Community
Tony
“You’re new here, huh?” he asked from his perch atop the red vinyl barstool at the end of the counter. An untouched chai latte was pushed off to the side in front of him--the milk foam slowly dissipating beneath the sprinkle of mahogany cinnamon spread over it--to make room for the small spiral bound notebook he used to sketch out rough abstract patterns. A wicked grin slinked across his lips as he eyed me from head to toe to take in my neon blue dyed hair, the bits of metal dotting my eyebrows and ears and lip, the ink on my arms: all the signals I’d acquired to separate myself from the mainstream, everything I’d donned to showcase my difference. “You’ll do.”
By Andrew Forrest Baker4 years ago in Pride
The Role of Social Media in the Sri Lanka Protest Movement
Introduction: The Sri Lankan Protest Movement and its Role in Social Media Social media has played an important role in the Sri Lankan protest movement. It has not only been a place to share information, but also a place to organize and mobilize people. Social media is a great tool for organizing protests and spreading awareness about the injustices in society. , but it brings its own set of problems. Social media is a great tool for organizing protests, but it also brings its own set of problems.
By Nifra Nihar4 years ago in Pride
May is Masturbation Month
The flowers won’t be the only things blooming this May. May begins Masturbation Month. Yes, you read that correctly. The first national recognition day was held on May 7, 1995, in honor of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, who had been fired in 1994 by President Bill Clinton for suggesting masturbation be part of the sex education curriculum for students. In 2005, the annual Masturbation Day officially moved to May 28 but in recent years, it has been celebrated the entire month of May.
By Ben Nelson4 years ago in Pride
The First Time I Came Out To A Stranger
I have never been good at picking up. I joke that I should trademark my flirting style as "Epileptic Cat"; it's tragic and awkward, and I am more likely to fall off of something in the process than not. However, I will recover as if nothing happened and give you a piercing stare that will make you forget anything you just witnessed 5 to 15 seconds prior. Suave? If I want to be. Graceful? If you're looking at just the right time (it will be the 3rd or 4th time I've done the same thing, just so I can make sure you saw me being graceful). Witty? Oh goodness yes; if you like really messed up, sarcastic, dark humor, quoted mostly from Archer, Rick and Morty, Lord of The Rings (Oh come on; "a little late for trimming the verge"?! *snerk*), or you like your Shakespeare in original Klingon (*makes note* - this is the 2nd decade you've promised yourself you'd learn some Shakespeare in original Klingon - get your shit together).
By Erika Savage4 years ago in Pride
Ozzie
Ozzie furiously typed out a message on their phone. It was time to let the world know exactly how they felt. They had been silent for too long. If Ozzie didn’t speak now, they would likely never be able to again. There was so much to say, but a sentence or two would have to do. But it had to be perfect. Their message had to reach as many people as possible and it had to be absolutely clear. There could be no room for doubt.
By The Green Shoes4 years ago in Pride
Intersex: The Lost 'I' in LGBTQIA
Intersex is a word most have not heard of, even in the LGBTQIA+ Realm, the "I" is often overlooked, or simply lost. Many not knowing or not understanding what the I stands for. For the few who have heard of Intersex, most directly relate it to Trans, sure some things overlap, but the two are vastly different.
By Meowstopheles4 years ago in Pride
What I Love Most About Philadelphia?
What do you love most about living in Philadelphia? By John Matthews Last year, a woman whose acquaintance I made at a conference in Chicago was in Philadelphia on business for the first time and called me to see if I would take her and some friends for a tour of the city. Born and raised in New York City, she really didn't know much about Philadelphia, except that the Phillies beat out her beloved Mets for a chance to play in the World Series, only to lose to her city's Yankees. I remember her asking me what it was like to be born and raise in a small town. After reminding her that Philadelphia is in fact the fifth-mostpopulous city in the United States, I politely pointed out that my city is a wonderful major world metropolis with a small town feeling. Philadelphia, popularly known to fellow Philadelphians as a "City of Neighborhoods," is what I love most about our city. Its diversity serves as a reminder that all are created equal, which says a lot about the city where our great American democracy was conceived.
By John Matthews 4 years ago in Pride
In Defense of a Friend
Looking at this picture of me in 10th grade it would be easy to write me off as a skinny, meek, nerdy kid; which was true for the most part. What this photo doesn't tell you is that even as a skinny, meek, nerdy kid I was fiercely loyal to my friends. Between bullies and algebra they were the only thing that kept me sane at school. These are the people that I ate lunch with, played after school with, grew into my teenage years with, and survived a lot of troubling times with. It was through them that I learned who I was, and what I stood for, but that wasn’t an easy journey.
By Vagabond Writes4 years ago in Pride
Manifest Destiny
“Dad! Dad! Turn on the news!” Rushing to the living room and startling his parents, Josh sat down on the couch and flipped the channels till the news broadcast was on. As his parents joined him around the television, what they heard shocked them into dead silence.
By Jesse Leung4 years ago in Pride
Craig Puranen Wilson
I am updating this to include it in the Vocal Home Town Heroes Challenge. and the Represnted Challenge. Craig was an amazing person who brought so many people together, encouraged and helped people who need it, and is the subject of and upcoming film aimed at promoting a positive, caring image of Newcastle. I have been interviewed for the film, and will possibly be performing a song I wrote unspired by Craig / Sheena when we lost him/her. The challenge is sponsored by The Mentor Group.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 4 years ago in Pride
