BiGALA

This is a shameless plug, but tonight is my first meeting as BiGALA Co-President, and I would love for everyone to come.

BiGALA meetings are every Wednesday night at 7pm in PSU 315.

BiGALA is Missouri State's Queer-Straight Alliance. It is open to the whole community, not just MSU students. Also, it is open to all orientations and gender identities. Straight allies are really important, so don't think you can't come if you're straight! I feel like it's important to say also that we don't just sit around and talk about who's gay and who's straight - we will never ask you what your orientation is.

We do a lot of events and things throughout the semester other than just having meetings, some of which are issue-related, and some of which are just for fun, so if you aren't a weekly meeting type of person, there will still be plenty of opportunities for you to come hang out. And I will be telling you all about them throughout the semester. :)

MONA - Anti-bullying legislation for Missouri schools

Sara Lampe is pushing for this, and PROMO, Missouri's LGBT advocacy group, is also behind it.

There was an article in the News-Leader yesterday, on the front page, and of course, it looks like there's backlash in the comment section of the online version of the story. There are 16 pages of comments. I don't know if there good or bad, since I haven't read them yet. I'm having too good of a day to ruin it with ridiculous Ozarks hate, but if you would like to go talk some sense into anyone who is being hateful, that would be awesome. Since that's what we do.

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081229/NEWS01/812290347&s=d&page=13#pluckcomments

I Am A Figher of H8

This Saturday, at 12:30pm Central time, people are rallying across the nation in protest to California's passage of Proposition 8. Proposition 8 banned same-sex marriage in the state that only month's before had begun to allow same-sex marriages. 18,000 same-sex couples had been married in the state when the Supreme Court's decision was overruled by that Prop 8.

So, we're speaking out. There are rallies all over the country. Specifically in Missouri, there are rallies in St. Louis, Kansas City, Cape Girardeau and here in Springfield. I urge you to attend one of these rallies.

I, along with others of the Juggernauts, are helping with the Springfield rally. We need all the support we can get. It is a peaceful protest, so leave your angry words and Fuck You signs at home. Please come and support equal rights for everyone.

I Am A Fighter of H8
Nationwide Rally Against Proposition 8
Saturday, Nov. 15
12:30pm
Park Central Square in downtown Springfield

For other rallies in other cities or states, visit this website.

FSM Has Pride

Check out this awesome photo I saw on the Pervocracy blog of the Seattle Pride Parade:



Yarrr!

#1 Song Derogatory to Lesbian, Bisexual Women

The number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart this week is a song that seems like it would be a step in the right direction for the LGBT community. "I Kissed A Girl" by female solo artist Katy Perry, however, is extremely derogatory to lesbian and bisexual women.

Let me just go right into the lyrics to explain.

VERSE ONE:
This was never the way I planned
Not my intention
I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion

So, the only way a woman should even consider kissing another woman is if it the thoughts are brought on by alcohol. She "lost her discretion", implying that, had she been sober, she never would have even considered these crazy thoughts.

PRECHORUS:
It's not what, I'm used to
Just wanna try you on
I'm curious for you
Caught my attention

Nothing specifically wrong with this. In context, though, it's saying it's odd, thinking about kissing a girl.

CHORUS:
I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chapstick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it

So the chorus. She does like it, that's a plus. But she states, again, that she's just trying it. This is a one time thing. She's definitely heterosexual. She thinks of her boyfriend while it's all happening. It felt wrong and right, leading the listener to believe that this is a particularly odd happening. She, again, makes sure to drive home the point that she's not in love, that's out of the questions.

VERSE 2:
No, I don't even know your name
It doesn't matter
You're my experimental game
Just human nature

Again, just an experiment. This isn't normal. I'm just checking it out.

PRECHORUS 2:
It's not what, good girls do
Not how they should behave
My head gets so confused
Hard to obey

This is the worst, I think. "It's not what good girls do." Do I really have to say anything about this section? She's blatantly knocking down lesbian behavior, saying it's not normal in any way.

BRIDGE:
Us girls we are so magical
Soft skin, red lips, so kissable
Hard to resist so touchable
Too good to deny it
Ain't no big deal, it's innocent

Here we stereotype women. Soft, red lips, blah blah. And again demeans the act by saying it's not serious, just innocent. She doesn't mean anything by it.


So we make leaps forward through California's lift of the gay marriage ban, and only a few weeks later, somehow this song flies to the top of the charts. Just what we need to keep the tolerance train rolling along.

*Side note: it seems Ms. Perry used to be a Christian singer by a different name. Check out the story here.

Springfield Pridefest

Live. Love. Be.


Image CC Philippe LeRoyer

Tomorrow kicks off NYC's week long Pridefest. Springfield happens to be throwing its own Pridefest event tomorrow.

If you support the LGBT community, it's important that you don't just speak your support, but show your support.

Springfield Pridefest
Sunday, June 22
3pm-8pm
518 E. Commercial St.
Next to the GLO Center

Vendors, games, giveaway booths, drag entertainment, T-shirts and inflatable activities for kids will be featured all day.

I can haz random news?

I found a bunch of stuff I want to share today:

A 12 year old Australian was recently given permission to begin a sex change.

MIT developed a paper-like material that can absorb oil spills...and leave water behind.

Twitter isn't (wasn't) upholding TOS like a little punk biatch.

A high school yearbook is being attacked for including pictures and quotes from gay couples:



An autistic child was voted out of class by his teacher and peers:

Bad Questions To Ask A Transexual

You all have got to see this video. While the reason it was made is really sucky (don't even get me started on LGBT rights and treatment and whatnot) it's quite hilarious.

Enjoy!





Lauren