#International Asexuality Conference 2023

[thisisnotapublicforum]

Ace & Aro Collective AU & AVEN are cohosts to this years International Asexuality Conference, IAC23. The team is very busy behind the scenes, but we would love if you could donate to help cover costs! Costs include venue hire, venue bond, liability insurance etc. IAC23 is free to attend ! Updates: We did have a venue but we were only recently told we would be unable to use it for the in person portion of the conference - and as such we are expecting this to be a major expense , over $1000 AUD. Most venues require a bond of $500 AUD and liability insurance will be atleast $400. Anything you can donate towards these costs would be greatly appreciated ! Any funds that are in excess of what is needed for the IAC23 will fund the ongoing work of AACAU.

#asexuality #aromantic #International Asexuality Conference 2023 #paypal #monetary aid #signal boost #fundraising #queer

[earlgreytea68]

A Note on Olivia's Speech -- Kinda

OMG this is so much babbling but I wrote it all down in case it might be interesting to anyone else who feels vast amounts of guilt over writing about guys all the time??????

When I was a younger writer, I used to write a lot of het. That's what I wrote all through my teenage years and into my early twenties, just tons of traditional male/female romance novels, which honestly was mostly what I read through those years, too (aside from the classics that I was forced to read for my degree in English, which was exactly why I majored in English lol). Even when I started writing fanfiction, which wasn't until my mid-twenties, I wrote het.

But then at one point I started writing m/m love stories, and I never stopped. And I worry a lot about that, like, is this betraying internalized misogyny on my part? Why am I writing about men (and often white men), who get so many of the stories anyway? I should write more about my actual gender identity, which is cisgender woman. But every time I did, it felt so weird and stilted to me. And my motto is that unless I'm writing for money I write makes me happy, so I kept writing m/m fic.

Once, years ago, I went to a presentation at an academic conference where they discussed the phenomenon of cisgender women writing m/m fic. I know this often gets characterized as just some kind of sexual kink, and I just don't think that's what's going on with me, and that presentation noted that cisgender men are the default, so to speak, in our society. And so characters with a cisgender male gender identity are allowed to be blank slates that can be absolutely anything you want. Whereas as soon as you make a character a cisgender female, suddenly there are all these societal pressures on that character. And that did resonate with me, that try as I might I couldn't just change the pronouns of the cisgender men I was writing and ta-da! They were cisgender women! Because there's just so much other baggage that comes with being a cisgender woman that they were freed from if they were cisgender men -- even if I resented that that was the case!

But I've been doing a lot of reading this past year, and not of romance novels, of quote-unquote "serious" novels (an adjective I strenuously do not agree with, as a writer of romance lol). I read Elif Batuman's books (both hilarious but both kind of fell apart about halfway through), I read Checkout 19 (which I pretty much hated), I read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (weird book), I read The Farewell Tour (which surprised me and I liked much more than I'd thought I would). Every one of these books had a cisgender female protagonist (or co-protagonist), and every one of these books had a major plot point where that protagonist has a terrible, unhealthy relationship with an obnoxious cisgender guy. Every. Single. Book. And sometimes it was more than one unhealthy relationship, and sometimes it was more than one female character within the book. Like, you're going along reading about these delightful and interesting adventures these fabulous women are having, then -- bam! they run up against some guy not nearly as interesting as they are and not deserving of their time and then they waste a bunch of their life (and the book) all hung up on him. And I was just like: It's the year 2023, and this is STILL what the female narrative looks like? This???? We can't tell other stories about women that don't revolve around what men do to them???

It's not that these books aren't critiquing that part of society (which I understand is still omnipresent all around us). All of the books are very conscious that the relationships are unhealthy and diminishing the woman (except maaaaybe the relationship in T&T&T, but that book also is really mean to its arguably asexual MC and basically implies that he'll never be of importance in his BFF's life because he doesn't want to have sex with her, so the book had other issues, tbh). Not a single one of those books actually, you know, has any apparent repercussions for the guy in question, who just seems to go on and live their life pretty carefree and the woman whose life they stomped all over is barely a second thought, to us the outside observer. And I'm sure that's also very true to how society works. But, all the same, it was striking to me that, even if critical, THIS WAS STILL EVERY WOMAN'S NARRATIVE. EVERY WOMAN'S NARRATIVE WAS ABOUT SELLING HERSELF SHORT FOR SOME GUY. Can we not imagine better for ourselves????

And so, Idk, I do try to put people of other genders in my m/m fics but when it comes to a character like Olivia, and thinking of what her happy ending looked like, I just could not make myself put her with a guy. And you might say: she could have gone with a woman! And yes! She could have! But I think I am craving female narratives that aren't about romantic and sexual love. Because every narrative I read about a woman is alllll about romantic and sexual love. The woman belittles herself to squeeze herself into the box of romantic and sexual love, cutting off all of the interesting parts of herself because she's been told THAT is the end-all-be-all. But I am a believer in all kinds of love, and how all of those kinds of love can give you a good and well-rounded life, and it's silly to pretend that there's only one type of love and that we should pursue it at all costs to our selves.

And then I think, well, gee, that's hypocritical of me, given that ALL I DO IS WRITE STORIES ABOUT ROMANTIC AND SEXUAL LOVE. But then it occurred to me that in writing them about two cisgender men, it does feel more like a narrative that needs to be told. Men get so many stories...but they don't often get THESE stories. They don't often get the love story. They don't often pursue their romantic love as if it will fulfill their destiny...because society tells men that their destiny has other shapes and sizes beyond who they sleep with. Maybe, I think, the world needs more narratives about guys who just love, unabashedly and deeply and fulfillingly, and THAT'S the narrative. That's the whole story. Just that. The way it so often is for women.

When I think about Olivia, and even as I sit and struggle my way with Megan in the Regency AU sequel, it's like...I want more for them than that. Like, for so long I grew up with exactly the expectation that Olivia talks about, that I needed to find a husband and that was the most important thing about me. And I watch the younger women I know still get that message. I've got a great career, went to good schools, do interesting stuff, and still a shocking number of people want to know why I'm single. What about everything else I can be????? I have great friends and a great family and I honestly like my life. Who can ask for more than that? Like, isn't the most amazing thing that could happen to Megan, especially in the Regency era, is just that she lives the life she wants??? And maybe that means she gets married and maybe it doesn't but it's cool either way and she has the freedom to choose it!

I don't mean to imply that I don't have internalized misogyny, because who knows lol. I also don't mean to imply that women shouldn't get married!!!! I have many cisgender female friends in very happy and healthy heterosexual relationships!!! It's awesome for them and it works for them and it's cool and I love them and the lives they have built for themselves. Lives come in all shapes and sizes, and that's great. But I finished yet another book with yet another female protagonist in yet another unhealthy relationship for the fifth time this year or whatever and I was just like, No wonder I gave Olivia that speech. No wonder I'm looking for another narrative.

#long post #honestly who knows what this is #it feels a mess

[eurovision-facts]

Do you know if there ever was any ace or aro artist on Eurovision?

Eurovision Fact #372:

While there have been no asexual or aromantic Eurovision contestants, there have been many openly gay contestants and contestants who later came out as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Paul Oscar was the first openly gay Eurovision contestant. He performed for Iceland in 1997. The winner of that year's contest, Katrina and the Waves, also had their lead singer (Katrina Leskanich) come out many years later.

In 1998, Dana International made waves as she became the first trans contestant, and winner of the competition.

Israeli representative in 2002, Sarit Hadad, came out in 2021.

Representative of Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2004 and 2006 Deen has never come out explicitly, but openly posts about life with his boyfriend.

Winner of the 2007 contest, Marija Serifovic, came out as a lesbian in 2013 during the premiere of her film Confession.

Members of the group Blue -- who represented the UK in 2011 -- Duncan James and Lee Ryan have come out as gay and bisexual, respectfully. Ryan also admitted to sleeping with Duncan James often.

Winner of the 2012 contest, Loreen, came out as bisexual in 2017, stating that "love is where you find it."

Ireland's 2013 representative Ryan Dolan came out as gay the year following his Eurovision performance.

Thomas Neuwirth, otherwise known as winner of the 2014 contest Conchita Wurst, is openly gay.

In 2016, the Israeli representative Hovi Star was openly gay, and the Dutch representative, Douwe Bob, was bisexual.

Montenegro's 2017 representative Slavko Kalezić is openly gay.

In 2018, the Finnish representative Saara Alto was a lesbian, and Ukrainian representative Mélovin came out as bisexual in 2021.

In 2019 winner of the contest, Duncan Laurence, came out as bisexual at a Eurovision press conference. Additionally, France's contestant that year, Bilal Hassani, was queer. Moreover, member of the Norwegian band Keiino is openly gay. Finally, Italian contestant Mahmood has spoken out in support of LGBT rights, especially in Egypt, but does not like to label himself in any way.

Many of the contestants in the 2021 contest were members of the LGBT community: members of the Italian band Måneskin (winners of the 2021 contest) Victoria De Angelis and Ethan Torchio are openly bisexual and "sexually free" respectively. Australian representative Montaigne uses they/them pronouns and came out as bisexual. Spanish contestant Blas Cantó is also bisexual. Lesley Roy of Ireland is a lesbian. Vasil Garvanliev (North Macedonia), Jeangu Macrooy (Netherlands), and Jendrik Sigwart (Germany) are gay. Romania's Roxen is nonbinary, and member of the Icelandic group Daði og Gagnamagnið, Hulda, is pansexual.

2022 also saw a large number of LGBT contestants. Member of the Icelandic group Systur Elín is a genderfluid lesbian, and Michael Ben David of Israel and Sheldon Riley of Australia are both gay.

Finally, 2023 will also see many LGBT performers take the stage. Belgium's Gustaph and Serbia's Luke Black are gay, and Norway's Alessandra Mele is bisexual.

[Sources]

Please let me know if I missed anyone!

Eurovision: All LGBT Entries (1956-2022), YouTube.com.

INTERVIEW: Katrina Leskanich, Thegayuk, Archive.org (Archived).

Paul Oscar, Wikipedia.org.

Participants of Dublin 1997, Eurovision.tv.

Birmingham 1998, Eurovision.tv.

'Conchita Wurst: 'Most artists are sensitive and insecure people. I am too',' TheGuardian.com.

'Dutch Eurovision contestant Duncan Laurence comes out as bisexual,' gaytimes.co.uk.

'I Am A Lesbian! – Marija Serifovic Opens Up In Her Film “Confession”,' inserbia.info.

'Eurovision winner Loreen comes out as bisexual,' sbs.com.au.

'Sanremo 2021, i Maneskin si spogliano e parlano di libertà sessuale,' eg.zone, archive.org (archived).

"לא נגעו בי שנים כמו שבי נגעת": שרית חדד יוצאת מהארון וחושפת את בת זוגה, walla.co.il.

'Fuad Backović Deen s dečkom Willom Phearsonom na rođendanskoj zabavi,' avazi.ba.

'Deenov dečko na Instagramu: Svi osmijesi s mojom ljubavi,' klix.ba.

''Celebrity Big Brother' Star Lee Ryan Says He Sleeps With His Blue Bandmate Duncan James 'All The Time',' huffingtonpost.co.uk.

'Duncan James ‘proud to be gay’ as he reveals new boyfriend Rodrigo Reis,' Standard.co.uk.

'Eurovision star Ryan Dolan comes out as gay,' independent.ie.

'Israeli entrant to Eurovision says humiliated at Russian airport for being gay,' timesofisrael.com.

'Netherlands: Douwe Bob Comes Out As Bi,' Eurovoix.com.

'Slavko Kalezić,' Wikipedia.org.

'Saara Alto opens up about her sexuality as she poses in stunning new photo shoot,' thepinknews.com.

'Ukraine: “I showed my essence” – MELOVIN comes out, kisses a woman and a man on stage at Atlas Weekend festival,' wiwibloggs.com.

'Le youtubeur Bilal Hassani, idole queer des jeunes, représentera la France à l’Eurovision,' lemonde.fr.

'Congrats to “Tom Hugo” Married His Partner Today,' escbeat.com.

@ actualmontaigne on Twitter.

'it's me...' @ actualmontaigne on Twitter.

'Salir del armario para alcanzar la felicidad,' lavanguardia.com.

''I pushed being gay deep down inside me' - Eurovision hopeful Lesley Roy,' independent.ie.

'Eurovision's Vasil is ready to be a voice for LGBTQ people in North Macedonia and the Balkans, attitude, archive.org (archived).

'Jeangu Macrooy: 10 facts about the Netherlands’ Eurovision 2021 singer,' wiwibloggs.com.

'Jendrik Sigwart privat: Mit Freund Jan in Rotterdam? Das ist unser ESC-Kandidat 2021,' news.de.

'Eurovision star Roxen comes out as non-binary in powerfully frank chat with fans,' thepinknews.com.

'Iceland’s Eurovision entry warms queer hearts as singer Hulda waves pansexual flag during semi-final,' metro.co.uk.

'How a Eurovision star's song about coming out became a gay anthem,' yahoo.com.

'LGBTIQ+ artists at Eurovision 2022,' aussievision.net.

'Gustaph from Belgium: "My Eurovision performance will be very different",' eurovisionworld.com.

'Alessandra Mele: “My song was written especially for Eurovision”| Exclusive interview |,' Eurovisionfun.com.

'"JA SAM GEJ" Srpski predstavnik na Evroviziji Luke Black objavio snimak sa drugaricom jutjuberkom - UZBURKALI MREŽE (VIDEO),' blic.rs.

#esc facts oc #eurovision #eurovision facts oc #eurovision song contest #esc #lgbt #lgbt representation #lgbtq

[evoldir]

Fwd: Conference: Singapore.AsiaEvolution.Dec16-18

Begin forwarded message: > From: [email protected] > Subject: Conference: Singapore.AsiaEvolution.Dec16-18 > Date: 22 October 2023 at 05:18:22 BST > To: [email protected] > > > Dear Colleagues, > > The 3rd Asia Evolution (AsiaEvo) Conference will be held in Singapore, > at the National University of Singapore from December 16-18, 2023. > > The 3rd AsiaEvo Conference ??? International Conference on Evolution in > Singapore phylorf.org > > > We would like to invite you to submit an abstract for our symposium, > entitled: > > "Novel Insights Regarding Genome Architecture Evolution in the Arthropoda" > > > The Abstract Submission Deadline has been extended to: October 31, 2023 > Abstract Submission Site: https://phylorf.org/ > > > Full list of Symposia: > An evolutionary perspective on pollinator biodiversity, systematics, and conservation > Behavioral evolution in vertebrates: diversity, genomics, and mechanisms > Early evolution of vertebrates from evo-devo and paleontological perspectives > Fitness landscapes bridge evolution and molecular biology > Frontiers in vertebrate functional-morphological evolution studies > Genetics of adaptation and evolution of novel traits > Genomic diversity in nonequilibrium populations > Green computational technologies for evolutionary analysis > Impact of introgressive hybridization on tropical diversification > Marine Evo-Devo: new frontiers from emerging marine model systems > Novel insights regarding genome architecture evolution in arthropods > Paleo- and macro- ecology in tropical Asia > The evolution of invertebrate sensory ecology and behavior > The genomics of adaptation and speciation > Virus evolution: from basic research to public health applications > Why sex? Insights from asexual genomes > Open Category > > > > Carol Eunmi LEE, Ph.D. > Professor > > Department of Integrative Biology > 430 Lincoln Drive, Birge Hall > University of Wisconsin > Madison, WI 53706 > [email protected] > > https://ift.tt/tEyF5c4 > > > > Carol Eunmi LEE

#IFTTT #Email