Day 1 - Your sexual orientation or gender identity. Be creative in your definition.

I gender identify as a Femme, and my orientation is probably closest to pansexual, even though I identify as a lesbian.

Day 2 - Did you have any experiences as a child that might have foreshadowed your sexuality? 

Not that I can really recall. I liked my female teachers A LOT.
 

Day 3 - How old were you when you knew? What was that like for you?

I knew for sure that I wasn’t straight when I was 15, but my first inkling that I was into girls was when I saw “Titanic” when I was 13 and Kate Winslet dropped her robe. I looked at her delicious, curvy ass and was just like “oh yeah, that’s nice”.

Day 4 - The first person you came out to and that story

I think the first place I ever came out was online. I used to hang out on IRC in Channel Geri (I’m a big Spice Girls fan) and I said to the girls there “you know, I think I’m bi” and they laughed and said no one ever left Channel Geri straight!

Day 5 - Thoughts regarding inner turmoil about your sexuality; Did you have any? Did it escalate to self-injury or suicidal thoughts?

No way. I’ve never felt guilt or shame about my sexuality. I have been pushed to SI over unrequited crushed on women, but that’s a bit different.

Day 6 - Did you face any problems regarding religion?

No. I was raised a Christian but wasn’t really devout. I just figured I was the way I was and God could accept it or not (that said, I’m not really any religion now - I did flirt with paganism for a while and do feel a strong goddess connection though)

Day 7 - How your parents took it or how you think they might take it

My parents are awesome. My mother especially - it took her time but she’s okay with it now. Plus she’s thrilled I’m marrying a biological male (the polyamoury thing is going to be a real birtch to explain). I think my dad is more inherently homophobic and I sometimes call him out for saying really insensitive things. But he loves me and that’s what matters.

Day 8 - What do you think the closet or being closeted means to you?

Having to hide the beautiful person that you are from the world. I hated being in the closet which was why I came out so young. I’m currently struggling with being closeted about being poly, I hate not being able to talk candidly with the people I love. But I feel that for me there’s much more of a stigma towards non-monogamy than there is towards being gay.

Day 9 - What do you think about LGBT Pride? Is it helpful or hurtful? Encouraged or unnecessary? 

I’ve never really fitted in with the queer community - I don’t like the music, I don’t wear the uniform (I’m femme and so I don’t look gay). I would love to feel like I’m a part of it, and I think it’s a beautiful thing. I’m just something of an odd duck that doesn’t work with it.

Day 10 - What does marriage mean to you?

Being with someone you love for as long as is right for you both. Not necessarily in a monogamous relationship. It’s about friendship and sticking out the tough times because you love each other too.

Day 11 - Your favorite LGBT book (or one you’d like to read)

Tipping the Velvet (Sarah Waters), Fingersmith (Sarah Waters), Santa Olivia (Jacqueline Carey) (And that’s just the fiction!)

Day 12 - Your favorite LGBT movie (or one you’d like to see)

Tipping the Velvet, But I’m a Cheerleader

Day 13 - Your favorite LGBT role model/celebrity 

Marlene Dietrich

Day 14 - Your favorite LGBT song or artist

Mouth - Merryl Bainbridge

Day 15 - Your favorite LGBT quote

I don’t really have one.

Day 16 - A picture from your first LGBT relationship or of your first LGBT crush

Day 17 - Your first experience with an LGBT organization or event (Day of Silence, Pride, etc)

I used to go to a queer youth group when I was a teenager.

Day 18 - Something about the LGBTQ community you don’t understand or have a question about

I don’t understand the hostility towards bisexuals or people who don’t think they exist. What right have you got to claim the sexual identity of someone else? It also makes me mad when people claim that bisexuals aren’t really attracted to the same sex or are just doing it for attention.

Day 19 - Butch or Femme? 

I’m all femme, and I usually prefer my ladies that way. I love femme - you can be any kind of femme that you want. It’s not a rigid identity by any means.

Day 20 - Maureen or Joanne? (Or your favorite LGBTQ show or queer-positive show)

I don’t watch too many queer shows. I guess the closest I come is Glee, which for the most part portrays queers beautifully (I wish they’d explore Britney/Santana more though!)

Day 21 - Political LGBT issue that is closest to you or affects you most 

I used to get fired up about gay marriage. I still think that it’d be nice. But we have civil unions here now, and on top of that gay defacto relationships are being recognized so they’re eligible for the same benefits as straight couples. That equality of rights, rather than just a word, is what matters to me.

Day 22 - An LGBT image that makes you smile

I don’t really have one

Day 23 - An LGBT image that makes you cry or makes you angry

I don’t tend to hold on to those kind of images.

Day 24 - The stupidest argument/comment you’ve heard about gay people or an LGBT issue

The anti-bisexual rants

Day 25 - The LGBT slur you hate most or if you’ve taken back a slur and used it as a definition, ie queer or fag.

I sometimes identify as a lipstick lesbian. I hate queers who try and turn that on me like it’s a bad thing.

Day 26 - Your favorite gay joke (we all need to laugh at ourselves)

I haven’t heard any. My town is way too PC for that.

Day 27 - Your favorite LGBT blog/tumblr/site

fuckyeahfemmes

Day 28 - Write a letter to someone. It can be a coming out letter or a letter regarding how you hate their homophobia or whatnot. You don’t have to send it.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I know it hasn’t been easy having me for a daughter, but I wanted to thank you for accepting me for who I am. I hope you can continue to do so.

Love, Marion

Day 29 - SHOUT SOMETHING! IT CAN BE HAPPY AND ABOUT PRIDE OR ABOUT WHY YOU HATE HOMOPHOBIA! 

Be yourself - to do otherwise is doing yourself a disservice.

Day 30 - Anything LGBT you’d like to end this on :]

Never be afraid to be exactly who you are.