Alum reflects on early CT coverage of the gay liberation movement
This story is part of The Commonwealth Times’ special coverage in honor of its 50th anniversary. Walter Chidozie Anyanwu, Contributing Writer The Stonewall riots of the late ‘60s ushered in an era of inquiry into what it meant to be a member of the LGBTQ community in the U.S. At that time, many other groups […]
VCU to offer new minor in LGBT+ and queer studies
Fadel Allassan, News Editor VCU is adding a minor in LGBT+ and queer studies in the fall, the university announced last Thursday. Students can already start enrolling in classes for the minor, which will require 18 credits. Nine of those credits must be in upper-level courses. It will require all students to take an introductory […]
Freedom of speech isn’t an excuse to preach intolerance
Brianna Scott, Opinions Editor “FAGS DOOM NATION” “GOD HATES PROUD SINNERS” “GOD MADE YOU MALE OR FEMALE. BE CONTENT AND OBEY HIM” This is the rhetoric us LGBTQ+ students were met with Monday morning. The infamous Westboro Baptist Church graced VCU’s campus with its lovely presence and even lovelier signs. Its members wanted to reach a […]
OPINION: Last week I supported Jussie Smollett. Now, I’m not so sure.
Tagwa Shammet, Contributing Writer When I hear about hate crimes, it brings me to tears. The blatant disrespect and violence against people for being themselves; it’s enraging. But sometimes people lie. “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s case broke my heart. Smollett said he was attacked Jan. 29 by two white men who were alleged supporters of President […]
OPINION: Honest to God, knock me out, Ariana Grande isn’t a bisexual icon
Brianna Scott, Opinions Editor Ariana Grande’s new music video for her song, “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” is resurfacing discussions about queer-baiting in pop culture. Queer-baiting is a term used to describe queer representation being used in media to draw in an LGBTQ+ audience without fully committing to depicting romantic relationships between queer characters. […]
Queer black people are an integral part of black history
Brianna Scott, Opinions Editor I am black and I am queer. Those two identities are together, not separate. My queerness does not come second to my blackness. I felt for a long time that I had to put my blackness first and first only, that anything else fell second and wasn’t as important. When we talk […]
Karen Pence teaching at an anti-LGBTQ+ school doesn’t surprise me
Brianna Scott, Opinions Editor When news broke that Karen Pence, Vice President Mike Pence’s wife, was returning to Immanuel Christian School to teach art, many were baffled. The school has a reputation for being anti-LGBTQ+. But most people expected it because of Mike Pence’s history of being less than supportive to the LGBTQ+ community, to put […]
Respecting all identities: LGB don’t forget the T
Brianna Scott Staff Writer In October, the Trump administration’s plans to crack down on transgender rights and policies were leaked to the public. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to redefine gender as strictly biological, which would roll back the definition of gender as an individual’s decision, removing civil rights granted to […]
Divided nation, divided congress
Brianna Scott Staff Writer I held my breath election night as the results started pouring in. I can’t lie, I was afraid U.S. voters would make the grave mistake of allowing the Republicans to be in complete control. I don’t agree with having a two-party system and I don’t identify as a Democrat myself, but […]
An Ode To Self Care
Shaun Jackson Staff Columnist Recommended Listening While Reading: Apple Juice – Jessie Reyez I am not an atheist per se, but as a member of the LGBT community it feels hard to explore any sort of relationship with a higher power due to how most marginalized groups are treated in a religious context. What the hell […]