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!
Showing posts with label lgbti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lgbti. Show all posts
Sunday, October 26, 2014
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, 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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)