hi, it's me again.

Good Day, Internet!

It's been a solid 8-9 years before my last post. I even tried to start a new blog in that time, abandoned that one too. I gave myself the excuse that I was too busy. Most likely just so dead inside that I couldn't get myself to commit 30 minutes a week to some thoughtful musings.

I've decided to reprise this blog, and not the other one that I started after I moved to NYC, because this is special. I've been working for the past 7 years and I wanted to contrast a whole bunch of things:

1) How I've evolved (and devolved) as a human/thinker/pop culture consumer.
2) How the internet has evolved (and devolved) in the past 7-8 years.
3) How media and representation has evolved/devolved in the past years. (hellloooooo reboots!)

Movie montage catch up of the last 7-8 years:

- Moved to NYC
- Got dumped
- Changed careers 2 times
- Fell in love

- Got a dog
- Got married

Enough about me, let's get back into it, like the good ol' days.

How the Internet has changed in the past 7-8 years.

Media on the internet has consolidated.

In the early 2010s, media companies saw the value of niche publications on the internet and decided that they wanted a piece of that dollar pie. Websites like AfterEllen was something I visited more frequently than FaceBook.

You could google "LGBTQ Representation in _________" and only see a handful of results (hopefully this blog too!) Nowadays... you'd find blogs, Facebook rants, Instagram posts, tweets, for nearly every topic and every angle of the topic.

How has media and representation has evolved/devolved in the past years.

There was a women's movement in the 90s. 

Something happened in the 2000s and people forgot that women are people too.

In 2019, we have laws in Alabama and Georgia to remind us that women aren't 100% safe. So we're doing this women's movement again in 2019.

This is why it's important that we continue to remind people that we can't be complacent. 

This is why media need to continue to represent women in strong, independent roles. Social media is now a huge part of your everyday media. 

What does this all mean?

So why am I interested in contributing to over-information?

I have too much time, okay?

No. With the convergence of how we consume media and what the internet has available, more than ever, we need to be mindful about what information is presented to us. We are all entitled to our beliefs. Which means, we should be very picky about what we should consider as truth.

I've gotten too much time on my hands, and I hope to be an extra voice in the universe in interpreting 'truth'.

Gay is the New Orange

This morning, my old college professor, Susan Stryker,  posted these questions on her Facebook to solicit the help of her friends because she's being interviewed by Time Magazine about Orange is the New Black regarding trans portrayal.

I wish I saw this post 14 hours ago, before her conversation with a Time Reporter, but I'd still like to try and answer. After all, what else am I gonna do with my Gender Studies degree aside from correcting angry feminists?

Mainstream Hollywood has been killing off/criminalizing "others" before it was cool. "Others" in reference to people who don't fit the norms of the "white, white collar, suburban family".

This is pop culture gender studies 101. To name a few, Jack Twist from "Brokeback Mountain", the old dude from American Beauty, the villain from the latest Bond film, "Skyfall", and yada yada yada.

Orange is the New Black tries to give each character a back story aside from their criminal stereotypes and humanizes them. This creates a plethora of extremely interesting and watch-worthy characters. Including Nicky the lesbian, Morello the bi-curious bride-to-be, "gay is the new black" chic, Park Slope dwelling Piper, cancer patient mama Rosa, credit-card swiping trans Sophia, and international drug dealing Alex, to name a few.

If you notice, none of these women are your White-Anglo-Saxon-Protestants, and they are all criminals. Even though the writers and directors portray these women has humans with great back stories. But when it comes down to it, these women are still criminals. Which I think the writers do a good job of reminding people, especially near the end of season 1. 

These answers will be lengthy, so I'll try to insert pretty pictures to go with it.

1. Do you think the portrayal of transgender people in TV/film/media has been accurate or fair. Why or why not?

In my limited knowledge of transpeople being portrayed in media, I only know of two. First is the character on Nip/Tuck, that seduced a teen. And the other is Sophia on Orange is the New Black.

Let's start with Nip/Tuck. 

I don't completely remember the story, but something along the lines of, "Older woman seduces teen. Teen sleeps with older woman, teen finds out older woman was, at one point, old man. Teen beats the shit out of older woman." There's probably a murderous storyline in there somewhere in between, while showcasing that the trans person actually has a really sad story. 

Sophia, the trans character from Orange is well portrayed, with all that she sacrificed for her skin to fit her soul, along with all the heartbreak from her wife, her son, and the drama she faces with prison cutting her pills. It creates a really interesting story, but Mainstream Media is still demonizing her, as a criminal, thief. Jodie Foster, who directed the episode, did some really great subtle filmography to foreshadow Sophia's story. It is definitely an interesting story to watch and reveal. 

"These tits are heavier than the fire gear I used to wear. And I tend to keep it that way."

2. How do we fix thieving trannies?

The thing about Mainstream Media, is that, no one wants to watch successful, undramatic people of any variety. When was the last time you voluntarily watched a show about rich white collar business people live their lives making a ton of money and not kill anyone? 

Do these shows exist? Probably not. 

So how do we accurately portray marginalized people effectively and actually get people to watch? There's only one way.

Write a show like the Jersey Shore, and stick a tranny in it and be the moral guidance/voice of reason. Would this happen? I don't know. Would anyone watch it? Probably not.

3. What do I think about Cis characters playing trans characters?

A little clarification, Cis- are people who identify their biological sex with their gender identity. While a trans person, does not identify their biological sex with their gender identity.

A comment I read earlier, "We don't have murderers play serial killers, so why not?" (I'm looking at you, Michael C. Hall.)

As long as the role is portrayed the way the writer/director desires, it does not matter. The issue here is the script, not the actor. Any actor worth their weight in gold, and any direct who's worth their weight in gold, would be able to direct and portray the trans character.

4. Do I think Sophia's success in Orange is progress for our community in terms of representation for recognizing and understanding of trans-characters?

Yes. There's definitely visibility and progress, but c'mon guys. She's still a felon. But I do like that the writers decide to stay away from cliche trans tropes and dialogues, and made the show less PSA-like, and more realistic.

5. How much has popular culture reflected the social progress being made by trans people in reality?

None. Trans people are still being stigmatized and talked about behind their backs. I think we can only take baby steps, now that gays are mostly accepted, next will be trans. But I read a study that parents of transpeople are more likely to accept them than gays. Or I can be completely making that up. Because parents thinks being gay is a choice, but being the opposite sex is not. Though my mom does think I want to be a dude, just because I like girls. Trust me, I'm perfectly fine with my biology, mom. 

6. Do you think portrayals of trans characters in pop culture help or hinder the social causes of transgender people?

When I was 15-6, and trying to figure out my sexuality and desire and whether or not should I take Calculus or Stats, I turned to the media. Which I think helped and hindered me in coming to terms with my sexuality. It helped me feel less like a freak. Gay movies told me that it was okay to be gay and one day I'll have a hot girlfriend. But it also created this sugar-coated idea of the world that I'd be accepted everywhere I go. 

Some teen watching Orange and probably already knows that he or she wants to transition, and see how the inmates and also Pornstache welcomes transpeople so welcomingly might actually want to come out prematurely. And then become the subject of attack from multiple sides. What if one day, said teen decides that it was just a phase? And now he or she faces the obstacle of going back into the closet. Which I think is actually harder than coming out.

7. How can the transgender community capitalize on Laverne's performance?

Erm. Hire her for other gigs? Hire other trans people for other gigs? 

8. How can popular culture influence politics and vice versa in the trans community?

In my opinion, pop culture brings a voice to those without one. In my mind, a little gay girl who's living amid-st churches and corn fields may not have a positive gay role model in her life. But pop culture becomes her gay-fairy-god-mother. Again, it could go either way; she could be positively influenced by queer pop culture, or not. She may grow up (she did. I did.) with others who were suppressed by her corn fields, but as a strong and independent woman, taking on people who are trying to silence her and the like. 

ZOMG DEGRASSI!

So, 2 posts ago, I wrote a modified hate letter to multiple organizations to stop advertising for the MTV show, Degrassi.

As my gf pointed out, an organization such as Florida Family, they probably filter through all the "letters" they receive and send only the ones that support their cause. You know, for obvious reasons: spamming, hate letters, syphilis, whining children, whining parents, people like me, and etc.

BUT.

Florida Family's webmaster OBVIOUSLY did not look out for people like me, or there's probably some legislations against filtration and lobbying...

Well, regardless, I got THIS email back from Disney.

Score~~~ My letter got through.

TAKE ACTION! I did.

Sooooo... I'm catching up on my gay news for the first time in, literally, 3 months. What have I been doing in the past 3 months, you ask?

Madly in love.

Cheesy? Indeed. I'm not too worried, I probably lost all my followers anyways... >< So I guess I'll have to pick up new ones. PLEZ FOLLOW ME!

Okay, so I was up on AfterEllen, and I found a few things:

First, a brief review of a lesbian mafia short film that was actually done by a dood that goes to IU with me. I haven't watched it yet, but it's about 11 minutes long. I'm waiting to watch it with my girl.

Second, I stumbled upon this petition to Florida Family. Yeah, I did laugh a little at the ridiculousness of this "default" letter, so I'm writing modified version to send to "this company".

It is very inspiring that your company would knowingly advertise during a television show that condones and promotes transgender lifestyles to an audience that is almost exclusively watched by young teens and children.

MTV is airing through their Teen Nick channel for kids episodes of the show called DeGrassi which affirms and promotes the transgender lifestyle to an audience of millions of young teens and children.

The Chasing Pavements II episode of DeGrassi contains graphic intimate relations between the female to male transgender character Adam and bi-sexual, lesbian character Fiona. In one scene Fiona kisses Adam, pulls up Adam’s shirt and rubs her hand slightly above Adam’s groin. Click here to see clips from this episode and numerous clips from other episodes showing Adam and Fiona kissing. I'm not gonna lie, the video is quite cheesy, and made by amateur fans of the show, it shows a pretty sweet montage of the moments Adam and Fiona shares during the show.

The My Body is a Cage I and II episodes of DeGrassi contains Adam’s official announcement that she is a male trapped in a female body. How powerful is this message to teens who could possibly be struggling with their own sexuality! Many teens and young children may have similar sentiments that they now have the vocabulary to express.

You would think by the number of episodes that MTV devotes to including the relationship between a female to male transgender high school student and a bi-sexual lesbian student that such relationships are a common occurrence in America’s high schools.

The odds of this bizarre relationship occurring in high schools are extremely rare. Yet, MTV feeds into the needs of educating the leaders of tomorrow with tolerance and acceptance of people with different gender identifications.

MTV airs a free promo for PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) on DeGrassi which directs kids to an organization that will encourage our youth to embrace a different sexual identity that may stay with them for life.

Please continue to advertise on this forward-moving, educational show.

Here is where I sent my revised letter to... seems like a lot of important people.

Thats all for today! Thanks for reading!!!

Review of the "MILK"

Dear Readers, it's been awhile, I know. I've been moving home, going on a trip to GA, and more importantly, being a lazy ass. Hopefully now that I have basically nothing to do, I'm gonna me more available to regularly post blogs regarding nothing and everything. :D

Okay, first day back, I'm gonna do a review of the movie Milk, starring Sean Penn, James Franco, and Emile Hirsch. 

I would've never watched this movie before... I don't know. I probably would've never watched this movie period. But I heard it was very well done, also very enlightening. And it was very enlightening. 

Well, what I thought of the movie probably contradicts with a lot of people's view of the movie. My fellow gay buddy, Rick, spoke very highly of this movie, and thought it was a master piece. I was slightly under the influence when I watched it last night, so give regards to what I'm saying. haha ;D

So, I picked this movie up while getting Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantánomo Bay. My brother really wanted to watch it with me, I wanted to watch Milk. So I watched Milk instead. I think it did my body better. 

What I like about this movie:

The Story. Any life bio is actually pretty dull. Like our lives aren't like life at Seattle Grace Hospital. Or Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Or at the Planet. Or Wisteria Lane. (btw, I drove by that street while I was in GA!) Well, most people's lives are pretty mundane. Unless something's wrong with you. ;) So basically, Harvey Milk's life was pretty much run-of-the-mill, but to make it a movie, the producers have to spice it somehow! 

The insertions of actual footage during the campaign back in the 70s was a nice touch, seamless and flawless. I don't know what was the budget of the movie, but they did good with what they had. 

The message. My favorite part. I didn't actually cry during this movie, but I did in Ghosts of Girlsfriends Past. I know, I know.. I like fluff once in awhile, okay? I mean, certain things get to me, such as family, negligence, shit of the like. 

I mean, could you imagine if any normal ass group of people who would otherwise be privileged be ostracized by everyone? Including their family? From a personal stand point, imagine walking out into the world, thinking you can do whatever the hell you want because you're a hard-working, smart, strong individual. But no. Because genetically, you are Asian, you are denied all everything in the world. The world thinks that you have nothing to provide, nothing to contribute because you are Asian. You are not allowed to have jobs or live in a shelter with roof over your head and running water because you are Asian. 

Feel free to substitute out "Asian" for anything you like; Catholic, Irish, German, English-speaking, Latino/a, Middle-Eastern, whatever. 

I think the African-Americans who participated in the Civil Rights movement in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and even til now knows what I'm talking about. 

Though the world is not like that (anymore) for Asians, it is (in less extremities) for gays. Thank you Harvey Milk! Because of this man, who started the movement against legislations against gays, I, Lisa Yang, can live this day without the fear that I might lose my job, or lose my house, or lose all my "natural born rights" because I happen to not like the penis so much. 

I think I can speak for all when I say regardless of party boundaries or religion or race, the ones dwelling in America just want America to flourish. We want a land that we feel safe in. We want to live in a place that will allow us, personally, to flourish, so that America can flourish. Everyone wants their right to practice whatever the goddamned hell they want. Imagine if a group of people wakes up tomorrow morning, decides that they all, in unity doesn't want Christians to read the Bible. Or they don't want anybody to go potty. It doesn't happen. Hopefully not. 

I know and understand that everyone has their own opinion. I respect that everyone has their own opinions. I understand certain upbringings or developments would elicit different kinds of mentality in certain people. But in our own homes, I'm sure everyone would like to do whatever they would like in their own homes. If striaghties want to watch tv, read a book, hunt a deer, shoot at random things, play board games, watch porn, teach their children how to properly thump a Bible or whatever the hell else straighties do. Hey, I personally wouldn't give a damn. And I don't. But what we do in our homes is our business.  I would LOVE to go home to an incredibly gorgeous and smart wife with our incredibly gorgeous and smart kids running up to me to give me hugs as I unload a day's stress as I plop in front of my computer to post a blog. 

If conservatives and straighties want us vote to keep their lives the way they want it, we would. Because we know (hope) that you'd do the same thing for us. But you don't. Instead, straight druggies are better than gay druggies. Straight sex offenders aren't as bad as gay ones. Homosexuality is why people become ax murderers. But straight people who are ax murderers are just having a rough patch in their life. 

Puh-leeease. 

Okay, I'm failing at the review of an Oscar winning movie by going on a tangent on how we're screwed over. 

So what I didn't like about the movie:

Milk is pretty... vanilla. It tells a great tell in a very attractive way. I mean, Harvey Milk predicted his own assassination before it happens. That's pretty badass. He was doing something revolutionary, something big. It was bound to happen. But honestly, the life of his isn't that... exciting. I mean, his movement was, but his life? Not so much. 

That's bout it.

Mainly it was a well dictated movie, well acted, very good portrayal of the gay community. Sean Penn did a fantastic job. I haven't seen any of this movies, but it takes something in a man to act like a gay man. 

Another out of the blue thing:

I really love love love love the community. It's just such a warm and inviting place. Asians prejudice against other Asians. Religions hate on other religions that aren't what they are. We can't have that. We don't have that. We are super united and we super love all the ones who doesn't hate us.