Transgender People are Completely Banned From Boarding Airplanes in Canada
(Source: oneheadtoanother)
(Source: billydarley)
LGBTQ* Spoken Word, Performance, and Voices
“The Butterfly Effect” —
DelaWhere? youth poets Adam Alexander and Hilde Rose perform their group piece, “The Butterfly Effect” at the 2011 Brave New Voices team.
“Apathy is hate crime and we should have seen that sooner. — Wearing purple for one day won’t stop another kid from slicing open his neck to see if he really bleeds rainbows.”
Whoaa… You need to see this, no matter who you are. These people have talent.
This illustrates pretty perfectly the issues I’ve always found with those “it gets better” and “wearing purple” campaigns - worth a watch.
this is still really fucking good
Controversy with my college’s Gay-Straight Alliance
tl;dr: Vote in the poll at the bottom of this!
I’m the treasurer in my college’s Gay-Straight Alliance. To raise awareness for AIDS and World AIDS Day, our club put up a tree in our student activity center with free condoms decorating its branches. Beside the tree, we placed a sign that stated the condoms were free for anyone as well as an informational sheet about AIDS and prevention.
Two days ago, our club president received an email from our school’s Young Republicans Club president (he’s also a member of the Christian and Catholic groups at our school). He requested to meet with us because he wanted us to remove the tree because he felt that it “degrades the symbol of Christianity.”
We agreed to meet with him and did, with him stating his points and us stating ours. We refused to take down the tree. We meant to neither promote or insult ANY religion and are simply promoting safe sex and AIDS awareness on campus. We have permission from school officials to display this tree and he met with school officials over this “controversy” and they agreed with us.
At the end of our meeting, he mentioned that he was involving an attorney and the local Pittsburgh diocese. None of us could believe he was taking it that far, especially because the tree will be taken down when we leave for break in less than a week.
Today, we logged onto Facebook to see that he had taken it a step further. The student has placed an alternative sheet beside the tree advocating abstinence; a move that makes no sense as we are not advertising sex, merely safety.
An article on the website “The Blaze” entitled “Gay Club’s Condom-Decorated ‘Christmas’ Tree Causes Outrage at Penn. College” is up and shares his side of the story with a poll at the bottom.
Please read the article, vote, and spread the word.
Protect free speech! Do not let conservative Christians ruin something only meant to promote safety and awareness simply because they do not agree!
Link: “Gay Club’s Condom-Decorated ‘Christmas’ Tree Causes Outrage at Penn. College”
okay now this is just ridiculous. I read the comments. Apparently, condoms are not appropriate ornaments, and it defies the sanctity of Christmas. Looks like somebody needs to be reminded that Christmas is Pagan in origin.
Anyway, vote, you guys!
Vote vote vote! This is absolutely ridiculous. The tree isn’t even a Christian symbol. Safer sex is important and this ignorant crusade is a thinly veiled attack on not only sexuality but (from the comments on that page) the gay-straight alliance and all it stands for.
Their god, the comments are offensive. I kindly ask followers to give me a gift this season and tumblr bomb the fuck out of this poll.
College Republicans are simply the worst people. Hyper passionate because they’re enjoying their first taste of independence but completely ignorant of their zealotry and how not to act like hateful fucks. Worse than even some of the worst politicians.
That said, get on that poll and vote.
-Joe
Vote vote vote! Make the wittle cowwege rebubwicans cwy
Wherein Michele Bachmann is confronted by an 8-year-old
And it’s just as fantastic as it sounds:
Watch the video:
The look of shock on her face is incredible. Elijah is brave little man, and I commend him.
Oh man he is seriously the quietest little dude but GO LITTLE DUDE
I love how tiny little kids manage to be more rational than fully grown women.
RUSSIA: A BILL TO SILENCE MILLIONS
Political leaders in St. Petersburg are about to vote on law that will make it illegal for any person to write a book, publish an article or speak in public about being gay, lesbian or transgender. The ruling party led by President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin could make millions of people invisible with the stroke of a pen.
Human rights defenders around the country are doing everything they can to stop it. They are risking their freedom to organize flashmobs and protests, but they are afraid that it won’t be enough.
Right now, the world needs to speak up and tell Russian authorities to drop the bill. Join this call to leaders around the world to reach out to their counterparts in the Russian government - and ask them to reject this discriminatory and anti-democratic law.
(Source: podling)
![roxorfoxor:
missveryvery:
Help Michigan Students Stop the “License to Bully” Bill—
[TW for homophobia, transphobia, gay bashing, bullying]
Why this is Important
It’s tough being a student when bullies are allowed to physically and verbally hurt you at school. Unfortunately, because of a dangerous new bill passed by the Michigan State Senate, it’s only going to get worse.
On November 2, minutes before voting to pass a new bullying bill, the Michigan State Senate added special language that provides a blueprint for bullies. According to this language, as long as the bullying is done because of “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction,” then it’s ok.
As students, we deserve better. And if enough of us speak up, we can stop this dangerous bill.
I was in 7th grade putting my books in my locker when a few guys game up behind me. They called me a faggot and a dyke and asked me why I even bothered to show my face at school because no one liked me. I ignored them because I was scared of what else they might say and who else they might tell if I stood up to them. I went to shut my locker when an 8th grader pushed me against the wall. I didn’t know what to do so I stood there, alone and afraid. One of his friends slammed my locker shut on my hand breaking my fourth finger. I held back tears while I watched them run away laughing. When I got home I lied to my parents about what happened to my finger because I didn’t want them to tell the school. I was afraid the school would do nothing accept call me out in front of everyone.
My name is Katy Butler, I am now a junior at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor Michigan and I am lesbian. For me, 7th grade was four years ago and writing about that event, even thinking about it, I still tear up. Stopping the “License to Bully” bill (SB 137) and passing real anti-bullying legislation is so important to me because I don’t want anyone else to have to have such strong, painful memories. Being bullied because of something I couldn’t change hurt, but it hurt even more that my school did not do anything about something that they could change.
My story is not unique. Students all across Michigan have stories just like mine. Students like my friend Carson Borbely, who is currently in eighth grade:
“A few weeks ago in class, I brushed a friend’s hair away from her face. A loud voice sharply interrupted, ‘Don’t touch her. Trannies carry diseases.’ The teacher didn’t do anything. That was the fourth incident in her class that I had been harassed by the same boy. Nothing was done. The only reprimand he got was a sharp calling of his name. The teacher asked him passively to stop. He continued.”
Carson and I are speaking out for all those students who suffer every day at school. We’re speaking out because we deserve a bill that will actually protect us at school, not make it more dangerous, or give bullies a free pass. People keep telling us youth “It Gets Better”. Well it can’t get better if you don’t make it better. I’m doing my part to help, please do yours.
Please stand with students across the state and sign our petition demanding that the Michigan State Legislature pass a real anti-bullying bill. One that doesn’t have special exceptions, but does list the reasons students are bullied most often, and does add reporting requirements. A bill that actually protects students.
Sincerely,
Katy Butler, Michigan high school studentCarson Borbely, Michigan junior high school student
——————————————
VV comment: I don’t know why assault in schools isn’t taken seriously. If I, as an adult, took someone’s hand and smashed it in a locker, I would get arrested. In school, nothing happens.
In reply to your comment: the pessimist in me wants to say it’s because the staff members are inept and/or condone it under auspices of their own personal religious or “moral” convictions or just because “it builds character” — I say this mainly because through all the public schools I attended growing up, this WAS the case more often than not, and such was made clear to me on multiple occasions with little room for ambiguity.
This whole situation is fucking enraging.
It’s absolutely infuriating to see this sort of behavior be condoned by teachers and politicians. I consider myself lucky to have gone through only minimal bullying in grade school.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lugspmbDXA1qdappmo1_500.jpg)
Help Michigan Students Stop the “License to Bully” Bill—
[TW for homophobia, transphobia, gay bashing, bullying]
Why this is Important
It’s tough being a student when bullies are allowed to physically and verbally hurt you at school. Unfortunately, because of a dangerous new bill passed by the Michigan State Senate, it’s only going to get worse.
On November 2, minutes before voting to pass a new bullying bill, the Michigan State Senate added special language that provides a blueprint for bullies. According to this language, as long as the bullying is done because of “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction,” then it’s ok.
As students, we deserve better. And if enough of us speak up, we can stop this dangerous bill.
I was in 7th grade putting my books in my locker when a few guys game up behind me. They called me a faggot and a dyke and asked me why I even bothered to show my face at school because no one liked me. I ignored them because I was scared of what else they might say and who else they might tell if I stood up to them. I went to shut my locker when an 8th grader pushed me against the wall. I didn’t know what to do so I stood there, alone and afraid. One of his friends slammed my locker shut on my hand breaking my fourth finger. I held back tears while I watched them run away laughing. When I got home I lied to my parents about what happened to my finger because I didn’t want them to tell the school. I was afraid the school would do nothing accept call me out in front of everyone.
My name is Katy Butler, I am now a junior at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor Michigan and I am lesbian. For me, 7th grade was four years ago and writing about that event, even thinking about it, I still tear up. Stopping the “License to Bully” bill (SB 137) and passing real anti-bullying legislation is so important to me because I don’t want anyone else to have to have such strong, painful memories. Being bullied because of something I couldn’t change hurt, but it hurt even more that my school did not do anything about something that they could change.
My story is not unique. Students all across Michigan have stories just like mine. Students like my friend Carson Borbely, who is currently in eighth grade:
“A few weeks ago in class, I brushed a friend’s hair away from her face. A loud voice sharply interrupted, ‘Don’t touch her. Trannies carry diseases.’ The teacher didn’t do anything. That was the fourth incident in her class that I had been harassed by the same boy. Nothing was done. The only reprimand he got was a sharp calling of his name. The teacher asked him passively to stop. He continued.”
Carson and I are speaking out for all those students who suffer every day at school. We’re speaking out because we deserve a bill that will actually protect us at school, not make it more dangerous, or give bullies a free pass. People keep telling us youth “It Gets Better”. Well it can’t get better if you don’t make it better. I’m doing my part to help, please do yours.
Please stand with students across the state and sign our petition demanding that the Michigan State Legislature pass a real anti-bullying bill. One that doesn’t have special exceptions, but does list the reasons students are bullied most often, and does add reporting requirements. A bill that actually protects students.
Sincerely,Katy Butler, Michigan high school student
Carson Borbely, Michigan junior high school student——————————————
VV comment: I don’t know why assault in schools isn’t taken seriously. If I, as an adult, took someone’s hand and smashed it in a locker, I would get arrested. In school, nothing happens.
In reply to your comment: the pessimist in me wants to say it’s because the staff members are inept and/or condone it under auspices of their own personal religious or “moral” convictions or just because “it builds character” — I say this mainly because through all the public schools I attended growing up, this WAS the case more often than not, and such was made clear to me on multiple occasions with little room for ambiguity.
This whole situation is fucking enraging.
It’s absolutely infuriating to see this sort of behavior be condoned by teachers and politicians. I consider myself lucky to have gone through only minimal bullying in grade school.