Queer Intro
Welcome to the Gay in the Bay Blog! I am Josie, a queer writer and videographer that loves to document what I see around me. This started out as a writing blog but has grown to include events that more people should know about.
This post is for the week of March 12 - 18.
Do you have a live event that needs filming? I’m a videographer! Please check out the Sweeney Media on your way to the About > Contact page. I look forward to working with you.
Writing and Film
I’m physically and mentally exhausted after this week. I’m coming to terms with how fast I write (spoiler alert: it’s slower than I’d like), and that is just something I will learn to work with. If I were to create a Writer’s Scale, I’d be somewhere in between Steven King (fast as hell) and George Martin (painstakingly slow).
Writing — I am doing my absolute best to straddle the line between action and having stances. This is a pretty difficult thing to do, since this is my first time writing a superhero novel. But to also include LGBT themes is an even bigger challenge. I don’t want to spend too much time on exposition, even though that helps raise the stakes for my main character. But I also want the MC to start fighting the bad guys, too.
Film — I got the chance to help out with a student film shoot with Reel Oakland. They are a non-profit group that teaches filmmaking to high school students. I recently reached out to see if they might be interested in hiring me to teach, or at least lend my expertise. They are testing me out (my opinion, I don’t know their’s) to see if I’m a good fit. I was asked back for another day of shooting, which is a good sign. Hopefully this will work out. After all, I love talking about and teaching filmmaking of all formats.
This and last week’s posts came out a day late. Sorry! But it’s also because of how busy life has been. This is good news and I hope it will only continue. I would love to need to adjust this blog’s publication because of work. That much would be welcome. (As if writing multiple novels, working on YouTube videos, and searching for videography jobs was enough)
News
Filibuster over Trans Bill
The past few weeks have been stressful and disorienting for many, especially us in the Trans Community. Especially Trans Youth. The following articles are linked in the headings so they’re easier to find. Just as important: They are positive.
I’ve needed positivity lately, and the articles I found this past week were just that.
This is a journal site that provides the abstract of some interesting news about gender affirming surgery. And it is very different from what some politicians are claiming. This shows that there seems to be a lot of bias and cherry picking in the bills being pushed in Tennessee and other states. Link in the headline.
The Myth of “80% Detransitioning”
I found this article on LinkedIn about debunking a myth. The article is long, and my ADHD brain took breaks, but it’s very informative. Erin Reed concisely states why this myth started, who began these unscientific trials, and why these myths persisted. The full article can be found in the linked title for full details. The accounts are massive, and I would not do the article justice by recapping it in this blog.
“Transgender youth could not meaningfully transition until recently. Medical care for trans youth was highly gatekept if not barred entirely. Transgender youth were rarely, if ever, afforded any form of treatment.”
Usually I put a Color Coded Calendar here. This has, admittedly, become a bit for me to handle since I’m not on social media much right now. Still, I would still love to help out any local groups with their live events and help spread the word. Maybe, as the weather warms up, I can help advertise more of these events (and maybe even help capture them on film)!
Pop Culture
Each week I include media that I’ve enjoyed. If you’re a creator of any kind, please email me to be included in this list. I love discovering new artists; from singer-songwriters to upcoming directors, and beyond.
This TikToker found new life for her take out lids. Check out her new, niche hobby here.
Waffle House has an album record label! Find out here via this YouTuber’s journey and attempt to join the ranks. VIDEO.
I didn’t know how much I needed Japanese Funk and Soul until I found this YouTube video.