LGBT+ members - got a question - need somewhere to start - here is the place

[MsPurple]

Welcome LGBT+ members and ally to the community.

A few LGBT+ forum users have questions and concerns they can't a find a place to ask it here on the beyond blue forums so I thought starting a place for questions and more serious/heavy conversations 🙂 Here you can ask questions about anything from questioning your sexuality/gender identity, coming out concerns, dating, mental health etc. If you are an ally (an Ally is a person who considers themselves a friend to the LGBTQ+ community) you are also welcome to come here to be a support to our community and ask questions as well. This is a supportive place for people to discuss their questions and concerns, we are not a place of judgement. As Thumper from the movie Bambi said "If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all."

If you are looking for a more social and light hearted conversation might I suggest joining us on the thread under BB social/rainbow cafe. Copy and paste the link: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/bb-social-zone/let's-chat-about-anything

Feel free to introduce yourself below and ask any question/s

I thought I'd answer one common question in the intro post and this is one I have heard a lot. What do the letters mean? When referring to the community it is shortened to LGBT+ as there are more letters than just the 4. I have put some of the common ones here: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Transsexual Two-spirited Queer Questioning Intersex Asexual Ally Pansexual Agender Gender Queer

Welcome everyone and hope to see you around on this thread and around the BB forums

MP 🙂

[MsPurple]

Chris I agree that it is sad that it has turned into an us vs then situation. Even if I don't agree with the no voters decision I respect everyone has the right to their own opinion and vote. As long as they don't directly show hate or disrespect to LGBT+ people (like call them names) I am ok. Some people just need more time to accept change and to understand it. Women were not allowed to vote and heaps of men protested it, now look how far women have come. Not a good example but times are changing and hopefully soon SSM will be legal 🙂 BUt honestly I can't wait for this whole postal vote thing to be over.

I saw online that Tony Abbot hosed down the Australia post letter box! The rumor is that his wife voted yes and he was not happy with it so he hosed down the letter box. (I saw the picture of him doing it so he definitely hosed it). He also said a woman needs a man to help guide them to vote. hmm I'm pretty sure she has her own mind and opinion. It just really annoyed me because others may have put their votes (or other valuable letters/items) in that postal box and he just ruined it. I hope he cops a big fine for doing it.

I think I have seen "you can't ask that" before. I know I've seen something similar on youtube. It is quite enlightening. I may have to check out the movie on Netflix. I feel like after my bike ride today it will be a couch day

[MsPurple]

WE HAVE MOVED. Yaya

The sexuality and gender identity threads are back, so they have moved this thread to that section (no longer in staying well section).

Hope everyone finds it ok. 🙂

[cleews]

🙂 The way I see it MsP, is that truly, we are undergoing a cultural revolution. Just like the women's right movement, the abolishment of slavery, the opening of borders, I have to say I feel damn lucky to be living in a moment that I can really identify as a revolution. And this is not just in Australia but globally too. And because it is a revolution, there will be people naturally resistant to change, because change is scary, and change is unknowable. That's perhaps my tactic then, to address that it is scary, to know that it is scary, but also to assure that society is not driving off a cliff's edge, drinking champagne and quaffing pastries. (ok.. drinking champagne and quaffing pastries is awesome, just not the cliff's edge thing).

[MsPurple]

I agree it is a bit of a cultural revolution for everyone to have equal rights and for people to be themselves 🙂

[Just Sara]

Hi all you beautiful peep's!

It's been a while since someone posted, so I thought I'd bump this thread and add my 2c worth.

I've been contributing to the 'Mental Health Week' thread in Sexuality and Gender Identity section. As I'm a stat's savant, I see % as an important aspect to increasing MH services/support. It's the language of govt funding.

If anyone wants to contribute, I'd be happy to respond; either on here or on that thread.

Chris/MsP...you're both doing wonders on here with your discussions and opinions. I love it!

Sez xo

[startingnew]

I found some statistics in regards to voting if any one is interested in those

[Just Sara]

Hey SN...hand them over lovely. Hope they're good.

Sez xo

[startingnew]

Ok votes for plebicite thys far:

ill just do the yes percentages.

65% in the 18-34 yr old age group

55% in the 35-54 yr old age group

54% un the over 55s yrs age group

These are for the YES votes!

[kanga_brumby]

I am sorry to point this out much and all as I support ssm and gltg community the vote we have done is non binding they don't have to do any thing. I have noticed some people comparing this to the abolition of slavery. I hate to burst your bubble but slavery has only been driven underground there are still countries you can buy and sell slaves with the right contacts. I know my vote went the right way though

Kanga

[Just Sara]

Woo-Hooooo!

Thanks heaps SN! They look great and kudos to our youngsters too. Made my day!

Dear Kanga;

Thanks for the balancing comments. However, the People have Spoken! We have Spoken! Any politician who goes against the grain will go against votes. It's not a risk any of them want to take.

And you're right about slavery; the trade is alive and kicking, but there's always hope. Teams of International Policing Specialists are onto their game and continue to fight against this abhorrent practice.

A great weekend to all...

Sez xo