Would an activism group for sexual minorities be a good idea for DU?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

i like the glbt forum a lot, there is a good amount of info, chatter and opinions. this forum is like my lounge and my gd.

However i think an activism group dedicated to all sexual minorities activism efforts in all 50 states might be a good idea. Sexual minorities including glbt community, sex workers and other oppressed groups. I think a forum that helps activist connect with other activists might be good. I am sure some of the info share at the glbt forum and the sexual minorities activism group would be the same but some of it would differ.

What do you guys think?

[lightningandsnow]

1. Yes!

(Well, it should include the 50 states and Canada :P)

I would post. For sure.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. i would too.

[Runcible Spoon]

2. Anything that brings visibility is a good thing.

Especially in an environment where vulnerable groups like sex workers can be discussed with dignity...I'm looking at YOU, "feminist" forum!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. thats my point. lets consolidate our resources and start seeing how we can help each other

[mitchtv]

3. A great step in a National Agenda

You would need a filtering process to keep out the disrupters and the "Gays must wait" crowd (45%of DU)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. i was just thinking a group on du as a start?

[mitchtv]

14. from the tiny acorn....

blah blah blah You know the rest

[PeaceNikki]

7. I like this idea!

A lot!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

8. do you think we should write a group proposal thingy?

[PeaceNikki]

10. Yeah! We need 10 donors to say they like it. Count me in.

[Marrah_G]

20. Count on me also!

[TheWraith]

33. You may count me on the list as well. nt

[Prism]

9. I'd appreciate something like this

Right now, most of my activism is in the form of volunteering at local youth and community centers. A friend keeps many of us informed of the big events. But, if there was a way to keep up with smaller local events that need more attention and help that just the "headliner" ones, I know I and others would definitely use it.

[ThomCat]

11. I think that's an awesome idea, assuming there are enough

activists here to make it work.

[readmoreoften]

12. I'm for it. /nt

[Eryemil]

13. Anything that helps bring positive attention to vulnerable and invisible minorites is a good thing

But I would certainly appreciate a place to come to for advice from older activists as well as a place to organize (as much as one can over the net) and a place that will serve as a "homebase" here in DU.
Even if only so we can better raise awareness here at first.

It's worth a try at least and you can count on me to be an active member.

Down with puritanism!
Down with the patriarchy!
Free love for all!
:D

[roughsatori]

15. Count me in.

It may defuse my anger and stop my thinking that it is time for a militant gay group modeled after The Black Panthers.

[mitchtv]

32. Hey roughy good to see you back

I missed your posts

[roughsatori]

95. thanks mitchtv...nice to know someone noticed. NT

[omega minimo]

16. No

what's needed is a forum where "sexual minorities" align themselves and their efforts with those of womens rights, in common cause and solidarity against the common enemy, a hierarchy based on the ancient, male dominant, authoritarian paradigm.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

22. not if womens rights groups refuse to discuss sex workers with dignity

sorry, but there is a reason we want a seperate group. if you are willing to discuss sex work as real work and find common ground, you will be welcome

[TheWraith]

34. "Get in line and like it."

"And don't complain when we judge you as harshly as the rest of the world does."

Yeah, I can't see any reason why people would want a sexual minority group. :eyes:

[omega minimo]

35. Well the question was about solidarity

but that ain't too popular here

[La Lioness Priyanka]

36. solidarity is popular but no solidarity can come if you cant respect someeone else

so yes, feminist issues will be most welcome however not one that just is anti-sexwork/sexworker. also, your tone is condescending. its as though your rights are more important than ours. womens right activists will be welcome to our forum. there are already a womans rights and a feminists forum, both places in which a lot of us feel unwelcome.

[omega minimo]

42. okay

I am not familiar with whatever your'e projecting/assuming is the first objection/demand to focus on.

I haven't seen what you're referring to, but I'm sure you have somewhere along the line. It's possible to, as with any gender issue thread held openly, that disruptors have caused flamewars that get wellmeaning folks trapped in the trollishness.

Otherwise, fuck that BS "also, your tone is condescending. its as though your rights are more important than ours." How many times have I called for common cause amongst those IMHO would be more effective and aware in solidarity.

Fuck it.

My "tone"? :wtf:

"what's needed is a forum where "sexual minorities" align themselves and their efforts with those of womens rights, in common cause and solidarity against the common enemy, a hierarchy based on the ancient, male dominant, authoritarian paradigm..... Well the question was about solidarity but that ain't too popular here"

United we stand, divided we fall.

"there are already a womans rights and a feminists forum, both places in which a lot of us feel unwelcome."

My comment was in good faith. YOU are being condescending, projecting and unwelcoming. Where IS the solidarity?

Best of luck with finding what you need.. :toast:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

43. best of luck to you too

[omega minimo]

44. TY

[Vanje]

54. The omega minimo version of "solidarity ".

involves only views which agree with omega minimo's are welcome.

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[omega minimo]

91. and who are you again?

[Zuiderelle]

59. Yes, your "tone"...

The "common enemy" may indeed be the hierarchy set up for male dominance, but straight women and even feminist straight women can be just as much an enemy to this proposed group of Priyanka's, so it's not really about fighting a common enemy and standing in solidarity with you. All of the women here are WOMEN, and many of us identify as feminists, as well as do many of the men here, and you're insinuating that we aren't already IN solidarity with you. To suggest that we shouldn't want a group that focuses on a narrower issue than your "common enemy" so that we can concentrate on being part of YOUR group is condescending.

I understand why she is proposing the group and I think it makes a lot of sense. (And after your comments here, I'm completely convinced that such a group is necessary.) Why on earth would you come into THIS forum and write what you wrote?

[omega minimo]

66. b/c I wasn't yet convinced at how so many love their balkanization

:toast:

[Zuiderelle]

74. Describing this as balkanization is like describing feminism as misandry.

In short, it's idiotic.

[omega minimo]

77. Various factions with more in common than not are balkanized and alienated beyond reason right now

Intentionally missing my point is "idiotic."

I have been pushing to see more mutual tolerance or understanding or efforts toward common goals. I know better now how deep the divisions/attitudes/projections are. Just pointing it out doesn't help. Folks have to work through it.

And maybe we never will go back to the progressive era and successes of mutual efforts, that were systematically undone by the Reich Wing since then.

OTOH, maybe niche groups -- even if the individuals in them overlap boundaries and represent all of our diversity -- feel more empowered to gather around a single identification, thanks to the successes of the progressive era.

Good luck to all. :toast:

[Vanje]

52. Its not about solidarity.

Its about having our concerns utterly ignored.

Discussion of GLBT issues is discouraged by the rules of DU's feminists group.

[Jamastiene]

61. That, in and of itself, is a slap in the face agaist GLBT people.

It's a fact that they do not allow GLBT issues in the Feminists Group here. I checked.

[omega minimo]

68. i was not aware of that

[Jamastiene]

60. Snobbery and unreasonable stances on issues regarding women

are what keeps solidarity from happening. Like it or not, women, still, to this day, have to do what we have to do to survive. The least we could do is not put down working women. Let the Feminists Group have their thing, the Women's Rights Group have their thing, and let us the GLBT Forum have our thing.

There is WAY more solidarity among GLBT community than there is in the Feminist community. The real reason feminism is dead anyhow is that so many hardcore feminists have such a rigid mentality. That mentality EXCLUDES so many women. It is not even feasible to count the current state of feminism as the slightest bit helpful for women. It's a joke. It just makes people even MORE misogynist in their views because it reminds them of just how hateful some women really can be.

Solidarity will happen when feminists realize that women do have jobs in the sex industry and those very same women should be get equal pay for equal work, equal rights, and an equal chance in life. It's their job. You might look down on it, but that doesn't make it any less their job and it doesn't make them any less of a woman.

You want solidarity? Start trying to help ALL women or quit claiming to be a feminist. As it stands now, the mentality that seems to permeate so many who claim to be feminists is a force against women. That ought to be a crime.

[omega minimo]

69. ok

[Runcible Spoon]

86. PREACH!

Honestly, I gave the "feminist" forum a shot and I was unequivocally told that I wasn't welcome. I refuse to be made to feel guilty by a few fringe posters who won't even allow a discussion about sex work, pornography, gender issues, gay issues, etc. even when everyone involved is aware of misogyny and abuse towards women.

I would LOVE to see the feminist group reformulated to be inclusive and accepting of ALL people who wish to see the systematic and institutionalized debasement, alienation, subjugation, and discrimination of ALL women, regardless of orientation, sexual practices, profession/ways to pay the bills, hell even body hair grooming preferences!

Unfortunately, if that can't happen then I am 100% behind a new group!

[mitchtv]

40. been there

Prop 4 failed Prop 8 passed. I won't be passing that way again.

[omega minimo]

70. i can see why some here feel otherwise

the vision of a real solidarity would seem to benefit all :thumbsup:

[Vanje]

53. Absolutely. Solidarity! We need you ......

.....to tell us what we need.



not so much.

But thank you for being so very very concerned about sexual minorities.

[omega minimo]

71. and thank you for remembering to use the

:sarcasm:

[Two Americas]

58. of course there could be "solidarity"

Of course we could achieve some sort of illusion of solidarity, if only those who are left behind and left out would just shut up and get on the program. But that is not really solidarity, that is the tyranny of the majority.

A "hierarchy" cannot be the "enemy" any more than "terrorism" can be.

You think that what is needed is for people to fall in line with your concept of the battle, to join with you on your terms.

Solidarity means listening to others, finding our cause in their cause, not asking them to be silent or to find their cause in our cause. It means being able to see our common humanity in others, not to demand that they deny their reality and so join our notion of common humanity.

Asking people to change in order to fit in, in order to belong, is the opposite of solidarity, and is the very problem of bigotry and can never be the solution. "I support you, so enough with that already, please stop being who you are now and come over here and be like me if you want me to continue to support you." How is that any different than "I don't support you, so enough with that already, please stop being who you are now and come over here and be like me if you want me to support you." The only difference is that the second is more honest.


...

[omega minimo]

72. your literate and misguided projections are truly stunning

[La Lioness Priyanka]

75. yes we are all just 'projecting'. your opinion is clearly correct our experiences are merely

projections

[omega minimo]

79. Did I post to you "all" and post my "opinion of your experiences"?

I trust you don't mean you all have the exact same POV or that Two Americas speaks for you? :wow:


More proof of balkanization, these scattershot accusations. Another habit I need to work on -- the desire that *you* would read what I actually wrote and respond to THAT :spray:

Two Americas is very literate and may have valid points, which he then projects based on assumptions that are out of line.

"Of course we could achieve some sort of illusion of solidarity, if only those who are left behind and left out would just shut up and get on the program. But that is not really solidarity, that is the tyranny of the majority."

His :sarcasm: and following lecture may be valid, except he's tagging it on as if it's a reply to anything I said (I didn't) and attempting to associate me with his assumptions. Which succeeds in balkanizing.... and as for a hierarchy, ask yourself why he and others can't actually observe it and face it together. Oh well...

btw Two Americas does remember the progressive era, so it's interesting he would drive a wedge and misrepresent what I was endorsing (a throwback to that sort of common cause that may not be possible right now).


Two Americas:
"You think that what is needed is for people to fall in line with your concept of the battle, to join with you on your terms."

That false assumption is also a false accusation, out of line as much as if I tried to tell ALL of *you* what you think.

:hi:

[Vanje]

80. Two Americas is a staunch and articulate ally for DU's GLTB community

He is a consistent supporter and a gifted spokesman.

I appreciate Two Americas.

I lift my glass. I salute him. Everyday. Always.

Two Americas does, pretty much, speak for me , except that he is more articulate.

[omega minimo]

81. That's why it's important that he use his literate skills more appropriately & not presume too much

:thumbsup:

"He is a gifted spokesman. Two Americas does, pretty much, speak for me , except that he is more articulate."

That's why it's important that he use his literate skills more appropriately & not presume too much

OM:
"Two Americas is very literate and may have valid points, which he (frequently) projects (on individual DUers) based on assumptions that are out of line."

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[omega minimo]

83. and divided we are

fools

[Name removed]

84. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[omega minimo]

85. "whats this "we" shit"?

someday you'll understand

Take care :hi:

[Marrah_G]

63. Sorry - these are different issues for a different forum.

These issues are not just women's issues.

Also, to be perfectly frank, many people do not feel welcome in "your" forum because just like now....there tends to be a bullying attitude at times.

[omega minimo]

73. the vision is of a broader coalition, perhaps a throwback to a progressive era when groups weren't

so balkanized. :hi:

[Runcible Spoon]

87. Look, I'm going to make this very simple for you.

If you have a fucking problem with feminist groups being "balkanized" then by ALL MEANS, go into the "feminist" group and get on their asses about it. We would LOVE to feel welcome in that forum, to have our voices heard and our opinions respected. We would LOVE to have open, honest issues about pertinent topics but unfortunately a few bullies have made it crystal clear, to the extent that they have to SPELL IT OUT in their "welcome message", that we are not welcome.

[omega minimo]

89. I'm gone so you can untwist your knickers, I wish the Group well. As far as the statement

It appears when I read it today to be preventative against unwelcome behavior, rather than respectful individuals.

Good luck :toast:

[Runcible Spoon]

93. Thank gawds for small mercies.

buh-bye!

[omega minimo]

78. .

[MikeH]

17. I would consider myself to be part of one sexual minority

I am a straight heterosexual male, and am mostly traditional in my tastes, lifestyle, and values. I have not suffered outward oppression to the degree that other sexual minorities have.

Where I am probably in the minority, and where my taste definitely differs from the norm in this society, is that I have an attraction to body hair on women which I have had since adolescence. I particularly like hairy legs on women, but also like hair on other parts of women's bodies, such as arms, armpits, and especially the pubic region.

I have never understood why just about everything else has been or become acceptable in our society at some time since the 1960's except for natural body hair on women. It has been one of my disappointments that that has been the case. I am saddened by the fact that women, and now sometimes even men, feel that they have to or are pressured to go through all kinds of pain and trouble to remove body hair, certainly more so than in the 1960's and 1970's. It seems like a plasticized Barbie doll look is an ideal in this present society.

It has bothered me to see in threads about body hair, especially in the lounge, that people feel very free to make comments like gross, yuck, and disgusting about something which is a matter of personal taste, and which they happen to personally dislike. Such comments are very thoughtless, and are really no different than similar comments about the idea of homosexuality or gay or lesbian sex before it became mainstream to accept homosexuality as something perfectly normal and natural. Such comments imply that there is something wrong with me for liking body hair on women, or with anybody else who likes such. I would expect to see such comments in places like Free Republic or on any conservative web site where people are not known to be accepting of others who deviate from cultural norms in any significant way.

I know that there are other people, including other men, who also like female body hair; I have seen posts by such people here on DU. And I have posted on an adult chat board for discussing female body hair; there are other men such as myself who also like and appreciate natural female body hair.

[Jamastiene]

62. It is very small minded of people to say, "Ew" or "Yuck"

with regards to body hair. In Europe, many women do not shave under their arms and it's a culture wide thing.

I agree with you that it should be a personal thing and if a woman does not want to shave, she shouldn't have to shave. I have no problem if a woman shaves everything, nothing, or some in between. It's her choice and it should be. Society has the problem, not her.

People do have small minds about such things, to this day. I have always asked, "Why is it that when a man does not shave, it is called a "beard" and/or "mustache," but when a woman does not shave, it is called uncouth and disgusting?"

[tavalon]

18. I'm willing to support it

Are you willing to support me and mine?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

21. polyamorous people would be welcome. if that is what you meant

[Eryemil]

23. Do you mean polyamorous relationships? (I looked at your profile)

This is something I've been thinking about lately.

Particularly because I often find myself in debate with other queers that attempt to validate their existence by trying to set themselves apart from other sexual minorities that society hates.
I understand that many of us are sick with being compared to pedophiles but appealing to this reactionary mindset helps no one.

Mostly though, the anti-poly sentiments come from the non-polyamorous heteros as far as I can tell so I think you'll find support among queers. There is a very strong culture of poly relationships in the gay community as well as a general tolerance for other atypical groupings/dynamics.

Cheers.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

24. true that.

[tavalon]

28. I've found many in the GLBT community

to be very supportive and I've found some to be rabidly hateful, but I think those are the ones who are trying to get society to accept them by pointing fingers at others, just as you said. Unfortunately, my own minority has a tendency to do the same to swingers. I swear, I think it's in human nature to blame the other.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

29. i think people think if there is someone "worse" then them, people will hate them less

RATHER than band together against a common enemy

[Chovexani]

90. That's true

I find here on DU, at least in our LGBT community we are very accepting. I posted a thread recently about my triad breaking up, and I was pretty upset and people came out of the woodwork to offer a kind word even if they didn't really understand what I was talking about.

We have a great bunch of people in here, it's really the only reason why I bother with DU anymore.

[Marrah_G]

19. I think that would be a fabulous idea- Thanks Lioness !

[Chovexani]

25. I would be down for that.

Count my star in for a group.

[Jamastiene]

26. Yes

I think it would be a good idea.

[sakabatou]

27. I can see that

:D

[tbyg52]

30. If you should need my vote, I'm in. Just tell me what it is I have to do. nt

[foxfeet]

31. I'm in.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

37. since we have 10 users on this can we start a mission statement?

[lightningandsnow]

38. Alright, here's the first draft of the mission statement.

I'm totally open to suggestions.

The purpose of the DU Sexual Minorities group is to provide a safe space for all sexual minorities, including but not limited to the LGBTQ community, asexuals, sex workers, the BDSM community, polyamorous people, and their allies, to discuss the issues pertaining to them. This is a group for sexual minority activists of all stripes to come together and act on causes important to them.

About this group:

-This is not a place to discuss the moral “rightness” or “wrongness” of homosexuality, sex work, polyamory, or BDSM. Plenty of other places exist to do that.
-We support marriage equality for all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
-We think that sex work is a legitimate profession. We support full rights for sex workers, including decriminalization, unionization, and an end to trafficking, coercion, and violence.
-Attempts to play “oppression Olympics” and say that one kind of oppression is worse or more acceptable than another are not welcome.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

39. some additions

The purpose of the DU Sexual Minorities group is to provide a safe space for all sexual minorities, including but not limited to the LGBTQI community, asexuals, sex workers, the BDSM community, polyamorous people, and their allies, to discuss the issues pertaining to them. This is a group for sexual minority activists of all stripes to come together and act on causes important to them. This group will attempt to biuld solidarity within sexual minorities to form a more cohesive movement.

About this group:

-This is not a place to discuss the moral “rightness” or “wrongness” of homosexuality, sex work, polyamory, or BDSM. Plenty of other places exist to do that.
-We support marriage equality for all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
-We think that sex work is a legitimate profession. We support full rights for sex workers, including decriminalization, unionization, and an end to trafficking, coercion, and violence.
-Attempts to play “oppression Olympics” and say that one kind of oppression is worse or more acceptable than another are not welcome.
-Please post any activism efforts, community building efforts that you know of nationally an internationally as we do want to train ourselves to be better activists.

(Please feel free to edit)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

41. edits

The purpose of the DU Sexual Minorities group is to provide a safe space for all sexual minorities, including but not limited to the LGBTQI community, asexuals, sex workers, the BDSM community, polyamorous people, and their allies, to discuss the issues pertaining to them. This is a group for sexual minority activists of all stripes to come together and act on causes important to them. This group will attempt to build solidarity within sexual minorities to form a more cohesive movement.

About this group:

-This is not a place to discuss the moral “rightness” or “wrongness” of homosexuality, sex work, polyamory, or BDSM. Plenty of other places exist to do that.
-We support marriage equality for all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
-We think that sex work is a legitimate profession. We support full rights for sex workers, including decriminalization, unionization, and an end to trafficking, coercion, and violence.
-Attempts to play “oppression Olympics” and say that one kind of oppression is worse or more acceptable than another are not welcome.
-Please post any activism efforts, community building efforts that you know of nationally an internationally as we do want to train ourselves to be better activists.

(Please feel free to edit)

[mitchtv]

45. things like this link from my local area?

http://desertnoh8.ning.com/video/got-hope-harvey-milk

[Runcible Spoon]

46. maybe clarify to include nonjudgment RE: pornography in general?

with a caveat rejecting misogynistic works (I'm thinking crap like Girls Gone Wild and the other, worse shit...well use your imagination we know what's out there :evilfrown:) but welcome to civilized discussions about empowerment and protection of actors and workers?

I'm sure this can be included under "sex worker" but I know a lot of people will think that merely refers to prostitution and pornography actors need the same consideration in terms of societal alienation. Not to mention this is probably one of the largest bones of contention with other groups where we are not free to discuss these populations candidly and fairly.

[Eryemil]

48. I think an emphasis on a sex-positive attitude should be specified and maybe...

...a commitment to the promotion of sex education programs and the like?

I also, tentatively, put forth the suggestion of support towards efforts against routine infant circumcision in North America.
I understand I've probably raised a huge shit-storm, considering most posters here from the United States but I am willing to present my case civilly.

There is a growing movement in Western Europe and here in Canada to extend the protections offered to females to male infants. Even the support of campaigns that are attempting to dispel common misconceptions and misinformation would be invaluable however.

I believe genital integrity is a matter of sexual freedom and of individual choice.

[lightningandsnow]

49. I think the sex-positivity and support of sex education thing is a good idea.

However, while I think people could discuss circumcision within the group, I think putting something against it in the mission statement is a bad idea. We don't want to be too restrictive, and people have different opinions about it.

[Eryemil]

51. Very well. I didn't really expect it would be met with much approval

As I said, this is an American board and circumcision is an extremely sensitive subject in the United States.

I do not care for insulting sensibilities but I am reluctant to make a fuss since this was not my idea, I am not even a donating member, being a poor university student. I don't want to tear apart your supporters either before the group has even been formed.


I would however like to be heard on the matter, off the table.

"...and people have different opinions about it."

A lot of people have a lot of different opinions about many different things. Sexual morality being one of them and the reason we are here in the first place.
As I said, I believe that genital integrity is a human rights matter. Both Canada and the United states extend protections to girls (FMG laws) that are not offered to boys.
Here in Canada for example, trauma equivalent to and less severe than circumcision is illegal only when done to females. I believe that this is discrimination.

I believe irreparable body modification and other forms of cosmetic surgery, when performed without a clear medical purpose, are incompatible with our societies.


Either way I'll be a part of this group of yours but I've been an relentless supporter of the "intactivist" movement for a couple of years now. I would feel like a hypocrite if I had not brought this up.
There's a special spot in Tartarus for people that only speak up when it is convenient. :grr:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

56. circumcision is too narrow a subject to mandate in the mission statement

people should be allowed to disagree about it. however its not like we cant discuss it in the group

[Runcible Spoon]

94. What's the status on this?

KICK

[SarahB]

47. Yes.

Absolutely.

[lightningandsnow]

50. Some revisions of the mission statement...

The purpose of the DU Sexual Minorities group is to provide a safe space for all sexual minorities, including but not limited to the LGBTQI community, asexuals, sex workers, the BDSM community, polyamorous people, and their allies, to discuss the issues pertaining to them. This is a group for sexual minority activists of all stripes to come together and act on causes important to them. This group will attempt to build solidarity within sexual minorities to form a more cohesive movement.

About this group:

-We are a sex-positive group. We support all forms of safe, sane and consensual sexual expression.
-This is not a place to discuss the moral “rightness” or “wrongness” of homosexuality, sex work, polyamory, or BDSM. Plenty of other places exist to do that.
-We support marriage equality for all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
-We support comprehensive sex education.
-We think that sex work is a legitimate profession. We support full rights for sex workers, including decriminalization, unionization, and an end to trafficking, coercion, and violence.
-While we disapprove of misogyny and racism in pornography, we believe the people involved in it are to be respected, and that pornography is not an "evil" in of itself.
-Attempts to play “oppression Olympics” and say that one kind of oppression is worse or more acceptable than another are not welcome.
-Please post any activism efforts, community building efforts that you know of nationally an internationally as we do want to train ourselves to be better activists.

(Feel free to edit.)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

57. i like this and will send it up to skinner on monday

[La Lioness Priyanka]

65. just one change in the order

The purpose of the DU Sexual Minorities group is to provide a safe space for all sexual minorities, including but not limited to the LGBTQI community, asexuals, sex workers, the BDSM community, polyamorous people, and their allies, to discuss the issues pertaining to them. This is a group for sexual minority activists of all stripes to come together and act on causes important to them. This group will attempt to build solidarity within sexual minorities to form a more cohesive movement.

About this group:

-This is not a place to discuss the moral “rightness” or “wrongness” of homosexuality, sex work, polyamory, or BDSM. Plenty of other places exist to do that.
-We support marriage equality for all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
-We support comprehensive sex education.
-We think that sex work is a legitimate profession. We support full rights for sex workers, including decriminalization, unionization, and an end to trafficking, coercion, and violence.
-While we disapprove of misogyny and racism in pornography, we believe the people involved in it are to be respected, and that pornography is not an "evil" in of itself.
-Attempts to play “oppression Olympics” and say that one kind of oppression is worse or more acceptable than another are not welcome.
-We are a sex-positive group. We support all forms of safe, sane and consensual sexual expression.
-Please post any activism efforts, community building efforts that you know of nationally and internationally as we do want to train ourselves to be better activists.

[Runcible Spoon]

88. "Attempts to play “oppression Olympics” and say that one kind of oppression is worse or more ...

LOVE THIS! One of my pet peeves on these boards! Thanks for including that.

[Vanje]

55. Very good!

I like it.

[Marrah_G]

64. Good job Lioness!

[TEmperorHasNoClothes]

76. would be helpful!

[enigmatic]

92. I would absolutely support it

It's needed, and I would help in anyway I could.

[arbusto_baboso]

96. As a polyamorous man with a bisexual wife, I would like a forum like that.

[iris27]

97. I'd be in favor of this. n/t