Amplify Issues - Discrimination

Welcome to Charm City!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:22:00 -0500

This past weekend, I attended the LGBT Equality Conference: Creating Change. I must say that it was one of the GREATEST experiences of my life. I learned a lot, I listened even more and the things I saw were incredible. On my flight going to Baltimore around this time last week I was hoping to find something to dedicate my passion to and as I expected I came back home to North Carolina full of inspiration and motivation. The human rights movement is an amazing one. Hearing Ben Jealous, President of the NAACP, spoke volumes to me. I realized I have responsibility to my NAACP chapter at home and the greater community to speak up on the issues of education, jobs, housing, immigration, marriage, and the right to love, dignity, and respect. All these things affect all of us regardless of whether we are black, white, purple, gay, transgender, rich, poor and everything in between. Once we start to realize that we are one human race, I guarantee we will be better off. But honestly, if we knew that I wouldn’t be posting this blog nor would there be a need for Creating Change.

To anyone reading this, you don’t have to go to a conference or travel anywhere to get involved in a movement. Find something to be passionate about whether its LGBT rights or the DREAM Act. Make sure that it comes from the heart and I promise everything will fall into place. There are an abundance of organizations, that specialize and do advocacy work in ALL areas. We live in an era where the world is literally at our fingertips (those who have that privilege… conversation coming in my next blog). Don’t let ANYONE deter you from your goal… the work isn’t easy nor will it happen overnight but it can be done. Like my mother tells me all the time “The world is yours, take it”

Go out and Create Change.

The proof that one truly believes is in action. –Bayard Rustin

With Black History Month, quickly approaching (tomorrow)… take the time to attend events highlighting the achievements of African-Americans not the Martin Luther Kings or Malcolm X’s. But those who helped them get where they are in history. Find your passion and find a spot for yourself.

Think Before You Leap

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:39:00 -0500

I currently have an internship at local highschool in North Carolina with a teen prevention program that aims to give students to skills to make good decisions and become peer educators (like me!) in their communities and to students in the local middle schools.

These are all kids in 10-12 grade, so when we talk about sex I get all kinds of questions and I am grateful to be able to give them medically accurate information. (I hear some crazy stuff) However, today the topic of homosexuality came up.

One student, asked me "Miss. Amara, if a guy performs oral sex on a guy because he just wants to try it... doesn't that make him gay?" Before I could answer, she continued "And if a girl does it to another girl, she is just experimenting or is she bi (bisexual)?" I smiled. Everyone was listening intentally, closer then they had all class period. I told them that no one can tell anyone else what their sexual orientation is. Only YOU can make that decision, it is not up to anyone but themselves. If they want to experiment that's fine (as long as they protecting themselves) but no one can make that decision for them but them. I encouraged them to be careful about how they identify other people because again that isn't their decision and as peer educators you have to encourage others to educate themselves.

I may have gotten a little radical, had a small flashback to Creating Change. By saying "You realize that these identities that you speak of such as performing a certain behavior makes you a certain way, someone else created those and they (whoever they are) do the same to people based on their race and class. So remember that before you tell someone who THEY are. Don't play a part in the same oppression that oppresses you.

Love.

Target Card Calls Pregnant Girls Whores

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:20:00 -0500

At a Target store in California, a shopper browsing the greeting card aisle was intrigued by a card that read, “Heard you’re pregnant,” but was shocked when inside the card all it said was, “Whore.”

In the handful of articles I found on this story, I couldn’t believe that the consensus was that either the card was funny or that it didn’t matter and anyone who was offended should chill out and get a sense of humor. Really? Shaming and bullying young, sexually active girls and young women about an unplanned pregnancy is funny? It’s no big deal that a girl was called a whore? Do you think she deserves it because she dared to make a choice of having sex without your approval?

Because let’s be clear here: this is targeting young, unmarried women and girls. Who would even think to call a married woman a whore for getting pregnant? Who assumes that a married woman getting pregnant is automatically a bad thing that she should be called names for? And who would call an older, single woman a whore for getting pregnant? Married women and older, single women are socially allowed to have sex. The fact that they have sexual desires and act upon those desires is understood and accepted. The same respect for female sexuality is unfortunately not nearly as common for young women.

When a young woman becomes pregnant, it’s as if she has done something horribly wrong. Calling her a whore signifies the stereotypes that she has slept with several men (which is also seen as something horribly wrong for a young woman) and that she must have low self-esteem because it is presumed that she lets men use her (which, though it hardly stops anyone from slinging this insult, also unfairly makes men out to be animals who only want instant-gratification sex and then discard the girl without further thought).

Calling a girl a whore for the fact that she had sex and accidentally got pregnant devalues the choice that girl made to have sex and devalues her ability to make a positive sexual decision. When someone is called a whore, they are being told that the way they have chosen to express and practice their sexuality is wrong. Teenage sexuality is not inherently wrong. But when we have a culture that believes that it is, then the girls who get outed for having sex by becoming pregnant face much harsher torment and ridicule than all the other sexually active girls. They somehow get more blame and are more publicly shunned.
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Living in a Glass House & Throwing Stones - Syd 'tha' Kid

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:17:00 -0500

It seems pretty ludicrous that Syd ‘tha’ Kid of the infamous, controversial group OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All) would dare to openly criticize others about their lifestyle choices. Syd recently revealed her sexual orientation in the music video for ‘Cocaine’, one of the collaborations between herself and Matt Martians, the second half of the sub-group ‘The Internet’.

In an interview for LA Weekly, Syd shared some unsolicited information about the sexual orientation of certain celebrities.

"There's Alicia Keys, who's married to Swizz Beatz - we know that shit ain't real. You got Queen Latifah kissing Common in movies. Missy Elliott saying she don't wanna hang with bitches. You know she loves her some bitches."

Granted, the question was about the lack of out and proud urban artists, and I completely get the frustration she feels as a young gay woman who doesn’t have too many people to look up to. Still, I can’t believe that someone who is affiliated with a group as hateful as Odd Future, would dare to point fingers at anyone else over their lifestyle choices.

It’s baffling enough that a GAY WOMAN would ever defend homophobic, misogynist, racist music. It’s like the story of the half Hawaiian/half Hispanic woman who married a white supremacist on Hitler’s birthday. How can anyone associate with someone who seems to hate a part of their identity? I don’t get it.

I can’t say anything about the sexual orientations of the people who she ‘outed’. If there’s one thing that I have learned, it’s that human sexuality is way too fluid and complicated to ever be categorized as one thing or another. People constantly evolve, and when they do, we learn new things about the human capacity for love and desire.

Take for instance concepts like pansexuality, queer-genderedness, and the identifier ‘masculine of center’. A few years ago, we hadn't heard of these. We never knew that anyone could possibly feel this way. And while most people can barely wrap their heads around ‘queer’ and ‘intersex’, let alone pomosexuality and others, they exist. Maybe the reason why these people haven’t come out is because they still haven’t figured out who they are.

Hey! It happened to Chris Crocker. He went from being a pretty boy, to a pretty girl, and now he’s back to being a good-looking young man with a stubbled chin. When asked why he went back to identifying as a man, he said that was who he felt he was right now (“…isn’t the point of life to grow and to change?”). It’s all about evolution and transitioning. There’s absolutely nothing that dictates that we must nail ourselves to a certain identity.

It could be said that Syd is at a stage in her life where she hasn’t quite decided who she is. Hence her dislike of the word ‘lesbian’ and hanging out with ‘groups of lesbians’. Maybe she’ll come to identify as queer. Maybe she’ll identify as male. The point here is, for someone with such a scrambled agenda, you’d think she would sympathize with Queen Latifah and co. instead of stating unfounded accusations as though they were hard facts. Hell, it’s almost as if she felt lonely after coming out and decided to out some other people to keep her company.

As for the whole Odd Future controversy thing, the duo had this to say,

Martians: "Hodgy, Tyler and Earl didn't plan to rap about those things to get a reaction from the media. They were doing it from the jump. So don't crown us for being these 'important' guys, and then what you crown us for, you wanna clown us for. We didn't ask for you to put us up here like this."

Syd: "If you don't like it, don't listen to it."

Martians: "Right. But a lot of people do because they feel like they have to listen to Odd Future. They feel like they need to have an opinion."

Syd: "That, and a lot of people feel like they don't have a cause to fight for. So when they can get on the internet and rant about something, they take their chance."

Martians: "People like being offended. Let's be real."

If the interview was a courtroom and they were the defendants, they’d lose the case before it even started. First, if they had been rapping like that from the get go and people had started to tell them their music was hateful, why didn't they just stop? If they recognize that their lyrics celebrate rape, homophobia, and misogyny (all bad things clearly), isn’t there a better way to express their talent without offending so many people?

Second, it’s true that we could all just not listen to their music if we don’t like it. I personally have applied the “shut your eyes/ears if you don’t like it” theory, but I bet that if I came on the radio everyday and said something hateful directed at the group (Like Will & Grace’s Karen Walker did to Beverly Leslie – “Attention Republicans! Beverly Leslie is a homosexual. I repeat, a homosexual”), I bet they’d have some interesting things to say.

I’m going to break my rule about not calling things stupid just because I don’t agree, to say yes, the theory that people are so mad at Odd Future because they feel they need to have an opinion and have no other cause to fight for is stupid. The statement claims that people essentially do not have anything better to do. Stupidest of all, is the statement that people like being offended. REALLY?! I don’t know about you but I don’t like to get my feathers ruffled for no reason. Like anyone would ever go, “Hmmmm, I’m bored. Lemme go on the internet and find something to get angry about.”

I blame the people who are constantly hyping up their music, telling them that they can do no wrong and to please, go ahead and call everyone names even if the world keeps telling you we don’t like it.

VIDEO: Senator Al Franken Speaks Out on the Student Non-Discrimination Act

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:55:00 -0500

Minnesota Senator Al Franken has released a new video in support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that would protect public school students against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Senator Franken and Representative Jared Polis (CO) introduced the federal legislation in March 2011.

In the video, Franken reminds us:

"Nine out of ten LGBT kids are harassed or bullied in school. A third skipped school in the past month because they felt unsafe. And study after study has shown that LGBT kids are much more likely than their peers to attempt suicide. This is a tragedy and it's happening right now.
But the sad truth is that our federal laws…do not protect these kids."

Here's what you can do: Visit the Amplify Take Action Center and take one minute to email your Senators. Tell them to support the Student Non-Discrimination Act.

Thank you!

First Anti-Discrimination, Then Marriage Equality!!!

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:01:00 -0500

I have touched on this subject on a number of blogs I have written for Amplify, but I would just like to come out and state this, while I do whole-heartedly support gender neutral marriage, I believe that for any state to consider such legislation, they should first have comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, and there are many good rationales behind this.

Consider this, marriage is something which requires a good deal of economic and social stability, and that can only be achieved by being able to find a home and job, as well as being able to get an education, and if there are no anti-discrimination laws, that can become difficult. I am in a financially precarious situation, and I cannot even think about getting married right now. Plus, getting married would prevent me from being able to collect SSD on my parents' record once they retire, die, or if they become disabled, whichever comes first (of course this is in case I am unable to be substantially and gainfully employed).

Thus, marriage is not as much of a personal issue for me, even though it is something I care about. Relate this to Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs, the safety provided by anti-discrimination laws is a more basic need than the love/belonging that is supposed to be the precursor to marriage.[More]

Rant about objectification of women... Grr.

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:14:00 -0500

Alrighty - so this blog post is more of an angry rant.

I teach Human Sexuality & this past week the students' assignment was to purchase condoms or a feminine hygiene product then write a reflection about it. A lot of the students enjoyed it, and despite their anxiety, they realized that it's perfectly okay to buy safer sex products. All of that was well & good; made me happy that it was a useful assignment....

BUT THEN.... One of my students said he went through a self check out line and there were a group of young teens who were loudly making comments about how he (my student) was going to "tap that."

UGH- Tap That???? I HATE that phrase. Women (or any human for that matter) are NOT things!!!

The student did not seem to be bothered by the teens (other than that they were obnoxious), but it definitely bothered me... I'm mad that random strangers attempted to embarrass my student, but I am more mad that as young men they already have this view of women as objects - this is not okay, plain & simple.

Call to activists: we need to change this! What have you all done in the past to address this issue?!

Testing, testing, 1..2.. oh shit, this isn't working, is it......

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:36:00 -0500

So we're aware of the war on the backbone of our American society, aka those from beneath the "border" who are here to support their families since NAFTA undersold their markets right from under them, and how much of America and Congress and our damned President Obama is trying hard to eradicate, as if they were rodents? Yup, well Alabama actually made some moves, good for you! But umm, those moves may have definitely been the wrong ones.. ooops??

See, they actually thought that Americans, albeit we all are scrambling around for jobs, would want to work the fields. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, oh Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama, you silly goose! Americans are a spoiled people, we really are. I include myself in this, why? Because I still profit from the capitalist structure I am working to dismantle. Although I am working on myself, we all profit from the system, whether we are trying to break free or not...

Anyways, as my title perfectly demonstrates, this test to hire Americans to do the jobs immigrants did in the fields failed.. big time. Acording the an article highlighting this failure, Test fails to replace immigrant laborers with U.S. citizens in Alabama, Jerry Spencer, chief executive of the Birmingham-based Grow Alabama, which sells and promotes produce grown in the state of Alabama, suggested they hire Americans to do what the immigrants did in the field. Apparently, Americans aren't as gung-ho about picking fruits and vegetables as anticipated;

Spencer said that of more than 50 people he recruited for the work, only a few worked more than two or three days, and just one stuck with the job for the last two weeks."It’s pretty discouraging," said Spencer.

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The Lie on Homosexuality

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:27:00 -0500

I can't seem to understand why there is a seemingly presistant idea that someone can "contract" Homosexuality, Bisexuality, and Transgenderism. You don't turn GLBTQ just from comming into contact with someone or something that is. Why isn't this strange homophobic and transphobic idea looked at in its reverse? If the argument is "brainwashing through realitive behavior" then why is it that people aren't taking the same precausions towards every one else? So if I hang out with boys will I turn into one? I think not, GLBTQ people are born that way and/or choose it at as a life choice. So please spread the word that GLBTQ people are not "contagious" and learn to accept us for ourselves. :3

Same-Sex Marriage and Me

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:47:00 -0500

Sometimes I dream about my marriage and the ceremony and even all the tiny details I want at my wedding, but then I remember that I am LESBIAN and that almost all the states in the USA ban same-sex marriage. It is sad and often I ask myself "Why? Why cant I have MY fariytale wedding? What does it matter who Im marrying? Why cant I have my happily ever after with the love of MY life?" And to top it off is the fact that if you do get married in a state that allows it, you cant move away or visit other states without the risks of complications when other states profess that they do not support your marriage. So who's right is it to say how marriage should be defined? Love is Love, and shouldn't be catagorized and battered by legalization and someone else's "moral values". I can not settle for just a couple of states allowing marriage, I will not rest until almost all or every single state allows for same-sex marriage! Im ever hopeful for these political promises of reform and abolishing bills and laws that make life unreasonably complicated for all GLBTQ people. I just hope that by the time I am ready to walk down that aisle and into an amazing adventure with my wife, that I will be able to do so freely and without fear.

Bizarre Attempt at Sex Discrimination at Philadelphia Library

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:28:00 -0500

Something is fishy at the Fumo Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia at 2437 S Broad St. in far South Philadelphia, and its not the fact that its namesake is currently serving time in federal prison on 137 counts of graft. You see, many of Free Library's locations require key access to their restrooms, whether they be unisex, men's or women's rooms. And sometimes, if there is a situation where there are 2 single occupancy restrooms, they will gender segregate them. Such is the case of the Fumo Library, except that they have put a new twist on bathroom segregation.

The men's room instructions are a bit misleading, since there is a key that is easily grab-able at the perimeter of the desk. This is sex discrimination because in this case, men have the privilege of being able to grab the key from a designated area, while women have to go up to a person, whether it be a desk worker or security guard, to gain access to the women's room, which may be hard if they are in the middle of something. Just for having these two signs up, the FLP could be cited by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations solely on the present disparate treatment based on sex (the question is not the gender segregation of the restrooms, but the differing protocols for bathroom access, which, due to the "gatekeeper" nature of the women's room, creates an undue burden for women).

But let's forget about the blatant sex discrimination as it relates solely to the gender binary for one second. I decided to use the restroom there, and being an unpassable transwoman, it would be a test of their compliance of the Fair Practices Ordinance. I was, surprisingly, buzzed in at the Fumo branch and have used the women's key to gain access without even a wince or a shudder, but like the whole issue with SEPTA monthly and weekly passes -- yes, maybe sometimes a person who does not easily pass can be able to use a pass with a sticker denoting their true gender identity, but...what about the next time?

I went to the main library at 19th and Vine once and was allowed to use the women's room, even with a guard stationed there (only library in the city which does not require a key to access and is multi-occupancy). However, the next time, I was called a man by another security guard and now, I am not allowed to use the women's room. I filed a complaint, but two months later and its still not acted on.

While the signs themselves could be viewed as a blatant violation of the ordinance based on sex, this creates a liability to be sued on charges of gender identity discrimination if somebody decided to act in a transphobic manner and deny someone use of the appropriate facilities.

This is especially disturbing since both restrooms are SINGLE OCCUPANCY. I could see how unsegregating a multiple occupancy restroom is politically unfeasible in these times, but there is no valid reason, even for religious conservatives, to gender-segregate two rooms in which you will be sharing with no other person at any given time. I am currently trying to have that practice BANNED in Philadelphia, and have several councilmembers on my side, with legislation likely being introduced as early as January. There is no way any reasonable person should be putting an undue burden on the trans community and creating two separate protocols for each gender for no legitimate reason.

And for reference, here is what any establishment should do when faced with two single occupancy restrooms (taken at Whole Foods at 10th and South):

-Jordan Gwendolyn Davis

Dont Ask, Dont Tell, and Dont be Trans

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:29:00 -0500

History is being made today for the lesbian, gay, bi, and respective non-heterosexual communities the US Military policy Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) officially is repealed. Everyone is celebrating, and I'm celebrating too, but I have to admit I'm more jaded than joyful. Today as the LGB military is coming out, trans* military is being left out.

As an activist rooted in the anti-war/anti-military movement, even I recognize the significance of the USA's largest employer (the federal government) removing a grossly discriminatory policy that theoretically places sexually queer people on equal footing with non-queer people. That's a big deal. And I think it is an even bigger deal that this momentously important event for the "LGBT" community completely leaves off the T. One would like to believe that if high schools can create gender identity and expression inclusive policies then congress can too, but apparently not. An early Department of Defense report on DADT, referenced by several blogs and articles, stated: “Transgender and transsexual individuals are not permitted to join the Military Services. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has no effect on these policies.” After media attention the report was removed from the government's website. According to the US Military, trans* people are "unfit to serve" primarily (categorically) because of our good friend, Gender Identity Disorder. As mentally ill people, trans* communities are not medically fit to serve.

A common thought about DADT, or now in this case with trans* people in the military, is that the "military problem" isn't really a problem because it is better if our people don't join up - it's better to protect our precious queers. I can't help but think this sometimes... or most of the time... but I force myself to remember that there are people out there who actually like the military - (like a pre-teen Midwest GenderQueer who associated fighter pilots with a desirable yet (continually) unobtainable masculinity - thank you Top Gun). My freshman year of college I met a guy who was determined to have a military career; he said it was his calling. He was also gay. This was years before I came out but even a "straight girl" could see how problematic the situation was. I remember asking him why he wanted a job where he would have to hide who he was his entire life. He looked very sad, yet very determined and said "It's not ideal, but I can do it." Now he doesn't have to, but no such luck if it were me.
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Weekly Round-Up: 8/21-8/27

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:18:00 -0500

It does a very good job of glossing over the bad parts, leaving people with memories of funny lines rather than a recollection of what it was possibly like to be black and living in Jackson, Mississippi during the era of the Civil Rights Movement.

Belly Bump: Context- by Amplify_Staff

Inside this post:

Two women share their stories of getting pregnant: one at 17 and the other at 27.

Let’s talk about sex- by fren4all

Inside this post:

An insight into the stigmatization of sex and sexuality in Nepal.

Media Justice Mash-Up- by Media_Justice

Inside this post:

Bianca overviews several subjects including new independent film “Gun Hill Road,” featuring a transgender character (and actress), and reactions to the portrayal of race relations in “The Help.”

Thank you to everyone who posted a blog this week! You are part of what makes this community great!

~ Samantha
Community Editor

The Transphobia Of Adam Carolla and GLAAD

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:14:00 -0500

Grab a beer and drop your pants
send the wife and kid to France
It's The Man Show
Quit your job and light a fart
Yank your favorite private part
It's The Man Show!
It's a place where men can come together
Look at the cans on this chick named Heather
Juggy girls on trampolines
Time to loosen those blue jeans
It's The Man Show!

This was the theme song to Comedy Central's "The Man Show", a celebration of patriarchy and the internalized sexism in society, with a sideshow called the Juggies, which as one can imagine, are a bunch of scantily clad "well-endowed" women for the average sexist to ogle. It ran from 1999-2005, but for those first four years, it was hosted by Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel.

Well, it would be only logical that when the subject of trans people came up, Adam Carolla was at his patriarchal best:

From Oh No They Didn't:

Adam Carolla went on a SHOCKING anti-LGBT tirade last week, asking, "When did we start giving a sh*t about these [transgendered] people?" -- and now GLAAD is doing everything they can to yank him from the podcast-universe.

Adam recorded the rant as part of his podcast for "The Adam Carolla Show" -- insisting LGBT people should drop the acronym LGBT and start using "YUCK" instead.

And now, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is reaching out to its allies in the entertainment industry to pull him from the air -- telling TMZ, “The gross intolerance that [Adam] tries to pass off as comedy should not have a place on our airwaves.”

Adam has a history of making anti-gay remarks on his podcast -- two years ago, Adam also claimed gay parents were "not as good as" straight parents.

Adam had no comment.

Well, he has apologized...sorta

“I’m sorry my comments were hurtful,” Carolla told TMZ. “I’m a comedian, not a politician.”

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Weekly Round-Up: 7/31- 8/6

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:24:00 -0500

Each week, I’ll be posting a list of the most news-worthy and/or inspirational, informative, well-written, thought-provoking, and/or unique posts of the week. While every post and every contributor is valuable to our community, these are the blogs that I feel are must-reads.

July 31- August 6

Stats for this week: 43 posts by 22 writers

The Summer Celebration of Choice: A Venue for Organizing- by adudziak

Inside this post:

Adudziak shares their experience participating in the Summer Celebration of Choice, an event in support of Dr. LeRoy Carhart, and an opportunity to bring attention to the need for people to be free to receive medical care without shame.

The real problem is racism and our failure to act- by AFY_Sarah

Inside this post:

The real problem, however, is that the rest of the progressive community allows immigrant women to remain an easy target of this ongoing, cultural bullying. Immigrant women remain vulnerable not only because of social, economic, and institutional barriers — but because the effects of racism are not met with a unified response from the larger progressive community.

NCLR:: Oh the Hypocrisy- by cavve_sol

Inside this post:

Crystal shares the good and bad of her experience at the NCLR summit in D.C.

Wow, it’s been a Year already!- by papavic

Inside this post:

Abongwa shares the impact that being an International Youth Journalist has had on him and his friends this past year.
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