OurChart's Bloggers
Our Favorite Sites
Tips?
thehookup@ourchart.com
Is The Sky Falling?
May 14, 2008 - 11:07am — Grace Moon
If you’ve been following the headlines, it certainly feels like it is. So far 15,000 people are confirmed dead after Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan Province. Another 60,000 estimated dead after Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar almost two weeks ago and the military dictatorship is still hampering international aid and relief to their country.
I received a PM from Sabrina earlier today sharing with me a message she received from an OC member from Beijing who was updating her on the relief efforts there. If there are any members here on OC who have any news and can also recommend aid organizations to donate to, should any of us feel moved, please share it with us.
Several weeks ago there was a headline on our Chart Report “Lesbian Soccer Player Killed by Friends in South Africa.” It caught my attention because OC has friends around the world in all of these communities. When something happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.
A couple of years back, many of us attended the Gay Games in Chicago. The organizers of the Games granted a scholarship to a team of out lesbian soccer players from South Africa. The team was named the "Chosen FEW" after the human rights organization which helped sponsor them. Many of these girls had come from the rural townships and had never traveled outside of their country before. One of their chaperones was the 2004 Olympic South African beach volley ball player Leigh-Ann Naidoo. Leigh-Ann became a great friend of ours and shared many harrowing stories of growing up during Apartheid in South Africa and coming out as a high-profile athlete.
.jpg)
Chosen FEW in Chicago
Leigh-Ann has said that being out in South Africa is serious business — you can be beaten, raped and killed. So, for the soccer team who made it to Chicago that year, it was a unique experience of total freedom and safety.
The final party of the Gay Games in Chicago was The L Word closing party with BETTY and Bitch. Ilene and cast from The L Word also attended. I remember watching the concert with Diana, Ilene and many of our good peeps from Chicago. Leigh-Ann had gotten on stage at one point to thank the Gay Games commission for the opportunity they had given the South African soccer team. The Chosen FEW were in the audience having a total blast, bumping and grinding on the dance floor, chatting it up with all the chicks and just loving life with total abandon.
Leigh-Ann said to me that night how it was going to be very difficult for these girls to go back home because they’ve just tasted what’s its like to be totally free.
I wrote to Leigh-Ann this weekend and asked her about the killing of Eudy Simelane. She wrote back saying: “The ex-national team soccer player that was raped and stabbed to death was not with us in Chicago, but she is one of the out, black, lesbian activists that was a role model to many of the soccer players on the team. I fear the day that news will come of one of the Chosen FEW players being the next victim. Now that I am based in Johannesburg, I am a lot more involved with the organization (Forum for the Empowerment of Women) that Chosen FEW soccer team is a part of.
I am hoping to work with Angela (who freelances for the New York Times) in some way to get the message about homophobic hate crime into the media. I will keep you updated so that you can assist where possible.”
I don’t know how we can directly assist, but the first step is just knowing and bringing these stories into the public sphere. We are a global community after all.
I received a PM from Sabrina earlier today sharing with me a message she received from an OC member from Beijing who was updating her on the relief efforts there. If there are any members here on OC who have any news and can also recommend aid organizations to donate to, should any of us feel moved, please share it with us.
Several weeks ago there was a headline on our Chart Report “Lesbian Soccer Player Killed by Friends in South Africa.” It caught my attention because OC has friends around the world in all of these communities. When something happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.
A couple of years back, many of us attended the Gay Games in Chicago. The organizers of the Games granted a scholarship to a team of out lesbian soccer players from South Africa. The team was named the "Chosen FEW" after the human rights organization which helped sponsor them. Many of these girls had come from the rural townships and had never traveled outside of their country before. One of their chaperones was the 2004 Olympic South African beach volley ball player Leigh-Ann Naidoo. Leigh-Ann became a great friend of ours and shared many harrowing stories of growing up during Apartheid in South Africa and coming out as a high-profile athlete.
Chosen FEW in Chicago
Leigh-Ann has said that being out in South Africa is serious business — you can be beaten, raped and killed. So, for the soccer team who made it to Chicago that year, it was a unique experience of total freedom and safety.
The final party of the Gay Games in Chicago was The L Word closing party with BETTY and Bitch. Ilene and cast from The L Word also attended. I remember watching the concert with Diana, Ilene and many of our good peeps from Chicago. Leigh-Ann had gotten on stage at one point to thank the Gay Games commission for the opportunity they had given the South African soccer team. The Chosen FEW were in the audience having a total blast, bumping and grinding on the dance floor, chatting it up with all the chicks and just loving life with total abandon.
Leigh-Ann said to me that night how it was going to be very difficult for these girls to go back home because they’ve just tasted what’s its like to be totally free.
I wrote to Leigh-Ann this weekend and asked her about the killing of Eudy Simelane. She wrote back saying: “The ex-national team soccer player that was raped and stabbed to death was not with us in Chicago, but she is one of the out, black, lesbian activists that was a role model to many of the soccer players on the team. I fear the day that news will come of one of the Chosen FEW players being the next victim. Now that I am based in Johannesburg, I am a lot more involved with the organization (Forum for the Empowerment of Women) that Chosen FEW soccer team is a part of.
I am hoping to work with Angela (who freelances for the New York Times) in some way to get the message about homophobic hate crime into the media. I will keep you updated so that you can assist where possible.”
I don’t know how we can directly assist, but the first step is just knowing and bringing these stories into the public sphere. We are a global community after all.
- Grace Moon's blog
- Login or register to post comments
- Share
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Recent comments
- but once your in college in America, aren't you old enough to make your own choices (including moving schools)? How old are ...
- So slander and hate-speech should be allowed under the first amendment? What is crossing the line? http://www.mojopo....
- Be honest, this feels like this is a school project for some sort of high school class. My impressions are...through their ...
- I find she always dances around the real issue, especially with topics like this. Like Oprah, when the issue revolves around ...
- Thank you so much for sharing this. I can't imagine how hard this has been for you, but I definitely admire your courage. ...
34 Comments
Its not the first time
Its not the first time a woman has been killed in my country because she's lesbian. Its a desperate situation - I just don't understand the motivation behind it! But I must clarify - that this isn't the general situation in South Africa.
As far as I know, this kind of thing has happened in certain townships but in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, I feel safe being out and proud. I wish I knew what I could do to help the situation.
I didn't even SEE this article in the news - it was only a few weeks ago... An article I found about it mentions nothing about it being a hate crime...nothing about her being lesbian.
S.O.S.
Can I just urge everyone on earth.. who reads this...
We all know that the recent news is all about the cyclone in Myanmar which took place on 2nd May 2008, or about the earthquake in Sichuan, China which took place 12th May 2008. We also know that both the countries had death tolls of more than 20,000, and the numbers are still on a steady rise. Also, there are thousands not found, and classified under "missing", most probably dead. Lots of innocent lives were taken away, especially innocent children. Who perhaps start of their day happily with hopes and dreams, and what these children don't know is that, their life are about to change dramatically the very next minute.
Since the day these major disasters took place, news have been reporting on a daily basis. Some might feel that the Myanmar disaster have been neglected, however, it is their military base government who banned any foreign journalist to make any interviews or to do any footage of the aftermath. In fact, their citizens who are not affected by the cyclone were forced to place their votes on the very day of the disaster. UN have been offering help and rejected unlimited number of times.. but never failed to try again.. The government finally agreed for help, provided they are from their neighbouring countries.. which probably include the ASEAN committee..
We also know that donations have been pouring in.. and charity events have been help in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to raise donations for the aftermath in China.. China itself has also officially announced a 3 day national mourning for those who lost their lives in the Sichuan earthquake. No matter how much money donated, whether is it million or billion, it's very difficult to say how much exactly is sufficient. There's just too much work to do for the aftermath. The counseling and psychological tremors the children and other adult survivors have to go through is something we cannot imagine. Also, not to forget the paramedics and volunteers who help save lives and clear the rubble left behind by the quake. And, honorable journalist who too risk their lives.. and given the current physical conditions of the place itself.. they overcome the smell of dead people.. the bloody scenes and so on... just to bring you and I the live footage of what may be a "living hell" in Sichuan right now...
What we may have seen is only bits and pieces of what the people and survivors of Sichuan might be facing.. and going through.. we can help by making donations.. by adopting the young kids.. for those who can afford better... but what we cannot help is their psychological thoughts.. it is true and we all know it's a fact... we never will know how others are actually feeling.. or what exactly are they going through.. unless we're in their shoes.. we can only help them walk out of their dark days and start on a brand new life once more.. but what exactly they are thinking... we won't know.. neither can we feel.. empathize is what the least we could do... and that's why.. during the charity show for the funding of the aftermath of China's earthquake, held in Taiwan, a particular area of Taiwan donated the most.. as well as most people who donated actually came from there.. they truly understand the feeling of how those in Sichuan might be feeling now.. because they are the survivors of the 912 Taiwan earthquake.. many years back.. and they have just currently rebuild back their area.. after a hard effort...
Donations is never enough.. and I don't understand why sometimes.. human only come to realise that there are people in this world who needs help from those who could give.. only when such big disaster happens.. and then when they are donating for the aftermath in Myanmar and China.. is that gonna be just a one time thing.. or what? What about their own country? Those who doesn't have a shelter to live in.. those who doesn''t have meals to eat.. and those children who doesn't have school to attend? Why is it human have to take such a big blow before realizing the needy around them?
I've decided to post 2 links to the Red Cross association which will be funding the aftermath in Myanmar as well as China.. and there's online donation on the website.. so... FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD ONLY.. Please kindly make your donations... generously.. but not without thinking.. and any amount is totally welcomed... even if its just $1... of course.. for those who can afford more.. I'm not asking you to just donate that much.. however.. I'm urging everyone to just donate as much as they think.. they can afford.. if you can't afford too much now.. then wait till you can.. or when you're older to make a better figure for donations.. It's always the heart and thoughts.. and sincerity that counts.. and not just aimlessly donating.. for no reason.. Also.. donations was never meant to make oneself any poorer person than you were before...
Unfortunately, there are still human kinds out there.. having a really "good" heart... to actually fake as charitable organisation and bluff kind souls of their donations and use it on non charitable purposes.. so do be careful...
Those who can't afford to support in money.. there are many other ways in which one could help.. for example.. providing daily necessities.. like food, water, clothes... shoes.. etc... anything you can think of.. which are useful... that's just basically what those people need now.. things which you find it so common and unnoticeable in your daily life.. might be just what they scam everywhere to look for... a call to everyone out there.. if you have not donated.. and can afford to offer some help in terms of cash... please generously make your donations by all means... at any affordable amount.. and I repeat.. it's at any... AFFORDABLE amount..
http://www.ifrc.org/
http://www.icrc.org/eng
Angels and Soldiers
Dr.Sun Bo An
soldiers from inner mongolia
soldiers from people's liberation army
at the risk of mudslide and aftershock, carried the survivor
carrying the elderly
sleep by the roadside after the grim work of digging bodies
soldiers from fire department
Panda behind the bamboo tree again
New year paintings' homeland Mian Zhu
Before and after Quake
I've known this guy for a
I've known this guy for a few years, and on the first page of today's (err yesterday's paper) it said McGreevy (Ex NJ governor)was having a hard time finding work. He brought it to my attention, and said so what - he's an aweful character anyway. I asked him why. He said cause he's a big homo.
I gave him a piece of my mind. I thought he knew. Well, he does now.
That was a first time in a long time that I was faced with homophobia...I feel for our brothers and sisters in the far regions that are soooo against homosexuals, that it's ok to kill and harm - to "correct us".
A friend of mine, and fellow OC member - a really beautiful woman - has done some projects in Eritrea for her master thesis in the anthropology research of her deaf studies. I was taken back by her insistence that there isn't anyone that is homosexual in Eritrea. It's extremely strict. And there gender roles are very strict.
Her studies is based on sign language and gender and is doing a thesis for the study of sign language in Africa.
I don't know how one can live suppressed to that degree - but I imagine it's one lonely life to live. My heart goes out to all those who live that suppressed life - and to those who get tortured and raped and killed because of...just being different.
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!
NEW! OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog
Panda behind the bamboo tree
Anxiously watching the TV.
See the reporter on TV can't help sobbing while reading his report.
See a hand, just a hand
See the blood spill from wounds
See a cracked forehead
See corpse piled up or lined up
See a mother wailing over the purple blue dusty body of her child
See couples begging and crying
See teacher protects the students while the roof falling down on him
See the tiresome troops still don’t wanna give up
See they dig with bare hands and trudge hundreds miles on foot
See they parachuted without masks
See the helicopter couldn't make it through the cloudy rainy storm
See the aftershock buried the rescuers
See a 70 years old man who is still entitled as minister comforting the hungry child "grandpa will bring you biscuit" with reddened eyes while media called him 'inspecting'
See the nurse still working on the frontline while her husband was dug out, dead.
See a grandma give up her chance throw her baby grandchild out of window at the moment of collapse
See celebrities who worth billions just donate thousands to catch eyeballs
See people still wanna be "political" while bashing about one child policy and Japanese building code
If it were to happen, can Japanese code help the sunken of entire city?
Can more children guarantee fewer casualties?
See Japanese comments goes like "Chinese pig massacre"
See Taiwanese comments warning "stop donate for them, they will buy cannons to bombard Taiwan."
I wonder, where did their conscience go?
My heart almost ripped out, I just feel tired and powerless
My tears are streaming down while I wrote this
I don't know what else I can do. Just wish it were just a nightmare.
Baby, it is hurt...
It is hurt when I read this, your article.
We are so tiny to face the huge tragedy, we are so damn useless.
we can only watch TVs and pray for the victims, nothing more.
Money is still bullshit, the damages will never be paid by those shitty papers.
Be quiet girl, and just pray for them.
At least, they are peaceful in heaven.
hug
A few things...
It's sad to see people dying over the greed of others.
If money and power were not the top issue of governments, if nature were not destroyed over it, I bet things would be different since all this is only happening because the earth is responding to the way she was treated all these years.
Second, man must learn how to deal with what's different from what he has learned in his enviroment differently.
Kill, Condemn is not the answer.
You in South A. have my prayers and my thoughts.
=)
Community...
Thanks Grace for expanding the idea of community.
Ain't they cute
Homeless dog and her sad stare
rescue dog and rescuer
drinkin
broken glasses are allover the places
the dog cut its toes while searching for the victims
this article is such a
this article is such a strong reminder of how lucky i am to have had such an easy life, and how easy we have it in australia.
I'm from Toronto, its the
I'm from Toronto, its the first I heard this. Wow, this is such a sad one. Its just a sad thing that the world don't accept diversity including sexuality. Is it that bad to love a person who happens to be the same sex? I could imagine just being free but having to go back home into the world where you have to hide your sexual orietation. It's just so sad. Friends should have just accepted it and let it go because being gay or lesbian is no harm. It's just sad. My prayers goes out to the victim's family.
★ jodi to bette (while tina talks to her): why is she talking to me? doesn't she know that I'm deaf?★
I also from China, but not
I also from China, but not in Sichuan province. Until today, there are 19509 people dead after the earthquake. It is huge and terrible disaster! We all feel sad for them. Not only all the people in China but also the people all over the world do thier best to help whom suffered the disaster. The things you do make us feel like we are a family. Many thanks to you!
May God bless ones who now suffering pain, bless China, bless everyone in the world...
I am a chinese who live in
I am a chinese who live in Hong kong,so, sorry for my poor english.
I was shocked and I got the feeling that my heart was broke when i heard of the earthquake in my country. The pictures taken in sichuan were mournful.
There were so much disasters in china recently....
God bless china.
Earthquakes and Hurricanes
are not something we as man can really harness - but they are a tragedy none the less. In countries with such a dense population as China is, the death toll is always going to be high for such a disaster... It's sad that so many damned kids die.
Places with dictatorships are always going to be hard for anyone to offer aid and relief too. Sadly, they want these people to die. Ironically, if they let these people die, they wont have the people to push around and their 'dictatorship' starts to become redundant.
A huge amount of natural disasters have been happening lately, and my mother subscribes to the Aztec Calander (which ends in 2012) and considers it a portent of bad tidings.
As for the horrible incident in South Africa - you know, I don't think these things are happening more often then before - I think they are being reported on more often. In a twisted way, that could be a step in the right direction... very twisted indeed.
beyond
our colour , gender , sexual disposition and all other factors we are all essentially the same,,,,,,. if only we could see that ,,,,,i live in cape town south africa and am still coming to grips with our loss,,,,,,the sad reality is that its hard being an out lesbian in south africa and its worse being a black lesbian......why ?because the community is still dealing with the move of intergration,,,,,hence there is a black/white realm ,,,plus the straight/gay add the male/female and there you are smack in the middle.....i pray that the human race can graduate to that state of harmony and peace amongst all,,, but some how i feel it starts with our community,,,,,,,if we do not discriminate against each other eventually the rest of the world will catch on,,,,,its a no bounds love revolution we need to start.....:)
....:::::let love rule::::.........
The earth...
The earth getting old.....earthquake....happen all the times. i still remember when tsunami took almost 250.000 people just in 10 minutes. The worst we dont learn from it...our country make a world record in destroying forest in one day. Sad..human never learn ... The issue in south africa...is something u cant avoid. In country which has strong culture and religion r mostly put man above women. And it will happen everytime women r show their strenght or power. Thets why there's no open lesbian in my country.
sky falling earth opening...
The world is a crazy place right now.
The sky is falling, the earth is opening...and Man's lack of wisdom is definitely an insult to his creator... Natural catastrophe is one thing but when human plight is politicised by Man's vested interests and foolish ego, we are just like a beast...even animals are kind. My heart goes to the victims of these disasters...reminds me of Tsunami in Acheh, Indonesia...
Myanmar
Like so many dictatorships that proclaim they are all about taking care of their people (Juan Peron and Fidel Castro come to mind), these kinds of government only care about whoever is in the government and how can they best fleece their people. The sad truth is that tons of relief items could show up there tomorrow and maybe, at best, 20% might make it to those who really need it.
Now, with another cyclone on the horizon, one could only hope that it blows away the government and all involved!
Crazy
THe world is going crazy indeed. Cyclones and earthquakes and dictators are everywhere.
The South Africa issue is very close to mmy heart. We just got note yeaterday that this years Johborg Pride moto is "Love not Hate" and we will be commemorating all lesbians raped and killed just because of their sexual preference.
I live in rural South Africa and it is not easy specially for young girls who are struggling with their own identity but can't express it because of certain retaliation. The fear is incredible and he ignorance in communities even more so.
We keep on fighting and the Womens soccer team and other out lesbians are an inspiration to us all.
sarah4annah
Earthquake donations
Hi guys, I thought I'd add some info on donating to help out the Sichuan earthquake survivors...
If any of you happen to be living in Beijing, The Bookworm (Sanlitun Nan Lu) is collecting things such as tents, clothes, blankets and dry foods along the Red Cross guidelines. DHL will be picking it up at 4pm on Sat, so get it to us before then.
Info I just got on direct donations to the Red Cross Society of China...
"As the transportation in the disaster hitting area is not smooth, CRCC is mainly collecting monetary donations right now. It has opened a special account and hotline for those interested in contributing cash. The detailed account information is under the account name "Red Cross Society of China".
For those who want to donate in Renminbi, send money to the RMB account 0200001009014413252 at Beijing Dongsinan Branch, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
For those who want to donate in foreign currency, send money to the foreign currency account 7112111482600000209 at Jiuxianqiao Branch of the CITIC Bank.
In addition, donations can be made by sending to No. 8, Beixinqiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing, Postcode: 100007, or donating online at redcross.org.cn or via short messages (from Chinese mobiles) — by writing 1 or 2 and sending to 1069999301, users will donate RMB1 or RMB2 to the disaster relief."
xxx
Thanks Grace.
Thanks
I'm really never thought that an foreigner can do this from deep heart.Forgiving me for my implite words.
But your warm and kind support make myself feel guilty,for most of us do not really believe that the things or the money we donated will arrive to the victims' hands.It is so heart-broken.
When I read your words,I'm moved and deceded to show my effort.For we should believe that there still be more goodness than evil things, we just need to try and do our best regardless the endings, keeping the nature."Just be yourself"-one of my favorite words.
Ps:
Our company will also start a donation to collect money for supporting the destroied districts.
Thanks again.
Hey Grace.....
Thank you. What more can I say.
iGoogle saves my intellectualism.
I am currently living in an apartment with no electricity or cable, so I grab my headlines with wireless in the early mornings. When I saw all of these environmental headlines two days ago, I thought that I had all but missed the rapture.
Good to know that I'm not the only one.
www.fonfreaka.blogspot.com
I have been asking myself
that same question a lot lately Grace!
In fact, I've had 'What's Going On,' playing in loop mode in my mind for at least the past couple of weeks...
Thanks for sharing - the injustice in the world makes my head spin!! In fact, I cannot help but wonder if these natural disasters are in direct correlation with how terribly we treat one another...
******
"Change is created by those whose imaginations are bigger than their circumstances." Unknown
avaaz.org is organising aid relief via the Burmese monasteries
http://www.avaaz.org/en/
Its so
interesting that the monks of Burma have taken all kinds of actions inorder to care for the people . its truly a disgrace this government cares so little.
wasn't that what we said
about Geo. Bush and Co. when it came to New Orleans - they seemed to care so little as well... and the response was slow... sad.
hmmm
No prophet is well-received in his own land...
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Breaking news?
I saw on breaking news that Myanmar is expecting another cyclone in 24hrs.
Leo Tolstoy:
"I now understand that my welfare is only possible if I acknowledge my unity with all the people of the world without exception."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Brilliant Tolstoy quote!
I love that one!!
******
"Change is created by those whose imaginations are bigger than their circumstances." Unknown
South Africa
I read about that sad incident, Grace. I have a friend who lives in Johannesburg, and follow South African news. What happens around the world touches us all.
We are one......
Nothing but love
Tex