National Indian Health Board’s Post

"Migration, queerness and history are processes. History is a process of creating an accepted collective narrative of the past. Queerness involves freedom and self expression, but is also a deeply layered identity process, and a journey with many stages. It can be difficult and traumatising navigating society’s attitudes towards queerness, but ultimately, queerness allows us to understand ourselves more fully, and is a vehicle for self discovery. I don’t think that many people think about migration as a process underlied by queerness. But they are deeply related. Both are identity processes that involve struggle and joy and a myriad of emotions. Both are journeys of leaving the familiar behind and embracing the unknown. Both identities are constructed and come into being through one’s interaction with the world around them. LGBTQ+ History Month is important because it is a chance to rewrite history so that it becomes more representative of what actually happened, and to remember and honour the truth about what happened. It also allows queer people all over the world to see themselves represented, and to see that the possibilities of a dignified life are as much their entitlement as anyone else’s. If LGBTQ+ History Month can offer representations of queer migrants living their joy, then queer migrants all around the world are more likely to want to live their joy too". Read more reflections by our ambassador Javier Mármol Queraltó: https://buff.ly/48wKgLg #LGBTQHM #WhoIsWelcome

During #PRIDEmonth, we have an opportunity to explore new ways to support LGBTQ youth who experience assault at an exponentially higher rate than heterosexual teens. One example from the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network’s 2013 report Out Online, indicates that LGBTQ teens experience cyberbullying at three times the rate of heterosexuals- girls more often than boys. Unfortunately, the added challenge for teens who identify as queer is lack of family support. In a survey of more than ten thousand teens, those who identified as LGBTQ plus listed tolerance and their family situation as the things they would most like to change in their lives. As caring adults, we can go a lot farther in affirming young people’s sexuality by engaging in conversation, asking about their experience, and avoiding delegitimizing responses like, “Maybe it’s just a phase.” Likewise, it’s helpful to remember that coming out doesn’t happen all at once but instead occurs over time as various social and familial circles learn the truth. Being an ally to LGBTQ teens requires acceptance, kindness, and continued efforts to understand the lived experience of being queer in America, which will translate differently for every young person.   #LBGTQyouth #LBGTQSafety #parenting #inclusionmatters

Forget the narrative that LGBTQ+ experiences are a recent phenomenon. Dive with us into a vibrant tapestry woven from 10,000 years of history, stretching from the two-spirited wisdom of North American indigenous peoples to diverse perspectives across the globe. This journey defies regional limitations, showcasing the rich spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities throughout time. Leave behind the tired myths and step into a world where every letter of the LGBTQ+ rainbow shines. Explore stories of courage and resilience, navigate triumphs and setbacks, and witness the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. We'll unpack pivotal moments, celebrate courageous figures, and delve into the complex tapestry of intersectionality to reveal a history far richer and more nuanced than you ever imagined. This course is not about passive viewing; it's about igniting conversation. We'll elevate consciousness, foster empathy, and challenge perspectives through engaging discussions and critical analysis. Join us as we embark on a journey of understanding, inclusivity, and celebrating the human spectrum in all its glorious diversity. If you're interested in learning more about the Two-Spirited people, Egyptian Pharaohs, Roman Emperors, Ancient Vikings or even more current events such as Compton's Cafe in the 1960s, five years before the Stonewall Riots to the modern-day intersex movement, contact Cynthia at [email protected] to book your travel through time during LGBTQ+ history month. #LGBTQHistoryMonth #TwoSpirits #GenderDiversity #acceptancewithoutunderstanding #acceptanceforall2050

There is only one week left to take action by responding to the public consultation on the guidance which is open until 12 March. Here are four ways you can take action: 1. Respond to the consultation The coalition have created a guide on how to respond to the consultation which you can access via the campaign webpage. Allsorts Youth Project have also produced a guide for young people responding to the consultation. 2. Support the campaign You can do this by signing the Supportive Schools Campaign statement. 3. Write to your MP Use Mermaids' ‘Write to your MP’ tool to ask your MP to put pressure on the Government to listen to trans youth and ensure schools are safe and supportive spaces for all young people. LGBT Foundation are organising a range of consultation response sessions where LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome to answer the consultation together, with the guidance of LGBTQ+ policy experts who will explain the guidance clearly and help answer any questions people have whilst filling in the consultation. 4. Share the campaign Spread the campaign far and wide with others by using the hashtag #SupportiveSchools and signposting them to the Campaign webpage. You can find all of these resources by accessing the Campaign webpage here: https://lnkd.in/d37w2cKP

Books by and about the LGBTQ+ community are the most frequent targets of bans at public schools and libraries across the country. And these challenges explicitly state that young people shouldn’t be exposed to LGBTQ+ material. An extension of this thinking is evident in attempts by policymakers nationwide to prohibit drag shows and banning gender-affirming care. They’re also pushing to allow the deadnaming of transgender students or adults in the workplace, as well as other measures that target LGBTQ+ people. Which is why it’s essential to fight against book banning. Because books have the ability to give us a glimpse into lives and experiences other than our own. And as a result, see those whose life experience is different from ours as fellow human beings rather than a frightening Other. So, read a book from the ALA’s Rainbow List in support of Pride Month. Or choose from books that have received the Stonewall Book Award. But don’t limit choices from these lists to the month of June, show support for Pride year-round. Peruse the fabulous books on these lists here: https://lnkd.in/gEiHKPXP

WHY PRIDE MATTERS Facts About Suicide Among LGBTQ+ Young People LGBTQ+ young people are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society. The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth. LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers (Johns et al., 2019; Johns et al., 2020). PRIDE might not matter to you, but it does to them. This June, take a moment to reflect that nearly half of all queer youth have considered ending their own lives. PRIDE matters, because some people believe they are better off dead than gay. #compassion #lovewins #LGBTQ #TrevorProject #PRIDE https://lnkd.in/gqMt6tit

"Queer people have never been the focus of history, since their stories have often been omitted, denied or silenced. LGBTQ+ History Month aims to rectify this gap, and to build a more respectful and inclusive society for all people. I work as an LGBTQ+ workshop facilitator, and so I often spend time with queer asylum seekers. I know that the UK’s asylum system is incredibly hostile towards Muslim asylum seekers. Workshop facilitators will often suggest taking a photo together at the end of our activities, and of course many queer asylum seekers are uncomfortable with this, because they want to protect their anonymity and their identity, and do not want their families back home to know about their sexuality. However, I know that the workshop facilitators mean well, because many of them have been through the asylum system themselves, and know that photographic evidence is incredibly important in “proving” one’s sexual orientation. We have to talk about how onerous the burden of proof is for queer asylum seekers who have to navigate the hostile immigration system in this country". Read the reflections of a queer Chinese international student and member of our network, as part of our LGBTQ+ History Month x Who Is Welcome? campaign, here: https://buff.ly/42L3eMG #LGBTQHM #WhoIsWelcome

If you're looking for an insightful and moving read, we highly recommend “Queer Intentions” by Amelia Abraham. Amelia takes you on a personal journey through LGBTQ+ culture, traveling across various countries and engaging in heartfelt conversations with LGBTQ+ individuals from all walks of life. Each chapter is a blend of accessible writing, queer theory, statistics, history, and personal stories, offering something truly unifying and outstanding. It's a book that moves you, educates you, and brings a deeper understanding of politics, religion, spirituality, capitalism, education, and exploitation within the LGBTQ+ community. A must-read for queer individuals and allies alike. If you're curious about LGBTQ+ culture, this book covers everything from drag, to pride, to survival, and even explores the concept of a queer utopia. Happy reading! #Pride #Allyship #DGLRecommends

Japan presents a unique context for conducting queer studies. Unlike Europe, North America, and other regions of the world, it is said to lack homophobia due to the absence of Christianity as moral foundation. However, Japan is the only G7 country that does not recognize same-sex partnerships and sexual minorities are not legally protected from discrimination. While LGBTQ+ issues in Japan have received scholarly attention since the 1990s, there is little scholarship in English on developments after 2000. Our new #OpenAccess volume will bridge this gap by shedding light on political and cultural representations of and by sexual minorities in Japan after 2000. Read it here: 👉https://lnkd.in/exfkRsaw Make sure to also check out our blog post on Japan’s ongoing struggle with LGBTQ+ equality written by the volume’s editors, Stefan Wuerrer (Musashi University) and Kazuyoshi Kawasaka (University of Düsseldorf): 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eqHtWb9T #DeGruyter #OpenAccess #LGBTQIA+ #Diversity #Equality

There are only two weeks left to take action by responding to the public consultation on the guidance which is open until 12 March. Here are four ways you can take action: 1. Respond to the consultation The coalition have created a guide on how to respond to the consultation which you can access via the campaign webpage. Allsorts Youth Project have also produced a guide for young people responding to the consultation. 2. Support the campaign You can do this by signing the Supportive Schools Campaign statement. 3. Write to your MP Use Mermaids' ‘Write to your MP’ tool to ask your MP to put pressure on the Government to listen to trans youth and ensure schools are safe and supportive spaces for all young people. LGBT Foundation are organising a range of consultation response sessions where LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome to answer the consultation together, with the guidance of LGBTQ+ policy experts who will explain the guidance clearly and help answer any questions people have whilst filling in the consultation. 4. Share the campaign Spread the campaign far and wide with others by using the hashtag #SupportiveSchools and signposting them to the Campaign webpage. You can find all of these resources by accessing the Campaign webpage here: https://lnkd.in/d37w2cKP