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“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Of course, that’s not true. Words can be hurtful, particularly when hurled as an epithet. I sat in on a discussion recently about the use of queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, intersex, inquiring, and questioning. The handful of people could not agree among themselves. The interpretation and meaning of the words was very personal and had a different connotation for each of them. Depending upon their experience, the history of the words was different.

That’s not even getting into the quagmire of the use of pronouns. Obviously, it’s a very personal decision, and people are sensitive about it. Therefore, in many circumstances people are asked to identify their preference so there is no misunderstanding. I guess the answer is, “just ask first.”

Read more: Words Matter

The Republicans Have a Banner Year Promoting Homophobia and Transphobia

Trans Children Are Not Political PawnsTrans Children Are Not Political Pawns
Photo by Nikolas Gannon on Unsplash

According to a report by the Human Rights Campaign that was issued in June[1], 525 bills were introduced in state legislatures attacking the LGBTQ+ community. Of those, 220 were targeted against the trans community. Seventy of these bills were enacted into law. The Republicans have adopted a strategy of focusing on the state legislatures, many in which they hold a majority. Many of these laws already have been challenged in court awaiting trials that may overturn them.

Read more: State Laws Attack...

OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival

The big LGBTQ+ event in the Triangle for August is the annual film festival at the Carolina Theatre in Durham. Directors and producers of some films will appear in person, and some may take questions following the films. The OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival (formerly known as the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) runs the weekend of 8/10 - 8/13. The films will be repeated the next week from 8/14 to 8/17. The festival started in 1995. Go to CarolinaTheatre.org. You need to scroll down to get to the festival information.

Read more: OUTSOUTH Queer...