Power and Privilege and Pictures

Proud Feminist.

[autostraddle]

“Some stray comments and seemingly-satirical articles suggest that the show championed witchcraft, which, in the 1990s, was not the compliment that it is today.”

[feminist-love]

Good news in hard times. 🌈💖🌈

[projectqueer]

British gay bar 'shot at' but no injuries reported

Police have arrested an 18-year-old male and a 17-year-old girl.

No injuries have been reported after a British gay bar was allegedly ‘shot at’ on Sunday night (19 June). Officers closed the road for the entirety of yesterday as they conducted an investigation at Limes bar in Canterbury, Kent. 

On social media, witnesses and bar users have said the window was shot out at around 10pm. But Kent Police have yet to confirm this.

Sally Smith, of Kent Police, told KentOnline: ‘No injuries were reported and the investigation into the incident continues.

‘A window was broken and the cause of the damage remains under investigation. No weapons were reported to have been seen.’

Police have arrested an 18-year-old man from Dover and a 17-year-old from Hythe. They have been released on bail.

[feminist-love]

💔

[leavemeinlalaland-deactivated20]

I'm more homophobic than you are

As seen on Autostraddle 

[projectqueer]

What does ‘Latinx’ mean? A look at the term that's challenging gender norms

Fighting oppression through language.

[feminist-love]

This Was Never Supposed to Happen To You (with tweets) · fuzzlaw

Thoughts from a middle-aged dyke re: the Orlando Massacre.

Heartbreaking and true.

[feminist-love]

Allies are you Out there?

Orlando shows that we have a long way to go. A very, very long way to go.

I wish I saw more rainbows for support, or articles shared, or posts liked. I wish more people were talking about this and acting as allies. I don't understand why, that when this happens half-way around the world, my Facebook is covered in flags... but it happens in our community and the response is lacking?

I know people grieve in their own ways. But, hell. I'm tired of people acting like everything is better since we all up and got gay-hitched. It's not. I have had to listen to my orientation be marginalized all of my life. The names I have been called do not bare repeating. I have been compared to a pedophile and a person who has sex with animals (in person, not just those crazy stories you hear on the internet!). I was once told that if someone raped me it would cure me of gayness. I have seen children kicked out of their homes. I have seen friends beaten. I have attended Trans Day of Remembrance and read aloud the names of those murdered. So many names.

These things do not get cured with a wedding certificate.

Now, 49 innocent people have been slaughtered in one night.

Today I have been on the internet reading that there is a pastor hailing this as a GOOD THING. A Craigs-lister has threatened San Diego Pride. Social Media posters are giving shout outs to the shooter.  And yet, still, so many are staying silent.

Is it because they don’t want to be “political”? How was mourning Parisian terror victims different than mourning American terror victims?

Meanwhile, the LGBTQ+ Community is reacting. We are hurting, we are in pain, we are in mourning. The point of terrorism is to change political mindsets- to change our actions. We may, but certainly not in the way the gunman intended. We will not hide.

We're going to gather, despite the threats. I am going to pride. Honestly, I’m scared, but I feel like I'm a bit used to it. It's not like the thought of an attack has never crossed my mind. It's not like it's never been threatened before. It’s a risk, yes, but what is the alternative?

Just like clubs and bars are our gathering places to come together and be ourselves, Pride is THE DAY of the year-- many call it Gay Christmas because you wait all year for this one truly magical weekend. All of your people together, celebrating in a mass of people who are okay with who you are. The first time I felt it, sitting in the sunshine at Dolores Park when I was 20 years old- I knew it was where I belonged. I wanted it to last forever. It didn't, but I knew it would come again. And again. And every year I look forward to it. People had paved the path before me so I could be there. Thank you people- thank you, thank you, thank you. Future people? I can't let you down.

Not everyone gets to show their love in public. I live in a town where I can hold hands with someone, and yet, I have had partners who grew up so afraid that they never felt comfortable doing so- unless we were at an LGBTQ+ event. Or Pride. For some this is the only time they can let their true colors show.

As we have gained more rights, I’ve seen more and more couples displaying love and affection openly. It has become safer in more places across the country. Not everywhere, sure, but the change since I first came out is beautiful. It has taken a lot of work. LGBTQ+ people at the front, but backed by many beautiful allies who have not been scared to speak up or speak out. And that is who we need now more than ever. People to say, “Hey we are here, we have your back, we care about your lives. Those people on twitter? They are trolls. We can out-tweet them, out -post them, out-LOVE them.”

And this is what that terrorist aimed to take away. He aimed to instill fear in us so that we won't. We won't be public, we won't gather, we won't love.

But love is more powerful than hate.

"Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist. Keep on loving, keep on fighting!"

*** I am adding a little to acknowledge that A. I am so grateful that I do have a wonderful support system of amazing straight allies. And B. This is hard. I don't think there is one right way to respond to a tragedy. Honestly, I think the general "I am so sorry this happened" is one good step. It says, "I see you, I'm with you, I support you." And sharing articles, liking posts, donating money, and talking about this- as hard as it is. It shows support. And C. The Queer community is not the only community affected. These were by and large Latinx victims. The intersections of identity of the victims are complex. Some of the victims, some of the survivors, were and are not out to their families. This may have outed them. Imagine. Resources are needed. From anyone who can give.

[feminist-love]

Orlando shows that we have a long way to go. A very, very long way to go.

I wish I saw more rainbows for support. I wish more people were talking about this and acting as allies. I don't understand why, that when this happens half-way around the world, my Facebook is covered in flags... but it happens in our community and the response is lacking?

I know people grieve in their own ways. But, hell. I'm tired of people acting like everything is better since we all up and got gay-hitched. It's not. I have had to listen to my orientation be marginalized all of my life. The names I have been called do not bare repeating. I have been compared to a pedophile and a person who has sex with animals (in person, not just those crazy stories you hear on the internet!). I was once told that if someone raped me it would cure me of gayness. I have seen children kicked out of their homes. I have seen friends beaten. I have attended Trans Day of Remembrance and read allowed the names of those murdered. So many names.

These things do not get cured with a wedding certificate.

Now, 49 innocent people have been slaughtered in one night.

Today I have been on the internet reading that there is a pastor hailing this as a GOOD THING. A Craigs-lister has threatened San Diego Pride. Social Media posters are giving shout outs to the shooter.  And yet, still, so many are staying silent.

Is it because they don’t want to be “political”? How was mourning Parisian terror victims different than mourning American terror victims?

Meanwhile, the LGBTQ+ Community is reacting. We are hurting, we are in pain, we are in mourning. The point of terrorism is to change political mindsets- to change our actions. We may, but certainly not in the way the gunman intended. We will not hide.

We're going to gather, despite the threats. I am going to pride. Honestly, I’m scared, but I feel like I'm a bit used to it. It's not like the thought of an attack has never crossed my mind. It's not like it's never been threatened before. It’s a risk, yes, but what is the alternative?

Just like clubs and bars are our gathering places to come together and be ourselves, Pride is THE DAY of the year-- many call it Gay Christmas because you wait all year for this one truly magical weekend. All of your people together, celebrating in a mass of people who are okay with who you are. The first time I felt it, sitting in the sunshine at Dolores Park when I was 20 years old- I knew it was where I belonged. I wanted it to last forever. It didn't, but I knew it would come again. And again. Every year I look forward to it. People had paved the path before me so I could be there. Thank you people- thank you, thank you, thank you.

Not everyone gets to show their love in public. I live in a town where I can hold hands with someone, and yet, I have had partners who grew up so afraid that they never felt comfortable doing so- unless we were at an LGBTQ+ event. Or Pride.

As we have gained more rights, I’ve seen more and more couples displaying love and affection openly. It has become safer in more places across the country. Not everywhere, sure, but the change since I first came out is beautiful. It has taken a lot of work. LGBTQ+ people at the front, but backed by many beautiful allies who have not been scared to speak up or speak out. And that is who we need now more than ever. People to say, “Hey we are here, we have your back, we care about your lives. Those people on twitter? They are trolls. We can out-tweet them, out -post them, out-LOVE them.”

And this is what that terrorist aimed to take away. He aimed to instill fear in us so that we won't. We won't be public, we won't gather, we won't love.

Well FUCK THAT. 

"Your heart is a muscle the size of your fist. Keep on loving, keep on fighting!"

*****In response to some messages I got about this- I don't think there is one right way to respond. I think the general "I am so sorry this happened" is okay. I think about how hard it is to support someone who has experienced a personal loss (which is obviously different than this, but it is still a loss within our community- and a breach of the feeling of our safety as threats continue to roll in). Writing a condolence often feels challenging because there are no words good enough. There never will be. But some are better than none. Just saying "I'm sorry this happened" means the world. It means, "I see you, I'm with you, I support you." And I thank my wonderful allies who have commented and who have been sharing news articles, liking posts, donating money, and talking about this- as hard as it is. You make the world better.

[fearlessbiped]

Prayers won’t fix the problem. Policy change might.

[feminist-love]

Seriously.

[feminist-love]

Domestic Terrorism

Columbine.

When it happened, it was mentioned that the feelings of safety at schools

Had been eroded,

Crying, Schools are supposed to be safe!

And the country was terrified. Terrorized. Because mass murder had occurred 

on school grounds.

But the safety they discussed, was imaginary.

Because you and I know that schools were already

not safe.

Race wars are not just fought on streets-

not when you can see white and brown segmented,

distinguished, separated on the school yard.

And you think we haven’t been taught to fear two men kissing?

Homophobic slurs some of the most common in the locker room, thrown 

across hallways. Beaten across faces and backs.

Teaching boys not to show affection, to man up,

To prove this manliness with girls,

Assert dominance.

Rape is a symptom of this culture.

Terrorism: using terror for political, religious, or ideological gain.

Domestic terrorism is daily perpetrated against women

In the form of sexual assault

Domestic Violence

Women, scared to walk down the street alone,

Scared to take a drink,

Scared to go on dates.

Changing behavior because of the violence perpetrated upon a group by others.

Keeping women submissive.

Domestic terrorism is perpetrated when black people can’t buy a candy bar, 

can’t knock on a door to ask for help, can’t… breath.

For fear of death by the police.

Domestic terrorism is perpetrated when LGBTQ+ youth are

beaten, bullied, bashed

Scared to go to pride, to celebrate LOVE

For fear of massacre.

Don’t blame this on Islam, on brown skin.

We know the problem, and it looks at us in the mirror,

Terrorism lives at home.

There should be no surprises when

we hand semi-automatic weapons

to those raised to fear, hate,

and grasp for power.

[micdotcom]

Watch: President Obama calls Orlando gay club shooting an act of “terror and hate” in speech.

[feminist-love]

Heartbroken. Angry. Also filled with love for my community.

Why does hate have access to assault rifles?

Tell congress, we don't want your prayers, we want action.

[feminist-love]

Brock Turner’s claims to judge contradicted in new documents - LA Times - www.latimes.com

[feminist-love]

Here's The Powerful Letter The Stanford Victim Read To Her Attacker

A former Stanford swimmer who sexually assaulted an unconscious women was sentenced to six months in jail because a longer sentence would have "a severe impact on him," according to a jud...

A former Stanford swimmer who sexually assaulted an unconscious woman was sentenced to six months in jail because a longer sentence would have “a severe impact on him,” according to a judge. At his sentencing Thursday, his victim read him a letter…’

My thoughts...

[feminist-love]

You are not alone in this.

As someone who sat through quite a few criminal trials next to survivors of sex crimes and domestic violence, I have been thinking a lot about the Brock Turner case in Palo Alto. I was a “victim advocate” and assisted survivors through the court process- it can be a LONG process. If one gets to the point of conviction, victims (legal term) of crime in California have the right to speak to the judge before conviction, or have someone read a letter on their behalf. Some don’t choose to write them, some do. In my experience this is the most powerful moment to be in a courtroom- and the only time in the courtroom a survivor actually gets to speak without having their experience questioned. Reading these statements is heavy- being “on the stand” during trial or pre-trial is NOT the time a survivor “gets to tell their story” or “confront their attacker,” Law & Order SVU is not real life- these statements are where a survivor can share the impact the assault has had on their life. Many cases don’t even go to trial, so most of the talking is done to investigators, nurses, ADAs, etc.- but even then they are questioned to see if the case is worth prosecuting. I get that it is part of “due process," but it doesn’t make it any less painful. Survivor’s actions/lives/stories are picked apart. It is often uncomfortable, invasive, and for many, humiliating. Women are made to share about their own sex lives, talk about their bodies, and face the perpetrator of the crime each time they enter the courtroom (if they must). There is a reason many survivors don’t speak up. The letter circulating is so powerful and I am glad it is being shared. Our voices are powerful. There is still so much stigma around violence, and the anger we feel about it. Raise your voices! We need caring judges who value the survivors of crime (petition to remove judge Aaron Persky here). This is such an important issue- and as much as it is getting more attention, many aspects of it are still misunderstood. For example– a case not being filed does not mean someone wasn’t raped, it means there was not enough evidence to file the case- which means unfiled cases do NOT mean that it was a false accusation. False accusations happen, but aren’t common (and no, I’m not going to cite this fact- if you really feel need to question survivors more, look it up yourself). And besides, we need to rally around survivors and let them know that we are here for them when this happens. SO many survivors choose to go it alone- but we, your community of support, are here for you! <3 I sure hope the survivor in the Palo Alto case has a lot of love surrounding her <3

[hyperallergic]

In The Prophecy, a striking series by Dakar-based photographer Fabrice Monteiro, majestic alien creatures wear hoop skirts and headdresses made from soda cans, garbage bags, fishing nets, tortoise shells, and the odd baby doll. It isn’t just fashion photography at its most theatrical and cinematic: There’s a vivid environmentalist message here, though it doesn’t look like any anti-pollution campaign you’ve ever seen.

Senegal’s Trash Transformed into Afrofuturist Haute Couture

[b00kstorebabe-deactivated201709]

Hell. Yes. I’m going to love this book.

[feminist-love]

I’ll be post-feminist in the post-patriarchy.

[internbucky-deactivated20180804]

i’m crying oh gosh

[terribleenigma-deactivated20150]

TUMBLR PROF ANNOUNCEMENT: If you are trans or nonbinary and you are in the same situation as the student above, email your professors before class starts. I understand that it might be uncomfortable, but generally professors are absolutely happy to accommodate you. I know I always will be!

If your professor does not respond positively, contact the Dean or the campus LGBT+ resource center with a copy of the email and show them that you are concerned about gender discrimination in the classroom. 

[internbucky-deactivated20180804]

Also this is a link to the template I used to write this email, and I’ve seen another similar template going around, and this was extremely helpful.

[mykidsgay]

THIS THIS THIS. Ask for what you need, stand up for yourself, you deserve to feel affirmed and welcomed in your classrooms.

[feminist-love]

Good advice.

[flavntstreetwear]

Bareskin Top

We get asked all the time– what should I wear to the beach or the pool? We get this question from pre-op transguys, non-binary folks, androgynous individuals, tomboys, people who just don’t like their chests or just don’t like the options they have for concealing it, etc. 

So, for a while now we’ve been throwing around the idea for a ftm/masculine swim top. Years of personal experience with heightened dysphoria during the summer and seeing others struggle to find an appropriate top to wear while swimming (or even in every day activities) and not seeing any adequate options have spurred us to create a solution.

Our solution is the Bareskin Top. We’ve combined the silhouette of a traditional half binder and compression sports bra to create a comfortable top that binds but still lets you get a tan and feel closer to being shirtless than anything else out there. We plan to offer this top in a range of skin tones so that the wearer can have a passably topless masculine aesthetic, this is less visually triggering than wearing a bikini top, sports bra, binder, or shirt and allows for more confidence and comfort.

Not only is this innovative because you can wear the top to swim in and feel shirtless, but it also comes in multiple skin tones making it less noticeable for everyday wear–allowing you to feel more confident from the gym to the bedroom. No other binder on the market provides you this option of something as simple and subtle as matching your skin tone.

We’ve created a prototype ourselves and had multiple created since, we are currently seeking manufacturers to mass produce the top (our release goal is Spring Break 2016) and are planning to launch a crowdfunding campaign in the coming months to fund this project. We appreciate your support and want to get the community behind this because everybody deserves to feel confident in their Bareskin.

-FLAVNT Streetwear

_______________________________________

*please don’t remove caption*

Huge shoutout to Yoomi Park for shooting our video and to Courtney, Kayla, Chris and Courtney for drinking beer at 11am to make this happen.

© FLAVNT Streetwear 2015

[feminist-love]

Nice.