Speech (2015)
I know that there are some of you, who, the minute I say “LGBTQA rights” or, more accurately, “equal rights” will roll your eyes and sigh and think “Not this again. I’ve already heard this.” But truth is, quite a few of you probably haven’t heard this, and most of you haven’t heard it enough. We (ACLC) live in one of the most diverse places in the world. Yet a fair few of us have no idea what “LGBTQA” stands for, even though it is relevant to people worldwide and the people we meet every day.
For future reference, the acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Asexual. Lesbian refers to people who identify as female and are attracted to others who identify as female. Gay refers to people who identify as male and are attracted to others who identify as male. Bisexual refers to someone of any gender who is attracted to two genders. Transgender refers to someone who identifies as a gender other than their physical gender. Queer refers to someone who identifies as something other than male or female. Asexual refers to someone who doesn’t experience romantic and/or sexual attraction. There are many more sexualities and gender identities other than these that fall into this group, such as Pansexual, which refers to attraction to all genders. Queer is sometimes used as an umbrella term.
Most of you may not know this because it is something that’s not talked about as much as it should be. Sexuality and gender identity should be taught about in Sex Ed. People shouldn’t feel pressured to hide who they are. If someone identifies a certain way, their identity is real and valid. Sadly, people do feel pressured to hide themselves. There are still people who mock or try to invalidate people’s sexualities and gender identities. Some people tell others they can’t identify the way they do because their identity is not in the acronym. 4 in 10 LGBT youth say their community is not accepting of LGBT people. “The enemy is not individuals, churches, 'ex-gay' organisations or political parties; the enemy is ignorance. We overcome by focusing on changing the latter not attacking the former.” ― Anthony Venn-Brown, A Life of Unlearning - a preacher's struggle with his homosexuality, church and faith. We can fix this. I think everyone can be more accepting of the people around them very easily. Stop assuming everyone is straight unless you hear otherwise. When you meet someone, ask their preferred gender pronoun. Stand up for people when others try to stop them from being who they are. Stand up for yourself. “The beauty of standing up for your rights is others will see you standing and stand up as well.” ― Cassandra Duffy
Support your friends. 75% of LGBT youth say most of their friends don’t have a problem with their LGBT identity. 77% of LGBT youth say they know things will get better. “Remember, the change you want to see in the world, and in your school, begins with you.” ― Joseph Clementi
I know that there are some of you, who, the minute I say “LGBTQA rights” or, more accurately, “equal rights” will roll your eyes and sigh and think “Not this again. I’ve already heard this.” But truth is, quite a few of you probably haven’t heard this, and most of you haven’t heard it enough. We (ACLC) live in one of the most diverse places in the world. Yet a fair few of us have no idea what “LGBTQA” stands for, even though it is relevant to people worldwide and the people we meet every day.
For future reference, the acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Asexual. Lesbian refers to people who identify as female and are attracted to others who identify as female. Gay refers to people who identify as male and are attracted to others who identify as male. Bisexual refers to someone of any gender who is attracted to two genders. Transgender refers to someone who identifies as a gender other than their physical gender. Queer refers to someone who identifies as something other than male or female. Asexual refers to someone who doesn’t experience romantic and/or sexual attraction. There are many more sexualities and gender identities other than these that fall into this group, such as Pansexual, which refers to attraction to all genders. Queer is sometimes used as an umbrella term.
Most of you may not know this because it is something that’s not talked about as much as it should be. Sexuality and gender identity should be taught about in Sex Ed. People shouldn’t feel pressured to hide who they are. If someone identifies a certain way, their identity is real and valid. Sadly, people do feel pressured to hide themselves. There are still people who mock or try to invalidate people’s sexualities and gender identities. Some people tell others they can’t identify the way they do because their identity is not in the acronym. 4 in 10 LGBT youth say their community is not accepting of LGBT people. “The enemy is not individuals, churches, 'ex-gay' organisations or political parties; the enemy is ignorance. We overcome by focusing on changing the latter not attacking the former.” ― Anthony Venn-Brown, A Life of Unlearning - a preacher's struggle with his homosexuality, church and faith. We can fix this. I think everyone can be more accepting of the people around them very easily. Stop assuming everyone is straight unless you hear otherwise. When you meet someone, ask their preferred gender pronoun. Stand up for people when others try to stop them from being who they are. Stand up for yourself. “The beauty of standing up for your rights is others will see you standing and stand up as well.” ― Cassandra Duffy
Support your friends. 75% of LGBT youth say most of their friends don’t have a problem with their LGBT identity. 77% of LGBT youth say they know things will get better. “Remember, the change you want to see in the world, and in your school, begins with you.” ― Joseph Clementi
News Poem (2016)
Pigeon Heist
A Florida night like any other
A thief slips in unnoticed
Under the guise
Of bucket and trash bag.
Little does he know
Of the security cameras watching him.
Along with him,
40 pigeons disappear into the night.
40 pigeons worth $7000.
Second time in six months,
Is there a pigeon black market?
$7000.
A Florida night like any other
A thief slips in unnoticed
Under the guise
Of bucket and trash bag.
Little does he know
Of the security cameras watching him.
Along with him,
40 pigeons disappear into the night.
40 pigeons worth $7000.
Second time in six months,
Is there a pigeon black market?
$7000.
Sci-Fi Review (2016)
Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows returns readers to Leigh Bardugo’s world of the Grisha, this time in the city of Ketterdam. Kaz Brekker, a young criminal known as Dirtyhands, is offered a job too good to refuse. He assembles the team of misfits he needs to pull off the job, past acquaintances as skilled as he is: Inej, known as the Wraith, who uses her incredible acrobatic ability to spy for Kaz; Nina, a Grisha with the ability to kill or heal without ever touching a person; Matthias, a former Grisha hunter who has a complicated relationship with Nina; Jesper, a sharpshooter with a love for gambling and bad luck with cards; and Wylan, a privileged boy with a talent for demo.
Fans of Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy and readers new to the universe will love this captivating return to the world of the Grisha, with its diverse cast of characters and its immersive plot. It is well written, and perfect for the target audience of young adult readers. Six of Crows is a refreshing take on the YA sci-fi/fantasy genre.
Readers will be fascinated by the Grisha, people who study the Small Science, the ability to manipulate natural elements of the world around them. Fans of Bardugo will pick up on references to characters from her other books, though new readers may be confused by mentions of other characters.
Six of Crows is a wonderful addition to Bardugo’s Grishaverse that will captivate readers of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse cast of characters they can relate to and a plot that is both gripping and entertaining. Readers will find themselves lost in the streets of Ketterdam and eagerly awaiting the next book.
Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Six of Crows returns readers to Leigh Bardugo’s world of the Grisha, this time in the city of Ketterdam. Kaz Brekker, a young criminal known as Dirtyhands, is offered a job too good to refuse. He assembles the team of misfits he needs to pull off the job, past acquaintances as skilled as he is: Inej, known as the Wraith, who uses her incredible acrobatic ability to spy for Kaz; Nina, a Grisha with the ability to kill or heal without ever touching a person; Matthias, a former Grisha hunter who has a complicated relationship with Nina; Jesper, a sharpshooter with a love for gambling and bad luck with cards; and Wylan, a privileged boy with a talent for demo.
Fans of Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy and readers new to the universe will love this captivating return to the world of the Grisha, with its diverse cast of characters and its immersive plot. It is well written, and perfect for the target audience of young adult readers. Six of Crows is a refreshing take on the YA sci-fi/fantasy genre.
Readers will be fascinated by the Grisha, people who study the Small Science, the ability to manipulate natural elements of the world around them. Fans of Bardugo will pick up on references to characters from her other books, though new readers may be confused by mentions of other characters.
Six of Crows is a wonderful addition to Bardugo’s Grishaverse that will captivate readers of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse cast of characters they can relate to and a plot that is both gripping and entertaining. Readers will find themselves lost in the streets of Ketterdam and eagerly awaiting the next book.