LGBTQ+ Rights Will Fall With Roe v. Wade
#132
Welcome to Third Cultured, a newsletter covering all things queer and techno-politics from the perspective of Kyle Borland. My goal is to highlight all the ways today is different (and not so) from yesterday.
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No essay this week. There are plenty of links below about how the attack on abortion rights affects LGBTQ+ people, the continued wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws across the US, and the ongoing surge of violence against queer folks worldwide. As you can imagine, I have a lot of feelings and thoughts about this past week, but the universe kept me busy enough that I was able to sit down and process everything. Luckily, dozens of other writers did not have the same problem and I tried to highlight the best pieces I read throughout the week.
I am going on my first international vacation in far too long on Monday, and so there won’t be any emails next week. My boss told me I hadn’t used any vacation time since starting my job in March 2021, so I booked a luxury trip to Mexico that night! I’m not bringing either my computers, my partner isn’t even bringing his iPad, so I’m looking forward to disconnecting while being supplied a never-ending supply of tropical cocktails. It is some desperately needed R&R and it will be the first of many to come.
As always, thanks for reading, beautiful people.
Kyle (@kgborland)
This edition:
Donate to an Abortion Fund
Links, Quotes & Things
Donate to an Abortion Fund
Alabama: Yellowhammer Fund, Access Reproductive Care-Southeast
59 percent of Alabama women live in counties with no access to an abortion provider. In 2019, Alabama enacted a total ban on abortion — currently blocked from taking effect — that would criminalize providing abortion care.Florida: Florida Access Network, Access Reproductive Care-Southeast
In 2022, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law banning abortion after 15 weeks, which does not make exceptions for cases of incest, rape, or human trafficking.Georgia: Access Reproductive Care-Southeast
55 percent of Georgia women live in counties with no abortion clinic. Georgia enacted a six-week abortion ban that, once it becomes enforceable, would effectively prohibit all abortion.
Links, Quotes & Things
45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, Trevor Project survey finds (CBS News, Pink News)
A Fresh View of Queer Masculinity, Through Scraps of Old Magazines (The New Yorker)
After years of progress on gay rights, how did the US become so anti-LGBTQ+? (The Guardian)
Comment: Because it’s America…? This is what Americans do.
Abortion Rights in America
A Catholic Abortion Doula on Reproductive Justice as a Religious Vocation (Religiously Blonde)
A Federal Ban Is Next (The Flashpoint)
Abortion Draft Raises Alarm Over Privacy, LGBTQ Rights (Bloomberg Law)
Alito’s Plan to Repeal the 20th Century (The Atlantic)
Black churches urged to fight anti-LGBTQ state laws (NBC News)
Democratic Leaders Are Getting the Abortion Story Wrong — Again (The Cut)
Gutting Abortion Rights Would Be Devastating for LGBTQ+ People (them)
If Roe v. Wade falls, are LGBTQ rights next? (Vox)
It’s Time to Rage (The New York Times)
PR giant advising corporate clients to stay silent on abortion rights (Popular Information)
SCOTUS has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows (Politico, The Draft)
The Institutionalist's Dilemma (The Alex Pareene Newsletter)
The media fell for ‘pro-life’ rhetoric and helped create this mess (Washington Post)
The Roe v. Wade catastrophe and what comes next (Progress Report)
The Slow and Sudden Death of Majority Rule (Unpopular Front)
‘They also come for the gays’: Why the LGBTQ community must stand by women after Roe v. Wade decision (SF Chronicle)
This Was Always The Plan (Men Yell at Me)
What happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned? LGBTQ+ legal experts are worried about civil rights. (19th News)
What the Leaked Roe v. Wade Opinion Portends for Queer Americans (them)
Addressing LGBTQ health risk and resilience in the Southeast (UAB)
Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws in the US
A High School GSA Adviser Has Been Put on Leave For Hosting a Drag Show (them)
Anti-LGBTQ laws inspire many LGBTQ people to seek public office (NPR)
Biden warns LGBTQ+ children could be next target of Republican ‘Maga crowd’ (The Guardian)
Can a cartoon character turn you LGBT? Kansas’ Sen. Roger Marshall seems to think so (Kansas City Star)
“Don’t Say Gay” bill’s author says rape pregnancy is “an opportunity” (LGBTQ Nation)
GOP senators demand warning label for TV shows with LGBTQ characters (LGBTQ Nation)
How a Debut Graphic Memoir Became the Most Banned Book in the Country (NYTimes)
If They Take You In the Morning (Werk–In–Progress)
Madison Cawthorn accused of inappropriate relationship with male staffer (LGBTQ Nation)
Oklahoma stakes out new battleground on LGBTQ rights: Birth certificates (Washington Post)
Pastor said “God wanted” underage girl to be his spouse. So the church approved. (LGBTQ Nation)
These LGBTQ lawmakers want to make their states a refuge for trans kids (Bay Area Reporter, Washington Post)
Trans equality wins in Kansas as legislature fails to override sports ban veto (LGBTQ Nation)
Weaponized grooming rhetoric is taking a toll on LGBTQ community and child sex abuse survivors (USA Today)
Bosnia's LGBT Community Hails 'Historic' Ruling Against Discrimination, Hate (RadioFreeEurope)
Canada’s new blood donor policy still excludes many gay and bisexual men, critics say (Toronto Star)
For Eid, the end of Ramadan, all LGBTQ Muslims want is acceptance, acknowledgment (Birmingham Live, USA Today)
Gay Lithuanian MP sharply criticizes Russia (LA Blade)
Gay man plays leading role in drafting Chile’s new constitution (Washington Blade)
Grindr User Data Was Sold Through Ad Networks (Wall Street Journal)
How A.B.O. Comix Is Amplifying the Voices of LGBTQ Prisoners (Horizon)
How Same-Sex Marriage Shaped Joe Biden (Politico)
Karine Jean-Pierre will replace Jen Psaki as White House press secretary, the first Black woman and first openly LGBTQ woman to hold the position (Axios)
LGBTQ+ Military Members and Veterans Face Economic, Housing, and Health Insecurities (Center for American Progress)
Romania must reject Hungary-style anti-LGBT bill, rights groups say (Pink News, Reuters)
South Carolina church invited a drag queen to speak. Then came the backlash. Here are the details (The State)
The best joke at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner was about Kyrsten Sinema (LGBTQ Nation)
Violence Against Queer People Worldwide
Anger at Greek court acquittal of police officers who had been charged over killing of a queer activist in Athens (Al Jazeera)
Gay Nigerian Man Fearing Torture Gets New Asylum Hearing (Bloomberg Law)
Millions of Afghans Want to Flee. LGBTQ Afghans Have To. (Foreign Policy)
Philadelphia bouncer charged with 3rd degree murder for punching gay man (Washington Blade)
Suspected serial killer of gay men on the loose in Spain (Spanish News Today)
Sydney man gets 12 years for murdering gay American in 1988 (NPR)
USC settles lawsuits with 80 men who accused doctor of sexual misconduct (NBC News)
What's Up With Daddies? (¡Hola Papi!)
I’m also reluctant to abide by the increasingly popular belief that “power dynamics” are inherently manipulative. The reality is, there are power dynamics in every relationship. If you are involved with another person, then you have entered an uneven playing field or two. No two people will be exactly the same age, same economic class, same appearance (I hope????), and so on, and so forth.
This is not violence. This is dating. These are things that have to be worked through and navigated with mutual respect. There is risk involved, yes, but risk cannot be entirely avoided in life.
I hope I’m not coming across as harsh, Confused! I think, or at least hope, that you’re coming from a place of genuine concern for others and, to be sure, I’d never want to outright dismiss anyone on a subject as serious and prevalent as abuse.
But on the other hand, I find myself a member of a community presently under attack by accusations of “grooming” and predation. It’s made me particularly sensitive to insinuations from any political stripe that the gays are sex monsters trolling for their next victim, or that we’re all just victims in waiting, idling around until one of those nasty older gays creeps up and takes advantage of our vulnerabilities.
Why Queer Stories Deserve Happy Endings (LitHub)