dykosaur

dykesanddykery:

In her early 20s, Shacazia Brown found out that her mom was HIV-positive. She created an AIDS Walk team in her memory, which grew to more than 200 walkers over the course of 14 years. Brown’s hard-earned experience prompted her to form a foundation, Survivors of Mothers with AIDS (SOMWA, pronounced ‘Someway’) to help children cope with the loss of their mothers to AIDS. Today, SOMWA has more than 300 volunteers, provides services to 400 children and sponsors toy drives, holiday parties, Mothers’ Day boat rides and other activities throughout the year. In 2010, Brown volunteered at the Kajido Children’s Home in Kenya, helping 80 AIDS orphans; SOMWA is now planning to build a school there. Brown finds constant inspiration from “the children and mothers who need support from the community, and our volunteers. Giving back, without expecting anything in return, is the most rewarding part of my work.” –KL

saltmarshhag:

privilegedandgoodlooking said: Do you think it’s okay/cool for folks who have never had faggot used against them to claim/reclaim it though? ( removing the tr*nny comparison). I’ve heard cis str8s and femmes do it, and I used to. 

I definitely think we should be honest with ourselves when deciding what to “reclaim” and honestly consider how vital a word is to us vs. the effect it has on other people. Sometimes it’s just not that important and looking edgy is probably not a good enough reason to casually say things that only serve as a reminder of violence for others. I mean, I’ve still probably been called a fag/faggot more times than I’ve been called a dyke in my lifetime and yeah it’s pretty high up there on the fight/flight response scale. But I think it’s way more complicated and personal than “you must have heard [word] [# of times] before it is your word to use.” Among people who experience homophobia I think it’s more about being considerate and aware of the space you occupy, etc.

(via saltmarshhag-deactivated2013011)

fuckyeahlgbtqlatinxs:

Recently, the Louisiana Department of Human Services and the New Orleans juvenile detention center, the Youth Study Center (YSC), introduced a groundbreaking new policy that is designed to protect the safety and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth under their supervision. This policy not only oversees the protection of LGBT youth already in the custody of the system, which are estimated at 15% according to national data, but also mandates that direct care staff, supervisors, and social service providers at the detention center shall be required to undergo training to help create a safer environment for LGBT youth in their care.

The policy, which is one of the best in the country, was developed from a model policy written by clinical psychologist and national juvenile justice expert, Dr. Marty Beyer. It is impressive in its scope, providing eleven procedural guidelines that largely encompass the unique needs of LGBT youth. The policy clearly defines what qualifies as discrimination, harassment, and abuse pertaining specifically to LGBT youth, and prohibits both staff and other incarcerated youth from discriminating or threatening anyone based upon their sexual orientation or gender identity. The policy also prohibits LGBT youth from being placed in isolation as a “means of keeping them safe from discrimination,” and prioritizes youths’ “physical and emotional well-being.” One of the more remarkable elements of this policy is its attention to issues concerning transgender youth.

Among the many “best practice” provisions the policy outlines, it requires that “transgender youth will be called by the first name and pronoun they request even if their name has not been legally changed.” The policy also states that transgender youth will not be forced to shower or change clothing in front of staff or other youth - a situation that can be especially humiliating and terrifying for this demographic. Within the provisions of the policy, transgender youth must also be allowed access to counseling and medical attention in accordance with professional health standards. All of these are enormous steps forward, particularly for a demographic that is all too often overlooked in LGBT policy making, and for a facility still under a consent decree from a class-action lawsuit filed by JJPL in 2007.

Wesley Ware, Director of the LGBT youth organizing project of JJPL, BreakOUT! and former LGBT Youth Project Director, helped institute the policy. “I coordinated the investigation for JJPL’s lawsuit 4 years ago. To now be a part of making reforms at the facility, in particular for LGBT youth, has been an incredible experience. The Youth Study Center still has a long ways to go, but they’re becoming a leader with their policy reforms. Now the challenge becomes implementing the policy. Some youth have reported being held in their cells for being LGBT as recently as a few months ago, so the staff will need ongoing training and technical assistance to ensure all youth are treated fairly and appropriately.” The facility has already trained their upper level staff and line staff on LGBT youth in the juvenile justice system.

(via desliz)

butch-in-progress:

K] The Rachel Maddow Show turned three yesterday night, and to celebrate this memorable day, the Rachel Maddow Blog has put together their Birthday Playlist.

As much, however, as I appreciate Rachel’s insight into foreign affairs, state politics, election madness, and tax-whatever… my favorite thing to have ever happened on TRMS will probably forever be this:

(For more on the Ex-Gay-discussion this quote is taken from, go here.)

Well, that, and the visit from the Women’s Soccer National Team.

I hope the staff had many great Cocktail moments last night.

Cheers to the coming three years!

reblogging for awesome video.