#postfive

Post 5: Discussion of Real Example: Sam Brinton

           A way of bringing this research on conversion therapy into everyday life is through the example of Sam Brinton. He is a public speaker and representative for the movement titled #BornPerfect. He travels all over doing workshops which are like a mini course on conversion therapy in which he discusses the history, medicalization, religious affiliation, and his own personal experience receiving these treatments.Sam starts by discussing the history of conversion therapy in regards to it being a medical treatment through examples such as the procedure of transferring testicles of heterosexual men into homosexual men in hopes of changing their sexuality. He also speaks about how after homosexuality was taken out of the DSM we saw a rise in conversion therapy practices being carried out by religious communities. Reasons for this could be the changes in how the APA (American Psychological Association) has questions the ethics of this therapy due to it not being something that follows their guidelines resulting in less participation in these treatments. People that used religion as a reasoning for the necessity of this treatment were no longer protected by medical professionals and therefore carried out this therapy on their own.

           Sam also shares his personal narrative with being forced to participate with conversion therapy when he was a minor. He discussed the mental and physical ways they harmed him. Some being ways of trying to condition his mental state to “cure” his sexual variance. Other ways were more physical like attaching hot wires to his hands or even submerging him in ice cold water until he gave in. These treatments did not work as Sam still identifies within the LGBTQIA community today and is not an advocate for ending these types of therapies. He works to provide resources and support for people who have or are going through these treatments while also fighting to end conversion therapy.

           Attending one of his workshops last year at MBGLTACC (Conference) proved to be one of the most influential and educational workshops I have attended in my college career. To know about these horrific practices is one thing but to see how they translate into real life when somebody right in front of you is telling you their story along with how it impacts your entire life was a powerful narrative to hear. Hearing Sam speak about specific stories and see that it still triggers his physical and emotional reactions even to this day while hearing explanations of how he just interacts with people differently was emotionally exhausting but in a good way. It should have had that impact on the people in that room because he was taking us on a journey with him through traumatic experiences.

I’ve always had a soft spot for this kind of typographical design. It wasn’t until recently I finally discovered the name of it, “Letterpress-Style Typography,” or to be more specific, “Lock-Up Typography.” I decided to post two different images to show how the “Lock-Up” look well, looks in both a hand-drawn and digital piece. The reason why I absolutely adore this style is because it’s chaotically organized. Reason being is because your eye is never bored due to all the different fonts; treatments done to the fonts (ex. different point size) and all the graphic ornaments and such added in (ex. banners). And the fact that your eyes are neither tired due to the grid organization of the type. 

In fact the proper definition for Lock-Up (typography) is, “a retro design style in which the text is fit into one centered and justified column, inside which all different point sizes and fonts are mixed-and-matched, creating an effect like a poster designed on an old-school letterpress.” Mark Simonson Studio, Typography Trends to Try in 2015  

Usually (professionally away), there’s a special call for this kind of design. For example, maybe in a Starbucks you’ll see their specials on a chalkboard advertised in this kind of style; perhaps in a diner’s menu; or maybe you’ll find this style on just a general poster. Regardless, for designers who want to use this style and make it work, you must be on top strict with your grid (keep everything in) and not too generous with your spacing (or else it comes off to immature). 

Photos found on Pinterest and Creative market. 

New post up tomorrow on thethnker.wordpress.com!

Okay, so I found this cool recipe for this Key Lime Smoothie.. and it sounds fantastic. Of course, I'll have to go buy the ingredients and what not, but hey! Healthy eating may not be too bad after all!

1/2 c. milk

1 container Oikos key lime Greek yogurt

1.5 bananas

1.5 Tbsp. lime juice