Comments for University of Birmingham LGBTQ Association

Comment on Men and Feminism by Emma

Emma — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:24:34 +0000

This blog is seriously so well written and informative. :]
You’ve, as Sarah said, done really well at bringing together the differing views whilst at the same time putting yours across and your simple explanations will make it really useful for someone who doesn’t know very much yet on the subject. Really enjoyed reading it.
Emma

Comment on Men and Feminism by Sarah (Guild Councillor)

Sarah (Guild Councillor) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:28:20 +0000

I honestly think this is one of the most insightful blogs I’ve read. You’ve obviously put alot of thought into this, and I think it really puts across the many different views that men can have regarding feminism. This is a great guide to the terms used as well, and I think it’s something that can be referred back to when the inevitable debate on feminism rises again.

Comment on LGBTQ Visibility in the media by Emma

Emma — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:15:05 +0000

John, if you look at the LGBTQ people in the public gaze, and asked a random selection of people, almost all of them would be able to name more famous gay men than gay women. This has absolutely nothing to do with how good they are at what they do, there are plenty of women who would theoretically be just as good at taking those stances and doing those jobs.
But surely the reason why there are always more gay men who are visible is because we like in a society which if fundamentally easier for men to progress in, and is deeply routed in patriachy. Women are paid less, are less expected to go into, for examply politics, or comedy, and are less likely to be hired for good jobs because of the problems of pregnancy in time off work.
If ‘white, homosexual men’ are the ones who are allowed to speak second only behind ‘white heterosexual men’ it has nothing to do with their ability, but the surpression of the women who are NOT in the same league, but only because they are not allowed to be.

Comment on LGBTQ Visibility in the media by Matt (Officer)

Matt (Officer) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:28:21 +0000

Nice blog Caitlin. I’m in full agreement with many of the points you’ve made. The visibility of LGBTQ people has vastly improved, as has their image in popular media (although I still have a huge grife with recent computer games and the endless sexist abuse of lesbian relationships, grrrr). Myself and Tom are writing a blog more specifically detailing recent sci-fi shows that are an excellent example of this recent movement. Mainly because we are massive nerds but there is a point to it: for example, the newest spin-off series in the Stargate franchise demonstrates a truly meaningful lesbian relationship centering around Ming Na’s character. The re-imagined Battlestar Galactica and it’s recent spin-off has LGBT themes laced throughout. The list goes on.

However I’m confused about the “predominant interest in allowing white, hetrosexual, wealthy men to speak” part; could you provide some more specific examples of this (i.e. more links)? Also the part about heterosexual symbols…if you don’t mind me saying, it seems highly speculative but is presented as an assertion. The rest of the blog is very well-referenced; few more links in those areas would be great to back up what you’ve said.

Again, good work.

Comment on LGBTQ Visibility in the media by John Chivers (ICP)

John Chivers (ICP) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:08:51 +0000

While I agree with your post and believe it to be a valid one, I disagree completely and am happy to provide evidence that It is untrue that “those who are allowed to speak the most are…white, homosexual, wealthy men” While there are a number of celebrity white, male, rich, homosexual men this doesn’t make them the spokesperson. The leading political representatives usually speak for the community, neither because they are men nor because they are while, because they are brilliant at what they do. Peter Thatchall for example, white male, but arguably done many many things for gay rights. Stephen Fry, a white, rich, male celebrity, but used his influence to raise the problem of HIV/AIDS. This was picked up more because he is a famous person for his previous personal achievements.

If you search gay/lesbian/e.t.c. in a national papers website you will notice that it is not all rich, white, homosexual, men speaking but a multitude of people.

Comment on UoB hosting third Prime Ministerial Debate! by college loans

college loans — Tue, 11 May 2010 09:41:44 +0000

this post is very usefull thx!

Comment on Who are we? by victor

victor — Mon, 10 May 2010 09:58:39 +0000

hello, my name is Victor Jimenez. I am a spanish artist based in northants area. I am going to participate in an group exhibition at Lickey Hills country park in Birmingham. I think you could be interested about the work that I do. Please visit my blog where a theres a small explanation of what i pretend to do at the park.
Thanks.

Comment on Fight for the Right to Party Campaign… Please complete survey! :) by cna training

cna training — Sat, 08 May 2010 05:06:41 +0000

Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!

Comment on Fight for the Right to Party Campaign… Please complete survey! :) by TomPier

TomPier — Thu, 06 May 2010 18:05:12 +0000

great post as usual!

Comment on UoB hosting third Prime Ministerial Debate! by MarkSpizer

MarkSpizer — Mon, 03 May 2010 10:38:51 +0000

great post as usual!

Comment on Film Nights by Rai

Rai — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:06:22 +0000

I just noticed that you have ‘La Mala Educación’ on the list for possible future films… PLEASE show it! It’s one of my all time favourite films ever! If you need a copy of the DVD then I have it.

(I also have ‘Y tu mamá también’, and a lot of other Spanish films that would be suited to the LGBTQ’s film night)

Comment on Gay Movies by Matt (Officer)

Matt (Officer) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:03:08 +0000

Nice work John

I’m particularly fond of Shelter; definitely deserving of a place in the top ten.

Comment on Malcolm X – gay black hero? by Kervin Fondren

Kervin Fondren — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:41:10 +0000

I found this article quite interesting. I am aware of Bayard Rustin’s significant contributions to Civil Rights that are largely edited in the main media, and by Black leaders today, generally. Many Black men who have sex with men find it contradicting to identify with the term “Gay” because it alludes to Black gays and lesbians’ need to be validated by white gay men and women. Many Black women so fiercely oppose Black gay men because they feel that now have to compete with white women, white wealthy gay men, and now Black men for the attention and family security that some Black men can provide for them. Black men have been emasculated since slavery. So now we learn that Malcolm X was on the down low. J.L King did not invent this term. I still would like to know if there were any black homosexual slaves? Did white men rape black men during slavery like they did Black women?

Comment on When is a debate not a debate? by Matt (Officer)

Matt (Officer) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:02:09 +0000

Nice work Rob, and thanks for writing this on behalf of the Association and all LGBTQ students at the University. I had a quiet bitch to follow up on my own blog if anyone's up for a read.

Comment on The Vigil: reflections following Transgender Day of Remembrance. by Matt (Officer)

Matt (Officer) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:39:30 +0000

You did a fantastic job of organising this vigil, Kai, and you did us proud in the way you passionately conducted it in honour of those it commemorated.

Comment on BNP on the BBC? Give me back my licence fee.. by Kitten (Chair)

Kitten (Chair) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:52:16 +0000

I think that it’s quite clear the BBC out him on there for the viewing figures. And sadly I don’t think that he was humiliated enough. The panelists, in the first instance should have refused to be on the show with him on it. Secondly, all their bickering amongst themselves about immigration policy actually gave him the illusion of credibility as if maybe he’s a bit extreme but he has a point!

Also, I think that it’s wishful thinking that most BNP supporters aren’t racist. I’m sure that there are many people who support the BNP without even knowing what they are really about, but from having seen the ‘English Defence League’ in the recent Birmingham riots, complete with skinheads, swastika badges and Staff dogs I know that are plenty of supporters who are just bigoted racists, plain and simple.
Maybe check out some of the footage online. There’s a great clip of the police herding them all onto buses and one guy at the doors shouting “I hate pakis more than you! I hate pakis more than you!”

Griffin should have never been allowed on the BBC. And I felt personally violated to have him in my living room. Asian, Black, LGBTQ people all have to pay for a licence fee. We have a right to not have this absolute filth on our screens.

Comment on BNP on the BBC? Give me back my licence fee.. by Matt (Officer)

Matt (Officer) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:55:21 +0000

Fantastic work Kitten and co! I just watched the whole thing on iPlayer, and I’m starting to wonder if the BBC actually put him on so that he and his party could be humiliated so epically; he’s clearly a total idiot with an amazing capacity to make a complete fool of himself.

Comment on My Advice to Freshers: VOLUNTEER by kitten

kitten — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:13:06 +0000

amen to that.

Comment on LGBTQ Freshers Events by matthewwardlgbtqo

matthewwardlgbtqo — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:03:52 +0000

Thanks Aaron; I thought it was a larger turnout last year! In any case I was working with word-of-mouth from past committee members, hence wording it very carefully (i.e. “typical of previous years”)

Comment on LGBTQ Freshers Events by aaronyeah

aaronyeah — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:55:44 +0000

hi, nice round up.

just a little correction. we actually sold 130 tickets for the barcrawl in advance last year. not the measly 60 you suggested! we’ll let you off though.

Comment on Bruno by shinyalex

shinyalex — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:00:32 +0000

Mark Kermode on radio 5 said the same thing about both this and Borat, there are 2 clear laugh tracks in a cinema. The one that gets it and laughs at the predjudice and the other that laughs at the minority. Ultimately, however funny these films are it stops them from being wholly enjoyable just because you’re aware of it. Still, I got the feeling with Bruno more of the audience were laughing along with the character than at him, maybe it’s just cos’ he’s more of a grotesque and obviously fake than maybe Borat would be to a more naive viewer.

I’ll be quiet now

Comment on New logo, new look by shinyalex

shinyalex — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:58:50 +0000

FIT!

Comment on Political apathy and complacency by thegreathjp

thegreathjp — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:32:14 +0000

Ooop, I’d like to make it clear this is not some sort of personal attack on anyone who didn’t vote, everyone is entitled to their opinion and choice of action.
Yeh this isn’t a moral judgment or go at anyone.
xx

Comment on Boris taken to task over record on LGBTQ support by emmaod

emmaod — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:14:07 +0000

That is hilarious…well done boris…how do i tag the conservatives in this ROFL…he’s such a fool!

Comment on Photo Gallery by carlywarly

carlywarly — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:53:42 +0000

Hell yeh, we kicked ass at Pride! Who knows…i may pull out the blue dress for another occasion! haha! I still think Aaron probs looked the best! x

Comment on Photo Gallery by emmaod

emmaod — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:34:34 +0000

Do you like my condom filled with hair gel bulge?

Comment on Photo Gallery by o0okitteno0o

o0okitteno0o — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:18:12 +0000

I am terrified of just how good Carl and Emma’s drag incarnations are..