KNOWhomo

LGBTQ* “Signs” from Our Past

“Vulva Hands” — A gesture of lesbian solidarity which was popular during the 1980s. It is believed that the gesture originated at the women’s peace camps at Greenham Common (England) and then spread to the USA. It is also the American Sign Language sign for “vagina.”

Photo Above: Two forefingers, touching downward, and two thumbs, joined at the top, form a triangle. *For the sign of lesbian identity, the hands are held over the head in the air.

Photo Source: WikiMedia

Posted 5 days ago

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queerbetweenthelines:

LGBTQ* Artists You Should Know: Robert Giard (1939-2002)

Particular Voices: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Writers

(following from the Robert Giard Foundation)

In 1985, after attending a performance of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart—one of the first dramas dealing with the impact of AIDS on gay life—Robert Giard decided to devote his energies as a photographer to some aspect of the gay and lesbian community. Thus was born his two-decade long project of photographing over 600 gay and lesbian writers—from famous playwrights to emerging novelists to unsung poets and pioneering performance artists.

Particular Voices: Portraits of Gay & Lesbian Writers is an extraordinary visual record of the flowering of queer voices in the wake of the Stonewall Rebellion and the AIDS crises, while also paying homage to many earlier 20th Century activists and writers who had urged the creation of a community identity, or otherwise gave public voice to gay and lesbian sensibilities.

(Photos, clockwise, beginning from upper left: Ann Bannon, Robert Howard, Kitty Tsui, and Adrienne Rich.)

**Note from Ruth Elizabeth:

The winner of a Lambda Literary Award in 1997, 182 of these portraits are collected in a book also titled Particular Voices: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Writers, alongside excerpts of each writer’s work carefully chosen together by Giard and the writers themselves. GORGEOUS.

Reblogged 1 week ago from queerbetweenthelines

102 notes

lgbt, lgbtq*, queer, photography, Robert Giard, Particular Voices: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Writers, queer literature, queer books, gay, lesbian, books,

LGBTQ* Poets and Paintings

Although They Are

Although they are
only breath, words
which I command
are immortal

— Sappho

Painting:

Sappho sings for Homer, 1824

Charles Nicolas Rafael Lafond (1774–1835)

Posted 2 weeks ago

76 notes

lgbtq, lesbos, Sappho, Poet, Poetry, Sappho sings to Homer, Greek, Queer Anceint History, lesbian, history, Charles Nicolas Rafael Lafond, Painting,

LGBTQ* Marriage Equality (USA) Political Cartoons

Some of the leading political illustrators and their cartoons from the last few weeks.

(Source)

Posted 1 month ago

439 notes

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If you are a woman, if you’re a person of colour, if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, if you are a person of size, if you are a person od intelligence, if you are a person of integrity, then you are considered a minority in this world.

…And it’s going to be really hard to find messages of self-love and support anywhere. Especially women’s and gay men’s culture. It’s all about how you have to look a certain way or else you’re worthless. You know when you look in the mirror and you think ‘oh, I’m so fat, I’m so old, I’m so ugly’, don’t you know, that’s not your authentic self? But that is billions upon billions of dollars of advertising, magazines, movies, billboards, all geared to make you feel shitty about yourself so that you will take your hard earned money and spend it at the mall on some turn-around creme that doesn’t turn around shit.

When you don’t have self-esteem you will hesitate before you do anything in your life. You will hesitate to go for the job you really wanna go for, you will hesitate to ask for a raise, you will hesitate to call yourself an American, you will hesitate to report a rape, you will hesitate to defend yourself when you are discriminated against because of your race, your sexuality, your size, your gender. You will hesitate to vote, you will hesitate to dream. For us to have self-esteem is truly an act of revolution and our revolution is long overdue.

- — Margaret Cho

Posted 1 month ago

1,064 notes

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LGBTQ* Statistics and Graphs

(source - Philly Mag)

Assistance/Hotlines:

US Hotlines:
Depression Hotline: 1-630-482-9696
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-8433
LifeLine: 1-800-273-8255
Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
Sexuality Support: 1-800-246-7743
Eating Disorders Hotline: 1-847-831-3438
Rape and Sexual Assault: 1-800-656-4673
Grief Support: 1-650-321-5272
Runaway: 1-800-843-5200, 1-800-843-5678, 1-800-621-4000
Exhale: After Abortion Hotline/Pro-Voice: 1-866-4394253
Child Abuse: 1-800-422-4453
UK Hotlines:
Samaritans (for any problem): 08457909090 e-mail jo@samaritans.org
Childline (for anyone under 18 with any problem): 08001111
Mind infoline (mental health information): 0300 123 3393 e-mail: info@mind.org.uk
Mind legal advice (for people who need mental-health related legal advice): 0300 466 6463 legal@mind.org.uk
b-eat eating disorder support: 0845 634 14 14 (only open Mon-Fri 10.30am-8.30pm and Saturday 1pm-4.30pm) e-mail: help@b-eat.co.uk
b-eat youthline (for under 25’s with eating disorders): 08456347650 (open Mon-Fri 4.30pm - 8.30pm, Saturday 1pm-4.30pm)
Cruse Bereavement Care: 08444779400 e-mail: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Frank (information and advice on drugs): 0800776600
Drinkline: 0800 9178282
Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 802 9999 1(open 2 - 2.30pm 7 - 9.30pm) e-mail info@rapecrisis.org.uk
Rape Crisis Scotland: 08088 01 03 02 every day, 6pm to midnight
Italian Hotlines:
Telefono Amico (for support in case of depression, solitude, all kind of emotional needs):199 284 284 (every day, 10am - 24pm)
Telefono Azzurro (for kids and teenagers): 1 96 96 (24h a day, 365 days a year); 114 (for immediate danger, 24h every day)
Antiviolenza Donne (for women victims of any sort of violence): 1522 (24h every day)
Alcolisti Anonimi (Alcoholics anonymous): 06 66.36.620

Posted 1 month ago

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hotlines, lgbtq, lgbt, bisexual, gay, lesbian, high school, depression, suicide, statistics, insight, by the numbers, education, safe space,

KNOWhomo Repost:

Flags of Our Family

With flags being flown across the country, accompanied by dedicated voices, strength, and compassion, we provide a helpful history of some of the colors waving above our heads.

(for more information, check out #Flag)

knowhomo:

LGBTQ* Pride Flags You Should Know

#1: LGBTQ* Pride (**first flag in 1978 with 8 colors represented Lesbian/Gay culture)

#2: Bisexual Pride

#3: Pansexual Pride

#4: Asexual/Ace Pride

#5: Genderqueer Pride (click HERE for more information)

#6: Intersex Pride

#7: Trans* Pride

#8: Lipstick Lesbian Pride

#9: Bear Pride (click HERE for more information)

#10: Leather Pride

Reblogged 1 month ago from moreweknow

1,794 notes

lgbtq, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, ace, asexual, genderqueer, intersex, trans*, transgender, flag,

LGBTQ* Comedy and Sketch Comedy

The Big Gay Sketch Show - “Lesbian Speed Dating”

Posted 1 month ago

134 notes

lgbtq, humor, funny, sketch, queer women, the big gay sketch show, tbgss, stereotypes, Julie, Kate, lesbian, speed dating,

Moderator Response Videos

KNOWhomo creator, Rebecca, responds to internet trolls and bullies

(You can watch the full video here)

Posted 1 month ago

515 notes

lgbt, lgbtq, noh8, bullying, bully, trolls, homophobia, Youtube, queer, gender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, genderqueer, trans, transgender,

knowhomo:

LGBTQ* History and Publications You Should Know

VISE VERSA - by Lisa Ben

“…a magazine dedicated, in all seriousness, to all those who will never quite be able to adapt ourselves to the iron-clad rules of Convention.” VISE VERSA, North America’s FIRST LGBT publication.

VICE VERSA was a hand typed publication from Lisa Ben (Edythe Eyde) that ran from June 1947- February 1948. The “magazine” was sent to various queer women to read and then in turn sent from those individuals to other individuals. It was strictly passed between and through the mail system. Only 10 copies of each “magazine” were published with each edition.

Bit of extra Queer* history:

At this time, it was ILLEGAL in the United States to publish LGBTQ* literature.

Extra Credit:

Lisa Ben is an anagram of the word “lesbian.”

(you can read each VISE VERSA here)

Reblogged 1 month ago from moreweknow

167 notes

KNOWhomo, Lisa Ben, Lesbian, Vice Versa, We all start somewhere, queer publications,

LGBTQ* American Commercials You Might Enjoy

(Microsoft) Outlook.com’s “Get Up To Date” features a Lesbian Wedding

This 30 second commercial featuring Macklemore’s music, is already making waves and receiving backlash online/in the media/in conversations by some of those around me. Remember, if you’d like to add a positive note or thank you or even a “like,” you can head directly over to YouTube and send Microsoft a shout out.

Currently there are 1,075 likes and 280 dislikes. If this was a graded test, Microsoft would be receiving at 79% positive (based on likes) grade right now. That’s not even a ‘B.’ — Rebecca

Posted 1 month ago

360 notes

lgbtq, microsoft, lesbian, wedding, commericial, media, representation in media,

Happy St Patrick’s Day / Weekend All!

LGBTQ* History You Might Not Know

An IRISHMAN was the FIRST person given credit for using the term “lesbian” in modern English form. William King published his book of poetry, ‘THE TOAST’ in 1732. It was a satirical collection of poems addressing Dublin sociaslites. At one point, King wrote “lesbian love,” — which is the first recorded modern use of “lesbian” to cannote same-sex relations.

Historical Information?

St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in Ireland in the early 17th century and became an official holiday in Ireland in 1903.

Personal Note:

This Irish gal sends a kiss to her English lass on the other side of the country. Be safe and Happy St. Patrick’s Day -Rebecca

(shirt source)

Posted 2 months ago

749 notes

lgbtq, gaelic, st pats, Saint Patrick's Day, History, Irish, Lesbian,

Comedy, Punchlines, Sarcasm, and Ironic Twists from Comedians and Writers

* When it comes to exploring the sea of love, I prefer buoys. ~Andrew G. Dehel
* Why can't they have gay people in the army? Personally, I think they are just afraid of a thousand guys with M16s going, "Who'd you call a faggot?" ~John Stewart
* My mother took me to a psychiatrist when I was fifteen because she thought I was a latent homosexual. There was nothing latent about it. ~Amanda Bearse
* Some women can't say the word lesbian... even when their mouth is full of one. ~Kate Clinton
*- My mother made me a homosexual. - If I gave her the wool, would she make me one too? ~Graffiti, London, 1978
*I like my beer cold, my TV loud, and my homosexuals flaming. ~Matt Groening, The Simpsons (Homer)
* We love men. We just don't want to see them naked. ~Two Nice Girls
* The next time someone asks you, "Hey, howdja get to be a homosexual anyway?" tell them, "Homosexuals are chosen first on talent, then interview... then the swimsuit and evening gown competition pretty much gets rid of the rest of them." ~Karen Williams
* If Michelangelo had been straight, the Sistine Chapel would have been wallpapered. ~Robin Tyler
*If you removed all of the homosexuals and homosexual influence from what is generally regarded as American culture, you would pretty much be left with "Let's Make a Deal." ~Fran Lebowitz
* My cousin is an agoraphobic homosexual, which makes it kind of hard for him to come out of the closet. ~Bill Kelly
* I can't help looking gay. I put on a dress and people say, "Who's the dyke in the dress?" ~Karen Ripley
* Trust a nitwit society like this one to think that there are only two categories - fag and straight. ~Gore Vidal
* Bisexuality immediately doubles your chances for a date on Saturday night. ~Woody Allen
* My sexual preference is often. ~Author Unknown
* If male homosexuals are called "gay," then female homosexuals should be called "ecstatic." ~Shelly Roberts
Find more at QuoteGarden.com