The Ren Project

Dedicated to providing advice, resources, and knowledge on LGBTQ+ topics for youth, families, and communities.

[therenproject]

Welcome to The Ren Project: LGBTQ+ Information, Support, and Resources

Hello! Welcome to The Ren Project! I am so excited to start this journey with you all.

This blog is dedicated to providing valuable information, support, and resources for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Whether you’re here to learn, share experiences, or simply find a safe space for your thoughts, you’re in the right place.

Why This Blog?

The LGBTQ+ community is vast, diverse, and continually evolving. I know that understanding LGBTQ+ issues, identities, and experiences can sometimes be overwhelming, especially with the prevalence of misinformation and the lack of representation in mainstream media.

My goal is to change that by offering accessible, well-researched content that helps form inclusivity and compassion. I’ll be exploring a wide range of topics—from understanding the different identities within the LGBTQ+ community to breaking down LGBTQ+ history and advocacy, as well as offering practical advice on allyship and mental health.

What You Can Expect

• LGBTQ+ Education: Articles that break down terminology, identities, and key concepts.

• Personal Stories: Guest posts with individuals in the community, sharing their experiences.

• Advocacy & Resources: How to get involved, support LGBTQ+ rights, and find resources for help and connection.

• Community & Culture: The significance of LGBTQ+ spaces, events, and the arts in expressing identity and forming solidarity.

Why Representation Matters

Representation is essential. For too long, LGBTQ+ individuals have been underrepresented, misrepresented, or erased altogether. By sharing diverse voices and perspectives, we can build a stronger, more compassionate world. I hope this blog becomes a platform where everyone—regardless of where they are on their journey—can feel seen, heard, and supported.

Discord Server

As well as this blog, I also have created a community Discord server for anyone to join and connect with others! Feel free to join and come say hi!

I’m just getting started, and I look forward to the conversations, learning, and growth that lies ahead. Please join me in creating an open, inclusive community by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and questions along the way.

Check out the The Ren Project community on Discord - hang out with 2 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.

[therenproject]

If there’s any artists out there (or just anyone who wants to draw a little something), I’d like to try and make this lady feel a little bit better by getting some drawings of dinosaurs to give to her. I saw this on a delivery recipet while at work (I work at a pizza shop), and the little addition for non-binary people made my day because a lot of my town are not open to non-binary people so it was such a nice thing to see.

Any dinosaur drawing is a good drawing, so long as it is yours! I’m no good at traditional art so the little dinosaur I drew on her pizza box was nothing special and she still appreciated it so let’s work together and make this lady have a better rest of her week ♥️

[mitochondria-larson]

I have this old drawing of some business dinosaurs and a little tiny rex!! I hope it's nice enough :]

[therenproject]

this is perfect tysm, i love it and she will too!! ♥️

[therenproject]

update on the kind lady:

i have sent her the drawings that have been sent to me and she loved them! thank you so much to everyone who helped me with this, and if anyone else sees this and still wants to send a drawing, i told her i’d send her more if anyone else has any :))

[therenproject]

another update 😝

[therenproject]

If there’s any artists out there (or just anyone who wants to draw a little something), I’d like to try and make this lady feel a little bit better by getting some drawings of dinosaurs to give to her. I saw this on a delivery recipet while at work (I work at a pizza shop), and the little addition for non-binary people made my day because a lot of my town are not open to non-binary people so it was such a nice thing to see.

Any dinosaur drawing is a good drawing, so long as it is yours! I’m no good at traditional art so the little dinosaur I drew on her pizza box was nothing special and she still appreciated it so let’s work together and make this lady have a better rest of her week ♥️

[mitochondria-larson]

I have this old drawing of some business dinosaurs and a little tiny rex!! I hope it's nice enough :]

[therenproject]

this is perfect tysm, i love it and she will too!! ♥️

[therenproject]

update on the kind lady:

i have sent her the drawings that have been sent to me and she loved them! thank you so much to everyone who helped me with this, and if anyone else sees this and still wants to send a drawing, i told her i’d send her more if anyone else has any :))

[therenproject]

Why LGBTQ+ Representation Matters (And Why It’s Not Too Much to Ask)

LGBTQ+ representation matters. I mean, wouldn’t it be nice if LGBTQ+ characters were more than just a rarity? If they were given the same depth, care, and attention as other characters instead of being reduced to stereotypes or sidelined to the background?

Representation isn’t about “taking over” the media landscape. It’s about reflecting the world we actually live in, a world where LGBTQ+ people exist, thrive, and have meaningful, diverse experiences. Seeing that reality reflected on-screen or in a book is powerful, not just for us in the LGBTQ+ community but for everyone. It normalizes the fact that, hey, queer people are just people, and that’s really not a big deal.

For those who think seeing a gay or trans character is somehow upsetting or “too much,” let’s break it down a little further. Imagine growing up and watching all your favorite movies and shows but never seeing a single character that truly reflects who you are. Imagine feeling like your existence is either taboo, a punchline, or just doesn't exist. That’s the reality a lot of LGBTQ+ kids grow up with. And even as adults, it’s exhausting to keep being told, either directly or indirectly, that our stories aren’t “mainstream” enough to matter.

Now, think about how validating it is when you do see someone like you portrayed in a meaningful, authentic way. Suddenly, you don’t feel so alone. You don’t feel like there’s something wrong with you. It’s a reminder that your story has value, too.

And it’s not just about representation for us. It’s for everyone else, too. When people outside the LGBTQ+ community see more diverse characters and stories, it breaks down stereotypes and helps create understanding. It challenges assumptions like “all gay men are flamboyant” or “all lesbians are masculine.” When media shows us without only using the stereotypes, and instead as people with complex emotions, relationships, and lives, it helps the world see us for what we really are: human.

And let’s be honest: representation doesn’t hurt anyone. No one’s forcing you to watch a show with a trans protagonist or a movie where the love story is between two women. But their existence shouldn’t be a big deal either. If you’re okay with countless rom-coms about straight couples or action movies where the straight man gets with the straight woman, why is it a problem if the hero happens to be queer? If seeing a gay or trans character makes you uncomfortable, maybe it’s time to ask yourself why. Because the truth is, they’re just living their lives—on-screen and off—like everyone else.

When we have better LGBTQ+ representation, we create a world where kids can grow up seeing that it’s okay to be themselves. We create a space where ignorance and fear are replaced with understanding and compassion. And isn’t that something worth striving for?

At the end of the day, it’s not about making everything gay. It’s about making media a little more real, a little more inclusive, and a lot more human.

[therenproject]

If there’s any artists out there (or just anyone who wants to draw a little something), I’d like to try and make this lady feel a little bit better by getting some drawings of dinosaurs to give to her. I saw this on a delivery recipet while at work (I work at a pizza shop), and the little addition for non-binary people made my day because a lot of my town are not open to non-binary people so it was such a nice thing to see.

Any dinosaur drawing is a good drawing, so long as it is yours! I’m no good at traditional art so the little dinosaur I drew on her pizza box was nothing special and she still appreciated it so let’s work together and make this lady have a better rest of her week ♥️

[mitochondria-larson]

I have this old drawing of some business dinosaurs and a little tiny rex!! I hope it's nice enough :]

[therenproject]

this is perfect tysm, i love it and she will too!! ♥️

[therenproject]

If there’s any artists out there (or just anyone who wants to draw a little something), I’d like to try and make this lady feel a little bit better by getting some drawings of dinosaurs to give to her. I saw this on a delivery recipet while at work (I work at a pizza shop), and the little addition for non-binary people made my day because a lot of my town are not open to non-binary people so it was such a nice thing to see.

Any dinosaur drawing is a good drawing, so long as it is yours! I’m no good at traditional art so the little dinosaur I drew on her pizza box was nothing special and she still appreciated it so let’s work together and make this lady have a better rest of her week ♥️

[therenproject]

The Ren Project Discord Server is Now Live!

Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to announce that The Ren Project has officially launched its very own Discord server! This space is designed to be a supportive, inclusive community where LGBTQ+ people and allies can come together, share experiences, make friends, and ask questions in a safe environment. 💜

Whether you’re looking to connect, learn, or simply be around like-minded people, our server is here to welcome you. Everyone is welcome – no matter where you are in your journey or what questions you have.

Ready to join us? Just click the link below to start connecting with the community. See you there! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Dedicated to providing advice, resources, and knowledge on LGBTQ+ topics, as well as providing a safe space for all. | 6 members

[therenproject]

Hi all, I didn't realise I had it set to needing a verified phone number to join the server. It has since been changed to only needing a verified email 🫡

[crossdreamers]

Final Pre-Election 2024 Anti-Trans Risk Assessment Map

Erin Reed has presented a new version of her Anti-Trans Risk Assessment Map over at Erin in the Morning.

She writes:

The elections have tightened across the United States, and anti-trans ads have become a major part of the 2024 campaign cycle. As such, the risk has substantially raised for nationwide laws targeting transgender people in the coming years for both youth and adults. For states, the state of Texas has been upgraded to Do Not Travel, only the second state to receive such a recommendation. This comes as Odessa, Texas becomes the first city in the nation to pass a $10,000 bounty on transgender people inside of bathrooms.

Read the whole article here.

[therenproject]

The Ren Project Discord Server is Now Live!

Hey everyone! I’m thrilled to announce that The Ren Project has officially launched its very own Discord server! This space is designed to be a supportive, inclusive community where LGBTQ+ people and allies can come together, share experiences, make friends, and ask questions in a safe environment. 💜

Whether you’re looking to connect, learn, or simply be around like-minded people, our server is here to welcome you. Everyone is welcome – no matter where you are in your journey or what questions you have.

Ready to join us? Just click the link below to start connecting with the community. See you there! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Dedicated to providing advice, resources, and knowledge on LGBTQ+ topics, as well as providing a safe space for all. | 6 members