Articles by: Thomas Waters

Pope Francis and Violence Against LGBTQ Persons

Pope Francis and Violence Against LGBTQ Persons

These comments may have been made directly related to the issue if ISIS and muslim extremists, but the same must hold true for any who use religion as a pretext for violence against others. Including violent attacks based on gender expression, identity or sexual orientation.

September 22, 2014 Comments are Disabled American Theocracy: Analyzing the Religious Right, general
Two views of same-sex marriage.

Two views of same-sex marriage.

Contrary to Jennifer’s dilutions, same-sex couples are doing more to promote marriage and strengthen the institution of marriage! This is evidenced in the first linked post by Stephanie- a woman who found attending a marriage for a same-sex couple strengthened her own marriage to her opposite sex partner.

September 22, 2014 Comments are Disabled American Theocracy: Analyzing the Religious Right, general, Same-Sex Marriage
Facebook, Identity, and Contradictions

Facebook, Identity, and Contradictions

But I’m struck by how much a person’s whole identity is linked to or determined by their on-line personae. Then, to have that taken away feels shaming and as if we are being forced again into invisibility. But the way this type of thing makes some feel- is a product of years and years of cultural oppression.

September 17, 2014 Comments are Disabled Activism, general
Religious Zealots Fail to Understand US Constitution.

Religious Zealots Fail to Understand US Constitution.

Two courts agree more than anything else. The only people who are claiming there is a “free speech” argument to be made are by the religious proponents of conversion therapy, and that argument has now lost in two different circuit courts.

September 14, 2014 Comments are Disabled American Theocracy: Analyzing the Religious Right, general
Ready for the Pittsburgh LGBT Film Festival?

Ready for the Pittsburgh LGBT Film Festival?

The annually occurring Pittsburgh LGBT Film Festival is just around the corner, and once again thomascwaters.com will be sponsoring a film! Which film? you will have to keep checking my posts to find out! But I wanted to alert you to the opening night film on Friday October 10, 2014. The film is entitled “Blackbird” and stars Mo’ Nique who you may remember from the film “Precious.” Here’s the trailer:     It turns out[Read More…]

September 11, 2014 Comments are Disabled Art, general
A black eye for Broadway?

A black eye for Broadway?

I’m missing the gay gene for Broadway adoration. OK, I love the theater, and I can enjoy a good show tune, but for me, it isn’t over the top like it is for some gay guys. So, when I heard that Broadway might not dim the lights in memory of Joan Rivers, I wasn’t aghast like some, but I was pretty surprised. It has been like Broadway is a thriving enterprise bringing in big bags[Read More…]

September 9, 2014 Comments are Disabled general
More Bisexual Visibility

More Bisexual Visibility

I’m of the belief that failure to allow a bisexual person to so identify is really a matter of the internalized homophobia of the person judging. Both of these persons confront the notion held by many straight persons as well as many lesbian/gay persons, that you are either one or the other- gay or straight.

September 9, 2014 Comments are Disabled general
Brooke Hemphill doesn’t understand the difference between Identity and Orientation.

Brooke Hemphill doesn’t understand the difference between Identity and Orientation.

All people are born with a sexual orientation that is towards member of the same sex, towards members of the opposite sex, or towards both. For many persons, they accept a sexual identity consistent with social norms. Some persons are aware that this identity doesn’t fit them, and they seek an identity more aligned to their orientation.

September 9, 2014 Comments are Disabled general
Pittsburgh’s statement: the police incident at Pittsburgh Pride.

Pittsburgh’s statement: the police incident at Pittsburgh Pride.

On Friday, a press release was posted regarding the City’s review of allegations of police misconduct at this year’s Pittsburgh Pride. Today I want to comment on two aspects of the overall story,

September 8, 2014 Comments are Disabled Gay Pride, general

Pittsburgh Celebrates a Full Weekend of Transgender Visibility

A greater awareness and appreciation of this diversity within the Trans* community is needed especially by the umbrella LGBTQ community, where some have expressed a desire to break Trans issues apart of the larger issue of Equality. Gays and Lesbians must before it is too late grasp how their own efforts isolate and antagonize the inclusion of Trans* persons.

September 7, 2014 Comments are Disabled general, Transgender Discrimination & Issues