KourtneyI've been called an attention seeker and, "You say you're pan so that you come across as a social outcast. All you want is attention. You're pretending to be pan so you can have more friends." Is this a common symptom of middle school popularity getting to someone?
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By KourtneyOne more year dedicated to being queer. As my gayest self, I hope you had a happy new year and I hope this year is even better than all before! 2016 was a year of taking our biggest heroes from us, attacking those who were innocent (and maybe not so), and memes. Although this is a close-to-professional Gay Pride and P.O.C. page, memes were a huge part of 2016 as a whole. These trending jokes went from Harambe in May to Lazytown in December. As a result, some parts of the year weren't taken seriously enough, and that's what I'm here to talk about. A whole lot of the year was dedicated to poking fun at politics, whereas other parts of the year were drowned with the 'murder' of a gorilla in the Cincinatti zoo. One thing that was not attended to as well were problems in the LGBT+ community. An image has been floating around the internet, it states in summary, "Because there are more furries, F should replace the T in LGBT." Imagine having to change everything because someone on the internet decided we should push trans people away because there are 'fewer' of them. One major flaw with this is the fact that any data in this could be biased or untrue because many closeted trans people may fear rejection in opening themselves up on the internet, and the same with furries. However, there is another problem with the statement. Being a furry is a choice; it may not be a very concious choice, but it is a choice. Being asexual, for example, is not a choice. There may be confusion between abstinence and asexuality in the world. However the confusion between asexuality and abstinence is out of the question. This post attacks our trans people of the world, who have no choice to be who they are. What a great way to end 2016 in the LGBT community. A major thing that impacted the LGBT+ was the refusal of homosexual's blood, and the yearning for it in the Pulse attacks. As someone who (not so) thrives in a Christian based home, there is a lot of negativity towards being gay or anything other than cis. I didn't grow up with this, but I am now, considering my sister's attitude towards gay pride (she's good with it), and almost anything she says about the subject will no doubt start some frustration in the house. Hearing that they were looking for gay men's blood was actually pretty new and exciting to hear. Being young, the reasons were far from important. Because I just came to terms with my sexuality, it was just important to hear this. I hope it was just as important for all of you as it was for me.
MtF: Femenine Self-Care for our Closeted Trans Friends
By KourtneyMany of us see photoshopped bodies in magazines and we do not realize how these things impact us. These things can lead to eating disorders, body dysphoria, and many more things. Being a non binary person in today's society is just horrifying. Men have to have a wide and muscular build where it is ideal for women to have ample features and makeup that is absolutely perfect. Because it is ideal for people to look like this, magazines hire models with features as close to possible. It is proven that less that 10% of women have the ideal features magazines present with photoshop. Magazines such as Seventeen or even the Target catalog use photoshop. It is strange how these things can impact people so much. Because I enjoy observing the way people react to female gender roles, stereotypes, and general assumptions, I joined a girls class at my school. The teacher pulled some of the students away because they weren't continuing the class and began a conversation. She asked the girls how photoshop in magazines affected them. Two of the girls, who I will call M and A for convinience, said that it bothered them but it did not lower their body image. The other girl, called E for name protection, said it bothered her but she would rather not talk about her body image. This struck my mind because she happened to be a very slim girl who always had very detailed drawings of thin girls with bold collar bones. Something in my head made a connection, but I chose to keep myself out of whatever she may want to keep private. Many people who I have unintentionally followed on Instagram are also strangely impacted by these photos. Of course Anorexia and Bulima are mental disorders not started by a magazine you just happened to read. They are deep rooted emotions and feelings and twisted body image that cause you to see yourself differently, have low self esteem, restrict yourself from eating, and even purge. Out of personal experience, I do not reccomend becoming simply interested in these things because even the slightest things can uproot these emotions. So How Can I Keep a Healthy Body Image? One really great thing I recommend is following plus size supporting accounts or plus size models on Instagram. These people are absolutely amazing and truly supportive of any body type. Another reccomendation is to follow anorexia recovery accounts or look at before and after photos of recoveries. Also if you need anyone to talk to I am here as well as the rest of the "Ray and the Gays" team. What Are Your Experiences? I am sad to say that a lot of my friends have dealt or are dealing with anorexia or binge eating disorder. Personally I have had many episodes showing symptoms of both anorexia nervosa as well as bulima nervosa. A friend of mine, L for convinience, struggles with anorexia. She goes for periods without eating and only drinking tea and water then going to a resturaunt with her father. She goes out with her dad about three times a week. Another one of my friends is only slightly aware that she suffers with symptoms of anorexia. She eats pretzels for lunch with nothing to drink, a small amount of breakfast, and she restricts for the rest of the day. Then personally I suffer from not only binge eating disorder but also anorexic symptoms. I'm also not calling myself out, I study these things out of my own pure curiosity which causes me to start emmiting these symtoms I read about that you should watch out for. With great intellegence, I say I have had a lot of experience with the above.
by Kourtney[ Argument ] Stereotyping is common among kids, teens, and young adults. Even adults are included in stereotyping, sometimes they even include themselves. Gender stereotyping is the most broad type of stereotypes. One popular gender stereotype is that girls like pink and flowers and boys like blue and dinosaurs. This creates an expectation for each gender. When parents find out their child's gender they will immediately pick one of the two colors. For example if a couple is having a son, it is common that they will paint the room blue. Although stereotyping is all too common, it is not ethical. Women are told what they have to be according to stereotypes. According to healthguidance.org's article, "List of Gender Stereotypes," women are supposed to have clean jobs and always be the assistant. Young girls are taught that, once they start a family, they are to stay home and take care of children while their husband goes and "brings home the bacon." You see this influence when kids play House together. The girls who play the mothers and wives stay home, cook, and watch the kids, and that's exactly what society has said women should be. There has been so much influence in media that women are not "feminine enough" if they have technical skills or show any signs of masculinity. One of the biggest female gender stereotypes is that we should be pleasing to look at. Female gender stereotypes are very strict as well as noninclusive. Men in the world are also put to stereotyping. One major stereotype is that men don't do work in the house. People of healthguidance.org asked many parents, and the parents admitted to not teaching their sons household chores like washing the dishes. Another large one is that men love the outdoors. Men are the ones who go hiking, fishing, camping, and hunting. According to stereotypes, men are more technical, higher level people. Men are considered to be more dominant people. Males are also the ones who are in politics, not women. Men are put into a box of how to fit in with society. People who aren't necessarily straight have their share of stereotypes, as well. It is a common idea that you can assume someone's sexuality based on their clothes, personality, and physical self. The website, algbtical.org , has this down to the detail under the section, "Stereotypes." However, it is very difficult to accurately guess someone's gender identity and or sexuality. Lesbian women are commonly stereotyped as boyish women with a tendency to be more technical. Gay men are thought to be flamboyant, fashionable, and feminine. It is also thought that gay men are more prone to sexually transmitted diseases. Disregarding how statistically true that may or may not be, many gay men are excluded from participating in certain activities, due to straight men not knowing about how accurate a "fact" may or may not be. As you can see, gender stereotypes aren't the only widely known type of stereotype. As popular as stereotyping is, it is inhumane. Men and women of all sexualities are all stereotyped. Men are told to be strong, brave, and technical. Women are supposed to be beautiful, assistive, and caretakers. Gay men are assumed to be outgoing, confident, and feminine. Lesbian women are presumed to be boyish and more technical than the stereotypical women. There are many different stereotypes for each different person, all urging each and everyone one to flee away from being unique. Information courtesy of:
Brewer, Holly. "List of Gender Stereotypes." healthguidance.org, Health Guidance Mitchell, Jason. "Gay Myths and Stereotypes." bgiok.org.uk, Registered Charity; Outline Sexualities: AsexualityBaileyShe/Her Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction. It's very simply; not being sexually attracted to anyone. Being asexual is not to be confused with abstinence; asexuality is not a choice, whilst abstinence is. Asexual is often confused with aromantic. Asexual individuals still experience romantic attraction and desire a romantic relationship. An example of this confusion is the graphic depicting sexualities with a gym class metaphor. >> Asexuality is not a bad thing. If you believe you are asexual, that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. In this society where so much importance is placed on how much sex you have, it can sometimes be hard for an asexual individual to feel that they fit in. Sometime asexual individuals are even teased about their orientation. Some people will use means such as calling someone a plant to belittle the individual. Often times, someone won't even mean to, but they will make offending statements. This can be often due to confusing asexuality and abstinence. Many people think being asexual is a choice that you make when you no longer want to have sex, but it's not. Being asexual does not mean that you will never have sex, and having sex doesn't make you no longer asexual. Everyone is different; some asexual individuals are disgusted by sex and some don't mind having it, they just don't crave it. It's important to remember that asexual is also an umbrella term. This means that there are different types of asexuality, all of which include some lack or minority of sexual attraction. Some common terms that fall under the asexual umbrella are:
If you have any questions or concerns about asexuality, feel free to contact me from our “About Us” section. By Ray
On June 26th 2015 equal marriage rights were legalized all throughout the United States. This was a monumental step for the LGBT+ community. But other countries haven't come as far as we have. There are 10 countries where homosexuality can be punishable by death. Another 65 where it is illegal, and only 22 where marriage is legal. So where are the others? A whopping 89 countries say that homosexual acts are legal but other restrictions exist. This means that its not clearly stated, its not illegal but you are likely to experience punishment, or there are limits to homosexual rights.
One of the worst countries for LGBT+ is getting even worse. Iran is continuing to support homophobia and homosexuality is still punishable by death. In Hong Kong, LGBT+ still put up with discrimination and harassment. And in Brazil who even have laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is the deadliest place to be gay. But the world is also getting better. Over the years many countries are becoming more and more accepting of LGBT+ rights. Take Argentina's Gender Identity Law 2012 which allowed transgender people to change their gender on their birth certificates. They even legalized equal marriage rights in 2010. And in Malawi, where the president repealed all laws criminalizing homosexuality in 2012. Even here, 92% of LGBT+ Americans say that society will become more accepting over the next decade. But here is the real question; why is this so important? Why do you need to know about this? It's not like you live in a country where it is punishable by death, so why should you care. Well you need to understand that not everyone is as lucky as you, Coming out is one of the bravest things you can do and it takes guts, but you need to understand there are people suffering because of who they are everywhere. Not just in the US or the UK or where ever you live, but all throughout the world. LGBT is everywhere and legal or not, nothing stops you for being born the way you are. Trans, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual and all other sexualities exist regardless of location, law, age, time period, race or any other factor. You are who you are, don't let anyone change that. Sources Cameron, Darla, and Bonnie Berkowitz. "The State of Gay Rights around the World." The Washington Post. WP Company, 14 June 2016. Web. 2 Dec. 2016. "LGBT Rights Around The World." Infographic World. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2016. Michaelson, Jay. "This Is Where Life Is Getting Worse for LGBT People." The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast Company, 14 Nov. 2016. Web. 02 Dec. 2016. "How Do Gay Rights Look in Your Country?" CNN. Cable News Network, 26 June 2015. Web. 02 Dec. 2016. Saner, Emine. "Gay Rights around the World: The Best and Worst Countries for Equality." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 30 July 2013. Web. 02 Dec. 2016. By TylerThey/Them Mental Health: Anxiety |