News & Views
Volume 2, Issue 15 April 2018
Insights B o b’s Bl u r b s
Anecdotes and Opinions
By Panshunz Burnham PFLAG Beaumont Education Chair
While meeting with fellow PFLAG board members at a local coffee shop, a man walked in, stared at me, and sarcastically commented, “Nice suit.” I was the only person in earshot that understood his tone because he was not a stranger to me. I knew that he was transphobic from a previous experience. I am transmasculine. In this encounter, the man walked in, made the comment to me, went to the restroom then walked out. We three PFLAG board members finished our meeting and headed to the parking lot when I noticed the transphobic man slow rolling toward us in the parking lot. I, and two other board members, continued to walk toward our cars, but the man in his slow-moving vehicle was not trying to get out of the parking lot. I asked mycompanions to refrain from walking to our cars and the three of us casually stopped behind an SUV and chatted. I watched the transphobe’s car for more than seven minutes while he very barely moved through the parking lot, never turning toward an exit. His heavely conservative decal-ed car crept around a corner. We three PFLAGers quickly strode to our vehicles. We left and I proceed proceeded to head home as a passanger in my cohort’s car. A mile and a half down the highway, he comes speeding past the car I am riding in waving his hand in the shape of a gun and then flipping us off. My companion stayed calm during the entire encounter and called the authorities to “unofficially” report the encounter. The previous run in with this stranger consisted of secret threatening notes left on my car. When I got home the evening of the public display of hatred, I asked the air many questions. The question that persisted in my empty
continued Inside as Insights
PFLAGers support whenever we can By Jacqueline Hays PFLAG Beaumont President
It seems the PFLAG Beaumont board, subcommittee members and general membership have been going through so much lately. Illness, disasters, discrimination and economic problems have seemingly plagued us all. I came home in a less than desirable mood the other day. I was tired, beat down by one
issue after another. I was greeted with a hug by a friend. I was greeted with kind words and an offer to chat about nothing in particlar. Two hours later, I was not rushing to bury my head in the covers and escape this cruel world. My friend I didn’t really discuss my woes and she didn’t try and advise me either. I was supported by someone witnessing me. Check in with others — a kind word or just your presence can go a long way.
Monthly Movie Pick — Series Pick:
‘Everything Sucks!”
By Kaelyn Smith Pride Fest Street Team Chair
Spin The Bottle, Oasis, and VCRs? Yes? Then the new Netflix series, “Everything Sucks!” falls right in line with everything we loved and hated from the 1990s. The show does a fantastic job of bringing a feeling of nostalgia to the viewer, although at times it feels almost a little too "Disney Channel." The students in the high school's A/V and Drama Clubs come together
to make a movie in their hometown of Boring, Oregon in the year 1996. The main character, Kate Messner, is battling a war inside of herself as she realizes that she's queer, while her friend Luke falls in love with her. Kate has to rediscover herself as she is going through high school, which is already tough enough. “Everything Sucks!” hits on some major issues such as homophobia, depression and suicide, bullying, parental issues, and how it feels to accept yourself as you are. Although it does cover these, not all of it is realistic and some episodes do feel too scripted. All in all, I would give this series four out of five stars. Although it isn't perfect yet, its satisfying and is still something that may be worth time.