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Entries by Queer Kentucky

Facing the Queer truth, embracing self

Sarah, Elkhorn City I grew up in Elkhorn City, Kentucky. My childhood was spent playing in the mountains, riding ATVs and horses, and collecting Hot Wheels. I was always a tomboy and hated wearing the frilly dresses my grandmother made me wear to church every Sunday. That just wasn’t who I was, and I just […]

LGBTQ+ Homeless Youth Shelter amping up during Pride month

Sweet Evening Breeze Inc., is committed to Louisville’s youth experiencing homelessness by going beyond the expectations of shelter, hope, and healing. It was James Herndon “Sweets,” a Kentucky historical figure whose hospitality and compassion for others inspired our purpose and vision to offer LGBTQ+ affirming emergency shelter, food and supportive services for youth who may […]

A look at Queer white supremacy

by Deantre Martin White supremacy and racial oppression are the cornerstones that have built Western civilization. No matter what, as long as you are black these things will perform against you. This article is an excerpt of a thesis paper I wrote in defense of how white supremacy performs in the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout the […]

Gay trans man finds activism through art

Alex Selby, Danville How do you identify?  I am a gay trans man.  What does the word queer mean to you?  I have a weird relationship with the word queer. I grew up only hearing the word used in a derogatory manner, because of that the term still invokes a slight sense of anxiety.   Personal […]

Southern gendered language: it’s a thing y’all

By Sarah Gardiner “Thank ya, honey” “Anything else I can get for ya, doll?” Regional language has always been a main string of Southern culture’s DNA. Every place has their colloquialisms and particular ways of speaking, but there’s something about the south that invites a friendliness in conversation unmatched anywhere else. “There are no strangers […]

Bourbon County Brent

Brent Schanding, Bourbon County What does the word queer mean to you? How do you identify? For me, “queer” is anything different, alternative, out of the norm. It’s a counterculture — a way of life that’s on the fringe of what’s socially acceptable. As a person who’s always felt on the periphery, queer is an […]

‘In all my Queer glory’

Spencer, Louisville I was born in Louisville, Kentucky. My grandmother delivered me in our home on Frankfort Avenue, in my mother’s bed. Growing up I spent my time split between my dad’s shotgun in the Highlands, my mother’s apartment and my grandmother’s farm in rural Southern Indiana. The farm is called Rainbow Circle Farm and […]

Pride in the Bluegrass!

“From metro streets to Appalachian trails, these are our stories.” Queer Kentucky is beyond happy to announce THIS many Pride celebrations throughout our state in 2019! We love watching our community come together in different regions to lift their voices in LGBTQ+ pride. We will add more events as we learn about more events. June […]

Black, Queer and Powerful

Kaila Adia Story, PhD What does the word queer mean to you? To me, Queer means not letting society, institutions, friends or loved ones define who you are, or you hope to be. It means defining yourself, for yourself. It means living freely, unapologetically and boldly. It means feeling so emboldened within your queer self […]

Stop the Pan and Bi erasure

Kalee Johnson What does the word queer mean to you? Historically I’ve been called queer in ways that were detrimental and harmful to me, and I know that many, many others have shared that experience. There’s a lot of hate that lived behind the word queer, and that hatred fueled those who used it against […]

One Love Hemp celebrates 420

Tell us about your business. What do you do? Why/How did it Start? Any details about the business itself you’d like us to know. One Love Hemp Dispensary is a woman owned and led business with it’s roots in Louisville’s local business community. Co-founder Nancy Roberts owned New Earth Organics and Hydroponics for thirty years, […]

GLAST Louisville Organizer talks Bisexuality

Terra Russell, Louisville What does the word queer mean to you? Queer means anything other than what is usually accepted as the norm. How do you identify? I identify as a bisexual, cis woman. I also identify as biromantic and queer. Why? Or why don’t you identify as anything at all? I call myself bisexual […]

Racism within the Queer Community runs deep

Derek Guy, Kentucky by way of Atlanta, Georgia What does the word queer mean to you? How do you identify? Why? Or why don’t you identify as anything at all? Queer means that I am as fluid as the colors surrounding us. I identify as a queer transman and my identity grows with me and […]

“Blake Writes”

Blake Reichenbach, Lincoln County, Ky. What does the word queer mean to you? How do you identify? & Why? Or why don’t you identify as anything at all? I see queerness as a claim of liberation. In fact, I generally refer to myself as “queer man” rather than a “gay man” even though gay is […]

Autism, Queerness: authentically human

by Tucker Keel As April begins this year, you may have noticed an increase in the visibility of issues and causes related to Autism—This is no coincidence, as April is Autism Acceptance Month! Previously, this has been called Autism Awareness month. The change may seem subtle, but it is an important distinction. In a world […]

Pushing children off the ledge, Conversion therapy

By Chuck Leach, former pastor and counselor Photo by Adam Creech We must stop folks from pushing children off the ledge. Conversion therapy (sometimes called “Reparative Therapy”) does exactly that; it pushes children off the ledge by unraveling the underpinnings of self-understanding, acceptance, and personhood. Conversion therapy was concocted by well-intended but misguided people to […]

‘It takes confidence to break the rules’

To mean queer means the freedom to be as “weird” as your heart desires. I think that’s why conservatives hate us so much, we get to live out their wildest dreams & darkest fantasies like it’s everyday life. I identify as PRINCE! I don’t feel the need nor the obligation to anyone (besides who I’m […]

Taking Back ‘Queer’

Lane Levitch What does the word queer mean to you? How do you identify? Queer to me means an umbrella term for the LGBTQ+ community. I didn’t use it at all until I got to college, I always heard it as a derogatory word in media growing up. I’m glad that the LGBTQ+ community is […]

FEVA and FilthyGorgeous present… Science Friction

FEVA and FilthyGorgeous present… Science Friction, an innovative fundraiser and high art exploration of science fiction through music, light design, projections, costumes, drag, body painting and aerial arts, benefitting FEVA (fairvendors.org). Featuring… a stellar dj team including the best House and EDM djs in the mainstream and underground Louisville scenes; Rhythm Science Sound, Trevor Lamont, […]

From Brazil to the Bluegrass

Matheus Rezende-McCubbins What does the word queer mean to you? How do you identify? Queer to me means to embrace all parts of who you are, and being proud to be a part of a community that fights everyday for nothing but acceptance and recognition of our rights. To be queer is also a part […]

Louisville Ballet Dancer showcases diversity through the arts

Sanjay Saverimuttu, Louisville Photo by Sam English (Headshot for Choreographers Showcase 2019)  What does the word queer mean to you? How do you identify? Why? The word “queer” to me means expressing your gender or your sexuality in a manner that risks being disadvantaged by society. This world hasn’t been designed for our success, and yet […]

Adult Film Star Jack Hunter on his Queer Kentucky roots

To me, the word “queer” means weird, different, and misunderstood. I myself can identify with this idea because I often feel weird, different, or misunderstood. As a man who works in an industry that is dominated by the masculine archetype, but doesn’t always think and feel in this way, it can sometimes be difficult to […]

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