Brenda Howard was, by all standards, a badass. Regarded as the mother of modern-day pride, Howard worked furiously to organize pride events and groups around the country that celebrated the inclusion of bisexual people (not just Gay & Lesbian) in the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more about all of Brenda Howard’s activist badassery here:
Every day in June, I will be posting an illustration that highlights an LGBT+ activist who I believe everyone should know. This series will be in no way comprehensive, & will include a multitude of identities, races, sexualities, and genders.
Track and cross country runner Jennifer Emery has been a leader on campus.
“I didn’t really know who I was or what I wanted to do (as a freshman). … It’s been great. I would have never pictured leading a student organization. I never would have pictured myself talking to the chancellor or advocating for students in the ways that I have.”
This woman is super inspiring. As president of her school’s LGBTQ Student Alliance she helped create both an LGBTQ center and all-gender restrooms on her campus.
This is so wonderful to see during LGBT History Month! One of our bi+ heroes shining down from the street banner in San Francisco where she did such incredible work. Lani Ka'ahumanu, we love you and thank you for all you've done!
BRC members had a great visit last week with Sandra Dickson (pictured right), a fellow bi activist visiting Boston from Wellington, New Zealand. Wonderful to hear of their community work! Safe travels.
By: Chris Azzopardi*/Special to TRT— As a child, Alan Cumming cried as his older brother sang “Danny Boy” to him from across the bedroom they shared. “He would do it to make me cry,” Cumming says, …
Q: As a bisexual person yourself, you’re known for being outspoken on bisexuality and gender fluidity. How do you explain bisexuality to people who still don’t get it?
Alan Cumming : I’m not here to change people’s minds about whether they believe in bisexuality. All I’m saying is that I think my sexuality and most people’s sexuality is gray. And yeah, I like c@ck. I love c@ck. But I also feel that I have an attraction to women. I’ve never lost it, actually. I’ve always been attracted to both sexes, and whether I act on it or not is not anyone’s business, really. I’m not going to close myself off to the possibility of experience just because society says we must stick within these rigid boundaries.
I find it really self-hating that the gay community, which has been so bullied, are especially the ones who might be chiding people about their bisexuality. I think, let everyone be who they are.
The point I’m making is that it seems more ironic for a gay person to chide someone about their sexuality—they’re chiding all of us at heart. It seems particularly galling that that would be coming from a fellow LGBT person. I really do believe people today, especially young people, have a much more fluid idea about sexuality and gender, and I should think we’re in a really great place with the youth of today. It’s people who are a bit older who are still struggling with it.
Q: Reflecting on your early days as an activist: Why was it so important for you to start speaking out on LGBT issues?
Alan Cumming: I have a voice. I have a platform. I have a great life. I have a really great life, and I live the way I want to live. I am the person I want to be, and I feel like it’s my duty to take care of people who don’t have those opportunities. I have a personal connection to people who have been prejudiced against who are gay or bisexual or transgender.
I’m Scottish and I grew up with fairness and justice. Where I come from, it’s very important that we adhere to making sure that everyone is looking after each other. So, it’s partly my genetic makeup (laughs), but also in the privileged position that I am in, I feel it’s my duty to give back and help other people along.
Being an artist is understanding other people and wanting to reach and connect with other people, so helping other people is absolutely a part of that. When there’s injustice and persecution, I can’t really live in a society with that going on and not do something about it.
Alan Cumming Tells Larry King He Never Felt Shame About Being Bisexual: The cabaret star talked bisexuality and his new memoir with the famed TV host.
“I never felt it was wrong," Cumming said on "Larry King Now", promoting his new book Not My Father’s Son. “I thought perhaps certain times it was going to be difficult because people weren’t really receptive to it, but I never felt there was something wrong with me.”...
“Did you think you were strange?” King follows up. “Not in that way,” Cumming responded with a laugh....
Cumming has spoken about his bisexuality in the past, telling Instinct Magazine, “I still define myself as a bisexual even though I have chosen to be with Grant. I’m sexually attracted to the female form even though I am with a man and I just feel that bisexuals have a bad rap.” ... He elaborated on that “bad rap” that has affected bisexuals in the past but he said he believes things are getting better . . .
Click HERE to read Eliel Cruz's full article in the Advocate Magazine
