Issues

I don’t want to make too big of a habit of tying my posts to politics (even though lgbt rights tend to be intricately intertwined) because I don’t like discussing politics in general. But I’ve been trying to educate myself on the candidates to make sure that I make a fully informed decision in November and I have a few thoughts to share.

Mitt Romney has pretty much lost the support of those who identify as LGBT and their allies (myself included), as well as many women. I wasn’t quite clear on what exactly had been said from him and his team to cause this stand against him, just what I was hearing from friends and family so I looked up his platform. I was reading basically a cliff notes version of all the issues and his view on them when I came across the ‘Gay Marriage’ and ‘Gay Adoption’ portion. He is very clear on his stance for gay marriage- he doesn’t want it. He plans on creating an amendment that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. This is not news to me; I’ve heard it from people everywhere. Personally, I think it’s stupid. But I don’t want to beat a dead horse here and rehash everything that has already been said. People know, people get it, I don’t need to remind you why his viewpoint is a little archaic in today’s day and age. The thing that struck me was his view on adoption for gay couples. While he used to be fully opposed to it he is now, apparently, not quite as vocal and is leaving the decision to the individual states.

Interesting.

Romney clearly is recognizing how people are reacting to his opinions on subjects. Hell, he’s recognized that a lot of us just plain don’t like him. I can respect his view points on many issues and I’m not going to lie, he has some good thoughts about certain problems that I would be interested to see implemented. But the thing that gets me in this situation is this- he is solid in his beliefs for every other issue, except this one. Why doesn’t he just come out and say that he doesn’t think gay couples should adopt? Is it because he doesn’t want anymore hate thrown his way? Or is he maybe starting to see that maybe he’s not right to deny gay couples at least one ounce of happiness?

This is not about him being opposed to this and my opinion on gay couples being allowed to adopt (which they should, always and forever) but the fact that he is not taking a clear stance on this issue. Grow a pair and say what you want to say. If by some chance he does get elected to office, I’m gonna be worried. For many reasons but mainly this- if he can’t come out and firmly allign himself with one side of the argument when it comes to adoption how is he going to deal with the bigger issues that would come his way as President? Is he always going to defer to the states own legislation to make the decisions? In some cases, that’s perfectly fine. But how will it work if he does make it so states make the decision about whether a gay couple can adopt or not? If a couple goes to another state, can they adopt there? And if they do will the adoption stand everywhere? I’m obviously not entirely educated on the laws of adoption but I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking these things.

Now, if this were a political posting I would then talk about Obama and his stance on both these issues but I’m not doing that here. These were thoughts that were floating through my head that I think are important to think about in the weeks leading up to the election.

I’m curious to see what people think. If you have an opinion don’t hesitate to let me know. And please make sure that when you go to make your decision in November that you’re completely educated on everything. And if you’re interested in the article I read that prompted this post, you can find it on ABC News.

Poisoning Youth

I recently watched a YouTube video that someone made in which he preached against homosexuality. He claimed that people decide to be gay and that it is a sin against God and nature. Normally I would brush this aside as we hear this over and over. It’s nothing new. What shook me about this video was that it was a 14-year-old boy.

Sometimes I think to myself “In 40 years homosexuality will never be an issue because the only people who seem to have a problem with it are adults, who will be replaced by a more tolerant generation.” But then I am reminded by this video that this isn’t true. I (and many of you readers) live in a tolerant bubble being at a University among progressive thinkers and tolerant communities. There are young people all throughout the world who think that homosexuality is a disgusting. These are the people who will grow up to be the adults that spread the hate and who become politicians that discriminate. Speaking bluntly, the current older generation will soon be gone. And most of them are so set in their ways anyway, that it is useless to try to change them. What we need to do is focus our activism on protecting youth from being poisoned by the discriminatory beliefs of their parents and other adult role models.

I think the first thing to do is identify the sources of the discrimination. Is it mostly from parents? Friends? Teachers? Television? And then from there we can attack the source.

Please do not search YouTube for this video. It has an ad on it, so every-time someone watches it, he makes a little bit of money.

Meet Hammy!

Hello Loud and Queer readers! My name is Jonathan, but all my friends call me Hammy. I’m a hyper, in your face, love to laugh and love, hug-giving 21 year old who is so excited to be a new blogger for Loud and Queer! I’m a junior at Michigan State University and am currently pursuing my BA in psychology. (We’ll see if that holds….in my four semesters at MSU I’ve changed majors at least 7 times!!)

I was born and raised for 14 years in Rochester, Michigan, before moving to the least populous state in our great nation: Wyoming. Although it was a huge change for me, it has taught me to be adaptable, and gives me a bigger perspective on issues, especially as Wyoming is amongst the most conservative states in the USA. To give you an example, in the last presidential election, out of the 23 counties in Wyoming, only 2 counties ended up supporting Obama. The rest were 90% supportive of McCain. So when it comes to LGBT issues…let’s just say Wyoming will probably be amongst the last to be on board and supportive.

In 2009, I received a scholarship to attend MSU, and am so humbled and blessed to be able to attend this remarkable University. I came out as gay my freshman year here at MSU on National Coming Out Day in 2009. Needless to say I had a huge support system; MSU and their fabulous LGBT caucuses were there for me 100% and have since taught me how to be the best LGBT member I can possibly be.

I am so excited to be a part of this awesome group of bloggers and share with you, the readers, my opinions and experiences on LGBT topics and issues. I thank the current bloggers of Loud and Queer for choosing me to blog with them, and I look forward to the journey that lies ahead with this great opportunity.

Until next time!
~Your friendly neighborhood Hamster

New friends

Well this is going to be fun. What’s up? I’m Natalie and I’m so happy to say that I’m going to be one of the bloggers for this site! Just to give you guys a little bit about me, I’m a junior here at MSU in the BFA Acting program, I’m klutzy as all get out, I love people and I’m an ally. I’m not actual from Michigan; if you really go in depth, I’d say I’m from the world. And I mean that literally. I grew up in the oil industry and have been moving since I was 3 weeks old, I kid you not. Cartagena, Colombia; The Netherlands; Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Houston, Texas; and Calgary, Alberta before I landed here. I like to think that all of my travels have given me a really well rounded view of the world and people in it. Which is probably why I’m here, blogging for Loud and Queer. I was taught to accept everyone no matter who they are and that’s what I do. I don’t let people’s race, religion or creed determine whether or not I will accept them into my life; if you’re a good person then I’m there with open arms.

That got a little deep. But it’s true. I’m so, so excited that I’ve been asked to be a part of this blog because it lets me deal with any issues that arise in a way that I can say what I feel and have a dialogue about it with people, if they choose. Being from Texas, though I’d like to say that the newest generations are doing a lot of good down there I know that it is a very conservative state, one that does not accept very easily. And I don’t like that. But I don’t let the opinions of those around me down there cloud what I know to be true; that everyone is allowed to be happy, no matter who they happen to be happy with. If my cousin wants to marry her girlfriend and have children, then I want her to be able to do that. And I hope that this blog and my participation in it will just be a small step among many fighting for the right for everyone to find their happiness. I’ve said it before but I wanna say it again- I’m so excited to be a part of this blog and I hope you guys read what I say and understand where I come from in the scheme of things. I don’t beat around the bush when there’s an issue I want to talk about and everything I say is from the heart. I’m hoping that I can bring a new voice to this from the point of view of someone who, though they aren’t dealing with discrimination personally, will not stand by quietly, waiting for change.

That’s all for now. But you will definitely be hearing more from me.

Thanks for letting me be a part of this wonderful thing!
Natty

A Melodramatic Farewell

So it’s my last week, and my last post, and I have been reflecting on everything I have done since I started attending Michigan State four years ago. I came out my second year of college, my first at MSU (I was a transfer student), and it took me the year to actually come to terms with what I am/was. Since that time, I have dived head first into the queer community on campus and then dipped out. I have made some really poor decisions and I have made some really awesome ones. I have lived a life that is my own, and I have become a much different person for it.

I’ve struggled with an idea for this post. I’ve enjoyed this blog, and will continue to write on my own blog. I have a lot of ideas, but for this post they’ve all come up short. I find that I cannot help but reflect on my own queer identity, everything that I have learned over the years, and where this community was and where it may be going.

I spent more time outside of the community than I really intended this year. It was kind of strange to have so many friends graduate, so many friends who were very active leaders, that I felt it was no longer my place. I had spent a lot of time in the community, attending as many events and e-boards as I could to get a better understanding of what it meant to be gay, what I was getting myself into once I had come out. I have to say, it was a fantastic experience, one I can’t really express in words.

I’ve attended several national conferences, and nowhere have I seen or heard of such a well formed campus queer community. MSU has one of the best in the nation, in my opinion, as well as one of the most diverse. I played a small part in all of it, but I watched everyone else. Yeah, that’s sorta creepy. But I was never much of a talker, may have come off as a cold prick to a lot of people because of that. I’d much rather observe, and what I’ve “observed” is that the community has earned that title. We have all earned our place in this world, on this campus, and no one can take that away from us.

There are those schools who have meetings within meetings within meetings, who do not have a resource center, who have effectively nothing on their campus to address queer needs. How many different organizations do we have? We have a resource center with a fantastic staff and with its own space. We have a national conference coming to our campus. Screw sports. Screw education. That’s why I’m proud to be a Spartan, a Queer Spartan.

I have watched these groups grow, have watched them flourish, and I can honestly say that, without them, I do not know where I would be at this point in my life. It is my sincere hope that these organizations continue, for the fight hasn’t been won, and it may not be. This blog effort, thanks to Dennis Corsi and the Alliance of Queer and Ally Students, represents a much needed step in the further development of the community. I hope that it gains more writers who can speak to the needs of youth that are so often ignored.

I guess I should leave with a thought provoking statement, but I find myself at a loss. Do I want to leave? I certainly can’t stay. And, in a way, I have acknowledged that my time here is over and no, I really don’t want to stay. It’s time to move on. The only thing keeping me back is the knowledge that there are those lost children, those confused and unsure of their identities, but I know and can take comfort in the fact that these campus groups will continue. They will provide the safe spaces for kids who, like me, find themselves so suddenly unsure of their positions in life, who can bring people together and recognize that they are not alone.

I have a book that I heartily recommend. A novel by Andrew Holleran, Dancer from the Dance. It’s ridiculous and its gay and its queer. And it’s tragic and comedic all at once, a reflection of where we were as a community, and what we are now, and where we will be going. We still have a long road ahead of us, though we have made many advances. We may have our groups, but our position is ever temporary and tenuous. And so I will leave you with this quote, do with it what you will, think what you will, for, in the end as Yeats puts it, do we ever know the dancer from the dance?

“At least, we learned to dance. You have to grant us that. We are good dancers. And what is more important in this life than that?”

The Westboro Baptist Church at Michigan State University.

On Monday, April 23, 2012, the infamous Westboro Baptist Church came to Michigan State University’s Campus.  Though it is unfortunate that groups like these exist, it also provides an opportunity for MSU to show its unity and intolerance for hate.  Here are just a few pictures of some signs my friends and I held in protest (though there were at least 100 people who showed up)…like my sign says, it was cold as fuck.

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I Will Be Heard

I am confused by the Day of Silence. At what point is it appropriate to be silent when the very contingency of our existence rests upon the idea that we must speak about ourselves? Sexuality is reproduced primarily discursively within public settings unless you’re having sex in a park where everyone can watch you. Certainly nothing wrong with that, but then you aren’t necessarily being silent now are you? When I cover my mouth with tape, what am I saying? I am saying that I must be seen with my tape over my mouth, and that I will not speak about the injustices but allow you, some random person, to infer what the symbol means. Maybe it means I just do not wish to speak on this particular day, quite random but nothing of it. Maybe it means I have a tape fetish. Good on me but I’m not interested. Maybe it means a whole lot of things. But certainly those who see tape over my mouth, who see my shirt or know the date, will be those who are either already silenced or those entirely capable of speech.

This is for us. Us who are Transgender. Bisexual. Lesbian. And Gay. And Queer. And whatever else you want to call me or that I will call myself. Being silent solves nothing. My sexuality is not produced on my body. You cannot look at me and discern my sexual orientation in the same way that you can race and gender and transgender. Silence solves nothing. Silence is silence and people can ignore silence. They can pass you by on the street, in the classroom, they can ignore you. Especially in the school, because they can also mock you and your choice.

So what? Are you just going to stand there in your silence and take it? Are you going to profess that you are being silent for those who cannot speak? So what? You’re joining them. With agency. You are choosing to join the silenced and hope to whatever power you believe in that someone reads your symbolism correctly. Good luck with that.

Silence is death. Silence is meaningless when we are already muted and silenced. Speak. Yell. Scream. Do whatever it takes to make yourself heard that we are being trampled upon, that we are marginalized. Make it known to every corner of our Western world that we are angry. Anger is a force to be used, not one to be silenced. It is not shameful but powerful. Silence is worthless. I was silent for years. I lived in silence and still live in silence. I will be silent no more.

Again this is cisgendered. What about the trans* population? Can I speak for them? Or by evoking the name trans* do I appear as some cisgendered prick come to save the day? In this it is not my place to speak. I am not trans* therefore I cannot speak for trans* but that still does not mean that I must be silent. Is it not the white gay men that oppress the rest of the gender and sexual minorities? Do we not all walk in lockstop to the decree of my own kind? I cannot be silent in that respect. I will not be silent. I am to blame. I am to blame because I am white and I am gay and I am cisgendered man and I accept that position and will scream at all those like me until we get the picture.

I will scream for Black Woman Lesbians. I will scream for Hispanic Woman Lesbians. I will scream for every race that is not-white, not-straight, not-Gay, not-man, not-whatever. I will scream until I can scream no more then I will record my voice and play it back as loud as possible. And I urge you all to do the same. The Day of Silence is worthless. It is pointless. Tell me why I should be silent. Tell me why I, as a person of privilege, should be silent. Tell me why I should not echo the cries of those who are not as privileged as I. I have listened and I continue to listen and I will continue to listen and I will work so that their voices are heard in any way imaginable. I will be silent so that they can be heard. That is the one and only time that silence is allowed.

I have been denied through my silence. There are those who were denied even though they were not silent. There are those without capital that I have that wish to speak but are not able. There are those who don’t wish to speak but I will speak so that even their resistance shall be heard. I will not be silenced. The Day of Silence is a holiday that I will not partake in. I will wear no tape. I will wear no sign. I will not be misinterpreted or ignored. I will be heard. I will not wait for others to ask why I am silent. I will not inform them. It is not my job. They can inform themselves. They can look for why I am speaking and what I am speaking about. They will ask others. I am not responsible for their ignorance. I am not responsible for them. I am my own person, crafted out of my own past and my present and where I see my future.

I am Queer. I am a cocksucking gay. I am a cisgenderd man, I was born Male and I was named Man and I will not name myself otherwise because I have privilege that was given to me and that I will not squander. I am white because I was born white and was given power that I had no choice in and I will not squander that power. I will not be silenced because if there was ever a time to speak it is now. I have power. And I will use it to make sure that I lose it. I will use it to make sure that I can, or my children can, or someone else’s children can choose it. Fuck everything and everyone that seeks to silence me or take away the opportunity I had because I was lucky and not give it to those who weren’t. I am a child of luck. And I will make it known.
Focus on the Family is having a Day of Dialogue on the 19^th of April. A Day of Speaking about their oppressive Christian values, to say that we do not focus on THE family, that we are Other. A day to subvert our supposed silence. Whether or not this will be successful is entirely beside the point. It does not matter. The point is that they are speaking in our absence. Speaking before us. Speaking while we remain silent. I will not link their website, though you can certainly go to it if you want, but it is there. A rallying cry to the bigots who would shout louder than me. A rallying cry for those who would ignore me. Who would intentionally make fun of my tape or my shirt or my sign or my protest.

So make yourself heard. Shout louder shout longer. Speak with the silenced. Engage in dialogue, forcefully if you have to. Partake in the Day of Dialogue loudly and with pride. Do not let them take our voices and distort them. Do not let them keep us silenced. Do not silence yourselves while they are speaking. Keep on moving forward. Keep on.