LGBTQ* Meeting, Dating and the Web
In the last few weeks many of you have emailed me asking about “safe” places on the internet to meet people. While I’ve responded on a one-on-one basis with quite a few of you, many anons have also sent me the same question. Below you will find some sites as well as SAFETY tips when dating online.
Please remember, I am not an expert nor should you only do the suggestions below. You are smart, attractive and intelligent. Treat yourself with respect and expect it from others. BE SAFE & Keep On, Keeping On! -R.
Online Dating/Meeting
1.) Always be cautious and aware of any and all personal information you give out online
2.) Never supply the place you work or where you live online
3.) Think before you give out your number. Correspond through email or messaging first. If your email is a school/work email or has your full name in the title, create an email used strictly for communication online.
4.) IF YOU MEET IN PERSON
- Do it during daylight hours and in a public space
- Tell a friend/family member/co-worker that you care going out and have someone call and check on you at a later time that day
- If possible, do NOT share a vehicle when you first meet. This is for everyone’s safety.
If a person is not comfortable or pushes you to break any of the above suggestions, it could be a sign of an unsafe situation.
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LGBTQ* Friendly Dating/Meeting Sites
Free:
www.okcupid.com - Ok Cupid
www.pof.com - Plenty of Fish
www.jsingles.com - Jewish Singles
www.lesbianpersonalsonline.com - Lesbian Personals
Trial Memberships/Pay:
www.gay.com - Gay.Com
www.match.com - Match.com
www.myPartner.com - My Partner
LBGTQ* Books To Keep On Your Radar
Love, Ellen: A Mother / Daughter Journey
More than 20 years have passed since Ellen DeGeneres came out to her mother on a beach in Mississippi. Stunned, Betty DeGeneres could only think of her own disappointed expectations. As she put her arms around her daughter, she was struck by the realization that she would never see Ellen’s picture on the engagements page of the Times-Picayune, her local paper. That Ellen would eventually appear on the front page of thePicayune and countless newspapers and magazines around the world is an irony not lost on her mother: “If I had known she was going to grow up to be Ellen DeGeneres,” Betty quips, “I would have taken more pictures.”
Now the spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Project, Betty DeGeneres travels the country explaining how she came to terms with her daughter’s sexuality, and how love and acceptance can transform a family. Love, Ellen is an extension of her warm and much-admired public speaking, providing insight into her own life as well as Ellen’s and arguing for further education, compassion, and the passage of antidiscrimination laws. —Regina Marler
— Personal Note: My roommates actually gave me a copy of this when I came out so I could hear from a mother’s perspective some of the things my family would go through in my process. I highly recommend it. - Rebecca
Personal Note:
This is not a LGBTQ* related post. I just wanted to tell all of you how amazing, intelligent and thoughtful you are and that I notice it every time we interact with each other. You are phenomenal individuals and I know through our communication and brief dialogues that there is a silver lining to the arrogant and apathetic culture we seem so often to be surrounded by.
Thank you for always being a healthy reminder to me to always push a bit harder than the day before. More so, thank you for always being so inspiring on the days I don’t want to push harder.
Keep On, Keeping On
-Rebecca
LGBTQ* Illustrations, Humor and Twists
Biology Meets Irony. (from Deviant Artist Humon )
Articles on “Gay” Sheep:
From NEW SCIENTIST
From ABC NEWS
From GLOBAL ANIMAL
(This post is not done to belittle or speak poorly about any faith.)
LGBTQ* Advice, Activism and Little (Free) Things You Can Do To Help
Top 10 Ways To Support Gay Rights
By Ramon Johnson, About.com Guide
Bullying is no laughing matter, and we’re not just talking about hurt feelings here. Bullying effects school work, relationships with family and friends, and most importantly, a gay person’s relationship with themselves. Help stop the bullying by speaking up for your gay friends.
The best way to tell our government how you feel is to vote! Be sure to update your address if you are registered to vote or sign up if you are not.
3. Sign a Petition for Same-Sex Marriage
A single signature may seem irrelevant, but joined by millions change happens.
4. Write Your State Senator or Representative
Your State Senators and Representatives were elected by you and act on your behalf. Let them know how you feel.
Send letters supporting gay equality directly to our leaders. Let’s keep the upper hand by expressing our opinions with respect and professionalism.
A single email to gay-friendly churches can go a long way towards the confirmation of gay clergymen.
7. Support the Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund
The SLDF needs your support as the leading advocate for gays in the military. Not only do they educate servicemembers on the current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies, but they provide free legal advice.
Who cares what your parents say, watching television is good for you- especially if you’re gay! By watching gay-theme television shows you increase their ratings. Increased ratings make the high-power networks and advertisers very happy. Hopefully, happy enough that they can’t afford not to have gay programming. Showing Americans gay life on television may also lessen the fear of gay equality.
9. Volunteer for a Gay Rights Organization
There are several organizations that help promote gay rights and safety. Find the one that best suits your lifestyle.
The American Bar Association had recently agreed to endorse and lobby states for equal adoption rights for same-sex couples. Join the fight!
