#algae alliance

[algae-alliance]

⚢🌈EVERYDAY ACTIVISM🌈⚣

In a recent article by OutLife UK, author Aedan Wolton shares an interview with "Jamie, a 50-year-old trans man" titled "What is sex really like for a gay trans man?"

(Full Article Here)

Throughout this article, gay men are shamed for their exclusive attraction to the same sex. Male homosexuality is maligned as "phallocentric" and painted as something for trans men to overcome and manipulate. Interviewee "Jamie" goes so far as to describe methods of rape by deception used to prevent gay men from recognizing the sex of their partner.

As a community space and organization, ALGAE is appalled by the blatant homophobia demonstrated by this article and OutLife in publishing this text.

As part of our effort to encourage Everyday Activism,  we have created a letter template for contacting OutLife. We believe the only way to combat bigoted, dangerous homophobia is to make ourselves heard and (in the words of Storme DeLarverie) "do something!"

Below, you can find our letter template as well as contact information for OutLife:

OutLife,

In a recent article by Aedan Wolton published on your website, Wolton describes the experiences of trans men seeking sexual encounters with gay and bisexual men. More specifically, Wolton interviews a trans man named Jamie who describes how to avoid sexual partners recognizing one’s sex. This is framed as something to celebrate, like a witty overcoming of bigotry and unkindness. As a gay man, however, I found myself deeply concerned by Wolton’s writing. The actions being celebrated by Wolton and practiced by Jamie limit and prevent enthusiastic consent from homosexual males, who by the nature of their sexuality will care about Jamie’s sex as a female trans person. The celebration of these actions, which again prevent and limit genuine consent, are themselves discouraging consent.

As a gay man, a homosexual, I am exclusively attracted to the same sex like every other homosexual. I care about the sex of my partners, I am only attracted to the same sex. Having this perfectly normal and healthy sexual orientation degraded as “phallocentrism” is insulting. Having the sexual boundaries and enthusiastic consent of gay men disregarded is disturbing. Having this disregard celebrated on a website meant to uplift and aid gay men like myself is disappointing.

How can your organization claim to work for the well-being, health, and safety of homosexuals while partaking in homophobia like this? How can your organization claim to protect homosexuals like me while publishing articles which celebrate the practice of rape by deception?

I hope that your organization can more thoroughly review the articles it publishes and refrain from further participation in the ongoing shaming of gay men and lesbians for our homosexual orientation.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

Website | Contact Page

Address:

              OutLife               Unit 22, Eurolink Business Centre               49 Effra Road               Brixton               London               SW2 1BZ

[algae-alliance]

🌈About The Meeting🌈

This week we’re diving back into book club - we’ll be picking our next reading material and deciding a date in the future to get together and discuss it!

🌈What To Bring?🌈

The Mods have prepared several choices to put to a vote, but we’d also like to invite members to bring their own suggestions as well! And even if it’s not picked this time, it’d be great to get a backlog going to pick from for next time.

And it doesn’t have to just be a novel either. Comics, short stories, non-fiction, articles, podcasts are all welcome - as long as there’s an LG focus!

We do ask members to be mindful: in the interest of supporting LG media and their creators, we want to promote getting legitimate copies of books/other media.

📆Meeting Times📆

Saturday,  April 25th @ 3:00 EST &  Wednesday, April 29th @ 8:30 EST

Unsure when to connect in your timezone?

Check here: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

🐸As always🐸

Questions, queries, and comments are always welcome!

And to anyone interested in joining ALGAE, send us a message and we’ll get the ball rolling!

Mod Lars 🐸 Mod Lucy

[algae-alliance]

🌈About The Meeting🌈

Since the beginning, Games Night has been a favourite among ALGAE members. Usually Mod-Lucy handles game-organisation, but seeing as we’ve got such a blend of old and new members this time around, we’re gonna get you guys a little more involved! We’re bringing back a favourite among favourites: Picture Charades!

🌈How To Play🌈

In the past, Picture Charades has yielded a lot of chaotic fun, and the rules are very simple!

    🌈 At the start of the meeting Mod-Lucy DMs all participating members a common proverb or figure of speech from a list she has compiled.

    🌈 Each member then has five or so minutes to draw the proverb to the best of their ability,

    🌈 Then, one by one, members share their images while everyone else tries to guess the proverb/figure of speech.     🌈 The member showing their drawing may give ‘hotter/colder’ hints, and tell competitors how many words their phrase is. But it’s entirely optional!

🌈What To Bring🌈

If you’re keen to play, please make sure to have the following ready come Game Night!

    🌈 A means to draw the phrase your given, AND a means to share your drawing in the group when it comes to your turn. Pens and Paper, A Drawing App on your phone, MSPaint, Photoshop, whatever your hearts desire!

    🌈 ALTERNATIVELY: if for some reason you’re unable to draw/ feel uncomfortable sharing your drawing, members may also Google Images as a resource! As long as the image doesn’t contain words.

    🌈 Also Optional: In the past, some members have contributed absolutely EXCELLENT proverbs/phrases that had us in stitches as we tried to interpret them artistically. If you’ve got an obscure proverb in mind for either yourself, or for ModLucy to distribute to other members, please bring it along!

📆Meeting Times📆

Saturday, March 28th @ 3:00pm EST/GMT-4 &  Wednesday, April 1st @ 8:30pm EST/GMT-4 Timezone Converter: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/

🐸As always🐸

Questions, queries, and comments are always welcome!

And to anyone interested in joining ALGAE, send us a message and we’ll get the ball rolling!

Mod Lars 🐸 Mod Lucy

[algae-alliance]

‘Positive Representation In My Me?‘ Meeting starting in about 30 minutes!

Saturdays Positive Rep. Meeting went over really well, and we have no doubt our 8:30pmEST meeting today will be much the same. Hope to see you there! -ModLucy

[algae-alliance]

ALGAE Games Night is starting in 20 minutes! Hope to see you there!