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LIBERATION
What is liberation? The term “liberation” can mean many different things. It can be associated with freedom from a more temporary lens; it can be a movement seeking rights and power for a particular group or groups; it can quite literally mean “being released, being liberated”; it can also be the removal of tradition or…
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Don’t Ask, Don’t tell
Overview “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) was the official United States military policy regarding the service of non-heterosexual in the military. This policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members. However, the policy also prevented openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals from serving in the military. In essence, the…
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Drag Queens
Background Drag does not have one sole origin and is not derived from only a singular kind of theatrical modality. According to Thais De Oliveira, drag has a strong a connection to classical manifestations of the ancient scenic world, oriental folklore, medieval Christian staging and now pop culture entertainment. The Catholic Church used theatrical plays…
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Liberation
Definition The liberation of LGBTQ+ people has many different perspectives. Totally speaking, the liberation of LGBTQ group is an ongoing movement of the LGBTQ+ group in order to obtain equal rights, protections, and social acceptance. It involves political advocacy and activism aimed at challenging discriminatory policies and laws that restrict the rights and freedoms of…
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PINKWASHING
Definition: History/Background: Deriving from the seventeenth century verb “whitewash”, which is defined as an attempt to conceal or dilute unpleasant facts like crimes and vices, pinkwashing is first credited in 2002 to Breast Cancer Action, an organization that aimed to combat breast cancer at the intersections of social and environmental justice. Before it was first…
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Human Right
“We want all of our rights, we want them here, and we want them now.” – Martin Luther King Definition Human rights are fundamental, inherent rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to simply by being human, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or any other status. These rights encompass a wide…
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FEMINISM
Definition: Feminism is a complex and many-sided social and political movement that revolves around the pursuit of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Feminism covers a range of ideologies, goals, and strategies, all unified by the fundamental belief in deconstructing oppressive systems that perpetuate gender-based discrimination and inequality. Feminism seeks to challenge and redefine…
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Assimilation
What Is It? Assimilation is “The process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into their dominant culture of a society.” Pauls, Elizabeth Prine. “Assimilation.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, inc., 29 Sept. 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/assimilation-society. This often involves significant changes in language, dress, dietary habits, and social interactions. The primary goal of assimilation is to…
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HIV/AIDS
Definition HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The HIV virus attacks CD4 T cells in the immune system, which are essential for fighting off disease and infection in the body. HIV is a retrovirus that enters into cells and into the human genome. It does this by using an enzyme called reverse transcription to convert the…
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Ambivalence
Overview Ambivalence comes from root words meaning “both” and “to be strong,” indicating a sense of both sides of a dichotomy being strong, equal, or otherwise in conflict; this can also indicate a sense of multiple trajectories of meaning. This wiki entry will explore ambivalence through queerness, primarily using Mel Y. Chen as a source.…