lesbian

Attention, Straight Allies

Allyby Grace Montesano

No, the “A” in LGBTQIA+ doesn’t stand for “Ally.” It stands for Asexual. No, we shouldn’t have a straight pride month. Every month is straight pride month. No, Macklemore isn’t the only artist in hip-hop who cares about gay people. There are a plethora of hip-hop artists who are actually queer and have lots to say on the matter.

Being a good ally doesn’t mean you will tolerate two men kissing in privacy, it means you actively fight the hetero and cis sexist power structure under which we all live. Don’t expect extra points from queer people just for putting up with us.

The people who are actual allies do amazing work for the queer community every day. That being said, they still belong to a privileged class.  They never have to explain their orientation or gender to anyone. People assume correctly that they are straight. They don’t have to live within a system that discriminates against them based on their sexual identity. It’s not a bad thing that some people are straight. It’s a bad thing that heterosexuality has benefits everyone else doesn’t get. And, just because an individual works to alleviate that problem, doesn’t mean they are no longer privileged.  Hopefully, the future will bring more good allies who can check their privilege and help the world become a better place for everyone.

********************

Grace Montesano is a student and Public Achievement Coach at Colorado College. She is also a Staff Writer for Fempowerment.

Check Yourself

Block 7 2013

Created by Colorado College students Rebecca Willey (Editor), Katharine Teter (Editorial Assistant), Anna Naden (Journalist), Tucker Hampson (Journalist), and Phoebe Parker-Shames (Graphic Designer)–Block 7 2013

“We titled this magazine Check Yourself, because we all need to be aware of our own particular privileges.  The purpose of our magazine is to raise awareness of the many kinds of privilege among college students who already identify as feminists. Sometimes we could all use a good privilege check.”
–Rebecca Willey, Editor

Click here to read Check Yourself!

Video

Uncensored: For the Flexible Reader

Block 7 2012

Created by Colorado College students Tess Gattuso (Editor), Sophie Javna (Editorial Assistant), Rosie Nelson (Journalist), Nina Friedman (Journalist), and Blaise Yafcak (Graphic Designer) during Block 7 2013

“Porn is a difficult topic to cover. In porn, we see the commodification of sexuality, identities, and bodies…yikes!  Carole S. Vance touches upon the importance of a nuanced analysis of porn in her essay ‘Pleasure and Danger: Toward a Politics of Sexuality.’  She argues, ‘To focus only on pleasure and gratification ignores the patriarchal structure in which women, yet to speak only of sexual violence and oppression ignores women’s experience with sexual agency.’  Uncensored aims to avoid one-sided views of pornography and instead apply a multifaceted approach to the industry.  Instead of censoring porn, Uncensored magazine chooses to explore its potential for FEMINIST ACTION.  While doing so, we remain cognizant of the consequences we see translating between the private realm of porn and the public realm of sexual relationships.  Read on for a raunchy, nuanced variety of pieces speaking to the role that porn can play in our lives.”
–Tess Gattuso, Editor

Before you read Uncensored: For the Flexible Reader, you GOTTA check out the trailer:

Click here to read Uncensored!

********************

Now that you’ve seen the trailer and read the magazine, check out these HILARIOUS bloopers:

Queeries

Block 7 2012

Created by Colorado College students Maggie Deadrick (Editor), Peter Shuldiner (Journalist), Carmen Rodi (Journalist), and Natalie Dupille (Graphic Designer)–Block 8 2012

“Queeries is a project that is meant to contest culture and nature, and allow what is considered abnormal to find a place where it is considered normal.  Queeries is a safe space for people who feel like they are always battling culture and nature to finally feel at one with the forces.  And Queeries is a window for those who consider themselves accepting on the outside, but don’t feel it on the inside, to learn and grow into truly understanding humans.  Thank you for taking the time to open this magazine; our readers are our first step toward success, and we’re glad you’re taking this journey with us.”
–Margaret S. Deadrick, Editor

Click here to read Queeries!