Can we take a second to say THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts, to all of you, for making our first couple of weeks here in the Tumblr-sphere so fun? We’re loving the comments, reblogs, and questions from you guys, so keep ‘em coming! We also appreciate the feedback you’ve been giving us about how to make our Tumblr even better. We’ve heard from a lot of you about the importance of making our Tumblr a safe space for folks across gender and sexual identities. To help make that happen, we’re going to be using some gender inclusive terms here. Here’s a quick rundown:
Gender refers to society’s expectations about how we should look, think, and act as girls and boys, women and men. It’s different from our sex, which is biological, and includes stuff like our genetic makeup, our hormones, and our physical parts (like our genitals). Gender identity is how we feel about our gender and gender expression is how we convey those feelings in the ways we dress, behave, speak, express ourselves, and more.
Transgender is a gender identity that differs from conventional expectations based on a person’s biological sex. Transgender is a big term that can include lots of different bodies and identities. Some transgender folks have surgery and/or take hormones to alter their physical bodies to match their gender identity, and this process is often called transitioning. Transitioning can also mean changing your gender expression, using different pronouns, etc.
Cisgender is a gender identity that is consistent with conventional expectations about a person’s sex. Cisgender refers to people who identify and present as the gender they were assigned at birth.
If you haven’t thought about gender much, some of these ideas might seem really new and maybe a little confusing. We came across The Genderbread Person, a visual tool that helps explain some of these concepts. It’s just one of many gender models, and while it’s probably not perfect (some might say it’s a little too binary. I mean what if you feel like you don’t fit anywhere on some of the spectrums?), it’s a good starting point in helping folks understand that people aren’t always just male or female.
Thanks to all of you for making us better and smarter. We know this is just the beginning.
- Your friends at Planned Parenthood Tumblr
‘There’s no pressure for Jessie J to be a good role model – she already is, and it seems she wants to be. All I ask is that she be happy about her sexuality, in spite of an unauthorised biographer (one of the few sources from where tabloids can still borrow potentially litigious in’ormation) enabling the Sun to out her with all the horny indignity of a rejected ex-lover.’ Sophie Wilkinson, in Why Jessie J’s sexuality is valuable to young teens. Read more here
standard warning when reblogging commentisfree links: DON’T READ THE COMMENTS UNLESS YOU WANT TO RAAAAAGE
Q: Your brother is gay. Do you support gay marriage?
A: Are you kidding me? It’s insane that civil rights are being denied people in this day and age. It’s embarrassing, and it’s heartbreaking. It goes without saying that I’m completely in support of gay marriage. In 10 years we’ll be ashamed that this was an issue. [more]
Obligatory I’m-not-just-in-it-for-the-crotch-shots reblog
— Charlie Brooker, in ‘Some people are gay in space. Get over it’, comments on the reaction to news that video game players can now identify as LGBT. (via guardiancomment)
Perhaps if gay couples and characters were better represented in comics, fans (both male and female, gay and straight) wouldn’t feel the need to pair otherwise straight-appearing characters.
But as the big players in the comics industry still cater primarily to the white, straight, male demographic…we won’t be testing that theory any time soon.
So calm down. Fandom isn’t hurting anyone. You don’t see us actively vilifying your heterosexual couples.
And remember - every time you argue about homosexuality on the Internet, a Rick Santorum gets its wings.
(Disclaimer: yes, there are a lot of orientations and pairings not represented here. This is not meant to offend. If you want to see a pairing that is not here, drop me an ask <3)
This week is International Anti-Street Harassment Week, because spring is here for many of us and so are the catcallers. Read Holly Kearl’s Feministing guest post on what the week is all about and how you can be involved. And be sure to check out the official website for Meet Us on the Street, especially the page that gives you downloadable logos, posters and flyers in a number of languages for your posting pleasure.
Street harassment and catcalling are not an acceptable part of life, nor should they be considered complimentary. They are disrespectful, shaming and controlling and there should be no permissive public forum being made for the sexist rhetoric embedded in the gendered public harassment received by women and members of the trans community with disheartening regularity.
Some good stuff here, and great to see trans people included.
Chris Colfer’s full scene in “8” - 3/3/12
This has Chris from the time he sits down to the time he sits down again, and it was downloaded instead of recorded so the video and audio quality is much higher than what I’ve seen posted.
I am nearly 75 years old. I have lived through four wars, spent my childhood in two U.S. internment camps, and watched a nation go from segregation and Jim Crow to electing an African American president.
The promise of true equality in America remains unfulfilled, but with each moment like today, I know that we can be a nation that lives up to its ideals. And I can’t wait for all those wedding invitations.
- George Takei
Keep on fighting.
^^ What they said ^^
high five.
George Takei: more awesome than you.
I seriously fucking love this fandom.
oh fandom :3
‘It’s not a protest, it’s just a hairband’
Britain’s Laura Robson wore a rainbow hairband supporting equal rights at the Australian Open on Monday, after tennis great Margaret Court caused controversy with her comments about gay marriage.
“I didn’t see anything about a protest. I wore it because I believe in equal rights for everyone. That’s it,” said Robson, after her first-round loss to Jelena Jankovic. “It’s not a protest, it’s just a hairband.” Photo: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesGood on her.
![Q: Your brother is gay. Do you support gay marriage? A: Are you kidding me? It’s insane that civil rights are being denied people in this day and age. It’s embarrassing, and it’s heartbreaking. It goes without saying that I’m completely in support of gay marriage. In 10 years we’ll be ashamed that this was an issue. [more]
Obligatory I’m-not-just-in-it-for-the-crotch-shots reblog](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2qurdadiq1qf1ouyo1_500.png)
![thepoliticalnotebook:
This week is International Anti-Street Harassment Week, because spring is here for many of us and so are the catcallers. Read Holly Kearl’s Feministing guest post on what the week is all about and how you can be involved. And be sure to check out the official website for Meet Us on the Street, especially the page that gives you downloadable logos, posters and flyers in a number of languages for your posting pleasure.
Street harassment and catcalling are not an acceptable part of life, nor should they be considered complimentary. They are disrespectful, shaming and controlling and there should be no permissive public forum being made for the sexist rhetoric embedded in the gendered public harassment received by women and members of the trans community with disheartening regularity.
[Meet Us on the Street]
Some good stuff here, and great to see trans people included.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m17bbqp0fz1qchhhqo1_400.jpg)
