Indholdsfortegnelse for The Pride Edition 2023 i The Goodnewspaper

I always knew there was something up. But growing up in the south, I didn’t have the slightest understanding or vocabulary to describe why I knew I was different. I grew up in a cookie-cutter suburban world, where boys acted like boys, and girls acted like girls, and boys chased after girls, and girls let them. Kids in my school threw around slurs and words they didn’t even know the meaning of. And being born to two Chinese immigrants in a very white city, in a conservative state, I was taught that staying hidden and staying quiet meant staying safe. Although that was only 10 years ago, I’m so proud of how much my world, and the world as a whole, has changed since then. I heard the way my…

As a trans non-binary queer person who has long struggled with their own body image, photographer Terry Rickman found that LGBTQ+ bodies and stories were majorly underrepresented in photography. This led to his gender-affirming portrait business: Proud Family Portraits. “You’ve probably had portraits taken of you at some time in your life,” Rickman’s website reads. “I would bet you haven’t had portraits taken that encompass you.” His portfolio is filled with portraits that elicit all kinds of emotions: Vulnerability, joy, power, confidence, acceptance, celebration. Whether folks wear colorful outfits, or opt to embrace nudity or wear a few less garments, all photos have something in common: They hold each subject in high esteem. This kind of photography is not just beautiful; it is fundamental in including and affirming folks who…

GOOD Learn more about the status of LGBTQ+ freedom in countries around the world. Out Right International has a library of programs, resources, and global reports you can explore, outrightinternational.org BETTER Donate to organizations that advance the rights of LGBTQ+ youth on a global scale. Check out IGLYO (iglyo.org), Amnesty International (amnesty.org), and Out Right International (outrightinternational.org) BEST LGBTQ+ folks need supporters globally, but it’s also important to ensure that where you live is a safe and affirming place, too. Do your part to provide a safe refuge in your own community.…

In a world where bisexual and pansexual individuals experience exclusion and erasure from heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities alike, dating can be rather tricky. Penn State York business and computer science student Mary Richardson knew the struggle all too well. So she took matters into her own hands and created a free, inclusive dating app for bi+ folks: Bindr. The idea for the app came after her own unsavory experiences with other dating apps, like Bicupid, which charges $30 to chat with people. Less mainstream apps didn’t feel safe, and Tinder placed a ban on Richardson’s account three times without providing a clear reason why. She told Onward State, Penn State York’s newspaper, that she thought it had something to do with setting her preferences on the app to both men…

“Flee” is an Oscar-winning animated documentary that tells the true story of Amin Nawabi, a young refugee from Afghanistan. Through deeply intimate storytelling, this film captures the challenges (and triumphs) of Nawabi’s journey as he comes to terms with his sexuality. (Hulu.) “Paris is Burning” is a documentary that delves into the competitive ball culture of NYC’s Black and Latine LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s. The film showcases the beauty and art that defined the scene, while exploring issues of identity, race, class, and sexuality. (HBO Max and Prime Video) “Disclosure” examines Hollywood’s portrayal of transgender people over the last few decades. It features interviews with prominent trans actors, writers, and activists who share their experiences and insights on representation in film and television. (Netflix)…

This year, a number of states across the country introduced (and, unfortunately, passed) bills that would criminalize drag performances for children under 18. While these bills are deeply troubling on a number of fronts, including their threat to free speech, the goal of lawmakers who introduce and enact these bills is to criminalize queer and trans folks (though, of course, they typically don’t say the quiet part out loud). But if there’s one word that best describes the drag community, it’s fierce. The art of drag — the performance of exaggerated gender expression (like cross-dressing, dramatic makeup, or specific choreography) — has been around for centuries. The history of drag travels from ancient Egypt to Shakespearean plays, all the way to its role in the Stonewall Riot of 1969 and…

Their game? Hockey. Their mascot? A unicorn. In Minnesota’s Twin Cities, the first regional chapter of Team Trans has taken the ice. Initially established in Boston in 2019, Team Trans is an ice hockey league of transgender and non-binary players from around the world. In late 2021, some of its Minnesota members decided to form a Twin Cities chapter, which now hosts 100 players, ages 18 to 50s, including 30 to 40 regulars who skate yearround. The team splits up into various groups based on skill levels and scrimmage against other teams from college or adult recreational leagues. Team Trans Twin Cities makes the ice a safe place for trans and non-binary people, who are often excluded from athletics — especially in their youth — keeping them from fundamental community,…

GOOD Sometimes, exploring gender outside of our preconceived ideas can be intimidating. Start by compassionately leaning into the stories of trans and nonbinary folks. Visit translash.org for media all about protecting trans lives. BETTER Donate your time, energy, and funds to organizations that protect trans folks and provide resources for allyship. Explore a list of organizations to support across the U.S: them.us/story/orgs-fighting-back-anti-trans-legislation BEST Show up for trans folks by participating in your state legislature. Call your representatives, testify at hearings, and protest at debates for bills that would harm trans people. Visit aclu.org/action to get started.…

In the world at large, when people hear the word “sexual orientation,” they assume it only refers to the attraction someone has for another person — but someone’s sexual orientation can also refer to their absence of attraction. Asexual (or ace, for short) folks are people who do not experience, or experience very little, sexual attraction, or do not desire sexual contact. (Though, that doesn’t mean they never engage in sex). Similarly, asexual folks fall under a large umbrella of experiences with seeking romance and relationships, too. Aromantic (aro, for short) folks are people who don’t feel romantic attraction to others. All of these identifiers are totally normal and part of the vast and nuanced spectrum of sexual orientation. That being said, ace and aro members of the LGBTQ+ community…

Ballroom isn’t just for a primetime TV competition show anymore. Donning formal gowns, tuxedos, heels, and glitter, queer and trans performers of Kiki House Of Prince took to the dance floor of El Museo De Arte Lima in December of 2022. Besides expressing their fabulous selves, the group raised funds for Jóvenes Cambiando VIHdas, an organization by and for young people living with HIV in Peru. Their fundraising ball was part of a four-day festival (coinciding with World AIDS Day), which gathered around the values of mutual aid, community care, and queer joy. Organizers held mutual aid workshops, open vogue practices, and panels on HIV/AIDS before the big after-party, partnering with Body Hack, a happy hour and fundraising group for trans and nonbinary folks that has hubs in New York…

In November 2022, Colorado Springs was rocked by a mass shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub. Five people were killed, and more than 18 were injured. But where there is pain and heartbreak, so, too, are there helpers. Ladyfingers Letterpress, a queer and trans-owned stationery and gift shop in Colorado Springs — known for its witty, political greeting cards and posters — quickly activated to bring more color to the community. Ladyfingers owners Arley-Rose Torsone and Morgan Calderini took to Instagram to request donations of rainbow flags, asking supporters to “wrap us in rainbows.” “The idea that we could be a conduit for covering the town in rainbow flags and giving people what they are asking for is a very small thing that feels pretty huge,” the Instagram post…

ADVOCATE Support LGBTQ+ owned businesses right from your phone! Share posts on social media, recommend an establishment to someone looking for a new place to shop or dine, you name it! GIVE Spend your dollars on LGBTQ+ owned businesses! Visit everywhereisqueer.com to find a worldwide map of queer-owned businesses. Pick some in your area to explore or keep a list for your next gift-giving holiday. SHARE Do your part to ensure that small LGBTQ+ owned businesses are supported in your community. Advocate for them in political arenas and prioritize them when you engage in your local economy.…

“This Day in June” is a joyful and colorful children’s book that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and the diversity within it. The book, written by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Kristyna Litten, portrays a Pride parade in all its glory, while also introducing young readers to important LGBTQ+ terms and concepts. “Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches” is a powerful collection of writings by Andre Lorde — one of the most influential feminist and civil rights activists of the 20th century. This book showcases Lorde’s perspectives on topics like racism and sexism to homophobia and classism. “Tomorrow Will Be Different” is a memoir by Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person to work at the White House. The book recounts her personal journey of self-discovery, activism, and love, while also…

Evie Muir is a domestic abuse survivor and journalist who has dedicated herself to promoting access to safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces for everyone, regardless of identity, ability, or socio-economic status. Recognizing that many members of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities face barriers to accessing nature, such as lack of experience, gear, transportation, or feeling unwelcome and unsafe, Muir founded Peaks of Colour, a UK-based, trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ inclusive naturefor-healing community group. Peaks of Colour is focused on dismantling barriers to accessing nature and promoting alternative routes to healing and justice in nature. Muir offers monthly hikes across different Peak District locations, varying in difficulty to meet the needs and abilities of walkers of all ages. The community group provides a safe space for gendered violence survivors to access creative and…

There’s an experience among the LGBTQ+ community that’s become a bit of a meme: That LGBTQ+ folks have strong memories of feeling most accepted and affirmed by their high school English (or theatre) teachers. There’s something to be said for the open-mindedness and creativity of folks who love storytelling, but it’s also something to celebrate: Literature and learning open a portal to a more empathetic world. In fact, we see this love of diverse literature outside of the classroom, too. In the UK, LGBTQ+bookstores are thriving, with more popping up throughout England, making way for collaborators; not competitors. “If you had asked me in the ‘90s about setting up another LGBT bookshop, I would’ve said ‘that’s brave,”’ Jim MacSweeney, who manages London’s first queer bookstore Gay’s the Word, told LGBTQ…

In a world so dominated by the binary of male and female sexes, biology indeed paints a different reality: Intersex people. Intersex is an umbrella term that describes all bodies that fall outside of the strict male/female binary. Being intersex is a naturally occurring variation in humans — and certainly isn’t a medical problem. Whether it’s a variation in genitals, or various combinations of chromosomes or hormones, being intersex is a lot more common than people might believe. Estimates suggest that about one to two in 100 people in the U.S. are born intersex, according to Planned Parenthood. (This is approximately the same number of people who are redheads. If you know someone with red hair — you probably know somebody who is intersex.) Of course, intersex folks exist internationally,…

Gender-affirming surgeries have the power to help trans and non-binary folks access the freedom and authenticity they truly deserve — but that doesn’t mean those procedures are without discomfort. Just like any other healthcare procedure, there is a natural recovery period that definitely requires support and care that not all LGBTQ+ folks have access to. And that’s when the beauty of community care comes knocking at their door. T4T Caregiving is a grassroots collective of trans caregivers and doulas who provide post-op support to other trans folks recovering from gender-affirming surgeries. With both local and traveling caregivers, T4T offers customized support to all clients. This can range from meal preparation, bathing and dressing, medication reminders, and other household and medical tasks, to finding the right surgeon, patient advocacy, facilitating family…

Anthony Khangi Thanka is a Two-Spirit member of the Sicangu Lakota, Oglala Lakota, and Northern Cheyenne Nations and has grown up on the Pine Ridge Reservation, one of the most impoverished reservations in America. Their identity as a Two-Spirit individual, someone who has a gender identity outside of the Western binary, is a nuanced one. Prior to colonization, Two-Spirit people were held in high esteem in their communities, but after centuries of violence and assimilation, they are now vulnerable within Native communities, as well. On the Pine Ridge Reservation, rates of familial rejection are heightened, alongside crises of housing, substance use, and suicide. Thanka, along with organizers and nonprofits, has created the first-ever Two-Spirit Camp on the reservation. “The idea for this camp was to take a traditional young men’s…

FOR TEACHERS Check out Welcoming Schools for resources, training programs, books, lessons, and more to help support LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and their education. Visit welcomingschools.org to get started. FOR PARENTS Parents and caregivers of trans and non-binary youth, there is a world of information to help you support your young people. Stall with he Human Rights Campaign’s library of diverse resources: hrc.org/resources/parenting FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS No matter who you are, you have the power to make the world a safer place for LGBTQ+ youth. Check out Gender Spectrum for more resources on creating safe and inclusive spaces in-person and online. genderspectrum.org…

Up until February 2023, Finland’s legislation surrounding changing one’s gender required individuals to provide proof of infertility. This law, which was a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights, required transgender folks to be infertile — or sterilized — before their gender could be recognized by the government. Although it’s incomprehensible that this policy was ever the law of the land, new legislation passed in Finland this year that abolishes the harmful requirements and allows individuals to “self-determine” their gender identities. This is a major win for trans adults in Finland, especially as trans folks continue to fight for freedom across the globe. That being said, there is still room for improvement. The new law does require adults to have a mandatory 30-day “period of reflection,” but nonetheless removes…

The LGBTQ+ community is full of amazing people with unique perspectives, talents, and ideas. From activists to artists, and educators to everyday neighbors, this community is home to some of the most inspiring voices out there. There’s so much wisdom and beauty to be found here! If you’re looking for guidance, a sense of belonging, or just want to learn how to be a better ally, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up some awesome resources that will leave you feeling empowered, informed, and hopeful.…

As a transgender doctor and content creator, Dr. Trinetra Haidar Gummaraju uses her platform as a safe space to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ rights and tackle important topics like gender, sexuality, feminism, and mental health. As a self-described “fat, disabled, and queer” illustrator, Sonaksha uses bright colors and stunning graphics in their work to focus on themes of body image, self-care, and mental health within marginalized communities. Zoe Stoller is a queer, gender-fluid creator, educator, and social worker spreading knowledge, visibility, and authenticity online. Their experience as a social worker and writer allows them to provide valuable information from a unique perspective.…

Erin Reed is an activist, reporter, and content creator that provides breakdowns of anti-trans legislation across the U.S. She’s beloved for keeping her online community well-informed on all things trans victories, current events, and history. “Every day, I’ve gotten messages from worried people wondering how they are supposed to assess their risk of staying in their home state,” Erin Reed said in a substack newsletter post. “I created the legislative risk map specifically to help answer that question." This tool, known as a legislative risk map, considers a range of factors that can impact the safety and well-being of trans folks, including anti-discrimination laws, healthcare access, and hate crime statistics. The map is intended to be a resource for trans people considering moving to a new state or looking for…

Some of the best places in the world are third spaces: The kinds of places that are different from 1) where you live and sleep and 2) where you work or make ends meet. We’re talking stores, restaurants, cafes, and the like. But even better than that are fourth spaces: The places you don’t need to spend money to connect and feel at ease — like libraries, a friend’s place, parks, or community centers. These spaces are especially valuable to LGBTQ+ folks, whose visibility, safety, and communities are so often threatened, especially in smaller, rural areas. Of course, these are more than just another location — they are where the history, lifeblood, and energy of LGBTQ+ communities exist (and always have existed). “As politicians vie for the chance to dictate…

Even if you grew up in the Catholic church, or love singing along to “Sister Act,” you probably haven’t met nuns quite like this. Meet The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a drag troupe of queer and trans nuns who “believe that all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty.” Ever since the group’s first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday in 1979, the Sisters have devoted themselves to community service, and promoting human rights and diverse spiritual enlightenment. The Sisters work in many various avenues, from fundraising and event-planning, to hospice visits, and one-on-one education. Using humor and wit to denounce bigotry, shame, guilt, and complacency, the Sisters use a unique approach — colorful veils, makeup, and the gathering principles of organized religion — to…