Telling Your Family That You’re Gay

Before you think about how to come out to your family, what’s most important is that you feel a sense of acceptance in yourself about your sexual orientation and/or gender identity and your reasons for coming out. As you begin to acknowledge to yourself that you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, it is very common to experience guilt, shame, doubt and confusion.

The effects of a lifetime of negative social messages, discrimination and, for some, violence cannot be erased overnight. This can be a difficult time and it can be helpful to talk to a counsellor or friend to help prepare you emotionally to come out. Involvement in a local coming out group may also help you with your own process.

Even in a climate where the LGBTI community has begun to fight back and demand rights, recognition and protection under the law, social attitudes and belief systems continue to discriminate. Although social attitudes such as homophobia and transphobia affect all of us, many members of the LGBTI community confront other forms of discrimination as well, such as racism, ageism, sexism, etc. All or some of these social attitudes may influence your coming out experience.

Although homophobia and transphobia exist in all cultures, the degree of acceptance of LGBTI identities varies across cultural and religious communities. For some of us, the loss of family and/or membership in our cultural community, silence, hostility or even violence are very real consequences to coming out. If this is your reality, you need to realistically assess the risks involved. If you decide to come out, but are concerned about your family’s reaction, you should work with a counsellor or friend to develop a plan that will ensure your safety.

Family reactions

As you begin to feel the first inklings of pride and entitlement to be who you are, you can’t help feeling that family, friends and the rest of the heterosexual world will see you as different. One of the things we know is that prejudice and discrimination do change over time and it is usually exposure to that which is different that helps to change negative attitudes. When it comes to family members and in particular parents finding out they have a LGBTI child, it is those historically negative ideas about homosexuality that first concern them.

Some thoughts that cross many parents’ minds include:

“If being gay is sick, perverted and unnatural, and my child says they’re gay, I must have been a bad parent.”

“Lesbians are treated badly in employment and housing situations and lead isolated lonely lives outside the mainstream. I don’t want my child to suffer.”

“Being trans is seen as sick and perverted by many people. How will other family, friends and work mates see me if my child is trans?”

Dealing with cultural issues

If you have strong ties to a particular cultural community, your parents may be concerned with how your coming out will be perceived by the community and how it will affect their position within it. Many individuals report that cultural values, such as not talking about or displaying emotions, get in the way of them sharing their sexual orientation or gender identity with their parents. In many cultural communities, being LGBTI is considered to be a North American problem, thus the preferred response to your coming out may be to deny your reality and to become more strict about having you conform to cultural norms and expectations. Coming out may also feel like you need to choose between your cultural identity and your sexual orientation. This is even more difficult when you experience the LGBTI community as being insensitive to your cultural identity. There are groups and associations for LGBTI individuals from specific cultural communities. They can help you find culturally appropriate information, images and supports for you and your family.

If you are coming out as trans

Although years of activism have improved the lives of many members of the LGBTI community, trans individuals are still the focus of much discrimination and violence. If you are coming out to your parents as trans, you may face challenges relating to the lack of information and positive images that are available regarding trans folks, particularly individuals from specific cultural communities. The lack of information available about trans people and their experiences is directly related to the confusion and hostility that many parents may feel when their child comes out as trans. Trans identities also lead to confusion regarding the issue of sexual orientation, so your parents may wonder whether your new gender identity also means that you are gay or lesbian. Transphobia can combine with homophobia to make coming out a very challenging and anxiety-provoking experience.

Consult the list of resources on this website for books and articles that can help you come out to your parents, as well as the list of links that we have provided for trans positive services and web sites.

Most parents want the best for their children and if they know that what’s best is to be true to yourself and live who you are, they will gradually come to accept, not only that they have a gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans child and that it wasn’t their fault, but that their child will live a fulfilling life.

Before you tell your family

Before you tell them, you need personal time to come to terms with your new self-understanding. It’s also helpful to have support from others who have gone through this process. Keep in mind there is likely at least one other gay, lesbian or bisexual person in your family tree, either from previous generations or who is currently alive. One of the fun aspects of coming out to yourself is going over your family tree and identifying those who may have been LGBTI. This is often not the case for trans folks as they are still fighting for the right to live out and proud.

With your new awareness you may discover there were clues all along that you didn’t recognize because of secrecy and shame. We often hear from individuals, struggling with coming out to their family, that they fear the news will “kill” their parents. Although it may be difficult in the beginning and your parents and family may initially reject you , most, particularly those who had a good relationship with their children, accept the news over time.

Many people who’ve come out also find that their relationship with their parents eventually improves because of the increased openness and honesty that comes with sharing this knowledge. Many also experience a great sense of relief in knowing that they no longer need to keep their true identity a secret.

It is important that you communicate to your parents that you love them, are not trying to hurt them and that, whether you are coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans, you are still the same person that they love. Consider sharing with them your story of coming out to yourself, as well as the resources that you found helpful during this time. This may include books, films, friends, allies, and counselors. Above all, be patient. Recall how long it took for you to come to terms with your new identity and give your parents the time to do the same.

There are many ways you can tell your family:

The most common first step for many LGBTI is to confide in a sibling (if you have one), cousin, uncle or aunt; one who you feel will accept and support you in telling other family members.
When you’re ready to tell your parents, you might want to start with the parent to whom you feel the closest.
Instead of telling them in person, another option is to write your parents a letter. This gives your parents time to reflect on what you have told them and decide how to respond.
When you meet with your parents, either after you’ve sent a letter, or to tell them for the first time, you might want to consider bringing along a supportive friend or family member.

5 Ways Bisexual Women Can Pursue Better Healthcare

Many individuals in the LGBT+ community face significant issues with regard to health care. For example, bisexual women face a high risk of physical and mental health problems and have a higher likelihood of experiencing violence and addiction. Discrimination is often experienced within the healthcare system. The bisexual community is fighting this, to spread education and make quality healthcare more accessible.

There are some general guidelines that may be helpful for bisexual women who are looking for quality health care. Read on to learn the five ways bisexual women can take care of their health, even while facing exceptional challenges.

Be aware of risks
Bisexual women are more likely to experience addiction, smoke, have depression and have suicidal thoughts and/or attempts, compared to other groups. Bi woman are also at a higher risk for cancer than heterosexual women or lesbians and less likely to get screening. Amy André, a co-author of Bisexual Health: An Introduction said, “Research shows that bisexuals experience more discrimination, violence, and stigma than gays and lesbians.” She believes that the fact that bisexuals have the worst health is directly linked to the violence, stigma and discrimination.

Seek quality health care
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to assume that every doctor is able to cater to the unique needs of LGBT+ patients. It is easier in urban areas, but still more difficult to find a provider that doesn’t group bisexual patients with gay or straight women. There is a list of providers in the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association directory and the Bisexual-Aware Professionals Directory. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and compassion.

Be your own advocate
You’ll need to be more assertive at times because some doctors will ask questions that are heteronormative. If you find that the doctor assumes you are a sexuality that you aren’t, you may need to answer broadly. You’ll want to make sure that you’re giving proper information about your past and current partners, and your sexuality. Some women will find it more difficult if they live in a small community with few doctors. Push yourself as far as you feel comfortable and remember that you can request certain types of screening for your physical and mental health.

Know your financial barriers
According to LGBT+ MAP’s Unfair Price study, bi women are more than twice as likely to live in poverty than the general population, and 29% of LGBT+ women have trouble finding affordable health care, compared to 19% of heterosexual women. Women in rural areas may experience even more difficulty. It’s of vital importance to have access to affordable health care. This could mean a visit to a free clinic, Planned Parenthood or a doctor’s office that takes your health insurance.

Get the word out
Form a support system and be supportive to others in a similar position. Doing this not only positively affects your chances of receiving affordable health care, it improves your health.

Popular Misconceptions About Bisexuals

There are many harmful misconceptions out there regarding bisexuality.

These common assumptions exist in and outside of the LGBTI+ community. Bisexuality is real and it’s here to stay. Some of your friends might be bisexual (or you might be, of course) and won’t come out for fear of being judged harshly and incorrectly. It’s time that everyone is able to put these myths to rest.

Bisexuals are attracted to men and women equally

Everyone is different. Some who identify as bisexual might be attracted to one gender in a different way than they are to another and possibly much more. Others do not believe that gender matters at all when it comes to their attractions. It’s best to refer to the Kinsey scale to understand this more thoroughly. The Kinsey scale has sexual orientation displayed on a scale from 0 to 6. Zero means that a person is completely heterosexual and 6 means exclusively homosexual. We can each fit anywhere on that scale…and we won’t necessarily stay in the exact spot.

Bisexuals are in a phase before coming out as homosexual

It is possible that some lesbian and gay people came out as bisexual first, but that’s not the rule. It’s also true that some who identify as lesbian or gay end up coming out as bisexual. Sexuality can be fluid for some, just like a lot of things in life.

We’re all bisexual or we’re all not bisexual

Bisexuality is real. There are actually individuals who will be attracted to and have sex with both men and women for their entire lives. This is not everyone, though.

Bisexuals can’t have a partner of just one gender

It’s a common misconception that bisexual people will need to be involved with both genders to be sexually and emotionally fulfilled. There are many who are perfectly content having the partner they’re with at any given time and who want to be monogamous.

Bisexuals are just very promiscuous people…more than any other group

Just as with any other sexual orientation, there will be some people who are promiscuous and some who are extremely monogamous. Sexual orientation is not the deciding factor here, the individual makes the decision.

Biphobia is a Common Problem

Most people are familiar with the word “homophobia”. There are many terrible, damaging myths and stereotypes out there that remind us far too much about how common it is to hate and be ignorant. There is another form of phobia that is less spoken about and it’s fairly safe to say that many have never heard of it: It’s called “biphobia” and it comes from all parts of the human sexuality spectrum.

Not everyone who is biphobic is homophobic. There are those who believe bisexuals must be either straight or gay. It’s an unfair judgment that’s not only invalidating, but is effectively saying that those identifying as bisexuals are dishonest people. It causes them to be unjustly assessed–as if their supposed ‘lies’ stretch to other areas of their lives.

Examples of biphobic statements are:

Bisexuals are confused.
Bisexuals just want to have threesomes/kinky sex.
Bisexuality is a phase.
Bisexual women just want to get men “hot and bothered’.

Many bisexuals stay ‘in the closet’ due to attitudes from the LGBTI+ community and heterosexuals. They might try to pass as either gay or straight. Sadly, bisexuals are viewed as gay or lesbian when they’re with a same-sex partner and heterosexual when they have an opposite-sex partner. The attitude that bisexuality doesn’t exist is a dangerous one to hold.

Bisexuality is not an undecided sexuality or a phase. It’s not about being confused. If anything, it’s biphobia that’s making things complicated. Even if you’re not bisexual… When you hear someone engaging in biphobic behavior, stop them and let them know the truth. It’s best to be calm while doing this, of course…the message will be received more openly and taken more seriously that way.

If a loved one comes out to you, treat it seriously and with compassion. Don’t treat them as if they’re suddenly all about sex or they’re just experimenting. It took a lot of courage for them to come out. A little education and compassion goes a long way!

Pansexual is a more Accurate Label for Many

Most of the time, the LGBTI+ community focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Intersex people in conversation, etc. Often, though, pansexuals are completely misidentified as bisexual. Are you confused at all? Well, maybe you are if you’re unfamiliar with the term.

A pansexual is a person who may be attracted to females, males, transgender people and non-binary individuals.

To them, biological sex (one’s physical gender at birth) and gender identity are not relevant as far as attraction goes. The prefix means “all” or “every” in Greek.

Just like bisexuality, pansexuality is often dismissed as being a greedy or indecisive. This is not true, though. A pansexual is open to loving the person, no matter their sexuality or gender identification. As bisexuals are attracted to two sexes based on gender, pansexuals are effectively blind to gender and are attracted to others for reasons beyond it, such as emotions, personality and ideals. This is not to say that everyone else doesn’t find different qualities important, but pansexuals have a wider range of people with whom they may become attracted.

The term ‘pansexuality’ first came into use in the mid 90’s, but hasn’t been significantly searched for (on Google, for example) until about five years ago. This might be due to more recent generations being more in touch with themselves.

It can be difficult for pansexuals to know how to clearly define themselves. Some may choose ‘queer’ as a term that seems more inclusive, but it’s not exactly descriptive. It can be helpful if a celebrity decides to come out, but are they really practicing their assertion that they’re attracted to personality and not gender? It seems to be a more politically correct thing to say these days, but it’s damaging if it’s untrue. There are actually people (pansexuals) who feel this way. So, if a pansexual celebrity comes out as such, that’s great–if it’s true and not a publicity tactic.

Many pansexuals know how they differ from bisexuals; this can be a sore subject. It doesn’t seem appropriate for them to identify as bisexual when that means only including cisgender people. Rapper, Angel Haze (who has dated model Ireland Baldwin) says that for her: “love is boundary-less. If you can make me feel, if you can make me laugh… then I can be with you. I don’t care if you’re a hermaphrodite or whatever.” She says, “I’m not gay, I’m not straight, I’m not bisexual – I don’t care,” she says. “At the end of the day, I just want someone to connect with.”

Bisexual Women Have Higher Rates of Depression

Studies that survey the psychological health of lesbian, bisexual, and gay individuals have for years indicated that members of the LGB community struggle more with mental health issues such as depression, suicidality, alcoholism, and cigarette smoking.

Experts on psychological health accept that gay and bisexual individuals are not more impulsive than heterosexuals are. The reason for the high incidence of mental illness in LGB people is that simply having a sexual identity that is considered idiosyncratic places abnormal pressures on LGB people.

Gay and bisexual people may feel less of a sense of community, and the pressure to conform to gender roles may also contribute to the higher incidence of depression. Most surveys that have been done on psychological well-being and “outness” in the LGB community has shown that women, and in particular bisexual women, are more likely to have thoughts of suicide or chronic depression. The preponderance of the data suggests that women that have “come out of the closet” are actually less distressed and much less likely to struggle with thoughts of suicide than women that choose to keep their sexual orientation a secret. But the reasons for why bisexual women are far more likely than those of homosexual orientation to struggle with depression are unclear.

According to an article in the Desert Sun, bisexual women suffer from anxiety and depression at rates of 58.7% and 57.8%, which is more than 10% higher than the prevalence of these psychological issues reported by lesbians. The explanation for these numbers is that bisexual women feel less social support, but the article states that surveys of LGB members in California show that 75.3% of individuals surveyed feel that they have the necessary support. So what is responsible for the high rates of depression in bisexuals? It is not hard to fathom that bisexual women face stigmatization more often.

Gender roles are hard to escape, and while our society is becoming more understanding of homosexual relationships it is still difficult for women to express sexuality the way that men do.

Women are under more pressure to be chaste even in today’s world where media and popular culture frequently glorify gratuitous sex. Rather than liberate non-heterosexuals, our cultural ideals probably contribute more to confusion regarding the identity of bisexual women who are often mistaken for being promiscuous. Victimization by partners and peers is also a likely factor in the rate of depression in bisexual women, although there is little to indicate that bisexual women experience victimization more often than other members of the LGB community.

The fear of seeming indecisive or abnormal in a society where women are encouraged to provide stability at home and the ineptitude of our culture to grasp how a woman can have male and female partners without being promiscuous or “risky” is more to blame.

Bisexual women must seek ways of strengthening their identity and liberating themselves from the cultural misconstructions of female sexuality. The stigma that is felt by the LGB community is an ongoing quandary, and like all members of the LGB community bisexual women should acknowledge that their distress is a natural and warranted reaction to the pressure they are under to change.

2015

Gay Black Men’s Pressure to Conform Leads to Higher HIV Risk

Familial and cultural pressure to conform to expected masculine behaviors leads gay black men to engage in riskier behavior, therefore increasing their risk of contracting HIV. This is according to a report out of the John’s Hopkins Children’s Center and published in Science Daily. This community of men feel distress and social isolation, according to the report, which may contribute to their decision to take part in such behaviors. The “compensatory” behavior according to researchers leads to riskier behavior and contributes to the higher infection rate among gay black men.

Gay and bisexual black men attributed to 4,800 new HIV cases in 2010, more than two times that of other male groups, says the CDC. Thirty five young, male participants took part in this study, recently published in the American Journal of Public Health. Openly gay and bisexual men took part in this study, as did young men who have sexual relations with men but don’t self-identify as gay or bi-sexual, also known as MSM. Adolescent medicine expert at the John’s Hopkins Children’s Center and the study’s lead author, Errol Fields, M.D., Ph.D., said of this study, “HIV risk is the sum total of many factors, but social and family stress is a well-known driver of all types of risk-taking behaviors, and our findings clearly support the notion this also holds true when it comes to HIV risk.”

There is a very traditional view of masculinity with strong anti-gay sentiment in the community where the participants grew up. These participants needed to prove their masculinity, hide homosexuality, and conform to social pressures. This makes them far less likely to take part in monogamous relationships and more likely to take part in unprotected sex. Black gay men also sought affirmation through sex which they weren’t getting from a close loved one in their life. Some also said that having unprotected sex showed trust and love for one’s partner. Since the community they were from expected them to act aggressive and free of any feminine behaviors, they were forced to either conform or be ostracized. Drug use, drinking, fighting and other such risky behavior was taken part in so as to prove their masculinity and fit in.

According to Dr. Fields, “The findings of our study reveal a clear clash between internal sexual identity and external expectations at a critical developmental stage,” As a result, “This clash creates loneliness and low self-esteem and appears to drive these boys and men to risky behaviors, sexual and otherwise.” These young men were also constantly worried that they would be found out. If they were found out they would lose their friends and family, so they needed their secret to be safe. “It’s a true catch-22 for these youngsters,” said Fields. “On one hand, they are dealing with the chronic anxiety of hiding their homosexuality, but on the other they face the prospect of becoming social pariahs if they come out as gay or bisexual.”

Dr. M. Mirza – 2014
lgbt health wellness .com

Americans Identifying as LGBTI+ Increased

According to a recent survey from the Gallup research firm, 5.6 percent of Americans are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people. This significant increase, which means about 18 million people, is attributed to the greater acceptance of LGBTI+ individuals in the society.

While this rate was 4.5 percent in Gallup’s 2017 survey, the result from the 2020 survey indicates a record jump of 24 percent. The main reason for the increase is from Generation Z adults aged 18-23. 15.9 percent of this generation say they are LGBTI+.

“At a time when the public is increasingly promoting equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, ınterex + people, a growing percentage of Americans identify as LGBTI+,” the Gallup website said.

In the 2020 election, the US saw Pete Buttigieg as the first openly gay presidential candidate. LGBTI+ candidates have had multiple historic wins, including Sarah McBride, the first open transgender state senator.

According to the Washington-based research center Public Religion Research Institute, Americans’ support for same sex marriage, which was legalized in 2015 and seen largely as a synonym for LGBTI+ rights, rose from 36 percent in 2007 to 62 percent in 2020.

The Gallup survey shows that 54.6 percent of LGBTI+ Americans identify as bisexual, 24.5 percent are gay men, 11.7 percent are lesbians and 11.3 percent are transgender.

For the first survey conducted in 2012, 15,000 Americans were randomly interviewed by phone throughout 2020. While 86.7 percent of the respondents identified themselves as heterosexual, 7.6 percent refused to respond to the interviewers. This rate was around 5 percent in past surveys.

There were significant differences between generations. Among those born before 1946, seniors were much less likely to see themselves as LGBTI+. The lowest rate was recorded as 1.3 percent.

Researchers found that women were more likely to describe themselves as LGBTI+ than men. While this rate was 4.9 percent for men, it was 6.4 percent for women. From a political point of view, 13 percent of liberal respondents and 2.3 percent of conservatives identified themselves as LGBTI+.

It is noted that there is a similar trend in England. According to government data, the proportion of people identifying themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual increased from 1.6 percent in 2016 to 2.2 percent in 2018.

Rainbow Tattoo Ideas

Although the Indians, Japanese, Native Americans and some tribes in Africa used the tattoo as an ornament, in many societies the tattoo was applied as a protective talisman (amulet) against illnesses and evil spirits, the position of the individual in society (slave, master, adolescent, worker, soldier) It is known to be used to emphasize.

The tradition of tattooing is quite old. It was understood from mummies that tattoos were used in ancient Egyptian society in the 2000s BC. Apart from the Egyptians, Britons, Gauls and Thracians also had tattoos. The ancient Greeks and Romans used to make tattoos on criminals and slaves, which they deemed “a barbarian occupation”. Tattoo was prohibited in the Christian faith. In contrast, the first Christians had tattoos on their bodies bearing the name of Jesus or a cross. Centuries passed, Europeans forgot about tattoos. They encountered tattoos again in American Indians and Polynesians on overseas trips in the late 18th century. European languages have taken the word tattoo, which means tattoo, from the Tahitian word tautau. Tattoo became widespread especially among sailors after the early 20th century. Tattoo was widely used to indicate romantic feelings, patriotism or piety, and is still used today.

Tattoos are also used by the LGBTI+, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex+ Community.

I’ve compiled some rainbow tattoos for you…

If you wanted to have a tattoo, which tattoo did you get? You can comment…

Homeless Shelter for LGBTI+ Opened in Naples, Italy

Friday, February 5, was an important day for the Neapolitan LGBTI+ community: The House of Cultures and Hospitality opened to host LGBTI+ people who are victims of discrimination, abuse and violence.

The municipality structure, whose address cannot be disclosed for security and protection reasons, is three-level and will be managed by Antinoo Arcigay Napoli and ten other partner associations.

Shelter; It will serve LGBTI + individuals who are exposed to violence, harassment, discrimination and exclusion.

Naples Mayor Luigi De Magistris said the municipal shelter is the only one of its kind in Italy.

“Today is an extraordinary day for rights, freedoms and justice,” said Luigi De Magistris.

De Magistris said, “This building is a sign of change. Our city believes in emotions, brotherhood, solidarity, justice and reaching out to people in need.”

The associations that will be responsible for the operation of the shelter stated that this project will strengthen their efforts to “protect civil rights in Italy and the Mediterranean”.

Antinoo Arcigay Napoli Association, which is involved in the project, also stated that the shelter will “host Covid victims as well as victims of intolerance and hate”.

The association drew attention to the fact that the coronavirus epidemic mainly affects the most vulnerable people.

Italy is in the last rank for LGBTI+ Rights

In Italy, the law granting same-sex couples legal status under the name of “civil partnership” was passed in 2016.

Although this decision is a historical turning point in the country where the Catholic Church has strong influence, Italy is still at the bottom of LGBTI+ rights among Western European countries.

According to a Eurobarometer survey conducted by European Union institutions in 2019, the acceptance rate of LGBTI+”Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, +” individuals in Italy and the proportion of those who say that same-sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples is below the European average.

Maddie Hasson Has Come Out as Bisexual

The ‘Impulse’ star – who tied the knot with her composer husband Julian Brink in 2015 – opened up about her sexuality on social media when asked to share a “photo with gay/bi vibes” by one of her followers.

Responding to the question on her Instagram Story, she replied: “Hi, I’m bi and proud!”

Meanwhile, the ‘Twisted’ actress recently spoke about the challenges of playing the role of Henrietta ‘Henry’ Coles, “who internalises a lot of her emotions”, in the YouTube Originals drama series ‘Impulse’.

The teen possesses the ability to teleport, but has no control over her destination.

The 26-year-old star said last month of her alter ego: “Yeah, it’s definitely interesting to play somebody who internalises a lot of her emotions because I think there’s a tendency when you’re creating a story, to want to see some of those beats externalised. It’s easy to want to go in that direction, but that would go against the character. So, it’s hard finding a balance of getting what we need to tell the story while also staying true to who she is and the reality of her, as a person.”

Maddie will next be seen in James Wan’s upcoming horror flick, ‘Malignant’, which is slated for release by Warner Bros. in 2021.

The motion picture was due to be released in 2020, but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Subsequently, the film will now stream simultaneously on HBO Max for a limited period.

What is Bisexuality?

Bisexuality is often defined as having an interest in or romantic feelings towards people of both sexes.

Thus, a bisexual man will be attractive to men as well as women. A bisexual woman will be attracted to men as well as women.

Men and women who say they are bisexual love men and women at the same time or at different times in their lives. As opposed to a black and white vision that opposes two completely separate worlds (heterosexuality and homosexuality), bisexuality brings together a wide variety of situations between the two. The word “bisexuality” used in its present sense by doctors and psychologists at the end of the 19th century is quite new.

Conversely, what we now consider “bisexuality” was common in some ancient civilizations or cultures where there was limited contact with the Western world. For some scholars of sexuality (Sigmund Freud, Alfred Kinsey) people are bisexual and it is the society that determines the “norm” or possible. Identifying yourself as “bisexual” is more common during adolescence than at other ages. Some people quickly realize that this is a stage for gays who are not yet “compromised”. Others see this as a sign of snobbery among some heterosexuals. Fortunately, bisexuals are increasingly being accepted for who they are in their diversity. And you meet bisexuals of all ages.

Bisexual people are more reluctant than anyone else to label their experiences. This is also found in characters in novels that can be described as such “in spite of themselves”, such as Balthazar in Cédric Érard’s book, Jai no sleep, or Elio in Later or Never.

Women and Bisexuality

Bisexuality has different meanings for different people. Bisexuality can be defined as the potential of a person to be attracted physically, emotionally and/or sexually to people regardless of their gender. In its simplest form, bisexuality is the attraction of a person to men and women. More complex forms may include attractions to transgendered people for example, a married woman makes love to her husband while he crossdresses as a woman or a lesbian is in a relationship with a male identified pre-operative female to male transsexual.

More women than you think harbor bisexual feelings, dreams and fantasies. Many keep them at that level. Others express them through close emotional but non-sexual friendships. Still other women rejoice in their bisexuality, whether out publicly or privately, in social or political settings, in their relationships or just through sex. Some women discover their bisexuality at an early age while others find it emerges over time as one becomes aware of and open to life’s possibilities. Some women, as do some men, try to ignore or suppress their feelings and deny whom they really are. They may choose to call themselves straight or lesbian to fit the expectations of others or their own need to belong. One should strive to be true to one’s self first through accepting one’s feelings and accepting others.This can lead to more open, honest, caring and fulfilling relationships and an inner peace and happiness.

Some people falsely believe that bisexuality is about swinging with other couples or singles of both genders. The truth is that bisexuality is about whom you are, not whom you are with. That aside, most bisexual people tend to be attracted to one gender more or less than the other. The degree of attraction towards one or the other can also change over time, even from week to week. Many bisexual people live their lives in monogamous relationships, committed to one partner but aware of their attractions towards other men and women. Others may have serial monogamous relationships or live in triads or group relationships or have a primary relationship and secondary partners. Many now turn to bisexual support and social groups for friendships.

Why not !!! Choosing a Bisexual identity to describe yourself is as valid as any other person who chooses a Gay, Lesbian, Queer or Straight identity. Whatever identity a person chooses, it should be their choice and not forced upon them by others, society or subjected to criticism, harassment or discrimination by others. Our sexual identity is only one of many identities we have: student, wife, mother, business woman, activist, poet, greenie, Aboriginal, Chinese, Australian, black, white, working class, feminist, lover, etc.

Some women choose bisexual labels that identify themselves further such as Straight-Identified Bisexual, or Lesbian-Identified Bisexual, Bisexual Queer, Bisexual Lesbian or Bisexual Dyke. Just “Bi” is often used. Being Bisexual is about being in touch with your feelings rather than whom you’re having sex with. It is about not limiting your options to one gender.

Your sexual identity can be a very private thing or a very public thing. It might be used in a very sexual way or a very political way. You may use it to describe the way you feel or the way you behave or the type of relationships you have. The way you express your bisexuality must ultimately be your choice for happiness.

“In dealing with such issues (husband’s bisexuality) I have examined my own sexuality. I have had to admit to myself that I too could be bi-sexual. I have acknowledged to myself that if I was looking for a partner again, I might not limit potential choices to just men. I have shared this with a few people close to me (including Peter). I have to thank Peter for providing a framework to explore this issue without a lot of negativity or guilt. I ponder why sexual orientation can change during a person’s lifetime. I have also begun to question how much of an individual’s sexual orientation is due to socialisation and how much much is biological. Perhaps a lot more people who regard themselves as gay/lesbian or heterosexual, are in fact bi-sexual.”

From “My Journey” by Octavia Filbert, 1995.

Women, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health

Women are not immune to sexually transmitted diseases including the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). World wide, it was estimated that the number of women with HIV and AIDS will surpass the number of men by the year 2000. In the USA, AIDS is the leading killer of young women while in Australia, the number of new HIV infections in women is slowly on the rise. The rate of HIV infection in parts of Central Europe, Africa, Central & South America, India and South East Asia is still increasing.

HIV is found in the vaginal secretions, in blood, semen (cum), in breast milk, in the secretions inside the arse (rectum) of infected people. Unprotected sex can transmit HIV and diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, genital warts and hepatitis B from an infected person to an uninfected woman or man. A woman can transmit these diseases to another woman through infected vaginal and anal secretions or blood via fingers, fists, sex toys or on the penis of a mutual male partner.

The use of disposable gloves and condoms can reduce the risk of infection. Use condoms and a water based lubricant when having intercourse with men. While the risk of HIV infection through oral sex is low, it has occured and other sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted during oral-vaginal, oral-anal or oral-penile sex. The use of a barrier such as a dental dam or condom can be used. HIV and some other infections can be transmitted from mother to baby in the womb, during birth or may occur during breast feeding. The sharing of needles to inject drugs or medication can transmit HIV, Hepatitis B and C and syphilis so always use clean needles and syringes and never share them. Genital wart infections have been linked to cancer of the cervix and sexually active women should have regular pap smear screening and women over 40 should have regular breast and pap smear screening. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B are available from sexual health clinics or your doctor.

Be wise, be safe.

Presented by the Australian Bisexual Network – 2013

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Homosexuality in the Ottoman Empire

Especially Most of them are slim waist and tall. As they surrendered, they showed softness with each limb.

Gelibolulu Mustafa Ali is a famous Ottoman historian who grew up in the sixteenth century. He was born in 1541 in Gallipoli. He started his education at a young age and graduated from the madrasa at the age of twenty.

He was appointed as a divan clerk by presenting his work named Mihr-ü Mah to Prince Selim II. Later he was appointed as the council clerk of the Damascus chieftain Lala Mustafa Pasha. He went to Egypt when Mustafa Pasha became the governor of Egypt. After a while, when Mustafa Pasha was taken over from the governorship of Egypt, the Prince in Manisa became one of the beneficiaries of the Third Murad. From there, he was appointed as the council clerk of Bosnia Governor Ferhat Pasha.

During the reign of Sultan Murad III, he worked as the governor of Georgia and council clerk.

When Sultan Mehmed III ascended the throne, he was appointed as the governor of Damascus with the rank of mir-i miran.

Finally, Mustafa Ali, who was given the emirate of Jeddah, went to this duty through Egypt and Mecca and fulfilled his pilgrimage. He died in Jeddah in 1600.

In addition to having his name written as a good poet, he has an important place in our commentary literature. He interpreted the poems of Sultan Murad III. His giving pseudonym to some poets like Nefi is clear evidence that he is one of the masters of our poetry.

The real field of success is history. In his historical work titled Künhü’l-Ahbar, he explained not only the Ottoman history, but also the history of the Prophets, Islamic history, Turkish and Mongolian history.

WRITTEN THE SOCIAL RULES

“Künh-ul-Ahbar” is his greatest work. Some of his other works are Heft Majlis, Nadir-ul-Maharib, Menâkıb-I Hünerverân, Âdab, Hülâsâtü’l-Ahvâ der-Letâfet.

In his work named Kavaidü’l-Mecalis, written at the request of Sultan Murad III, he explained how people belonging to various classes, arts and professions should act, how to dress, in short, what to do and know what to do in order to live in a proper manner in the community.

His work “Nushatü’s-Selâtin” is about social life. This work, which is an example of the politics tradition in the Eastern world, was written to guide the sultans. This work is important in terms of showing the political and social situation of that period … It tells about the works that the Sultan should do during the state administration.

TELLED THE STUFF

The eighth chapter title of Mustafa Ali, who has deep experience and knowledge about the Ottomans and the Sultans, published in two volumes, titled “Banquet Tables on Manners and Social Rules”, published by the conservative Tercuman publications, “Describes the team of those who have not sweaty mustache and have not grown beard” ‘is written in capital letters with the definition.

Aside from the harem scenes of the “Magnificent Century” series, which has fixed its place on the agenda that has been discussed recently, it describes the concept of sodomy of that period in all its nakedness.

In the episode, it is explained that boys who did not grow hair and beard mustache at that time were preferred by attractive women. It became evident to be friends with the people of the world, they started to walk with them everywhere in their seated worlds without hesitation, and they never carry the moon-faced women with them in the same period.

On pages 59 and 60 of the book, see how the experiences are described:

“Because the namahrams of the beloved women’s division are kept secret from fear of dignitaries. Now, friendship with the mercenaries is a door on the way of falling and getting up with them, which is always secret, obviously open.

Most of those who are descendants of the hairless bite are Arabian bastards and the veled -i adultery of Anatolian Turks.

Until they reach the age of thirty, they do not see hairs on their beautiful face that will be sad in their hearts. Turkish children are unruly children in Arabia who are short-lived in terms of beauty.

As they reach the age of 20, they become out of vogue and fall out of lovers’ jobs. But the fine figures of İçel, Edirne, Bursa and Istanbul are ahead of them in perfection and beauty in every way.

On the other hand, those who lack beauty and charm make it look cute with its freshness and sweetness. But Kurdish hairless people were healthy, gentle and docile, according to the experience of mother-born sons, and they would listen and do whatever they offered. They used to paint their waist down with henna and decorate themselves by painting them down to their knees.

Most of them are especially slim — waist and tall — they are. As they surrendered, they showed softness with each limb. In short, seemingly behaving softly, actually standing against, most of the Icel beauties would stubbornly.

Accordingly, their blessing of vuslat exists for these burdens. It is in the square where they left their lovers wandering with them unfortunate and without money, they say. And they say that it is impossible to touch, that two young people benefit from each other at times of opportunity, or if one of them gets drunk and gets above the other.

In short, it attracts famous beautiful faces and has a silver-cypress shape in front of it. Those who want to use tall, swinging walkers should not be surprised by Rumeli Köçek. Do not be tired of the Circassians of the type of Kul with a face of Yusuf and those of Croatian descent who have a fragrant breath.

Even though there are some people in İçel mahbups too, most of them are painful beauty who want to upset unfaithful people. The peace and comfort of those who have them is rare. But the Albanian breed also takes the hearts of the lovers, there are so many that they are very stubborn.

But Georgian, Russian and Görel breed are like the manure of other tradesmen. Looking at them, those of Hungarian ancestry are the other crews who are natural and acceptable.

However, most of them betray their masters; every person sees their ugly side from their fall and their behavior. What is surprising is that the Egyptian households are fond of the Abyssinians. Coldness intervenes, they say, each one is a human sable. In fact, they were masters in bed service, that is, they wanted esbap incense, mattress and pillow upholstery. The males and females were evident: it was easy for them to show softness by behaving docile and nice in whatever district they were seen. ”

Here are the lines telling from Mustafa Ali’s mouth that sodomy reached the extent of sodomy in the Ottoman Empire, and that it was preferred over women. We do not know how Islamists reacting to the love scenes in the TV series Magnificent Century will interpret these lines of Mustafa Ali, the Ottoman official historian. However, the fact that Nazlı Ilıcak, one of the Ilıcak family, who owns the publishing house and that the book in question was published by the conservative Tercüman Publications, was a member of parliament from the party of Milli Gorus who protested the events seems to be a separate contradiction.

Iklım Bayraktar / Odatv

Translation: Frank

Green Tea For Weight Loss: Fact Or Fiction?

Weight loss, and green tea’s popularity has been hype with regard to the few recent reports on green tea. There is a ongoing debate among the experts of the various green tea varieties or tea types for weight loss. The latest reports suggest that there could be benefits from most green tea types and that any single type of tea may not be such a big thing. That in turn leads one to question “Is Green Tea a Weight Loss Fad?”

The basics

There are four basic types of tea including: Green, Black, Oolong or Wu-Long.

The difference is in the way these teas are processed. teas that are black usually require oxidation which oxidizes the tea color, giving it a rich rich aroma. The processing does not affect the active ingredients of the tea. Green tea which is less processed is less oxidized giving it a more delicate flavor and aroma, this leads to black teas with a more robust flavor and aroma. This is what makes green tea the choice tea for weight loss.

The benefits of green tea

• The primary ingredient is caffeine, which gives you an energy boost, promoting thermogenesis and thus resulting in increased fat reduction.

• Several research has shown that theanine, caffeine and the catechins (chemicals that give green tea its sweet flavor) are all from the leaves. The anorectic and catabolic (break down fat cells) affect by the tea, and are believed to promote weight loss, as the active ingredients speed up your metabolism and help to burn fat faster.

• The antioxidants in green tea also help to protect the body against arrived harmful substances, which in most cases are in the form of free radicals, which are given to the body because of stress, unhealthy eating and even pollutants found in tap water and food.

What kinds of green tea should you buy?

There are three tea types that you can buy. The top of the line being wulong / wulong buds, which are steeped two times before seasoning. The popular Oolong tea, has gotten much media attention recently. Oolong tea comes in bags and also depending on the brand or cartons, as well stir-filled or in solo tea bags.

Tea for weight loss – and other health benefits

Tea, in its naturally raw state, is nutrient rich. It contains powerful antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In addition, green tea contains the modifying polyphenols called Binding affinity proteins. A binding protein is a tag- affiliate protein that unites with a dilute sample of your blood supply to dilute the effect of the sample on your circulation. With the aid of this dilution, the amount of harm to our bodies is reduced. Online sources say that an EGCG study showed that it helps regulates blood pressure, reducing plaques and reducing bad cholesterol.

Tea, in it’s natural form, is rich in many other nutrients than those that are processed or added in the forms of supplements. Other benefits include that it helps prevent certain cancers and may even have been used by the ancient Chinese to treat diseases such as cancer and control theirappetite.

Studies of the effects of green tea on health and diet longevity are still underway. For example, currently in theorbination of tea, the ORAC value is only taken as a measurement of the amount of polyphenols and anti-oxidants present. The study so far has focused on green that is whole plant extracts not just green tea itself. However, from the studies, it would seem that green tea benefits are far more than what has been discovered by the research and testing to date.

Is it really weight loss tea?

Yes, it might be from the “herbs” category of tea, but if you search for reviews on that kind of tea you will find many other kinds of tea, so if it’s green you’ll find a whole new set of benefits.

Some other health benefits of green tea are:

• helps preventBLE nails and belly wrinkles

• protect againstER HEIGHT Accumulation

• protects againstARY2017bs dipped into it

• helps prevent tooth decay and other cavities

• helps combat premature aging• helps keep you cool

• increase your endurance• help fight Teranish disease

• and it’s a natural antibiotic

• and because it contains antioxidants, it’s a very powerful weight loss ingredient.

It seems that green tea weight loss programs are beginning to pop up everywhere. Remember, before you invest in a weight loss tea, research and make sure the product you use is made of 100% whole plant parts and is as pure as possible. Limit your use of supplement tea to three times per day.

Best LGBTQ+ Films on Netflix

In case of a tie, Tomatometer scores for all films were averaged. Also, Indigenous films and Hispanic films were omitted from the analysis. Tomatometer scores for LGBTQ+ films on Netflix released on or after January 1st, 2017 are listed last. Netflix’s ranking of LGBTQ+ films and rankings for LGBTQ+ films released elsewhere are reported here.

Best LGBTQ+ Films

Kate Plays Christine

Kate Plays Christine is a low-budget horror/romance about a young girl who moves to the small Massachusetts town of Busfield, where the local teenage librarian, Maxine, has a crush on her classmate, Kate. Kate accidentally murders Maxine’s boyfriend, Mike, then pretends her death was the result of an assault by a masked man. Tomatometer score: 66% Tomatometer rating: 4.7 (“Fresh”) 89 % What Happens in Vegas: Season

Director: Keith Calder Hawkins

From the director of Timecop, the award-winning Timecop has two incredible trade franchises. The first film’s premise – a series of haphazard events that loosely connect ones that could get messy – is exceedingly clever. The second film’s premise is even better: a group of 40 or so young characters are caught in a tragic and sexually charged situation: 13-year old high school girl Lindsay finds out she has a kinky turn on and decides to expose her to risk it all by dating a stranger. It’s the ideal sum of all the best parts of those film series, and works magnificently in its own special way, when it needs to. DP-PA Oliver Jean sees his chance to shine, but having previously explored the psychological films Super Troopers and Torn, he’s ready for anything. “Making this film allows me to delve into other avenues and territory,” he says. Tomatometer score: 73% Tomatometer rating: 4.8 (“Midnight”) 91 % Purge

Director: James DeMonaco

Our second film review looks at a crime thriller. Mark, the hero of this tale, is enrolled in a man-made commune where he may or may not be in touch with the spirit world. He immediately gets a taste of what it’s like to be hunted by criminals and starts to experience supernatural occurrences. Tomatometer score: 6% Tomatometer rating: 2.4 (“Fresh”) 40 % Anna Karenina

Director: Leo Tolstoy

Engrossing themes such as the vicissitudes of parent-child relationships and the survival of the family tree can be found in numerous works. All The Young Dudes and Strange Days gained their high scores on this one. Tomatometer score: 40% Tomatometer rating: 2.4 (“Fresh”) 24 % Freaky Friday

Director: John Waters

Who would’ve thought that a film using footage of a soap opera would strike a chord with viewers? A classic that posts beautifully, Freaky Friday is the stuff of dark comedy, and a rare example of a film with both a socially-conscious message and a well-crafted film noir twist that stays balanced and doesn’t veer too far from social commentary. Tomatometer score: 46% Tomatometer rating: 2.3 (“Midnight”) 40 % Adam Blampied

Director: Adrian Thomas-Hunt

Adam’s journey to got to television is a truly wild one, but his unlikely quest toward respectability is plotted just right. Situated squarely in the get-crazed noir genre, this is an inviting but archetypal tale of a sly cop in L.A., trying to do his part in fighting the industry’s rampant misogyny. A steady stream of terrific performances and a well-realized intent cause to root for Adam throughout, but his tragic fate doesn’t offer the same comfort. Tomatometer score: 43% Tomatometer rating: 2.3 (“Fresh”) 57 % Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li and Ryu

Director: Joe Haythe

Our first film review looks at a martial arts film. Deep sense of family ties are the drive behind this film, and its ensemble cast of an international cast must pull together to fight perceived stigma. And that can only be done with a bit of baddies. FX’s stop-motion epic Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li and Ryu features some of the greatest sketches and animation in blockbuster history, and continues to impress, thanks to its hyper-rebellious and reclusive protagonist, Ryu, and a sumptuous and funky score by the late, great, De-Gaetano Waller.

LGBTI Meaning: What is LGBTI?

The expression LGBT, which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual, has been used since the 1900s.

Expressed as a rights struggle, LGBT was used as GLBT for a period, but it started to be referred to as LGBT again because lesbians were ignored in the society, later added intersexual people.

What does LGBTI stand for?

LGBTI Which Stands For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex

The LGBTI operation dating back to antiquity, 2000-3000 BC, has succeeded in shedding light on this issue by reflecting on the works of that period.

Although Christianity prohibits homosexuality, it is known that homosexual relations, although not very common, continued in Western countries throughout the Middle Ages. The bans, court orders and executions of the popes and cardinals prove that sexual relations and love continue to exist among LGBTIs despite these prohibitions.

With the French Revolution, homosexuality was decriminalized again in Europe, with the abolition of all crimes and punishments based on religion. When the French emperor Napoleon enacted the civil law in 1810, he did not give up this practice. In the 19th century, countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Bavaria and Italy accepted the Napoleonic laws, but homosexuality was no longer a crime in these countries.

What is a LGBTI Honor Mark?

A frequently cited goal of activist or social movement among LGBTIs is social equality for LGBTI people; some people also sought to develop LGBTI communities or liberate the wider society from sexual oppression. LGBT movements organized today are lobbying and street walks; social groups, support groups and community events; magazines, films and literature; academic research and writing; and business activities, as well as a wide range of political activism and cultural activities.

L: Lesbian, Lesbians

G: Gay, Gays

B: Bisexual, Bisexuals, Bisexual Man, Bisexual Woman etc…

T: Transgender, Transgenders, Transsexual, Transsexuals, Trans Man, Trans Woman, Trans Men, Trans Women etc…

I: Intersex, Intersexual, Intersexuals

LGBTI Life in Afghanistan: Gradually Improving?

In 2012, Nemat Sadat, a former professor of political science at American University of Afghanistan mobilized a LGBT movement and on August 22, 2013, he became the first public figure to come out as gay and campaigned for gender freedom and sexual liberation. There does not seem to be much internet information on improvements since then, but I would think that there may be a gradual improvement.

Public Understanding of Homosexuality

When publicly discussed, homosexuality is often linked with prostitution and pedophilia and the level of awareness about sexual orientation or gender identity is limited.

In 2011, Afghan news reporters interviewed men who had LGBT-pride symbols on their vehicles, to find out that the men were unaware of the meaning of the rainbow flags and stickers, thinking that it was just another western fad, and began quickly removing the rainbows to avoid being seen as a LGBT person or as supporter of LGBT rights.

Homosexuality is thus often associated with both sexual abuse and prostitution, a popular misconception that trickles down into the nation’s legal system.

Despite the negative social attitudes and legal prohibitions, there is an institutionalized form of bisexuality within Afghan culture. This occurs when boys are kidnapped to act as sexual slaves for adult men, typically in a militia, or when an adult man buys sexual favors from young boys with money or gifts. These activities are tolerated within Afghan culture because they are not perceived as being an expression of an LGBT-identity, but rather an expression of male power and dominance; as the boy in these situations is forced to assume the “female” role in the relationship.

Militia members generally do not have access to women, and so boys are sometimes kidnapped to be humiliated and raped by adult men. Other boys become prostitutes for adult men, regardless of their sexual orientation.

These men involved are sometimes called bach bad in Persian and seem to flourish in the big cities of Afghanistan, possibly due to poverty and the strict social taboos surrounding interaction between men and women. A law has been enacted prohibiting Afghan soldiers from having their “ashna” live with them. In 2007, reports stated that the practice of “bacha bareesh” (beardless boys) is still prevalent in parts of northern Afghanistan. This practice involves teenage boys being dressed in women’s clothing and made to participate in dance competitions and engage in sexual acts

Paula’s comment:

From the world of LGBTI persons globally, we wish all our gay brothers and sisters in Afghanistan freedom to love those you love.

Paula, 2017, stories4hotbloodedlesbians.com

Twenty-Five Unusual Facts About Homosexuality

1.The labrys, a double-edged hatchet or axe, is a symbol of strength and unity for the lesbian community. Demeter, the Goddess of Earth, is said to have used a labrys as her scepter, especially in religious ceremonies.

2. In 1987, Delta Airlines apologized for arguing in plane crash litigation that it should pay less in compensation for the life of a gay passenger than for a heterosexual one because he may have had AIDS.

3. Gay people tend to be left-handed much more often than heterosexuals.

4. The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriages in 2001.

5. In Egypt, two male royal manicurists named Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep were found buried together in a shared tomb similar to the way married couples were often buried. Their epigraph reads: ‘Joined in life and joined in death’. Having lived in 2400 BC, they are believed to be history’s oldest recorded gay couple.

6. In 1952, the Unites States Congress enacted a law banning lesbians and gay foreigners from entering the country. The law was on the books until it was repealed in 1990.

7. There is some evidence that increased levels of steroids in the womb increases the chances that a girl will be a lesbian.

8. Some historical gay and bi figures have turned their lovers into gods. Alexander the Great wanted to make his boyhood lover Hephaestion a god when he died, but was only allowed to declare him a Divine Hero. The Roman Emperor Hadrian, of wall-building fame, was successful in making his lover, Antinous, a god after he drowned in the Nile.

9. The three U.S. cities that have the most gay couples are New York City (47,000), Los Angeles (12,000), and Chicago (10,000). The major metropolitan cities with the highest LGBT concentration are San Francisco 15.4%, Seattle 12.9%, and Atlanta 12.8%.f

10. The Roman Catholic Church sanctified gay marriages in the “so called” Dark Ages. A notable marriage was between Byzantine Emperor Basil 1st, (867-886) and his partner called John.

11. Gilbert Baker, also known as the “Gay Betsy Ross,” designed the rainbow flag, or Pride Flag, in San Francisco in 1978. The flag is the most prominent symbol of lesbian and gay pride. The colors, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet represent sexuality, life, healing, the Sun, nature, art, harmony, and the spirit, respectively.

12,. Mercury represents male and female principles in harmony. In mythology, Mercury fathered Hermaphroditus, who had both male and female sex organs.

13. The first U.S. lesbian magazine was titled Vice Versa and was written by the pseudonymous Lisa Ben (an anagram for “lesbian”).f

14. In ancient China, homosexuality was referred to as ‘the cut sleeve’ and ‘pleasures of the bitten peach.’’.

15. Until the late 1400s the word ‘girl’ just meant a child of either sex. If you had to differentiate between them, male children were referred to as ‘knave girls’ and females were ‘gay girls‘.

16. We can thank William Shakespeare and his Globe Theatre players for using the word “drag.” It was an acronymn for Dressed Resembling A Girl.”

17. Queen Elizabeth II of England may or may not be aware that in the early 17th century, there was a gay brothel on the site where she lives – Buckingham Palace. (Surely, there is a modern gay or lesbian in the ranks???)

18. As early as 1806, an early explorer, Nicholas Biddle, found that the Minitarees (Native American tribe) allowed for diversity of gender. He wrote, ‘if a boy shows any symptom of effeminacy or girlish inclinations, he is put among the girls, dressed in their way, brought up with them and sometimes married to men’.

19. The word “gay” used to refer to a woman prostitute – and a gay man, was a man who slept with lots of women.

2o. A novel called “Carmilla” was a story of a lesbian vampire that preyed on young women, was written 25 years before Dracula.

21. In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association decided that homosexuality should no longer be classified as a mental disorder. Also the same year, the American Bar Association passed a resolution recommending the repeal of all state sodomy laws.c

22. There has been a gay U.S.A President. He was James Buchanan and he shacked up for 10 years with a future Vice President, William Rufus King. Later on, President Andrew Jackson named Buchanan as “Miss Nancy” and King as “Aunt Fancy.”

23. A monocle is a one-piece-eye- glass, now not in use. Lesbians particularly in France and Germany used a monocle as a means of identification.

24. The oldest surviving LGBT organization in the world is Netherlands’ Centre for Culture and Leisure (COC) which was founded in 1946. It used this as a cover name to mask its real purpose.

25. Gay male victims of the Holocaust, who wore the downward-facing pink triangle, were still considered to be criminals when they were freed from concentration camps. They were often sent back to prison to serve out their terms.

From Various Sources

Paula, 2015, stories4hotbloodedlesbians.com