Students - Know Your Rights!

This is for all American public school students who are Queer or allied. This is a small write up about your rights provided by the ACLU - Get Busy, Get Equal!

"If you experience any problems at school, first talk to your principal or another official. If nothing happens it's time to take action.

HARASSMENT:
If you are being harassed, or witness harassment, report it to the principal, a counselor, or another official immediately, and keep notes with dates and descriptions of all incidents and when you reported them. Being silent may seem easier but it will not end the abuse, and you have the right to be yourself and safe.

PRIVACY:
Teachers and school officials do NOT have the right to "out" you to anyone without your permission or use your sexual orientation to manipulate you in any way.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH:
Sometimes schools try to silence students who are open about their sexual orientation. If you go to a public school you have a constitutional right to be out of the closet and express your opinions.

GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES:
Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA's) are non-curricular student clubs, just like Chess clubs or Key Clubs, that allow students with a common interest to get together and have discussions and activities. The law says public schools must allow GSA's if other student clubs exist.

*For info on starting or being part of a GSA go to GLSEN or call 212-727-0135

PROM:
Public schools cannot stop you from bringing a same-sex date to prom. Federal law protects this as freedom of expression, and you cannot be barred from prom because of your date's gender."

If you are encountering difficulty, the ACLU can provide free assistance... Do not hesitate to contact them with questions about your rights or to ask for legal assistance.

getequal@aclu.org
Phone: 212-549-2627

Vigils Around The Country to Honor Slain Gay Teen Lawrence King

Feb 12th marks two years since the tragic murder of 15 year old Lawrence King due to his sexual orientation and gender expression. Lawrence King was an innocent victim of queerphobia, murdered simply because he asked a fellow classmate to be his valentine. We must never forget Lawrence King and the countless others murdered due to hate, and we must continue to fight for a comprehensive hate crimes legislation in every locale and an end to state-sanctioned homophobia/transphobia.

Minnesota

End the Violence
Blaine, Minnesota
Friday, February 12, 2010
11:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m
Location: Blaine High School
Co-Sponsored By: Blaine High School Gay Straight Alliance
Virginia

Virginia

"I Love Larry"
Arlington, Virginia
Friday, February 12, 2010
All Day
Location: Wakefield High School
Co-Sponsored By: The Wakefield High School Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Questions: jclisham@arlington.k12.va.us 703-228-6711

To add a vigil or learn more goto http://www.rememberinglawrence.org/

BBC News Pseudo Apologizes for Homophobic Poll

12/18/09: From the Director of BBC World Service:

"The original headline on our website was, in hindsight, too stark. We apologise for any offence it caused. But it's important that this does not detract from what is a crucial debate for Africans and the international community.

The programme was a legitimate and responsible attempt to support a challenging discussion about proposed legislation that advocates the death penalty for those who undertake certain homosexual activities in Uganda - an important issue where the BBC can provide a platform for debate that otherwise would not exist across the continent and beyond"

The BBC does not understand that the nature of this poll is not only offensive, but provides a platform for homophobic and violent attitudes.

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12/16/09: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the subject of controversy over their latest 'Have Your Say' section asking "should homosexuals should face execution?"

The site discusses how Uganda is debating the death penalty for homosexuals, and asks users to weigh in.

Naturally this has brought up many intensely homophobic and some violent commentary. This is not a 'debate' to be had, and since it incites hatred and violence against LGBT people, this is totally unacceptable. The BBC has a rule against users leaving homophobic comments, yet many remain on the forum.

Voice your concerns with the BBC complaint form.

Open Forum: Sexualism Versus Homophobia

In recent years there has been a linguistic movement by some academics against using the term homophobia and replacing it with terms like sexualism or sexual prejudice which are considered broader and more appropriate with the growing list of sexual and gender self identifications.

For one the definition of homophobia is a fear of homosexuals or homosexual orientation, which is not true of all anti-gay people. The common line from so called "homophobes" is that "they have no issue with homosexuals, and even have homosexual friends" when defending their dislike or opposition to queer rights. The other dilemma is that many people associate homophobia as being exclusive to the discussion of gay and lesbian orientation, while leaving out bisexuals and transgender minorities.

Sexualism or sexual prejudice is the predisposition to thinking heterosexuality is the only norm, it is the concept of consciously embracing heteronormativity although is not synonymous with the term.

What do you make of the whole idea of bedding the term homophobia for something more inclusive such as sexualism or sexual prejudice? Does this term unfairly exclude transgender people whose discrimination against them is on the basis of gender or should gender issues have a separate word like transphobia or transsexual prejudice?

Ten Ways Homophobia & Transphobia Affect Straight People

1. Homophobia and transphobia force us to act "macho" if we are a man or "feminine" if we are a woman. This limits our individuality and self-expression.

2. Homophobia and transphobia put pressure on straight people to act aggressively and angrily towards LGBTQI people.

3. Homophobia and transphobia can make it harder to be close friends with someone of the same sex.

4. Homophobia and transphobia often strain family and community relationships.

5. Homophobia and transphobia can cause youth to become sexually active before they are ready in order to prove they are "normal." This can lead to an increase in unwanted pregnancies and STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

6. Homophobia and transphobia prevent vital information on sex and sexuality to be readily available in classrooms, medical offices, and other educational venues. Without this information, LGBTQI people are putting themselves at a greater risk for HIV and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

7. Homophobia and transphobia can be used to hurt a straight person if they "appear to be gay" and/or express her/his gender outside societal expectations.

8. Homophobia and transphobia make it hard for straight people and LGBTQ people to be friends.

9. Homophobia and transphobia, along with racism, sexism, classism, etc. make it hard to put an end to AIDS.

10. Homophobia and transphobia make it hard to appreciate true diversity and the unique traits that are not “mainstream.”

Crossposted via Q Resources.

Rapper Warren G Wants You to Know Your Place

In an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, rapper and hip-hop producer Warren G has made some ridiculous and offensive comments regarding gay people. He claims to have no problems with queer folk, but he just doesn't believe same-sex couples should be visible because it ends up corrupting kids.

"I ain’t against gay people. I’m just against it being promoted to kids...I know people that’s gay. My wife’s got friends that are gay. I got family that’s gay. Cousins and shit. He cool as fuck. He cool as a motherfucker. He’s my homie. I just mean that on some of these TV shows, they got dudes kissing. And kids are watching that shit. We can’t have kids growing up with that...I know it happens, but let’s keep it behind the scenes. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with it if that’s what two dudes wanna do. Cool. But that’s not bring that out into the world, where the kids can see that. We don’t want all the kids doing that. ‘Cause that ain’t how we was originally put here to do. Like I said, I ain’t got no problem with the gays" (Vanity Fair).

So seeing gay people leads us to become gay? Well there's a new theory. If Warren G claims he has no problem with gays, and has gay friends and family, tell him to get his story straight.

Contact him at his website by clicking the bottom right contact tab.

Open Forum: Does Heterophobia Exist?

We are all familiar with the term and concept of homophobia which is the irrational fear and hatred of homosexuals. But is there a fear and hatred of heterosexuals displayed by some in the gay community?

When gay people choose to isolate themselves and only associate with others like themselves, do some develop a sense of anger and frustration at the heterosexual majority?

There have even been isolated incidents of straight couples being verbally attacked by gay people screaming "breeder" at them and demanding they leave the gay village.

What about when a bisexual chooses a mate of the opposite sex, they are considered a traitor to the gay community even though they still remain in their bisexual identity.

There are also those who feel that certain efforts for marriage equality to be extended to same-sex couples, that deny granting benefits to unmarried heterosexuals is tantamount to being heterophobic.

So does heterophobia exist, is it growing, or is it a stretch?

Dr. Phil's Show Continues to Pathologize Queer Identities

Dr. Phil has been on a crusade to pathologize gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people with shows about "gender confused children" "experimental bisexuality" and by giving a platform to so called experts on "ex-gay therapy" from Focus on the Family. His shows have been so controversial that he has even come under pressure and forced to cancel previous shows on bisexuality and trans children. What's concerning is that Dr. Phil has access to millions of Americans who follow his advice and subcribe to his point of view, rendering it particularly dangerous since his views on GLBT issues are wrong and immoral.

Here at Queers United we have been dedicated to monitoring Dr. Phil's programming and ensure that we hold him accountable for his actions. His upcoming shows continue to raise a red flag merely by their title and description alone and considering his past actions we do not expect any change.

One show called "Teen Experimenting With Bisexuality?" has this description:

"Did your teenager recently tell you he/she is bisexual? Maybe you caught them engaging in same sex activity? Are you torn with how to react?

Do you feel that what your teenager is doing is just a phase? Or maybe you feel like girls kissing girls is the new teenage fad? Do you feel strongly opinionated on the subject?"

This insinuates that bisexuality is not a psychologically sound or stable orientation. We would applaud a show on bisexuality, but not one that gives credence to the myths surrounding it.

Another show that is alarming is called "Struggling With Sexual Identity?"

Are you a woman struggling with sexual identity? Maybe it's causing problems with an addiction? Or maybe you feel you might be in denial about your sexuality?

Did you think you knew who you were but then something or someone opened your eyes to a new you?

It would be wrong to pre-judge or presume what the show will be about beforehand, but again there is serious concern given the track record of the show. Is Dr. Phil asserting that a GLBT identity may be related to addiction, or is he referring to sex addiction regardless of orientation? The shows title raises a red flag because proponents of "ex-gay therapy" often use the terms "struggling" and "sexual identity" to refer to GLBT people.

We urge other bloggers, and webmasters to join our Dr. Phil boycott and alert their readers to the homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic coverage that has been occurring for several months now.

Send your comments to Dr. Phil demanding he stop his anti-LGBT programming.

Sign our twitter petition demanding positive coverage now!

Dr. Phil show
5482 Wilshire Boulevard #1902
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Equality Forward - New Study Released on LGBT People of Color

The Human Rights Campaign has released the newly completed study called Equality Forward, At The Intersection Race, Sexuality, and Gender which examines the lives of LGBT people of color. It is part of a broader initiative to unite gay and straight people of all races and ethnic backgrounds in the quest for equal justice.

Key findings of the report:

• Voices of LGBT POC are not at the forefront of groups fighting to end racial injustice as well as in LGBT equality groups.
• LGBT POC share the same concerns as the rest of the population and have broader issues beyond LGBT specific ones. They are concerned with health care and economic priorities.
• More than 50% of LGBT POC feels as though the Church treats them as outsiders and sinners and feel unwelcome at religious institutions.
• LGBT POC do not feel represented in media, often seeing a lack of LGBT characters altogether, and when present usually white.
• They feel that racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia are issues that must be tackled to prevent violence, discrimination.

HRC encourages feedback and discussion on the topic matter by urging you to share your story.

Open Forum: The Homophobic Side Effect - Queer Paranoia

Homophobia is heavily prevalent in society, in small towns and big cities alike, it is hard to escape the intolerance, and prejudice that surrounds the often taboo topic of queer sexuality. Whether one is closeted, struggling to come out, or out and proud, homophobia does take a toll on all of our lives.

Ever fear sharing your sex life with your physician for fear of judgment even when it could amount to risking your own health? Do you hesitate to put photos of your families on your desk at work fearing someone will come across them and know your secret? How about standing on a line to buy a gay book or magazine, ever keep an eye over your shoulder afraid to bump into the wrong person? These and countless more examples are real and vivid fears in the daily lives of many queers.

These feelings can be described as 'butterflies in the stomach' or anxiety that comes as a result of societal homophobia. Do you suffer from anxiety based on your queer identity? Do you take heat and suffer from misunderstanding for being an ally? How do you deal with the homophobic side effect that is queer paranoia?