Archive for April, 2015

After this Miami experience, does ageism permeate the LGBTi community in Victoria or within Australia?

// April 24th, 2015 // No Comments » // Around the globe, International, Media discussion, Within Australia, Within Victoria

The recent experience of gay men over 40 years of age in Florida, USA flagged a question for us about whether there are similar experiences for mature people within Victoria’s and Australia’s LGBTi communities.

Have you experienced ageism personally or have seem it directed towards a partner or friend? How did you deal with it? Any successful outcomes or continuing disappointments you’d like to share?

And what do you feel about the Miami experience detailed in the writing of Nigel Campbell (Instinct, 23 April 2015)?
http://instinctmagazine.com/post/it-okay-only-charge-people-over-40-years-old-gay-event

Apple Fixes ‘Homophobic Siri’: Russian Version Was Anti-LGBT

// April 16th, 2015 // No Comments » // Around the globe, International, Media discussion

Alex, a Russian speaker living in London, was excited to discover that a Russian Siri existed. He was excited, that is, until the robotic voice began responding with all-too-human shades of homophobia. After Alex posted a YouTube video on Saturday demonstrating Siri’s sometimes passive-aggressive, sometimes hostile answers, Apple appeared to have fixed it by Tuesday, reports Russian BBC. 

Read Barbara Herman’s article here:
http://www.ibtimes.com/apple-fixes-homophobic-siri-russian-version-was-anti-lgbt-1883937?ft=61pb1

It’s time for a solidarity visit to hold hands alongside our LGBTI brothers and sisters in Korea!

// April 4th, 2015 // No Comments » // Around the globe, International, Media discussion

Seattle resident Adam McRoberts recently introduced us to the impact of invisibility colliding with homophobia for some in South Korea, in the Seattle Gay Scene blog. We were left with a strong desire to plan a side trip via Korea to hold hands alongside our brothers and sisters raising visibility along the way to eliciting change.

TRIGGER WARNING – images of physical violence, discussion of emotional violence and impact of homophobia.

“Born and raised in Seoul, Heezy (Yang)’s own coming out and decision to live openly gay was a years long process, carefully orchestrated in an effort to maintain his family ties while being a beacon of hope for others still closeted.”

Artists and activists like Heezy Yang are forcing the general public in Korea to take notice of the LGBT population and Adam was fortunate to spend time exploring how life for some is being lived . As places like “Homo Hill” emerge and flourish, they stand to serve real proof that art can instigate societal change toward acceptance of LGBT people.  They are in the final planning stages for 2015 Seoul Pride and expect the largest attendance yet.  Heezy will open this year’s festivities with a live performance and the community will come together to celebrate another year of being out.’&nbsp

But the journey is frought with harsh, sometimes violent times as change is fought for and slowly won. Check out Adam McRoberts’ full article here:
http://seattlegayscene.com/2015/04/out-in-the-world-seoul-gay-scene/