Identity
Trans People Are In Danger
In 2023, 600 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in America, and eighty six were passed, greatly endangering the lives of transgender and queer people all over the country. This is more than double the amount of legislation introduced in 2021 and 2022 combined. Most of these bills targeted healthcare, education, athletics, identity, and gender-affirming care. Healthcare bans towards transgender Americans increased more than five times. As of January 2024, 227 bills have been carried over from the previous year, and are still under consideration. There are currently forty three anti-trans bills under consideration from 2024. Of the eighty six anti-trans bills passed in 2023, twenty four involved healthcare, and twelve involved education.
ghostsandrebelsPublished 3 months ago in PrideIf I were a straight...
Inspired by a lot of people here on vocal, I remembered I wrote two small poems for an Instagram challenge a few years ago, and I want to share it with you as well.
Krishan MubasharPublished 3 months ago in PrideSmall Revolutions
I realized recently while talking to two other queer Vocal creators that I don't spend enough time in queer spaces, I feel deeply passionate about LGBTQ+ community, they are my people. Gay folks are the people that most understand me, it just is what it is. Neurodivergent people also get me, the overlap between the two is stunning.
Always Say Gay
When the whole world is connected and you're supposed to be able to be your true and honest self, what do you do when you can't? In 2024 it's no longer taboo to be a member of the LGBT community, laws have passed allowing for same sex marriage, strides are being made for gender affirming care for gender nonconforming youths. So then why are gay suicide and trans murders happening at such an alarming rate across the county?
- Top Story - January 2024
A Queer Rebirth Has Come to Vocal
The past few months have really been about rebirth for me. There have been many firsts which hasn’t been easy, and it has been more than I would have expected for someone in their late twenties. But along with these first, I’ve been rediscovering and reclaiming my identity. And along with that, I’ve also been given opportunities to advocate and empower others. From my job as a teacher, to my own inner child work, there have been so many grateful opportunities for queer voices and stories to emerge.
Oneg In The ArcticPublished 3 months ago in Pride The Story of Masculinity and Femininity
When you walk into the store for shaving equipment, you’ll see something that has become so ubiquitous that it’s easy to ignore your natural curiosity and simply buy what you’re told will work. If you’re a man, you buy the blue, orange, black, and gray colored packaging. If you’re a woman, you buy the pastel, pink, and white colored packaging. You’ll take your new razors home, they’ll cut your hair perfectly fine, and you’ll move on to more important parts of your life.
Magnificence of Jasmine Flower
Legends, cultural relevance, and historical anecdotes from all across the world are interwoven with the tale of the jasmine flower. Although there are many variations, the following story summarizes the story of the jasmine flower:
Vijay KumarPublished 3 months ago in PridePride is Not A Controversial Community on Vocal
I have been sitting on this piece for a few days now, wondering if it needed to be written or if I would stir the pot. It turns out I can’t let the subject stay unaddressed.
J. Delaney-HowePublished 3 months ago in PrideSuper policeman
It appears that you enjoy reading about super hero cops! Even while "super policeman" may not be the name of a specific character in popular fiction, we can definitely come up with some inventive and thrilling stories based on the idea. I'll give you a little anecdote now:
Vijay KumarPublished 3 months ago in PrideThe Stop Snoring Exercise Program: A Proven Way to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Someone’s snoring noises are really annoying when you’re asleep. If you or someone you know has a bad snoring habit, let me tell you that it is not a habit, it is a real health problem. Snoring is a distressing sound that is due to the vibration produced by obstructed breathing whilst sleeping. Nobody likes to share a bed with a snorer. Some people find the sound soft and tolerable but many others find it disturbing and unpleasant. People with obesity will most likely snore; however snoring is also present in skinnier individuals. Snoring can be light, occasional, and unconcerning, or it may be the sign of a serious underlying sleep-related breathing disorder. Since obstructive sleep apnea occurs while you’re unconscious, it’s difficult to spot the signs yourself. If your currently a snorer, it may be an indication of some underlying issues. There are many remedies on the market that supposedly alleviate the problem… and many do, but they merely treat the symptoms and don’t address the root cause. In most cases, the root cause is weak throat muscles. Christian Goodman's Stop Snoring Solution is a well-researched program that aims to tackle the root cause of snoring and sleep apnea. It focuses on lifestyle changes, exercises, and breathing techniques to alleviate these issues effectively.
Bar Brothers SystemPublished 3 months ago in PrideReturn to Water
Water heals. This persisting belief was a gift from my young mind. Perhaps an innate understanding of a truth that many accepted as fact long before peer-reviewed articles declared the same. Water heals. I believed this as I swam the lengths of my hometown's iconic Z-shaped community pool. I believed because of the ineffable calm that overpowered my senses as I submerged my body. Faith in my restoration kept me afloat, not my particular matter and biology or the stringent lessons of my swim instructors. Even as I swam to the depths, I felt no panic as my body depleted itself of oxygen. The pressure felt like part of the healing process. I would push my lungs to the point of blackened vision until I reached some arbitrary milestone: a wall’s edge, a friend’s leg, or the bottom of the pool. The first gasp of air as you breach the water’s surface floods the system, and suddenly, you’re alive again.
Pongal: Harvesting Joy, Celebrating Abundance
In the heartlands of India, where vast fields sway in the gentle breeze and the sun casts its golden glow over the fertile plains, Pongal heralds a celebration of harvest, gratitude, and abundance. This South Indian festival, deeply rooted in agrarian traditions, is a time when communities come together to express their thanks to nature for a bountiful yield. Pongal, often referred to as the "harvest festival of Tamil Nadu," is not merely a cultural event but a spiritual journey that binds the people to the land that sustains them.