Art and reference pro!

Reggie Yates’ Extreme UK - 1. Gay and Under Attack

“Anyone who has delved into the topic of gender identity has likely heard about the diverging understandings of gender according to queer theory (gender is arbitrary i.e. whatever you say it is) and radical feminism (gender is a social construct with well-defined parameters). This disagreement comes down to how womanhood and manhood are defined (although for reasons obvious to feminists, the nature of womanhood is much more frequently debated) and what we’re ultimately supposed to do about sex/gender stereotypes.

For centuries, women have struggled to break away from the expectations regarding how we’re supposed to look, act, think, and feel. While debates rage on about what it means to be a woman or a man – or a proper lady or a real man – there are people who want to identify as something other than what they were born as or how they’re expected to be. While it’s often said that the reason for this varies from person to person as it’s a purely personal choice, this individualistic approach fails to take into account the inequality between the sexes. This is critical to understanding what’s happening and why because a system whose goal is the dominance of males over females will necessarily seek to define womanhood and manhood, femininity and masculinity, in such a way as to perpetuate that supremacy. It attempts to do this at every opportunity and within every social movement, arguably most aggressively when done under the guise of progressive politics. Once a theory regarding gender is adopted by those who identify as social justice advocates it becomes nearly impossible to question a doctrine already presumed to be revolutionary.

It is possible for men to be the oppressor and oppressed, just not at the same time. In the UK there is law on sexual abuse on women but not for men and it’s likely a man may be bullied because he was raped. More women report rape than men because men will feel like they won;t be taken seriously which is more likely, plus a woman may use allegations of abuse to get leverage in custody hearings.

The New York City Commission On Human Rights has officially banned willful misuse of gender pronouns as part of a new update to the city’s 1945 Human Rights Law. The new guidance, released on December 21, will fine employers, landlords and service providers up to $250,000 for deliberately addressing individuals by the wrong name or gender pronouns.

New York City defines “gender” as one’s “actual or perceived sex and shall also include a person’s gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the legal sex assigned to that person at birth.”

The new guidance can impose a civil penalty fine “up to $125,000 for violations, and up to $250,000 for violations that are the result of willful, wanton, or malicious conduct.” The penalty amount will be determined based on the severity of the violation, a history of previous violations, knowledge of the NYC Human Rights Law and the violating company’s size.

While many states are still struggling to catch up to this standard, New York has had the Gender Expressions Non-discrimination Act (GENDA) floating around the state Assembly and Senate since 2003. Although GENDA has yet to receive a vote on the Senate floor, this update was most likely added as a way of protecting transgender individuals from unfair discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

The new guidelines, to be released by New York City’s Commission on Human Rights on Monday afternoon, are aimed at making it clear that the city’s gender discrimination law also applies to discrimination against people who identify as transgender and those who consider themselves gender non-conforming. The guidelines were provided to The Associated Press ahead of the official release.

“Far too often, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals suffer discrimination, harassment and violence on a scale many cannot imagine,” said Carmelyn P. Malalis, New York City’s Human Rights Commissioner. “New York City does not and will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of gender identity or gender expression.”

Those caught violating the city’s human rights law could be fined up to $250,000 if officials can prove the violations were based on willful or malicious conduct. Under the city’s human rights law, it is illegal to treat someone “less well than others” because of their gender. It also is unlawful for an employer to refuse to hire or promote people who identify as transgender and illegal to fire or give different work assignment or benefits to someone because of their gender.

Boys In Lipstick, Just Because

I am a man who has worn makeup every single day since I can remember, and I know how much joy it gives me.

“A couple weeks ago I got my certification in lessons for MAC. Today I got to do my first one. I was not originally scheduled today but was filling in. This is Ethan, he is 8. He wanted to learn drag makeup. He loves Jeffree Starr. His mom is so supportive of him and is letting him discover who he is. I did one side of his face and he did the other. He did soooo great. He is a very talented guy. And I expect he will be a great artist in life. But I was so touched that his mom said I gave him confidence in letting him be himself. And it truly was meant to be that I worked today. It shows me the world is changing from when I was his age and that there is hope for kids who are different. And whether he is gay or not who knows. But I really respect the mom who is letting him be himself and discover who he is and what he wants to do in life. Please share if you like. Spread the message of acceptance.”