#queer soup

[bowlofstew]

gay soup

[4thgradelesbo]

My Secret Recess

Today’s blog post is by Mal Malme, Co-Founder of Queer Soup Theater and Co-Creator of The Pineapple Project, an original theatre piece for children that explores the gender creativity in all of us.

When I was in elementary school, there was a small patch of woods, more like a few clumps of trees, in the corner of the playground, behind the swings and the slide. Once in a while, during recess, I would go there when I felt like being alone, when my mind needed to race more than my legs.

A sunny fall day, I was eight, in third grade, I had retreated to the mini forest. I wove in  between each tree, feeling my hand scrape across the cool bark.

I was so lost in my head, a kick ball could have slammed into it, and I might not have noticed.

I was immersed, sifting through the evidence. Trying to figure out what was wrong with me.  

I had crushes on girls, like all the time. Right then, it was Mandy, who spoke funny and had just moved here from Florida. And of course, a huge crush on my teacher, Ms. Dougherty, whose shoes I had puked on during the first week of school.  Crushes on girls were nothing new. I had had crushes on girls since kindergarten.

I hated girls clothes. Especially dresses and skirts, and anything frilly, or lacy. I begged, more like, cried my eyes out, to get my Mom to buy me Toughskin jeans from the boys’ department at Sears, because that’s what my brother got, and the girls’ colors were gross.

I liked the same toys as my brother. We choreographed many elaborate GI Joe adventures. When the newly designed GI Joes came out, their plastic bodies were all muscly under their combat fatigues. I remember thinking that I wanted to have muscles like that.

As I circled around the trees again and again, I convinced myself that I had the answer:

God had screwed up.

He made a mistake.

I was supposed to have been born a boy.

It was the only thing that made sense to me.

There was a brief moment of relief that I had figured it out. I had spent the entire recess thinking through it all. For a few seconds, I felt grounded. My feet solid on the earth, amidst my quiet clump of trees.

But then the weight of it hit me, the pressure in my chest began to build, the terror spread through me.

I had to keep it a secret. I couldn’t tell a soul. Or I would lose everything.

I would have to try hold it in. Try to fit in. Maybe even, try to change.

As I stood in line at the end of recess, waiting to go back inside, one of the kids scrunched up her face at me.

“Are you a boy or a girl?”

I’d spend the better part of my life trying to figure that out.

Even now, at the age of 50, the conversation continues.

“Mal looks like a boy,” my 6 year old niece said a couple of weeks ago, grinning at me from across the aisle, as the bus bumped along a city street.

“I look like me,” I said, smiling back.

We’ll have more information about The Pineapple Project in a later installment of the 4th Grade Lesbo Blog.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Lesbo is directed by Mariagrazia LaFauci and will be performed March 11 - 26, 2016 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts Black Box Theater in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Tickets – Info – Flat Earth Theatre – Gina Young

[werculturetv]

Me: why are you so cute?

The boyfriend: I woke up like this!

[thafagette-blog]

Stop telling me I need to watch the Olympics.

Russia is actively legislating against queer people within it's borders. There is seemingly a sense of pride over the atrocities being committed against my queer siblings in Russia. And you want me to watch as thousands of people pack stadiums (that cost many Russia citizens their homes) and cheer? 

Really? There are athletes who are playing under the fear they may be discovered. There are volunteers who may be gay who are watching as the world parties in the streets where others like them have been beaten. fuck that.And while I'm aware that there is some sense of "protection" for visiting athletes,that is not a comfort. It's PRIVILEGE! As a visitor some are protected and those whose,country it is are still under siege? That is not OK. Anyone who is OK with that seriously needs to do some introspection. 

As for the "The Olympics is not about politics. It's about sport and community."  argument. *side eye* What.Ever. If the world doesn't stand up and say anything, we are complicit in the murders,torture and beatings taking place across Russia.Yes,the hard work all of the athletes is important,but it's not more important than human lives. And that is what is on the line.To say that any optional undertaking outweighs fighting for the lives of people in imminent danger.   

Do I think that a simple change of channel will change Russia? Not if it's just me. But if we all tune out,if we put pressure on sponsors,if we show the power of the people,we can and will enact change. So stop telling me to watch the god damn Olympics. 

[thafagette-blog]

What do you wanna hear about?

Starting a new blog and YT channel about the pop culture and where it intersects with,race,class,gender and all the other fun places. What do  you wanna hear about? Lemme know! My ask is open.

[abbycadaver]

Hello lovelies!

I'm trying to get to Creating Change this January! As a Queer Woman of Color, I really want to go and meet other like minded folks and learn from them. I got a grant that'll help pay my way, but it isn't enough. On my page I talk more about my budget and what I've done to cut costs. Please checkout my page,donate,pass it on or simply wish me luck! Thanks a bunchies!