Pride Talks: of a Successful Community
In Orange County,California, we are known to be the conservative capital of the State. Yet somehow we find our cities holding some of the safest Pride Festivals you can find around the world. Countries around the world have within the last two decades opened up opportunities for a community that has been silenced for centuries. Many around the world don't see the influence, the GRAND influence of the LGBTQIA+ community. The number of movements, eras, & trends that Queer Members have lead would be untraceable, perhaps some against the community made it so... But this is where this blogs come in, to create a collection & recognition of those LGBTQIA+ members that history books ignore.
LGBTQIA+ Members in the Sciences
Have the history books you’ve read told you about the man who created the computer? If they did, did they mention that he was a man who was later labeled as a “criminal” for engaging in homosexual acts? Many around the world don't see the influence, the GRAND influence of the LGBTQIA+ community. Did you know that the bust proudly grounded at Santiago Canyon College in Southern California presents the first known (postpartum) gay astronaut? Sally Ride, an astronaut who trained intensely for the preparation of space science and exploration; & who detested being referred to as, “the first female in space”. But what do these two icons for the LGBTQIA+ community have that connect them? They set a tone and passageway to all members around the world, opening the door to science & letting millions around the world choose a life that defied all social norms.
Code Breaking of Enigma
I’ve resonated deeply with this scientist and mathematician, even his birthday is the day after mine (albeit he was born in 1912 in England). Doctor Alan Turner, who set and created the brain of what we know now as the Computer, the man who led us to the World Wide Web, the reason someone like myself can study Web Marketing... But how could I, a California born Latinx, relate to a British man who would ultimately changed the path of World War II? I have family who are veterans & currently serve in the military, but as a young teen I had a goal of reaching that same institution. I soon realized I'm a bit of a pacifist, which created a significant dysfunction… The ultimately revolutionary concepts of this man, who himself was a hush pacifist, greatly helped war efforts (and destruction of entire cities, countries, & genocide) without ever needed to step foot on a battlefield or even touching weapons of war. His war was on intelligence.
It's unfortunate a person like Dr. Turner, someone who studied at Cambridge University & Princeton University, finding much success in his career, especially with the encryption machine, was found guilty of (in his moment criminalized) homosexuality. Familiar to those of the history on LGBTQIA+ lives, Turner was given the choice of being imprisoned or taking medication to “treat” his homosexuality.
Years after his death, the Queen of England formally pardoned his crimes and these efforts and publicity lead to legalization (or decriminalization) of homosexual acts in England.
“This is only a foretaste of what is to come and only the shadow of what is going to be.” The featured quote the Bank of England shared would be featured on the 50 euro bill as of 2019… along with the face of Dr. Alan Turner.
First Gay Astronaut
No, Sally Ride was not open about her sexuality, she actually hid her sexual preference all the way up to her death, it wasn’t until her now announced partner, Tam ______, who read her final obituary, did Dr. Ride announce to the world she had a female partner. As the personal life of Dr. Ride goes, and as hypocritical it may be to talk about an LGBTQIA+ personal life when we alone are trying to get people OUT of our personal lives & sexual preferences, Dr. Ride chose to show the world how she seemingly defined her gender, which for her time was a forthcoming of one's sexuality as well. Presumably, to the public, Dr. Ride was a heterosexual woman. She even married male astronaut Steven Hawley, and carried out a national figure for successful couples in the sciences. Tam ____ was not only a romantic partner to the accomplished astronaut, but co-author and business partner, including Dr. Ride’s personal foundation, as well a number of collaborations. Both women created a platforms for the sciences and for women around the world, all while not sharing their romantic relationship. Dr. Ride’s “coming out” announcement came with much questioning, she had never publicly been known as a supporter or advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Many wondered later why in the progression of gay rights in the United States, did not open about her being queer. This is still up to speculation & really will only be known by Dr. Ride and those closest to her. From someone who understands the political stance of American society in her prime time of the 80’s and 90’s, it was a brutal and horrific time for queer lives, many being hurt for their openness. Perhaps she expected a stripping or dishonoring of her accomplishments in physics and as an astronaut. For someone who had worked to rigorously to get to their goals, it may seem ridiculous to put something like sexuality in the way of their credibility. Still, all this is up to each person's own speculation, but overall Dr. RIde may just have wanted to feel as she was doing her part of maintaining a functional and successful persona in the United States; she wanted to prove that something such as sexuality does not define the abilities or success of a single human-being.
Last Words from Your Blogger!
Maybe I should’ve created this as a podcast to protect myself from the World Wide Web. There’s plenty of countries that would rite out against a vocalizing voice in support of the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Today I had an important conversation, a conversation about the miseducation of the community worldwide. A conversation that made me realize that so many don’t understand where the lines are between the discussions of gender & sexuality. My next posting will cover the understanding education (or lack thereof) internationally of the LGBTQIA+ community…