Author Archives: aparks323

For many queer people, pride is the most important event of the year. It’s a time when we get to go and be out in public not just as ourselves, but proud of it. There is no other time of year that is as positive for the queer community. These events can be found allContinue reading “The First Time I Went To Pride”

https://www.c-span.org/video/standalone/?c4869401/user-clip-drfauci-speaks-gay-community-hiv In this video, Dr.Fauci speaked a bit about what we can learn from the LGBTQ+ community and their response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. From what started as being believed to be a rare form of cancer that only affected gay men to becoming able to control like it is now, those people in theContinue reading “The Gay Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis”

*This post contains quotes from queer Mississippians that I know personally. For a number of reasons, I decided to keep them all anonymous. Many of them requested this themselves as well.* “Being queer in Mississippi is an experience. I remember thinking I was the only gay person in MS until my sophomore year of highContinue reading “Being Queer in a Quarantined World”

The Stonewall Reader This book is a collection of historical documents from the eras before, during, and after the Stonewall Riots. It’s a really good insight to the real thoughts and feelings of those who were living through so much of the history that has gotten us where we are today. This Book Is GayContinue reading “Some of My Favorite Queer Books”

The Castro District in San Francisco (aka “The Castro”) is probably one of the most queer-lit places in the United States. When I found out that I was going to get to visit my sister-in-law in San Jose, California, I knew that I needed to make the extra 30 minute trip over to San FranciscoContinue reading “A Trip To San Francisco’s Castro District”

LGBTQ+ youth are at a much higher risk for mental health issues as well as suicide, and supporting them helps them to know that they are never alone in their struggles. I remember being that teenager and thinking that I’d just been born completely wrong, and as I got to know more and more peopleContinue reading “Coming Out Online”

So, you want to be a good ally to the LGBTQ+ community? Well, there are millions things that can help you to achieve that, but here’s a few that are super important. Share your pronouns even if you’re cis. Sharing pronouns is so important for inclusivity. A great habit that I’ve come to appreciate inContinue reading “A Few Ways To Be A Good Ally”

Harvey Milk is by far my favorite figure of queer history. He fought for what he believed in and went where many were afraid to so that the LGBTQ+ folks of the future could have a better society to live in. Harvey Milk became one of the first ever openly gay elected officials in theContinue reading “Harvey Milk: The Supervisor Who Gave Us Hope”

As a queer person, I totally understand the struggles that we face. Especially in Mississippi, it can be hard to find those spaces where you feel completely comfortable being yourself. For anyone, but especially queer people, it is so important to build your support group and find people to surround yourself with that let youContinue reading “How I Found My Support System”

Being LGBTQ+ can be difficult sometimes, but finding the spaces that you are supported can help so much. For this post, I wanted to highlight some resources that I have personally found and loved. UM Pride Network To start off, I just want to highlight UM Pride, our LGBTQ+ organization that we have on campus!Continue reading “Resources For LGBTQ+ Individuals”