Advocacy

The Life and Death of Nex Benedict. Content Warning.
Note: Nex's friends have stated that Nex was transmasculine and used he/him and they/them pronouns interchangeably. Throughout this article, I will be using he/they pronouns to refer to Nex.
By choreomanias2 years ago in Pride
I am no different to them. Top Story - March 2024.
With the brutal and violent deaths of two 16-year-old's Nex Benedict (they/them) and Brianna Ghey (she/her), one year apart, and nothing but an ocean dividing them. Nex Benedict was attacked in a bathroom of their school, they weren't attacked because of an argument they were attacked and sustained injuries that killed them over their choice to be themselves. Brianna Ghey, another 16 year old, was stabbed over 20 times to death, again, not because of an argument, not over gang affiliations or anything like that, she was killed over her decision to be who she was.
By Ashyr H.2 years ago in Pride
The Capybara Chronicles
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, there exists a creature known for its gentle nature, its sociable disposition, and its ability to thrive in harmony with its surroundings. This creature is the capybara, the largest rodent in the world, and it is a fitting symbol for the life of Mia.
By Varsha2 years ago in Pride
Pride As A Virtue. Top Story - February 2024.
First off: explaining the subtitle, so as not to be hunted down by people who actually speak French... "Legibeti-quoi" is the phonetic garble of LGBT, followed by the French 'quoi', representing the often-left-out QIA+ part of the acronym.
By Natasja Rose2 years ago in Pride
Feminism, For Her, And Him, And Them: VENUS VALLEY Gets Intersectional
I’m still here, my queerly beloveds; the finale section of this LGBTQIA+-philosophy-book-in-progress is now in its third chapter! And it’s a bit of a reading recommendation list, among other things; which, if you’ve been here since we started, you’ll know is where we started. If you’re coming in late, all you need to know is that you can debate, discuss, question, contribute, to each chapter of this book, as I release it in blog form, to your head’s and heart’s content; and your insights and inputs will be my edits, as this blog becomes a book; so the final finished book will be us, not just me. This chapter of things I’ve found while I’ve been working on this project, and will probably slot into place through the finished book, actually (hopefully) works as a taster of what it will be, if you’re new here. Welcome, just in time before we nearly finish, to Venus Valley: Queer Philosophers’ Forum.
By Steph Cole2 years ago in Pride
The PMDD Tango
It is safe to say that one of the biggest remarks I get when people realize I am a WLW(or women loving women for the straights), is "Omg two periods, that must be crazy!". And they are right, syncing up with your partner and riding the menstrual train of being overly emotional, irritable, crampy and sometimes even irrational is just part of what comes with the WLW territory. But from experience, sometimes it can be really nice having someone to cuddle on the couch with, eating all your favorite snacks, crying at movies that aren't meant to be cried through, and massaging each others cramps while simultaneously cursing mother nature. For a week every month this is the routine, maybe you two will argue, but pretty quickly one or both of you will realize "Wow, I'm really pmsing!" and it will be laughed off. But, what if that realization never comes from your partner? What if instead of a week of being slightly emotional, every month their cycle completely takes over their mind and body for weeks at a time?
By A Alex2 years ago in Pride
R-E-S-P-C-T
Given the current noise around Trans people Existing In Public, and legislation being tabled against it, I thought it was time for some pushback.
By Natasja Rose2 years ago in Pride
Always Say Gay
When the whole world is connected and you're supposed to be able to be your true and honest self, what do you do when you can't? In 2024 it's no longer taboo to be a member of the LGBT community, laws have passed allowing for same sex marriage, strides are being made for gender affirming care for gender nonconforming youths. So then why are gay suicide and trans murders happening at such an alarming rate across the county?
By Ava Karns2 years ago in Pride
A Queer Rebirth Has Come to Vocal. Top Story - January 2024.
The past few months have really been about rebirth for me. There have been many firsts which hasn’t been easy, and it has been more than I would have expected for someone in their late twenties. But along with these first, I’ve been rediscovering and reclaiming my identity. And along with that, I’ve also been given opportunities to advocate and empower others. From my job as a teacher, to my own inner child work, there have been so many grateful opportunities for queer voices and stories to emerge.
By Oneg In The Arctic2 years ago in Pride
The Story of Masculinity and Femininity
When you walk into the store for shaving equipment, you’ll see something that has become so ubiquitous that it’s easy to ignore your natural curiosity and simply buy what you’re told will work. If you’re a man, you buy the blue, orange, black, and gray colored packaging. If you’re a woman, you buy the pastel, pink, and white colored packaging. You’ll take your new razors home, they’ll cut your hair perfectly fine, and you’ll move on to more important parts of your life.
By Rivahn P2 years ago in Pride
Pride is Not A Controversial Community on Vocal
I have been sitting on this piece for a few days now, wondering if it needed to be written or if I would stir the pot. It turns out I can’t let the subject stay unaddressed.
By J. Delaney-Howe2 years ago in Pride
From Playboy To Scientology: VENUS VALLEY’s Feminist Finale(ish)
Happy new year, gentles and lady-men! If you’ve just arrived at this series, you’re a little late, but don’t worry - there’s plenty of rewriting and re-releasing of other chapters coming, and almost as many epilogues as The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King! You my dear queer reader have arrived almost at the end of my chapter-by-chapter release of my LGBTQIA+ centric philosophy chat book, in which queer life experience is the perfect example to introduce you to pretty much any and every facet of philosophy you can think of; in which you, my rainbow flag waving reader, are invited to debate discuss, question, contribute, so your inputs and insights can become my edits, until your views and voices are in its pages right alongside mine. Welcome, for almost the last time, queerly beloveds - in which I finally get around to talking about THE BIG BAD “F” - to VENUS VALLEY: Queer Philosophers’ Forum.
By Steph Cole2 years ago in Pride