| 2009 almost FLORIDA SPRING GATHERING |
[19 Jan 2009|11:36am] |
A GAY NUDIST EVENT
MAY 9 - 16, 2009
SPRING CREEK CAMP
(JUST NORTH OF THE FL / AL STATE LINE)
ONE WEEK OF GAY, NUDE, WARM-WEATHER FUN!
FULL REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
* ACCOMODATIONS
* MEALS & SNACKS
* FULL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
o SHOWS, DISCO, SOCIAL HOURS, EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, CONTESTS, DANCING AND PARTIES
SPACE LIMITED -- REGISTER EARLY!
TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FROM THE BIRMINGHAM, AL AIRPORT (BHM) FOR $35.00.
Depart BHM Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Arrives BHM Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m.
RIDE SHARING
If you are planning to drive to the West Coast Gathering and don't have a full car,
why not post a "Ride Offered" message along with your travel dates and your City.
If you need a ride, why not post a "Ride Needed" message, including your city and dates.
CMEN USES ITS YAHOO!GROUP TO POST THESE, AND OTHER, MESSAGES.
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| Queer Liberationist or Gay Assimilationist? |
[19 May 2008|09:34am] |
There are two opposing political viewpoints when it comes to advocacy and than of course there are a variety of more moderate middleground opinions that fall in between the Queer Liberationists and Gay Assimilationist camps.
Gay Assimilationists - This ideology is to make gay/lesbian people seem like average, normal everyday citizens in the eyes of the general public. They want to make the case that gay families deserve equal rights and recognition and they want what everyone else wants: a house with a white picket fence and 2.5 kids. Some Gay Assimilationists are not inclusive of Bisexuals or Transgender people because they feel these groups hurt the gay rights movement. This is not the case for all Assimilationists and many seek to include all LGBT people and create a sense of assimilation into the general society. Gay Assimilationists often seek to advance their agenda through corporate sponsorships and see getting big business and government on their side as a way to advance equality. The assimilationists strive to paint the LGBT community as being no different than the heterosexual world and just want to fit in. They want the rights to marriage, the rights to adoption, to serve freely and openly in the military. Part of achieving these means, Gay Assimilationists seek to tone down the sexual aspect of gay pride, they feel that sexuality is one component of gay relationships and seek to emphasize much more the loving, financial, community, and faith based aspects of LGBT relationships.
Queer Liberationists - This camp of political theory views gender and sexuality in non-conformist ways. They do not apologize for the differences of Queer individuals and do not seek to "fit in". They embrace the idea of "We're Here, We're Queer, Get Used to it!" and believe society must change to accept them rather than they change to mold into hetero-normative society. Queer Liberationists are often but not always concerned with Queer issues as they relate not only to LGBT people but also to capitalism, anti-militarism, sexism, racism and other aspects of social justice. They are less concerned with same-sex marriage, adoption, and don't ask don't tell. Many times but not always they are against the institution of marriage altogether, feel gays are liberated from the idea of raising kids, and are against gays serving in the military because they are anti-military to begin with. Queer Liberationists often disagree with the idea of corporate partnerships and having big business and government intervene in LGBT issues. Queer Liberationists do not seek to hide their sexuality and gender expression, they seek to embrace it and encourage what has conventionally been frowned upon as inappropriate.
These are two diametrically opposed political camps. Most people have various opinions that don't fall so heavily into one party or the other. Where do you lie and what are your thoughts?
http://queersunited.blogspot.com/2008/05/open-forum-queer-liberationist-or-gay.html
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| Free Speech Where do We Draw the Line? |
[13 May 2008|09:39am] |
A few interesting and controversial headlines have popped up in the news and the gay blogosphere that raise some important questions. At what point is gay activism intruding upon free speech and freedom of expression rights? Freedom of speech and expression must be protected even for anti-gay forces, because if we don't have these basic freedoms it becomes a slippery slope and eventually we will not have the right to express our opinions.
I write this in light of some stories recently, such as a student who wore a t-shirt to school saying "Be Happy - Not Gay!" at a diversity event, who got in trouble. The courts have since ruled she is entitled to wear the shirt.
What about Crystal Dixon's case with the University of Toledo V.P. of Human Resources who outside the university wrote an opinion column denouncing homosexuality, claiming it is a choice. She has been fired under grounds that she mentioned she was a worker at the school and is now suing the school.
Finally there was the case at Smith College, where the College Republicans brought in Ryan Sorba who created a book called "The Born Gay Hoax" who spoke about bogus research regarding LGBT people. Students interrupted his anti-gay speech by screaming "We're Here, We're Queer, get used to it" the student protesters overwhelmed the room forcing Mr. Sorba to leave the campus and cancel his speech.
Youtube clip of the Smith protest:
What do you think about GLBT activism and where do we draw the line to ensure free speech rights, or is it okay to intrude upon the free speech of others when they seek to intrude on our civil liberties and spread falsehoods about our community?
http://queersunited.blogspot.com/2008/05/open-forum-free-speech-where-do-we-draw.html
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