‘Inter-tech-ionality’: Cracking the Code to Better Representation
How two women showed a different way to build organizations.
Last year, a poll of 7,000 LGBTQ tech employees in Silicon Valley asked if they'd experienced homophobic harassment at work. 40% said yes.
But while that number is disheartening, the report made no mention of what the makeup of that percentile was.
Leanne Pittsford has an idea on how to address that.
After getting her master's in equity and social justice, Pittsford wanted to continue her work in LGBTQ activism. She began that work with Equality California. While there, she helped overturn the same-sex marriage ban in California but saw the win as bittersweet:
"I was managing the data in the campaign. I had a front-row to the sexism and the inequality that was even happening in the LGBTQ space everywhere I went. I worked in the Castro every day and I saw very few women. We did events and we tried to get women to be a part of the campaign. And not to say there weren't some incredible women, but every time you'd go to an event, every time we hosted our event, it would be somewhere between 80 and 90% male."
The LGBTQ tech industry's preferential treatment of gay men motivated Pittsford to organize. She founded Lesbians Who Tech, "a community of LGBTQ women, nonbinary, and trans individuals in and around tech (and the people who support them)."
"I felt like queer women specifically, and nonbinary folks were missing from the conversation."
A Common Theme
Andrea Breanna—wife, mother, and transgender lesbian—feels the same way.
Breanna is the founder and CEO of RebelMouse, "a creative agency with the best [content management system] in the world." RebelMouse arms its users with the tools it takes to grow and publicize online content.
"We're really excited about how we help media companies and brands that are genuine about their content really grow organic reach," Breanna says of her system.
Genuineness is the lynchpin of Breanna and RebelMouse's success story.
In 2017, Breanna began coming out as trans to her family and, a year later, her employees and clients.
"It's really hard to do," Breanna says. "But it's been really beautiful. I've thought about trying to understand how I could be helpful [for] people who want to come out and how it could go well."
She decided the best way was by setting an example in being her authentic self.
"Trans people need hope right now more than ever. They need to know that they can be successful if they're very good at their job. They need to know that people will follow a trans leader, sign deals with them, and allow them to grow their businesses," Breanna says.
A Common Hope
Pittsford agrees. And both see hope in numbers. Lesbians Who Tech now has over 50,000 members and dozens of chapters worldwide. RebelMouse has over 55 employees across 26 countries.
"I'd love to see us get to 100,000 people," Pittsford says. "I'd love to see us have more presence in some of the countries that need us the most. And I'd love to see, you know, more CTOs or CEOs who are LGBTQ women."
Breanna acknowledges her unique story. "I very much hope that the story of RebelMouse will not just be about how we helped the open web build a better product, but also about how we showed a different way to build an organization that cares about itself. What if Google and Facebook realized that three in 50 of its employees were trans?"
We're all still waiting on that answer.
Transgender Man's Emotional Reaction After Seeing His Chest For The First Time Following Top Surgery Has The Internet Cheering
A transgender man from Australia shared a huge catharsis with the internet following his top surgery.
Sol (@capritran) shared a video of himself immediately post-surgery when he saw his chest for the first time.
"Been waiting for this for a long time?" asks the nurse, as sol gets visibly emotional about the completion of his top surgery.
"I'd like to share my very personal chest reveal moment with the world, to hopefully show that despite the endless negative experiences we trans people have, we also get to experience some of the best feelings in the world. use this video to manifest your own future if you need to."
The biggest thing people took away from this video?
The trans struggle for gender confirmation and the emotions surrounding it are real.
@capritran So happy for you!!! I’ve officially scheduled my surgery for April of this year and I’m still in disbeli… https://t.co/3cT9xYfFy6— Owen Shepard (@Owen Shepard) 1581966344
@capritran I’ve been feeling this way a lot - deep down I know I’m not a girl, but I don’t want to admit it just ye… https://t.co/XDjJgqnYcs— Anna • アンナ (@Anna • アンナ) 1582007000
@capritran I can't imagine how awful it is to see your own body & know it doesn't reflect your identity and the ide… https://t.co/3CJVRMuJNh— beegsf🌊🌊🌊 (@beegsf🌊🌊🌊) 1582133179
@capritran @DamianAsia I didn't draw the scars right, I think, but... thank you for sharing this. I hope I'm there… https://t.co/3vCMyhkLMb— 🏳️⚧️Cake🍰 (@🏳️⚧️Cake🍰) 1582011358
@capritran I don’t know you and I’ve got a LONG way to go before I understand how to be a proper ally but this vide… https://t.co/UVgQMgxRA8— Katie Tunn 🇺🇦 (@Katie Tunn 🇺🇦) 1581974643
Despite the fact that transphobia around the world has skyrocketed, plenty of folks were very supportive.
@capritran @Nefermira This is why I support. You can see the relief in your face. How dare somebody even judge peop… https://t.co/Tc7Djcii8Z— Curry Goat (@Curry Goat) 1581982651
@capritran Thank you so much for sharing this.— Dara Does Deep State (@Dara Does Deep State) 1582123308
@capritran I love seeing these videos. They are so revealing of the actual joy and emotions of my trans sibs. Well… https://t.co/jAsoQ1QQnx— Charlie (@Charlie) 1581960279
The HRC reports that violence against trans people is going strong this year, with a death already reported in 2020, and 26 deaths due to transphobic violence in 2019.
While the numbers sound small, with the tiny size of the openly transgender community, the percentage of deaths makes trans people one of the groups most targeted for murder.
@capritran I’m so happy for you 💙— Ida Skibenes (@Ida Skibenes) 1582024442
@capritran Oh goodness. The visible *Relief* when you look. I'm so, so happy for you!— Perrin Caristi (@Perrin Caristi) 1581960301
@capritran Please, how do you share this to Facebook? Would like to show my son— ankicat (@ankicat) 1581974879
@capritran This is the Type of energy we need in 2020, love that for you!!— tosh 🔜 AC(?) (@tosh 🔜 AC(?)) 1581963993
@capritran This 65-year-old grandma is very happy for you. I am sending you my strength to heal quickly and very be… https://t.co/EhHo1YDH69— Build Back Better (@Build Back Better) 1582034648
Let's hope the 2020s are the years of the trans community quickly becoming more accepted.
Child Actor From 'Parasite' Has Adorably Enthusiastic Reaction To His Film Winning The Oscar For Best Picture
The Oscars were full of fun surprises this year, but surely among the favorites was the South Korean film, Parasite, winning Best Picture.
Add to this the child star's adorable reaction to the film winning, and it's sweet moment that's sure to be mentioned at future Oscars to come.
Ten-year-old Jung Hyeon-jun was the lead child start in the tragicomedy film, Parasite, that took South Korean cinema by storm earlier this year before taking American cinema by enthusiastic surprise.
Hyeon-jun made his debut on South Korean television programs such as "You Are Too Much," "Vagabond," and "Through the Waves." Parasite was his first casting in a feature film, and he's coming into success quickly because of it.
The film went on to be nominated at the Oscars for six different categories, and it managed to win four of them. The two favorite wins appeared to be Bong Joon Ho's win for Best Director, and of course the film making it to Best Picture.
Hyeon-jun unfortunately was too young to attend the Oscars in-person, but he was able to watch the ceremony on his television at home, where AP Entertainment appeared to film his reaction to the win that was coming.
When Parasite was announced as the winner for Best Picture, Hyeon-jun had the sweetest, most enthusiastic reaction from his couch. He was sitting at full attention, waiting to hear the news, and then like the ten-year-old he is, he collapsed into giggles, did a quick happy dance, and quickly collapsed back on the couch in pure joy.
You can watch his reaction here:
PARASITE PARTY: 10-year-old #Parasite #기생충 star Jung Hyeon-jun might have been too young to go to the #Oscars – but… https://t.co/o4knlBHnSD— AP Entertainment (@AP Entertainment) 1582056660.0
Hyeon-jun said of the win:
"I thought it would be awesome to get it, and we actually won the award!"
He also shared his dreams for future stardom and how they already seem to be coming true:
"I am wondering if I am in heaven. I think I was born to receive an Oscar."
Fans were taken by Hyeon-jun's adorable reaction to his film's win and took a moment to celebrate the raw jubilation kids are the best at showing.
@APEntertainment @h_nevels he’s so cute!!— Victoria Perry (@Victoria Perry) 1582199633.0
@victoria_perry1 @APEntertainment Sooo cute! And quite the artist 😆— Hannah Reisher (@Hannah Reisher) 1582210409.0
@APEntertainment Perfect !!!!— Lee Hirsch (@Lee Hirsch) 1582141023.0
Parasite winning Best Picture is a major development for the Oscars, and certainly sets expectations high for future award seasons.
We'll be curious to see which movie wins next year, and even more curious to see if Hyeon-jun is involved in any of the big winners next year.
Lark Voorhies Says She Feels 'A Bit Slighted And Hurt' After Not Being Asked To Join The 'Saved By The Bell' Reboot
Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle on the well-loved 90's show Saved By The Bell.
Like so many other 90's hits, the show is seeing a reboot.
It's rumored that most of the original cast will be returning.
That doesn't include Lark. Despite Lisa being a central character to the show, Lark was not asked back for the reboot and she's ready to talk about why.
For years there has been talk about Lark potentially having mental health struggles. The talk really kicked off a few years after the original run of Saved By The Bell ended.
Lark did an interview with People that has been described as bizarre and incoherent.
Lark's mother, Tricia, was there during the interview and explained that Lark had been traumatized by events in her past and was also struggling with bipolar disorder. Lark spent a fair portion of the interview mumbling to herself, talking to people that weren't there and struggling to finish her sentences and thoughts—often trailing off and staring blankly instead.
For those who need to refresh their memory, here's Lark Voorhies as Lisa Turtle.
For years Lark denied any mental health issues, despite a few public incidents and her mother's insistence.
It seems she may be ready to actually talk about it. Lark spoke out on an episode of Dr. Oz.
She read some of her journal entries—including one that talked about how "slighted and hurt" she felt about not being included in the Saved By The Bell reboot. The entry mentions "having this puzzling disorder."
Dr. Oz shared a portion of the clip on Twitter as a teaser for the show...
"I have to admit I did feel a bit slighted and hurt." "Saved by the Bell" star Lark Voorhies joins me Wednesday to… https://t.co/sZwjCxzyvm— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@Dr. Mehmet Oz) 1582052991.0
...and followed that up with a clip featuring Lark's mother as well.
The two women talk about Lark's struggles and her mother's feelings as she has helped her daughter. It would seem like Lark is finally ready to talk openly about her mental health issues.
Here's the second clip.
“Do you ever cry about the fact that you have trouble?" "Saved by the Bell" star Lark Voorhies gets remarkably can… https://t.co/ahZWGjtbyW— Dr. Mehmet Oz (@Dr. Mehmet Oz) 1582124148.0
During the episode, we learn that Lark had actually been slated to appear on the Dr. Oz show two years earlier, but Dr. Oz and his team determined that it was clear she was still unwell. He connected her with a local psychiatrist and tracked her progress.
Lark Voorhies was diagnosed with schizoaffective thought disorder.
She struggles with hearing voices in her head and with expressing herself. Those struggles lead to unpredictable behavior, fear, anxiety and more.
You can catch a short snippet of that interview here.
During the show, Lark struggles to form her sentences and sometimes seems to stumble and grasp for words, but she does eventually get things out.
She explains that she feels like her Saved By The Bell cast mates shunned her and that it hurts to not be involved in the reboot, any of the reunions, or the social lives they still have together and post about on social media. She says her undiagnosed and untreated mental health struggles may have been a factor in that shunning.
After the episode, Twitter had a lot to say.
@DrOz A lot of actors/actress’s are working with their own addictions&mental health issues! I’m not supporting… https://t.co/LafjldDmO0— TheTruthSpeaker01 (@TheTruthSpeaker01) 1582081779.0
This exclusion of Lark Voorhies from the Saved by the Bell reunion is disgusting. I’m not watching it if Lisa Turtl… https://t.co/ZlhaHTi0kv— 🎀Leah🖤 (@🎀Leah🖤) 1582073239.0
To Anyone Watching This Currently Struggling with Mental Illness, You’re NOT Alone. @TheLarkVoorhies The Intervi… https://t.co/FnuKPGM3vz— 80sThen80sNow (@80sThen80sNow) 1582170025.0
If Robert Downey Jr can become the lead in a billion dollar franchise after all that shit he got into Lark Voorhies… https://t.co/cCwSyU6hNn— Bong Hive Parasite Hive (@Bong Hive Parasite Hive) 1582067165.0
Watching Lark Voorhies on @DrOz. She looks really great. So proud of her for getting the help she needs and sharing… https://t.co/RzNSI35MhE— Berrygurl (@Berrygurl) 1582164953.0
@ScalaRob @enews This picture is more recent from 2020! Mental illness is not a reason to shun someone or even make… https://t.co/EDrMHOf63F— Writer_Dye ♍️ (@Writer_Dye ♍️) 1582162093.0
@thebaddiegalore she is very sweet. but yeah. they failed her. she walks around like any other person but you can… https://t.co/4FnlvLKoqo— 𝗮 𝗸𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘁 𝟷𝟿𝟸𝟸† (@𝗮 𝗸𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘁 𝟷𝟿𝟸𝟸†) 1582126624.0
@_iamtiredLord i think they got to it too late she spent years unmedicated poor baby— the acrylic fem 🍒 (@the acrylic fem 🍒) 1582126668.0
It's clear Lark has people's support.
Perhaps showrunners will find at least some small way to include her if her mental health doesn't allow for her full participation.
'Empire' Actress Slammed After Criticizing Dwyane Wade For Allowing His 12-Year-Old Daughter To Transition
Serayah McNeill, who plays Tina Brown on Fox's Empire, recently posted a video to her Instagram story criticizing Dwyane Wade for being supportive of his daughter Zaya's transition.
Wade has been very loving and supportive of his daughter's choice to be honest with herself and everyone else about who she is.
McNeill questioned Wade's support of his daughter's coming out, saying that the decision was "premature."
She also described coming out as a "life-changing decision that can never be undone." McNeill went on to criticize other supportive parents as well.
She claimed her suspicion was coming from:
"the age of the child, and I think it's not only his kid. There are plenty of kids and their parents are letting them do this."
“I think everything is a little bit too much premature. I don't care if you're boy or a girl, for me, there's things we need to be worried about."
McNeill wasn't the only public figure to slam Wade for loving and supporting his daughter. Rapper Young Thug recently tweeted a criticism of Wade and misgendered Zaya.
He excused the offense by saying:
"God don't make mistakes."
Recent research by a group of University of Washington researchers has shown that transgender kids are just as sure of their gender identities as cisgender kids. Making trans kids wait to transition, and putting barriers between them and gender affirming care, isn't doing them any favors.
The video, and McNeill's statements, were widely criticized by Twitter users.
This just made me mad https://t.co/kKerutRVkN— 🌹XII.VIII.MCMXCIV🌹 (@🌹XII.VIII.MCMXCIV🌹) 1582076590
She thinks these kids are going through a phase.. why would u want them to grow up unhappy.. LISTEN TO THESE KIDS..… https://t.co/W6hppKLfUV— 🌹XII.VIII.MCMXCIV🌹 (@🌹XII.VIII.MCMXCIV🌹) 1582076902
Many people also made the point that Zaya's parents never mentioned that she was medically transitioning.
They said they love her and support her for who she is.
@forevrblushing Why are people automatically assuming that Zaya is undergoing a physical transition right now? Did… https://t.co/jv9jedfiNJ— Anthony. (@Anthony.) 1582089460
@forevrblushing I’m convinced none of these ppl watched wades interview. Just going off what was told to them or as… https://t.co/bTWqwOQLQJ— 🌹 RoseGawd 🌹 (@🌹 RoseGawd 🌹) 1582097950
@ut0piaaaa @forevrblushing THANK YOU OMG. This is something everyone completely disregards.— Draya 🧚🏾♀️✨ (@Draya 🧚🏾♀️✨) 1582078464
@forevrblushing Or “FOR ME” like yeah? For YOU— Ms.Tesfaye 🖤 (@Ms.Tesfaye 🖤) 1582085719
McNeill also falsely equated being transgender to being gay, in an apparent attempt to sound more accepting in her rant.
"I'm accepting of my child being gay, that's OK, but there are so many others things around that in society that is pressuring children and parents to be a certain type of way."
Trans kids are who they say they are. One of the best things a parent can do is believe them and love them unconditionally.
The Wades are doing the best they can for Zaya by loving and supporting her.