FAQs

(more coming soon)

  • What is YOUR sexual orientation?

Personally, I identify as ‘queer’ since it, to me, is a more inclusive term. I am a trans* man who just so happens to be attracted to all sexes, genders, and orientations.

  • What is your gender identity?

I am a female-to-male trans* man.

  • You identify as ‘queer’. So who/what are you attracted to?
As a queer trans* man, I generally find myself attracted to all people - regardless of their sex, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Like everyone else, I have some preferences, though; such as: women and trans* individuals like myself.
Please note that not all people who identify as queer have this take on the word ‘queer’. This is not how all queers identify. This is just how I personally identify and explain my sexual orientation/preferences.
  • Why do you choose to use the word ‘queer’? Isn’t it “queer” an insult?

While some people use the word ‘queer’ as an insult, to others it is worn with pride. To me, ‘queer’ is a more inclusive way of describing my sexual orientation. To others like myself, we are taking the word back and reclaiming it in a non-insulting manner in order to take away others’ power to hurt our community.

However, since the word may be deemed offensive to some, you should always ask what peoples’ preferences are before you call them such.

  • Since some people are offended by the word ‘queer’, why don’t you call your blog something else? Why not Project LGBTQ or something like that?

Well, while I understand why someone would take offence to the use of the word ‘queer’, it simply is not being used in an offensive way here. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Project Queer is one of the many groups who are promoting and reclaiming the word ‘queer’ in a positive light. To Project Queer, the word ‘queer’ is being reclaimed with pride and power.

Besides that, for me ‘queer’ is a more inclusive term that can include a person’s gender identity, sexuality, and sexual orientation.

  • It says that Project Queer is body-positive and sex-positive. What does that mean?

Being body/sex-positive means that Project Queer does not shame anyone based on how they look or express their sexuality. As part of this, Project Queer promotes body-positivity - welcoming people of all genders, colours, shapes, sizes, and styles. Project Queer also promotes safe sex education, human rights news, education about sex work, and much more on these topics.

As a fellow human being, I promote equality for all. What you do with your body is YOUR business. I am against body-shaming and slut-shaming, and I refuse to promote these things on my blog. When discussing such things, I will try my best to include trigger warnings for more triggering discussions.

  • What is the difference between bisexuality and pansexuality?

Bisexuality: is the attraction to two different sexes and/or gender identities. Bi = two. Often times, people mistake bisexuality as simply being attracted to both males and females, but this is not the case for everyone. Bisexuals can be attracted to non-binary folks as well - such as: intersex, androgynous, transgender, two-spirit, or gender queer folks.

Pansexuality: is the attraction to people of all genders, gender identities, sexes, and sexual orientations. Pan = all.

  • [Insert personal story here]. So what is my sexual orientation?

Lately, I have been receiving many questions where people tell me a little about themselves and/or their personal lives and then expect me to tell them what their sexual orientation is. This simply cannot be done, folks. Your sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity are things that you must come to terms with yourself.

Sure, perhaps I can point you in the right direction when I offer you resources regarding different sexual orientations, gender identities, etc. but that is the extent of what I can do in this regard. Finding your true identity is completely up to you otherwise.

Always remember: No one has the right to tell you who you are, how you should identify, or what you are into - including me.

  • What are some of your personal stances? You never really include personal comments on Project Queer.

The reason that I do not include my personal stances most of the time is because Project Queer is for everyone - not just for me. It is a blog created to educate others and promote equality - not my personal opinions.

If you would like to read about some personal stances of mine, please check out my personal blog or inquire there: http://www.solemnhypnotik.tumblr.com

  • In the meantime, here are some topics that people commonly ask opinions for:
    ABORTION: FOR
    CAPITALISM: AGAINST
    CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: AGAINST
    DON’T ASK DON’T TELL: AGAINST
    ENDA: FOR
    FOREIGN AID: FOR
    GUN CONTROL: FOR
    MARIJUANA LEGALISATION: FOR
    MARRIAGE EQUALITY: FOR (but I do not believe in the state-sanctioned institution of marriage)
    IMMIGRATION RIGHTS/EQUALITY: FOR
    ORGANISED RELIGION: AGAINST
    PLANNED PARENTHOOD: FOR
    PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: AGAINST
    PROSTITUTION/SEX WORK: FOR
    RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: FOR
    SAME-SEX ADOPTION: FOR
    SEX EDUCATION: FOR
    STATISM: AGAINST
    TORTURE TACTICS: AGAINST
    UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE: FOR
    WAR: AGAINST
    WORKPLACE RIGHTS: FOR

    If you inquire about the above topics at my personal blog, I can provide more in-depth reasons I am for or against them.
  • What is the Day of Silence?

The Day of Silence is a project started by GLSEN to help combat anti-LGBTQ+ bullying.

More information can be found here.

  • What is Ally Week?

Ally Week is an anti-bullying event that has been created and organised by GLSEN to help prevent bullying and other forms of harassment in schools and communities.

For more information, check out: http://www.allyweek.org/about/index.cfm

  • What is International Transgender* Day of Remembrance?

International Trans* Day of Remembrance is an event that takes place annually on November 20th in order to promote transgender* awareness and honour those who have fallen due to anti-trans* hate. Throughout the world, many organisations, groups, and other communities organise events in their area to show respect for those who have been killed by anti-trans* discrimination.

  • What does the word “lambda” mean? 

During the Stonewall riots in the early 1970s, the Greek letter (lambda) was selected as an emblem for many lgbtq+ rights organisations. The community embraced the symbol as they fought against anti-gay politicians, police, and workplace discrimination. Today such organisations as Lambda Legal still use the symbol.

  • Why is an inverted pink triangle considered a symbol of queer rights?

The inverted pink triangle was first put to use in Nazi death camps during World War II. This symbol was used to distinguish gay men amongst the crowds of people - just like the yellow star of David was used to distinguish Jews. Women perceived as lesbians, sex-workers, and/or feminists wore an inverted black triangle. The queer movement has since adopted these symbols in order to turn these symbols of degradation and hardship into ones of pride and power.

  • How and when did the rainbow flag become a LGBTQ+ symbol?

In 1978, a man named Gilbert Baker answered a request by the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade which asked for a symbol to represent their parade every year. Baker proposed the idea of a rainbow flag as that very symbol. Ever since, the rainbow flag continues to be an active symbol within the queer community worldwide - and has eventually led to other flags for particular sexual orientations within the queer spectrum. 

  • Why do you add an asterisk after the word trans? Or transgender?

The asterisk is used to be more inclusive of non-binary identities. The term ‘transgender’ is an umbrella term - which means that it includes more than one gender identity. When the asterisk is used, it includes: transgender, genderqueer, androgynous, intersex, two-spirit, and otherwise genderfluid folks.

  • Why do some blogs put an asterisk after LGBTQ?

This is something that I have only started seeing recently (2011). I believe that the asterisk is used to be more inclusive and to remind people that there are more sexual orientations/gender identities than just ‘LGBTQ‘. I also believe that some people prefer to add the asterisk instead of typing out LGBTQIPAA, etc.

By putting the asterisk after the ‘Q’ in LGBTQ, it reminds people that we are a community of not only lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning people, but also: asexual, pansexual, intersex, two-spirit, androgynous, straight allies, and genderqueer people, etc.

  • What are trigger warnings? What is the purpose of them?

*TRIGGER WARNING: use of the words: rape, suicide, self-harm, anorexia

Trigger warnings are warnings (usually posted at the top of posts - like above) that are used to warn people of potentially triggering and/or sensitive/controversial material. There are some discussions, videos, photos, etc. that may cause some people to be negatively triggered emotionally.

For example, discussions of rape may be triggering for victims of rape. Other triggering topics include (but are not limited to): dysphoria, anorexia, heterosexism, cissexism, hate crimes, suicide, self-harm, excessive swearing, etc.

Basically, trigger warnings warn the reader/viewer of sensitive topics prior to them finding out for themselves. It lets people with these issues prepare to read, watch, or avoid them.

TRIGGER WARNINGS = TW

  • (TW: gay slur) What is the true origin of the word ‘faggot’?

Please check out the following link in regards to this question: http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/pwh/faggot.txt

  • Can “conversion therapy” or ex-gay therapy change a person’s sexual orientation?

NO. There are currently NO accredited psychological institutions that support this theory. All of the institutions that are supportive of this theory rely solely on faith - not science. The fact of the matter is that homosexuality is NOT an illness nor is it something that one can change. The American Psychiatric Association (as well as the American Psychological Association) has stated so since 1973 when it removed homosexuality from the official DSM manual that lists mental disorders.

For questions involving LGBTQ+ history, check out:

For questions involving LGBTQ+ families, check out:

For questions involving LGBTQ+ students, check out:

For questions involving LGBTQ+ health, check out:

For questions involving the LGBTQ+ community and religion, check out:

For questions about LGBTQ+ terminology, check out:

For more resources on the LGBTQ+ community, check out:

For questions involving music in the LGBTQ+ community, check out:

For questions regarding films involving the LGBTQ+ community, check out:

NOTE: This FAQs page is by no means comprehensive and thus will be ever-changing.

If you have something you would like to add, please contact me here or at projectqueer@yahoo.com