I want to become gay Taylor Swift when I grow up. I'd be super rich and I'd have an outlet to express my feelings and confusion.
We're all bored
We're oh so tired of everything
We wait for trains that just aren't coming
We show off our different scarlet letters
Trust me mine is better
We're so young that we're on the road to ruin
We play dumb
But we know exactly what we're doing
We cry tears
Of mascara in the bathroom
Honey life is just a classroom
Cause baby I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me
And every day it's like battle
But every night feels just like a dream
Baby we're the new romantics
Come on, come along with me
Heart break is the national anthem
We sing it proudly
We're too busy dancing
To get knocked off our feet
Baby we're the new romantics
The best people in life are free
Friday, October 31, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Forssa Pride is done for now
So, a week ago we celebrated the 5th Forssa Pride at Bar54. It was the last Forssa Pride I organized, at least for now, since I hope to be anywhere but here by next spring. The First Forssa Pride gathered about 180 party goers, the two after that about 100 a piece and the 4th about 70. So the trend has, unfortunately, been down since we started. Last week there was only 47. I'm super thankful for each and every one of the people who have showed up, but I can't be happy about the 47 people. I'm kind of sad and I feel like a fraud with my "creator and organizer of Forssa Pride" intro on twitter. I know Forssa is a small town and I know not everyone is out, wants to party, likes the location or has the free time, but I had hoped for a bigger crowd. And unfortunately a lot of my friends I had counted on didn't show. But that's life and you just gotta deal.
The good news is that I spoke with one of the owners today and we left things open for more Forssa Prides in the future. And we kind of have a program for it if it materializes. So stay tuned.
In the mean time, the closest LGBTI-parties to Forssa are in Turku, Tampere, Helsinki and Lahti. I'll see you in some of them!
The good news is that I spoke with one of the owners today and we left things open for more Forssa Prides in the future. And we kind of have a program for it if it materializes. So stay tuned.
In the mean time, the closest LGBTI-parties to Forssa are in Turku, Tampere, Helsinki and Lahti. I'll see you in some of them!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Coming full circle
I feel like I may have used that title before, but who cares? I'm in the environmental field and recycling is good for the environment!
If you have been reading my blog since the beginning, or even just for a few years, you know I take my lesbian TV characters seriously, especially Calzona and Brittana. Four years ago, almost to the date, Calzona broke up on Grey's Anatomy. I was devastated as I had just gone through a break up and got attached and involved. It became important to me for them to get back together and I felt that if they would be ok, so would I.
Eventually they got back together and I felt cheated. And I've written about this before. Nothing felt like before. Calzona might have been ok, even if I didn't feel like they were, but I certainly wasn't. Well, I just watched the latest episode of Grey's and lo and behold, Calzona broke up again. Almost four years after the first time. Or the most serious time. My reaction? WTF? Didn't see that coming. But other than that? Fine. I've gained life experience, I've gained wisdom and most importantly, I know that what I see on TV does not necessarily reflect the reality, or my reality at least. And I don't need to escape into the world of TV lesbians anymore.
So why am I writing this reflective piece if I don't care anymore? Because it's my damn blog and I can if I want to!
If you have been reading my blog since the beginning, or even just for a few years, you know I take my lesbian TV characters seriously, especially Calzona and Brittana. Four years ago, almost to the date, Calzona broke up on Grey's Anatomy. I was devastated as I had just gone through a break up and got attached and involved. It became important to me for them to get back together and I felt that if they would be ok, so would I.
Eventually they got back together and I felt cheated. And I've written about this before. Nothing felt like before. Calzona might have been ok, even if I didn't feel like they were, but I certainly wasn't. Well, I just watched the latest episode of Grey's and lo and behold, Calzona broke up again. Almost four years after the first time. Or the most serious time. My reaction? WTF? Didn't see that coming. But other than that? Fine. I've gained life experience, I've gained wisdom and most importantly, I know that what I see on TV does not necessarily reflect the reality, or my reality at least. And I don't need to escape into the world of TV lesbians anymore.
So why am I writing this reflective piece if I don't care anymore? Because it's my damn blog and I can if I want to!
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Speechless…or not.
If there's one thing I love it's the critique from people who do absolutely nothing but sit on their asses and criticize other people or organizations just trying to do a good job. So instead of going off on this person who left a comment on Qruiser sharing Gay Cafe's fall schedule, I'm just going to open up about it here instead.
Her comments paraphrased: 1) Forssa treats it's gays like garbage, tells them that over and over again and that's why Mental health organization is hosting/needs to host Gay Cafe.
2) The typographical setting of the (schedule and info) poster might keep the people away.
First of all, Forssa as a city might not be doing much for its gay citizens but it doesn't differ any from how Finland currently is treating its citizens, and really, which city organizes anything for it's gays? No one, that's who. It's the Seta's of this world, not the cities. Do I wish Forssa and its people were more involved? Absolutely! Do I expect this to change? No.
Secondly, there are homophobes and idiots everywhere. The situation here could be worse, but could also be better. I'm working every day to make it better here, and people like her are not helping. Instead of just criticizing and spreading negativity, how about suggestions for how to improve? I have been able to live openly for many years now without having any negative experiences and so are many others. Teenage years could have been better, but I was in the closet and deep in denial. People around me used homophobic language, I used homophobic language, and that sucks, but I believe me being openly and proudly me, has since then made a difference.
When it comes to Gay Cafe being held at a Mental Health Organization…It's a PRE-VEN-TA-TIVE organization. And where Gay Cafe is held should't matter. What matters that it's here. And from the sound of it, it could have helped her, had we've been here while she was still in Forssa. But anyway…alluding that Gay Cafe should be with a mental health organization because we are crazy makes it sound like LGBTI-people are crazy and now she is just buying into the homophobes' jargon.
Now when it comes to the poster…I am open for her to come and work her magic as a graphic designer and make a poster for us that will bring "all the gays to the yard" and not be so unpleasing to the eye.
The sad reality is that there are very very few LGBTI-advocates and organizers actively doing this right now. Being in a leadership position at a local Seta might mean that it all falls on few people while others just like to party. As we have no Seta in Forssa, it all falls on me. Leading Gay Cafe and organizing Forssa Pride takes dedication and commitment and I have yet to meet people from Forssa who are willing to put in the work to make this a community and to make sure this continues after I'm no longer in Forssa. This fall might be the last few months when any LGBTI-related events happen here and instead of negativity I hope to see some enthusiasm and positivity. Come at me with your suggestions how to do this better. I'm all ears. The floor is yours.
Her comments paraphrased: 1) Forssa treats it's gays like garbage, tells them that over and over again and that's why Mental health organization is hosting/needs to host Gay Cafe.
2) The typographical setting of the (schedule and info) poster might keep the people away.
First of all, Forssa as a city might not be doing much for its gay citizens but it doesn't differ any from how Finland currently is treating its citizens, and really, which city organizes anything for it's gays? No one, that's who. It's the Seta's of this world, not the cities. Do I wish Forssa and its people were more involved? Absolutely! Do I expect this to change? No.
Secondly, there are homophobes and idiots everywhere. The situation here could be worse, but could also be better. I'm working every day to make it better here, and people like her are not helping. Instead of just criticizing and spreading negativity, how about suggestions for how to improve? I have been able to live openly for many years now without having any negative experiences and so are many others. Teenage years could have been better, but I was in the closet and deep in denial. People around me used homophobic language, I used homophobic language, and that sucks, but I believe me being openly and proudly me, has since then made a difference.
When it comes to Gay Cafe being held at a Mental Health Organization…It's a PRE-VEN-TA-TIVE organization. And where Gay Cafe is held should't matter. What matters that it's here. And from the sound of it, it could have helped her, had we've been here while she was still in Forssa. But anyway…alluding that Gay Cafe should be with a mental health organization because we are crazy makes it sound like LGBTI-people are crazy and now she is just buying into the homophobes' jargon.
Now when it comes to the poster…I am open for her to come and work her magic as a graphic designer and make a poster for us that will bring "all the gays to the yard" and not be so unpleasing to the eye.
The sad reality is that there are very very few LGBTI-advocates and organizers actively doing this right now. Being in a leadership position at a local Seta might mean that it all falls on few people while others just like to party. As we have no Seta in Forssa, it all falls on me. Leading Gay Cafe and organizing Forssa Pride takes dedication and commitment and I have yet to meet people from Forssa who are willing to put in the work to make this a community and to make sure this continues after I'm no longer in Forssa. This fall might be the last few months when any LGBTI-related events happen here and instead of negativity I hope to see some enthusiasm and positivity. Come at me with your suggestions how to do this better. I'm all ears. The floor is yours.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Jeppis Pride, oh Jeppis Pride
I know I've said that I will post things from Lahti Pride, and never did, and from Helsinki Pride, and never did, but now I'm wondering is it really relevant anymore? It's been so long…
And there was a new and exciting Pride in Pietarsaari this past weekend, Jeppis Pride, which was just fantastisk! so I'm gonna write about that instead.
I went there with Mikko as his arm candy/helper/map reader. He was there working for Sinuiksi.fi (advice and support service for LGBTI-people, check it out) and had room in his car and I was on a vacation so it worked out perfectly. On top of that, we got to hang out with some of the people from SETA's board, who I don't get to see often, so that was nice. AND, on top of that, they are now being utilized in my quest to find my better half, as are some of the employees, so that's great. Now that led to some hilarious and embarrassing situations, but that's neither here nor there! We clearly didn't think the whole thing trough, as we had to leave on Saturday night to drive home the 4h drive it took to get to Mikko's place. The party on Saturday could have yielded some stories, phone numbers or smoke signals later on, but alas, I was tired. We kept around midnight and got to his place around 3:30am.
We started Thursday with an LGBTIQ-presentation/discussion at summer camp after which we went to Mikko's place, left my car there and hit the road. We left around 8pm and I live tweeted our road trip with the hashtag RoadTripToJeppisPride, which you can find from Instagram and Twitter.
And there was a new and exciting Pride in Pietarsaari this past weekend, Jeppis Pride, which was just fantastisk! so I'm gonna write about that instead.
I went there with Mikko as his arm candy/helper/map reader. He was there working for Sinuiksi.fi (advice and support service for LGBTI-people, check it out) and had room in his car and I was on a vacation so it worked out perfectly. On top of that, we got to hang out with some of the people from SETA's board, who I don't get to see often, so that was nice. AND, on top of that, they are now being utilized in my quest to find my better half, as are some of the employees, so that's great. Now that led to some hilarious and embarrassing situations, but that's neither here nor there! We clearly didn't think the whole thing trough, as we had to leave on Saturday night to drive home the 4h drive it took to get to Mikko's place. The party on Saturday could have yielded some stories, phone numbers or smoke signals later on, but alas, I was tired. We kept around midnight and got to his place around 3:30am.
We started Thursday with an LGBTIQ-presentation/discussion at summer camp after which we went to Mikko's place, left my car there and hit the road. We left around 8pm and I live tweeted our road trip with the hashtag RoadTripToJeppisPride, which you can find from Instagram and Twitter.
Me and Mikko at Prometheus Camp. I went to visit my dads grave beforehand and let me tell you, it felt weird being there in all of my rainbow glory.
The "Sinuiksi/SETA" mobile.
On our way.
Blinding sun.
Route 66 was long! About halfway there.
Rainbow lights welcomed us to our hotel.
Gay Cafe was there too!
Friday was the day for panel discussions and Jeppis Pride was selling merchandise at the high school. I think my new Jeppis Pride shopping back is setting off alarms at stores, but I need to investigate further.
Being truly bilingual Pride, everything was in Swedish and in Finnish.
Our sinuiksi/Seta booth.
Seriously people, check out sinuiksi.fi. Also on twitter @sinuiksi.
Mikko and one of the organizers, Katarina.
Me with a smirk. I come out as a ax murderer in every picture, so don't mind me. I'm "quite ok" in real life and don't even own an ax.
Pietarsaari's mayor Mikael Jacobsson opened the Pride festival. "If even one person leaves here feeling like they are ok the way they are, Jeppis Pride has done its job"
Forssa Pride was also proud.
Right for culture panel discussion. I got some great ideas which I will try to make happen in Forssa in my limited time still here!
Panel discussion on trans issues.
We're already here! Art exhibition opening. After this we had a bite to eat and drinks with some fantastic, awesome people. No pictures were taken, but those people know who they are. I hope!
We finished our evening with a visit to the ocean.
Before the parade started. With someone's finger.
That flag was like a sail and with me having to carry 2 poles I got tired midway through and this gentleman was nice enough and offered to carry it for me.
Awesome rainbow dress. Unfortunately I don't remember her name, but she offered to carry some of the extra material we had with us. Same with few girls from Turku who had decided to come and support the Pride.
From After Eight after the parade.
I probably have not mentioned Sinuiksi-project yet, so you know, do your thing.
Pride organizer Jeanette on stage.
Sara Sundell brought the greetings from SETA to Jeppis Pride. One of those cool peeps I got to hang out with and who was telling me things about Finnish Swedish girls.
Mandatory picture of my iced coffee, with an ice-cream as a mixer.
I want to see Pride flags in Forssa as well. Working on that.
On our way home we came across a UFO.
Anyway, I want to thank Mikko, Sara, Aija, Suvi, Anna, Ulli, Heidi, Rita, Sirkka and all the other amazing and beautiful people I got to meet and hang out with this weekend and especially your willingness to speak Finnish around this language challenged person. I appreciated it! And to Jeppis Pride organizers: You should be really proud of yourselves, that was possibly the Pride event of the year! At least one of the best I've ever attended! Thank you!
(Edit: if we hung out and/or spoke and your name isn't on the list but you recognize yourself from the description, I'm sorry, I suck! Please forgive me?
Edit number 2: I never should have put any names here, I forgot a really obvious one, Jouko!)
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Be still my shipper heart
Let's take a minute from the serious grind of Forssa Pride and Gay Cafe and Seta and human rights stuff and marriage equality and focus on something less serious but still so wonderfull (terrible).
At 33 and a half I'm probably too old to be swooning over fictional teenage lesbian couples and/or characters, and I sort of thought I was over my fixation on Glee and especially Brittana, but it turns out, I'm not. Not having Heather Morris on Glee anymore, and Santana having imaginary off screen girlfriend that we never see, and overall Glee sucking so badly I haven't watched an episode of Glee since before season 4 ended.
Now though, for the 100th episode they brought back all the originals and even gave Brittana a huge storyline and more importantly, a kiss (a hot one), on screen. And they talked about possibly getting back together. And there is no word on whether Heather Morris is ever getting back regularly or even as a guest star so the chances of all of this ending up well are very small.
I know this in my head, my over excited, love-story-loving, happily-ever-after believing heart is another matter. So when they released the video for Valerie I got excited. It even affected my sleep! I couldn't fall asleep last night, was up way past 1am (episode aired at 2am my time) and woke up over an hour before my alarm went off. And the fangirling that's happening on Tumblr? How am I supposed to resist and be a sane adult person?
Why couldn't they give us this when they were both on the show? Why do everything we ever wanted just for it to go away or happen off screen? Why are you doing this to me? WHY?
Wanna know what I'm doing tonight after work? Watching this frigging episode!
At 33 and a half I'm probably too old to be swooning over fictional teenage lesbian couples and/or characters, and I sort of thought I was over my fixation on Glee and especially Brittana, but it turns out, I'm not. Not having Heather Morris on Glee anymore, and Santana having imaginary off screen girlfriend that we never see, and overall Glee sucking so badly I haven't watched an episode of Glee since before season 4 ended.
Now though, for the 100th episode they brought back all the originals and even gave Brittana a huge storyline and more importantly, a kiss (a hot one), on screen. And they talked about possibly getting back together. And there is no word on whether Heather Morris is ever getting back regularly or even as a guest star so the chances of all of this ending up well are very small.
I know this in my head, my over excited, love-story-loving, happily-ever-after believing heart is another matter. So when they released the video for Valerie I got excited. It even affected my sleep! I couldn't fall asleep last night, was up way past 1am (episode aired at 2am my time) and woke up over an hour before my alarm went off. And the fangirling that's happening on Tumblr? How am I supposed to resist and be a sane adult person?
Why couldn't they give us this when they were both on the show? Why do everything we ever wanted just for it to go away or happen off screen? Why are you doing this to me? WHY?
Wanna know what I'm doing tonight after work? Watching this frigging episode!
Friday, March 7, 2014
Transportation to Forssa Pride from Tampere (and Hämeenlinna)
Signal boost! Pirkanmaan Seta is trying to organize a bus transportation to Forssa Pride if there are enough people interested. So if you are from Tampere or Hämeenlinna, contact taloudenhoitaja at pirkanmaanseta.fi to get the details. Cost of trip is still up in the air, depends on how many is coming. Pirkanmaan Seta might sponsor some of it.
Seriously, as much as I'd like for you to stay around and read my blog, please go write that e-mail and I'll see you next Friday, here at Forssa!
Seriously, as much as I'd like for you to stay around and read my blog, please go write that e-mail and I'll see you next Friday, here at Forssa!
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Time for the crazies to come out
Or as we like to call them, 1/5 of the Finnish parliament. The citizen's initiative on marriage equality in Finland was debated for the first time in the Finnish parliament last Thursday, before it was sent to the law committee. As you can imagine, there was a lively debate on the merits of the initiative and how it is going to ruin the society as we know it. Basic Finns were at their best coming up with the usual polygamy claims, as well as "that's how its always been". One of the most bizarre arguments was a guy saying that next in the name of equality, the changing rooms at swimming halls will be unisex, because that's equality. How sam sex love results in lesbians wanting to change in front of straight men is beyond me, but that's what's coming if I can get married.
Speaking of marriage and love and all that good stuff, I finally, after lots of coercion from my cheerleaders, changed my profile on Qruiser. Before I was just looking for friends, now I'm open for more. My cheerleaders have both found their significant others through Qruiser, and if 2 people whose opinion I appreciate tells me it might be worth it, I should listen to them, right? I was against it because you really don't know where you'll end up if you meet someone through the internet, and what would my profile say? Lazy lez cat lady looking for love? Also, I would prefer to meet someone organically via mutual friends or through all this SETA stuff I'm doing, but I guess beggars can't be choosers and it's not like Forssa region is a big juicy open hunting ground where lesbians frolic just waiting to meet me. So here's roughly what it says there (in Finnish of course):
Looking for: a long term companion to drink coffee with
You: Have a sarcastic sense of humor, like cats and are not allergic to them. No requirements as far as appearances go because sense of humor cannot be seen from outside. Also would prefer if you were in southern Finland.
Me: An introvert, quiet and have a sarcastic sense of humor. A cat lover, fan fiction reader and a fanatic )advocate of lgbti rights. Lazy gym goer, sports fanatic, SETA advocate. Organizer of gay pride parties and leader of an lgbti support group. Addicted to social media. I like to belt out my favorite songs off key in my car. Set in my ways old maid. I'd like to do all sorts of things, but it's not always fun alone.
Favorite show: criminal minds. I love to hate on Glee. Fanatical and critical of the lez/bi couples and characters on TV.
Now if that doesn't bring all the ladies in my yard, then I don't know what will! Now seriously though, doesn't that just scream perfect wife and partner material?
One of these days I'll post pictures from Lahti Pride, but today is not that day. I'll see you next time!
Speaking of marriage and love and all that good stuff, I finally, after lots of coercion from my cheerleaders, changed my profile on Qruiser. Before I was just looking for friends, now I'm open for more. My cheerleaders have both found their significant others through Qruiser, and if 2 people whose opinion I appreciate tells me it might be worth it, I should listen to them, right? I was against it because you really don't know where you'll end up if you meet someone through the internet, and what would my profile say? Lazy lez cat lady looking for love? Also, I would prefer to meet someone organically via mutual friends or through all this SETA stuff I'm doing, but I guess beggars can't be choosers and it's not like Forssa region is a big juicy open hunting ground where lesbians frolic just waiting to meet me. So here's roughly what it says there (in Finnish of course):
Looking for: a long term companion to drink coffee with
You: Have a sarcastic sense of humor, like cats and are not allergic to them. No requirements as far as appearances go because sense of humor cannot be seen from outside. Also would prefer if you were in southern Finland.
Me: An introvert, quiet and have a sarcastic sense of humor. A cat lover, fan fiction reader and a fanatic )advocate of lgbti rights. Lazy gym goer, sports fanatic, SETA advocate. Organizer of gay pride parties and leader of an lgbti support group. Addicted to social media. I like to belt out my favorite songs off key in my car. Set in my ways old maid. I'd like to do all sorts of things, but it's not always fun alone.
Favorite show: criminal minds. I love to hate on Glee. Fanatical and critical of the lez/bi couples and characters on TV.
Now if that doesn't bring all the ladies in my yard, then I don't know what will! Now seriously though, doesn't that just scream perfect wife and partner material?
One of these days I'll post pictures from Lahti Pride, but today is not that day. I'll see you next time!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Forssa Pride Party 4
The new poster is finished! Forssa Pride party vol.4 will be on March 14th at Bar 54! See you there
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Pride and proud
Well, 2014 started off with a bang! Last Friday's Gay Gala will be followed with this weekend's Lahti Pride. And today I found out that one of those great things I expected to happen this year, happened. I got an e-mail from the secretary general of Seta today telling me I was one of the chosen ones for Seta's international Affairs committee. We have our first meeting of the year next Wednesday in Helsinki. So yay! Thanks for trusting me.
To go back to my last post, I realize that it might have sounded a little like I expected to be nominated and to win, which was not what I meant at all. It was more in regards to the TV and movie categories and the fact that Finnish TV doesn't have other shows or characters than the gay couple on Salatut Elämät, and that from the 4 nominated in the movie category, 2 of them were by LGBT people and about LGBT issues. I hadn't seen any of them, but I don't think the 2 Peter Franzen led movies were LGBT? I might be wrong though, I rarely watch Finnish TV or movies so I don't really know much about them.
There are plenty of LGBT people working in TV and movies and other arts related industries in Finland, and I felt like they should be celebrated instead of nominating all those straight made shows/movies. But, if we don't know about them, or their projects, it's difficult to nominate them. And there are plenty of locally important projects and people working in LGBT advocacy, but they are not as seen or heard as much as for example Tahdon 2013 campaign, which has succeeded really well in getting into people's hearts and heads and homes. Last year was clearly Tahdon 2013 campaigns, there's no doubt about it.
As an introvert I'm really out of my comfort zone in going to events by myself. I need someone to go with me and if these events weren't important places to be seen and to network in the LGBT community, and if I didn't know that there are going to be friendly faces there, I probably would have stayed at home last Friday and I wouldn't be going to Lahti Pride by myself! And the city of Lahti is totally foreign to me so this is doubly scary! I was gonna drive, but if the snow storm is gonna be bad on Saturday, I might just take the bus, even if it's super expensive. But this is FIRST. EVER. Lahti Pride and it's organized by a friend of mine, so it's important to participate. Hopefully I'll see you there!
To go back to my last post, I realize that it might have sounded a little like I expected to be nominated and to win, which was not what I meant at all. It was more in regards to the TV and movie categories and the fact that Finnish TV doesn't have other shows or characters than the gay couple on Salatut Elämät, and that from the 4 nominated in the movie category, 2 of them were by LGBT people and about LGBT issues. I hadn't seen any of them, but I don't think the 2 Peter Franzen led movies were LGBT? I might be wrong though, I rarely watch Finnish TV or movies so I don't really know much about them.
There are plenty of LGBT people working in TV and movies and other arts related industries in Finland, and I felt like they should be celebrated instead of nominating all those straight made shows/movies. But, if we don't know about them, or their projects, it's difficult to nominate them. And there are plenty of locally important projects and people working in LGBT advocacy, but they are not as seen or heard as much as for example Tahdon 2013 campaign, which has succeeded really well in getting into people's hearts and heads and homes. Last year was clearly Tahdon 2013 campaigns, there's no doubt about it.
As an introvert I'm really out of my comfort zone in going to events by myself. I need someone to go with me and if these events weren't important places to be seen and to network in the LGBT community, and if I didn't know that there are going to be friendly faces there, I probably would have stayed at home last Friday and I wouldn't be going to Lahti Pride by myself! And the city of Lahti is totally foreign to me so this is doubly scary! I was gonna drive, but if the snow storm is gonna be bad on Saturday, I might just take the bus, even if it's super expensive. But this is FIRST. EVER. Lahti Pride and it's organized by a friend of mine, so it's important to participate. Hopefully I'll see you there!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Qx Gay Gaala 2014: Otherness and us vs. them
For the first time ever, a gay gala was held in Finland to celebrate last year's top queer happenings, people and allies in Finland. I'm not going to lie, in the back of my mind I was hoping to get a nomination for the things I'm doing in Forssa. Had I been nominated, I would have gone, no doubt. Since I wasn't, I didn't make any plans, until 2 weeks ago when I got a personal invitation for me +one to attend. I was shocked. I was ecstatic. And I was proud. A lot of the celebrity lgbt-people I know from Finland weren't, so this was an honor.
I spent the night with Seta folks and we had fun. I spoke with some of them about the gala, the nominees, the winners and overall experience. I spoke with Seta chairperson, J-P and watched him talk with a lot of different people during the night. He's well-spoken, knowledgable, very gracious, poltically correct and really good with people (and his good looks don't hurt). Truly a wonderful spokesperson for Seta and the LGBT community in Finland. I aspire to be more like him with my pc'ness.
Now don't get me wrong, I really like Krista Kosonen. I think she's funny and she's obviously gorgeous, but I wish they had had somebody from the community to host the gala. Overall, there was too much straightness being celebrated. Since there really isn't a queer TV or movie industry in Finland, I don't think those categories need to be present at this time, or they should only include tv shows and movies with an LGBT representation or which are made by LGBT people. I think Krista Siegfried was nominated in almost every category except gay of the year, or so it seemed. And she has done a lot for the gay visibility in Finland and in the world as a straight ally kissing girls on stage, but still, there are more deserving gay people out there doing things that aren't necessarily as visible, but make a difference nonetheless.
As a night celebrating the gay community, there was way too much otherness and words such as "weird" and "different" and "normal" being thrown around. Can't we all just be people, unique in our own way, without bringing the straight vs. gay, us vs. them into the conversation? The one night where we can just be us, be fabulous and celebrate it, had to turn political as well. We have pride parades for political statements, we have Seta advocating for our rights, we have Tahdon 2013 citizen's initiative for marriage equality, do we need to bring pope and religion and Päivi Räsänen and laws into the discussion? There was no need for comparisons, and no need for the straight folks to emphasize their straightness. We should have enough celesbians and gays and bi's and trans* people in Finland to occupy this event. Even the most aware and open straight allies cannot really grasp the concept of being lgbt and that was painfully obvious with some of them yesterday.
I think Krista K. over-empasized her straightness and saying that she tried being bi was in a way an insult to the bisexuals. They get a lot of hate and questions about their sexuality and hear how they are just confused and media does a lot of bi-erasure as well, so having someone basically confirm that you can choose your sexuality can do a lot of harm. Acceptance of bisexuality as a valid sexual orientation has a long way to go still and this was not helping the cause.
And then there were the few occasions where the drag queens gave speeches that was subpar. Cristal Snow singled out a drag queen who had told her back in the day that she'd never make it in the business and look at her now…No need to be mean, just thank everyone, celebrate your win and move on, or if you have to say something, do it privately.
It's ok to be you and I like you, but I'm not like you. That was the feeling I left with and that's why I don't think the evening was 100% a success.
I spent the night with Seta folks and we had fun. I spoke with some of them about the gala, the nominees, the winners and overall experience. I spoke with Seta chairperson, J-P and watched him talk with a lot of different people during the night. He's well-spoken, knowledgable, very gracious, poltically correct and really good with people (and his good looks don't hurt). Truly a wonderful spokesperson for Seta and the LGBT community in Finland. I aspire to be more like him with my pc'ness.
Now don't get me wrong, I really like Krista Kosonen. I think she's funny and she's obviously gorgeous, but I wish they had had somebody from the community to host the gala. Overall, there was too much straightness being celebrated. Since there really isn't a queer TV or movie industry in Finland, I don't think those categories need to be present at this time, or they should only include tv shows and movies with an LGBT representation or which are made by LGBT people. I think Krista Siegfried was nominated in almost every category except gay of the year, or so it seemed. And she has done a lot for the gay visibility in Finland and in the world as a straight ally kissing girls on stage, but still, there are more deserving gay people out there doing things that aren't necessarily as visible, but make a difference nonetheless.
As a night celebrating the gay community, there was way too much otherness and words such as "weird" and "different" and "normal" being thrown around. Can't we all just be people, unique in our own way, without bringing the straight vs. gay, us vs. them into the conversation? The one night where we can just be us, be fabulous and celebrate it, had to turn political as well. We have pride parades for political statements, we have Seta advocating for our rights, we have Tahdon 2013 citizen's initiative for marriage equality, do we need to bring pope and religion and Päivi Räsänen and laws into the discussion? There was no need for comparisons, and no need for the straight folks to emphasize their straightness. We should have enough celesbians and gays and bi's and trans* people in Finland to occupy this event. Even the most aware and open straight allies cannot really grasp the concept of being lgbt and that was painfully obvious with some of them yesterday.
I think Krista K. over-empasized her straightness and saying that she tried being bi was in a way an insult to the bisexuals. They get a lot of hate and questions about their sexuality and hear how they are just confused and media does a lot of bi-erasure as well, so having someone basically confirm that you can choose your sexuality can do a lot of harm. Acceptance of bisexuality as a valid sexual orientation has a long way to go still and this was not helping the cause.
And then there were the few occasions where the drag queens gave speeches that was subpar. Cristal Snow singled out a drag queen who had told her back in the day that she'd never make it in the business and look at her now…No need to be mean, just thank everyone, celebrate your win and move on, or if you have to say something, do it privately.
It's ok to be you and I like you, but I'm not like you. That was the feeling I left with and that's why I don't think the evening was 100% a success.
Monday, January 13, 2014
It's been 84 years
You know, as a single entity, last year was probably the best of my life so far. And it includes not getting the things I really wanted, not being voted for positions I really wanted, remaining single and not winning the lottery, but still an amazing year and I'm pretty sure this new one is going to top it.
In my last post I talked about putting myself out there for the board member position at Seta. As you can see from my lack of "yeah, I got it"-posts, I wasn't chosen. I was one vote short of a re-vote for the alternate position and 4 short from a direct place in the board. After that I nominated myself for a board member position at Pirkanmaan Seta and was turned down again! But, the weekend at the annual general meeting for Seta was truly amazing and I was able to network with people and made some great connections. I'm sure that many of them and the ideas we talked about during and after will materialize somehow. And the best part is, I now know all the board members so I can complain directly to them when I see something Seta needs to address.
Being the only lesbian in the village can be rough sometimes. It's so energizing when you can bounce your ideas off from someone and that's what that weekend gave me. Being a humans right advocate can be really stressful and tiring sometimes, but being able to share your experiences and getting ideas from others who might be going through the same thing is great. It was like a one giant peer support group and in between we made some decisions about the direction where Seta is taking its human rights advocacy for the next few years.
What's best is the recognition I got from my peers for the job I've done and am doing in Forssa right now. I've talked about feedback before and there really isn't anything better as far as validation goes than when your application to something important is answered with "YES! I was wondering if you'd apply for this". Having people believe in you, especially when the environment surrounding you isn't really showing it in so many words is what makes this worth it. Having new people coming in for Gay Cafe is great too. Building this community isn't gonna happen overnight and it takes a lot of patience which I don't always have, but I believe in what I'm doing so as long as people keep showing up for Gay Cafe and Forssa Pride, I'll keep doing it.
Speaking of Forssa Pride, we have a date for Forssa Pride 4! March 14th, 2014! It'll be in partnership with Qruiser, which is sending us those naughty stickers again and gave us gold memberships to raffle. Come alone or bring friends, it should be fun! I'm also one of the people updating this blog, so Forssa Pride is really going places!
Gay Cafe is participating in Lahti Pride! I'm so excited about this! I know some of the organizers and I'm sure it's going to be fabulous! Gay Cafe is doing the parade as well as after party. I really wanted to see the movie and hear the panel discussions on Friday as well, but financial situations are such that it's only going to be Saturday for us.
I have a really exciting project coming up, or it was tentatively proposed to me. If it's going to happen, watch out! Can't say anything yet, because nothing's for certain, but I'm really excited about it and I hope I'll be able to participate!
Come say hi if you're at Lahti Pride!
In my last post I talked about putting myself out there for the board member position at Seta. As you can see from my lack of "yeah, I got it"-posts, I wasn't chosen. I was one vote short of a re-vote for the alternate position and 4 short from a direct place in the board. After that I nominated myself for a board member position at Pirkanmaan Seta and was turned down again! But, the weekend at the annual general meeting for Seta was truly amazing and I was able to network with people and made some great connections. I'm sure that many of them and the ideas we talked about during and after will materialize somehow. And the best part is, I now know all the board members so I can complain directly to them when I see something Seta needs to address.
Being the only lesbian in the village can be rough sometimes. It's so energizing when you can bounce your ideas off from someone and that's what that weekend gave me. Being a humans right advocate can be really stressful and tiring sometimes, but being able to share your experiences and getting ideas from others who might be going through the same thing is great. It was like a one giant peer support group and in between we made some decisions about the direction where Seta is taking its human rights advocacy for the next few years.
What's best is the recognition I got from my peers for the job I've done and am doing in Forssa right now. I've talked about feedback before and there really isn't anything better as far as validation goes than when your application to something important is answered with "YES! I was wondering if you'd apply for this". Having people believe in you, especially when the environment surrounding you isn't really showing it in so many words is what makes this worth it. Having new people coming in for Gay Cafe is great too. Building this community isn't gonna happen overnight and it takes a lot of patience which I don't always have, but I believe in what I'm doing so as long as people keep showing up for Gay Cafe and Forssa Pride, I'll keep doing it.
Speaking of Forssa Pride, we have a date for Forssa Pride 4! March 14th, 2014! It'll be in partnership with Qruiser, which is sending us those naughty stickers again and gave us gold memberships to raffle. Come alone or bring friends, it should be fun! I'm also one of the people updating this blog, so Forssa Pride is really going places!
Gay Cafe is participating in Lahti Pride! I'm so excited about this! I know some of the organizers and I'm sure it's going to be fabulous! Gay Cafe is doing the parade as well as after party. I really wanted to see the movie and hear the panel discussions on Friday as well, but financial situations are such that it's only going to be Saturday for us.
I have a really exciting project coming up, or it was tentatively proposed to me. If it's going to happen, watch out! Can't say anything yet, because nothing's for certain, but I'm really excited about it and I hope I'll be able to participate!
Come say hi if you're at Lahti Pride!
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