing notions about which genitals are good and which are shameful?

Like, I get that it’s all a joke and that a big part of the joke is that ‘big dick energy’ is not related to anyone’s actual genitals and that it challenges toxic masculinity, but it still ascribed positive values to the concept of a big dick and negative values to the concept of a small dick.

Vox put it this way pretty accurately:

Reducing men’s worth to their bodies is not harmful in the same way that it is harmful to do the same to women: one of the ways that the patriarchy systemically oppresses women is by reducing them to their bodies. Joking about big dick energy does not reinforce systemic sexism. What it does do is reinforce a system of masculinity that eventually leads to toxic masculinity.  The dick part of BDE is just a metaphor, but that metaphor is not value-neutral.

When I remember previous activist failures (remember the horrible ‘Trump with a micropenis’ statue?), this is just another reminder that a lot of activists are happy to mock men’s bodies without considering how that reinforces toxic masculinity and will throw the self-worth of fat men, trans men, intersex men, etc. under the bus the moment there is a chance to joke about a big or a tiny penis.

So, ya know, I’d be very happy to see this thing disappear again ASAP and I’ll side-eye anyone who uses it while describing themselves as ‘body-positive’.

[buckangel]

View this post on Instagram

Conversations with Transmen. A project I started in 2012. It has been all over the world screening at film festivals. It has opened many minds about trans men and sex. Now it is on Amazon Prime! I am so fucking grateful to be able to get us on this platform. Sex discussion in general is a difficult thing to get people to discuss but take it up a notch and having trans men discuss this in a very vulnerable and personal way is everything for us! I have always wanted our sexuality and desires to be something that we are also proud of and grow from. It is the foundation of my work. Today l am so grateful to be able to share this new Amazon Prime series with you! IG will not let me put the link ( they prove my point) so please search for Conversations with Transmen. Please leave a review. Your review is love and love creates a better world. I appreciate you all. This is the second episode!! Lets teach the world that we are hot sexy men too!! Love Tranpa❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/BqxgB3elYUf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16adpxfl54d4m

[kidkitthekingslayer]

The fact that nobody is talking about Secret’s new commercials pisses me off

[softwhorecore-deactivated201812]

This makes me so happy ☺️

[iamhannalashay]

Yesssss😭 I damn near cried

[jaxuhmillion]

I LOVE THIS OMFG

[taylorzrealm]

YOOOOOOOOOOO THATS AMAZING!!!!!

[saiasus]

[trufflebootybuttercream-deactiv]

Can someone help me understand I wanna cry to ..I feel something went over my head

[writingsandwonders]

The woman in the bathroom is trans and is scared that if she comes out of the stall the women that walked in will insult or harass her. but when she comes out they compliment her on her dress instead. The add ends with saying “stress tested for women.” It means Secret is including trans women in their definition of women. 

[viragon]

I have reblogged this three times now, each one mentioning the fact that Secret not only included a trans woman, but that they /had the other women compliment her dress and treat her with respect/. I will reblog this every time I see it because it’s so important. More companies should involve trans people in their marketing - we do exist. Props to Secret for getting in on this movement. It makes me really happy to see more of the trans community represented in daily television.

[bonnieblue628]

Trans people are people too

[reading-writing-revolution]

[seriesofnonsequiturs]

[Text of Tweet: George Takei: If you are turned away at the polls because your name is not on the register, don’t walk away. Say this: I REQUEST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

Don’t let them steal your vote]

Additional info:

“Provisional Ballot Laws are laws that require a provisional ballot upon verficiation of the idenity of the voter if a voter fails to present proper identification at the polls or when registering before voter registration deadlines.”

More here on national provisional ballot laws

[delphinidin4]

Copied from facebook (source: John Young)

Poll worker here! Let’s talk about this “I DEMAND A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AS PROVIDED BY LAW” thing.

== TL:DR; Yes, provisional ballots are important! And yes, you should absolutely ask for one if you need to. But there’s a couple of things to try first. A provisional ballot is a last resort. ==

It’s very common for voters to come up to the “check-in” desk, and not be found in the poll book. Some non-nefarious reasons why that might be the case:

1) The poll worker doesn’t understand how to spell your name. 2) You’re not in the right precinct (this happens ALLLL the time) 3) New married name? 4) You’re a college student, and you are registered, but you’re registered at home.

Here’s my recommendation for what to do: * Make sure the poll worker is looking in the right spot (the book will be right in front of you; you can help find your name.) * Mention your home address to the poll worker. THey may very well immediately say something like “Oh! Yes, you should be voting in the cafeteria. Here in the GYM, we are your next precinct over.” * Ask politely to speak to someone to verify your status with the county. They will get on the phone with county folks, who will look you up in their BIG COMPUTER.

The steps above will, eight times out of ten, change you from the scary status of “Huh? you don’t exist!” to “Oh, right! Okay, here you go, voter!”

If that doesn’t work, ask firmly and politely for a provisional ballot. If you say “AS PROVIDED BY LAWWWWW”, you will only get an eye-roll from a tired and hungry poll-worker. But hey, you do you – it really IS the law.

If you don’t get satisfaction, all is not lost. Step outside the precinct and call the ACLU, and they will send someone over to have some FIRM WORDS with the Judge of Elections.

How do I know? I’ve had ACLU lawyers sent to talk to me during an election: “Hey, we heard that you were turning voters away!” they said.

I wasn’t, but I DID NOT MIND having someone smart and informed come to check on what was up. The ACLU counsel was smart, engaged, and knew the rules. Had I been trying some crap, this person would have SHUT. IT. DOWN.

So, the BOTTOM bottom line is: 1) Provisional ballots are a last resort. You can read up on them; they’re definitely riskier than a full, “real” ballot. You want to vote at your proper precinct as your first choice. 2) Don’t panic if you’re not in the book. Are you in the right place? 3) If you decide you do need a provisional, be firm, polite, and persistent. There’s no “secret phrase” that’s going to make us poll workers hiss with dismay: “CURSESSSSSSS! They know about the provisionalssssss!” 4) But do stick up for yourself! And if you don’t get what you want, call it in! There’s LOTS of folks to help!

[nateswinehart]

You gotta have a plan…

[bonnieblue628]

For all my beautiful unicorns who need a good thought today

@wilwheaton this reminds me of your posts

[bonnieblue628]

Just doing my part to keep my colleagues informed and up to date with their voter registration. Check your status, especially if you signed up at the DMV. www.mvp.sos.ga.gov Come see us at many MARTA stations in DeKalb County as @jldekalb partners with the @leagueofwomenvoters to help people get signed up or update their registration. I'll be at the Decatur station from 6-7:30! . #gavotes #useyourvoice #yourvoicecounts #yourvotecounts #everyvotecounts🇺🇸 #knowyourstatus #socialactivism #jldleads #leagueofwomenvoters #womenwholead #itstartswithawoman (at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health - US) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoJ48YrBnko/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e8assujq8akt

[aslsuzyq]

Watch “Deaf out Loud” TONIGHT-Weds, 9-12-18 at 8::00 pm EST. If you’re going to a viewing party, please keep your TV on A& E channel because every view counts https://twitter.com/sheenamcfeely/status/1039619499060649984?s=21 #DeafOutLoud #Deafcan #ASL https://www.instagram.com/p/BnoKmGkn_IFXSrdsB5RAJq2vAPueRjxfWJmmiQ0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w0f2ohe5uwj9

[wilwheaton]

“To all the young people who are here today, there are now more eligible voters in your generation than in any other, which means your generation now has more power than anybody to change things. If you want it, you can make sure America gets out of its current funk. If you actually care about it, you have the power to make sure we seize a brighter future. But to exercise that clout, to exercise that power, you have to show up. In the last midterm elections in 2014, fewer than one in five young people voted. One in five. Not two in five, or three—one in five. Is it any wonder this Congress doesn’t reflect your values and your priorities? Are you surprised by that? This whole project of self-government only works if everybody’s doing their part. … if you thought elections don’t matter, I hope these last two years have corrected that impression.”

—

President Obama, today.

Please please please make sure you are registered to vote. You can easily confirm your registration, file a new registration, and locate your polling place at iwillvote.com

[bonnieblue628]

#getoutthevote

[just-shower-thoughts]

Depression is the most common mental illness, yet it somehow convinces everyone that they’re completely alone.

[neverrlaand]

Petition for the next Disney prince/princess to be Deaf and incorporating sign language and the Deaf culture into the movie

A dream of mine tbh

[deaf-studies]

always gonna reblog this

[wilwheaton]

(via How to fight.)

[bonnieblue628]

Vote. Help someone else vote. Know the issues and the people who can help(or hurt) them

[robertreich]

THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL CENSUS POWER GRAB

The Trump administration’s decision to alter the 2020 Census to ask people if they are American citizens is an unconstitutional power grab that would hurt many disadvantaged Americans. It must be stopped. 

The U.S. Constitution calls for “actual enumeration” of the total population for an explicit purpose:  To count the residents – not just citizens, residents – of every state to properly allocate congressional representatives to the states based on population.

Asking whether someone is a citizen could cause some immigrants — not just non-citizens, but also those with family members or close friends who aren’t citizens — not to respond for fear that they or their loved ones would be deported. In the current climate of fear, this isn’t an irrational response.

The result would be a systemic undercounting of immigrant communities – with two grossly unfair results.

First, these communities and the states they’re in would get less federal aide. Census data is used in over 132 programs nationwide to allocate over $675 billion each year.

An undercount would deprive many immigrant communities and their states of the health care, education and assistance they need and are entitled to.  

Second, these communities and the states they’re in would have fewer representatives in Congress. The Census count determines the distribution of congressional seats among states. Under the Constitution, these seats depend on the total number of people residing in the state, not just citizens. 

Which is the real reason for this move by the Trump administration. It’s no secret that immigrants with the right to vote tend to vote for Democrats. So undercounting neighborhoods that are heavily Latino or Asian would mean fewer Democratic members of Congress.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says the citizenship question is necessary in order to better enforce the Voting Rights Act. Baloney. The Trump administration has shown zero interest in the Voting Rights Act. It has even defended voter suppression laws in court.

This is nothing but a Republican power grab orchestrated by the White House. Tell your members of Congress, it must be stopped.

[robertreich]

THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL CENSUS POWER GRAB

The Trump administration’s decision to alter the 2020 Census to ask people if they are American citizens is an unconstitutional power grab that would hurt many disadvantaged Americans. It must be stopped. 

The U.S. Constitution calls for “actual enumeration” of the total population for an explicit purpose:  To count the residents – not just citizens, residents – of every state to properly allocate congressional representatives to the states based on population.

Asking whether someone is a citizen could cause some immigrants — not just non-citizens, but also those with family members or close friends who aren’t citizens — not to respond for fear that they or their loved ones would be deported. In the current climate of fear, this isn’t an irrational response.

The result would be a systemic undercounting of immigrant communities – with two grossly unfair results.

First, these communities and the states they’re in would get less federal aide. Census data is used in over 132 programs nationwide to allocate over $675 billion each year.

An undercount would deprive many immigrant communities and their states of the health care, education and assistance they need and are entitled to.  

Second, these communities and the states they’re in would have fewer representatives in Congress. The Census count determines the distribution of congressional seats among states. Under the Constitution, these seats depend on the total number of people residing in the state, not just citizens. 

Which is the real reason for this move by the Trump administration. It’s no secret that immigrants with the right to vote tend to vote for Democrats. So undercounting neighborhoods that are heavily Latino or Asian would mean fewer Democratic members of Congress.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says the citizenship question is necessary in order to better enforce the Voting Rights Act. Baloney. The Trump administration has shown zero interest in the Voting Rights Act. It has even defended voter suppression laws in court.

This is nothing but a Republican power grab orchestrated by the White House. Tell your members of Congress, it must be stopped.

[robertreich]

THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL CENSUS POWER GRAB

The Trump administration’s decision to alter the 2020 Census to ask people if they are American citizens is an unconstitutional power grab that would hurt many disadvantaged Americans. It must be stopped. 

The U.S. Constitution calls for “actual enumeration” of the total population for an explicit purpose:  To count the residents – not just citizens, residents – of every state to properly allocate congressional representatives to the states based on population.

Asking whether someone is a citizen could cause some immigrants — not just non-citizens, but also those with family members or close friends who aren’t citizens — not to respond for fear that they or their loved ones would be deported. In the current climate of fear, this isn’t an irrational response.

The result would be a systemic undercounting of immigrant communities – with two grossly unfair results.

First, these communities and the states they’re in would get less federal aide. Census data is used in over 132 programs nationwide to allocate over $675 billion each year.

An undercount would deprive many immigrant communities and their states of the health care, education and assistance they need and are entitled to.  

Second, these communities and the states they’re in would have fewer representatives in Congress. The Census count determines the distribution of congressional seats among states. Under the Constitution, these seats depend on the total number of people residing in the state, not just citizens. 

Which is the real reason for this move by the Trump administration. It’s no secret that immigrants with the right to vote tend to vote for Democrats. So undercounting neighborhoods that are heavily Latino or Asian would mean fewer Democratic members of Congress.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says the citizenship question is necessary in order to better enforce the Voting Rights Act. Baloney. The Trump administration has shown zero interest in the Voting Rights Act. It has even defended voter suppression laws in court.

This is nothing but a Republican power grab orchestrated by the White House. Tell your members of Congress, it must be stopped.

[schoolofburlesque]

I became a full time professional stripper in 1980, after having dabbled here and there. I needed the money. I really, really needed the money. I did it for the money. It was not an artistic endeavor, and I make no apologies for that. Needing money is why anybody takes a job.

It was also, instantly, an identity, in an age with no social media, when for the most part the only strippers a stripper knew were the ones she met in the dressing room.

When I would tell friends who knew me before I started stripping that someone had mocked or insulted me for being a stripper, Some of them they would say, “What did you expect?” I would respond, “I expected it, but that doesn’t mean I accept it.” Banning #strippers is a way of telling us to accept marginalization and abuse. We shouldn’t complain. We should accept. We knew what we were getting into. I say we never, ever should accept it. Strippers and other sex workers are not orbiting around the Earth, being dropped from spaceships into the venues where we work and then picked up again at the ends of our shifts. We are alive every minute of the day. We are in the world along with non-sex-working civilians every day of the week. We are neighbors who are walking, shopping, driving, taking our kids to school, filing our taxes, going to the doctor, celebrating birthdays, mourning at funerals, sitting in church next to non-SW and not sweating at all. We are not aliens. We are part of the communities, online and elsewhere, where we are treated like anomalies and outsiders. The marginalization and punishment of sex workers is used as a warning device to women who might step out of line. Every time this marginalization and punishment is endorsed, it moves the line further into the territory of non-SW. It means they’re next. Unreasonable control of adult media is the thin edge of the wedge that drives into the rights of women and sexual minorities to separate them from “decent society" and political power. For the first time strippers and other sex workers are able to communicate with the general public about these indignities and injustices. Tell Instagram and other social media sites that you oppose this shadow ban.

[bonnieblue628]

Sex work is work