Items

• 
  2020-12-01

  Anti-gay Hungarian MEP resigns after being found at a 25-man orgy

  I hate to be the one to perpetuate the closeted homophobe stereotype, however, how could you not talk about an anti-gay politician that was found with bloodied-form running from police and a 25-man orgy, violating social distancing laws, while on drugs? Sounds like an adult-comedy bit that would make a quarter of the audience give a light chuckle to the comedian on stage! After this fiasco, they quickly resigned from their position as MEP in Hungary where he spent years writing bills and documents to actively harm the LGBTQ+ community.
• 
  2020-11-19

  bluestockings bookstore

  An NYC bookstore collectively owned by queer, trans people, and sex workers as well as a cafe operating during the pandemic.
• 
  2020-04-08

  "Viktor Orbán is Using the Coronavirus Emergency to Crush Minorities" - Jacobin

  In an article for Jacobin Magazine, Imre Szijarto and Rosa Schwartzburg describe in length how the far-right government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to pass a law to give itself emergency powers over civil society and the other branches of government. These emergency powers, which include the ability to censor journalists, attacks on LGBTQ rights, the power to grant government contracts (to Orban's cronies), and the takeover of art institutions, represents a blatant power grab that is unprecedented in Europe since the 1930s. Indeed, Orban's emergency power decree has drawn comparisons to figures as varied as Adolf Hitler and Emperor Palpatine (in Hungarian language memes), and the European Union leadership has strongly condemned Orban's decree as akin the "Enabling Act," which was passed by the Nazis in 1933. Orban's autocratic power grab and the democratic backsliding experienced by Hungary were already underway before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has allowed Orban to use a "state of exception" to effectively suspend liberally democracy in Hungary for the foreseeable future.
• 
  2020-10-05

  The Pandemic in Prisons: Covid-19, Repression, and the Carceral State

  This podcast episode is from the Revolutionary Left Radio podcast featuring show host Breht and guests.
• 
  2020

  Ben S. and his Art

  My friend Ben has been creating art ever since lockdown started and continue to make art for his studies and own enjoyment with all the extra free time some have gotten due to COVID-19. Ben is a queer artist who enjoys drawing anything from monsters to people and every iteration inbetween.
• 
  2020-03-12

  COVID-19 Productivity Plan

  HIST30060: A ‘COVID-19 Productivity Plan’ in the making. In the early days of the pandemic, my girlfriend and I were excited about entering lockdown. An eventual lockdown felt inevitable in mid-March, so we sat down at our local café to plan all the things we hoped to achieve. The plan reflects the sense of novelty and strange excitement many experienced in the beginning.
• 
  2020-11-06

  Black Lives Matter Protests

  I live in Des Moines, Iowa. We were hosts to many different protests. Many people wanted to keep things peaceful. This article talks about what happened.
• 
  2020-11-02

  Election Day Feelings 2020

  As many Americans hit the polls on Election Day 2020, many are left with uneasy feelings of anxiety and depression. There is so much at stake with this presidential election, including decisions about healthcare, women’s rights, the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Although election day is on November 3rd, it could be days before a president is chosen due to the amount of mail in ballots casted by voters. Therefore, this election day fear and anxiety could hover over many nervous Americans for days to come. With all the looming negativity, it is best to remember to keep calm and reach out to those closest for support during this very difficult time.
• 
  2020-10-25

  Man at Trump Rally in NYC

  Man wearing a "Gays For Trump" shirt and a MAGA hat at a pro-Trump protest in New York City during COVID-19.
• 
  2020-10

  Apollo

  As per quarantine, most people have had more time to create. With that time, my friend Apollo has drawn out a picture of him and his boyfriend. As with a lot of queer individuals, art can be a form of escapism and it certainly has come to flourish with the times of quarantine as many closeted individuals find it harder to grow in less than great positions.
• 
  2020-10-27

  Texas social workers can no longer discriminate against LGBTQ Texans or those with disabilities

  After backlash, the Texas government rescinded a recent action they proceeded with.
• 
  2020-07

  #CancelRent And Eviction Blockades in Brooklyn: Black Queer Women and Femmes Fight for the Right to Housing

  Im submitting an auto-ethnogrpahy I completed this summer about the housing movement during covid.
• 
  09/29/2020

  Shivaun Lindsey Oral History, 2020/09/29

  An interview given with Shivaun by her wife, Camden regarding COVID-19.
• 
  10/03/2020

  Lucy Li Oral History, 2020/10/03

  Lucy Li speaks on her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cleaning ritual she has developed, her new recognition of the need for social interaction, remote work and school, and how the economy’s dip will affect her generation. She finds work-life-school balance, feeling stuck in her apartment, and connection with others challenging. She finds that nihilistic memes, social media management strategy, and park walks with friends keep her grounded. Li finds hope in community resilience.
• 
  2020-09-18

  Human Rights Campaign Releases New Data Showing Latinx LGBTQ People Suffer Disproportionate Impact From COVID-19- Economic Fallout

  "Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation released new data outlining the economic impact of COVID-19 on Latinx LGBTQ people. The new research shows that Latinx LGBTQ people are more likely to have had their employment adversely impacted due to the virus, are more likely to have made changes to their household budgets and are more likely to have asked for delays in paying various expenses for necessities than the general population."
• 
  2020-06-18

  "LGBTQ Inequality and Vulnerability in the Pandemic"

  "Around the world, LGBTQ people are more vulnerable to the pandemic — especially where their status intersects with poverty."
• 
  2020-09-27

  Black-owned gay bars are dwindling. Can they survive Covid?

  "The coronavirus pandemic is just one of many headwinds facing the few remaining Black-owned LGBTQ bars across the country."
• 
  2020-09-22

  Professor Shares Anonymous Student Anxieties

  A professor shared student's anxieties about the Fall 2020 semester. Most of the responses show the toll the pandemic has taken on student's mental health. Another common theme is that many students face a multitude of difficulties when it comes to online school. Whether it's finding the motivation to go to class or how a student's home-life creates a toxic environment for online learning.
• 
  2020-08-27

  Drag in the Age of COVID-19

  This news article explores the effect the COVID-19 shutdowns have had on drag performances. Since March, Atlanta has banned gatherings of over 50 people in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus. For drag queens in the Atlanta area, this means that they have not been able to perform live since March. However, many have found virtual performances to be a viable alternative. Some drag queens, in fact, are glad that they are able to work virtually now as they had been wanting to get out of performing at bars. While virtual performances don't make as much money as live performances, the audience is a lot larger than if they were performing live.
• 
  2020-09-08

  One Step At A Time

  Write a brief description of what you are submitting. This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues The United States of America is living up to its core values because we have had a breakthrough in equality even if you don’t think America hasn't changed since 1865. If we aren't follwing this value of eqauilty we are forsure on the right path because slavery historycally was just a little while back. And Individualism has carried the economy to be stable and maintain balance for The United States . It also includes references to the following modern events: Black Lives matter Act and the stand on wearing mask's in public during Corona virus
• 
  2020-09-08

  Failure at Equality in America Leads to the Value of Dissent

  This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues America's failure at equality leads to the people using their right of protest and dissent. It also includes references to the following modern events: black lives matter movement, police brutality, gender inequality, and women's marches.
• 
  2020-09-08

  America is not living up to its core values

  This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues that America is not living up to its core values and people do not get the rights that are promised when living here.It also includes references to the following modern events such as the black lives matter protests.
• 
  2020-09-05

  Maintaining Core Values In America

  I believe that America is living up to it's current values that rose with the start of this great country. Values of equality and productivity.
• 
  2020-08-27

  Lawson Miller Internship Portfolio

  I decided to embark on this internship despite no previous experience in public history, and it has afforded me the opportunity to learn many things about the practice of public history and historical collection more broadly. Having worked on the internship in tandem with a fellowship role on the same project had challenged and pushed me in ways I hadn’t imagined. Having begun the project as a volunteer, a fellow, and then an intern placed me at the apex of an entirely new experience, and is part of my drive to challenge myself, to learn, to be part of something larger than myself, and to grow. In my first semester of graduate school, I became deeply immersed and personally invested in a project that had become bigger than I may have initially anticipated. This project has taught me, among other things: leadership, patience, collaboration, how to be adapt quickly, as well as the concept of shared authority. The skills and growth I have received over this journey has been invaluable. In addition to learning important skills and practices relating to history, the internship has given me practical experience in being a leader among my peers, communicating effectively through press releases and social media, and developing effective standardized practices. These skills will be invaluable in whatever I pursue, as well as in my life more broadly. Getting lost in the work of the internship regarding the historical curation of the pandemic, has ironically distracted me from the pandemic itself to an extent, in my personal life. I have paused many times during the course of this internship to reflect on the significance of our work and the significance of this moment in history. The friends and professional relationships I have created through this experience will follow me throughout my life and academic career.
• 
  2020-08-21

  Calls for plasma in COVID fight conflict with decades-old restriction on blood donations

  The frustration of many within the LGBTQ+ community over blood donations has been especially pronounced in the middle of the pandemic. The FDA recently moved the requirements for gay men to be abstinent from 12 months to 3 months. Activists and others point out that because blood can be screened for HIV, and that the rules are outdated and don't make sense. It is tragic that those who are capable of donating blood in this moment of crisis are unable to do so based on these current regulations. It brings back images of gay men that tried to donate blood after the Pulse nightclub massacre, but were turned away.
• 
  2020-08-20

  Amid COVID crisis, two Philly LGBTQ nonprofits merge to form new initiative for seniors

  It seems that LGBTQ+ seniors are often overlooked within the community. In a pandemic that disproportionately impacts older Americans, this is especially problematic. In addition to the unique issues faced by LGBTQ+ people, being a LGBTQ+ senior makes that position especially precarious. It's relieving to see that there are organizations dedicated to protecting LGBGTQ+ seniors and I hope that this merger proves to be effective.
• 
  2020-08-21

  Book Club in the Pandemic

  BeYouASU is a LGBTQ+ student organization that welcomes students from all of Arizona State University's campuses. BeYouASU kicked off its first book club for fall semester, which was held over Zoom. The return to school this fall feels much different than years prior, but BeYouASU is providing students the opportunity to connect with each other during this difficult time. Making new connections and friendships in a welcoming environment is something that is especially important in these unprecedented times. For book club, we are reading Susan Stryker's "Transgender History."
• 
  08/23/2020

  Kelsey McIntyre Oral History, 2020/08/23

  Kelsey McIntyre lives in Walnut Creek, California. She discusses how the pandemic caused her to lose both of her jobs but says she is grateful that her state and local government responded the way that they did, or things could be much worse. Kelsey feels that she has grown closer with her family who are in various places across the United States, and that the increasing prevalence of technology such as Zoom makes it possible to communicate with them. Kelsey talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community by the cancellation of Pride Month events and the LGBTQ+ community being at increased risk for exposure by those who are most vulnerable. Kelsey talks about how her partner works in news and she relies on them to get updates about what is happening, as well as checking the news on her iPhone She also talks about how she has learned to establish boundaries with her partner and that being together frequently can be both good and bad. Kelsey believes that masks will be mandated indoors a year from now, at least where she lives, and is optimistic that people in the LGBTQ+ community are actively participating in preventative measures.
• 
  08/16/2020

  Kyle Ballard Oral History, 2020/08/16

  Kyle Ballard is active duty military in North Augusta, South Carolina. Kyle identifies as a gay man and uses the pronouns he and him. He has witnessed firsthand the federal government response to the pandemic as he works on a military base and was given a restriction of movement order after falling ill in March. Despite his illness, he was unable to get a Covid-19 test due to testing restriction at the time. He spends most of his time working at the military base and developing student government for Arizona State University’s online campus. Kyle discusses the potential issues faced particularly by LGBTQ+ youth in the middle of the pandemic and his disappointment in the government response across all levels. He lives with his boyfriend Mason and recounts how it was difficult to not see him as much after the quarantine had ended. Kyle wishes the media would focus more on what other countries have done to successfully limit the spread of Covid-19.
• 
  2020-08-06

  Bloom/Florece

  I've loved drawing all my life but I've never felt like I had the time to practice or the skill. I started journaling and this is one of the drawings I did. I feel proud of it...
• 
  2020-08-02

  Ode to the United States

  My story is about the deaths of Black and Indigenous people at the hands of COVID-19 and how it's a reflection of how the United States views our existence. This is important to me because when we talk about COVID-19 in the future historians need to talk about state sanction violence against us and how it relates to COVID-19. When they talk about the number of people who died, they need to included statistics on the amount of Black and Indigenous people who lost their lives to this disease and other violence during the pandemic.
• 
  04/11/2020

  Teboho Klaas Oral History, 2020/04/11

  Interview with bi-vocational South African pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church tradition who is also an officer in The Other Foundation, an LGBTQ+ rights organization.
• 
  2020-07-26

  Inmates witnessed a suicide attempt. They received coloring pages instead of counseling.

  After requesting support for mental health issues four time a covid positive inmate set the medical isolation unit they were in on fire. That's where this article begins but it covers much more about the lack of mental healthcare inside prisons and its effect on inmates during the pandemic.
• 
  2020-07-12

  Lawson Miller Oral History, 2020/07/12

  Lawson Miller grew up in Utah. He has studied Political Science and North American History at Arizona State University. He currently works as a classroom instructor at Excelsior Academy. Lawson has a partner and they enjoy extracurricular activities such as reading, school work together, and watching TV shows and other documentaries. Lawson shares that he is a part of implementing a unified LGBTQ+ community for Arizona State University students. Lawson touches on the impacts of Covid-19 specifically the LGBTQ+ community and other minority communities. He also highlights the political and social implications of the coronavirus on all social sects as of prime importance. Lawson’s reflection on past significant global events includes the many school and civil shootings that have devasted United States populations, the George Floyd protests, and the many fights for civil and social rights. In this interview, Lawson reflects on COVID-19 from a perspective of civil and social rights while emphasizing the utmost regard for health and safety priorities for all.
• 
  2020-06-24

  "How Lesbian Bars Are Surviving a Pandemic"

  From the article: "As the pandemic stretches onward, America’s few remaining lesbian bars are hanging on for dear life, and waiting for their moment. While there is no official Queer Bar Registry, current estimates put the number of lesbian bars in the United States at a vanishingly small 16. In the 1980s, there were hundreds, according to a study which has confirmed the gut feeling in queer America that the gay bar is in decline, and lesbian bars are the most endangered. Without major community and even government support, COVID-19 could reduce those numbers further — or cause a full-on extinction. Many of the bar owners I spoke to are getting by trading off bills, hoping for landlord understanding, and maxing out their credit cards; some aren’t sure if they can last past June or July if they remain closed. But still, they are holding out hope."
• 
  2020-07-09

  "Julius', NYC's Oldest Gay Bar, Launches GoFundMe to Avoid Closure"

  From the article: "The oldest surviving gay bar in New York City is asking for the LGBTQ+ community's help in staying afloat."
• 
  2020-07-09

  "Before Getting COVID, Brazilian President Said Masks 'Are for Fairies'"

  From the article: "Brazil’s homophobic President Jair Bolsonaro, who has tested positive for COVID-19 after downplaying the pandemic, told aides that masks are 'for fairies,' according to a major Brazilian newspaper."
• 2020-07-17T23:12+10:00

  Aleph Melbourne COVID-19 Resource Page (Jewish Melbourne)

  Shortly after the coronavirus pandemic was announced I created and maintained a page on the Aleph Melbourne web site containing a list of resources catering to the Jewish and the LGBTIQ+ communities. I keep the page as current as possible.
• 
  05/20/2020

  Dang Yang Oral History, 2020/05/20

  Abigail interviews Dang Yang on the Covid-19 Pandemic and how it has affected Asian American students through his important role as the Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
• 
  2020-06-25

  Utah Pride Center advertises free Covid-19 testing

  The Utah Pride Center shared on their Instagram account that they would be offering free Covid-19 testing on June 27, 2020. Access to healthcare and testing is especially critical for marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community.
• 
  2020-06-28

  Cover of The Advocate magazine references the AIDS epidemic to draw attention to another lacking government response

  This cover of The Advocate’s latest issue draws attention to the AIDS epidemic. Criticisms about the lacking government response are especially poignant for LGBTQ+ people who lives through the AIDS pandemic.
• 
  2020-06-27

  Free Covid-19 testing at Utah Pride Center

  The Utah Pride Center was recently forced to lay off staff due to a lack of funds because of the pandemic. However, they have continued to provide critical services when needed. They partnered with University of Utah Health to offer free Covid-19 testing.
• 
  2020-06-30

  Rainbow by Sara Rampazzo

  Rainbow by Sara Rampazzo
• 
  2020-06-30

  LGBTQ+ Flag

  LGBTQ+ Flag
• 
  2020-06-29

  Love and the Pandemic

  Trying to keep a relationship together-- let alone happy or healthy-- during this pandemic has been tough. I had to move out of my home and back in with my parents in March, and that meant my partner and I didn't get to see each other for almost six weeks, the longest we had ever been apart. We decided to move in together in May, even though we'd only been seriously dating for less than six months, and three of those months we had been separated due to COVID. Spending 24/7 with another human being, no matter how much you love that other human being, can also be an adventure, as toes are unavoidably stepped on. Still, most days I think we're doing pretty okay. One of the things my partner and I are doing to maintain a sense of normalcy is modifying our old hobby of playing Pokemon GO. Before the pandemic, we used pick a restaurant on Mill for dinner and then catch Pokemon in the surrounding area after. You would think that Pokemon GO would be safe to play right now-- because you can play outdoors and also it's easy to play while maintaining social distancing-- but we've actually really struggled to find places to play where people are wearing masks and respecting social distancing protocols. Mill Avenue, for example, is a literal cesspool with packed bars and no face masks in sight. At Kiwanis Park a few weeks ago, I heard a woman loudly complaining about having to wear a mask. Everything feels dangerous because it seems like people don't care if others get sick. Luckily, with some patience and persistence, we've found places to play that are both safe and allow us small moments of joy. Yesterday, we headed to ASU's campus, which has been mostly empty and requires face masks. We kept our masks on the whole time and saw less than five people. Normally, even picking up groceries from Fry's feels like a terrifying experience to me, and last night was probably the first time I've been out in this entire pandemic and not been paralyzed with fear the whole time. It was nice. Probably about as nice as things can be in a pandemic? I included this video from the end of our Pokemon adventure as we went back to the car. I like the video because it bears the obvious signs of Summer (sweat, traces of sunscreen smudges on my glasses, tank tops), the obvious signs of the pandemic (face masks, empty campus), and the obvious signs of two people dating (smiles, jokes, joy).
• 
  2020-06-19

  Bathroom Black Lives Matter LGBTQ+ Amazon Announcement

  In this Announcement posted above the urinal in the Amazon Warehouse bathroom, the link between Black Lives Matter, the LGBTQ+ movement, and Amazon is made explicit. Clearly Amazon is actively choosing to endorse the Black Lives Matter movement in light of the fact that protesters were risking people's lives, according to the narrative, because many were not social-distancing during their protests, thus putting the public i.e. the elderly at risk. So this stance is noteworthy.
• 
  2020-06-10

  Gay Pride Flag at Amazon Warehouse during Covid-19

  This photograph shows that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, efforts to continue the Civil Rights movement via the LGBTQ+ movement is still continuing, even in the work place.
• 
  2020-06-28

  Black Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, Gay Lives Matter

  Tyler Coffey posted this vibrant image featuring a person holding a sign that reads "Black Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, Queer Lives Matter," while standing in front of a colorfully decorate van, on his Instagram account. There is also a sign on the front of the van that reads "The first pride was a riot." The person holding the sign, as well as another figure in the background, are wearing masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This photograph was posted during San Francisco's pride weekend, traditionally held the last weekend in June. Rainbow flags and other apparel items are clearly seen in the background.
• 
  2020-06-28

  San Francisco Pride, 50-Year Anniversary

  2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebrations and Festivals. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all in person events were cancelled. The SF Pride organization instead created a virtual celebration. Following tradition, all virtual events are being held the last weekend in June, June 27-28, 2020. SF Pride events are available on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook. Additionally CBS will broadcast all events.
• 
  2020-06-25

  COVID-19 and SF Pride

  Street photographer, Alex Stemplewski, captured a special moment between a gay couple during June, pride month, in San Francisco. The video begins as Alex approaches the couple. The viewer is reminded of the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic of a mask in the opening of the video. In addition to taking stunning photographs for the couple, Alex listened to what the couple had to say about challenges facing the gay community today.