Lesbian News

Who Were the First Lesbians to be Legally Married?

There names are Helene Faasen and Anne-Marie Thus, and their civil wedding was approved by the law of the Netherlands on April 1st, 2001. Holland was the first country to approve same sex marriage. First Great Step for Lesbians ”We married for love, not politics. But of course we were aware it was an historicContinue reading “Who Were the First Lesbians to be Legally Married?”

The Labrys: Claiming our Lesbian Heritage

Women, and lesbians in particular, have a long and fond association with the labrys or double-headed axe. In a world where male history dominates female herstory, we need to go back to learn about our past. The labrys was both a symbol of Goddess culture, fertility and used as a tool in agriculture. It wasContinue reading “The Labrys: Claiming our Lesbian Heritage”

First Buddhist Lesbian Wedding

The location: Two hundred and fifty guest gathered at the Hongshi Buddhist Seminary outside Taipei, Taiwan. Preparing to meet them were two 30-year old lesbians excited about a marriage that would make headlines world-wide. The Brides: Huang Meiyu and You Yating gathered their prayer beads which would be exchanged instead of rings. They walked outContinue reading “First Buddhist Lesbian Wedding”

How many Genders are there?

How many genders are there? I think in order to be supportive of other people, including our gender selves, we need to work on our labels to make them reflect our genders and to acknowledge that other alternatives are possible, affirming that we are all genders. While it’s excellent to work with professionals that understandContinue reading “How many Genders are there?”

Closing in on AIDS Cure

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.A.) maintains there is no cure for AIDS as of 2011. The CDC points encouragingly to the preventative shot in the arm which has thus far apparently eluded researchers. The prescribed course for managing the disease is a selection of drugs considered successful in prolonging the life ofContinue reading “Closing in on AIDS Cure”

Diagram of Sex and Gender

BIOLOGICAL SEX (anatomy, chromosomes, hormones) male ————————————- intersex ——————————— female GENDER IDENTITY (psychological sense of self) man ——————————– two spirit/third gender ———————— woman GENDER EXPRESSION (communication of gender) masculine —————————— androgynous —————————– feminine SEXUAL ORIENTATION (romantic/erotic response) attracted to women —————— bisexual/asexual ——————— attracted to men Biological sex, shown on the top scale, includes externalContinue reading “Diagram of Sex and Gender”

LGBTQ Meaning, What does LGBTQ Stand for?

We use many abbreviations in our lives, one of these abbreviations is LGBTQ. So what do LGBTQ and sub expansions mean? LGBTQ stand for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. A lesbian is a woman who feels physical and / or emotional attraction to another woman. Lesbian means gay woman. Women who feel attracted toContinue reading “LGBTQ Meaning, What does LGBTQ Stand for?”

Lesbian, Gay Male and Transgender Elder Abuse

When most people think about Lesbians and Gay men, they think about sexuality. After all, it’s sexuality — sexual behavior — that distinguishes heterosexuals from homosexuals. And since our culture says sexuality is an intensely private activity (particularly for the generations who are currently elders), discussion of Lesbian and Gay male elder issues can seemContinue reading “Lesbian, Gay Male and Transgender Elder Abuse”

A Queer Arab Identity?

In this presentation, I discuss the notion of Queer Arab, and examine the ideological gesture it performs. What does Queer Arab achieve as identity formation? Whom does it refer to, if it is anything but self-referential? My initial project was to discuss Queer Arab and the possibility of militantism in the Middle East, rather thanContinue reading “A Queer Arab Identity?”

Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville West

It was over dinner with a mutual acquaintance in December 1922 that Vita met Virginia Woolf and the affair of nineteen years started. Vita Known as an Aristocratic Woman Vita may have been better known in English society as the aristocratic writer and gardener, but Virginia was the superior writer. Virginia was published through herContinue reading “Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville West”