LGBTQ+ individuals deserve to have equal treatment anywhere they are. Focusing on LA county, specifically the San Gabriel Valley, deserve to feel safe and receive fair treatment within the criminal justice system.

An article from the San Gabrial Valley LGBTQ Center highlights the need for more LGBTQ+ specific resources and safer, inclusive spaces. The report also identifies gaps in access to relevant support and legal services for transgender and queer residents.

This matters in this neighborhood because everyone in the community should deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Improving awareness and limiting unpleasant interactions with the criminal justice system would create a better and safer system for LGBTQ+ members.

I hope people can confirm but I’ve noticed that a lot of cisgender gay men appreciate trans men a lot more than let’s say trans women are appreciated by cis straight men and I’ve come to the conclusion that anal sex is not enjoyable for someone who is circumcised a lot of my circumcised friends do not enjoy anal sex and that’s why I feel like trans men specifically are loved in the gay community or chased after, while trans women are honestly not that chased after. And yes, there are chasers in both communities, but a lot of gay men are simply intrigued and obsessed with trans men more than let’s say an average population of straight men are obsessed or chasing after heterosexual trans women so yeah I feel like if you are a cisgender gay bottom, you shouldn’t trust a cisgender partner who is circumcised and you should not have a full commitment to them.

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Hello, could you please attach the organizations that help the LGBTQ+ community in the Arab countries, especially Syria?

And if anyone has experience with the Rainbow Railroad organization, please share with us.

Because I contacted them to see if they could help me get out of the country, and their answer was no, unfortunately, any organization, even for a financial amount or moving internally to another place.

Because I really need help, thank you.

Everyone deserves fair treatment in the criminal justice system but do LGBTQ+ individuals experience discrimination or unequal treatment more/differently than others?

LGBTQ+ individuals may face unique challenges within the criminal justice system, such as discrimination, harassment, and concerns about safety while incarcerated. Although, the research on this specific topic is limited, it is important to see whether existing policies are protecting these individuals enough.

This is important because being involved in the criminal justice system can be detrimental to individuals lives and if there is different treatment towards different people, how will that affect minorities that are already at a disadvantage. I think this topic should be discussed because LGBTQ+ communities are becoming more accepted and should be considered in all parts of the community not just civil things.

This has been something that has bothered me a lot. I notice that whenever there is a post about with media and such, whether it be tropes or regressive behavior in fandoms, there are always these condescending comments about needing to focus on "bigger issues" and often berating the OP. And they honestly get really childish about it.

But here's the thing: Media can influence and control audiences. Look at why propaganda films are being made, or with how it can be used for commentary. And despite this, so many places not only want to ignore it, but really like to be assholes to people who bring it up.

This isn't for everyplace, but I notice that it happens with way too many. Why so dismissive for something important?

People in this story so I don’t lose track,this story takes place in high school and I used fake names used for anonymity; 

Me - Female 16 (Junior, gay) 

Abby - Female 16 (Junior, gay)

Kaden - Male 15 (Sophomore, homophobic) 

My friend Abby is in a separate friend group with this kid Kaden, since last year everyday she tells me about a new way he’s found to harass people. He says the n-word as a white person alongside a slew of other slurs, each time she gets mad at him but her other friends excuse it and do nothing. I’ve never talked to him or even seen him in person since I avoid those types of people, but today she came to me in tears and panic saying that Kaden called her the f-slur. I comforted her as best I could but the day went on and she just wasn’t herself, during our study period she went to our guidance department to report it but no one was even there.

 Our school has historically done nothing to help queer students or those being bullied. Last year I joined debate club, some kid came in saying he wanted to have a religious debate and it ended with me being singled out as the only openly gay person, I had bible verses shoved in my face and he even told me I’m probably gay because my family had incest with eachother. My friend at the time was also in the club, she did nothing to help or defend me. When I went home I texted her and asked her why she didn’t say anything– she told me she didn’t want to be biased and that they had a right to express their opinion. Although a teacher was there while it happened the homophobes were never punished and nothing came of it except me quitting the club I used to love and cutting off my friend I used to cherish. It was horrible. It was the worst I’ve ever felt, alone and hated with no one to back me up, my supposed friend turning a blind eye. I never want Abby to feel that way, especially since her friends almost always excuse Kaden’s actions and the school almost always fails to act.

 So I took my bottle and filled it with ice cold water, in order to make sure I got the right person I had Abby show me to his class and point him out. Once I was there I gently asked if there was anyone named Kaden in the room. I lied and said he left something behind in his last class and his teacher wanted me to give it to him. Once he walked up to me and confirmed who he was I immediately switched my tone, I told him I knew he called my friend the f-slur before throwing the water onto him. I was so filled with adrenaline I just started cussing him out, I called him a homophobic c*** who should be ashamed of himself before rushing out of the room. I was quickly called to the office, I’ve never gotten in trouble at school before.

 I spent the rest of the day in ISS before they called my Dad to have a meeting with the principal. My dad defended me in front of them but when we got home he said it was wrong of me to have done what I did, I’m now suspended for one day. The entire situation makes me feel so scared and unsure. I'm glad I stood up for my friend but I don’t know if I did the right thing. I’m also worried having this on my record will keep me from getting into a good college. I’m worried my parents and my teachers are disappointed in me. 

I don’t know how to make this feeling go away, I don’t even know what I’m looking for posting this, I guess I just need some reassurance or advice, or maybe a similar situation that happened to someone. 

People in this story so I don’t lose track,this story takes place in high school and I used fake names used for anonymity;

Me - Female 16 (Junior, gay)

Abby - Female 16 (Junior, gay)

Kaden - Male 15 (Sophomore, homophobic)

My friend Abby is in a separate friend group with this kid Kaden, since last year everyday she tells me about a new way he’s found to harass people. He says the n-word as a white person alongside a slew of other slurs, each time she gets mad at him but her other friends excuse it and do nothing. I’ve never talked to him or even seen him in person since I avoid those types of people, but today she came to me in tears and panic saying that Kaden called her the f-slur. I comforted her as best I could but the day went on and she just wasn’t herself, during our study period she went to our guidance department to report it but no one was even there.

 Our school has historically done nothing to help queer students or those being bullied. Last year I joined debate club, some kid came in saying he wanted to have a religious debate and it ended with me being singled out as the only openly gay person, I had bible verses shoved in my face and he even told me I’m probably gay because my family had incest with eachother. My friend at the time was also in the club, she did nothing to help or defend me. When I went home I texted her and asked her why she didn’t say anything– she told me she didn’t want to be biased and that they had a right to express their opinion. Although a teacher was there while it happened the homophobes were never punished and nothing came of it except me quitting the club I used to love and cutting off my friend I used to cherish. It was horrible. It was the worst I’ve ever felt, alone and hated with no one to back me up, my supposed friend turning a blind eye. I never want Abby to feel that way, especially since her friends almost always excuse Kaden’s actions and the school almost always fails to act.

 So I took my bottle and filled it with ice cold water, in order to make sure I got the right person I had Abby show me to his class and point him out. Once I was there I gently asked if there was anyone named Kaden in the room. I lied and said he left something behind in his last class and his teacher wanted me to give it to him. Once he walked up to me and confirmed who he was I immediately switched my tone, I told him I knew he called my friend the f-slur before throwing the water onto him. I was so filled with adrenaline I just started cussing him out, I called him a homophobic c*** who should be ashamed of himself before rushing out of the room. I was quickly called to the office, I’ve never gotten in trouble at school before.

 I spent the rest of the day in ISS before they called my Dad to have a meeting with the principal. My dad defended me in front of them but when we got home he said it was wrong of me to have done what I did, I’m now suspended for one day. The entire situation makes me feel so scared and unsure. I'm glad I stood up for my friend but I don’t know if I did the right thing. I’m also worried having this on my record will keep me from getting into a good college. I’m worried my parents and my teachers are disappointed in me.

I don’t know how to make this feeling go away, I don’t even know what I’m looking for posting this, I guess I just need some reassurance or advice, or maybe a similar situation that happened to someone.

“Prohibiting trans in female sports”
“Fighting gender ideology in schools”
“Prohibiting trans in female bathrooms”
“Prohibiting children from gay parades”
“Trans children do not exist”

Those are the ONLY policies this guy has advocated for.
How does someone like this win an election?

This is horrifying. Two men were reportedly targeted and attacked simply because they were gay, suffering serious injuries in the process.

What gets me is how casually this kind of violence can happen. It’s easy to talk about LGBTQ+ acceptance as if the problem is largely solved, but incidents like this are a reminder that being visibly gay can still make someone a target.

Whatever someone's personal views on homosexuality are, there is absolutely no justification for violence or intimidation. Nobody should have to calculate whether holding their partner’s hand, talking openly, or simply existing in public could put them at risk.

Hello all! With LGBTQ+ rights under heavy pressure and our safety less guaranteed by the day, I started thinking about ways to collectivize, bring our community together, and strengthen each other (including on an individual level). I believe we need to start at the absolute beginning: knowledge. You can't stand up for yourself or protect others if you don't understand what's actually happening, and it’s important to be educated on what’s effective as well. Long story short: I believe our community would greatly benefit from educating ourselves on topics such as fascism, resistance, politics, intersectionality, and related topics. Luckily, we can do that ourselves!

A couple months ago I started a book club for this topic specifically, focused on queer and trans folks, and allies. The idea is to read one book a month and discuss it with each other afterwards. All of this will be online to keep it accessible for everyone.

Thing is, I started it in Dutch (as I’m from the Netherlands, lol), and there’s a little over 15 people in it now, but they’re not very active. It’s mostly just me keeping the server alive. So I considered just deleting it, because to read by myself I don’t need a book club and it’s bit of a waste of time, but then I considered just switching it to English so that people outside of the Netherlands can join as well. So English chats, English literature. A lot of relevant books aren’t available in Dutch anyway and I’m fluent in English, so it’s an easy switch.

The book I picked for last month was They Thought They Were Free by Milton Mayer. It's a powerful look at the rise of fascism in Germany through interviews with ten ‘ordinary’ former Nazi Party members. Today was supposed to be the day a new book was picked but tbh I haven’t finished it yet and the other members are inactive anyway, so I’d like to just extend it through October so that new people can jump in and pick the next one for November.

It’s a Discord server. Of course there’s the option to just chat, but it’s a book club first and foremost. Anyone Leftist over 18 who speaks and reads English, and who is a queer and/or trans person or a legitimate and trustworthy ally is welcome to join. We don’t need to all be BFFs but of course there is zero room for intolerance, and to be crystal clear; this includes Zionism.

I’d love to hear if people are interested in joining and whether or not I should keep this server alive. If you’re interested in becoming an active member (that is, actually reading the books, lol), feel free to send me a DM for the server link.

I thought this was pretty cool! So glad to see other trans people doing what they can to try to make things better.

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"In politics I see too much bullshit", Bree Taylor said as she announced her last-minute candidacy in Michigan's 6th Congressional District in a four part series of posts on Bluesky (post1, post2, post3, post4).

Taylor is running as an independent, frustrated with the two-party system that she doesn't think serves the American people well.

She talks about returning power to the people and increasing transparency in congress - like public livestreams of all meetings with lobbyists.

Taylor has experience organizing and with educational initiatives through the non-profit Trans Unity Coalition.

She is hosting a community discussion to talk about what is important to us.

WHEN: Saturday, October 3rd at 1pm

WHERE: Clubview Park in Ypsilanti Michigan

Her campaign website is breewins.com

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UPDATE:

Bree Taylor responded to some of your comments in this BlueSky post.

This is the way.