Featured This Week: Josh!!! :D

Hello Everyone, 

Hope you all are having a good day :)

I know its hard, because there's a lot going in this fucked up world, 

So I hope that my blog can be a safer space for you to get away, relax, and have a moment of happiness before you go back into the harsh struggles of real life. 

I haven't done this in a while, so I think its long overdue for a Featured Friend. 

This is a person I didn't know I'd become friends with, but I'm glad I did. 

This person is a true individual, open and honest, and one of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. 

He's the type of person to wave to you in the halls, and chat with you on the way to class. 

Herrrrrrrrre's Josh!!!

(All this info he gave me word for word)

Name: Joshua Morad

Pronouns: He/him/his

School: Boston Latin Academy

Likes: hugs, video games, drawing, writing, and fries!

Dislikes: sea food, mean people

About me: I am romantic asexual* and I spend a lot of time drawing and lately I've gotten really into writing. I attend a YMCA leader's club some fridays, though a big reason I go is to hang out after the meetings and play scrabble.I love playing games like that too, not just video games. I like to talk to people a lot and make new friends ^__^ ! I'm also in my school Rainbow Alliance, which is really awesome! It'll be my first and last year in it, which is too bad, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts :D

**Reminder! 

Asexual means: Does not experience sexual attraction, 

If you are a romantic asexual, that means even though you don't experience sexual attraction, 

You can experience romantic attraction 

(Romantic Attraction: who you like, who you wanna cuddle, hold hands with, etc. or nah)

PRONOUNS :D

"Know your pronouns, they're so easy

Know your pronouns, please respect me, 

Please know your pronouns, 

Please know your pronouns!

He, She, They/Them, Ze/Zim/Zir!

And many more!!!"

That is a song from my upcoming musical Louder Than Words!

Some of you may be saying to yourselves, 

"Kyle! What the heck is a pronoun? Why do I have to know what they are?"

To that I respond, 

Very good question friend! 

A pronoun is a word you use when referring to someone when you aren't using their name.

 For example, She/Her/Hers, or They/Them/Theirs. They come in sets.

 They are a part of someone's self identification, so respect a persons pronouns. 

How do you know what someone's pronouns are?

Ask them politely!

Some of you are probably saying,
"But Kyle, They/Them/Theirs pronouns aren't grammatically correct!"

And to that I say,

Stop. The point of using someone's pronouns is to demonstrate that you respect their identity, and that you want them to feel safe around you. If you think that an arbitrary system of rules is more important than making other people feel accepted and safe, that's a big problem.

I get it, when I first met people who didn't use She/Her/Hers or He/Him/His pronouns I messed up all the time.
But I realized, this is a part of who this person is, and by not even trying to call them by the correct pronouns, I'm being really disrespectful.
And then I realized I was Transgender.
It gets frustrating people calling me she all the time, when my pronouns are He/Him/His.
People don't ask, they just assume because of the way I dress, and thats something I have to deal with.
People can get called the wrong pronouns all day, it gets really discouraging.
As an ally, you have the chance to show someone you care, so do it!

I'd also like to add that just because someone identifies with a certain gender (or not), doesn't necessarily mean they use certain pronouns. 

Like, just because someone identifies as a woman, maybe they don't feel like She/Her/Hers pronouns feel right to them, so they use They/Them/Theirs for their pronouns. 

When you're introducing yourself to someone, or letting someone know your pronouns, refrain from saying things like, "Male pronouns" when you mean He/Him/His or "Female pronouns" when you mean She/Her/Hers, or gendering any other pronouns. 

Just because someone isn't a girl or boy, doesn't mean they can't use those pronouns, and when you say "Male", "Female", "Feminine", or Masculine" pronouns, 

it implies that you have to be a certain gender to use certain pronouns. 

Anyone can use any set of pronouns that feels right for them. 

Here's a chart I made, with different pronouns people use:

(There are many more, Look them up!)

Project FLUID: What does it mean to be LGBTQ+?

Hello my Friends!

I got inspired and decided I wanted to do this project I think is really righteous!

I call it:
Project FLUID: Youth documentation on sexuality, gender identity, expression, romantic orientation, and more!

Basically, I want y'all's art, pictures, videos, dance, a poem, or whatever, on your experience being LGBTQ+!

What does your identity in this community mean to you?

You could talk about coming out, or paint a picture of someone you like, a poem about how different parts of your identity intersect (for example, being Black and Transgender), or maybe send a video of you singing a song thats all about pride.

These are only a couple examples of the many different things you can do!

You can also team up with your friends or whoever!

Hopefully a lot of you submit so I can put up beautiful work everyday, or at least a couple a week.

With anything you submit, please include your:
  Name, Pronouns**, a little about you, and how you identify in the LGBTQ+ community!

Ask me any questions in the comment section, you can send in any of your pieces to my email: kylediaz35@gmail.com!

**Pronouns are the words you use you use when referring to someone when you aren't using their name. For example she, her, hers, or they, them, theirs.
They are a part of someone's self identification, so respect a persons pronouns!
How do you know what someone's pronouns are?
Ask them politely!

Featured This Week: Max!!! :D

Hello my Loves, 

Here's a Featured Friend I just had to have on my blog right now, 

He officially came out to me like two or three weeks ago and I am so proud of him.

He's an amazing artist, he's really good at sign language, and he's a free spirit. 

He expresses himself however he feels and is a sweetheart. 

Here's Max!

(All this info he gave me word for word)

Name: Maximus Theodore Francis Diers

Pronouns: he/him and his pronouns

School: Boston Arts Academy

Likes: I like vegan baking, human rights, vegan cooking, painting, reading, coffee, knitting, the environment, sleeping, running, writing, animal rights, playing with babies, camping, biking, stilt walking, feminism, good music and American Sign Language.

Dislikes: I dislike racist losers, homophobic weirdos, transphobic idiots, beginning new relationships, sexist dummies, oil pastel, rice based vegan cheese, snow, wedgies, social interactions, applying to college, explaining my gender, waking up in the morning, and finishing a comic or show and having to wait for the next episode/season

About me: To tell you a little more about me, I am a Leo. I think I’m very funny, though others may not agree. In the LGBTQ department, it gets a little more ‘confusing’ and not as easy to label or define like a horoscope sign. I guess I could be called a (mostly) straight trans male. But to me the word ‘trans’ feels really weird, because even though I’ve known I was in the wrong body since I was 10, I’ve just always just been a guy. What I struggled with was what defines a woman or a man, and where I stand. I enjoy wearing skirts and makeup sometimes, but I also might wake up and pull on some baggy ‘masculine’ outfit. The hardest part for me was not realizing how important gender is to people, and coming out to one of my best friends when I was about 11 or 12. It went extremely badly, so after some research I realized I should keep it to myself. I don’t suggest this, because for years I was incredibly depressed and suicidal. I came out again, starting freshman year of high school as an out and proud boy. People would make it a game to find out my ‘real’ name, and my Spanish teacher refused to allow me to address myself as male in Spanish. At the end of Sophmore year I was sick of it, especially since all of my queer friends either dropped out or switched schools, so I was all by myself in this giant scary ocean. Junior year I gave up, and identified as a girl. I quickly found myself mentally declining. I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly like thinking about ways I could hurt or kill myself all the time. I managed to stay away from cutting, but there were many occasions when I punched a wall and either cut or badly bruised my hands. I began to realize this wasn’t okay, and worried my family would find out and it would hurt them. So I tried to connect with the LGBTQ community and found True Colors. I made new friends, and finally decided to come back out. So yeah. That’s me. In the future, I think if I ever were to do something to my body to change it, I would probably chop of my breasts. But I don’t know if I will ever change my name officially. Mostly because I haven't figured out what Max is short for. So far the list is Maximus, Maxwell or Maximilian/Maximillian.

Hispanic Black Gay Coalition's New Leaders Institute Presents: COLORS OF LOVE

Hello Beautiful People, 

I don't think I've ever mentioned it, but I am part of the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition's New Leader's Institute. 

Basically we're a group of queer youth of color who do trainings and organize events. 

This Saturday is our last event as a group, and y'all should attend,

Here's the info:

COLORS OF LOVE

A celebration of Queer Love & Relationships

March 21st, 2015, This Saturday!

Colors Of Love is a FREE mini-conference for LGBTQ+ POC (people of color)

And allies aged 18+ designed to promote a conversation around love and relationships beyond heteronormativity* and compulsory monogamy*

WORKSHOPS:

Deconstructing Sex Education: Queer Sex 101-

The Educational Resources and Health Resources Coordinators from Boston
University's Center for Gender, Sexuality and Activism will lead a
workshop surrounding the myths regarding queer sex. Come talk about safer
sex methods, STI prevention, stigma around queer sex, and the various
intersections of identity in relation to queer sex.

This workshop will be in the first block, from 12:35 to 1:35pm

Reclaiming Our Sex-

This workshop will explore various aspects of what safer sex and sexuality
mean for people who identify as Trans. We aim to empower those who wish to
learn how to love themselves and how to encourage others to explore their
bodies in an open, respectful, non-judgmental space in conversation with
other Trans-identified people. In this workshop, we set out on our journey
by taking a deeper look at our Trans bodies, our gender identities, and
the way they shape our sexual identities and color our experience of
ourselves as sexual beings. We will explore how to map the journey to
pleasure for ndividuals as well as partners, while acknowledging both the
challenges and joys of the process.

-This workshop will be in the second block, from 1:45 to 2:45pm

Asexuality & Relationships-

This workshop will equip participants who are unfamiliar with asexuality
with some basic definitions and terms. We will then open up for a broader
discussion about what relationships, dating, intimacy, romance, and
pleasure mean to us all - and what new perspectives we might gain by
thinking about them in the context of asexuality. We invite all to join in
a conversation about topics such as: how to navigate mixed-orientation
relationships and dating, how asexuality might deepen our ideas about
consent, how historical and current constraints around sexuality based on
race, gender, and ability intersect with asexual identities, and what
asexual inclusivity looks like in the context of participants' communities

-This workshop will be in the second block, from 1:45 to 2:45pm

Decolonizing Love-

TBA...

PANEL:

A panel of LGBTQIA POC community members discuss their experiences in 'non normative' relationships and answer questions

FREEBIES:

Free HIV/STI Testing

Free Catered Lunch 

Free Raffles All Day

Register now! 

Here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jvRCm3UQ-x7ccS8YZZYhNfwcrpTw99eDboo5CDhM-Ww/viewform

** "Heteronormativity: is the cultural bias in favor of heterosexual relationships of a sexual nature, and against same-gender or queer relationships of a sexual nature."

So basically what that means is that society is structured in a way that assumes people are straight and constantly emphasizes that being straight is what's normal, like if you watch a romantic comedy, its usually a straight couple you see on screen.

Or how media and commercials are more directed to straight people (Example: A man and woman going on vacation, a woman making dinner for her two kids and husband)

Only now are we starting to see more diversity, there's definitely room for improvement.

Compulsary Monogamy: "Compulsory monogamy is the simple idea that in our culture, monogamy is somewhat less than optional."

So what this means is that in our society, monogamy (being with only one person) is kinda forced upon us. 

Its totally righteous if you want to find your soulmate, and you feel that could only be one person.

Other people are polyamorous 

(Polyamory is often defined as the practice of engaging in multiple romantic or sexual relationships with the consent of all the people involved. )

And its hard to be in a society that perpetuates a certain path for you, that you need to get engaged, married, and have kids in order to be happy, 
Polyamorous people can be happy with multiple partners. 

However, people should not use the idea of compulsory monogamy to coerce their partner(s) into relationships they don't want to participate in. That isn't right, And that isn't love. Monogamy is not a bad thing. 

Do what is right for you!

All types of love should be celebrated!

Info from: civilliberty.about.com, http://www.pepperminty.com/writing/compulsorymonogamy.pdf

HIV Prevention: A Rehearsal

Hey Y'all, 

There's this righteous workshop happening this Sunday March 8, 2015,

Its happening from 4-8pm,

Food will be provided, 

The Community Church of Boston, 2nd floor

565 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02116

Come check it out!

Its being led by my friends Kaamila and V and several others and we are going to use theater to discuss HIV prevention techniques and strategies!

We'll answer questions like:

How do you actually bring up condoms with a sexual partner?

What do you wish was covered in Sex Ed, especially for LGBTQ+ Youth?

What do you do when you find out a friend is having risky sex?

Sound fun?

Look at the flyer!

I'm going to be there, I want to see you there too! ;D

Email TheaterHealthStudy@gmail.com to sign up!

If you want to go but have no clue how to get there, 

I can help you out, 

I can meet up with you, 

Draw you a map, 

I got your back!

Just let me know what you need!

Featured This Week: Steph!!! :D

Hey Hey Hey Amigxs!

Do you know what time it is?
That's right!
Its time for the Featured Friend!

I met this weeks friend last spring.
She always keeps it 100, doesn't hold back when she wants to say something,
And she is really talented.
She can sing and act and she's really fun to work with.
(Right now we're working on a character in our musical, I'm so lucky I have her as a writing partner seriouslyyyy!)

This is Stephanie!

(All this info she gave me word for word)

Name: Stephanie Sanchez

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

School: Chelsea High School

Likes: Really good food, Glee, Orphan Black, Tatiana Maslany, Lea Michele, Theatre, extraordinary mozzarella sticks, 12+ hours of sleep, netflix, traveling, helping others, making care packages, Theatre, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, Spoken Word, EmersonTHEATRE, finding new music, CONCERTS, and last but not least my internet buddies 💖

Dislikes: People telling me that POC can be racist, People hating on or disrespecting Lea Michele, people misgendering my friends, Fake people, Being Disrespected, Cooked onions and probably a billion, trillion other things.

About me: — Heyo, I'm Steph! I'm seventeen, afro-latina and pansexual. I'm a lil ray of Boston sunshine and I'm absolute theatre trash. I wish I was joking. I'm the biggest theatre snob on the planet and it's extremely embarrassing. I'm a true homie when it comes to my friends, I think that they're all so regal and deserve the absolute BEST in the entire world. I get really emotional over everything and often thing that my friends hate me, haha. I tend to do way to much, tire myself out, and not get enough sleep to make up for all of it. I love to travel, especially when the trip will provide some enlightenment on myself  and I can help others while I'm at it. Sometimes I come off really harsh but I often don't meant to be so blunt. Honestly, I'm just some goofy teen who likes to talk about controversial topics, insanely deep conversations at 3 am and is praying to God that my friends and I don't get shot because of our skin color.