Changes to the Civil Rights Act have been proposed which would define gender as "either male or female, unchangeable, and determined by the genitals that a person is born with". If enacted these changes would adversely affect transgender and intersex persons as well as other members of the community with regard to employment, housing and public accomodations.
Potential consequences of this change might include same-sex couples and their families being turned away from emergency shelters, transgender persons being denied coverage for transition related care, gay persons being harassed about being gay at job skills training classes, elderly same-sex couples being denied home meal services and transgender women being turned away from hospitals for medical care. This change if enacted would pronouncedly affect the lives of people who are simply being who they are.
Day of Remembrance
Efforts to harm transgender persons are more pervasive than many people realize. November 20th is the day we celebrate the memory of those who are no longer with us.
It's important to be mindful of the harm caused by comments made at the expense of transgender persons. Likewise it's important to realize that people of every gender identity and sexual orientation deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Allies
Allies are persons who are supportive of the LGBTQQIP2SAA persons in their life as well as the broader community.
How you can be an ally:
By being open-minded; by being a listener; by being willing to talk; by being inclusive and inviting LGBTQQIP2SAA friends to spend time with your friends and family.
By not making the assumption that your friends and co-workers are not lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two spirit, androgynous, or asexual. Someone close to you could be looking for support with their coming-out process; not making assumptions will assist them in being able to turn to you for support and affirmation.
A gender expression shared by members of the community who embrace masculine and feminine characteristics.
Aromanticism / Asexuality
Asexual persons embrace a life which does not include sexual interactions with other persons. Aromantic persons embrace a life which does not include romance. Aromantic aseuxal (aro-ace) persons embrace a life which includes neither romantic nor sexual interactions.
As aromanticism and asexuality are distinct a given person might be aromantic, asexual, or both. We can all do a better job of extending allyship, compassion and support to asexual, aromantic and aro-ace persons.
Bath Houses
In past decades bath houses provided an important venue for members of the community to socialize. They are now part of our history.
BDSM
An acronym for the words Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism. Over time the word BDSM has grown beyond it's literal meaning to become emblematic for a diverse, gender-inclusive community, the BDSM Community.
Bear
A gender expression embraced by members of the community who project rugged masculinity.
Blood Donation
Members of the community can face challenges when attempting to donate. Let's work together to ensure that our blood supply remains safe while affording everyone who wishes to donate an opportunity to do so.
Coming Out
Sharing one's gender identity or sexual orientation with friends, family, and acquaintances.
Community Calendar
Community Centers
Community centers can be a valuable resource for information about transition, employment and healthcare. They can also help you to stay in touch with other members of your local community.
Efforts to change a person's gender identity or sexual orientation.
Cross-Dressing
Dressing in a manner which stands at variance with the gender identity assigned to a person by society.
Dating and Relationships
Equality Act
In 2014 hiring and employment protections were amended to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This change has since been reversed. Since that time legislation has been proposed in several states which would afford comprehensive protection to members of the community with regard to employment, public accomodations and access to health care services. The Equality Act would apply those protection in a uniform and consistent manner.
Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act protects people from being denied housing due to their gender identity or sexual orientation. You can read more here.
Gender fluidity and the fallacy of the gender binary
Antequated notions of gender as something which is fixed and unchanging are inconsistent with the realities of the natural world.
Pictured above are solanum plastisexum which change gender several times throughout their lifetimes.
Gender Markers
The letters on drivers licenses and identification cards which specify the holder's gender. It's important for people to be able to select a gender marker which affirms their gender identity.
Gender Non Conforming (GNC)
Expressing one's gender identity in a manner which is not in keeping with expectations.
Hanky Code
Placing a handkerchief in the back pocket as a means of informing others about one's romantic or fetish interests.
Hate Speech
When we communicate with those around us we are sharing our thoughts, feelings and ideas with them. This constructive discourse benefits everyone.
You may be familiar with statements similiar to the following:
"Did you hear that Joe has AIDS?" "No, I didn't know that he was gay."
"It's best to rent your apartment to a normal person. If gay people have difficulty finding a place to live they are getting what they deserve for making bad choices."
"Don't get into a relationship with a transgender person; that's against nature."
Leather Pride Flag
The Leather Pride Flag is a foundational symbol of solidarity in our community. The flag was designed in 1989 by Tony DeBlase and was first displayed in the Portland Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade in that same year.
Almost thirty years after its creation the flag continues to stand as a beacon of fellowship for everyone in the community from those who have shepherded us through decades of challenge to those recently arrived.
Misgendering
Accidentally or intentionally referring to a person by a gender which differs from their gender identify.
Munches
Casual meetings for members of a local BDSM community. Munches are generally open to anyone who wishes to attend and provide a means for existing community members to keep in touch as well as welcoming new persons into the community.
NAMES Project
The NAMES Project celebrates the lives of those we have lost to AIDS and AIDS related causes.
Non-Binary
Non-Binary people embrace a gender identity which is not limited to a single gender expression.
Did you know that there are currently no federal laws protecting people from discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation?
Older Adults
There are over two million LGBT older adults in the United States comprising in many regards the least visible segment of the community.
A campaign advocating for the extension of federal non-discrimination protections to include the LGBT Community. Please visit the website www.OpenToAll.comto learn more.
Pangender
Embracing qualities typically associated with more than one gender identity.
Play
Engaging in BDSM activities.
Play Party
A gathering where persons holding an interest in BDSM meet to socialize and engage in BDSM activities.
Resist March
A human rights march allowing participants to join together to voice their support for the community and raise awareness of the challenges faced by other members of the community. The most recent Resist March occurred in June of 2018 in Los Angeles.
Fact Check: The majority of Americans are supportive of transgender military personnel.
Sizeism
Treating people differently based on their shape or stature. When evaluating potential partners on Collarspace please keep in mind that amazing people come in all shapes and sizes.
Safe, Sane, and Consensual (SSC)
A conrnerstone principle of the community premised upon ensuring that BDSM activities are consensual and carried out in a safe manner which protects all participants from any manner of harm.
Sodomy Laws
In 2003 the Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting intimacy between persons of the same gender are unconstitutional.
Stonewall
Stonewall is the event most widely credited with giving rise to the contemporary LGBTQQIP2SAA community in the United States.
The Uprising occurred shortly after 3 AM on June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York.
Transitioning and Gender Affirmation Surgery
According to the What We Know Project transitioning can result in improved quality of life, greater relationship satisfaction, higher self-esteem and confidence and reductions in anxiety.
Two Spirits
Two spirit persons hold within them both a masculine and a feminine spirit. Appreciation for two spirit persons originated with the indigenous peoples of the First Nations. We can all benefit from their wisdom.
