Category Archives: Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues

He's Gay, and He's Native American: Rowling and Scalzi Claim Marginal Identities for Charcters After the Fact

Posted on October 20, 2007 by Mandolin

Well, this is interesting. (Hat tip Lawrence Schimel) On October 20, J. K. Rowling read from book 7 at Carnegie Hall in New York. After reading briefly from the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, she took questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Popular (and unpopular) culture, Race, racism and related issues | 42 Comments

Queer Rights Groups To Congress: "None Of Us Without All Of Us!"

Posted on October 2, 2007 by Ampersand

From today’s SF Chronicle: “Leading gay rights organizations, with the pointed exception of the Human Rights Campaign, withdrew their support Monday from a landmark gay civil rights bill after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and Rep. Barney Frank, … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Transsexual and Transgender related issues | 57 Comments

From the Department of Hypocrites–More Republican Bathroom Sex

Posted on August 27, 2007 by Rachel S.

Idaho Senator Larry Craig was arrested and pled guilty to disorderly conduct after he was caught propositioning an undercover police officer for sex in an airport bathroom.  Pam has the run down on his votes on key gay/lesbian policy issues: … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative zaniness, right-wingers, etc., Elections and politics, Homophobic zaniness/more LGBTQ issues, In the news, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues | 25 Comments

All Our Rights

Posted on May 28, 2007 by Maia

I attended the launch of All Our Rights – a campaign to repeal the “Homosexual Panic” defence. This defence is used by straight men who murder gay men. The argument is basically that for some straight men, the mere existence … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Rape, intimate violence, & related issues, Transsexual and Transgender related issues | 20 Comments

The New Thread for Debating Whether Gay Rights Hurt People Anyone

Posted on May 20, 2007 by Mandolin

UPDATE: Comments on this thread are closed. — So, there was me, grumbling that my post about Durkheim’s “tyranny of the majority,” the Overton window, and the general concept of politics as rationalization, had become a thread about whether or … Continue reading →

Posted in Homophobic zaniness/more LGBTQ issues, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues | 27 Comments

Bush Threatens to Veto Hate Crimes Legislation (And Don't Worry You're Still Free to Be A Bigot)

Posted on May 4, 2007 by Rachel S.

The House of Representatives voted to extend hate crimes protections those who are the victims of crimes motivated by gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation.  Here’s a quote from the New York Times: By 237 to 180, the House voted … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative zaniness, right-wingers, etc., Elections and politics, Feminism, sexism, etc, Free speech, censorship, copyright law, etc., Homophobic zaniness/more LGBTQ issues, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Transsexual and Transgender related issues | 247 Comments

Michigan Court Outlaws Benefits For Same-Sex Partners

Posted on February 9, 2007 by Ampersand

From the AP: A Michigan appeals court ruling that bans public universities and state and local governments from providing health insurance to partners of gay employees has alarmed gay rights advocates nationwide. They fear the decision could encourage similar rulings … Continue reading →

Posted in Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues | 74 Comments

Review: Shortbus

Posted on January 26, 2007 by Maia

I went to see Short Bus tonight. There are a lot of good things you could say about this movie. It’s got lots of lovely and real moments, humour and wit, and, most importantly, it shows people having sex. Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Popular (and unpopular) culture | 14 Comments

Dude You Kissed a Girl

Posted on January 18, 2007 by Maia

The first episode of Ugly Betty aired in New Zealand a couple of days ago. My short review is that it looks awesome (although the ending was way too pat, and if the point is supposed to be that if … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues, Popular (and unpopular) culture | 43 Comments

Need Evidence that Gender is Socially Constructed?

Posted on December 18, 2006 by Rachel S.

Editor’s note: As the commenters pointed out, I’m actually arguing that both gender and sex are social constructions.  I have a good example. This case is not unique, but it is rather interesting. An Indian runner who earned a Silver Medal … Continue reading →

Posted in Gender and the Body, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues | 25 Comments