Felix Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Organization – Personal blog about Felix and his Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Organization

RUSSIA HARDENS ITS ANTI-LGBT POLICY

Posted on January 9, 2023by admin

RUSSIA HARDENS ITS ANTI-LGBT POLICY

Although homosexuality is not itself criminalized, Russia is among the most hostile countries towards the LGBTI community. Especially thanks to legislation banning so-called LGBTI “propaganda” in the country, which President Vladimir Putin amplified in December.

Since 1993 homosexuality has been legal in Russia. However, the Kremlin has found in the “anti-LGBTI propaganda” law (as it is popularly known) a tacit way of prohibiting any type of public expression of sexual diversity, as well as the LGBTI movement in the country.

READ MORE: “PANSEXUAL AND BISEXUAL DIFFERENCE“

This law entered into force in 2013 and, according to various NGOs, it is written so vaguely that it is used as a political instrument and a violation of human rights. According to it, anyone who “promotes” “non-traditional” relationships can be fined.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT PUTIN HAS MADE TO THE ANTI-LGBTI LAW?

The 2013 law prohibited the dissemination of information related to the LGBTQ community to minors. However, the extension now also extends the measure to adults, and includes the fact of “praise” the “non-traditional” relationships or say that they are “normal”.

On the other hand, information on gender change cannot be given either. In addition, the law includes and associates pedophilia, which is a paraphilia and is not part of the accepted spectrum of sexual diversity, with the LGBTI collective, which results in misinformation.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES THAT PUTIN HAS MADE TO THE ANTI-LGBTI LAW?

The law includes the Internet, mass communication media, books, audiovisual services, cinema and advertising. As mentioned above, this legislation is also used for political purposes, and is one of the tools that Putin keeps in his “culture war” with the West.

READ MORE:”THE BATTLE OF LARGO“

Punishments include fines of up to 400,000 rubles (US$6,370) for “LGBT propaganda” and up to 200,000 rubles (US$3,185) for “LGBT demonstrations and information that encourages gender change among adolescents.” For legal persons, the fines go up to 4 and 5 million rubles tukif (between 64 thousand and 80 thousand US dollars).

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE LGBTI COMMUNITY WORSENS

In 2017, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the 2013 anti-LGBTQ law was discriminatory, promoted homophobia, and was in clear violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Likewise, various NGOs such as Amnesty International and ILGA Europe have launched various reports against it. In fact, the latter body has ranked Russia 46th out of 49 European nations when it comes to inclusion of the LGBTQ community.

READ MORE: “FORGE IS NOW A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION“

Among the facts denounced by ILGA-Europe are crimes motivated by discrimination and hate. In their 2020 report, they indicated that most of them were registered in Saint Petersburg, Dagestan and Chechnya, and that they have been increasing continuously since 2013.

Many victims are assaulted during “fake dates“, such as the case of a trans woman who was attacked in February 2020, according to the agency. Despite this, the same report ensures that small advances in judicial matters, such as several convictions of perpetrators, have taken place.

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Pansexual and bisexual difference

Posted on June 9, 2022by leonardo

pansexual

Defining sexuality can be challenging, given that people still disagree on sexual identity and gender basic concepts. Recent studies have shown that sexuality exists on a spectrum. At one end of the spectrum are individuals who feel attracted to people of the opposite gender or binary. It could include a heterosexual female who finds only males attractive. Individuals attracted to people of the same sex or gender fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. Those drawn to multiple genders are somewhere in the middle of the range.

People often use the terms pansexuality and bisexuality interchangeably to describe sexual orientation. Pansexuality refers to attraction to any gender xxx, while bisexuality is an attraction to a specific gender. But the definition of the two terms may vary across people. While the two terms are related, they are distinct concepts.

Here are some of the differences between pansexuality and bisexuality.

Pansexuality

A pansexual refers to a person who feels attracted to any gender. It can include individuals who don’t belong to any gender. Their attraction is more focused on the personality but not the gender. A person with a pansexual orientation can get attracted to individuals who don’t have a gender. A pansexual person may equally find a gender-filled person, male or female attractive. Pansexual people are like heterosexual men who don’t see every woman as attractive. So, identifying as a pansexual doesn’t mean you find everyone attractive.

Bisexuality

Different people define bisexuality differently. While some people see themselves as gender-fluid, others base their gender on their biological sex. Some people describe bisexuality as only feeling attracted to a specific gender. But to others, it can mean finding multiple gender identities attractive. But generally, bisexuality identifies with individuals who see more than one gender as attractive. To some people, the world bisexual seems controversial, given that it focuses only on two genders. But most people of the bisexual orientation acknowledge that there are more than two genders.

Differences between Pansexuality and Bisexuality

It is widely agreed that pansexuality refers to all genders, while bisexuality is attracted to multiple genders. While the two terms are somehow similar, they are distinct. A pansexual person can find people of any gender attractive. On the other hand, a person who identifies with the bisexual orientation may feel attracted to a male or gender-fluid person but not a female. For both a bisexual and pansexual person, the type of attraction experienced may vary for different genders. For example, a person may feel a sexual attraction to one gender and a romantic attraction to another.

Different people define pansexuality and bisexuality differently. But generally, bisexuality refers to people who find more than one gender attractive. Contrary, people who identify with the pansexual orientation find different people attractive regardless of their gender. The two terms differ because bisexual people only find certain genders attractive. There exists a wide range of sexual orientations. Your sexual identity depends on how you define sex and gender. The debate on sexual identity has changed and will continue to evolve.

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The Battle of Largo

Posted on January 16, 2017by admin

Council when one of its members stated publicly how surprisingly well the presentations went.
Speaking on behalf of FORGE were many including Janice Carney and Dr. Kathleen Farrell with the latter brining a round of applause from the pro-inclusion side.
On the day of the city council meeting each speaker came up to the podium and presented their case
either for or against GLTB inclusion. One by one, of what seemed like an endless train of people, each
stepped up and supported their positions. This process continued until shortly before 11PM at which
time the presentations ended and the voting began. Though the arguments strongly
favoured the pro-inclusion side, the vote was to not be in favor of inclusion.
In a surprise decision one key council person changed her mind and decided to vote against the HRO. Commissioner Charlie Harper started the push for a citywide human rights ordinance – and,
in the end, he voted against it. In the weeks following the vote, editorials, articles and other commentaries from both the media and general public criticized Largo for its By; Bobbie Vazquez No Largo is not a distant country or perhaps some dark place in middle earth near Mordor. Rather Largo is a mid-size city in Pinellas county . None the less, Largo was also a place in which a battle took place for basic human rights. With battle lines drawn between the religious right, local businesses, FORGE and its allies rallied around the call for human rights. The primary objective was defined to secure the basic human rights for the GLTB community. The preparation for this effort began several days before the actual battle. A preparatory meeting was held where members of FORGE and pro-inclusion Largo citizens met at Christ the Cornerstone Church. While at Christ the Cornerstone Church the attendees participated in discussions of strategies and practiced presentations. Von New from Florida Equality had provided a class with mock presentations. Each presenter was critiqued on their presentation and given input from the audience as to how improvements might be made. Later this effort would be recognized by the City direction concerning the human rights ordnance. Some writers even cited the similarities of the human rights struggles in the early sixties and how it parallels the current struggles.
Though the battle of Largo was lost, the pro-inclusion forces did win a victory in Largo . On Sept 30 2003 the St. Petersburg TIMES reported that a police officer was placed on paid leave for making a racial slur. The investigation came on the heels of several other examples of racial incidents in Largo. Earlier, in November 2002, a Fire Department Lieutenant was terminated for making a similar racial slur. With a weak employee policy being a potential legal and financial liability to the City began to revise it’s policy to include providing a safe work environment for transgender individuals. On
Oct 7 the revised internal employee policy was passed 7 to 0 for affording protections to transgender employees. Perhaps this was the first step towards a complete HRO.

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FORGE is now a Non-Profit Organization

Posted on January 16, 2017by admin

Last August, I had the privilege of coming to Florida to see an old friend and present a talk to the
convention entitled “Culturally Induced Stress—It only hurts because we’re different.” It is a truism that our culture, wherever we are, complicates the important true sex identity expression of transgendered people. People just don’t get it. When we seek protection from discrimination, the way far right shows up to demonize us as any number of undesirable creatures. The churches demand our banishment from protection, yet they pay no taxes, and they simply don’t understand the importance of the separation of church and state. We do need to continue the struggle, however, as little by little, one by one, people are getting our message. We discussed the terms and definitions, as always, and moved to focus on the stages we appear to go through to become our true selves. Research, which has not been given much consideration by our community was reviewed, because it removes the need to argue philosophies and look at the hard data as presented by scientists here and throughout the world. The findings are exciting
and seem to be getting us closer to knowing the physical truth about our selves. People in our culture need to know these findings in order to stand up to the philosophers and spiritual bigots who have no facts nor research to bring to the table. J Michael Bailey’s work is a good example of junk science that was touted as ground breaking by those who would deride us. It has failed miserably due to our standing up proudly to dismiss it. The man who would be queen may in the end be J. Michael Bailey himself. Perhaps the “J” means Judy! Although much of what I covered was not rocket science or incredibly new, it got us all looking at our journeys in a different way. We must never give up on ourselves or on the culture that is in desperate need of education and direction on how they can help us.
As I write this, I am in my apartment that is covered in snow and ice. It is 10 degrees above zero. God I wish I were with you all in Florida!!

As of Dec 16, 2003 a major milestone was achieved as FORGE became incorporated as a nonprofit. This accomplishment was no small task and was a massive undertaking by Janice Carney.
Being recognized as a non-profit organization will pave the way for FORGE to secure additional funding
for future projects and support it’s a state-wide activism effort for transgender human rights. These fund raising efforts will include events, donations, and grants based on a posting on the FORGE Network from Janice Carney. Jennifer Edwards, a FORGE board member, is currently researching potential grant
opportunities. In the meantime membership fees and donations are FORGE’s primary source of
revenue. If you are interested in making a contribution, please send your donations to: Transgender Forge Inc, 3708 W. Swann Ave Tampa Fl 33609-4522.

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Forge: Florida Gender Equality Project

Posted on January 16, 2017by admin

FORGE works to create a safe and productive environment for people of all genders within Florida. FORGE believes in supporting Transgender educational programs, Human Rights Initiatives and advocacy movements that is inclusive for all people.
FORGE will fight discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, economic status, age, ability, ethnicity, shape, size, style, religion, or any other characteristic. We urge those people who have felt traditionally unheard to join us and allow you voice a way to be heard. This is a movement for all, and we refuse to leave no one behind.
FORGE believes in a true grassroots strategy that help creates solutions for the problems of those in most critical need. FORGE is dedicated in bringing transgender and other gender activists, advocates, allies and community members together from across the state to:

• Create a formal statewide network of leaders and advocates committed to gender equality;
• Share local victories and information with others to create a State of the State Report;
• Identify and prioritize the most pressing issues regarding gender equality in Florida; and, Build consensus around a statewide gender education and advocacy strategy.
About FORGE
FORGE believes in a transgender education  and advocacy movement that includes ALL people.
FORGE will not discriminate based on gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, economic status, age, ability, ethnicity, shape, size, style, religion, or any other characteristic. In fact, we urge those people who have felt traditionally under-represented or unheard to join us. This is a movement for all, and we refuse to leave anyone behind.
FORGE believes in a true grassroots strategy that creates solutions for the problems of those in most critical need.

Guiding Vision The vision of the Florida Gender Equality Project (FORGE) is to initiate profound and progressive non-violent social change which will result in an end to oppression and violence based on gender identity and expression.
Guiding Mission The mission of the Florida Gender Equality Project (FORGE) is to build, protect and advance a safe and productive environment for people of all gender identities and expressions by using education and advocacy to create positive change.
FORGE will pursue broad-based transgender initiatives to educate and influence the government, the private sector, other organizations and the general public.
Through our actions, FORGE will uphold human dignity and equal rights for all people regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, sex, age, ethnicity, religion,  national origin, economic status, nature of employment, disability, marital status, familial status, or any other minority status.