#glbtiqa

Being is different from doing. 

Doing is the idea that if you do a certain set of things that it will lead to being. Actually, it is the other way around. Being is grounded on several things. One: Who your parents were, Two: What part of the world you grew up in, Three: A personal set of choices based on the use of your freedom. When people say: Hey! Just be Yourself! they mean that your set of choices are unique to their own and even more so, that your personal uniqueness is exactly that which makes life so exciting. 

I know that as an Ace/Aro that my desire is really invisible in media. Yet I exist! Why should that stop me from ‘being’. What I do, should be in line with my ‘being’--my very truth. I can't help being who I am.  As Aro/Ace, I personally validate my identity for myself no one else can do it for me.

One thing for sure, in all the known universes throughout space and time, there is and has only been one version of me. Ever.

And the same applies to you.

So it’s a few short weeks before my 28th birthday, there’s a lot of expectation as you approach your 30’s. There’s the expectation that you’re in a reasonable job (check), maybe have some property (nope), have a significant other (nope), are well travelled (nope), are winding down the partying (nope), going to bed early during the week (nope), and I’m sure a number of other adult things as you approach your dreaded 30’s. Now it’s not that I’m saying 30 is old because I just feel there is a fair bit of expectation that you’ve achieved something significant, which clearly I have not.

Now I would like to think that being 27, going on 28 that I’d be comfortable myself but the truth is I’m still getting used to the whole different person I am now compared to when I came out. It’s fucking tough, ‘call a spade a spade’ I say.

Well yes it’s all very well for social workers and others in same-sex NGO’s to say “oh yes, people are very accepting, it won’t bother them” but the reality is it bothers a lot of people, family included. Sure they might be civil to your face but the brutal reality is they’re talking behind your back about how weird you are and “I can’t believe they do that”. It’s difficult in an industry that goes off the back of almost exclusively heterosexual men who probably have the view that you’re not a well rounded employee less you have a trophy wife with 2.1 children.

Whether this is actually the case, it seems like it to me and the longer I work in heavy industry and the higher you go in management, it increasingly seems to be the case.

Now I know many people who work in so-called creative field sure I get that people are more accepting, hell there wouldn’t be much of a creative scene without the incredible diversity that exists in this industry. I’m sure this is not unique to my industry, but every day I go to work, I know that I’m still living the lie I was for so many years throughout high school and university, the same lie that consumed me for so many years is again the monster that I will eventually have the courage to defeat. It’s so frustrating that in 2014, glbtiqa persons feel that they will be prejudiced on the basis of their sexuality, just as women experience prejudice to do with pregnancy and their ability as well, and a plethora of other minority groups (indigenous people, migrants, etc.).

There are laws to prevent this kind of behaviour in the workplace, but I can bet to you you find very few glitiqa people (particularly men) in construction, demolition, resource recovery, mining, or defences sectors, you know why? Simple, the fear of speaking out and the repercussions that they would face from coworkers, employers, customers and contractors if they found out more about people’s personal lives.

ONLY OPEN FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS! HAVE YOUR SAY BEFORE THE END OF NOVEMBER 2013!!!!

Are you gender diverse, trans*, or intersex? Aged 14 to 25? Live in Australia?

If you do one survey this year, make it this one!

From the researchers who brought you Writing Themslelves In 3. from La Trobe University and the University of New England and funded by beyondblue,

This survey takes around 20 minutes and asks you:

What brings you down? what lifts you up?

Transgender Victoria's spokesperson Sally Goldner said,

“Transgender Victoria strongly urges young intersex, trans and gender diverse people  to complete this vitally needed and ground-breaking survey. With more information, TGV and our allies can advocate more effectively, which in turn helps everyone.”

Click on the kite above to start the survey :)

Heya new followers!

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Just in case you didn't know; This Is Oz is an online photo gallery started in 2009 where you can help spread the word about GLBT rights by uploading an image of yourself with your message and encouraging friends and family to do the same. 

This Is Oz is about celebrating diversity and challenging homophobia, trans*phobia and heterosexism to make Australia (and indeed the world) a place where everyone belongs.

Our main site is www.thisisoz.com.au but you can also submit a photo through Tumblr!

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