lgbtqia
LGBTQIA issues are fundamentally aligned with feminist ones; gender heteronormativity is dead.
- Top Story - March 2019
To the Pretty Girls Who Wear Bow Ties
Masculinity in women isn’t the same as masculinity in men. Because it’s not about the tux itself, it’s the strength behind she who’s wearing it. It’s the confidence she has about her place on the spectrum, and it’s her feet deep into the so-called purple part of it.
Lonely Allie .Published 5 years ago in Viva 12 Holiday Gifts That Support LGBTQ Charities
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning or queer individuals have made a lot of headway in the fight for equality. Prejudice, on institutional and individual levels, is far from eradicated, and there is plenty of work left to be done. Luckily, LGBTQ charities abound to fight together for a better future for everyone. That's why holiday gifts that support LGBTQ charities are a great way to take advantage of the holiday season, showing your support to the members and allies in your life while supporting the very organizations that are working to improve these lives across the globe. Pride Month, in June, is not the only time we should be talking about and supporting these important movements.
Nicola P. YoungPublished 5 years ago in VivaVictoria’s Secret Is that She’s Transphobic
It’s time to stop shopping at Victoria’s Secret. Victoria’s Secret, a company heralded by many, creators of one of the most highly anticipated shows of the year, has vocalized a transphobic sentiment.
Mimi PegdenPublished 5 years ago in VivaLife as a Trans Woman
Everyone fits in somewhere, and it happens that I fit in with people who identify in similar ways to me (as transgender or non-binary for instance). It isn't easy being out as transgender, it can get tough at times with us having fewer rights than many would think in modern day Britain and with the casual and everyday transphobia that is so often experienced by many. To make this post somewhat easier to understand, I'm going to split it up into two parts. The first part will be focusing on the rights that we have currently under UK law and the rights that are yet to be won. Then the second part will focus on everyday transphobia that is experienced by my community.
Hannah Rose PridgeonPublished 5 years ago in VivaOh, She's What?
Being Pansexual. There are always so many questions when people learn what your sexual orientation is and it's never something I've ever needed to worry about. Luckily. However, the older I get, the more I realise that people have some kind of misunderstanding of it. Especially Pansexual or 'Pan' for short.
. Valentine .Published 6 years ago in VivaLabels
Growing up, I didn't know I liked girls. I would look at someone who was gorgeous and just appreciate that. Never did I think to myself, "wow, that girl is so hot." And to be honest, I'm not sure when the thoughts evolved to that.
Bri ColstonPublished 6 years ago in VivaHow to Cope When You Don't Feel Quite 'Gay Enough'
For years, something wasn't quite right. I was dating guys, a lot of guys actually, having serious relationships with them, one night stands (sorry mum) and just about everything in between, but it never really fit. I envied my straight, female friends who could feel truly attracted to a guy. In a room at a party, they could genuinely pick a boy they liked the look of above all the others. For me, every man invoked the same reaction which led to many confusing moments; Am I in love with everyone I know or no-one at all? No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't seem to look at a man and think holy damn I wanna tap that. No surprises, it's because I didn't want to.
Ziggy MothPublished 6 years ago in Viva- Top Story - June 2018
On Womanhood
“You are not a woman! And you never will be!”The words hit me like a slap in the face. And their volume. The crowd at the Mexican restaurant valiantly attempted to ignore my mother, who was making a scene. “I know who you are, and I know what you are and that’s all you’ll ever be!” My demure shock turned into anger like a time lapse video of an algae bloom.“You know nothing about me! You know what I let you know, and that’s it! Don’t you ever, ever…” and just as quickly, my anger passed. I found myself standing, preparing to leave the restaurant and walk the three miles of sidewalk-less forest road home.“Sit down, son.”“Stop. Calling. Me. That.”“Why? You’re my son.” Without a word, I started toward the door. My mother grabbed me by the sleeve.“Sit down.” Her voice was far more gentle than just moments ago. I swallow my pride and sit.“What makes you think you are a woman?” She asks me.“What makes you think you are?”“I can give birth. I have. To you.”“And the other four, whoever they are.”“Don’t get snotty.”“Sorry. Do you honestly think the ability to give birth is what makes you a woman?”“Ye…”“And that said, with the anguish that this has caused in our family, between us, do you really think it’s okay for you to just rub it in my face how I’ll never have children?”“Well, not with Samantha…”“No, mom. No. The problem wasn’t just Sam. She has her own things as well, but it wasn’t just her.”“What are you saying?”“I’m saying that the reason we tried and failed…” eight times, dear reader, “to have children wasn’t solely because of her own trauma.”There was a heavy silence. The tension built. Now it was my mother’s turn to get angry.“You told me she had an IUD.”“I lied.” I said, mirroring her tone. “Sam is a survivor. I’m not going to tell you the story, it’s not table talk, but if you ever feel like finding out, you should ask her. She didn’t change her number after she split. The point is that the problem is with me.”“Oh my god, that’s what this is about! This whole transgender thing is because of Sam leaving!”I make a face. “Are you joking? How would that help?”“I don’t know, I don’t understand anything about this.”“Well, let me explain.”“I don’t want to understand.”“Understand what, mother? Me? You don’t care to understand what is happening to me? You think you know all, that you can find the appropriate Bible passage and just pray really hard and it’ll all just float away?! Why do you think I am like this?!”“I DON’T! I THINK YOU’RE TRAUMATIZED FROM YOUR DIVORCE! I THINK YOU PRETENDING TO BE A WOMAN IS ALL ABOUT NOT FEELING LONELY ANYMORE!”“I’m not. In fact, I’ve accepted that I may never find someone to share my life. And I took it gladly in exchange for not feeling the weight of my dysphoria anymore.”“Oh my GOD! YOU ARE NOT A WOMAN!”“Yes,” I hissed at her, the restaurant not even attempting to not stare, “so you have said. Very loudly.”“It’s true!” Suddenly the anger was back. As if she, by virtue of having failed to force dad to wear a condom when she was 16, knew everything. I was done.“WHAT IS A WOMAN, MOTHER?!”
Sophia-Helene Mees de TrichtPublished 6 years ago in Viva Media Lesbians
We've all seen the shows with the token lesbian couple, or even the lesbian best friend in the film; oh, I wish life was like a sitcom sometimes. Many a time I've heard, both through watching these or in real life, "I'm giving up on men, I'll just become a lesbian instead, it's much easier." It is not. It is stressful and sometimes sexually clumsy, just how I imagine it is for straight people. Believe me, I haven't forgotten or neglected the wider LGBTQ+ community; I'm just speaking on behalf of myself, a lesbian.
Stace GarrattPublished 6 years ago in Viva"You Can't Have Male Friends"
All my (albeit, very brief) adult life, I have been very unashamed of my sexuality. Sure, I don’t go shouting from the rooftops, “HEY, I like penises AND vaginas!” to anyone who will listen, but if I am ever faced with a question regarding my sexuality, I will always answer open and honestly that, yes, I am often attracted to people with genders that match my own or otherwise.
Ella Nobre-WattsPublished 6 years ago in VivaWhen I Realized I Am Aromantic
Never have I ever felt a fluttering in my tummy relating to another human being. Never have I ever looked at other couples and felt a gaping wound at my side, as if realizing I was without an important limb everyone else had. I've honestly just...never really felt inclined to date anyone. I've never even had a crush. I'm twenty-two-years-old and have never once dated and, though it's never bothered me, the solo act, I have often wondered why I wasn't feeling the urge for it. Why did I never call up my friends, bemoaning a lack of significant other with which to cuddle and snuggle and lose myself in romantic overtures with?
Delise FantomePublished 6 years ago in VivaAccepting My Femininity
Three years ago, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing the color pink. Three years ago, I was scared to be labeled as a "girly girl."
Kendra Felicity WheelerPublished 7 years ago in Viva