KNOWhomo

LGBTQ* Infographic / Law Graphics You Should See

This protection applies to Federal jobs/employments. One can still be fired in 34 states by private/state jobs for being Trans*.

Want to know more? Read Cornell Journal of Law’s article HERE.

Mia Macy and her wife, Trish (via MetroWeekly.com) 

LGBTQ* Terms and Definitions

Transgender V. Transsexual - As defined by different organizations, dictionaries and websites

(Graph from Northwestern University’s Medical Department)

LGBTQ* Nonfiction to Keep on Your Radar

Trans/Love edited by Morty Diamond

Exploring the crossroads of gender and sexuality, Trans/Love: Radical Sex, Love & Relationships Beyond the Gender Binary offers unusually engaging narratives that create a raw and honest depiction of dating, sex, love, and relationships among members of the gender variant community. FTM, MTF, thirdgender, genderqueer, and other non-traditional identities beyond the gender binary of traditional male and female are included in this often heartwarming, occasionally heartbreaking, always heartfelt groundbreaking anthology. From monogamous love and marriage to anonymous sex and one-night hook-ups (and everything in between), these stories offer readers insight into the precarious emotional and practical mechanics of intimacy among gender-variant experiences. (from Amazon.com)

Read a personal review/reflection from Lesbelib’s Exploring Gender writer, Cael, HERE.

You can also follow Cael on tumblr HERE.

LGBTQ* Quotes and Quips

Leslie Feinberg on Gender

LGBTQ* Websites and Books You Should Know

The wonderful authors and illustrators of THE GENDER BOOK have released a new 60 page color booklet for you to read, download, print, and share.

Check out their homepage HERE

Print and share the newest edition HERE

LGBTQ* Quotes from Literature

Ellen Wittlinger, Parrotfish

LGBTQ* “Rush” of History

“Mountain” Charlie Darkey Parkhurst

Legend states that Parkhurst started his young life by running away from his parents, being placed in an orphanage and escaped with only his trousers and shirt to set out as a farm and ranch hand. From there, Parkhurst went on to work his way towards California as a stagecoach driver.

Parkhurst was one of the toughest stagecoach drivers to ever work for Wells Fargo and command the mountains during the California gold rush. It is even said the Parkhurst shot and killed at least one bandit during the rush. Respected by miners and Wells Fargo, feared by those who upset the balance of the miners and a man of legend, Parkhurst was one of the most known individuals in California in the mid-1860s. 

Upon death, as neighbors prepared Parkhurst’s body for burial, it was discovered that Parkhurst was born biologically female. This information was not shared with newspapers or others. Both Parkhurst’s neighbors and doctor only shared with others that they would remember Parkhurst as one of the most impressive drivers and men of their time. 

Parkhurst has since made one of California’s “first-to-do-so” lists. Parkhurst is credited as being California’s first female born individual to cast a vote in an election (1868). 

(note: The above photo is from Wells Fargo’s Blog and I highly recommend reading their blogger discuss sharing the story with grade-schoolers.)

LGBTQ* Insight and Advice

Coming Out to Your Parents

Remember EVERY family is unique and reactions are not the same for any two people.

Questions you should ask yourself:

Be Clear in Your Own Mind

1. Are you sure about your sexual orientation? Don’t raise the issue unless you’re able to respond with confidence to the question “Are you sure?” Confusion on your part will increase your parents’ confusion and decrease their confidence in your judgment.
   
   
2. Are you comfortable with your sexuality? If you’re wrestling with guilt and periods of depression, you’ll be better off waiting to tell your parents. Coming out to them may require tremendous energy on your part; it will require a reserve of positive self-image.
   
   
3. Do you have support? In the event your parents’ reaction devastates you, there should be someone or a group that you can confidently turn to for emotional support and strength. Maintaining your sense of self-worth is critical.
   
   
4. Are you knowledgeable about homosexuality? Your parents will probably respond based on a lifetime of information from a homophobic society. If you’ve done some serious reading on the subject, you’ll be able to assist them by sharing reliable information and research.
   
   
5. What’s the emotional climate at home? If you have the choice of when to tell, consider the timing. Choose a time when they’re not dealing with such matters as the death of a close friend, pending surgery or the loss of a job.
   
   
6. Can you be patient? Your parents will require time to deal with this information if they haven’t considered it prior to your sharing. The process may last from six months to two years.
   
   
7. What’s your motive for coming out now? Hopefully, it is because you love them and are uncomfortable with the distance you feel. Never come out in anger or during an argument, using your sexuality as a weapon.
   
   
8. Do you have available resources? Homosexuality is a subject most non-gay people know little about. Have available at least one of the following: a book addressed to parents, a contact for the local or national Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the name of a non-gay counselor who can deal fairly with the issue.
   
   
9. Are you financially dependent on your parents? If you suspect they are capable of withdrawing college finances or forcing you out of the house, you may choose to wait until they do not have this weapon to hold over you.
   
   
10. What is your general relationship with your parents? If you’ve gotten along well and have always known their love — and shared your love for them in return — chances are they’ll be able to deal with the issue in a positive way.
    
    
11. What is their moral societal view? If they tend to see social issues in clear terms of good/bad or holy/sinful, you may anticipate that they will have serious problems dealing with your sexuality. If, however, they’ve evidenced a degree of flexibility when dealing with other changing societal matters, you may be able to anticipate a willingness to work this through with you.
    
    
12. Is this your decision? Not everyone should come out to their parents. Don’t be pressured into it if you’re not sure you’ll be better off by doing so — no matter what their response.

* Questions supplied by PFLAG Philadelphia // Picture from: Curve Magazine

LGBTQ* Handbooks and Resources

THE TASK FORCE TRANSGENDER EQUALITY HANDBOOK PDF

(click for PDF - 95 page handbook)

LGBTQ* Politics, Issues and Bills You Should Know About

ENDA - Employment Non-Discrimination Act

(Below text provided by the ACLU)

Employment discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers is pervasive and harmful. It violates core American values of fairness and equality by discriminating against qualified individuals based on characteristics unrelated to the job.

(Photograph Below from Wikipedia)

Current Status of LGBTQ* Protection and Discrimination in the USA 

LGBTQ* Insight Through Graphic Art

When Common Language Is Not Common Grounds

I think it is important to note how limited we are by language and how in conversation we may often find ourselves being prevented from expressing our support, compassion and our roles as allies when typing/talking/supplying opinions because words often resonate as the other person wishes to hear them. -I find it a nice slice of irony that when two opposing radical sides have a conversation (as depicted above) the language is similar even if the intention is completely opposite. Oddly enough, both sound just as naive and phobic as the other (in their own way).

 Remember, you are what controls language. Don’t let language control you.  —R.

LGBTQ* Films, Movies and Cinema

Trans* Films (the following films contain transgender/transsexual characters)

1964-2006

Goodbye Charlie (1964) 

Myra Breckinridge (1970) 

I Want What I Want (1972)

Rocky Horror Picture Show, The (1975)

Switch (1991)

Prelude to a Kiss (1992)

Orlando (1992)

Just Like a Woman (1992)

Crying Game, The (1992)

M. Butterfly (1993)

Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The (1994)

Different for Girls (1996)

Ma vie en rose (1997)

All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre) (1999)

Flawless (1999)

Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

Better Than Chocolate (1999)

Wonder Boys (2000)  

Southern Comfort (2001)

Princesa (2001)

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

Venus Boyz (2002)

Badge, The (2002)

Soldier’s Girl (2003)

Normal (2003)

Beautiful Boxer (2003)

Wild Side (2004) 

Transamerica (2005)

Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

Soap, En (2006)

LGBTQ* Pride