Articles by: Thomas Waters

QUILTBAG and the 5 year plan

QUILTBAG and the 5 year plan

QUILTBAG turns all of that on its head, and sets forth an acronym where all letters share an equal weigt and play an equal role in producing a pronouncable descriptor. And similar to the reasons why “L” was added before the “G,” by starting with “Q” we are reminded to look at this and the issues from a new perspective, different than we have been up to now.

September 3, 2011 5 comments general
Questions for Concerned Queer

Questions for Concerned Queer

If there is a difference between the gay community and the queer community from your perspective, which community do you think I self-identify with? Which community do you identify me as a part of?

September 3, 2011 4 comments Activism, general

Bloomfield Queer Rally: CityPaper Article

If you haven’t seen it, I wanted to point you towards the CityPaper article about the rally and and following event with the police.Of all the papers, I think they captured a great perspective on the story. http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A99773

September 1, 2011 Comments are Disabled general

Bloomfield Queer Rally: hearings today

I saw Lauren Jurysta last evening and she told me that the hearings for those arrested is today at 12:30 pm. I have a very full day at work but will try and get away to go if I can swing it. I know nothing about 3 of the people arrested nor do I know the facts surrounding Japenga’s arrest. The 5th person who was arrested, in my opinion didn’t do anything wrong, so I’m[Read More…]

August 31, 2011 3 comments Activism, general

QUILTBAG and Thank-you

Tonight was the meeting organized by Rayden Sorock with the goal to develop a 5 year plan for the LGBTQ community which is probably better referred to as QUILTBAG. Lots to write about, and it will have to be enough for now to just say that the group assembled was fantastic. This was the most diverse group in every way I think I have ever seen gathered together. Differing ages, races, orientations, gender identities, probably[Read More…]

August 30, 2011 6 comments general

What you can do and what the police can do at a rally.

The issue is critically important. Everyone deserves to give voice to their opinions and we can all speak out publicly, but what are the rules and the limits? Better to know before you go off protesting, and if it is too late for that, be prepared for the next time. The link below is to a PDF of a brochure/ instruction sheet that the ACLU has to pass out.

August 29, 2011 28 comments Activism, general

More on Queer

This is a good read, although fairly esoteric and theoretical. Rather, it is the qualitative position of opposition to presentations of stability—an identity that problematizes the manageable limits of identity. Queer is a territory of tension, defined against the dominant narrative of white-hetero-monogamous-patriarchy, but also by an affinity with all who are marginalized, otherized, and oppressed. I especially like the closing comment: Queer is a total rejection of the regime of the Normal. I don’t[Read More…]

August 29, 2011 Comments are Disabled general
Equality as an identity

Equality as an identity

My middle name doesn’t have to be Equality for me to be contantly working for Equality. In fact, by taking it out of my name, I force myself to make sure I am talking about Equality even more than before so that this word is heard over and over, and considered as an important goal by more and more people.

August 29, 2011 Comments are Disabled general

Today’s Prop 8 Hearing

Received an email today explaining how you can follow the Prop 8 hearing that is happening today starting at noon Pittsburgh time,  or 9AM PT. Follow the American Foundation for Equal Rights on Twitter. Follow them on Facebook.

August 29, 2011 Comments are Disabled Activism, general, Same-Sex Marriage
GenderQueer

GenderQueer

In a post about the queer rally in Bloomfield, I misgendered several people. a commenter corrected me on this, and referred to one of the person’s as Genderqueer, which I had no real clue what that meant, so I looked it up: From wikipedia: Genderqueer (GQ; alternatively non-binary) is a catch-all term for gender identities other than man and woman, thus outside of thegender binary and heteronormativity.[1] People who identify as genderqueer may think of themselves as one or more of the[Read More…]

August 29, 2011 18 comments general