The Conservative Backlash to Beyoncé’s Super Bowl Show: Objectification and Slut-Shaming Go Hand-in-Hand

But flaunting her sex appeal automatically undermines Beyoncé’s talent and credibility as “role model” for these conservatives. (Just as it did for Freeman, too.) Since there seems to be some sort of superficial agreement between feminists and conservatives that “sexual objectification” is bad, let’s pause for a second to talk about exactly what it is and why it’s bad. For conservatives, it’s generally because of the sex. For feminists, it’s generally because of the objectification. And, importantly, objectification is not about presenting yourself as as sexual being–or even as an object of sexual desire. After all, that is a normal and fairly universal human urge–who doesn’t like to feel attractive sometimes? Objectification is about being dehumanized by being reduced solely to a sex object.

Read the full article at Feministing.

WATCH: Is Gay the New Black?

In a New York Daily News op-ed, John McWhorter says “gay really is the new black,” but can you really compare the two civil rights movements? Not everyone agrees.

Originally posted on HuffPo Live.

Immigration Reform: What Queer & Trans Immigrants & Our Allies Need to Know

Those of us who have been doing immigrants’ rights work have been hearing whispers of it coming along for a few months, and it finally seems to be here: Immigration reform is gearing up to come into full swing, and if we want this to benefit queer and trans folks, we’re going to have to stay on our toes and keep our eyes on the prize. Are you ready for this jelly?

Read more at Crunk Feminist Collective.

Making Black History for Gay Rights

Last spring when President Barack Obama announced his “evolving” support for marriage equality, many conservative groups were confident it would woo black voters to their side and ultimately deliver a death-blow to the president’s reelection bid. They, as is often the case, were certain that President Obama’s words would create a divide in “the black church” and the overall black community. They couldn’t have been more wrong.

More at the Washington Post.

Queer African Women Making History: Namibian Artist Shishani Releases Video for New LGBT Equality Anthem, “Minority”

Award-winning acoustic soul artist, Shishani, has just released the music video for her latest single titled, “Minority”, a catchy, upbeat, acoustic track that calls for freedom and equality for all people despite perceived differences. Shishani got her big break when she performed at the 2011 Namibian Annual Music Awards in the capital city of Windhoek, where it’s still illegal to be gay. And though, she says, she’s made no real attempts to hide her sexuality, she hasn’t come out as an “out lesbian artist” till now. “I wanted people to get to know my music,” she says, “Sexuality doesn’t matter. It’s like pasta — asking if you prefer spaghetti or macaroni. It just doesn’t matter… I’m an artist first, before being a gay artist.”

Check out the interview on the QWOC Media Wire.

Black LGBT Elders Face Isolation

“The majority of gay people aren’t generally partnered, so if you’re living far from your family or estranged from your family, creating networks of care is really important for queer people,” Gomez, who’s African American and Native American, said. For people of color, she added, many “are not hooked into the mainstream. Sometimes it makes it a little more difficult to gain services or knowledge about services.”

Continue reading at the Bay Area Reporter.