Lesbian Activists: Ladies Who Care About Achieving Equality!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Emma Lee on March 5, 2010 at 3:57pm

I am slightly ashamed to say I haven't done much. But just recently, I've really begun to get into lgbt rights and feminism. It's something I feel very strongly about. I just never know how to go about activism. And I haven't had any opportunities. I live in a very small town, in a very rural area. I wish I could do more.

I am very interested about what you are doing, though? Any advice on how I can get more involved?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Megan on March 5, 2010 at 4:55pm

Amen, sister. I live in a verrrrry rural, sometimes redneck town. And the girls I know who are lesbian or bisexual are almost all verrrry closeted. I have no idea how to go about being an activist for LGBT rights when I'm the only one. I just don't know how to get started!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nonnie on March 7, 2010 at 12:32am

Oops, just figured out I can reply to you all specifically. My bad!

Anyways, Megan...Like I told Emma Lee, I would first start off getting your engines going. Read news, read history, watch movies (Milk for instance, or Prayers for Bobby) join a local organization in your city that is geared towards achieving equality. Maybe there's one in your school. If there isn't and you feel strong enough to create one, DO IT! If you're still not quite as out and active as that, that's TOTALLY fine. Activism starts with very small alterations to how you live. I remember one of the very first things I did was stop saying "That's so gay" in response to something I don't like. At first, I would just replace that phrase with,"That's lame" or "That's stupid" and eventually I got the courage to call people out on it because I personally became offended because I realized they were inadvertently calling me "stupid" or something negative. You don't have to only side with the lesbians either, if there's a gay man in your life, get him involved too! Equality is for everyone and should involve everyone no matter what city you live in. There's always an opportunity to make a difference. :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nonnie on March 7, 2010 at 12:33am

@ Emma Lee:

Don't be ashamed. Some members of the lgbt community never reach the point of activism or advocacy because of family reasons or what have you. I am in college and I work with the LGBT organization on campus to educate our fellow pupils about what being LGBT is like and how we came upon realizing we were LGBT. I put on peaceful demonstrations that relate to equal rights not only national but on my school's campus. For instance, I'm planning a petition to get back our Student Diversity Center which was the umbrella in which all the diversity organizations called home. I also have put on pretty radical demonstrations. I'm still very new at this, but I learn as I go and I take every achievement, big or small and learn from all the mistakes. It's what keeps me going. I too attend college in a VERY conservative town, but I don't use that as an excuse to not be active. Whatever the circumstances may be, there is always room for enlightenment and education.

In regards to how you can get more involved: If you're attending high school or college, join your Gay Student Association or whatever is equal to that. If there isn't one...Petition to make one! And what helped me get my fire going was reading about the inequality that people have faced around the world every day. I read CONSTANTLY about local statistics, national statistics, stories, movies, youtube videos. You name it, I've done it. The more informed you are, the more you can educate others. :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Seras Victoria on March 5, 2010 at 5:47pm

Hey Nonnie,

Its great to meet someone similar. I'm active at my own university and sometimes arrange time for primairy schools to explain students about sexuality and discrimination why its wrong. I dont just do it for the gay community but discrimination in general. I can't stand people who indirectly offend minority groups and it happense so very often. For instance using the term gay for something stupid is nowadays so common and normal without people realising how offensive it can be and how dangerous it can be if it continues.

I'm currently working on opening an online community and café/lounge location for gay/bi/lesbian/trans/ and anyone interested to just come by and relax without the sex tendancies. Just a place where people can socialise and get to know eachother as friends or more on a more social side instead of having to party and get drunk. In the future this bar/lounge café will be used for parties movie nights lounge dating events etc. Name it you got it! I live my heart out for this and will get it done because I want the gay community to progress on a more healthy way and right way instead of being to oriented into the sex scene.

I also write articles together with a friend who is studying journalism... I kind of create the rough idea of the article and she perfectionises it. Another great person I am sure you will all hear from later her name is Adilça Rodrigues Soares.


I have absolute respect for those that are active into bringing progress! you go gurls!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by DayDreamer on March 7, 2010 at 9:24am

I have to say im not even out yet so nothing i have done xD
I just yesterday started a group on facebook called ~Lets talked about Love~ ( http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=249368129956 ) that is dedicated to my gf even though i dont say that directly cause people dont kn0w i have a gf but im planning on leaving some msgs about equality of love and homosexuallity in the group in near future , not much since im not even out , but i did it for a very special persons o it means alot to me and im actually quite proud lol
Im still 15 though , i got time to start being more active on it and plan on doing so, the country i live in most certainly needs it :)
Im really glad to know people are being active on something as important as that , keep it up. ! :D

▶ Reply to This