|
Hey everyone! As we all know, the holiday season is rapidly approaching, and with it comes the tradition of giving gifts to those you care about. If you’re looking for a gift for a special LGBTQ+ person (or ally) in your life, check out these books, movies, and other media! These are just a few of my favorites! Representation in books and movies is such a significant part of discovering oneself and realizing that what you are feeling is a normal thing to feel. Under the read more are some more book lists for you to check out if you’re looking for new reading material or a gift for someone important in your life.
Happy Holidays everyone! Aryn T. 4982
0 Comments
Hello, everyone!!!
Today, we have added a new resource to our resource page. It’s one that I’ve wanted to add for a little while, and it’s one that I’m particularly overjoyed with adding. The resource is called “Crisis Text Line.” It’s a platform that you can text into with any and all issues, ranging from feeling sad to substance abuse to suicidal thoughts. Those who are Crisis Counselors do their best to aid those in need in a judge-free zone. Anyone can become a Crisis Counselor so long as you have the time to go through the training and apply for the volunteer hours; I should know, since I’m one of them!!! (I go by a different name on the platform, so please don’t ask for me if you go to test the platform.) If you feel as if you need to contact CTL, text “START” to 741741; It costs you as much as it would if you texted another friend. If you would like to learn more about CTL, then please click here. -Wheatley 2421 There are two subjects that you’re supposed to avoid at all costs when it comes to family gatherings: religion and politics. LGBTQ+ issues are discussed under the umbrella of both categories, so when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner with your conservative Aunt Lucy, the easiest option is not to talk about it. If you need to, go back in the closet for the holiday season; it will make your life less stressful. For some people, that is the only safe option. If you’re under circumstances where you’re likely to be harassed, abused, or kicked out if you express your identity or opinions, do not feel bad about spending the holidays with your head down. Get through the uncomfortable niceties, don’t bring up either of the taboo topics, don’t engage in conflict if the conversations arise, and stay safe. This is the first, most extreme approach to family gatherings. There’s nothing wrong with it, and it doesn’t make your identity less valid or make you a traitor to your community. Your safety is more important.
The second option is to answer any direct questions briefly and move on, keeping it a political issue and not a personal one. Don’t dwell on the subject for any longer than necessary. While uncomfortable questions are pretty much expected at every family gathering, you don’t have to let the discussion they may spark turn into all you talk about. If someone asks your thoughts on an issue pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community, state your opinion and move on. If they want to know how you feel about this election, briefly explain your perspective. However, if their questions are vague, don’t feel the need to out yourself in answering. Sidestep the questions if you can. Thanksgiving dinner isn’t necessarily the time to drop the bombshell that “No grandma, I don’t have a boyfriend. I do have a girlfriend though. Her name’s Marissa.” That sort of statement is opening yourself up to a lot of criticism and making a controversial issue very personal. However, if you’re more daring and want to defend your community when Uncle Ron starts ranting about how he doesn’t want ‘men’ in the women’s restroom, go for it. However…
These issues are not always easy to talk about, and they can cause divides amongst families. Don’t let that be you this holiday season. Especially with the political tension in the air, don’t put yourself in situations that are not safe. Be smart, be safe, happy holidays. -Tristan D. 107 Today is a solemn day; today is Trans Day of Remembrance. Today we must remember the transgender members of the LGBTQ+ community who either lost or took their lives due to hate crimes. TDoR was founded in 1995 to honor the victims of transphobia from the previous year. A list of those to remember this year can be found at https://tdor.info/.
Trans individuals in America have an attempted suicide rate of 49%. One out of every twelve trans people are victims of hate crime. In 2016 alone, 26 people were murdered in America just because of ignorance and transphobia. With the continued efforts of the LGBTQ+ community and our allies, we can draw attention to transphobia so that future generations do not needlessly suffer. Today, draw honor our victims by attending a vigil near you, donating money to a trans inclusive charity, writing a letter to local legislators about protecting transgender people’s rights, and educating friends and family if you feel safe doing so. -August S. 2194 Everyone experiences dysphoria differently, so my experiences might not be an accurate reflection for some of y’all. However, there are some noticeable differences between trans and nonbinary dysphoria.
Before I begin, it is important to understand what dysphoria is. One of the other admins on the blog said, “Dysphoria is like the feeling you get when you scratch a holographic bookmark the wrong way.” Essentially, it is the realization (and the aftermath of the realization) that one doesn’t perceive themselves as how their body represents that person. You know that makeup scene in Mulan where she wipes it off with her sleeve because she doesn’t recognize her reflection in the water? These are examples of what dysphoria feels like. First, let’s discuss transgender dysphoria. A central issue here is not feeling aligned with the genitalia you possess. Many trans people undergo surgery to help combat this feeling. Another great way to help combat dysphoria is by taking hormones to make oneself either more feminine or more masculine. Another method to relieve dysphoria is by binding. Other strategies include packing, changing names, and changing pronouns. These strategies allow a person to feel more aligned with their body. Nonbinary dysphoria is less obvious. Instead of the jarring holographic bookmark example from above, it feels more like being called by your sibling’s name. It throws your brain for a loop, and you’re left feeling confused and distraught afterwards. Nonbinary dysphoria is a balancing game; for me, I feel dysphoric if I present as too masculine or too feminine on a given day. To combat this, I tend to wear over-sized flannels and mom-jeans. Coping methods for nonbinary dysphoria range from changing pronouns, changing names, dressing a certain way, taking hormones, getting surgery, and sometimes just flat out dying your hair a wonky color. The most important message from this should be that everyone experiences dysphoria differently. It feels different to everyone, and it fluctuates in severity. This does not make anyone’s experiences with dysphoria any more or less valid. There is not an ideal level of dysphoria that you have to reach in order to claim the term. -August S. 2194 anonymous asked:
While things may look grim in the wake of this week’s election, please remember that you are loved. There are people advocating for you and protecting you everywhere in FIRST and you are loved. Hey Guys! This is a general LGBTQ+ in STEM presentation I made for Purdue FIRST Forums. I encourage people to use this presentation to educate their teams and coworkers on all things queer! The presentation also includes helpful LGBTQ+ resources. Link to presentation Here -Gus 3940
anonymous asked: i am in New Hampshire but on the border of Massachusetts and I think my parents might have Mass health care because of their jobs? but ye In New Hampshire, some good places to look for physicians are here [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]. Here are the rights you have in New Hampshire [x]. In Massachusetts, here are some physicians [x]. There was also a healthcare reform that helps trans patients afford their medical treatments [x] [x]. If you are looking for a therapist specialized in gender or sexuality, here are some in Massachusetts [x] and here are some in New Hampshire [x]. (Note: not all of these therapists are gender therapists. Some simply have experience working with transgender clients). Overall, you’re in a good place to transition and there shouldn’t be too much legal trouble getting in the way. Good luck! ~Staff: Sean 5113 1ST OF NOVEMBER 2016 #trans #ask #staff: sean 5113 #medical |
About LGBTQ+ of FIRST
LGBTQ+ of FIRST is a student run organization that advocates awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ+ students, mentors, and volunteers of FIRST Robotics. LGBTQ+ of FIRST reaches out to over 1000 members across the FIRST regions and fronts multiple outreach endeavors. Archives
June 2022
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
