Minorities around the world seem to struggle when coming together and making a change. Whether it comes to women’s rights, LGBT rights, eliminating racism or improving life in general, it is a struggle for all individuals in a group. Between Women was created to make it less of a struggle and more a journey. We strive to discover new people and ideas, while respecting new cultures even though they may go against everything we know.
As a woman who is black, masculine and lesbian, attending a traditional Southern college has its ups and downs. I’ve learned a lot about how “real” Southern people live and work through meeting different people in the community. There are many conservative views holding the community back from progressing, outnumbering the few who wish to see our town improve. Personally, I haven’t been attacked directly for my demographic status, but there are barriers and much tension when one goes against the grain. Luckily, I found a beacon of hope in the midst of this culturally deprived campus: a gay straight alliance group and a women’s resource center. In these organizations I found support and inspiration from variety of people, who decided to thrive in a world that wanted to keep them silent and in the background.
As a woman who is black, masculine and lesbian, attending a traditional Southern college has its ups and downs. I’ve learned a lot about how “real” Southern people live and work through meeting different people in the community. There are many conservative views holding the community back from progressing, outnumbering the few who wish to see our town improve. Personally, I haven’t been attacked directly for my demographic status, but there are barriers and much tension when one goes against the grain. Luckily, I found a beacon of hope in the midst of this culturally deprived campus: a gay straight alliance group and a women’s resource center. In these organizations I found support and inspiration from variety of people, who decided to thrive in a world that wanted to keep them silent and in the background.
The first group I experienced was the gay straight alliance and I loved the positive energy for many reasons:
Long story short, I never heard anything positive about the LGBT community unless it was manipulated and perverted by NPR broadcasting gay marriage in another state and the setbacks it would cause America. In this group I was able to hear courageous stories of students facing their fears and coming out to family and friends. Granted they all didn’t end with “happily ever after, but they ensured those listening that it does get better – I even witnessed a few cases that did improve after coming out of the closet. I also discovered there was a world beyond gay and straight (I guess all that conservative child rearing blinded me to this information). But there are people who are masculine, feminine, transgender, or don’t identify with any gender norms. Although it seemed somewhat scary at first, I realized these people were just like me! Only difference was how they described themselves and who they may or may not be attracted to. I also learned more about myself through hearing others’ stories.
As I explored the women’s resource center, I have learned I am a FEMINIST. No, I don’t hate men or wish for a utopia where men don’t exist (which would not be a utopia all – in my opinion), but I do believe women still have to fight for basic rights (especially black women – statistically speaking). I met women from the area who succeed in male dominated fields and help “level the playing field” for men and women alike. Whether it came to creating more female engineers or male nurses, it was all about progression and giving everyone the same opportunities with no strings attached. I have also met women from different countries who do things very differently from me or anyone I knew. Their culture’s also have different priorities and morals in their cultures, which intrigued me to learn more.
Learning about different women and their experiences is the focus of Between Women and while we can’t educate the world, we will educate anyone who is willing to listen, learn and share. I exchange ideas with people I don’t agree with every day. I love to learn about new cultures, religions, lifestyles, even if I don’t agree. This a community for women who’d like more information on these topics, as well as general lifestyle advice.
LGBT females are the focus, but we encourage all women to join our discussion and share their opinions
I am driven to connect people, empowering the community.
So my question for you:
What’s your passion?
- I was raised in Florida where prejudice is much less influential on a person’s opportunities and lifestyle – not the same deal in Alabama
- My family was full of “extreme” Christians (from those who kept outdated conservative views) to those who spoke in tongues on the regular basis.
Long story short, I never heard anything positive about the LGBT community unless it was manipulated and perverted by NPR broadcasting gay marriage in another state and the setbacks it would cause America. In this group I was able to hear courageous stories of students facing their fears and coming out to family and friends. Granted they all didn’t end with “happily ever after, but they ensured those listening that it does get better – I even witnessed a few cases that did improve after coming out of the closet. I also discovered there was a world beyond gay and straight (I guess all that conservative child rearing blinded me to this information). But there are people who are masculine, feminine, transgender, or don’t identify with any gender norms. Although it seemed somewhat scary at first, I realized these people were just like me! Only difference was how they described themselves and who they may or may not be attracted to. I also learned more about myself through hearing others’ stories.
As I explored the women’s resource center, I have learned I am a FEMINIST. No, I don’t hate men or wish for a utopia where men don’t exist (which would not be a utopia all – in my opinion), but I do believe women still have to fight for basic rights (especially black women – statistically speaking). I met women from the area who succeed in male dominated fields and help “level the playing field” for men and women alike. Whether it came to creating more female engineers or male nurses, it was all about progression and giving everyone the same opportunities with no strings attached. I have also met women from different countries who do things very differently from me or anyone I knew. Their culture’s also have different priorities and morals in their cultures, which intrigued me to learn more.
Learning about different women and their experiences is the focus of Between Women and while we can’t educate the world, we will educate anyone who is willing to listen, learn and share. I exchange ideas with people I don’t agree with every day. I love to learn about new cultures, religions, lifestyles, even if I don’t agree. This a community for women who’d like more information on these topics, as well as general lifestyle advice.
LGBT females are the focus, but we encourage all women to join our discussion and share their opinions
I am driven to connect people, empowering the community.
So my question for you:
What’s your passion?