What is "heterosexism"?

Heterosexism is discrimination or bias that favors heterosexuality (i.e. straight identities) over homosexuality; heterosexism perpetuates the idea that being straight is normal while being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer is abnormal. Heterosexism effects Laredo’s LGBTQ community in many distinct way. For example:

·         We do not always have the ability to talk openly, comfortably, without fear of judgment about one’s friends, social activities, and personal relationships.

·         We sometimes have our “normalcy” questioned.

·         We are discouraged or not allowed to show affection in public with one’s partner without fear of negative reaction or hostility.

·         Our ability to be “fit” parents is often questioned.

·         We are sometimes denied rights to job security and freedom from sanctioned discrimination.

·         We are sometimes denied rights to family and medical leave for a partner.

·         We are sometimes denied our right to human dignity.

References: Gendered Worlds (2010)

LGBTQ Group holds Pride event at Laredo Community College

According to local news sources, students at Laredo Community College (LCC) coordinated a Pride event with the intention of raising awareness and promoting self-acceptance among the local LGBTQ community. The event was co-sponsored by agencies such as the local Health Department, PILLAR, and Laredo Pride.  Although the event took place, student coordinator, Manuel Lasoya, a member of the LGBTQ community claims via social media, that there were some "bumps" in the road and that LCC would never allow a gay group to exist on campus. When asked to clarify Lasoya did not.

All things considered, ten years ago "drag performances" at Laredo Community College or Texas A&M International University would have been unacceptable and prohibited. But as the current trend of "inclusion" continues to gain momentum, new and more open campus policies have made it possible for students to comfortably express and showcase their non-binary gender identities.

For example, on May 4, 2017 Texas A&M International University held it's first drag show titled "Deal with It"! I'm not sure if this was a message to the campuses conservative ideology or if it's a catchy phrase from contemporary drag culture, but what I do know is that it sent the historic message: “We’re here. We’re Queer. Get over it”! The event was coordinated by the Campus Alley Network, a non-profit organization that intends to create “Safe Spaces” on campus for LGBTQ individuals and allies.

As a former member of a LGBTQ organization at TAMIU, I can say in all honesty I have very mixed feelings about these types of events. While on one hand I can appreciate the effort and awareness it creates for non-binary gender identities, I find myself asking, “but what does it do for the rest of the community?” It’s not my intention to undercut the hard work of these individuals nor is it my intention to make other’s feel as if drag culture does not warrant representation or inclusion, but our local LGBTQ community has problems that reach far beyond “acceptance” and “understanding”. Poverty, illiteracy, and disease isn’t something that’s going to go away because our tias, tios, primos, primas, abuelitas, or abuelitos accept our gender identity or sexuality. In fact, the only way we can make a difference in our community is to advocate for structural changes in education and healthcare.

That being said, the tenacity and courage of these individuals and organizations is inspiring to say the least. One can only hope that as mainstream culture becomes more accepting and inclusive, campus drag shows will no longer be an oddity, but a welcomed platform where individuals of non-binary gender identities will feel valued and respected.