This Weeks Musings

Having a terrible time writing this week. Usually, I think of things throughout the week and put the little thoughts down as prompts to expand on later. This week, I just can’t get excited about anything.

Partly, it’s that I have spent far too much time reading the news this week. The news out of France is particularly grim, with a sharp increase in homophobic attacks, even as the country nears marriage equality. Patrick, my friend, be safe!

Partly, I’m feeling a bit discouraged over QUILTBAG issues in my own life. On Sunday, a friend of mine came over having a bit of a crisis. Their child is questioning their gender and it’s hitting my friend rather hard. My friend is usually quite open minded and didn’t turn a hair when their child was questioning their orientation, but somehow questioning their gender was a whole different issue.

Romilly's Completely Serious Guide to Important Things

Look I spent almost ten minutes on this appreciate it

I know that most definitions of sexual orientations are fairly well known to most of our readers now, but sometimes a new word may throw you off unexpectedly - pansexuality, asexuality, and genderqueer are just three possible new and confusing terms on the sexual orientation and gender spectrum. That’s why I have compiled this handy reference guide to spotting and identifying someone – people of what orientation are characterised by their remarkable similarity to bookcases? What orientation might you be if you only eat cheese? I am here to help.

Before you read, I must emphasise that this is intended to be completely the opposite of serious, and is definitely not intended to offend.

On Ivan Coyote

(s)

I think I have a new role model. And for the purpose of bragging rights, see her right hand? Yeah? I shook it. I touched a famous person's hand and it was awesome. 

Why Facebook Doesn't Have Gender Neutral Pronouns

Ok, first let's get one thing straight so that this post doesn't appear as a rant to any newcomers out there amongst you.

Hello. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Patrick and I'm a gay, cis-gender male. I'm not genderqueer, but what I'm about to talk about still annoys me a bit.

I'm going to be talking about there being no 'Other' option when choosing your sex or gender on the world's largest social networking site, Facebook.

A Small Gender Story

(s)

Long story short, I had an amazing night. Thanks for asking. Went to Gender Failure, something put on by my university starring Ivan Coyote and Rae Spoon. Both are trans* people and they talked and sang and it was moving and this isn't doing it justice. Which is why this blog won't be about it. Because I can't perfectly describe it. Sorry. But this will be similar, both Ivan and Rae talked about their gender problems and gender awakenings that moment of “hey..I don't identify as this even thought I'm born in this body” kind of thing and well.. here's mine.

A Small Book Review

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There's no doubt the self-help section in book stores are growing rapidly. No one has time to visit a specialist, they want to do everything on their own, so why not use a book to help yourself. What is becoming more and more popular are books on the individual. How to be the real you. How to not care what others think of you. With a growing demand and acknowledgement of different sexuality and genders, it's no wonder there are self-help books about the individual finding their true sexuality and gender.

Do You Have a Flag?

If you don't get this reference, just watch this video

There are numerous symbols, colours and events that are significant to people of different sexual orientations and gender identities. If you have been to Pride, you’ll probably have seen the most enthusiastic of these – the flags. They are numerous, and all equally recognisable if you know what you’re looking for. They might be in flag form, or knitted into a hat, scarf, or gloves. They might be put into a piece of jewellery or onto a sticker. The colours and patterns remain the same in most cases, so even if it’s not flag shaped then you can still see what it’s meant to be showing.

A Small Step out of the Closet

(s)

I'm still in the process of coming out. Most of the time, it's just me poking my head out of the closet to see the outside world. And if it's safe, I'll come out. But if I feel scared, back to the closet with me. It's safe, it's nice to hide in. But sometimes coming out is a one step at a time process.