Michelle Meow

Your A-Z, covering the LGBT, LMNOP, and everyone in between.

[themichellemeow]

i’ve been thinking a lot about social movements and where they intersect on issues and strategies. The LGBT community has always been a part of the larger movements such as the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights movements. It’s interesting to hear from social activists who have fought during both movements as well as start the LGBT/Equal rights movement. They have been fighting all their lives and continue to do so! I see opportunities in making sure the public and our youths are aware of the activists who came before our time. It’s easy in today’s time for decision makers or those with more wealth and/or privilege to capitalize and take advantage of the movement by telling stories that they only want to see. To me, that’s a revisionist, someone willing to revise true and accurate facts in order to tell a story that sells. I’m glad ABC and Dustin Lance Black have diversified this particular story affecting the San Francisco community. 

[themichellemeow]

Ken Jones is a longtime activist from San Francisco. His story will be told through Dustin Lance Black’s new miniseries “When We Rise.” The most fascinating point of our discussion was Ken’s open and honest statement: Black Gay activists were invisible. I also interview Rhodessa Jones, a longtime activist for women in prison. Are most of those incarcerated committing violent crimes? No... in fact some women were simply at the wrong place and the wrong time. This is the injustice I am passionate in calling attention to. Our criminal justice system is broken and statistics have shown that. We put away people from low income communities, people who are of color, people who don’t necessarily have an incredible job and we penalize them knowing they can’t afford to ever be free. Who is there to care and help these people now that their lives have been destroyed? 

[themichellemeow]

The story of Jasmine Abdulluh is important to note. She became the first African American person to be formally charged with “felony lynching” after allegedly interfering with an “arrest.” What’s even more disturbing is the revelation of how an LGBT organization- Equality California, fired her before she was formally convicted. This would be a great example of how the LGBT movement has not embraced the issues that impact LGBTQ POC - leaving them to their own fight as well as perpetuating the racist system they must fight to survive and be free. #blacklivesmatter 

[themichellemeow]

Everyone now seems to be the expert on the “Star Spangled Banner” and its meaning to Americans. I wonder if most of those who are offended by Colin Kaepernick’s actions even know who wrote the national anthem or why it is a tradition at sporting events in America. This show I’m posting has two interviews: it starts with a discussion with author Daisy Hernandez on growing up in an immigrant family home and coming out as Bisexual. Then, we examine the national anthem with expert Mark Clague. #colinkaepernick #nationalanthem #immigration #america #lgbt #bisexual 

[themichellemeow]

Is Hillary Clinton aware of issues that impact the Transgender community such as immigration (detention, deportation), violence (15+ Trans women of color murders have already been reported this year), lack of jobs, housing, health care, incarceration, and so on? Sarah Mcbride says yes. 

[themichellemeow]

Laura Albert, director Jeff Feuerzig on “Author: The JT Leroy Story.” Also Anya Remizova and James Bird on their film “Honeyglue.” It was fascinating to interview Laura, who is the real “JT Leroy.” If you’re truly San Francisco, you know the story of JT Leroy, a literary cult figure in the late 90′s and author of “Sarah.” JT became popular among celebrities and fans who told stories like being forced to hustle as a cross dresser along truck stops in California. Unbeknownst to his fans, JT was really a persona of Laura Albert’s who was dealing with her own personal trauma. A NY Times journalist uncovered the real identity of JT about 10 years later. Today, there is a new documentary out directed by Jeff Feuerzig who tells the raw and open story of Laura Albert. Something Laura said in the interview struck me: “No one has ever asked me how I identify.” Being queer and/or being different has such a negative connotation to it at times, creating a stigma that perpetuates fear and trauma for a lot of us. I personally think JT’s identity and discussions of gender or being Transgender was before his time and if Laura had introduced JT today, it may not have been considered a “scandal” in the literary world.