It’s that time of year again, when we talk about one of my favorite things: LGBTQIA+ people proudly owning who we are. This is a particularly meaningful year as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the riots at the Stonewall.
This month, we’re featuring a range of books with main characters who identify all across the rainbow:
- Unabiding Halls, by CE Case (lesbian)
- Into the Furnace, by Geonn Cannon (bisexual)
- The Power of Two, by Leigh Vining (gay)
- Walking by Faith, by AM Leibowitz (genderqueer)
- That Doesn’t Belong Here, by Dan Ackerman (pansexual)
- Endless Days of Summer, by Stacy O’Steen (asexual)
- We Three: One and One and One Makes Three, by Lara Zielinsky (polyamorous/bisexual)
- Minuet (Notes from Boston #4), by AM Leibowitz (coming soon—aromantic/trans/bisexual)
Here’s a roundup of some AWESOME Pride discussion, from the political to the silly:
Who threw the first brick? Watch this video featuring interviews with Stonewall veterans as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the riots.
We may not know who threw the first brick, but we sure do know who the Mother of Pride was. Brenda Howard was a polyamorous, kinky, bisexual woman who had a vision and a committee to back her.
Politics & Activism
There’s been a lot of discussion lately on police at Pride. Here’s a good breakdown of why cops aren’t welcome.
And speaking of that, a coalition in New York City has organized a no-cops, no-corporate march to precede the official Pride parade.
A viral photo of two women, beaten on public transit for not performing their sexuality, sparked outrage. One of the women is using her unplanned fame as a platform to highlight other victims of hate crimes.
Did you know federal law doesn’t protect LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination? Nearly half of Americans incorrectly believe it does.
Should cisgender heterosexual allies attend Pride? Opinions differ, but here’s one perspective from someone who says yes, absolutely.
Here are some general guidelines for cishetero folks attending Pride. Be mindful that you’re a guest in our house, and you should be fine.
And here are some similar rules of etiquette. There’s overlap with cishetero authors writing about LGBTQIA+ people as well.
Ever wondered what all those flags mean? Here’s your guide to the different banners you might see at Pride.
Writing and Books
In the “call me not shocked” department, Nicholas Sparks has been accused of racism and homophobia.
Raising kids in a polyamorous family has many benefits. Read all about it in this terrific article.
Writing about men who have sex with men often follows a pretty typical pattern: hand jobs, blow jobs, anal. Same in the real world, right? Nope, not always. Whether you’re a cisgender man who has sex with cisgender men or you’re a writer of men loving men, check out this article.
LGBTQIA+ People Making News
Non-binary artists being their awesome selves? Heck, yeah! Have a peek at these folks who are redefining gender.
Pulse survivor Keinon Carter is doing good work in the aftermath. Read about what he’s doing to help Black LGBTQ youth.
Want to generate your own sexuality? Now you can! (Proud Geeky Bisexual Orangutan checking in here.) Note: For the furries among us, you can also generate your fursona. Have fun!