Help Needed for GLBT magazine

[Larissa238]

I'm a student at USC, and I work for the GLBT magazine there, and I needed some help with article ideas. I want to do something political (again, I did one on apathy for the last issue), and I cant cover gay marriage or religion, since other people are writing articles on those. Any ideas would be appreciated, since I have a bad case of writers block at the moment. I have to be able to interview people on whatever topic I choose, also. Thanks sooo much!!!

~Rissa

*edit* if you want to see our basic website, here it is http://www-scf.usc.edu/~bentmag/ Im gonna be working on that to improve that site, and get more things online, too

[William769]

1. How about

Gay history from Stonewall to present?

[BayCityProgressive]

3. How about

how after the President took a strong stance against gay marriage hate crimes against GLBT people skyrocketed something like 420%.

[Larissa238]

9. Do you have a refrence for that?

Not only that, but I think that me riding to school on my bike a couple miles a day with my rainbow flag on my backpack through a Latino area makes me a hate crime waiting to happen :( But I dont want to take it off only for that. I hate having to pretend that Im not gay

[Lost-in-FL]

2. Fanatism

Political, religious, etc. and its effects on society.

[Larissa238]

5. Good Idea!

That might actually work. I have this book called "The True Believer" and it talks about that, so I would even have a good reference

[TaleWgnDg]

26. Here's another great resource of information about . . .

"Fanaticism: political, religious, etc. and its effects on society"

Take a look here:
http://www.splcenter.org/search/s-query.html?tx0=phelps&op0=%2B&fl0=&ty0=w&col=splcall&ht=0&qp=&qt=&qs=&qc=&pw=100%25&la=en&qm=0&st=1&oq=&rq=0&ql=a&si=0&x=62&y=7
(Southern Poverty Law Center's overview of Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church)

Phelps (uses religion) > Westboro Baptist Church (Phelps vehicle of hatred) > vitriol directed at homosexuals (who are a part of society)

caveat: You are a college student in South Carolina (deep south); therefore, is your environment safe to author such articles? The Southern Poverty Law Center through its founder Morris Dees and Julian Bond were a central and focal point during the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina and other southern states. They are HATED by rightwingers!

[Larissa238]

39. Its a good idea

and btw, I meant the Univ of Southern California... I forget that there is another USC out there lol. I know about religious fanaticism, I used to be a repressed fundie. >< But, at the same time, I was a lot more open that most of the other people in my church. The week I left the church, I ended up having sex with a girl lol. Maybe that was TMI, oh well lol

[jonnyblitz]

4. log cabin republicans/gay rightwingers

people who "lick the boot that kicks them", so to speak.

[William769]

6. That could be two different groups.

:evilgrin:

[jonnyblitz]

15. ha..i think i get ya..

:P

[Larissa238]

7. Sadly

That one was done in the fall 04 issue. We did have a really cool drawing of a gay elephant, tho

[jonnyblitz]

14. how about...gay executions in Iran, or if it needs to be general

treatment of gays in middle eastern countries...OR

ex-gay ministrys.

[Larissa238]

17. :(

Someone else is doing a whole religion and gay thing, including ex-gay ministries and such...

And Middle eastern countries? eep. Thats horrid, they treat women like sh*t. I can just imagine gays....

[jonnyblitz]

19. this made me think...most of our issues are so depressing..

I would would scour all the gay news websites for topics since you know what has already been covered. that must be a pain trying to find something that hasnt been done already. i confess i dont follow gay specific news like i should.

[Larissa238]

35. Neither do I

Thats why I asked you wonderful people, and got so many great ideas :)

[Lost-in-FL]

8. Patriotism vs Nationalism

[Larissa238]

10. How can we relate that to gay issues?

I'm really new to the whole politics thing, so thats why I'm so clueless on these things

[Lost-in-FL]

13. Actually...

Excuse my ignorance but did not realized u are looking for topics related to gay issues (Ignorance alert!! :silly: My bad). I think fanatism would be a good topic since it plays a big part in gay issues.

[Siyahamba]

11. Immigration

Many GLBT are not aware of the difficulties involved in bringing same-sex partners to the US. I rarely see this issue covered in GLBT publications and I think there is a lot of material you can cover.

[Larissa238]

12. Really Interesting....

Especially since I am from a minority background....

[Siyahamba]

33. And if you need interviews

There are a few of us on DU with first-hand experience in the matter.

[Larissa238]

38. Really?

One of the editors-in-cheifs seemed to like this idea, since he has gone out with some of the international students at the school... and especially since LA has so many different nations represented... Its looking like I might actually be able to pull this one off...

[Siyahamba]

67. Really!

Please leave me a message or an email and I'd be glad to help you!

[Larissa238]

69. My email is

[e-mail]. Thanks soo much!

[Sapphocrat]

31. Seconded! :) n/t

[Larissa238]

66. You are in one of these relationships?

I would really like to hear what you have to say. My bf and I are on opposite sides of the country, so I know what the long-distance thing is like, but I have no idea about how the international laws work. I would love to get your opinion how it is to be like that. I cant even imagine how hard it would be. Good luck!

[Occulus]

16. How about something regarding how parents of GLBT youth respond

to their coming out? I know I have a story to tell, and I'm sure there are others who would be more than happy to detail for you exactly what the lack (or presence) of familial acceptance does to the family and to the child.

PM me if you want my tale...

[Larissa238]

18. Hmm...

Thats a good idea... I know when I get around a bunch of gay people, we always end up telling our "coming out" stories. I'm out to my close family, but people like my stepmom and grandmother don't know, since they are religious fanaitics... ><

[Surya Gayatri]

20. How about something more personalized?

The Cheney family's hypocrisy regarding their lesbian daughter? Lynne Cheney's 'ouvre' with a bi-sexual heroine, etc. etc. It's been done before in other places, but you might be able to dig up something original.

[mzteris]

25. or youth of

GLBT parents coming out?

(Or ex's as case may be... )

[Larissa238]

36. We are going to use that

:D We are going to get some of our stories and write short articles about our stories, the good, the bad, the funny. I cant PM since I dont have enough posts yet, but email me, [e-mail], and I will see if I can get yours in :D

[Occulus]

68. Well, I WAS going to email you

but after spending over an hour on my coming out story, I hit send and it trashed the whole thing and told me my session had ended and I needed to log into my email again. So it's gone.

I'll try again in the morning. I forgot, you can't PM yet.

[Larissa238]

70. I cant get PMs yet

Im too much of a newbie. My email is [e-mail]

[Occulus]

71. Email sent. :) n/t

[dsc]

21. How about an article about the jurisdictions in which it is legal to

fire lesbians and gays for being homosexual. I still recall when I was in Mississippi with a bunch of college grads from pretty prestigious schools and none of them know that I could be fired in MS simply for being gay.

[Larissa238]

40. Isn't there a lot of them?

I thought that a bunch of states still had laws like that. Its really sad, how society changes so slowly, and what is considered discrimination... *sigh*

[dsc]

45. That is my point

Most straights have no clue as to how many jurisdictions permit that.

[Larissa238]

47. Do you know where I can find a list of them?

I live in CA, where discrimination against gays is illegal, but I dont know other states. I dont know about an article, but I just want to know for myself.

[dsc]

55. It would likely be easier to find a list where discrimination is illegal

from say the HRC website and then compile a list of the rest.

[Larissa238]

62. Seems easier that way :D

And just have a "Be glad to live in CA because in these states____" kind of thing. Or a "Dont move here if you are out because there are no anti-discrimination laws". Well, the second one seems harsh to me, but its a great idea. Along with a list of companies that are gay friendly (my friend knows a bunch)

[dsc]

65. There is actually a book which lists gay friendly companies

but I don't recall the name.

[kweerwolf]

22. Regional activism ...

What about a story on how LGBT activism differs in different parts of the country? For instance, how do progressive LGBT groups work with politicians in more conservative areas like the south and midwest as opposed to more progressive areas like the north and far west?

[Larissa238]

43. Maybe Steve could do that

He's one of the 2 editors in cheif, and he did an article on activism in general on the last one, so maybe it could be a second part of it...

[kweerwolf]

23. The differences and similarities between civil rights and gay rights

This is a big issue in a lot of African-American communities who see "gays" as meaning "priveleged white males." Many express resentment that the LGBT community is framing its struggles in the phrase "civil rights" which to them refers only to the African-American struggle for acceptance and equal treatment.

Your article could focus on comparing LGBT rights and African-American rights and point out how both struggles are alike and where they differ.

[Larissa238]

37. Im a tad scared

To do that... racial issues are a bit of a touchy subject at the moment... and I dont want to piss anybody off. Not at least till the magazine gets a bit more established. But its a great idea!

[Meldread]

24. Gays and the Police.

Take a look at this:
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/08/082205Arson.htm

And then take a look at this:
http://www.southernvoice.com/2005/8-19/news/localnews/localnews_police.cfm

You can interview some police and maybe a gay victim of a hate crime near you. See how they were treated. Police records are a matter of public record, right? Maybe you can do some digging. See what you can find. So a bit of reporting and interviewing of police to see if they are doing their job.

If the police are doing good, then it'll be good PR for their department. If they are doing bad... then well... finding out and reporting on it might make a difference.

[Larissa238]

27. LAPD.....

You know, I think I would be better off staying away from them, lol, since they still have so many crimes against minorities....

I dont know too many people who had hate crimes around here... This is where West Hollywood is, and everything... but its something to maybe expand on from my last article, because I wrote about hate crimes and apathy

[Meldread]

32. Still, it could be interesting.

Yeah, I know investigating the police might be some what... intimidating, but really if you want to get recognized you gotta be willing to rock the boat sometimes, ya know? Besides, you might be shocked by what you find.

I would of course talk it over with your editor first and see if he or she thinks it's a good idea. See if you can go undercover since you are already pretending to be straight. :P

And, of course, if you find out bad things and report on it and the cops want to hassle you about it you can start screaming, "JUDY MILLER! JUDY MILLER! JUDY MILLER!" LOL.

[Larissa238]

34. LOL

Its slightly easy for me to pretend to be straight, since I do have a boyfriend at the moment (how a lesbian got a boyfriend, I have no idea, but Im totally in love with him). I dont know if I have enough time to do that for this issue, since my article is due in less than a month, but it may be a good idea for a future article. I also gave the one of the editors-in-cheif this page, so he can see the ideas and tell me what he thinks.

It seems like a really cool idea!

[foreigncorrespondent]

28. How about...

...how the current U.S. immigration laws affect binational couples?

The LGBTIQQ community has the tendancy to move away from this subject. Even though this subject affects the lives of countless gay U.S. citizens who happen to fall in love with someone from another country.

I know there are a few binational couples on DU (including Sapphocrat and myself) so if you want research material put a call out here.

Also you might try these Web sites:

http://www.lgirtf.org/

http://www.loveseesnoborders.org/ (This one is run by a lesbian couple... Leslie and Marta. Sapph and I know these two, and to us they are the voice of the binational community. If you contact them, tell them JR and Tina sent you.)

Regardless, good luck with your article. :)

[Sapphocrat]

30. fc reads my mind, as usual. LOL

Larissa238, I was going to suggest you interview fc and/or me about what same-sex couples go through to stay together when forced to live 8,000 miles apart.

I'll second contacting Love Sees No Borders, though -- and add my endorsement of Marta and Leslie as the authorities on the subject.

Binational couples (in which one partner is an American) probably number only in the high-tens of thousands -- so we do NOT get enough press, and certainly not enough attention from the LGBT community at large. So you'd be doing us a big favor by covering it, and you probably won't have any competition for the subject! :)

(And if you want some really heartbreaking stories, ask about the binat couples in which one partner is Egyptian, or Saudi, or from any other country where the biggest problem isn't simple separation, but the threat of death.)

[Larissa238]

58. Sorry

about not seeing your post earlier, I had just replied to FC, and I skipped your post by accident. I would love to talk to you, if you don't mind. I really want to do this story, and you seem like a good person to interview, since I need interviews as well as websites. Thanks!

[Larissa238]

42. That was suggested

and Geomon666 gave me a bunch of other websites (he googled them for me, yay Geo... my bf, actually)

[foreigncorrespondent]

44. Well, gee...

...sorry I didn't read the thread. I actually had a rather busy day. When I first discovered the thread I couldn't answer, but came back to it, when I had five minutes to spare.

Next time I won't bother.

[Larissa238]

46. Sorry if I seemed rude...

It was more of me saying it was a good idea, and its one I'm really considering, and that I already have resources for.

[Sapphocrat]

48. Well, if you already have all the resources you need...

:shrug:

[foreigncorrespondent]

50. Yeah!

Go figure! :shrug:

[Larissa238]

52. I didnt say I had all I needed....

I said I had a bunch of good ones. I always appreciate more help, since it looks like that is going to be the article I am going to write.

[foreigncorrespondent]

54. No you didn't actually!

You said your boyfriend googled "good" resources for you. That isn't exactly saying: "but hey, I could always use anything you and your partner can give me."

[foreigncorrespondent]

49. Yeah you were rude!

And that is unforgivable. Especially when you consider the fact that you asked for help in the first place.

I don't know what resources you currently have. But the only way anyone knows which resources are the best, are through those who live this nightmare daily. And you were rude to one of them.

Like I said, I won't be offering help again. Not to someone who doesn't know how to at least say thank you to someone for trying.

[Larissa238]

51. How was I rude?

I just said that was already suggested. I dont know how that was rude. And I didnt say that I had all the resources I needed, just that I had a bunch of good ones. I always appreciate more.

[foreigncorrespondent]

53. Indeed!

You don't know how you were rude? Try this:

42. That was suggested

and Geomon666 gave me a bunch of other websites (he googled them for me, yay Geo... my bf, actually)

Google is a search engine. You are a heterosexual. You are in a heterosexual relationship. You came to the LGBTIQQ forum looking for help. I happen to be an Australian lesbian who happens to be in a relationship with a U.S. citizen. Resource? You are looking at the source. But yes, Google and your boyfriend are an excellent resource for you.

I gave you the link to LoveSeesNoBorders. Leslie and Marta happen to be a binational couple who have done a hell of a lot for the gay binational couple cause. Sapphocrat and I happen to know them. We met them through the group we formed for binational couples. You just shat all over a valuable resource (had you pursued this as an article) by not being polite. By not saying thanks for the help.

Not once did you NOT state that you didn't have all the resources you would need. You made it sound like you did.

But you know what? You aren't worth the stress. My partner is coming to Australia in a few short days. To me, that is more important than any poorly researched binational article you could come up with.

[geomon666]

56. I think you are blowing this out of proportion.

She asked for help and she got some. I gave her what I could find. She was very interested in your story and others. I don't see how you took what she said as being rude but to each their own.

I hope you have a lovely time with your SO.

[Larissa238]

57. For the record...

I didn't know that my sexuality had anything to do with it. I work for a gay magazine. I am a lesbian. I don't know how the boyfriend thing happened. If it doesn't work out with him, I am going to go back to women. Therefore, I consider myself a lesbian. I don't even like men. *but* I didn't think that someone would be as biased as you about it.

I did get the "love sees no borders" link from him (which you seem to agree that it is a "good" site, or else you would not have recommended it to me, so I don't know why you are attacking google as a resource), tho I do appreciate it from you, also. I didn't know that a person could have too much information for an article. I really don't know how I stressed you out, besides your own bias coming into play and assuming things about me.

You have given me a good article idea, tho... about how gays are biased and heterophobic. If you had read the thread (which you admitted in your first post that you hadn't even taken the time to read the responses) I was saying that I would like interviews, also. Nobody else responded that I was being rude. I do not appreciate your comments that I am being rude, because up until this post, I was nothing even close to it.

You can post again, I will not respond. I am not going to respond to someone who assumes, and posts information without knowing anything, and then assumes I am rude when I correct them. Just saying that something was suggested is *not* rude. Saying someone helped me was *not* rude. So, you can reply, but I will not.

I am sorry that you felt this way, but there is nothing I can do. I would have loved to have you as a resource, but you don't want to help. Have a good day.

[SnowBack]

59. Talking about "Gay bias" ....

and how Gays are supposedly "heterophobic" is pretty offensive...

You were given some resources from a same sex couple on the board who are going through a really rough time JUST because they ARE a same sex couple, and you're now managing to insult many more of us...

The fact is, Gays and Lesbians fall in love with people from across the globe and are not allowed to be together because of bigoted government policies in most countries...

You really need to step back and compare your situation with theirs... You now have a boyfriend, so while you are with him, you get to experience all the privileges that heterosexuals get every day....

If he was from another country, he could marry you and you could get him into the country with relative ease... Two men or two women have NO such option.

Whether you are or aren't a Lesbian really isn't relevant... What I find sad is that as soon as you feel "attacked", you discuss writing an article attacking Gays and Lesbians...

I find it curious that you find defending heterosexuals so important... maybe you should direct that anger at real bigotry instead...

[geomon666]

60. What are you saying?

That some gay people aren't biased or heterophobic? That's just unrealistic. She's not attacking anybody.

And you're not saying anything she doesn't already know about. What I find offensive is when someone comes on here looking for help and people jump down her throat because they mistook what she was trying to say. Is that how you deal everybody else in your normal life? Is that how you would want to be treated?

Thank you to everybody who helped or wanted to help. You're a shining example of the kind of people that I love here at DU.

[Larissa238]

61. Its not an "attack" on homosexuals

Its simply an article about the other side of homophobia. I am not saying that all gays are heterophobic, by far. The majority that I know are not. But I do know gays who are heterophobic. It is not an attack. An attack would be saying that all gays are heterophobes, and they are all evil and going to Hell. But just an article on the flip side would be interesting, since we have "point/counterpoint" articles. One could be on heterophobia and gays, and the other one on homophobia and non-gays. Heck, we could even throw in a bi-phobic one in there too. It was not because I felt attacked, I feel that its a good article to write, and not as an attack on the gays who feel that way. One of my good friends is a heterophobe. I still love her. I just feel that most people don't know about it, so it would be something interesting to write, and I have a reference.

And now I realize all the things that go on with same-sex couples go through who are dating in other countries, when I didn't know about it before I made my original post. I am lucky enough to live in a liberal state, so when my ex wanted to get married or have a civil union done, it was a possible thing. Now that I have a boyfriend (my first real one since middle school, and thats before I came out) I know that I have all the opportunities.

I do not mean to alienate people, and I don't like when people assume things. Maybe I am not articulating myself clearly, but I did not in any way say that all gays are heterophobic. That was assumed by you, and maybe other people, so I am clarifying (thats why I love my editors :D, but they don't edit my posts lol). If there is anything else that seems wrong, please post. I do not wish to offend people, but when people are rude to me for no reason, as above, I do get mad, like any other person.

[foreigncorrespondent]

63. Oh boy!

You are the first person who has ever said I am heterophobic, congratulations.

Perhaps, because you are the first, you should take a look at yourself and find out whether or not you are sensitive to the issue, because you are now living a heterosexual life?

I am not heterophobic at all. I stated that a heterosexual cannot be a good judge on this issue. You wanna know why? Because they do not live it. The don't know what this nightmare is all about. Me, I can tell you how I feel right now with a few hours to go before I pick Sapph up from the airport. I can also tell you how much tears I will shed in six weeks time when it comes time to taking her back to the airport.

I can tell you what it is like to go countless (the longest Sapph and I have been apart is a year) nights without being able to cuddle up with the person you are in love with. How can a heterosexual who isn't in a gay binational relationship be a judge of that?

But you have shown your true colours here. You do not like being told you were rude. Yet you admit you must have sounded rude to me by saying "Sorry if I seemed rude." Yet you attacked me when I said "yeah you were rude." Then even though you must have seen how I would think you were rude, proceeded to deny and ask "how was I rude?"

If you want help around here, you are going to have to lighten up your attitude a hell of a lot. If you offend people, you better believe that you will know about it. No one is going to sit by while you are rude.

So go ahead, write your heterophobic article attacking the LGBTIQQ community with your article. You certainly won't win any prizes for it. And you will never win the respect of the community you are writing about by doing it.

[geomon666]

64. The only person around here that needs lightening up is you.

Why are you jumping down her throat? You are making so many assumptions about someone you don't even know. Why? Because she wasn't as polite as you would have liked?

She's already apologized to you. Did you ever consider that you yourself were rude to her? Why don't you go back and re-read what she said and examine a little closer? Though I don't think you will.

Like I said before, I hope you and your partner have a wonderful time together.

[TaleWgnDg]

29. Larissa238, welcome to DU . . . and please see my post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=221&topic_id=15598&mesg_id=15634



.

[Larissa238]

41. Sorry about that...

I wasnt on the computer for about a day or so... But replied!