GLBT Studies final project

The day started off in Oakland where i saw a Donald Trump mural where his hair was on fire and a gun in his hand. I saw the image as very fitting for the time because he is our president and is symbolically holding the American democracy hostage by gun point. As of recently, It was reported that AG sessions has appointed someone to oversee the trump and Russia situation. Which is good news but I don't think anything will change. The process of getting information is taking to long and i honestly believe if it was not for Obama's success the country would be a wreck. The moral story of this past election was please check the facts because words are "chump change'.

Finally, out of the blazing spring time heat and on my way to the Castro District.

I got to san Francisco in hopes of making it to the GLBT museum to see what was in there because frankly, I didn't know a museum was in the Castro. Let alone an GLBT museum. Sadly, I did not make it there but i did stumble upon a gathering at the Harvey Milk Muni station. Little did i know today was a day to recognize and condemn the effects of homophobia and transphobia around the globe. also known as the international day against homo and transphobia.

During the gathering, I learned that the pink triangle in sf during pride weekend represents the fact that history repeats itself; symbol of hate and intolerance for the LGBT community. As the the speakers gave background information on the day and I also learned that
The Day represents a yearly gathering to draw the attention of politicians, the media, the public, journalist and local authorities to the hardships faced by lesbian, gay, bisexuals, and transgender people and those who do not conform to heteronormative gender roles.
May 17 is celebrated in more than 130 countries, including 30 where same-sex acts are illegal, with 1200 events reported from more than 400 organizations. May 17 was first known as the “International Day against Homophobia”.
In 2009, Transphobia was added in the title of the name and sheds light on the recognition of the very different issues at stake between sexual orientation and gender expression. “IDAHOT” became mainstream and it is now the abbreviation we use to describe the day.

One speaker that stood out to me was from South Africa. Her name was
Melanie Nathan.

She is responsible for handling emergency funds for those most at risk to escape violence, primarily in Africa. Through her ten minute speech, I learned that homophobia has created a mass migration among LGBT people in the region. Last month, 53 people were on trial because they went to a gay wedding. Most LGBT people in Africa are on trial without anyway of getting out of jail. Gay people across the globe reach out to America for social and humanitarian help. Hearing those words made me realize how much of a responsibility the millennial generation has to create social change around human lives. Gay people are human and are not born criminal. Gay people are human and don't deserve to be denied a seat at the table either. Being gay and visible means a lot for those who are oppressed in every way possible and an Instagram posts may go a long way for those who need reassurance that there are people out there just like them who care for them deeply

After the gathering I was unable to continue to snap pictures of the day. nevertheless, I persisted and I found myself at another community event. I went to a new community center in the Castro that I've been dying to go to for months. Strut is a community center in the Castro that offers much needed services to the San Francisco gay community such as STD testing and support groups for marginalized communities within the community. The event i went to was titled "black love" and it was meant to bring the presence of black people to the Castro neighborhood together for a night of performances and refreshments. The event was filled with comedy, live art, and original music written by black local LGBT bay area artist. Even though, the LGBT center offers much needed services. Strut community center offers the same services plus more to get you involved and engaged in a loving community.