Fish Out of Water Blog Post #9

On April 7 the LGBT held a seminar to celebrate and discuss the spectrum of sexual identities, and the term, "Sexual Fluidity" said Bonnie Sugiyama, the assistant director of LGBT.

The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center) defined the term sexual fluidity as a sexual orientation with the capacity for change or movement.

The event was led by Elaine Davis, a senior health science major, along with a panel of SJSU students to assist in leading the conversation.

The panel members were there to share their personal experiences coming out to their friends and family, as well as being bisexual members of the community said Davis.

"Sexual orientation varies and is not dependent on gender identity," Davis said.

The seminar provided a powerpoint presentation to define different terms regarding sexual orientations that can be easily misunderstood or misused.

Eddie Parker, a senior psychology major said he identifies as bisexual.

"I think of it as, would you date a blonde or brunette?," Parker said. "To me I see gender almost as hair color."

MacKenzie Lorenzato, a senior occupational therapy major said that she identifies as pansexual, which she said she, "would like to clarify is strictly between consenting adults of the human variety," as well as femme, polygamorous, therefore not monogamous.

Pansexual is an example of a sexuality without gender constrictions, said Lorenzato.

Staci Gunner, the interim director of student conduct and ethical development said she also identifies as a pansexual.

"I live a very queer, fluid, open life," Gunner said of her bisexuality. "I like my cake and eating it too!"

Gunner said that she holds the same respect for those who identify as heterosexuals.

"If you are in a heterosexual and monogamous relationship, I do not discriminate against you," Gunner said. "That is a healthy, family building lifestyle that works for you, but this is the healthy lifestyle choice that works for me."

Senior Psychology major, Nikole Moffett said she found the seminar to be very informative.

"I am a bisexual so it was nice to hear that other people go through the same things that I go through as well," Moffett said. "It was just very informative, seeing how different people have their different relationships and how you don't have to stick with one structure and if you go outside the box it is not weird."

Moffett said, she learned a lot about communication in relationships, with your family and friends and just your community and just be proud of who you are and not having to hide it

"We just hoped this event could be a chance to explore all of the different gender and sexual identities that are out there and that people could come and learn about different therapies here on this campus," said Davis "It is about having and creating fluidity and being able to have a conversation about it."

Blog 8 In My Humble Opinion

The always controversial Westboro Baptist Church took their protests too far last fall, when they picketed a military funeral, displaying signs with phrases like, "Thank God for Dead Soldiers".

The case, first brought to the Supreme Court on Oct 6 was thought to be a potentially groundbreaking First Amendment case.

However on March 2, the Supreme Court ruled a sweeping 8-1 victory for Westboro Baptist's right in the case Snyder v. Phelps.

I am normally a strong believer in the freedom of speech, but I am more than dissatisfied with this outcome.

I feel that the Westboro Baptist Church has time and time again, abused this right, this time causing harm and danger to others.

If they would like to stand on my corner with their hateful signs or shout their beliefs at me while I am grabbing my morning coffee, so be it.

However, anyone who has lost a loved one would agree that protesting is awful as well as disrupting a private and personal procession.

Everything about the "congregation" is offensive, including their website's URL, godhatesfags.com.

On the homepage of their website, there is a video in which they are burning the Quran, as well, what in their opinion is the doomed American flag on September 11, 2006.

Homosexuals and Muslims are not the congregations only targets of discrimination and hate crimes.

In fact, they seem to distribute hate equally to everyone in this world.

According to the church, God also hates Lady Gaga, Haiti, Gerald Ford, Sweden, Nebraska and pretty much anyone besides the members of their congregation.

The website also includes a numbers section, where one can view their "statistics" such as how many people whom God has cast to hell since you have loaded the page.

Westboro stopped in my hometown, Long Beach, Calif. early in 2010 to protest.

When they arrived, my diverse community protested back with signs revealing ridiculous statements such as, "God Hates Mondays" or "God Hates Fig Newtons". I think it was a pretty decent way of showing the congregation just how absurd they truly are.

I have yet to find one decent thing Westboro Baptist Church has done to help anyone in this world, besides providing comic relief for the rest of us sinners.

Unfortunately the Supreme Court did not rule in favor of Synder, but in my humble opinion since the congregation hates America so much and most of the rest of the world, I suggest they move to a remote island where there are no homosexuals, Nebraskans or soldiers to discriminate against.

Although I am sure they would be found condemning coconuts and sea turtles to hell to cure their boredom.