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What is Hep C? How It's Spread Symptoms Getting Tested Testing Positive Prevention What is Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is an infection that targets the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is a different virus from HSV (herpes), HPV, and HIV. It can present itself as a short-term illness, or it can develop into a chronic issue. It is estimated that over 50,000 people contract acute hepatitis C in the US every year. Hepatitis C is treatable. Those infected with HCV can be cured if they receive treatment early on. Getting tested regularly is vital as early detection can greatly improve treatment outcomes. How It's Spread Hepatitis C is spread through infected blood. It is primarily transmitted via injection drug use with reused needles as well as from mother to baby during childbirth. Although it is not as common, it can also be passed during sex. Ensuring sterilization in procedures that access blood is essential in preventing hepatitis C. Symptoms After exposure to Hepatitis C, symptoms can show up anywhere between 2-26 weeks later. Some symptoms that indicate a hepatitis C infection include fever, dark urine, clay-colored stool, and jaundice, a yellow tint to the skin indicating complications with the liver. Chronic infections can lead to additional complications such as chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. Getting Tested Testing is essential in getting an early diagnosis and treating Hepatitis C. Testing for HCV involves a simple blood test. The CDC recommends “universal hepatitis C screening for all U.S. adults and all pregnant women during every pregnancy .” Current testing can detect the Hepatitis C virus as early as 1-2 weeks after the initial exposure. Seriously. ​ If hepatitis C goes untreated, you are more susceptible to developing severe scarring of the liver, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. ​ Click here to find a local testing center. Testing Positive So, your results came back positive. Don’t worry! If caught early, there are measures that can be taken to mitigate symptoms. In fact, 90% of infected individuals can be cured within 8-12 weeks of treatment. Limiting alcohol consumption also helps fight the infection as HCV infects the liver, the same organ that breaks down alcohol. Prevention Get tested. Getting tested regularly allows you to treat the infection early on, limiting who you expose to HCV. Additionally, medical evaluations should include screening for chronic liver diseases and HIV. Antivirals may also be prescribed, along with a recommendation to maintain a healthy diet and physical activity. ​ Use clean needles. Don't share needles when shooting drugs or getting tattoos or piercings. References Hepatitis C Questions and Answers for Health Professionals. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/hcvfaq.htm#section1 Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP). (2020, August 21). Hepatitis C Basic Information. HHS.gov. https://www.hhs.gov/hepatitis/learn-about-viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-c-basics/index.html. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, July 29). Testing recommendations for hepatitis c virus infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/guidelinesc.htm.

Introduction to Sex Toys Modern Sexy Toys Materials Safety and Hygiene Conclusion Did you know that vibrators were very popular in the early 1900s? The individual credited for the invention of vibrators, Mortimer Granville, believed that our body’s nervous system had certain levels of vibration that caused illness when thrown off balance. He claimed that the electromechanical devices he invented would help restore the balance. The device was not advertised explicitly for sexual pleasure but as an electrotherapeutic device. Companies marketed the device as a cure for ailments such as obesity, floating kidneys, and even spinal curvature. These claims were merely pseudoscience at best and bad marketing at worst. The rest of the medical community soon realized that Granville’s claims were wildly exaggerated, so the device was rebranded as a consumer appliance. The vibrator grew in popularity as companies continued to push its use for health reasons, using subtle imagery hinting at the vibrator being used for a more personal matter. The vibrator was marketed towards upper-class men and women who had spare capital and access to electricity. It wasn’t until much later on that feminists rebranded the vibrator as a sex toy. Fun fact: The electromechanical device was nicknamed “Granville’s Hammer.” Let’s Talk About Modern Sex Toys Since the sexual liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the conversation around sexuality, interpersonal relationships, and self-pleasure has improved. However, there is still stigma around the topic. Sex toys come in all different shapes, sizes, and utilities. Some are more geared toward self-gratification while others can be used to enhance the experience of partnered sex. But, before you open up the private tab on your phone, there are some things you should know about sex toys. Materials The sex toy industry goes largely unregulated in the United States—the materials that most common sex toys are made from have been linked to various illnesses, including cancer. You should be aware of what comes into contact with your body. So, let's talk about what materials to look out for when shopping for sex toys. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most common sex toy materials. Most toys labeled “jelly” or “jelly rubber” are likely PVC, but without any federal regulation, there is no guarantee. PVC is known to break down over time and leach phthalates, a chemical known to disrupt your endocrine system and damage reproductive organs. Silicone is a material seen often in food and medical settings. There are different grades of silicone, but not all are body-safe. Medical-grade silicone is used for implants and contacts, so it is one of the safest materials used for sex toys. Silicone is also more expensive, so most low-cost sex toys use other materials. Here are some tips for spotting real silicone: Real silicone is cloudy—never see-through. It has no smell. Medical-grade silicone is non-porous, making it easier to clean and less likely to harbor harmful bacteria. Other materials like stainless steel, borosilicate glass, and polished natural stone are body-safe and non-porous. But, always research the material if you have any reservations or are unsure what the toy is made of. Safety and Hygiene Just like sex with your partner, preparation and cleanliness are very important when it comes to having a safe and enjoyable experience. Condoms are a great way to be safe when it comes to using sex toys. STIs can be transmitted between people if they share toys, so condoms can prevent the spread of infections. Click here to learn more about condoms and other barrier methods. Lube helps make the experience more comfortable. Keep in mind that like with condoms, not all lubes are compatible with all sex toys. For example, silicone-based lube is not recommended with silicone toys as it can cause the toy to break down. There are a few types of lube: silicone-based, oil-based, water-based, and some hybrid ones. They each have their own pros and cons to fit your preference. When using condoms, you should only use silicone or water-based lube. When it comes to sanitation, most toys come with their own cleaning instructions. There are also cleaners created specifically for cleaning toys. Warm soap and water will do the job for most sex toys, but always refer to the toy’s care instructions. Conclusion While sex toys can enhance the sexual experience, they can also be quite problematic when improperly cleaned, used, or stored. Be sure to read the storage and cleaning instructions. When purchasing sex toys, search reputable sites to ensure quality and safety. Many credible sites offer options that are body-safe (although they are more expensive). There are also reputable sites that cater to queer individuals—just double-check the reviews and credibility. There should be no shame around the topic of safe sex—safety should be the top priority. Remember to discuss boundaries with your partners when it comes to sex toys, and always establish informed consent. And don’t forget to have fun! References Adams, K. (2020, June 8). Vibrators had a long history as medical quackery before feminists rebranded them as sex toys. The Conversation. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://theconversation.com/vibrators-had-a-long-history-as-medical-quackery-before-feminists-rebranded-them-as-sex-toys-132577 Lieberman, H. (2016, March 16). Selling Sex Toys: Marketing and the Meaning of Vibrators in Early Twentieth-Century America. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/enterprise-and-society/article/selling-sex-toys-marketing-and-the-meaning-of-vibrators-in-early-twentiethcentury-america/22E463A1B220B723BEFE776F605DB64B Mortimer, G. J. (1883). Nerve-vibration and excitation as agents in the treatment of functional disorder and organic disease. London,Churchill. https://archive.org/details/nervevibrationex00gran/page/n9/mode/2up Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | Uses, Benefits, and Safety Facts. (n.d.). Chemical Safety Facts. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/polyvinyl-chloride/ White, H. (n.d.). It's time to talk about toxic chemicals in sexual health products. Made Safe. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://www.madesafe.org/whats-in-that/sexual-health-products/ File:White Cross Electric Vibrator ad NYT 1913.jpg. (n.d.). Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Cross_Electric_Vibrator_ad_NYT_1913.jpg

Asian and Pacific Islander (API) identities add a unique layer to the gender identity and expression of queer people. Asia has a rich, diverse, and vibrant history of queerness, particularly regarding life outside of the gender binary. Japan China Indonesia India Philippines Japan Then During Japan's Edo period, gender roles encompassed a “third gender:” the Wakashu. Broadly speaking, Wakashu were born-male youths transitioning between childhood and adulthood. However, their role went beyond a transitory phase - they had their own unique rules, conventions, and styles, and occupied their own societal niche. The transitory nature of being a Wakashu was intertwined with sexuality; Wakashu were socially free from the responsibilities of adulthood but were considered sexually mature. As such, they had sex with both males and females, with social rules dictating them taking a more dominant role with women and a submissive one with men. With the rise of Christian/Victorian ethics from exposure to Western ideals during the Meiji period, the gender binary became more strictly defined, and Wakashu were ridiculed, condemned, or ignored—effectively erasing their societal role. Now In Japan today, there is a resurgence of gender expression outside traditional norms. In the Harajuku district of Tokyo, the “jendaresu-kei”, or genderless style, has gained popularity. There is still a long way to go regarding legislation for individuals who don’t conform to the gender binary. Japan's laws for changing your legal gender, for example, are regressive and invasive and operate under the idea that being transgender is a mental illness. China Then The blurring of the gender binary has a foothold in traditional Chinese opera. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, restrictive gender norms forced opera troupes to be separated by gender, so cross-dressing was necessary to fill gaps in roles. Male actors specializing in playing females were referred to as “nandan”, and were trained to aspire to a feminine ideal. They not only dressed in traditionally feminine clothing, but also were expected to take on the actions, habits, and mindset of a woman both on- and off-stage, occasionally as singing waiters and courtesans. Though this was generally accepted in entertainment, Qing laws criminalized individuals assigned male at birth who lived their lives as women, which could suppress their gender presentation. Now Today, for individuals with non-conforming gender identities and expressions, there is no comprehensive anti-discrimination policy, especially one that specifically mentions transgender individuals. Of social institutions, families have the lowest degree of acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, but there is limited research on public attitudes specifically towards transgender acceptance in China. However, there is growing visibility of transgender individuals, such as Jin Xing, an openly transgender woman, who is one of the most popular talk show hosts in China, and younger generations are growing more accepting. Indonesia Then Indonesia’s pre-colonial era has long been accommodating towards gender diversity. One of the more populous ethnic groups, the Bugis people in South Sulawesi, recognize five genders: man (oroane), woman (makkunrai), male woman (calabai), female man (calalai) and androgynous priest (bissu). Another ethnic group, the Torajan people, recognize a third gender, or to burake tambolang. To burake tambolang played an important role in spiritual tradition, and people would admire and honor a village with one. However, beginning in the 1950s, bissu and calabi individuals faced violent persecution. Now Today, people can legally change their gender; however, there is no option to change your legal gender to a third gender. Additionally, legal gender changes can be subject to medical opinion, proof of gender reassignment surgery, and family testimony. Additionally, organizations like Latar Nusa are pushing for greater acceptance of bissu and calabi. India Then In Hindu, epic texts like Ramayana and Mahabharata feature multiple heroic characters: Shikhandi, (a key figure in the war in Mahabharata), Chitrangada (whose gender changes through the course of the story), and Vishnu (a god in his female form of Mohini), have presented their gender in fluid ways. Hijras, a third gender, also had recognized roles in ancient India. Mughal emperors were generous patrons of them. Hijras are treated with both fear and respect due to their cultural role in Hindu religious ceremonies; a hijra’s blessings would confer fertility, prosperity, and long life on a baby. A hijra’s curse is also taken seriously, so families often welcome hijras in and pay for their services. With the rise of colonialism and Victorian ethics, hijra became villainized. Now Today, hijra are marginalized in Indian society, though there has been some progress made. In 2014, the landmark Indian Supreme Court case National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India established the legal recognition of the “third gender.” However, the verdict lumps in hijra and transgender individuals, who aren’t necessarily of the same identity. India also has a 2016 transgender bill; however, this bill doesn’t allow an individual to self-identify as trans without medical confirmation. Philippines Then The Tansug people of the Southern Philippines believed in a third gender called bakla, a Tagalog sexual/gender category that refers to individuals assigned male at birth who exhibit or are suspected of exhibiting sexual and gender non-normative behavior. They can be considered a Filipino “third gender.” Oftentimes, they served as babalayan, or shamans, who were either women or effeminate men called bayog (Tagalog) or asog (Visayan). They had important roles as the healers of both natural and spiritual illness, assisted in rituals for prayer, birth, and death, and overall, were respected members of the community who were held on the same level as the ruling class. Now Today, trans Filipinos face barriers legally in accessing social institutions like education and healthcare and in seeking justice. Though no national laws exist prohibiting cross-gender behavior, individuals still may be turned away from establishments without facing recourse. Resources Aggleton, P. (2006). Men who sell sex international perspectives on male prostitution and HIV/AIDS. Taylor and Francis. Anderson, M. (2016, August 15). Beyond binary: Five genders of the bugis. Akkadium College. https://learn.akkadium.com/beyond-binary-five-genders-of-the-bugis/ Bohnke, C. (2021, December 22). The disappearance of japan’s “third gender” - JSTOR daily. The Disappearance of Japan’s “Third Gender.” https://daily.jstor.org/the-disappearance-of-japans-third-gender/ Cornell, T. (2019, August 20). Nandan: The Yin & Yang of Chinese cross-gender performers > culturs - lifestyle media for cross-cultural Identity. CULTURS. https://www.cultursmag.com/nandan/ Hijras and the legacy of British colonial rule in India. Engenderings. (2019, June 17). https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/gender/2019/06/17/hijras-and-the-legacy-of-british-colonial-rule-in-india/ Hinduism Case Study. (2018). The third gender and Hijras. Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School. https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/case-studies/gender/third-gender-and-hijras The human rights situation of transgender people in the Philippines Submission of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) to the 13th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review. . (n.d.). https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/lib-docs/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/session13/PH/JS1_UPR_PHL_S13_2012_JointSubmission1_E.pdf Knight, K. (2023, March 28). “A really high hurdle.” Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/03/20/really-high-hurdle/japans-abusive-transgender-legal-recognition-process Luhur, W., Brown, T., Liu, M., & Shaw, A. (2021, June). Public opinion - williams institute. Williams Institute. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Public-Opinion-Trans-Mexico-English-Dec-2020.pdf Nooy-Palm, H. (1979). The sa’dan toraja: A study of their social life and religion. Oxis. https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/3BBC444821210944F0E9579A28009215/S0041977X00105014a.pdf/hetty_nooypalm_the_sadan_toraja_a_study_of_their_social_life_and_religion_vol_i_organization_symbols_and_beliefs_verhandelingen_van_het_koninklijk_instituut_voor_taal_land_en_volkenkunde_87_xii_338_pp_16_plates_the_hague_martinus_nijhoff_1979.pdf Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. (2021, April 8). Ang babaylan nga nahimong bayot. Babaylan. https://smithsonianapa.org/babaylan/#:~:text=(The%20healer),through%20herbs%2C%20remedies%20and%20antidotes. Stables, D. (2022, February 25). Asia’s isle of five separate genders. BBC Travel. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210411-asias-isle-of-five-separate-genders Stanford The Clayman Institute for Gender Research. (2022, July 27). The persecution of M-F crossing in Imperial China. The Clayman Institute for Gender Research. https://gender.stanford.edu/news/persecution-m-f-crossing-imperial-china Stonewall. (2021, July 1). Global workplace briefings. Stonewall. https://www.stonewall.org.uk/global-workplace-briefings Tian, C. (2018, August 29). What Chinese opera can teach us about gender. Sixth Tone. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002838 Tiwari, A., & Pal, K. (2020). Journey of Gender Identity in India from Mythology to the Third Gender. Palarch’s Journal Of Archaeology Of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(6), 20–28. UNDP and China Women’s University. (2018). Legal gender recognition in China - United Nations Development Programme. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/asia_pacific_rbap/UNDP-CH-Legal-gender-recognition---China-180805.pdf Universal Periodic Review. (2017). Joint Submission of the Civic Society Organisations on the Situation of LGBTIQ Persons in the Philippines. The ASEAN SOGIE Caucus - the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus. https://aseansogiecaucus.org/images/resources/upr-reports/Philippines/Philippines-UPR-JointReport-3rdCycle.pdf Wemer, D. (2020, December 22). India’s hijras find themselves further marginalized amid the pandemic. Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/indias-hijras-find-themselves-further-marginalized-amid-the-pandemic/ Wu, G. (2016). Mustache as resistance: Representation and reception of Mei Lanfang’s masculinity. TDR/The Drama Review, 60(2), 122–138. https://doi.org/10.1162/dram_a_00551

PrEP and PEP are medications you can take to prevent exposure to HIV. These can be extremely effective in helping people who are at high risk of exposure. What is PrEP? Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventative medicine that when used as prescribed is effective in preventing the risk of contracting HIV from sex. It is an oral medication that is taken once per day. It must be taken for at least seven days to best prevent HIV. If you are in a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS, talk to a medical provider about whether PrEP is right for you. What is PEP? Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a medicine used after high-risk exposure to HIV. PEP stops HIV from spreading in the body, so it lowers your chances of getting it. If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV through sex, you have up to 72 hours to start PEP. If you start PEP after 3 days, it won’t work. You can get PEP at most emergency rooms and some doctors’ offices. Important: Keep in mind that PEP isn’t a one-time pill. It’s taken for 28 days and should only be taken in an emergency by those who have had a high-risk exposure to HIV. Get Tested Today HIV testing is fast and easy. The Affordable Care Act ensures HIV screening is covered by health insurance without a copay, and some sites offer free testing without insurance. Check out the STI Clinic Search to find out where you can be tested in South Florida. References About HIV/AIDS | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html What is HIV? What is AIDS? | How Can You Get HIV? (n.d.). Planned Parenthood. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids

There are numerous myths, falsehoods, and flat-out lies being used to justify anti-trans legislation and attacks against gender-affirming care. In this post, we take a look at some of the most common myths and explain what they get wrong. "De-transitoning is common." "Transitioning does more harm than good." "Kids are too young to understand gender." Myth 1: "De-transitioning is common." The desire to de-transition after gender-affirming care, particularly surgery, is rare. Many studies find that only about 1% of those surveyed regret transitioning. This means fewer adults regret transitioning than regret getting breast implants or plastic surgery. De-Transitioning Among Youth The Trans Youth Project is a recent study from 2017 to 2022. Its purpose was to provide the first estimates on retransition within trans youth. The sample size included 317 initially binary trans youth between the ages of 3 and 12. Over five years, the youth participants and their parents reported data on their current gender identity. The results found that by the end of the study, 94% of the children continued to identify with their binary trans identity. Another 3.5% later identified as nonbinary, and only 2.5% of participants identified as cisgender. Myth 2: "Transitioning does more harm than good." Some claim that puberty blockers lead to side effects like infertility and abnormal social and mental development. In reality, there is no substantial evidence backing these claims. The only way puberty blockers interfere with fertility is by pausing the production of sperm or eggs. However, it is not permanent, and production can start again by stopping treatment. Puberty blockers have been shown to have positive effects, such as reducing suicidality in trans people. Myth 3: "Kids are too young to understand gender." It’s also falsely believed that children are too young to understand something as complex as gender and what they identify as, or that being trans is “just a phase.” Although many children and adolescents go through phases and explore their identities, the notion that they’re completely clueless is false. Most children can identify their own gender by age 3. As they continue to socialize, they’re able to recognize the disconnect between their actual gender and the one they were assigned. It’s common for trans people to have dysphoric thoughts at an early age– most dysphoria occurs by the time they’re 7 years old. References 20220420-gender-dysphoria-press-release | Florida Department of Health. (2022, April 20). Florida Health. https://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2022/04/20220420-gender-dysphoria-press-release.pr.html Branigin, A. (2022, April 20). Florida memo on gender dysphoria contradicts leading medical guidance. The Washington Post. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/20/florida-gender-dysphoria-memo/ Caputo, M. (2022, June 3). DeSantis moves to ban transition care for transgender youths, Medicaid recipients. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/desantis-moves-ban-transition-care-transgender-youth-medicaid-recipien-rcna31736 Children and gender identity: Supporting your child. (2022, February 23). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/children-and-gender-identity/art-20266811#:%7E:text=Most%20children%20typically%20develop%20the,gender%20by%20age%203%20years. Fenway Health. (n.d.). Puberty-Suppression-Risks-and-Benefits-English.pdf. https://fenwayhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/Puberty-Suppression-Risks-and-Benefits-English.pdf Most Gender Dysphoria Established by Age 7, Study Finds. (2020, June 16). Cedars-Sinai. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/most-gender-dysphoria-established-by-age-7-study-finds/ Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., Horton, R., Gallagher, N. M., & Devor, A. (2022, July 13). Gender Identity 5 Years After Social Transition. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/2/e2021056082/186992/Gender-Identity-5-Years-After-Social-Transition?autologincheck=redirected O’Neil, T. (2022, July 11). California ex-trans teen backs Florida ban on Medicaid funds for transgender medical interventions. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/health/california-ex-trans-teen-backs-florida-ban-medicaid-funds-transgender-medical-interventions Turban, J. L., King, D., Carswell, J. M., & Keuroghlian, A. S. (2020). Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation. Pediatrics, 145(2), e20191725. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-1725

Sappho's Life Poetry Loss of Sappho's Work Sappho in Queer Culture For over 2,000 years, Sappho’s life and work have been the subject of great controversy. Although Sappho was a famous lyrical poet in her lifetime and beyond, very little of her work has survived, and the poems that do survive mostly exist in fragments. Many accounts of her personal life were written long after her death, and much of her life remains a mystery. This has left many scholars to speculate about the meaning of her work and her sexuality. Sappho’s Life Sappho was born around 620 BCE on the Greek island of Lesbos, which is located in the Aegean Sea, near the coast of modern-day Turkey. The modern word "lesbian” is a reference to Sappho’s birthplace. While little is known about her personal life, it is believed that Sappho lived in a community of women on Lesbos, where she formed deep emotional bonds and wrote poems exploring love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. Sappho’s family and her lineage remain a mystery. In 2012, one of her poems, now called the “Brothers Poem,” was discovered on scraps of papyrus. The poem names three of her brothers, and she is thought to have had a daughter named Cleis, but translators disagree about her exact relation to Cleis. The year and circumstances of Sappho’s death are unknown, but according to legend, she was so heartbroken by her love for a man that she leaped from a cliff. This legend is regarded by some scholars as an attempt to portray Sappho as a straight woman. Poetry Sappho is best known for her poems, often referred to as "lyrics" because they were written to be sung accompanied by a lyre. Her words are passionate, emotional, and filled with vivid descriptions of love and longing. Her work primarily focused on the relationships between women, depicting their beauty and allure. Sappho's poems were often written in the first person, which has led readers to speculate that some of her works might have been autobiographical. Many scholars have debated the translations of Sappho’s works, in part because she wrote her poems in a specific dialect. Take this passage, for instance: “Sweet mother, I cannot weave – slender Aphrodite has overcome me with longing for a girl.” Some scholars interpret this fragment as a confirmation that Sappho was writing about a relationship between two women, or perhaps her own feelings for a woman. Other interpretations insist that the original text uses a genderless word to refer to the narrator’s “beloved.” Loss of Sappho’s Work In the centuries after Sappho lived, she was regarded as one of the greatest writers of antiquity. She became the only woman to be enshrined as a lyric genius by the scholars at the ancient Library of Alexandria. Tragically, most of Sappho's poetry has been lost to time. Due to various factors, including the passage of time and the suppression of LGBTQ+ themes and feminine eroticism in later eras, many of her poems have disappeared. What remains today are fragments, small snippets of her once-prolific output. Despite the fragments, Sappho's words remain potent and evocative, and her influence endures. Want to read Sappho's works? You can find collections of her writing online at the Poetry Foundation. Sappho in Queer Culture Sappho's legacy in queer culture is profound. Her work has been rediscovered and celebrated by LGBTQ+ individuals and scholars alike. Her name, which has come to symbolize love between women, is not only synonymous with lesbian identity but has become an emblem of love, acceptance, and self-discovery. Although it will never be clear whether Sappho’s sexual identity would fit under the modern umbrella of Sapphic attraction, her poems have served as a source of inspiration and empowerment for generations of queer individuals. They have helped foster a sense of belonging and self-acceptance, reminding those who identify as LGBTQ+ that love is universal and transcends time and societal norms. References The Digital sappho. The Digital Sappho. (n.d.). https://digitalsappho.org/fragments/fr102 Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Sappho. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sappho-Greek-poet Mendelsohn, D. (2015, March 9). How gay was Sappho?. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/16/girl-interrupted Poetry Foundation. (n.d.). Sappho. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/sappho

Where do I turn to for support? Whether you are questioning your sexuality/gender identity or need help navigating issues specific to the LGBT community, there is always a place to turn to. ​ Family Sometimes the closest people to you can be the best option to talk to. While friendships may not last forever, family members often have a strong, life-long bond. However, if this is not an option you feel comfortable with or you know you won’t receive the support you need, another outlet may be more suitable. Peers Part of the shift into adolescence (which, in many cases, is when people begin exploring their sexuality and gender identity) is transitioning from a reliance on your immediate family to a reliance on your chosen family: your friends. Reliable, steadfast friends will provide you with encouragement and support. Those who don't are better off removed from your life. Guidance Counselors If you are a student, a guidance counselor can be a great option to seek out support. Their job is to guide, help, and support you. In many schools (including those in Palm Beach County), counselors are barred from disclosing your sexuality or gender identity so long there is not an immediate indication of the intent to self-harm or harm others. If you feel comfortable enough then a guidance counselor could be a great option. Therapy Licensed therapists can be a great outlet for more than just sexuality and gender identity. It's important to research their experience with LGBT issues. Unfortunately, one hurdle preventing many from seeking therapy is cost. If you're uninsured, you can find affordable mental health services at local community mental health centers or online through telehealth services. Support Groups If you feel that none of the above options are accessible to you. A support group may be the best resource. Support groups are comprised of people who all face similar problems, so it can be a great way to talk about your feelings and get guidance. PRISM If everything that we've stated is inaccessible or uncomfortable for you, PRISM is a great mode of support. PRISM's general volunteer meetings involve mental health check-ins every week. PRISM prides itself in promoting a safe, welcoming environment for everyone involved. Join PRISM's safe and welcoming Discord today!

What is "coming out"? “Coming Out” is the act of disclosing one’s own sexuality or gender identity to someone. Coming out is different for everyone. Some people come out as soon as they come to a realization about their sexuality or gender identity, while others come out to people slowly, one by one. Read on to find out the best way to handle someone coming out to you. ​ How do I respond to someone coming out? Whether the person coming out is a distant acquaintance or your child, the best way to respond is with respect. We know that learning about this new facet of someone's life can be jarring, especially if you're extremely close to them. However, it's important to acknowledge this information with an open and supportive mindset. ​ Show support While your first instinct may be a shock, understand that the person coming out to you more likely than not put forth a lot of courage to divulge their sexuality or gender identity to you. What's most important is that you welcome their honesty and fulfillment with open arms. ​ Educate yourself, but don't rely on them to do it for you While an eagerness to learn about their experiences or feelings may be flattering, it is not this person's responsibility to give you more information than was offered. It's alright to express curiosity, but don't force them to answer questions they're not comfortable with talking about. You can find all sorts of information about gender and sexuality here. ​ Ask how you can help LGBTQ+ youth and individuals face a whole host of problems beyond their peers. It's important to ask the person coming out to you how you can help them. What should I NOT say? "Why didn't you tell me?" While you may feel betrayed or offended that this person waited until they did to tell you, understand that each person goes about coming out differently. In fact, many people come out to those they care about most later on in life because they are worried about the reaction those people will have and how they will be perceived. No one is entitled to information on someone's gender or sexuality, so simply appreciate that they included you in their coming out journey, wherever they may be in it. ​ "I knew it!" This may seem like a supportive statement, but this is an extremely disrespectful thing for LGBTQ+ people to hear. Many queer youths spend years hiding their sexuality or gender identity out of fear, and pointing out that you "called it" or "knew it the whole time" isn't an accomplishment to brag about. ​ "It's just a phase." Everyone explores their sexuality at different paces and with different experiences. Because of this, sexuality and gender can be fluid and shift. However, trivializing this journey and forcing sexuality onto someone is extremely detrimental. ​ What's most important is that you are supportive, respectful, and understanding of the situation.

What is Black Lives Matter? Black Lives Matter is a movement as well as an organization with the goal of fighting against white supremacy and injustices against Black communities. The movement has also strongly supported the LGBTQ+ community, with transgender and queer members having leadership roles in the organization and leaders speaking out against sidelining Black LGBTQ+ activists. Although it had its origins in the United States, the Black Lives Matter movement has remained influential internationally, having 16 chapters in total in the United States and Canada and inspiring protests for Black lives in countries as far as Israel and South Africa. Origins Black Lives Matter began in 2013 as a hashtag on social media protesting the acquittal of George Zimmerman, murderer of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. It was started by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, three Black women who wanted to fight against the injustice Black people face in the United States’s criminal justice system. The creation of the Black Lives Matter movement was also inspired by several human rights movements in the past, ranging from the 1960s Civil Rights Movement to the 2000s LGBTQ+ movement. Progression Although it did not gain much traction immediately after its creation, Black Lives Matter started taking off in August 2014 after news of the homicide of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer spread globally on social media. In protests and rallies speaking out against this injustice, the Black Lives Matter movement grew online and in the streets, with “#BlackLivesMatter” being used over 50 thousand times per day on social media. The movement gained even more traction after the jury involved in the case decided not to charge Darren Wilson, the police officer in question, with Michael Brown’s homicide. Since then, the movement has been vocal about police brutality and discrimination against Black communities on a grander scale. Resurgence The Black Lives Matter movement had a resurgence on May 25, 2020, when unarmed George Floyd was murdered at the hands of Derek Chauvin, a white police officer who used a violent method of restriction to hold Floyd down after allegations emerged of him using a counterfeit $20 bill. A video of this event went viral on social media, and people all over the world became enraged and took to social media and the streets to protest against police brutality and emphasize that “Black Lives Matter.” Ever since then, the Black Lives Matter movement has been increasingly active in the form of protests against more instances of police brutality and injustice, both recent and not recent, including the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, and Rayshard Brooks. References About. Black Lives Matter. (2020, October 16). https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/. Asmelash, L. (2020, July 26). How Black Lives Matter went from a hashtag to a global rallying cry. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/26/us/black-lives-matter-explainer-trnd/index.html. Ater, R. (2020, May 29). IN MEMORIAM: I CAN'T BREATHE . Renée Ater. https://www.reneeater.com/on-monuments-blog/tag/list+of+unarmed+black+people+killed+by+police. Herstory. Black Lives Matter. (2019, September 7). https://blacklivesmatter.com/herstory/. Kirby, J. (2020, June 12). "Black Lives Matter" has become a global rallying cry against racism and police brutality. Vox. https://www.vox.com/2020/6/12/21285244/black-lives-matter-global-protests-george-floyd-uk-belgium. Mercado, I. (2020, August 6). The Black Lives Matter Movement: An Origin Story. Underground Railroad Education Center. https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/the-black-lives-matter-movement-an-origin-story/.

Canada United States Mexico Cuba Haiti Brazil Peru Slavery is the act of forcing another person to do labor without pay, and often with horrific treatment. In the Americas, slavery and indentured servitude was used as early as the 16th century when slaves were brought to the Americas, primarily from Africa. White indentured servants were eventually freed after they paid their debt with the labor that they did. However, African slaves were treated very differently. North America Canada The first major settlement in what is now known as Canada was the colony of New France. The New France colony was founded in 1534, and slavery was a common practice there. In 1834, Canada was conquered by the British Empire. In the same year, the British Empire abolished slavery in all of its territories. Historian Marcel Trudel reported that there were about 4,200 slaves in Canada between 1671 and 1834. Two-thirds of slaves were native persons and one-third of slaves were black. Six out of the 16 members of the first Parliament of the Upper Canada Legislative Assembly owned slaves or had family members who owned slaves. In 1793, Upper Canada (Ontario) passed the Anti-Slavery Act, which forbade slavery for persons over the age of 25 and made it illegal to bring enslaved persons into the country. From about the 1850s through the 1860s, Canada became a refuge for slaves fleeing from the horrors of their predicament in the southern United States. 30,000 slaves fled to Canada from the United States. However, potentially more than 100,000 black persons escaped to Canada via the Underground Railroad. The United States Of America The arrival of the first captives to become slaves in the Jamestown colony happened in 1619. Eventually, the British expanded into what was known as the 13 colonies. Every single one of the 13 colonies had slavery to a certain percent. After the 13 colonies rebelled from British rule and formed The United States Of America, there was still slavery. The USA’s original constitution (still to this day, without considering amendments) states that black persons count as 3/5ths of a white person in census counts and cannot vote or hold a political office. As the US continued to expand, the southern states became known as slave states, and the northern states became known as free states. In free states, no one could be held as a slave and had to be given some form of compensation for labor. In slave states, no compensation was needed and slavery was in full effect. Sadly, if a slave escaped from slave to free states, they could still be returned to slavery. For decades, as new states started to form, a question was asked: Would this territory be a slave or free state? The issue became so big that it sparked the American Civil War. After the election of President Abraham Lincoln, 11 southern slave states seceded from the United States and formed The Confederate States of America. The remaining states, which consisted of the 20 northern free states and 5 border slave states, formed the Union Army under President Lincoln. On January 1st of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the Confederacy. However, it did not free slaves in the border states or in parts of the Confederacy that had already been returned to Northern control. It also was contingent on the Union winning the war. Slavery was officially abolished in the US when the 13th amendment was issued in 1865. Mexico In 1524, the Aztec Empire had already been enslaved and became the lowest class of peoples within Mexico. At this time, Mexico was a colony under the Spanish Empire. Mexico also captured many prisoners of war and made them slaves. Slaves were actually given some form of compensation. The new Viceroy set some standards of treatment for slaves. No slave could be forced to carry a load of more than 100 pounds. Government officials and priests were tasked with distributing wages to slaves to make sure they received compensation. In 1811, the Spanish Empire abolished slavery, including in all of its colonies. The Caribbean Cuba Even though the Spanish empire abolished slavery in all of its colonies, one of its colonies rejected the ban on slavery and continued to practice it: Cuba. The ban of slavery within the Spanish empire took place in 1811, but slavery in Cuba did not end until 1886. In Cuba, the native Taíno and Guanahatabey peoples of the island were enslaved on a very large scale. Cuba’s original native population was eventually completely destroyed due to lethal forced labor. One million African slaves were brought to Cuba. As many slaves died out due to the hard strain of labor, 100,000 Chinese indentured workers were brought in as well. In 1886, when slavery in Cuba ended, these former slaves were still treated horribly, and the improvement of their treatment did not occur until the 20th century. Haiti When Haiti was originally colonized in 1492, so did slavery begin within the country. The indigenous population of Haiti was dying due to abuse from slavery and disease from the Europeans, so African slaves were brought in. By 1517, the first 15,000 African slaves were imported. Slavery was very bad everywhere, but especially within Haiti. It was so bad that enslaved persons formed a revolt in 1791. The Haitian Revolution ended in 1804 and it was and still is the only successful slave revolt in human history. This led to the establishment of an independent republic. This revolution was so horrifying that it ended slavery in Saint-Domingue and in all French colonies. While slavery “officially” ended in Haiti in 1804, slavery within Haiti still exists today. According to the 2018 Global Slavery Index, Haiti still has an estimated population of 59,000 enslaved persons. South America Brazil Slavery in Brazil under the rule of the Portuguese empire was ruthless. Starting in 1530, over 4,000,000 African slaves were sent to Brazil during the entire slave period of the nation. This was larger than any other location within the Americas or the Caribbean. Afro-Brazilians were treated horribly. Slavery in Brazil ended in 1888 when Princess Isabel of Bragança signed Imperial Law 3,353. However, the official ending of slavery did little to change the lives of former slaves. Brazil was the last country in the New World to abolish slavery. Due to “whitening”, a process to breed out the darker skin tones of Afro-Brazilians, racism was an enormous problem. The lighter skin tone you were, the easier it was for you to succeed in society. This racism was a problem within Brazilian society for a long time. Peru Peru and many other South American and Caribbean countries would enslave whomever they could. Slaves of all varieties formed the heart of Peru’s plantation labor force. The slave trade was ordered to be stopped in Peru in 1821 by José de San Martin. San Martin is referred to as the “liberator” of Peru as he went against the wishes of local plantation owners to order the stopping of the slave trade. However, slavery itself did not end in Peru until 1854. Overall Slavery has been a problem for a very long time. Sadly, slavery is still a problem that exists today within countries like Haiti in The Caribbean and Mauritania in Africa. However, the fight to end modern-day slavery still exists today. Remember that slavery can also involve various amount of other topics such as human trafficking, child labor, etc... Organizations such as Anti-Slavery International, Abolish Human Trafficking, and more are all continuously fighting to end slavery and deserve your recognition. The enslavement of other peoples is not right and needs to end.

Who was Marsha P. Johnson? Early Life Exploring Identity Stonewall Riots Later Activism Death and Legacy Who was Marsha P. Johnson? Marsha P. Johnson was a Black LGBTQ+ activist, drag queen, and pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement. Johnson was also the co-founder of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.), which she led alongside Sylvia Rivera. Early Life Johnson was born Malcolm Michaels Jr. in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on August 24, 1945. Johnson maintained a very religious mindset throughout her life. After being sexually assaulted, Johnson's perception of her sexuality became hidden until she graduated from Edison High School and moved to New York City at the age of 17. Exploring Identity Johnson originally referred to herself as Black Marsha. However, she later took on the drag queen name Marsha P. Johnson. She got "Johnson" from the restaurant Howard Johnson's and is well-known to have stated that the "P" stood for "pay it no mind" when asked. While many people refer to Marsha P. Johnson as a Black transgender activist, she never explicitly used the term transgender. While this may be because the term wasn't prevalent then, it is more accurate to consider Johnson as gender non-conforming or non-binary. Johnson relied on sex work to get by and suffered countless transgressions both from the public and police throughout her life. This tension, which was felt across the entire LGBTQ+ community, would come to a head on June 28, 1969. Stonewall Riots Johnson was a regular performer at the Stonewall Inn, a bar that had originally only served gay men. After an altercation between Storme DeLarverie and a police officer who attempted to arrest her, riots broke out between the patrons of the bar and police in Greenwich Village, where the Stonewall Inn is located. While many consider Marsha to be one of the initiators of the clash, Johnson repeatedly denied this, stating the riots had already begun when she arrived at the Stonewall building. Later Activism Johnson joined the Gay Liberation Front, a coalition of LGBTQ+ civil rights groups and activists, soon after the Stonewall riots. Johnson later participated in the first gay pride march on the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots in 1970. Soon after, Johnson founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) organization alongside Sylvia Rivera, which sought to provide housing and other assistance to gay and trans sex workers and homeless youth in New York City. In the 1980s, Johnson became heavily involved with the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), an international organization aimed at ending the AIDS epidemic. Death and Legacy Marsha P. Johnson's body was found floating in the Hudson River on July 6, 1992, soon after the pride parade that year. Although Marsha P. Johnson was well-documented as having struggled with mental health issues, many people in her life denounced the classification of her death as a suicide. In 2002, the police reclassified Johnson's cause of death from "suicide" to "undetermined". In 2012, the New York police department reopened the case as a possible homicide. Johnson is credited with being at the forefront of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. She played a pivotal role in providing a space within the broader LGBTQ+ community for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals and drag queens, paving the way for the work that has been done in the decades since her passing.

[Miami, FL] – On Wednesday, the Miami Dade School Board approved Board Member Dr.Steve Gallon III's amendment to an extremely controversial agenda item that many feared would prohibit pride flags and flags from other countries. This amendment ensures that flags representing federally-protected classes can still be displayed. This reaffirms what many members of our community made clear at the board meeting today: that our students, teachers, and parents deserve to feel seen and represented throughout the year, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.