Social Media Helps LGBT and Feminism

It could be said that, for years now, the majority of people who support LGBTQ rights have also been quite supportive of the feminist community. Even with that overwhelming amount of support, both females and LGBTQ individuals still struggle in both the workplace and on college campuses.

However, it’s necessary to note that social networking is helping both of these groups make amazing strides in both the workplace and on college campuses. For example, when the Supreme Court began debating Proposition 8 early this week, Facebook became flooded with pictures of red equal signs and other such signs of support. These pictures, consequently, spark conversation, debate and questions. All of that is incredibly helpful because it forces the government to take notice of what the people are actually calling for. The same is true for people who are able to organize online campaigns, petitions, or discussion groups in support of LGBTQ individuals and/or women. In this decade, the Internet is more powerful than ever.

Brian Levin, a writer for The Huffington Post, took note on how social media and networking affects social changes and movements. He describes a “chain reaction” in which people change their pictures and, in some cases, actual stance on a particular change. Social media such as Facebook “affords us the ability to learn what our friends think about the issues of the day” and through this network we can learn more. Not only that, but the feeling of being supported by so many people helps the people who are fighting for their rights.

Social media and networking has also show a strong stand in the feminist movement. One such example is Rush Limbaugh’s defeat through social media. Limbaugh, a conservative radio talk show host, called out derogatory names at a female law student after she gave her testimony about contraception to Congress. In response, a “coalition of active feminists prepared at a moment’s notice to blow the lid off sexist attacks.” These feminists took to Facebook and Twitter which “dealt Limbaugh the worst humiliation of his controversial career.” Even more, this attack on Limbaugh was not organized; it was spontaneous and powerful.

This being the modern-day and 21st century, it’s such a surprise that people are still fighting for equality. Now, though, it is easier to get a movement started through the use of media and our networks. This can be seen in so many instances such as a simple change of a profile picture, writing about our thoughts, or calling out people in the wrong. These things, no matter how small and simple, stir up conversations about what we really want.

LGBT and Rape

Recently, the problem of rape has gained a lot of traction in society and the media. Rape has always been an issue, but the Steubenville rape really brought it out into the eyes of a much wider range of people. While the media has reported on the different angles of the story, albeit a few awful ones, it doesn’t venture much outside of the story itself. Sue Kerr and Ian Finkenbinder argue that rape is a human issue and that it also affects the LGBT community, none of which the majority of media speaks about. We, as a community that is affected by this problem, “should be on the front lines in the army of allies to survivors.”

The first argument the pair makes is one about society’s view, in general, about rape. They argue that we live in a society that “tolerates the atrocities that took place in Steubenville.” This is more widely known as “rape culture”, in which it is normalized and excused. This can be seen in the media and all around. One such instance was Poppy Harlow, a CNN reporter. She, like so many others, commented on how devastating it must be for the two young men who raped the girl and how their lives will be forever ruined. Perhaps it was taken out of context or she wasn’t fully aware of what she was saying, but what is the excuse for the rest? When did this even become acceptable? Why is it still?

The numbers that Kerr and Finkenbinder report are astounding. About 47.4% of bisexual men and 40.2% of gay men experienced sexual violence, not to mention the other categories. The numbers should be nowhere this high. In fact, it should not even exist and rape should not be a problem. What bothers me most, though, is that it is just now gaining attention and the attention is focused on only one case for the most part. There have been countless other victims and victims of all sexual orientations, but there is barely any public wide knowledge on that.

The two argue that “we shift the blame away from rapists and further traumatize the survivors involved” in these situations and I fully agree. It should not be about what someone is wearing, that they were drinking, that they were under the influence, or anything of the sort. It should not be about the end of promising careers.

It should be about the act of rape itself. It should be about teaching the populace that rape is not and never will be okay. It should be about the media taking the right angle or at least the objective stance. It should be about society understanding that this could happen to anyone. It is a threat that we should all fight against, regardless of sexual orientation and political standing.

There are many instances where a fine line and gray area exists.

This is not one of them.

The Rainbow Surprise

On Tuesday, March 19, the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) received a surprise right across the street: a house painted the colors of the PRIDE flag. Aaron Jackson, a founder of the Planting Peace charity, bought this house half a year ago with plans to get his feet into the fight for LGBT equality. The “Equality House” will help anti-bullying campaigns that exist and also ones that are starting up.

Below is a Twitter conversation between Ben Patrick Johnson and Shirley Phelps-Roper, a spokesperson and member of WBC, about the Equality House. Johnson is a gay Christian and his ideals and beliefs, along with so many others, are against what the WBC stand for.

Some folks bought a house across from my gay-baiting frenemies at Westboro Baptist Church. Now meet "EQUALITY HOUSE" pic.twitter.com/wEN9j9uUMu

— BEN PATRICK JOHNSON (@benpatrick90069) March 20, 2013

https://twitter.com/WBCShirl/status/314585476751294464

I love you as child of God, @WBCShirl. But your message of "God H8s" is the antithesis of Christ's teaching on tolerance and inclusion.

— BEN PATRICK JOHNSON (@benpatrick90069) March 21, 2013

https://twitter.com/WBCShirl/status/314833636891443200

Sorry, @WBCShirl, God and I get along just fine. "In my father's house are many mansions." (It's a far bigger tent than you can comprehend.)

— BEN PATRICK JOHNSON (@benpatrick90069) March 21, 2013

Ferocity of Gays: United and Divided

I came across an article today that described exactly how I feel about being gay and a part of this community. In general, we are fierce, competitive and sometimes ruthless. This can be a great thing when we fight as a group. Then there are times, more often than not, when we turn on each other and bullying infiltrates our camp. If we want to make bigger strides in equality, we have to be willing to accept each other.

Mark Rosenberg, the writer of the op-ed “Are Gay Men A Gay Man’s Worst Enemy?”, says that “what happens after you leave the walls you feel have closed you in for years is very rarely discussed. The truth is, the bullying doesn’t end once you get your diploma, and it doesn’t necessarily better. The faces of the people who make fun of you simply change.

Rosenberg points out that the bullying never ends, even after high school and into adulthood. What makes it worst is that the bullying is within the group. In short, we attack each other.

In my group of gay friends, the few that I have, I don’t really hear the catty remarks. But, like Rosenberg says, “it’s not uncommon to go to a gay bar on a Saturday night and overhear a grown man teasing another from afar on what he is wearing or what he looks like.” We are quick to judge and can be judgmental to a high extreme. Sometimes it’s not even about looks but the way we live our lifestyle choices and beliefs. Even though no harsh words are exchanged in my group, our facial expressions and body language are pretty blatant on how we feel about one another at various times.

Rosenberg also points out the gossip and I wholeheartedly agree with the problems it entails in this particular community. Who doesn’t like to talk about other people’s problems and divert from our sometimes more awful own? Not only that, but it seems like such a strange, yet powerful bonding experience. It just brings up so much turmoil and conflict because we’re talking about the people that we may eventually date and have relationships with. In truth, it may not even be worth it.

However, I do have to refute his claim of “being kind is so much easier than being a bitch.” It’s ideal, but not always the case. At times the ferocity and judging is a defense mechanism because, as a group that is generally so rooted in aesthetics, we can be insecure about ourselves. So in our times of deep insecurity, we throw up our defenses of sass and arrogance as a cover.

Gossip and bullying are present across the board in all groups and communities. However, as a group that is still fighting for equality and acceptance we need to unite and not divide along our very own lines. If we can combine our determination and fierceness maybe our strides towards the common goal will be bigger and more successful. We need to fight the opposition and not each other.

Bee Venom to Kill HIV

Research done at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that nanoparticles carrying melittin, found in bee venom, can kill the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

According to research instructor Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD, “Melittin on the nanoparticles fuses with the viral envelope. The melittin forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the envelope, stripping it off the virus. We are attacking an inherent physical property of HIV. Theoretically, there isn’t any way for the virus to adapt to that. The virus has to have a protective coat, a double-layered membrane that covers the virus.”

While there are many ways to kill the virus, the majority also destroy normal cells. With melittin, a “protective bumper” was put onto the nanoparticles so that they would “bounce off normal cells.” This process only attacks the virus.

Steps Toward Healthcare Equality

Recently, the south has taken a turn for the good in its healthcare system. Being mostly conservative, these states have not been generous or equal when it comes to the health of LGBT community. Even more importantly, the community suffers through different health effects than the general population. However, centers are slowly building up to meet the needs of HIV/AIDS patients while training is swinging into motion for medical schools and hospitals.

Harvey Makadon, a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, reports that “LGBT people still experience much discrimination and stigma and this is true in health care. Research has shown that LGBT patients experience unique health disparities and have many health care needs that differ from the general population.” He goes on to say that new cases of HIV have not declined, but remained at 50,000 a year. Meanwhile, cases of STDs have grown at a high rate.

In Texas alone, roughly 70,000 people live with HIV while another 17,000 are unaware of their HIV+ status. More narrowly, 58.1% of these patients were men who engaged in sex with other men. This connection between same sex relations and HIV is consistent across each state.

While these numbers remain true, “resources targeted on effecting change for populations at highest risk have been disproportionately low.” It seems that this problem may stem from the majority of clinicians having no training in dealing with LGBT patients, and even avoiding “discussions of risk behaviors or identifying sexual orientation or gender identity.” Although here has been some training, the act is extremely rare and not thorough enough to make the difference it needs.

Makadon says that he wasn’t expecting to work in the more conservative states, but found it to be an interesting experience when conversing with the medical teams. Healthcare professionals have voiced their concerns “about how they should weigh their personal values with professional values they held to provide care for all…” They then answered “their own questions recognizing that when in clinical settings professional values to care for all, including LGBT people, takes precedence.” Still, not all providers see this issue eye-to-eye.

However, there is a lot that is being done for equality in care such as nondiscrimination acts and funding for health centers tailored to treating and caring for LGBT patients. While there have only been small and irregular steps in progress, the “Open Arms Healthcare Center in Jackson is a landmark for LGBT health.” Over time, the initiative will gain momentum and eventually prove to be an immensely positive reform for everyone.

(Quotes via http://www.hivplusmag.com/opinion/guest-voices/2013/02/19/op-ed-changing-attitudes-toward-lgbt-health-south)

LGBT Progression in a Red State

This year, so far, has been a great time for LGBT equality. Many states have already passed legislation regarding this issue and so many more are in the process. The conservative states, however, are hesitant in the field.

Texas is among these conservative states that do not have laws protecting same-sex marriage or protection when it comes to other aspects of LGBT life. I came across an interesting video a few days ago that really surprised me and contradicted the stereotype of anti-gay Texans.

We Have Issues is an organization that promotes awareness and activism. In this video, they wanted to gauge the reactions of Texans when it came to LGBT couples and equality. To do this, they staged a dialogue in a diner between a gay couple with their family and a waitress. They also set up the same scenario in the more liberal state of New York to compare.

What surprised me the most wasn’t the complete difference between the two states, but in the way that they were different. Living in Texas, a widely known conservative state, I didn’t think there would be the support that there was. I did think that New Yorkers would. However, it was the opposite! I was ridiculously blown away at the time, but when I really thought about it, it all made sense. Texans are all about that southern hospitality while New Yorkers are considerably isolated and generally keep to themselves. To me, this begs the question of why LGBT equality laws in Texas are behind the times.

A poll done by Think Progress shows that 69% of Texans are in support of at least the right to civil unions, if not the full right to marriage. What I find interesting is that there are actually bills being put into the state’s legislature that are supporting equality in different areas such as insurance and employment discrimination, but barely any public notification on them.

Probably the most notable was the bill submitted by Rep. Lon Burnam. While this bill (HB 1300) was jointly written by all Democratic representatives, it’s a huge step for a red state. This would take down the law banning the recognition of same-sex marriage.

Even more, many Republicans also support gay marriage. The United States is really taking strides towards equality, but there is still so much to do. Even though the conservative state of Texas threatens the stop of equality, it seems that there is wide spread and growing support of it. With a little hesitation, Texans will hopefully see a change for the better!

LGBT Bullying in Athletics Makes it Hard to Come Out

Cavan Sieczkowski, an associate editor at the Huffington Post, summarized a study done by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) about LGBT youth and athletics.

According to the research, “More than half of LGBT students who took a P.E. class were bullied or harassed during P.E. because of their sexual orientation (52.8%) or gender expression (50.9%).”

However, it applies to more than just secondary school athletics. While acceptance and support is increasing in the athletic community, such as the Ravens Linebacker Brenden Ayanbadejo in recent weeks, negative remarks from others are always present.

Even in the locker rooms at today’s universities, the words “gay” and “faggot” thrown around. Not only is it offensive, but it creates so much tension and more importantly, tension within one’s self. It’s already hard enough to come out of the closet, but this makes it harder.

Diane Anderson-Minshall reports on a study done by the University of Montreal that deals with the level of happiness between lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and heterosexual. The study shows that gay and bi men who were out “were less likely to be depressed than heterosexual men and had less physiological problems.”

There are health benefits when people come out, but people are less likely to come out if they feel threatened or harassed. That is the atmosphere that I get in the locker room.

While I’m mostly out, I still find it incredibly uncomfortable when I hear the negativity in the room. It makes it harder to make friends and meet people who are interested in working out and sports.

The Fight for ENDA

According to the Human Rights Campaign, “it remains legal in 29 states to discriminate based on sexual orientation, and in 34 states to do so based on gender identity or expression.”

To end this, 54 groups have teamed up to push the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) forward. If this legislation is passed, then LGBT workers will be protected from discriminatory hiring, firing, etc. This bill has been in the works for many years now. With the Republican control in 2010, progress halted. With Obama’s reelection and a growing acceptance, these groups are pushing for the bill to fully develop and take place.

This is especially important because many young adults are new to the workplace. More job opportunities will be available for LGBT workers, without fear of discrimination.

The Gay Way

For the Open Mind is a blog centering around issues and events occurring in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community. As a member of this community myself, I don’t know enough of what is going on. In creating and writing for this blog, I hope to gain more knowledge and keep up with the current events that are important to me and to so many others. I also wish to inform, help and encourage college students and young professionals. For those that may be indifferent or possibly anti-LGBT, I can only hope that something I write will spark a change in your view.

Twitter List:

Tyler Curry: HIV+ writer who started the Needle Prick Project, an editorial campaign that talks about what an HIV+ life is like. Tyler is a marketing writer at Baron and Budd, P.C., a law firm, fiction and freelance columnist. His writing can be found at The Advocate.

Colby Melvin: Model and LGBT rights activist. Colby passes on current news that deal with the LGBT community in his blog.

Ben Patrick Johnson: Voice-over actor, LGBT/human rights activist,  author of “If the Rains Don’t Cleanse”, and director of the BPJ Foundation.

Zak Baldridge: LGBT rights activist and vlogger/blogger on his personal site, The Right to Be Left.

Wayne Dhesi: Blogger for the Huffington Post,  youth worker for the National Health Service, and creator of R U Coming Out, a compilation of coming out stories.

Spencer Oakes Dawson: A blogger that speaks his mind about almost anything. He blogs about being gay and also comments on various events that occur.

Joe: Blogger who passes on information and events in the community.

Blog Roll:

R U Coming Out: R U Coming Out is a website and sort-of blog that deals mainly with coming out stories. People from all around the world submit their stories. It also provides features and writings from different writers. The website also serves as a blog for Wayne Dhesi, a blogger for the Huffington Post. The various stories and posts by the people and established writers would serve as a source of inspiration.

Huffington Post Gay Voices: Gay Voices is a part of the Huffington Post that provides news and opinions about the gay community. Many of the contributors are professionals such as lawyers, professors, and authors. While it provides a very wide variety of ideas and opinions, it is a source that can connect to a specified audience.

The Right To Be Left: The Right To Be Left is a blog by Zak Baldridge. In his blog, he writes his own opinions on different aspects of gay life and culture. In one post, he looked at the stereotype of being a “good gay.” In other words, to be a “good gay” you had to be rich and live a lavish lifestyle. He goes on to say that most of these stereotypes stem from television shows and that we should accept all people, no matter their financial situation.

Queerphc: This is a collaborative blog by Patrick Henry College (PHC) students. This blog provides all sorts of topics as they pertain to the gay community – entertainment stories, news, sports, religion, coming out, growing up gay, etc. Since PHC is a private, religious school, the blog also gives encouragement and help on being a gay Christian. It provides both personal stories and information on current events.

Out Magazine and The Advocate: Both of these sources are owned by Here Media, LLC. While they are a big supplier of news stories and current events in the LGBT community, they also produce opinions and commentary from established writers and bloggers such as Tyler Curry. These two sources provide both national and world news, as well as entertainment, health and business stories. All of the stories connect to the LGBT community.