Simone

Summer is almost upon us! I know hard to believe right. Depending on where you live it may or may not feel like spring. Although i feel like with global warming, it doesn't feel like much like spring anywhere north of the of the Mason Dixon. However it's true summer will be here in 43 days and counting! And with summer comes (drum roll please)... P R I D E. Most states all over the US will be celebrating PRIDE this summer.

While pride is generally always a good time, we should all remember the reason and purpose of PRIDE in community. Pride has always been a time and event to promote, visibility, LGBTQ rights, the history of the community and to celebrate ourselves and the community. This year there will be a very necessary and important event. That event is "The Equality March for Unity and Pride".

The events purpose is to mobilize the LGBTQ community to call attention to the current political climate and its role in the discrimination and attacks against the LGBTQ community. The event will take place in the nations capital, Washington, D.C. on June 11, 2017. I strongly encourage those that can, to participate. It is imperative that we come together, now more than ever. If you need any reasoning just look to the current administration and the numerous bills that have been purposed to limit, discriminate and strip us of our rights. We cannot afford to lose any momentum or progress we have gain in the past years.

If you are planning to attend or if you do attend, please comment below and share your personal reasons for attending and or your experience at that march.

*Please find the links I have provided below for more details and to register for the march*

https://www.facebook.com/TheEqualityMarch2017/ 

http://www.equalitymarch2017.com

In the current political and social climate, words like equality, discrimination and rights are heard and seen quite often. Which they should be. Under this current legislation, the LGBT community has no room for complacency. It is times like these where unity is of the utmost importance. Yet we remain divided for the very reason we protest and advocate. Ironically enough we can't point the finger at society or America without first pointing the finger at ourselves. The LGBT community is a very discriminatory community, whether it is judging someone because they are bisexual, transgendered or even because of their race.

Somehow we've allowed a lot of heteronormative and majority ideals slip into our community. As a member of the LGBT community as well as being a "double minority" (African-American and lesbian), I know all too well what discrimination within the community looks and feels like. It is a very sobering and often sad reality to find that not only are you not always accepted by the majority of society, you face these same tribulations within the community you identify with the most.

The discussions surrounding these issues has been had time and time again with very little change. I think it is important that these discussions continue until we see actual change. Let's start putting some work behind these conversations. Let's start a new type of dialogue. Why does so much self hate exist? What are we as a community scared of when it comes to "different" and most importantly, what can we do to changed the culture within our community?

I want to hear from all of you. Share your personal stories with discrimination within the community. How did you handle it? What do you think we or even you can do to change things? Why do you think discrimination exists in the community? 

We're seventy-five days into 2017. Unfortunately or fortunately you've found yourself single. But let's just say for argument's sake that this is a good thing for you. The world is your oyster, there's plenty of fish in the sea(pun intended). So you're ready to mingle, get out there and strut your stuff.

Now what? Where should you or rather, where do you start? The internet seems like a great place. There's Tinder, POF, HER, Grinder, Facebook and a whole host of other dating sites. So you decide to take the leap of faith. First, you need to create a profile, upload a photo, fill in the ever vague and tedious "about me" section, which I've been told no one even reads. What do you say? What don't you say? Now here comes the fun part; match, swipe right, swipe left, heart, thumps up or down. Send a message, talk about everything and nothing. Meet up. Catfish.

Whoa, this doesn't seem as easy as you might have thought, huh? Now lets throw society and the era into the mix. I'm sure you've heard of the term and/or have been called a millennial. Yup, you're a part of the so called "I want it now, microwave" generation. When it comes to dating in this generation, things can be tough to say the least. Majority of the time it seems that everyone is just looking for a quick, cheap thrill or a hookup. Nothing significant or promising. So where does that leave all the hopeless romantics?