Month: September 2017

The “born this way” narrative falls apart due to four (4) distinct failures

gryphyl:

packbat:

fistarnius:

1. It is not actually an effective argument for dissuading homophobes or transphobes. Take a look at the developmental disability community for some examples of what oppressors do when we’re born this way.

2. It contradicts the idea of actively introspecting to discover your sexual orientation and/or gender identity, invalidating anyone who didn’t just know automatically.

3. It implies that our inability to change is the only good reason to accept us, and by extension implies that we ought to change if we could. Therefore, it actually reinforces that notion that there’s Something Wrong With Us, rather than challenging it.

4. It erases the experiences of people whose queer identities were developed through trauma, who were not in fact born this way.

I might have been born this way, but it doesn’t actually matter. There’s nothing wrong with how I am. My identity does not need to be excused, my identity needs to be respected.

5. It invalidates people with fluid identities and perpetuates the idea that someone whose identity has changed over time was previously faking it.

6. Some people do see their sexuality or gender as a choice, and they should be respected regardless. Choosing to differ from social norms is not a bad thing in and of itself.

snommelp:

mapsontheweb:

Christian Population By US State.

There is no state in this nation where Christians (or people who call themselves Christian) are a minority. Something to remember next time you witness the Culture Warriors railing about oppression.

That behavior makes more sense in its own way, considering that the minority who are into The Evangelical Persecution Complex tend not to count non-Evangelicals as Real Christians at all. Never mind the large chunk of the population who will ID as Christian when asked, but aren’t particularly religious.

Also too relevant: The End Times Part V: Signs, Prophesies, and Current Events

One result of all of this is a “persecution complex.” Premillennialists believe that Christians will be persecuted in increasing numbers during the end times, and so they look around expecting to see that, even in the United States.

Basically, they want to see persecution, or otherwise Jesus isn’t coming back.

I didn’t grow up exposed to any of this ideology, and without some context a lot of political themes just make no freaking sense. But, this persecution complex becomes even more disturbing when you understand why that vocal minority is so invested in it. There is internal logic there, and it’s kinda terrifying.

Source: reddit.com

Sports Direct workers invited to press sad or happy emoji clocking in

cocainesocialist:

Sports Direct warehouse staff who say they are unhappy with their working conditions are being identified by their fingerprints and asked to explain their grievances to management, according to the trade union Unite.

The leisurewear company has introduced a staff survey system at its Shirebrook warehouse, Derbyshire, which was at the centre of allegations of “gulag” conditions last year after a Guardian investigation.

When the warehouse’s 3,500 workers clock in, they are asked to press a touchpad featuring a happy or sad face emoji to indicate whether they are satisfied with working conditions.

If they press sad, they are asked whether they are sure about their decision and, if they press it again, they can be called in by managers to discuss why they did so.

Sports Direct workers invited to press sad or happy emoji clocking in

thepioden:

glumshoe:

invincible-selfxmade-punk:

glumshoe:

I’m assembling an ‘angry worker songs’ playlist for Labor Day. Themes include “it sucks to be an exploited coal miner” and also “it sucks to be an exploited lumberjack” and also “it sucks to be an exploited railroad worker”. 

Have fun with that, I’ll be listening to real protest music like Billy Bragg and Rise Against

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the labor union, or are you always this needlessly pretentious and hostile?

On a positive note, I’d like to contribute my favorite “it sucks to be an exploited chemical plant worker” song.

lepetitenoirmarkie:

ithotyouknew2:

capacity:

kairo-koutureee:

brosandprose:

tylerct:

ted:

Ella Dawson has genital herpes, and she wants to tell you about it. 

She’s not speaking up for the shock value — she’s telling you because she wants all of us to be able to talk about STIs without shame or stigma. When we make it okay to talk about, she says, people are more likely to get tested and less likely to be afraid to share their status. 

In her badass talk at TEDxConnecticut College, Ella tells the story of her diagnosis, how she overcame feeling like “human trash,” and why we need to end the stigma — now. It’s packed with information (and a shot of humor), and if you didn’t already agree with her, you will by the time she’s done.

Watch the full talk or read the transcript here.

(Full disclosure: Ella is TED’s social media manager. This post was written by her boss who is so incredibly proud of how fearlessly she speaks out.)

OK What the fuck is wrong with this bitch. Getting herpes is most definitely a reflection on a bad decision!!! There is something in this world called condoms!! Oh yeah and they are free at Planned Parenthood so you can’t even use the fucking excuse that they are expensive or your broke so you couldn’t buy any.. Seriously what the fuck
I am not saying you have to make it a big deal that you have herpes and have to tell the fucking world but you need/should tell your sexual partner..

Hi! That’s me. I’m that bitch. Nothing wrong with me except for an anxiety disorder and a runny nose today.

Here’s a fun fact you should probably know: condoms do not prevent the transmission of herpes. That’s because herpes is transmitted through skin contact, not fluids, and a condom does not cover all of the areas where genital herpes can express itself. Herpes is also often transmitted through oral sex, which most people do not use protection for. Using condoms and dental dams can greatly reduce your risk of getting herpes, but telling people to just use condoms is quite useless advice. I should know—I was a Planned Parenthood volunteer who used condoms religiously when I contracted genital herpes.

Many people do not tell their partners that they have herpes because they do not know they have herpes in the first place. That’s because many people can carry the virus without showing symptoms, and herpes is not tested for in most standard STI tests. But most people have herpes—in fact, according to the World Health Organization, 2 in 3 people in the world have HSV-1, which is the strain of herpes that I have. In all likelihood, you have herpes too. You may have even contracted it from a family member who kissed you on the mouth when you were little. 

I tell all of my partners that I have genital herpes before we have sex because I think they have the right to decide what they want to do with their bodies. I consider it part of obtaining informed consent. My partner who transmitted herpes to me did not give me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to take the risk of contracting the virus, and I think that was probably because he did not know he had the virus. I harbor no ill will towards him for transmitting to me. If he’d disclosed his status to me, I would have fucked him anyway.

Considering the fact that you know that condoms are available for free at Planned Parenthood—and that your tumblr is full of porn GIFs, no judgment!—I hope that you have been tested recently for herpes as well. It requires a blood draw, so if you’ve been peeing in a cup for your STI testing, you don’t know your herpes status. If you test positive for herpes, which you probably will, statistically speaking, I’ve written this guide on what to do after you’ve been diagnosed. I hope you will find it helpful!

Thank you for watching my TEDx talk, which you absolutely made sure to do before calling me a bitch, and have a wonderful evening!

DRAGGEDT

She said I’m that bitch….. I’m already gagged I haven’t even finished reading this

WHOS 👏🏾 THAT 👏🏾 BITCH 👏🏾 I’M 👏🏾 THAT 👏🏾 BITCH 👏🏾

ASCENDED

Source: ted