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.
Inside Insights Cont.
apartment was the change in hate tactics this person employed. Previously, he had wished me to death in anonymous notes, now years later, he is public and actually dangerous considering his erratic driving. Pondering his motives left me with more questions. Why do people hate us? Is it religion or politics? We live in a society governed by the right of separation from church and state. This first amendment right is often citied in conversations regarding LGBTQ equality. We tend to discuss our interpretations of church and state, but we often miss the relationship between church and state that happens in microsocial groups.
It has been shown that membership in religious extremist groups and anti-government groups shifts based on the current political climate. Historically, if religious conservatives are in the primary position of power then we see membership increase in religious extremist groups. When social progressives are in power, we see membership increase in anti-government groups. Typically, we do not see a significant increase in overall membership numbers, so the theory is that people switch their alliance, not their beliefs. What this means for me, a Southeast Texan, trans masculine, professional and community service participant, is that this virtual stranger who disliked me for my appearance, i.e. gender expression, is now embolden to possibly act on his hate in a public manner with less fear of
repercussions and to do so with the convictions of his religious argument literally written across his back windshield. My Granny was the most religious person I have ever known. She bore a son who excelled as a pastor, who, in turn, bore men of faith who persued missionary work. And my Granny, regardless of the change of political tide, stayed true to those principles and would be appalled if me or anyone else in her circle of friends and family had acted as this hate-filled transphobe did. With the attacks on LGBTQiA rights by the current popular conservative culture, I am highlighted as a target. I am already an enemy of the state, so this paticular transphobe is just doing his patriotic duty, fueled and justified by his religious---- rights, right?
Monthly Book Pick: ‘Men Like That’
By Jerry Thacker PFLAG Beaumont Vice President “Men Like That,” the book by John Howard, delves into the rural culture of the Southern gay man. Howard shows the reader that Southern queer history isn't limited to the big city.
Southern queer history also lives and thrives in smaller towns and rural areas. In Mr. Howard's book, he reveals that queer life can be found in the most ordinary of places and spaces. Southern queer life happens in the home, school, church and workplace. The author spans forty years and many kinds of queer men, who tell their own story in their own words. While reading John Howard's book, one may be a little put off in the beginning by the technical jargon the author uses to make his study sound scientific. Soon, the reader will realize the author is trying to be taken seriously early on in the book to set the tone as a scientific study of queer life in the South. Once the reader gets through the beginning of the book, the reading becomes much easier, as queer, bi-sexual and trans men
who lived in the South start to share the accounts of what they experienced first hand.
Although we hear of sexual encounters in various places, one thing that sticks out and might force the reader to address popular misconceptions, is that a large number of men weren't looking just to have sex, they were looking for a relationship that hopefully would develop into a longer lasting relationship. This was so sweetly told by those interviewed.There is another account of a man who wanted to transition to a woman and all the obstacles he faced, like finding a doctor and finding a safe work environment. There were some unexpected heroes who went out of their way to help him as well. A reader will be caught off gaurd by the emotion the narrative evokes for the people in this book who were trying to find their way in a world that didn't seem to have a place for them. Through it all, the queer Southerners found a place, be it at home, school, church or the workplace, to find people like themselves. I feel this book is a must read for
people who are finding their way and need to know some history of those who came before them and found their way against a bigger set of obstacles that exist today. This book is an excellent read for many ages, but especially recommended to an older demographic who may not know how people from the South made it through such a challenging time.
More
PFLAG Monthly Education and Support
Sunday, Apri 15, 2 p.m.,
450 11th Street, Legacy Community Health Building
PFLAG Beaumont inaugural Coming Out Ball Saturday, May 5 8 p.m.-Midnight
Visit https://pflagbm tcomingoutball.bpt.me
Rainbow
Revelations
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By Payshunz Nagashima, PFLAG Beaumont Education Chair
What’s Happening Pride Fest Brunch at The LogOn Cafe, located at 3805 Calder
Saturday, April 28
11 a.m.- 2 p.m. All- Ages Music by Garrett DeLaCerda
PFLAG Beaumont is hosting Pride Fest 2018, Saturday, June 9. Would you or your organization or business like to get involved?
Email bmtpridefest@gmail.com for more information. Represent at Pride Fest 2018!
Bring the entire family and meet area organizations
PRIDE FEST VOLUNTEER PARTY Bring a dish and art supplies and we will “craft” Pride Fest 2018
SATURDAY, APRIL 7 3 - 6 p.m. at The Gig, 240 Crockett Pot Luck* All Ages