LEE. NEW HAMPSHIRE – My name is Colleen Martha Heath by birth. I was designated a female when I was born. My father almost named me a masculine yet unisex name because he had wanted a boy so badly but my parents went with Colleen. It’s an Irish name; Gaelic for “young” or “little girl.” I won’t say it’s not a pretty name, but I never

As a teen in high school I always craved a fun, cool, simple, NOT long lasting high school relationship. However, I’ve grown. I went from a very much fake, close minded person to someone who sees reality and craves change. Along the way I’ve met a really great guy, Damean Layne. He’s not your definition of socially conscious because as a teenager he is also still learning. Damean Layne was not a feminist when I met

With increasing transgender visibility in the media due to famous trans people such as Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox, almost everyone knows what it means to be transgender. While support for the transgender community has drastically increased in the past few years, there are, and always will be, those who stand adamantly in opposition to the community. With the current transgender teenagers being the first to live in a society fully aware of what it

Tyra’s story is one of hope and positivity. The support she received from both her family and friends is the kind of reaction many LGBT+ youths hope for but don’t receive, unfortunately. “I recently came out as bisexual to everyone (family and most friends) about a month and a half ago after finding an amazing girl but everyone has been extremely supportive and it’s awesome having that. I first came out to my uncle,

Pansexual: not limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity. Aly’s story is beautifully written, and exemplifies the importance of having a support system in place, no matter who or what it is. She, like Caie, launched right into it without any prompting, and I couldn’t have made this sound any better if I tried. “I knew something was wrong the first time I watched the comedy-action movie “Sky High”

Transgender: denoting or relating to a person whose self-identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender. “So I am a gay trans woman, and I’ve come out to four people: my therapist, my mom and two friends in real life, though I present myself as the woman I am online.” That introduction alone is hopeful: I present myself as the woman I am online. Perrie’s statement removes any ambiguity from

  You’re driving on the highway. Look up at the billboards. You’re watching your favorite primetime. Pay attention to the commercials. Reading a cheap magazine. The advertisements are on every other page. What do you see? Half-naked girls? Or better yet: half-naked girls on top of fully clothed men? Blatant gender roles? Yeah. How often do you see people of the LGBTQIA+ community in these types of advertising? When you do, how often are they

  Recently I interviewed Lauren (@sighlaurn on Twitter) and she was very enthusiastic to share her coming out experiences with me. She is 16 and identifies as female. She is bisexual, sexually attracted to men and women. I asked her a series of questions which are below. 1. What was it like for you to come to terms with your sexuality? Was it difficult, or did you embrace it from the start? I’ve known from

Written by Batrishia Anaqah There is stillness in the atmosphere tonight. The air smells of candy corn, melted chocolate, and spare change stuck at the bottom of the bag by pre-chewed gum. It’s not even sunset but the kids are already running around, albeit a little more bored than they’re willing to admit to; their candy bags are never full because they’re already sneaking some on the way to the next house. This year, I’m dressing