Antioch University-Los Angeles’ Post

The word #Queer can be decisive within the #LGBT community. It is my observation that the acceptance or rejection of the word may be generational with younger #LGBTQ people accepting it with #pride, while older people, especially those who have been out for a while, reject the word and consider it a slur. My own preference is to consider myself "Curved" as in curved like a rainbow (refer to picture in the first comment) Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia From the article: "Queer is an umbrella term for people who are not heterosexual or are not cisgender.[1][2] Originally meaning 'strange' or 'peculiar', queer came to be used pejoratively against LGBT people in the late 19th century. Beginning in the late 1980s, queer activists, such as the members of Queer Nation, began to reclaim the word as a deliberately provocative and politically radical alternative to the more assimilationist branches of the LGBT community.[3][4]"

You are queer, it's fine why do we need to talk about it? It's a personal choice, why do we need to make it a topic? I often hear, "Being queer is a personal choice, why make it a topic?" Why We Need to Talk About Being Queer, Even When It Feels Personal ️ But here's the thing: my existence isn't a topic of debate. It's my reality. And while my identity may feel personal to me, the impact of not talking about it has far-reaching consequences. In this video, I dive into: -Why visibility matters, even when it feels uncomfortable. -How silence perpetuates harmful stereotypes and discrimination. -The power of personal stories to create empathy and understanding. -How open conversations can lead to positive change. Join me on this journey of self-discovery and collective understanding. Watch the video now and share your thoughts in the comments! #Pride #LGBTQIA #RepresentationMatters #StartTheConversation #diversityandinclusion

The writer has little/no control over the headline. With this essay, for example, I sent along the suggested headline “LGBTQ+ History Month: 30 Years and Counting.” I stand by the essay; the headline is a bit puffed-up. #LGBTQHistoryMonth https://lnkd.in/gGckCF2E

🌈 Today on #NationalComingOutDay, I reflect on what it means to be on a journey of authenticity, one that began for me at sixteen years old when I first came out as queer and continued at nineteen when I came out as transgender. In my early years of being "out" as my authentic self – which included serving in the military under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and being an openly transgender college athlete – I learned that coming out isn't a single moment, but instead it’s a lifelong process. My journey has been inspired by the Black queer and trans pioneers who came before me: James Baldwin, who taught us the power of our voices; Marsha P. Johnson, who reminded us that we are worthy of love and joy; and Bayard Rustin, who used his brilliance to shape movements for justice while living authentically. Their courage, tenacity, and love for our community have inspired me to live my truth. The whole month of October is about honoring not only the act of coming out, but also the rich history of these LGBTQ+ individuals, and others, who have paved the way for us to live authentically. With this in mind, and #TransgenderAwarenessWeek approaching (November 13-19), I am offering speaking engagements, workshops, and consulting services to continue these conversations. 👉🏾 If you're interested in having me share my journey or if you are looking for educational workshops and trainings that provide tangible tools and steps for building inclusive cultures complete the booking inquiry form here https://lnkd.in/eUcyph6y. As we celebrate coming out, honor LGBTQ+ history, and center trans voices, my hope is for a world where coming out isn’t about stepping into spaces not designed for us, but about coming into our own—boldly, safely, and authentically. #TransIsBeautiful #BlackTransLivesMatter #LGBTQHistoryMonth #TransAwarenessWeek #Authenticity #ComingOutJourney #Pride #LGBTHistory #LinkedInTopVoice #LGBT #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #Belonging #DEIB

While the whole livestream is good, I focus on the need for #Pride 🏳️🌈 and Pride visibility in education at ~22 mins, with examples of this visibility that we can do. For example, I briefly jam-packed in: 🏳️🌈 books for and about allies (Ethan Trinh, Ph.D.) 🏳️🌈 stickers that have LGBTQ+ vibes to show you're a safe person and/or ally 🏳️🌈 materials about being queer written in your learner's languages 🏳️🌈 posters to place around your school that show this is a safe space 🏳️🌈 books that help us write inclusive materials, like mine (ELT Teacher 2 Writer) 🏳️🌈 fiction and graphic novels for different age groups that spotlight queer protagonists, many which have hopeful vibe Thanks to IATEFL for using their space for us. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gr3Rnt3b PS - I made this graphic below for clarity about the theme of this livestream.

My article, 'feeling out of place: queer experiences of belonging in metro Atlanta,' is now available to view in the top-tier journal, Gender, Place, and Culture. Here is a link to access a complementary copy.

On the 6th and 7th of June, the LGBTQ Research Symposium, organized by the University of Kansas, will take place in hybrid mode. A little over a month ago I submitted an academic poster proposal, that was happily accepted.  Reviewing the Planning Committee's emails I found the comment on my proposal. I share it here for its background. It is a sample of the research dialogue and the spirit of social transformation that goes with it. "This research is innovative, unique, important, and is driven by passion. The scope of this proposal is clearly defined and I understood completely the parameters of the research. The limited scope of transfeminist voices in Chile is a subject that I think more people should learn about, which is why I think the author's work is so important. In the context of the symposium, I think that the proposed presentation medium of a poster pre-recorded 3-5 min. video only provides a small snapshot of the research. It may bemore beneficial to consider how the poster can encapsulate the themes of the symposium while also ensuring the integrity of the research is preserved. Specifically, knowing the strategies adopted by transfeminist activists in Chile but what should the audience take away to implement into their own activism to effect positive change for their community? The proposal does an excellent job in advancing queer research and centering voices and experiences not often present in queer research". #phd #research #gender #civilrights #university

You can live in your ignorance. But don't expect me to just be the gay on the team. I'm not some sort of gay correspondent. I'm not an LGBTQI+ expert, ready to sense check everything that might be marketed to someone in the rainbow family. There's an assumption often made towards queer people in the corporate environment. That because of who they date, they have access to knowledge that their straight counterparts don't. Which is simply not the case. You aren't handed a pack of required reading the day you come out which covers everything from Stonewall to the AIDS crisis and beyond. All of the things I know about LGBT is forged through my own research. One, because I have an interest but two, because it's important for every person to learn about the world around them. I don't learn about feminism and trans rights and intersectionality because I'm gay. I do it because I care about respecting people of all different backgrounds. And maybe you should too. So if you're hiring queer people, don't look at them as arbiters of knowledge. Our job is not to teach you everything, you should challenge your own ignorance instead.

It’s Pride Month once again, which is a month-long celebration of liberation and acceptance for our queer friends who have had a long history of struggle in the fight for their rights. The first World Pride happened in 2000 and is celebrated in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York, USA. To all our queer friends out there, Happy Pride! As the activist and one of the many prominent figures during the Stonewall Uprisings, Marsha Johnson, once said, “No Pride for some of us without liberation for all of us!” Hence, a society’s acceptance (or tolerance) of its queer members is a reflection of its perspective on the universality of human rights. And if you are not queer, that is totally okay. You can still celebrate Pride as an ally. Here are some tips on how to be a good ally: 1. Do not assume a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) unless otherwise explicitly communicated. 2. Let people identify themselves on their own terms, time, and pace. 3. Be open to listening to the stories of your queer friends even if it can be difficult to relate to their experiences. 4. Use their preferred pronouns and lived names. 5. Be a safe space for them. 6. Raise awareness, disseminate relevant information, and have civil discussions involving LGBTQ+ communities. We can show support for our LGBTQ+ friends and acquaintances by simply celebrating Pride with them and advocating for their rights. #pridemonth #pride #lgbtqia #pride2024 #ally #girlpowertalk #spreadlove #inclusivecommunity #alliesmatter Penned By: Anjo A.

Day 8 of Gay Pride 🏳️🌈 Month: Lord Byron, a prominent Romantic poet, made several contributions to literature and culture that have resonated within the gay community, even though he lived in a time when homosexuality was not openly discussed or accepted. Here are a few key points regarding his impact: 1. **Challenging Norms**: Byron's life and works often challenged the societal norms of his time, including conventions around sexuality. His open affairs with both men and women, although discreet by necessity, were a defiance of the strict moral codes of early 19th-century Britain. 2. **Literary Influence**: Byron's poetry and prose, known for their passionate and rebellious spirit, have been influential in LGBTQ+ literature. His exploration of intense, often unorthodox emotions and relationships paved the way for later writers to explore themes of same-sex love and desire more openly. 3. **Personal Life**: Byron's relationships with men, such as with John Edleston, a choirboy he met at Trinity College, Cambridge, have been well-documented and provide a historical touchstone for the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals during his time. These relationships, while not explicitly detailed in his published works, are part of his larger-than-life legacy. 4. **Cultural Icon**: Byron's persona as a flamboyant, rebellious figure has made him an enduring icon in LGBTQ+ culture. His image and writings are often cited in discussions of historical figures who defied conventional gender and sexual norms, contributing to a broader understanding of LGBTQ+ history. 5. **Poetry and Expression**: Byron's poetry, such as "Don Juan" and "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," often included themes of emotional complexity and deep personal reflection, which resonate with many LGBTQ+ readers. His ability to articulate feelings of longing, isolation, and defiance speaks to the universal human experience, including that of LGBTQ+ individuals. In summary, Lord Byron's life and work have had a lasting influence on the gay community by challenging societal norms, providing historical context for LGBTQ+ experiences, and inspiring future generations of writers and readers with his passionate and rebellious spirit. #gaypridemonth #lordbyron