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But, that is irrelevant. What is relevant, however, is that people update their Facebook statuses with interesting tidbits at that time of morning; usually residuals of a night of Saturday debauchery. Which is entertaining to say the least. But now, here is the problem. This is what I read and I will correct the drunken errors so you do not have to be subjected to the awkward head-tilt to the side trying to make out what the hell he was trying to spell.
Friend #1: We’re running from the cops! Shouldn’t of punched a bitch for fucking up my drink… That bitch got what she deserved
Friend #2: Fuckin she-males
Friend #1: She males are not human creatures
Friend #1: Please. I did nothing bad… Is it so wrong to punch a woman that is really a man??
Friend#3: nah, that woman was looking at me funny. It was asking for it
Random Person #1: if it’s pre-op it’s fair game!
Random Person #2: haha hell ya!Discussion. First of all, this is Facebook we are talking about. And this is a status post. So, essentially, a means of waving your dirty laundry in everyone’s face. Or in this case, putting your ignorance and bigotry on your nose like a silver spoon and thinking that it’s a cool trick. Secondly, these are young adults. Not children. Not time-hardened, generationally separated grandparents. These are college graduates and young professionals. Thirdly, these are my friends. At least one of the parties is a BEST friend. And the primary offender is a high school friend and definite integral part of the core circle of friends.
I have no idea what transpired last night. Maybe the Tranny was bitchy or started the fight or attacked someone like a rabid, well-manicured raccoon. I have no idea. And I am all for self-defense and opening a Venti sized bottle of Whoop-Ass on anyone asking for it. But, something about this rang the little rainbow cowbell in my head.
THIS is the reason why Pride is so very important in this day. There is still way too much ignorance and misconception in the world today. And not just in Africa and China where the Gay and Human Rights movements are barely getting air beneath their wings, but right here, literally in my own backyard, where we have gained so much by way of Equality in the last 50 years or so, but we still think it’s okay to say things like Queers aren’t human beings.
And call them its.
It? Am I an it? Apparently I am because like that Transgender, I don’t fit the standards and typical definitions of mainstream Male and Female. I don’t wear dresses. Or makeup. I don’t flaunt my cleavage. Or giggle when boys give me attention. I don’t have the same outlook or values or goals as a hetero female. I’m oftentimes much more in sync with my masculinity than my femininity. All the same qualities as that Transgirl that got punched in the face.
It.
Apparently, to my friends, and much of modern America, I am an It.
So, all things considered, I was offended.
Now, maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe, I’m being too sensitive and the drunken rambling of an ultra-hetero-masculine-chauvinist are not something that should be rubbing my fur the wrong way. But it is. And even as an It, I am still entitled to my feelings.
Let’s start things off with introductions, shall we? At the very least, I will be a good hostess for the duration of your stay here at queerbites.
My name is Jaz. A self-identified Queer living in the wonderful, fun-filled world of sunny Orange County. I use the word queer because it is all inclusive. We are all queers. Me. You. The Drag Queen at Hamburger Mary’s in Long Beach. The Transman sitting in his cubicle sneaking a peek at this page. The Lesbian dancing on the counter at Truck Stop in Los Angeles. The curious Bisexual teenager. The Bear at the leather convention. The MtF drinking a skinny latte. The Boi shopping at Express and having trouble finding something to hide her curves. The handsome Stud walking hand-in-hand with her high Femme. The Twink dancing up a storm in his pink lace panties. Yes, all of us.
Queer.
And we all have voices that want to tell our stories and our points of view. Although we all have very different backgrounds, and desires, and orientations and displays of masculinity and femininity, we all have one thing in common - ready for it?
The desire to be accepted as equals.
And so, here, now, with the power vested in me via the World Wide Web, I dub you all Equals in queerdom. I want a multitude of voices to ring forth and tell our stories. And in that endeavor, I can begin with telling mine. And how I see things. That really is the only story I am qualified to tell after all.
I’ve lived in Orange County all of my life. I’ve been Out for maybe 5 years. I’ve identified as a Bisexual, a Lesbian, a Boi, a Butch and currently, I've taken a liking to the term Soft Butch. But the funny thing about labels is, they never fully encompass the idea that your are trying to communicate with others.
I am a woman. A writer. A dog lover. And an obsessive health and fitness nut. I am determined to discover whatever queer scene does exist here in Orange County, and I will report my findings here. Also, I will chronicle my attempts to create and promote a healthy queer community and lifestyle.
Leave comments. Have fun. Be opinionated. Learn something. Teach something. But know, that we are in this together. Keep it positive and keep it Queer.
Ladies. Gentlemen. Lesbians. Gays. Dykes. Fags. Drags. Kings. Queens. Trans. Bois. Studs. Butch. Femme. Bi. Queers.
What I propose is not radical thinking. But it needs to be addressed. There are so many queers in Orange County. But they seem to all be in hiding, ducking underneath the Orange Curtain, playing quaint games of hide-and-seek with not only the Conservatives that sneer at us, but worse, with each other. Let's face it, in comparison with the other major metropolises, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, etc, we are but an ink speck on the queer community scale. Agreed? Great. Now we can change it.
I read once, "Do you know what it takes to change the world? You just have to figure out what you really believe in, and then find other people who feel the same way. The only thing you have to do alone is decide what is important to you."
You are important to me. We are important to me.
We shouldn't have to hold our collective breath waiting to bask in the rainbow rays of Pride celebrations of other distant cities. We have some amazing, beautiful, talented, more than capable people right here. (And probably some single and available ones if we look hard enough.)
I have figured out what I believe in, what I am passionate about. Help me change the world. Locally, at least.
Now, I need your help.
If you agree, if feel as I feel, if you are just as passionate about community as I am - Contact Me.
Let's make something happen. I can't do this alone. Send me ideas. Send me thoughts. Send me rants. Let's arrange to meet, exchange ideas, volunteer in the community, set up events. Rainbows have no limitations.
Cheers.
Jaz.
