June is LGBT Pride Month, and I wonder who can truly say that they knew that? I mean, aside from attending a Pride parade because you can, whatever your sexuality, it seems that having Pride and showing pride are entirely disconnected. Such a shame, right? Like for any month where you show pride for what you are, it is a shame that some think that it should be confined to a month; but to not use such recognition on a national scale is even more so. The issues aren’t under the radar, everyone else is just looking over the rainbow. I’m not saying sashay with a rainbow flag because you think you should, I say do it because you know what it stands for. My hometown Pride Parade will be held on June 26 this year. I’m pretty sure open minds are on the list of items allowed. Don’t be a drag, or a queen, just be who you are, and let everyone else have the same. Though just because this is LGBT Pride Month, don’t feel pressured about issues like coming out, or same-sex marriage. This month is about support, unity, not alienation. Though, who wants to join an alien nation? Learn a bit this month about the LGBT community and I’m sure you will.
- Eric
Archive for the ‘LGBTQ’ Category
Under the Radar, Over the Rainbow
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
History about the Pride Flag
Saturday, May 7th, 2011
The first Rainbow Flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, a San Francisco artist, who created the flag in response to a local activist’s call for the need of a community symbol. (This was before the pink triangle was popularly used as a symbol of pride.) The design may have been influenced by flags with multicolored stripes used by various left-wing causes and organizations in the San Francisco area in the 1960s. The Rainbow Flag originally had eight stripes (from top to bottom):
• hot pink for sex,
• red for life,
• orange for healing,
• yellow for sun,
• green for serenity with nature,
• turquoise for art,
• indigo for harmony, and
• violet for spirit.
- Trianna
Social Responsibility and the Gay Teen
Friday, February 11th, 2011
This year has seen a rapid rise in exposure for bullying of homosexual teenagers. Numerous cases have been brought to mainstream attention of kids in middle school, high school, even in college, culminating with perhaps the most high profile case of the Rutgers freshman who committed suicide after a campaign of abuse perpetrated by his roommate, including secretly broadcasting him and another boy by webcam. This has led to a response from a primarily Hollywood-centric group based around a video series called “It Gets Better.” And I would like to say that that’s complete bull that the idea being given for comfort is essentially “it may be awful now, but later you can disengage with that element of society entirely.” I want to sound a call for an effort to fundamentally change every aspect of society, to create an expectation of not only not participating, but of actively promoting tolerance and respect. By saying “it gets better” we are in effect saying “we can’t change it.” Let’s not be so passive. Let us grow in grace and tolerance.
- Chad
Embracing others’ differences
Monday, November 22nd, 2010
I wanted to write about this topic after my short conversation last week with a group of teens from age 12-17 about racial stereotypes. We all make observations and assumptions but as we grow and learn more about the world, more often than not, our assumptions about other people are incorrect. Just as we do not want people to make assumptions about us, we should always leave our mind open and avoid judgment at our best. I wrote earlier about teenage suicide due to negative judgment and social bias towards gays and lesbians. Those cases exemplify the effect that judgmental comments can have on you and other people. If you are giving out stereotypical comments about others, you should be aware that there is a limit to freedom of speech and the act of giving out those comments along already make people loose their respect to you. Beside, other cultures and communities have a lot to offer so it is always good to learn more about the diversity of people surrounding you. You will be surprise to learn how many incredibly amazing individuals yours and other communities have in store. However, if you are receiving those hurtful comments, you should stand up for yourself and try not to let them have negative influences on your life. If it gets extreme, you can always call the National Runaway Switchboard and let us know because we can help.
–Phy