Naughty, Nice, Taboo....educational?

So this past weekend was the Naughty but Nice Taboo Sex show in Abbotsford, and because I have never been I thought it would be interesting to explore the show. The title in itself uses a stereotypical play on words and I find it interesting that a sex show that has been coming to Vancouver for many years and attracts thousands of people can still be termed 'taboo'.

Upon arriving at the show there was lots to see. I would say it was classy since even the performers on stage were burlesque. Then as the night got going I realized that all the products and shows were geared towards hetero-normative crowds. Burlesque ended and a "Ms. Sexy Abbotsford" competition proceeded and men cheered on the half naked women from the beer garden. It all started to look like the average sex-crazed performances and audience. In looking around at the toys and products they were selling there was a large variety that catered to men, women, gay, straight, but what I didn't find was any focus on trans gender. Although the show was very empowering to women because there were women of all shapes, sizes, races and backgrounds at the show as well as selling the products, I was quite disappointed that there was no trans side to the show. There were a few cross dressers which I found brought in the alternative aspect a little bit , but a sex show as big the annual one in Vancouver should really maybe re-think its motives and perhaps look to the show as an avenue for education and discussion around sex and gender issues rather than simply focusing on pleasure.

Really? The housewife is still an oppressive term

Ok, so on twitter I came upon this picture (thanks to Ellen Degeneris). I was so shocked that this might still exist. Are people out there still re-creating the image of the housewife? I thought that in today's society we were moving away from these dominant past images. This directs me directly as a woman because I have these pressures places upon me too. If a guy doesn't know how to do his own laundry and his mom does it they are called 'lazy' or it is laughed off. It is rare that you will see this same situation with a female. If a girl is unable to do her own laundry there is no excuse or form of laughter that allows this to be acceptable in society. It thoroughly bugs me that society is still so focused on gender roles because it means that we are not progressing to focus on more important issues surrounding gender.

Take a look

http://twitpic.com/4f4c7u

Genderfork, online, anonymous, and using popular new media to create awareness

Ok, so I'm new on twitter but coming across Genderfork was extremely eye opening and gave me a positive sense of social media sites like twitter as a voice to express yourself. I have someone very close to me who is gay in real life but chooses not to disclose this in any of his online persona's. He feels like the online world is less accepting and there are no avenues for him to express his feelings to the online society without being at risk for harassment and judging. He feels like there is no online gender, queer, trans, bi, alternative community within the online world that is as popularized as facebook and twitter. When I came across genderfork I can to share this with him, it is a site for people to anonymously submit their feelings or thoughts about issues of gender and sexuality and the site later tweets these feelings/thoughts. This provides a subtle, secret arena for their voices to be heard without having the risk and fear around online discrimination. Let's get more sites like genderfork! Please check it out!!

http://twitter.com/#!/genderfork

Facebook, finally adapting but still discriminatory

So, the facebook format changes so often its users (myself included) probably have little time to seriously think about what changes it has undergone because they are busy ranting and raving about the difficulty to adapt (rightfully so). One change that happened in the most recent format change is the added relationship status of 'civil union'. Althought there still is no 'other' category under gender, and no way to express which sexuality or gender you identify with, the move to adding 'civil union' can be seen as an option for alternative and same sexed couples. Does it make it ok to have a promiscuous 'open relationship' choice before facebook even acknowledges trans, queer, or gay couples? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the change was made, but too little too late Mark Zuckerberg? 

More comic relief about gender norms

These cartoons help poke fun at broader, more serious issues in society. I feel like gender issues are one of the constantly repeated problems of our modern day generation and progressive society. As academic students, gender is included in my daily academic literature, discussions in classrooms and experience as a University Student. The circle of people I associate with have a very in depth knowledge about gender and have similar, open views to mine, but a very key theme I have seen over and over is the focus on comic relief around gender. Comic relief and laughter is essential for life, to let out confusion and even a natural reaction for people who do not know how to vocalize their opinion, but are we as a generation looking too much towards comic relief? If there's too much laughing, does the point get lost? I posted this next link because I thought it to be very clever, and it does provide a humorous aspect to providing awareness...however, I feel as if it slightly undermines the issues being raised. Agree or disagree, enjoy a quick laugh!

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/m/masculinity.asp

Degrassi, 30 years on television and still breaking gender norms

This year Degrassi celebrated 30 years on television, and I have been watching the 80's re-runs and kept up to date with the modern episodes as well. This Canadian show can be seen to push boundaries in television and create awareness. It has always produced non-typical characters and made a point of allowing its viewers to see representations of real problems such as drugs, gay, pregnancy, disability and more. Finally it has made a significant leap as one of the first shows on television to introduce a transgender character. Hooray! I think the fact that Degrassi is a Canadian produced show allows it to deal with more progressive issues, which viewers should be thankful for. In a sense I'm suprised it took so long to include a trans-gender character and it got me thinking why more and more shows haven't preceeded Degrassi's footsteps. Is television still a sensored arena? Why isn't more awareness provided through television since it is a great medium for education. Either way, I know I'll be watching Degrassi! Check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5POGivEV4I

SFU Queer Awareness Week

Alright, so this week is queer awareness week at SFU March 14-18th including snacks and awareness in the convo mall, work shops, movie screenings, sessions and fun activities that help you test your 'gaydar' too. My only problem is, I didn't hear about this until two days before this week is over!! Where are the promotions around campus? How are students supposed to be educated and informed if they are oblivious to what is going on? Another concern I have is whether or not this week and it's activities are made more mainstream, acceptable and less 'out there' to be appealing to the masses while not really providing alternative issues and light to the real burdens surrounding the queer society. Anyways, it's good SFU is getting involved with providing awareness, so ....here's the link!

http://www.outoncampus.ca/

Comic Relief

Lady Gaga as Gender Icon

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/lady-gaga-comes-clean-on-hermaphrodite-rumours-and-talk-of-her-sexuality/story-e6frf9hf-1225823887894

This article explores and confirms rumors of Lady Gaga being intersex. Gaga confirms these rumors and acts as an activist for gender ambiguity and fights against gender norms and stereotypes through her music and art. What does this say about mainstream media as being able to influence certain societal issues?

The Mom's Perspective

This article provides a nice contrast to the recent youtube video of a 5 year old girl. What are the interesting differences, perspectives and similarities?

http://theindependent.ca/2011/03/10/lets-hear-it-for-the-girls/

Feminist Ideals From a Young Age

Check out this video of a 5 year old with feminist views. What does this say about society when a 5 year old creates such strong opinions of gender?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn45IvVqUu0