Day 20: Maureen or Joanne? (Or your favorite LGBTQ show or queer-positive show).
Why do I have to pick? I like them both! As for my favorite LGBT positive show, I'm not sure. I love True Blood and there is a strong LGBT presence on that show. And the cast is just sexy, come on. Other than that, I'm drawing a blank. So many shows have such strong, positive LGBT characters.
Queer as Folk is pretty good. Buffy: the Vampire Slayer had "Willow" and her girlfriend. That was probably one of the earliest regular characters I can think of that was LGBT. Bones had an LGBT character if I'm not mistaken. This is hard for me. I watch so much T.V. that I can't really remember. Oh, HawthoRNe has a lesbian nurse. Haha, I guess I'm failing at this.
I will say that I think we are finally being represented pretty accurately on T.V. and in film. I think the fact that there isn't a single stand-out choice is a good thing.
And I'm realizing that the original question said "show" and mentioned RENT. If we're talking Broadway, is there actually a show that isn't at least somewhat LGBT positive?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
LGBTQ 30 Day Challenge: Day 19
Day 19: Butch or Femme?
This is a loaded question and one I have issue with. Who defines what is butch? or femme? I don't necessarily think these labels are bad things, as labels go, but I think we try to stick to them to rigidly.
Personally, I'd say I'm attracted to people on the more butch end of the scale. I like masculine men. That said, someone who is attracted to more feminine men aren't any less of a man, they just have different preferences. And as far as my own personality and mannerisms, I'm pretty middle of the road, probably leaning to the butch side a bit. I like to fix and build things, can change a tire and the oil in a car, do some minor construction, but at the same time, I like fashion (looking at it, not so much knowing a lot), music, photography, design. For some, that makes me too femme, even if I don't identify that way.
I think labels are useful in some ways. As human beings, we need to be able to categorize things to understand them. But we try to cling to these labels, that are often binary, and when things don't fit neatly into one or the other, we aren't quite sure what to do. I think that's something we need to work on as a society. We need to learn that gender and sexuality are binary. And that's there's nothing wrong with that.
This is a loaded question and one I have issue with. Who defines what is butch? or femme? I don't necessarily think these labels are bad things, as labels go, but I think we try to stick to them to rigidly.
Personally, I'd say I'm attracted to people on the more butch end of the scale. I like masculine men. That said, someone who is attracted to more feminine men aren't any less of a man, they just have different preferences. And as far as my own personality and mannerisms, I'm pretty middle of the road, probably leaning to the butch side a bit. I like to fix and build things, can change a tire and the oil in a car, do some minor construction, but at the same time, I like fashion (looking at it, not so much knowing a lot), music, photography, design. For some, that makes me too femme, even if I don't identify that way.
I think labels are useful in some ways. As human beings, we need to be able to categorize things to understand them. But we try to cling to these labels, that are often binary, and when things don't fit neatly into one or the other, we aren't quite sure what to do. I think that's something we need to work on as a society. We need to learn that gender and sexuality are binary. And that's there's nothing wrong with that.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
LGBTQ 30 Day Challenge: Day 18
Day 18: Something about the LGBTQ community you don't understand or have a question about?
Here's the thing I don't get: why the hell is the gay community so catty. I don't get it. So many times, if you're not a twink, you're not gay enough. If you don't shave your body, you're not gay enough. If you don't keep up with the latest fashions, you're ot gay enough. On the flip side, if you do shave your body, you're too gay. If you don't have some muscle on you, you're too gay.
For a community that is constantly striving for acceptance, tolerance, and equality, we turn on each other at the drop of a hat! It's ridiculous. I was just reading an article today about a male model and half the comments could say nothing but how badly he had mutilated "such a beautiful body" with his tattoos. Really, people? Really? I just don't understand. I like masculine men. I like men with body hair. I like men with tattoos and piercings. But I don't expect everyone to agree with me. Why would anyone else expect everyone to hold their opinion? It just doesn't make sense. And if you really think about it, if we all liked the same thing, the whole community would be fighting over a few "hot" guys, who would only want to date people that looked just liked them, leaving the rest of us cold and alone.
Grow up. Just as we tell straight people that we're different, but still ok, we need to tell each other the same thing. Share the love people, share the love.
Here's the thing I don't get: why the hell is the gay community so catty. I don't get it. So many times, if you're not a twink, you're not gay enough. If you don't shave your body, you're not gay enough. If you don't keep up with the latest fashions, you're ot gay enough. On the flip side, if you do shave your body, you're too gay. If you don't have some muscle on you, you're too gay.
For a community that is constantly striving for acceptance, tolerance, and equality, we turn on each other at the drop of a hat! It's ridiculous. I was just reading an article today about a male model and half the comments could say nothing but how badly he had mutilated "such a beautiful body" with his tattoos. Really, people? Really? I just don't understand. I like masculine men. I like men with body hair. I like men with tattoos and piercings. But I don't expect everyone to agree with me. Why would anyone else expect everyone to hold their opinion? It just doesn't make sense. And if you really think about it, if we all liked the same thing, the whole community would be fighting over a few "hot" guys, who would only want to date people that looked just liked them, leaving the rest of us cold and alone.
Grow up. Just as we tell straight people that we're different, but still ok, we need to tell each other the same thing. Share the love people, share the love.
Monday, June 27, 2011
LGBTQ 30 Day Challenge: Day 17
Day 17:Your first experience with an LGBT organization or event (Day of Silence, Pride, etc.)?
My first experience with n LGBT organization was at a Pride festival...and it was an accident. I go to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN and my best friend and I, along with our lesbian partner in crime, decided to go downtown to Market Square and get some lunch. We don't live far from there, but we drove, parked, and headed to one of our favorite spots, Tomato Head. As we approach, we start seeing tons of people. Tons of gay people. I was out at this point, but still not 100% comfortable with it. But as we got closer, I suddenly felt ok. Here were tons of men holding hands with men. And women with their arms draped around other women. And all in East Tennessee, not exactly what you'd think of as a hotbed for the homos.
But here we were, surrounded by happy, healthy, well-adjusted gay people. It was a really positive experience for me. There were other people there who had also stumbled unwittingly on Knoxville Pridefest. The one I remember most was a frat-looking boy and a girl. They were on a date for sure, but whether or not they were in a relationship, I couldn't say. Either way, the girl was gushing about how cute it was that all the gay guys were there, holding hands and "being themselves." Her beau kept nodding and trying to agree, but it was all over his face that he was uncomfortable. This said, many students at UT are from very small towns in Tennessee and have very little, if any, experience with openly gay people, especially in this magnitude. I can't say I was 100% comfortable, so I can only imagine what he was feeling. He was polite and friendly enough and I can only hope he was caught off guard and was trying to soak it all in.
The whole experience was great and I went back, intentionally this time, the following year and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Unfortunately, I have to miss Knoxville Pride this year, and I already missed Nashville's, but Memphis' is in October and I'll likely drive home for it. I've never been to that one and it should prove a very interesting experience.
My first experience with n LGBT organization was at a Pride festival...and it was an accident. I go to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN and my best friend and I, along with our lesbian partner in crime, decided to go downtown to Market Square and get some lunch. We don't live far from there, but we drove, parked, and headed to one of our favorite spots, Tomato Head. As we approach, we start seeing tons of people. Tons of gay people. I was out at this point, but still not 100% comfortable with it. But as we got closer, I suddenly felt ok. Here were tons of men holding hands with men. And women with their arms draped around other women. And all in East Tennessee, not exactly what you'd think of as a hotbed for the homos.
But here we were, surrounded by happy, healthy, well-adjusted gay people. It was a really positive experience for me. There were other people there who had also stumbled unwittingly on Knoxville Pridefest. The one I remember most was a frat-looking boy and a girl. They were on a date for sure, but whether or not they were in a relationship, I couldn't say. Either way, the girl was gushing about how cute it was that all the gay guys were there, holding hands and "being themselves." Her beau kept nodding and trying to agree, but it was all over his face that he was uncomfortable. This said, many students at UT are from very small towns in Tennessee and have very little, if any, experience with openly gay people, especially in this magnitude. I can't say I was 100% comfortable, so I can only imagine what he was feeling. He was polite and friendly enough and I can only hope he was caught off guard and was trying to soak it all in.
The whole experience was great and I went back, intentionally this time, the following year and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Unfortunately, I have to miss Knoxville Pride this year, and I already missed Nashville's, but Memphis' is in October and I'll likely drive home for it. I've never been to that one and it should prove a very interesting experience.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
LGBTQ 30 Day Challenge: Day 16
Day 16: A picture for
This is my ex, Jason. He was the first truly long term relationship I ever had. And only, really, at this point. It took me such a long time to be comfortable with my sexuality that I didn't start dating until I was 22 and my earlier relationships either fizzled out quickly or something drastic happened...like Adam, who moved to NYC overnight without telling me. We ended things on really good terms and both just realized that we were better as friends than partners. The only picture I can find of us together, I hate because I look awful, so I used this one. He's a great guy and I wish him well.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
LGBTQ 30 Day Challenge: Day 15
Day 15: Your favorite LGBT quote?
Yet again, I don't have one. Does that make me a bad gay? But in all seriousness, I'm not generally one to quote other people. I don't think it's a bad thing for people to do, but I don't usually feel the need to validate my opinions by pulling on the clout of another.
I will post a link here that I have thoroughly enjoyed since joining Tumblr: HomoHelp. Lots of good advice and often quite comical. Enjoy!
Friday, June 24, 2011
LGBTQ 30 Day Challenge: Day 14
Day 14: Your favorite LGBT song or artist?
I don't really think I have one of these either. In my opinion, most specifically LGBTQ artists just aren't up to par with mainstream artists, and I use that term very loosely. Gaga is fun to listen to sometimes, Adam Lambert is ok (but his stuff never mentions gender to keep it open to all and not make him a niche artist), and there a few good songs out there, but overall, it just sucks. I'm constantly on the look-out for something to prove me wrong, though.
I can't wait for the day that they play a love song from one man to another on the radio and no one thinks twice about it. I always change the gender pronouns and such when singing, but I'm excited for the day I don't have to.
I don't really think I have one of these either. In my opinion, most specifically LGBTQ artists just aren't up to par with mainstream artists, and I use that term very loosely. Gaga is fun to listen to sometimes, Adam Lambert is ok (but his stuff never mentions gender to keep it open to all and not make him a niche artist), and there a few good songs out there, but overall, it just sucks. I'm constantly on the look-out for something to prove me wrong, though.
I can't wait for the day that they play a love song from one man to another on the radio and no one thinks twice about it. I always change the gender pronouns and such when singing, but I'm excited for the day I don't have to.
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