KNOWhomo

*@&# Asexuals Hear

Graphic from Rational Hub (Facebook/Website)

LGBTQ* Insight and Ideas

(following text from PflagWestchester)

An Effective Ally…   

• Respects confidentiality.  

• Allows individuals to lead the direction of the conversation, lets them 

make their own choices, and listens, listens, listens. 

• Talks to LGBT family, friends, and coworkers.  

• Avoids assumptions and stereotyping.  

• Tries using gender-neutral terms when talking about significant others, 

spouses, and partners. 

• Expects to make some mistakes, but doesn’t use them as an excuse 

for not acting.  

• Acknowledges how homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism have 

operated in their life.  

• Educates themself about issues facing LGBT people.  

• Has a sense of humor.  

• Knows when and how to refer somebody to outside help, and to get 

professional adult intervention when necessary.  

An Effective Ally Doesn’t …

• Have all the answers.  

• Try to “fix” problems  

• Proceed with an interaction if boundaries or personal safety have been 

violated.  

Photo from: NYU’s Ally Week. Copied from: Toronto District School Board’s website

Asexual Art, Comics and Illustrations 

from Jigworthy!’s Comic Strip 

LGBTQ* Pride (International) Events May-July 2012

May

June

July

LGBTQ* Coming Out

WikiHow’s Weigh-In on Coming Out

Edited byBen Rubenstein  (following from WIkiHow)

In this guide, the term gay has been used to include all forms of homosexuality and bisexuality, whether that be people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or pansexual.

1. Know if you are Gay. Sometimes people question their sexuality. There are many degrees of sexual orientation, and if you find you don’t fit easily into one category, perhaps you are bisexual. Don’t allow yourself to be labeled until, or unless, you are ready and willing to be. If you feel that you don’t fit, or you can’t understand why you aren’t like other people in your life because you are different, remember that you are you, and not anyone else; and that being yourself and accepting yourself for the person that you are is something to be immensely proud of. 
2. Remember that you didn’t choose to be attracted to members of the same sex, and that attempts to change your orientation are usually painful and pointless in the end. When talking with heterosexual friends or family members, it’s sometimes tough to help them understand this, because they have no frame of reference for your experience. Try to encourage others to see your sexual orientation in the same way as they see your eye colour - it is something you were born with and did not choose. It is something that is simply a part of your being, and not something you can change. There isn’t any need to - being gay is just another way of being, and there is nothing wrong with it at all, neither is there anything wrong with you for being gay. 
3. Develop and express your individuality - if your preferred way of doing something strays from the mainstream, whatever it may be, then be proud of it - you are the one and only you. Understand that a person who is gay is no different from any other person. Like everyone else, gay people have dreams and goals, and want companionship and love just like anyone else you know. Strive every day to be the best person you can be, and remind yourself of the positive qualities and attributes that make you uniquely who you are.
4. Tell yourself that for people to accept you, first you must accept yourself. If you can’t accept your sexual orientation and feel comfortable and confident in your own skin, then other people find it harder to accept you fully. It’s your right to love; no one has the right to tell you otherwise.Tell yourself: “I am a person with feelings and intellect and a life, just like everyone else. I am unique and individual, and no one has the right to choose my life for me. The fact that I am gay is just another facet of who I am, just as being creative, or optimistic, or having brown eyes is. I may not be like many of my friends, but I choose to live my life authentically and happily. It’s my life, and I choose to be happy”.
5. Remember that you are not alone. There are many, many gay people in all sorts of communities, and there are many people there for you when you need support. There may be agencies, groups, advisers, family members and friends that you can turn to, even if it is just someone to inform of your feelings. Find a group or a hangout where you feel comfortable, and where there will be other gay people to talk with. Make some new friends, and by doing so, you will establish a new network of supportive and encouraging people around yourself.
6. Show people who you are. Coming out of the closet is the boldest step in accepting your sexual orientation, but now that you are able to live “out”, it does not mean that you have to change who you are or what you like. Don’t go trying to change yourself or wishing that you were like the other people in your life to cater to the comfort levels of others - there are over 6.7 billion people in the world, and you can’t please everyone - and those who care about you will still love you for who you are. If someone can’t accept the one small fact of who you are that is your sexuality, and can’t still respect you for the person that you are, then they aren’t worth your time or letting it bother you, because it’s not your fault that the person can’t accept it.