A guest post from lav

Finally, I have a chance to introduce myself, my name is Lavender. Eli may have mentioned having an alter ego at 13, well Lavender was mine. I'm not yet 18, but I'm definitely getting closer. I honestly didn't think I'd have a chance to blog on the all mighty homo-journal though I confess I've been here all along.

I'm the stand in for anyone who may have been abducted for the day. Don't worry I don't count on it happening very often. It deffo seems like Cretzal’s been kidnapped  :o I tried to write this in advance to the theme of a particular week but I didn’t and now I just feel pressured in saying something! Anything as long as it has the words stereotypes in it. What would the world be like without the word stereotype, stereotyping, or stereotyped! It can’t be. A new word will take its place. Besides I think you could look at it from any direction everyone will have a different opinion. Most are glad and wouldn’t like to deny who they’ve been “classified” as; they want a title, a group they think they belong to, and people they have things in common with. I think I’d be classified as half normal, in that stage where I can be majorly spazzy and then just a tad fantabby tastic, spaztastic ;) But then if I were to be compared with other people then I’d be the NORMAL one. NORMAL- wouldn’t you rather be weird, someone with a personality, classified as “unique!”

There’s also that huge bad gut feeling most people get when they think about the word stereotyping. The people who have been put into a category and hate it, get bullied, being called names. It’s one of the worst attract to being stereotyped. Do you really get a choice? Or even a say on what other people think or say about you. I guess I would tell those people: someone wise once told me that if you’re proud of whom you are, then what other people stereotype you as should keep you standing, head held high, because they have just described that person you’re happy to be, that person you’re proud of. Be yourself, because there is a 99.999...% chance that someone out in that big blue and green planet is just like you and loves who you are. If you can’t imagine it, then think bigger, the universe needs someone like you. Someone they can finally classify as UNIQUE! (For real this time).

That’s the END of this stereotypical week. Did you just see what I did there? Oh I forgot to mention that I'm not very funny on paper, soz... I think I got through my first post with a reasonably good amount of stuff- it was a bit like being on TV, except the going back and being able to change what you say... although I can’t think of what I could have said if I erase what I have said. Hmmm, the conundrum of having said utter rubbish.

I didn’t mention my sexuality, urm...well you can guess! I’ll just give you my opinion at the end of the week.

Lav xxx

OMG! Is that a Stereotype I see??

Well hello there special followers (I'm hoping there is at least 1 person following us :P)

We have now reached the much awaited weekend and on this fabulous Saturday morning I am here to discuss the stereotypical subject of stereotypes! I said fabulous cause I could see this tiny ray of sunlight peering through my bedroom shades; little did I know that - England being what it is -  when I opened the shades the sun had been covered by a thick sheet of clouds and it is now raining. Oh English weather… it always lives up to stereotypes don't you think?

Do not fear! I will not fall into the (yet other) stereotype of English people always talking about the weather; let me enlighten you. My name is Miu, no it is not a typical name and no I am not sure it is even real but that is not the point. I am the straight (at least 99% so) token/mascot of this insane group of non-hetero entities. I chose to write on Saturdays because, let it be said, it is the BEST day. I am 18 and NOT English, so what am I? Well that is a very good question that even the most esteemed philosophers or scientists have not been able to answer, so let it just be said that I am… [missing to protect identity]  or more simply: I just AM. To quote my dear friend (and by "friend" I mean "that idiot!") Descartes "Ego sum. Ego existo. (I am. I exist.)" Though I'm not even sure about that!

Now back to the point. Stereotypes. Most people hate them. Why? Because they are a way of passing judgement on a person merely based on ethnicity, gender, culture, religion, colour, height… and many many others. And of course, we insecure little humans just hate to be judged! I mean seriously, everyone around us is judging us in someway or another; even you are judging me in this exact moment while reading this blog. You are deciding whether I am just a crazed teenager or in need of serious medical attention. On the other hand you may also be considering how awesome I am, in which case carry on. The fact is, we do not hate the "nice" stereotypes. I don't see any African man going around saying: "Hey! How dare you say I have a big penis!?" But I do hear Indian/Japanese guys crying out: "its not true! Its not true!"
I once heard someone say (or probably just read it on FB)

"I live three lives:
○ The one I live everyday
○ The one people say I live
○ And the one my parents think I live"

Now I found that quite funny, as I too seem to live three lives - though probably even more. What about you? If it does apply to you then sorry honey, but you are a stereotypical teenager (or human being)! Now why did I used "stereotypical" rather than just "typical"? No matter the definition (thank you James!) they essentially have the same meaning. What makes us hate it so much is the negative connotations that come with it. We don't want to be put in a closed box. It is when people only see the stereotype and refuse to see the real person that it all becomes really annoying. But stereotypes aren't bad in themselves.

I tend to consider myself as...unique. I am not you r typical gal. Yet even I have fallen into a stereotype. I'm sitting at my desk writing on a blog while spinning around in my chair and lovingly wearing my boyfriend's oversized hoodie to comfort me while he is away! Nevertheless, stereotypes exist for a reason. Although most are not accurate, people really tend to behave similarly. It's a fact that most English people have their 5 o'clock tea. Call it stereotype, tradition or culture, in the end there's not much difference.

Either way I still find it amazing when you meet that ONE person who fits a stereotype perfectly! I think they are a rare endangered species that should be protected… or locked up - I mean looked after - in a museum for people to watch!

I think you've had enough of me by now so I will leave you to hopefully start a debate on whether what I said is utter bullshite (not a typo, read it as appropriate) or incredibly clever or perhaps insane. The latter tends to include the other two into one.

Do not despair, I'll be back next week!

Love,

Miu

P.S. Don't forget to e-mail us at homojournal@gmail.com for any questions, comments, request or if you are bored and have nothing better to do. We are available 24/7 (that is 24 minutes every 7 hours) so try your luck!

P.P.S. [ok that's a total lie that was true erm... a few days ago... now well... just drunk typing on the computer while my other fellow bloggers are getting off with each other LOL what a stereotype right?]

Seems I'm the only gay in the village....

On a blog called 'homo-journal'. Funny that...

Anyways, hi all, welcome to Friday on HJ! I'm Rory, and I'm 18, gay, and completely obsessed with Music and Film and TV. When I'm not being depressed/stressing/drinking beer/eating chocolate/a combination of those 4, you'll probably find me at the piano, writing music, or obsessing fanboying over shows like Doctor Who and Sherlock, although I personally don't think I'm obsessed. Every Friday I'm going to offer up my views on pretty much anything, LGBT related or not, and I promise I'll try and make it vaguely humourous...

So, this week's theme is Stereotypes. I HATE stereotypes to the point where even hearing the word makes me shudder. A lot of people argue that they can be useful, temporarily, but if after a while they become useless, then what's the point of them in the first place? It's a bit like when you shopping for a new TV or something. You go shopping to buy a TV you can use for ever and ever until the bloody thing becomes too old and decrepid to stand up on its own, er, stand. You don't go and buy a TV temporarily until it no longer suits your needs....... do you?

They cause more harm than good, too, as far as I'm concerned. Seriously, coming out (more on that in a couple of weeks time) would have been so much easier if there weren't any bloody stereotypes. I also think that they're far too generic to fit even one person, let alone a whole bunch of people. And it's not as if they serve any purpose either... Let's be serious, when was the last time stereotypes were used to benefit someone? I cannot think of an example. Which kinda proves my point: they're stupidly pointless. And the reason why they're pointless, is that everybody is so different, that there's no such thing as 'normal'. Reminds me of the saying "everybody's a foreigner somewhere in the world."

Having said all that, though, I must admit that I do have some of the 'gay'-stereotypes.... I absolutely despise pretty much all forms of sport (taking part and watching >.<), and I'm a pretty artsy sort of guy; I get involved in a lot of music and drama, and probably also too much film and tv  for my own good. And I'm a complete sucker for musicals, they're pretty much the best thing since Doctor Who. But, apart from that, I wouldn't say I'm particularly stereotypically gay.

So, that's all for this week from me, tomorrow's the turn of our straight 'mascot', Miu. Don't forget to leave a comment, and follow our blog, or send us an e-mail at homojournal@gmail.com. Most importantly, is that you don't forget to join us again next week when we get to do it all again (god, I sound like a TV presenter....)

See you next week!
Rory

Eli-types

Finally, the time has come for me to be allowed to introduce myself:

Hola, Eli is my chosen name... I used to be elizabth, when my friends and I had a "Victorian/posh-alter-ego" phase, aged 13, but that has passed now. (now I'm 17 and allllll grown up >.< - clearly. ha.)

Normally I'd claim to be the most totally-innocent person in the world, but be secretly the most macabre and vulgar of our acquaintances, but thinking about our 'group', both are likely to be far far far from the case. Unless you haven't realized already, I will say it: we, not just us on our joyful Homo-journal, but our group of friends, are not reflective of the general population. We are all IB students, or survivors, and a high percentage of us are lgbt.. thats before I mention our clothes, our openminded-ness and what we do in our spare time. I think we allow ourselves to be more strange..

Although one of our group (a non-IBer, *shakes head* 'tis typical), told me I was weird, because my conversations tend to revolve around sex and death.. I'm a budding criminologist (is budding even a word?), if that counts as an explanation. I also have a dark sense of humor, and I feed off of other's awkwardness.. *shrugs* I'm an older sister, what do you expect?

I think stereotypes are pretty boxes, it's our way to categorize all the information we get. There are so many people in the world, that they appear so much easier to deal with if you put them in little categories, detailing their 'average behavior'. The problem is, human beings are too complex, and the more boxes you have, the harder it is to categories people, because Ms fatty is just spilling over into other boxes. My sexuality for example.. My friend S will vouch the fact that before I identified as queer (Aka, refuses to sit in a box), I was running around like a maniac, one box to another, because they didn't feel right, and I suffer from 'the grass is greener on the other side' syndrome. But queer is just what I use. Others can categorize me how they like: they can say I'm a lesbian (I'd prefer 'gay', I hate the word lesbian), because I have a girlfriend, or could say that I am bi, because I previously have had boyfriends. It doesn't make a difference to who I am, just makes it easier for them to deal with me.

That's how criminal profiling works right? 'we think the killer is strong because of the way he has strangled all of his victims..' and then they see if they can narrow down their suspects into categories 'to weak to even pick up sausages', 'flabby, but can obviously pick up large amounts of food', 'muscles!'...

So, to me, stereotypes are boxes. My favorite.. Ohhh, I don't know. I love it when people fit them completed, as much as when they completely don't. I also love the 'ignorant homophobes' them ones that don't really know better. I love the awkwardness >.<


I decided to try map out our homojournal stereotypes, and then get mel to illustrate for me, to prove stereotypes are not always correct :)

here goes:


(notice how I got bored.. and so it's not totally filled out... (sorry >.<)

So, this is the illustration by mel:



Oh no :/// it looks a tad too reflective.
Perhaps I can get away with this by saying that urm... we're all sitting in a perfectly fitting box, and it's great that we managed to create this box forourselves where we don't spill out too much? I mean, look at it, it doesn't have me eating sushi, or rollerskating, or attacking mel...


Eli x

Comment me your favorite ones, it will make life less dull, and help me procrastinate. Don't forget to subscribe and message us, on homojournal@gmail.com

Todostrieb for President of the World

So, you know what the theme of the week is by now, and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight to my readers that four percent of your number are utter fools. Yes, this is vaguely related to the theme, bear with me. Four per cent of you are technophobes; I am of course speaking about the Internet Explorer users among you. But, to keep things on a positive note 65% of you are awesome (the Chromers), congratulations.

The four per cent:

• You live in a hut in the middle of nowhere
• Your parents are wolves
• Your main income is the soul trade
• The internet connection is only so you can check out this awesome blog/ email your mother
• You have a monobrow

The sixty-five per cent:

• You live in a spaceship
• Your parents just commented on your Facebook status
• You make your money blackmailing the FBI with the threat of hacking their website
• You mainly use your internet for reading this awesome blog and keeping in touch with earthbound friends
• You are 5”3, brunette, have hazel eyes and areas sexy as fuck

Obviously I have invented these off the top of my head,which makes them no less accurate than many stereotypes your brain is probably unconsciously holding onto as we speak. What you really need to consider here is why do my ill-formed opinions matter to you? I’m a complete stranger to you (unless you are in my legion of stalkers, in which case, hi), I’ve never met you, and I am judging you. I DON’T MATTER. But my thoughts should have no bearing on how you act; they shouldn’t even upset you, when the stereotypes begin to change how others act towards you it’s a whole different kettle of fish.

For example, as the president of the world, I am introducing a tax on internet explorer users, because my advisors assure me that you are all dangerous soul stealing technophobes. Obviously my advisors have never met one of you; I am allowing stereotypes to affect my actions towards you.

In the real world (sigh) I would like to say this is uncommon, I’d like to think most people can be professional. But there will always be the one person who is lacking the brain cells to reform their opinions, because they are unwilling to let go of a stereotype. Ignore them all.

Sorry that descended into a ramble, my point was this. Don’t fear your stereotypes (unless they’re formed by idiots in a position of power over you), they are not who you are, embrace every part of you even if, god forbid, you’re a hipster. Because I’m sure even you will have redeeming qualities, but remember, I was a teenage girl before it was cool.

Todostrieb is awful.

On a slightly unrelated note does anyone else have problems proving they’re human?

Todostrieb

Stereotypes Day Two- Mel

“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”- Persuasion, Austen

Oh God, I think, I’ve turned into a woman. I am scrubbing a shoe in the sink, sleeves rolled to the elbow and humming Hollywood Undead; so if I am female, let it at least be said I am an amazing one.

And then of course, there’s the whole lesbian stereotype palaver. I am holding a checked flannel shirt lovingly and my girlfriend looks at me eyes narrowed. "You’re such a lesbian," she says completely seriously. Alas, there comes a time when every bisexual with short hair, a girlfriend and a love for hiking boots must ask herself if she has fallen into the butch lesbian trap.

I am in a constant battle with myself to be as feminine and as unfeminine as possible. Some days I wear clothes 3 sizes to big with ripped jeans and others I’ll wear tops so low cut it gives my dad a twitch in his eye. Then it gets even harder; being bisexual means I now fit about 50 different contradictory stereotypes, not just two X chromosomes versus a love for vagina.

I think it’s important for me to say at this point, that I do not go round worrying about these things all the time. Mostly my thoughts are occupied by my maths homework and doughnuts instead of the crushing weight of society’s expectation. This is not a pity party, I think stereotypes can be a practical way of assessing people we haven’t met on a very vague level.

Note how I said people we haven’t met. I do not mean we can judge people before we have met them. I just mean we can develop a vague understanding of a person based on their background and begin to work out what makes them tick. Stereotypes aren’t invented overnight by the evil profit hungry corporations that want to eat our souls; they develop over a long period of time and for a good reason. Of course, after we’ve met a person, the stereotype becomes less relevant. We can, and should form our own opinions without prejudice.

When I posted on facebook about my first driving lesson disasters and someone commented "it’s a gender thing," I was amused not annoyed. When I was drinking espresso in my French friends house I wasn’t thinking "oh god what a cliché." When I used to get blonde jokes I laughed along. Sterotypes are not only practical. They also are funny.

Now of course, I am messing with the natural balance of the universe here. Boo Mel, I hear you cry. Stereotypes are bad. They ruin our self esteem, they destroy our livelihoods and they corrupt our children. Oh, won’t someone please think of the children!

As such, my support for stereotypes comes with a grave warning. No stereotype is accurate. A stereotype cannot tell you who a person is, only they can do that. I am bisexual, it is a fair guess to say I might have some gender issues, and indeed I do.  It is not safe to say that I am a slut. Stereotypes formed of cultural identity are good, those formed out of misunderstanding or fear are not.

I’m Mel, one of the bloggers on Homo-Journal. I’ll be claiming Tuesdays as my territory (Wednesday through Monday are also mine but I lend those to my loyal followers in return for sexual favours). You’ll be hearing a lot more about my changeable opinions on bisexual life and maybe life in general if you stick around. Who knows maybe some of my awesomeness will rub off on you.

Todostrieb is awesome.

We are open to comments, suggestions....dare I say critiques. You can contact us at homojournal@gmail.com.

All my love,

Mel 

I'm indecisive about what to put in the first post, what a stereotype...

Oh dear, I have to introduce myself.

Usually when I have to talk to someone I’ve never met before, my first instinct is to curl up in my nearest corner, put a lampshade over my head and cry, so you’ll understand my nervousness about talking to possibly thousands and millions of people I don’t know (even if it is only tens at the moment).

Well, here goes:

The name’s James (woo, rhyming), I’m 18, male, and I’m currently floating somewhere near 3.25 on the Kinsey Scale. Me and Cretzal are boyfriend and boyfriend, and that’s the reason he’s been man-handled into joining us in this endeavour (he’s been complaining about not being a good writer, the only effect of which is that I’ve been making several bad jokes about me rubbing off on him).

Anyway, as the figurehead writer on this blog, I guess I should introduce the blog a bit. As you can see, there are 7 of us, one for each day of the week. We can’t promise it’ll be set in stone which day we post on, because at any point we could be called away for doctor’s appointments, sado-masochistic orgies or to escape biblical floods, but rest assured that there’ll be something new every day, even if it’s dead boring.

Further to the week subject, we’ll be having a theme or topic that we talk about every week, and this week’s topic is... “Stereotypes”.

Ah, stereotypes. If the etymology of stereotypes were true, we’d have no issues. “Stereotype” comes from the Greek words “stereos”, meaning “firm”, and “typos”, meaning “impression”. So stereotypes are supposed to be “firm impressions”, as in correct ones.

Here’s a hint: they’re not.

Now, don’t get me wrong, stereotypes aren’t bad things. They can be useful for temporarily categorising people whom we are unfamiliar with, for instance assuming women like shoes or that male rugby players are butch (note the word “temporarily”). However, problems arise when we become completely unable to deal with the occasional woman who has one pair of Skechers in her entire house or the rugby player that behaves like Kenneth Williams in a “Carry On...” film. Bisexuals are stereotypically assumed to be promiscuous and indecisive about whether they are gay or straight, which is the result of society wrongfully assuming that the hetero/homo system is binary, that one can either be one, or the other.

People are not binary creatures.

A woman can have 1, 7, or 2,341 pairs of shoes. A rugby player can be 100% butch, occasionally bromantic when drunk, or so effeminate that players scream rape whenever he tackles them. I’m not gay, I’m not straight, and I can’t even say I’m 50/50 bisexual. The Kinsey Scale has the correct idea: yes there’s black, yes there’s white, but grey outnumbers those two by about 1,000 to 1.

And I suppose that’s what I’m driving at here. Stereotypes themselves aren’t negative things, but the way they’re used is all too often horrendous. They need to be flexible, changeable, and all too often the people who use them aren’t.

However, this is only my opinion, which is the benefit of having 7 opinions per week; we’ll likely all disagree in hilarious ways.

Feel free to contact us if you like, we’re open to comments, critiques, requests for naked photos at homojournal@gmail.com (we’re open to requests, doesn’t mean we’ll oblige).

See you same time next week,

James.

Ooh, a hidden message, how intriguing...