Shades of a Spectrum

This blog supports the liberation and dignity of marginalised people, including those oppressed for their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race/ethnicity, nationality, social/economic class, number of sexual/romantic partners, mental/physical disability, etc.. Respect yourself and respect others.

[quiet-nymph]

[bright-witch]

This is one of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken ;-; Probably because this forest has never been logged and it has a certain amazing feeling to it? Seriously, this is the ONLY forest that has never been logged in the entirety of Oregon and the species diversity, biomass, everything… it’s incredible. It proves how healthy the forest would be and how much life would flourish if we respected them. This photo helps remind me of that.

[rickbman]

Diversity is not pandering. Diversity is realistic. Having an all white cast? That’s pandering.

[thepeacockangel]

Criminalizing immigration serves capital

By creating a class of workers who cannot strike for fear of deportation

[socialismexplained]

And by extension, forcing wages down.

[the-movemnt-deactivated20170912]

Watch: Dalai Lama has a message for racists: “There’s no such thing as a ‘Muslim terrorist’”

follow @the-movemnt

[projectqueer]

An 'Unflinching' Series About Homeless Queer Youth Is In The Works

Here's how you can help make "House of Mayhem" happen.

[dosedotcom]

an unprecedented moment in native american history happened this week

[mamapluto]

I don’t think non-Natives understand what a HUGE FREAKING DEAL this is. This is amazing. The show of solidarity is just…it’s amazing. Regardless of the end result, these gatherings will not be forgotten.

[misterbunni]

Ok ism not crying

[klxud-deactivated20210818]

If not all cis boys have to be super masculine then not all trans boys have to be either ,, its not that hard to understand

[bellygangstaboo]

Without any extra funding, the city of Flint, Michigan will run out of the money it needs to keep buying bottled water and water filters for residents in 51 days.

Where are the celebrity’s now? … Where is Hillary since she got her nod from the DNC .. Where is the President? .. Why hasn’t the governor been ousted or put in jail? How long are these people going to be without clean drinking water?? It’s been years since they found out, and still nothing is being done.  

[bintrushd]

I already can’t deal anymore with the pictures of this Muslim woman on the beach being forced to undress by armed policemen being shared en masse on social medias. This woman’s face isn’t even blurred, she’s recognizable and nobody doesn’t even seem to stop and think that maybe she doesn’t want those pictures to be shared? This woman could have been my aunt, a cousin or any other Muslim woman I know. And that’s not fun to see pictures of us humiliated and threatened by armed people being shared en masse. That ain’t funny and that ain’t endearing to see that it takes shocking, dehumanizing and humiliating pictures for people to care.   It’s been more than a decade that Muslim women have been attesting to similar cases of physical/symbolical/moral violence. “Glad” to see it takes pictures to realize what’s happening though. Keep sharing and making a spectacle out of it. 

[bintrushd]

So, apparently, this woman expressed the wish that her anonymity be preserved so please don’t share those pictures unless her face is blurred at the very least.

[the-future-now-deactivated20170]

follow @the-future-now

[fomysquad]

A community and family is mourning the loss of Daniel Kevin Harris, whose life was taken this week by a State Trooper who apparently fears sign language. Harris, who is deaf and mute, was gunned down in front of his house.

“I was here in my driveway and I saw the highway patrol car come through and it was smoking really bad,” said neighbor Mark Barringer. “About 10 seconds later, I heard one gunshot.”

Harris was trying to communicate with the trooper using sign language before he was killed.

Harris died on the scene. He was 28-years-old.

Neighbor Ryan Russell said he’d see the man out in the neighborhood speaking in sign language with his family. “It seemed like a very peaceful family. These things are always heartbreaking.”

In the land of the free, a deaf man suspected of driving too fast can be killed in cold blood. Unfortunately, as we’ve shown time and again, this type of mistreatment and attacks on the deaf by police are all too common.

source

#KillerCops #PoliceBrutality 

#StayWoke

[strangeasanjles-deactivated2019]

What the fuck.

[thegaythirtysomething]

Medicine should never have been privatized in the first place. The concept of profiting off of human desperation and the need for life-saving medicine is, philosophically, intrinsically, and morally wrong both as a fundamental concept and in practice. The fact that Martin Shkreli was ever able to buy an AIDS drug and increase its price 5000% is indicative of a problem even bigger than a truly evil, despicable, and selfish human being; it is indicative of the problem of the current system of for-profit pharmaceuticals with obviously inadequate price regulation.

[micdotcom]

Breaking: The U.S. Justice Department will no longer use private prisons

On Thursday morning, the U.S. Justice Department issued a memo saying it would end the use of private prisons to hold federal inmates. The decision comes on the heels of a major internal report by the Justice Department showing that its private prison contractors weren’t running safe prisons. Similarly, scathing reports exposed the widespread abuse and neglect in private prisons. But this isn’t the end of private prisons.

[thechanelmuse]

The battle to save Langston Hughes' home from gentrification

Langston Hughes' Harlem home has shot up in value in recent years. A group of writers is raising money to save it from being turned into condos or coffee shops.

Ivy still grows on the front of Langston Hughes’ home in Harlem. There aren’t many houses like it left in New York City. Real estate agents estimate it’s worth over $3 million.

And that’s before anyone talks about the fact that one of America’s great writers – a hero of the Harlem Renaissance – lived there for much of the 1950s and 60s, until he passed away. His typerwriter is still on a shelf.

Pressure to sell “Hughes House” is escalating. The current owner listed it for a mere $1 million a few years ago, but it didn’t sell. For now, the home sits empty. The owner doesn’t live there. No one does. Paint is chipping off the front steps.

Renee Watson thinks it’s a tragedy. That’s why she started an Indiegogo campaign to raise $150,000 to rent the home and turn it into a cultural center honoring Hughes.

“The more Harlem changes, the more I’m motivated to do something,” says Watson, a writer who lives nearby, and has watched gentrification flood in. A Whole Foods is set to open in the area early next year. Realtors predict prices will skyrocket even further.

“We – the community – must hold on to the space,” says Watson. “I feel a sense of urgency.”

So far, the initiative to save Hughes House has raised just over $25,000.

Read more

Spread the word!

[shadesofaspectrum]

Come on, they're still really far away from their goal

[attndotcom]

These are the photos of the Louisiana flood the media hasn’t shown you. 

The situation is devastating. 

[thechanelmuse]

It’s been raining every damn day over there. Twelve days of storms…and counting. Two feet of rain in less than 72 hours. They said the water came up so fast…

[onlyblackgirl]

Is the government doing anything? Sending boats in to help? Anything?

[fairylightsandstardust]

I’ve heard mostly about private citizens helping each other or businesses matching donations to the red cross. I don’t know if I haven’t heard about the government helping because me and the fam didn’t need to be rescued or because they are doing the minimum to help

[fairylightsandstardust]

So I know I just reblogged this but I’d just thought I’d let those not in Louisiana know that it’s raining again

[thechanelmuse]

The rain isn’t gonna let up until next Sunday. Plus the high humidity…That shit is insane. 

Here’s a list of organizations that are seeking resources and/or donations:

IN-PERSON DONATIONS

NEW ORLEANS, METAIRIE and KENNER

Second Harvest Food Bank

Accepting: Nonperishable food items such as canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, soups, stews, beans, chili, peanut butter, pasta, rice, breakfast cereal and shelf-stable milk. Cleaning supplies such as bleach, disinfectants, sponges, gloves, trash bags and scrub brushes.

Where to donate: Second Harvest Food Bank at 700 Edwards Ave., Elmwood

When: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday

United Way of Southeast Louisiana

Accepting: Buckets, bleach, cleaning detergent, mops, Shockwave for mold, mops, brooms, paper towels, large garbage bags, rubber gloves, masks, scrub brushes, scouring pads, sponges, air freshener, toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hand soap, adult diapers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper, diapers for babies, baby wipes, baby food, baby formula, sippy cups and bottles, pet cages, kennels, leashes, collars, pet food, cat litter, bottled water, nonperishable food items and school supplies

Where to donate: Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2515 Canal St., New Orleans, or weekdays from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at 411 West Coleman Ave., Hammond

Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office

Accepting: Clean, usable clothing in all sizes. Underwear should be in original packaging. All clothing should be bagged or boxed.

Where to donate: 819 S. Broad St.

When: Normal business hours

Zeus’ Rescues, which is hosting more than 60 animals that have been evacuated from flooded areas.

Accepting: Cat carriers, clay littler, square litter boxes, canned cat  and kitten food.

Where to donate: 4601 Freret Street

When: Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Various New Orleans businesses

Accepting: Blankets, bedding, feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, pet food, pet crates and pet bedding.

Where to donate: Church Alley Coffee Shop & The Good Shop, 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.; Dashing Bicycles, 1234 N. Broad St.; Balance Yoga, 120 S. Cortez St.; Solo Espresso, 1301 Poland Ave.; Dirty Coast, 5631 Magazine St. and 2121 Chartres St.; Dancing Grounds, 3705 St. Claude Ave.; Rouler, 601 Baronne St.; The Stacks, inside the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St.; Buff Beauty Bar, 720 Carondelet St.; Electric Expressions, 2317 Veterans Memorial Blvd., #3

New Orleans restaurants

Accepting: Bulk food items and water to help feed volunteers and those in the shelter at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center. Also accepting clothing and shoes in various sizes, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, toiletries, diapers, garbage bags, coloring books and children’s toys. The group is also working with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Where to donate: Langlois, 1710 Pauger St.; Sylvain, 626 Chartres St.; Meauxbar, 942 N. Rampart St.; Barrel Proof, 1201 Magazine St.; Cavan, 3607 Magazine St.

Treo and Finn McCool’s Irish Pub

Accepting: Nonperishable foods and basic needs items

Where to donate: Treo, 3835 Tulane Ave., and Finn McCool’s Irish Pub, 3701 Banks St.

When: Business hours through Wednesday

Junior League of New Orleans

Accepting: Diapers in all sizes, feminine hygiene products and gift cards in $20 amounts for Target and Wal-Mart

Where: Junior League of New Orleans Headquarters, 4319 Carondelet St.

When: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

City of Kenner

Accepting: New and unused toiletries, feminine hygiene products and baby needs like wipes, diapers and formula

Where: 1905 24th St., Kenner

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16, through Friday, Aug. 19

Caroline Fayard for US Senate New Orleans Office

Accepting: Nonperishable food items, blankets, bedding, feminine hygiene products, diapers, formula, baby food, baby wipes, cleaning supplies and pet food

Where to donate: 4327 Canal St.

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

Crescent City Farmers Market

Accepting: Canned food, water, cleaning supplies and toiletries.

Where to donate: All week at the main office at 200 Broadway St.; Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Uptown Square, 200 Broadway St.; Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Can Building, 3700 Orleans Ave.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Reily Foods, 700 Magazine St.

O'Henry’s and Waitr

Accepting: Canned food, clothing, toiletries, bedding and any other immediate needs items

Where: 8859 Veteran’s Memorial Blvd., Metairie

When: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Wednesday, Aug. 17

Magnolia Physical Therapy

Accepting: Nonperishable food items, toiletries and household cleaning supplies

Where: 5606 Jefferson Highway, Harahan; 2372 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans; and 2525 Jena St., New Orleans

QCS Logistics

Accepting: Bottled water, nonperishable food, baby formula, diapers, clothing, sleeping bags, toiletries and batteries

Where: 150James Dr. East, No. 180

When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Thursday, Aug. 18

Jefferson Parish Parent

Accepting: Books, new toys, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, phone chargers, craft and school supplies, baby formula, diapers, baby wipes and unopened bottles of OTC medicines like aspirin and cough syrup. Not accepting clothing donations.

Where: First Look Ultrasound, 4621 W. Napoleon Ave., Ste. 205, Metairie; Flavors Snowballs and Ice Cream, 500 Vintage Dr., Kenner; Monogram Express, 2109 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie; Laser Tag of Metairie, 6801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie; Elmwood Self Storage, 1004 S. Clearview Parkway, Elmwood; 1st Source Servall, 400 Lapalco Blvd., Suite A, Gretna; Phil’s Grill, 3020 Severn Ave., Metairie; Jefferson Auto Service, 901 Shrewsbury Road, New Orleans; Dance Innovation, 7343 Jefferson Highway, Harahan;Atonement Lutheran Church, 6500 Riverside Drive, Metairie; Kindred Studios, 5228 Magazine St., New Orleans; 5 Minute Oil Change, multiple locations across New Orleans metropolitan area

The Social Club Barbershop

Accepting: Water, pet supplies, nonperishable food, diapers and other baby items, clothing in various sizes, blankets, toys, toiletries, cleaning supplies and household items not including furniture.

Where: 3515 Melvil Dewey Drive, #104, Metairie

Triangle Roofing

Accepting: School supplies, pet food and pet treats.

Where: 563 Hickory Ave, Harahan

When: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 19.

Mattingly Motors

Accepting: Nonperishable food items and water.

Where to donate: 6900 Veterans Boulevard, Metairie

When: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday (Aug. 20)

- Ray’s on the Avenue

Accepting: Disposable cameras, sunscreen, toiletries, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies and baby items.

Where to donate: 1139 St. Bernard Ave., New Orleans

When: Daily from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Chalmette Movies

Accepting: Clothing in all sizes

Where to donate: 8700 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette

When: Daily, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Given 2 Give

Accepting: Toiletries, nonperishable food items, clothing, new packages of underwear in all sizes, feminine hygiene products, and baby and children’s needs, including bottles, diapers, formula and wipes.

Where to donate: Uniform Apparel, 1683 North Broad St., New Orleans

When: Through Friday, Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pagoda Cafe

Accepting: Cleaning supplies, personal care items, baby and childcare items, bedding, toilet paper, nonperishable foods and water.

Where: 1430 N. Dorgenois St., New Orleans

When: Business hours through Saturday, Aug. 19

Cafe Reconcile

Accepting: Cooked meals, which they are delivering three times per week for two weeks to Baton Rouge. Deliver meals in disposable containers. Suggested dishes are chicken, beef, fish, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, rice, gumbo, green beans, mixed vegetables, corn, red beans, black eyed peas, bread and cookies.

Where: 1631 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., New Orleans

When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Aug. 26. Drop off items between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Computer Geeks

Accepting: Non-perishable food items, new blankets and bedding, feminine hygiene products, packaged diapers, baby wipes, baby food and formula, baby supplies, pillows, bath towels, toiletries cleaning supplies, pet food, pet crates and new pet bedding. No bulk items or furniture.

Where: 4409 Magazine St., New Orleans

When: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 19

Crescent City Clouds

Accepting: Dry goods, nonperishable foods, water, towels, new packages of socks and underwear.

Where: 4344 Earhart Blvd. Ste. C, New Orleans

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays

New Orleans Harley-Davidson

Accepting: Nonperishable items, canned foods, clothing in bags or boxed and other basic needs items. They will be donated to the Red Cross.

Where: 6015 Airline Drive, Metairie

When: Business hours through Aug. 31

- Little Pnuts Toy Shoppe

Accepting: Children’s items including books, clothing, toys, arts and crafts supplies, coloring books and school supplies.

Where: 209 Harrison Ave., Suite C, New Orleans

When: From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays

Mignon Faget

Accepting: Canned goods, water, nonperishable food items

Where: 3301 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Metairie; 3801 Magazine St., New Orleans; 7350 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge

When: Business hours through Aug. 31.

Alarm Protection Services

Accepting: Books, pillows, diapers, baby wipes, new toys, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, phone chargers, formula, craft supplies for kids and school supplies.

Where: 4440 Trenton St., Metairie

When: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Realty Point

Accepting: Water, clothing, bedding, toiletries and nonperishable food.

Where: 230 Polk St., New Orleans

When: From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through Aug. 31

Urban League of New Orleans

Accepting: Cash donations online or the following items in-person: Clothing, new packages of underwear and socks, toiletries, nonperishable food, baby formula, baby food, disinfectant wipes, blankets, towels, wash cloths, pillows, Ziploc bags and baby bottles.

Where: Urban League of Greater New Orleans, 4640 S. Carrollton, New Orleans

Brown Butter

Accepting: Cleaning supplies, toiletries, baby care items and pet supplies.

Where: 231 N. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans

When: Through Tuesday, Aug. 23

NORTH SHORE

United Way of Southeast Louisiana

Accepting: Buckets, bleach, cleaning detergent, mops, Shockwave for mold, mops, brooms, paper towels, large garbage bags, rubber gloves, masks, scrub brushes, scouring pads, sponges, air freshener, toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hand soap, adult diapers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper, diapers for babies, baby wipes, baby food, baby formula, sippy cups and bottles, pet cages, kennels, leashes, collars, pet food, cat litter, bottled water, nonperishable food items and school supplies

Where to donate: Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2515 Canal St., New Orleans, or weekdays from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at 411 West Coleman Ave., Hammond

Various Northshore businesses

Abita Roasting Co., 1011 Village Walk, Covington

Abita Springs Cafe, 22132 Level St., Abita Springs

Ain’t Life Grand Investments, 1950 N. Highway 190, Covington

Mugshots Grill & Bar, 300 River Highlands Blvd., Covington

Glory Bound Gyro Co., 500 River Highlands Blvd., Covington

Friends Coastal Restaurant, 407 St. Tammany St., Madisonville

Honda of Covington

Accepting: Basic flood relief items

Where: Honda of Covington, 100 Holiday Square Blvd., Covington

When: Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Tallow Creek subdivision volunteers

Accepting: Cleaning supplies such as paper towels, brooms, mops, tools, mold masks and gloves plus general use items like socks, flip flops, boxes and toiletries

Where to donate: 755 Solomon Drive and 630 Amy Court in Covington

When: Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Project Blessings St. Tammany

Accepting: Toiletries, cleaning supplies, baby items and gently used blankets

Where to donate: Victory Bible Church’s Faith Outreach Building, 317 W. 30th Ave., Suite B, Covington

When: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Chimes - Covington

Accepting: Water, food, clothing and cleaning supplies

Where to donate: 19130 Rogers Lane, Covington

When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tammany Oaks Church of Christ

Accepting: Water, food, clothing, baby items, cleaning supplies, school supplies and uniforms.

Where: 3700 Highway 59, Mandeville

South Paws Veterinary Surgical Specialists

Accepting: Pet supplies, which will be donated to the St. Tammany Humane Society and the Tangi Animal Shelter

Where: 2631 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville

The Little Gym

Accepting: Gift cards to home goods stores such as WalMart, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s

Where: 51 Park Place Drive, Covington and 442F Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette

When: Business hours through Aug. 19

Cure, Cafe Henri and Cane & Table

Accepting: Cash donations or nonperishable food items for Second Harvest Food Bank

Where: 4905 Freret St., 800 Louisa St. or 1113 Decatur St.

BATON ROUGE, LAFAYETTE and OTHER LOCATIONS

United Way of Acadiana

Accepting: Buckets, bleach, cleaning detergent, mops, Shockwave for mold, mops, brooms, paper towels, large garbage bags, rubber gloves, masks, scrub brushes, scouring pads, sponges, air freshener, toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hand soap, adult diapers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper, diapers for babies, baby wipes, baby food, baby formula, sippy cups and bottles, bottled water, nonperishable food items and school supplies. No clothing donations can be accepted.

Where to donate: United Way of Acadiana, 215 E. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, LA 70501

When: Daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Capital Area United Way

Accepting: Buckets, bleach, cleaning detergent, mops, Shockwave for mold, mops, brooms, paper towels, large garbage bags, rubber gloves, masks, scrub brushes, scouring pads, sponges, air freshener, toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hand soap, adult diapers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper, diapers for babies, baby wipes, baby food, baby formula, sippy cups and bottles, bottled water, nonperishable food items and school supplies. 

Where to donate: 700 Laurel Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802

St. Charles Parish

Accepting: Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, shampoo, deoderant, feminine hygiene products, baby food, baby formula and bottles, diapers, wipes, buckets, mops, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, towels and packaged underwear

Where: Edward A. Dufresne Community Center, 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway, Luling, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or the Allen Arterbury Building, 14564 River Road, New Sarpy, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter

Accepting: Cat litter, plastic litter boxes, pet food, Dawn detergent, prepaid Visa gift cards. Items will be delivered to the Lamar Dixon Expo Center.

Where: 921 Rue La Cannes Drive, Luling, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Baton Rouge River Center, a temporary shelter for evacuees

Accepting: All items must be brand new. They most require pillows, underwear, baby clothes, socks, men’s shoes, blankets and deodorant.

Where: 275 S. River Road, Baton Rouge

Lamar Dixon Expo Center, a temporary shelter that is also housing animals

Accepting: Volunteers, hay, buckets, brooms, cleaning supplies, cat litter, plastic litter boxes, pet food for dogs, cats and horses. 

Where: 9039 S. St. Landry, Gonzales

ReMax Synergy

Accepting: Water, nonperishable food items, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, wipes and rags. 

Where: 1904 Ormond Boulevard, Destrehan 

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 19

Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter

Accepting: Pet supplies and volunteers to assist with the increased number of animals as the shelter accepts those that have been evacuated from flooded areas

Where: 934 Highway 3185, Thibodaux

In & Out Smart Repair Stores

Accepting: Ziploc bags, blankets, pillows, towels, wash cloths, toiletires, water, coffee, tea, nonperishable food, new packages of underwear, gift cards, cleaning materials and tools.

Where: All locations in Thibodaux, Houma, New Iberia, Lafayette, Mandeville and Hammond. See map for details.

Urban League of Greater New Orleans’ Baton Rouge drop-off

Accepting: New packages of underwear, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deoderant, disposable razors, shaving cream and lotion

Where: Star Hill Church, 1400 N. Foster Drive., Baton Rouge OR the James Law Office, 830 Main St., Baton Rouge

Denicola’s Furniture & Upholstery

Accepting: Furniture, especially mattresses, bed-frames, kitchen tables and chairs, dressers, end tables, night stands and lamps.

Where: 2152 N. Foster Drive, Baton Rouge.

When: Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until further notice

ONLINE DONATIONS

Red Cross 

Accepting donations via telephone. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or text LAFLOODS to 90999 to donate $10

Companion Animal Alliance, Baton Rouge’s city animal shelter

Needs: Foster homes to house pets temporarily, large bath towels, paper towels, water and food for volunteers and staff. Donations can be made online to assist with these needs by going to the organization’s website, www.CAABR.org.

NOLA Pay It Forward

Accepting: Greater New Orleans Foundation collecting donations to aid neighboring parishes in early relief and rebuilding efforts. Access the site here.

United Way of Southeast Louisiana

Accepting: Donations online by going through the United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s website. Checks can also be mailed to: United Way of Southeast Louisiana, ATTN: Flood Relief, 2515 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119

United Way of Acadiana

Accepting: Donations can be made online by going through United Way of Acadiana’s website.

Capital Area United Way

Accepting: Donations can be made online by going to the Capital Area United Way’s website.

Denham Springs Animal Shelter, which was devastated by the floods

Accepting: Donations via a GoFundMe account, which PetCo is matching dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000. The shelter also has an Amazon Wish List. By making purchases on Amazon, needed items will be sent directly to the shelter.

Tangi Humane Society, which is privately run and was devastated by the floods

Accepting: Donations via a GoFundMe account. The society also has an Amazon Wish List. By making purchases on Amazon, needed items will be sent directly to the shelter.

Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana

Accepting: Donations, 100 percent of which will be turned over to teachers who have lost classroom materials in the floods. They can be made online through APEL’s website. Teachers can also apply for the financial aid through the same link.

Assess the Need

Accepting: Donations for Livingston Parish schools, 15 of which flooded. Donations can be made online by going to Assess the Need’s website. They can also be emailed to Assess the Need, PO Box 1802, Denham Springs, LA, 70727

Catholic Charities

Accepting: Donations to aid families in immediate and longterm needs. Accepting donations online.

Save the Children’s Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund

Accepting: Donations to help protect children and support immediate needs of families affected by flooding. They can be sent online.

Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Accepting: Donations for its Louisiana Flood Relief fund. They can be made online.

232-HELP

Accepting: Donations to help purchase emergency medications, medical equipment, appliances and transportation for flood victims in 10 parishes across Acadiana. Donations can be made online.

Foundation for Louisiana

Accepting: Donations for its Strategic Flood Response Fund. They can be made online through Paypal.

SBP

Accepting: Donations to assist in cleaning, gutting and rebuilding homes for those affected by the floods. They can be made online.

Lighthouse Louisiana

Accepting: Donations to clean up its Baton Rouge facility and repair and replace damaged items. They can be made online.

Northshore Weather Relief Fund

Accepting: Donations to help those affected in Tangipahoa, Washington, St. Helena and Tammany parishes. They can be made online.

Foundation EBR

Accepting: Donations to assist with cleaning and resupplying flooded East Baton Rouge Parish schools. They can be made online.

Mail Donations

United Way of Southeast Louisiana

What they need: Buckets, bleach, cleaning detergent, mops, Shockwave for mold, mops, brooms, paper towels, large garbage bags, rubber gloves, masks, scrub brushes, scouring pads, sponges, air freshener, toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hand soap, adult diapers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper, diapers for babies, baby wipes, baby food, baby formula, sippy cups and bottles, pet cages, kennels, leashes, collars, pet food, cat litter, bottled water, nonperishable food items and school supplies

Where to mail items: United Way of Southeast Louisiana, 2515 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119. Phone: [phone];  United Way of Greater New Orleans, 411 W. Coleman Ave., Hammond, LA 70403. Phone: [phone]

Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter

What they need: Leashes, pet treats, pet food, dog toys, cash donations, temporary fosters.

Where to mail items: Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, 1869 Ames Blvd., Marrero, LA 70072. Phone: [phone]

Companion Animal Alliance

What they need: Leashes, pet treats, pet food, dog toys, cash donations, temporary fosters until transportation is available Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Where to mail items: Companion Animal Alliance, 2680 Progress Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70807. Phone: [phone]

Capital Area United Way

What they need: Buckets, bleach, cleaning detergent, mops, Shockwave for mold, mops, brooms, paper towels, large garbage bags, rubber gloves, masks, scrub brushes, scouring pads, sponges, air freshener, toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, hand soap, adult diapers, disposable razors, shaving cream, toilet paper, diapers for babies, baby wipes, baby food, baby formula, sippy cups and bottles, bottled water, nonperishable food items and school supplies.

Where to mail items: Capital Area United Way, 700 Laurel St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Phone: [phone]

Junior League of New Orleans

What they need: Diapers in all sizes, feminine hygiene products and gift cards in $20 amounts for Target and Wal-Mart

Where to mail items: Junior League of New Orleans Headquarters, 4319 Carondelet St., New Orleans, LA 70115. Phone: [phone]

Tangi Humane Society

How to mail items: The society has an Amazon Wish List. By making purchases on Amazon, needed items will be sent directly to the shelter.  

Denham Springs Animal Shelter

How to mail items: The shelter has an Amazon Wish List. By making purchases on Amazon, needed items will be sent directly to the shelter.

Louisiana Bobcat Refuge

How to mail items: The shelter has an Amazon Wish List. By making purchases on Amazon, needed items will be sent directly to the shelter.

[cuddle-me-tight]

Okay something that honestly annoys the crap out of me are friends that think since you’re out, they can out you to people who you don’t know.

I’ve been out and proud for a little over 3 years now, and I don’t mind telling new people if they ask politely. I don’t mind talking about it with someone who genuinely wants to know and is curious. Please, ask me things. I have no problem with it.

What I have a problem with is walking into a room full of people I don’t know with a friend and the first thing out of her mouth is “hey guys this is Kendall and she’s my lesbian friend.”

Stop right there.

That is not your job. That is not your choice. It is not your prerogative to out me. It is not up to you to decide who knows.

I do not know these people. They’re brand new to me. I don’t know where they stand on topics like this. And honestly, that’s a little scary. I want to take my time and feel these people out before I tell them something like that. It’s my life, only I should get to decide who knows what about it.

This has happened to me on multiple occasions and almost every time afterwords someone has come up to me and said “I’m sorry she did that to you.” I know she didn’t mean any harm by it but it still makes me feel uncomfortable. And I’ve seen it happen to other people and my heart goes out to them.

So please please please please please, if you have a friend who is not cis/straight and you are introducing them to new people, do not start by outting them. Even if they’ve already fully come out, do not rob them of their comfort. Let them do it themselves. It honestly makes a world of difference.

[digital-gecko-deactivated201802]

This should be common sense but I’m reblogging bc unfortunately it isn’t.

[the-movemnt-deactivated20170912]

Watch: The trailer for ‘Hidden Figures’ is here — and it looks incredible.

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