Goodman Masson’s Post

  The digital realm has become a sanctuary for artists worldwide, providing platforms where they can share, celebrate, and critique their creations. Among these artists, queer communities have found a unique space to express their identity, narratives, and experiences. #RadioPowerStrike #evolutionofQueerartplatforms #inclusivedigitalartcommunities #queerartistryonlinegrowth #queerspacesindigitalart #representationinonlineartforums

  The world of academia, with its research, debates, and discoveries, is a dynamic tapestry woven from diverse voices. Among them, LGBTQIA+ scholars have been instrumental in broadening horizons, challenging traditional paradigms, and enriching academic discourse. This article sheds light on the invaluable contributions of queer academics and their enduring impact on various fields of study. #RadioPowerStrike #Queeracademicpioneers #Queerinacademia #Queerresearchimpact #queeracademiccontributions #queervoicesinhighereducation

"Popov had bigotry in his mind and his heart, and he chose to act on it. Sibley had no choice but to exist as himself. However, Sibley’s existence, and indeed, the existence of all Black queer people, is the ultimate weapon against bigotry and oppression." My latest on Medium.

Throughout May, I'm going to be embarking on a daily journey to spotlight LGBTQIA+ Asian-American and Pacific Islander icons, shedding light on a rich tapestry of history often overlooked. George Hosato Takei, born in Los Angeles, California in 1937 to middle-class Japanese-American parents, is an iconic actor, author, and LGBTQIA+ activist. Beginning his acting career in the late 1950s, Takei navigated through the limited opportunities available to Asian-American actors at the time. Despite a troubling era in Hollywood where roles for Asian characters were often given to Caucasian actors, Takei's breakthrough came in 1965 when he was cast as Hikaru Sulu in the original “Star Trek” series, marking a significant step forward for Asian-American representation on television. Though "Star Trek" was canceled after a brief three-season run, Takei's portrayal of Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu left a lasting impact, reshaping public perceptions of Asian-Americans in the media. Beyond acting, Takei is a prominent LGBTQIA+ activist, using his platform to advocate for equality and acceptance. In 2005, Takei publicly came out as gay, and in 2008, he and his partner, Brad Altman, became the first same-sex couple to marry in West Hollywood. He is a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's "Coming Out Project" and has raised funds for projects supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals, such as the web series "Camp Abercorn." Takei's activism extends beyond LGBTQIA+ rights. His contributions to US-Japanese relations were recognized in 2004 when he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the government of Japan. Join in celebrating George Takei's remarkable career and activism, as he continues to inspire and empower others with his advocacy and leadership. https://lnkd.in/dapxjpHJ #GeorgeTakei #AAPIRepresentation #LGBTQIAAdvocacy #StarTrek #Activism #Trailblazer #RepresentationMatters #DiversityandInclusion #SocialJustice #LGBTQHistory #LGBTQRights #AsianPride #PrideMonth #Community #History #Intersectionality #Empowerment #Awareness #Visibility

You'll, We So when are "you'll" celebrating x festival? This question prompted me to think about just how much we work towards discrimination (knowingly or unknowingly). Took me back to an incident. A couple of months before COVID struck, the son of one of my senior colleagues and a friend was getting married. I am deliberately not mentioning the sect or school of thought of this person. I have a friend who aligns with the same school of thought and since I didn't know anyone else who was going, i asked if i could go with my friend. From the word go this person kept on highlighting how "their" ways work, sit down meals in groups which only their community can join in. non members must head to the buffet. This went on till we reached the venue. Finally, this entire episode left a lasting impact on me. I had known this person for many years, yet did I really know them? Most often we exclude others based on this divide "we" do things this way, our community lives and eats in a particular manner, members only, "you'll are different". This is what transpires at the micro level even in friendships. Is it surprising then that intolerance and discrimination happens at the macro level. We're nurturing it at the micro level. The big picture adds up, it only magnifies our differences and divides us. Now we see this relentless pursuit of "differences". Be it caste, creed, gender, race. The need to assert identity through certification, recognition. This was not the situation but it has become the new normal. #differences #socialtransformation #society #socialissues

Happy Pride 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 Give more opportunities to queer people in cinema and television. While we are seeing an increase number of characters and stories in the entertainment industry, there are still very few queer creators who are given the voice to share their stories. This is especially true for trans and nonbinary filmmakers. Queer-lead stories allow for audiences to better understand and relate to tbe LGBTQIA+ community—which leads to greater acceptance. This is crucial, especially in the state of this country where many states are passing/trying to pass laws to do nothing but silence us. Instead of pouring more money into sequels, reboots, and franchise stories, invest in original queer stories. I have been very fortunate within this industry. I am very grateful to have been giving opportunities to work in entertainment. I recognize my privileges and I am working as hard as I can to help amblify my community—especially BIPOC and disabled creators. Times are changing and the world is evolving, however there is so much work that needs to be done. Investors and Executives need to aid in the diversity of this industry. Please watch queer led films and television shows. Please invest in queer creators. Please help change the state of this industry—as it will help change the state of this world. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈

Happy #ThursDEI from Lisa Waterhouse, Hayley Creighton & I Let's talk about labels... 🎵If you prefer to listen rather than read, this song by Jude Perl is the most perfect musical representation of this post! https://lnkd.in/eeXMj5Qc Labels... 😬 Some people find labels really challenging, it can feel for some like putting people into boxes and looking at them only for one aspect of their identity. 😌 For others labels can be incredibly helpful in helping them understand an aspect of their identity and explain it to others. 📊 We use group labels sometimes to talk high level about our diversity data, that's okay, it helps us focus on improving our diversity, equity and inclusion. 🫂 On an individual level, it's always best to only use a label for someone if you know they are happy to be referred to in that way, and sense check if it's relevant to use that label and make sure bias isn't creeping in! (Ie. When you're complaining about the person that cut in front of you at the traffic lights... Their gender/ethnicity etc isn't relevant!)

🎭 🌍 What does it take to launch - and maintain - a large global theatre digital infrastructure like The Theatre Times? @kasialech and I are asked about this all the time, so we wrote it down: "Since its launch in November 2016, TheTheatreTimes.com has published over 5,000 articles, interviews, and theatre reviews covering theatre in 90 countries and regions. With 32 thematic sections, more than 150 Regional Managing Editors, and over 60 media partners around the world, we have grown to be the most far-reaching and comprehensive global theatre portal today. TheTheatreTimes.com is envisioned as a transnational discursive space that brings together theatre scholars, theatre-makers, and theatre lovers, generating opportunities for interaction and creative development amongst a wide network. Our collaborative, decentralized model runs counter to so-called helicopter research, an approach in which less wealthy nations provide research source material but don’t always share the benefits of the research. Global conflicts often ask of us to negotiate between competing transnational interests; disparities in support of local cultures demand that we stretch our resources beyond our capacities; the issues we cover, from refugee crises, genocides, and the COVID-19 pandemic, to international women, disability and LGBTQ+ rights — or their lack — leave us hopeless. And yet, out of the wreckage of human lives left behind by the daily global calamities, we also see the indomitable human spirit sprouting through. We see theatre artists rising up to reclaim their voices, their rights, their stories, and their dignity. We see theatre that connects and communicates, that faces, with perseverance and the quiet heroism of everyday life and everyday art making, the trauma and misery of human existence." READ MORE: https://lnkd.in/eNEyZ9m5

What a brilliant and talented woman, and what true words that are still very relevant in today’s interconnected world... Read why below👇 We need to work towards a global society where people dare speak their minds, be themselves and express themselves - where women and minorities dare do their jobs as frontier politicians, journalists and public opinion makers - where young boys and girls dare reach out to the authorities, trusted entities and their families if they experience abuse - where people dare stand up for their rights - without fear of discrimination, gender-based violence, abuse, victim-blaming and hatred! ✊ We need more focus on safety both in the physical and digital world. And most importantly, we need to take survivors seriously and claim accountability from those who cause other people distress. This is exactly what we work for in SASHA - Safe Share! Read our latest press release to learn more about our work to combat online image abuse once and for all: https://lnkd.in/dXPPCgun #euqality #digitalrights #humanrights #saferinternet #onlinesafety #freedomnotfear #accountability

Reflection Fridays_A world so hateful 🌍 It's Friday! ✨ And the rainbow month is just around the corner. 🌈  This week I was listening to one of my favourite songs (https://lnkd.in/e2_3iBss). There is this sentence that says: " A world so hateful, they rather die than be who they are" Do you know how it feels when you know a family member tried to kill themselves because of fear and self-hate of being part of the LGBTQ+ community ❓ I do 😔 If you don't, just imagine one call where they tell you that your sister, borther, cousin, aunt, uncle, you name it, is in hospital after a suicide atteemp. And know that the reason is the fear of hate and rejection for who they are. But "Love is patient, love is kind", and when people overcome these fears, there is only joy and PRIDE 💙 🌈 💙 . You don't need to understand, you just need to respect. Enjoy! #diversityandinclusion #inclusion #diversity #diversityequityinclusion #reflectionfridays