Gen Z communication has been evolving because of this pandemic for better or for worse. Keyboard smashes, seenzoning, and oversocializing are all fair game now.

Even if most of our interactions now happen through Zoom, there are so many cues, verbal and non-verbal, that tells us about zoomers’ state of mind during the pandemic. These reflect in the way we speak which has slowly been changing more and more as we continue to be trapped in a world of self-isolation.

Not replying is now okay.

And it’s not only okay, it’s encouraged. Even before the pandemic hit, I’ve always had a reputation of not replying quickly enough to my friends because most of the time, I’m just not in the mood to. And the reality now is that a lot of people are starting to feel the same way.

Are you not feeling well enough to talk? Then don’t reply.

More often than not, people will understand. You’d get a lot of flack before when you wouldn’t reply to people or read their messages at all. But everyone is now becoming more sensitive of each other’s feelings as we all start to feel anxiety and uncertainty more often.

Now, the first thought that pops into our head when we encounter a slow replier isn’t how rude they’re being, but rather “I hope they’re okay”. Which is a good thing because everyone is finally understanding that just because you’re online does not mean you are always in the right disposition to talk.

We make a conversation out of anything.

Everyone’s lives has either been on pause or on slow motion ever since coronavirus hit. While we are trying our hardest to make memories in our homes, it’s safe to say that the progress in our lives has taken a big hit with the outside world being close to inaccessible.

This means that Gen Z communication is becoming more and more mundane as we struggle to create meaningful experiences. And because of that, we are running out of valuable material to go through with friends.

I want you to take a look at your recent conversations with friends and then ask yourself: what are you really talking about? Everything is becoming water-cooler conversations nowadays like the NBA Playoffs and what k-drama you’re watching. Some of the most memorable conversations I’ve had with people during quarantine involve skincare routines, and I don’t know how to feel about that.

And when asking someone how they are, they’d probably just give you the same tired answer: “just stuck in the house”.

For the sake of our sanity, we do make an effort to socialize with our loved ones. But we don’t really have anything substantial or new to talk about most of the time leading us to talk about things that don’t matter a lot. This is a challenge to you: why not go beyond pop culture or funny banter and get to know your friends a little bit deeper?

It’s easier to talk to old friends and strangers.

Even the most introverted of us are reaching out to people whom we never thought we’d be in contact with again. Being stuck at home means everyone has more time on their hands to scroll through their social media feeds, which means you’ll probably see more of your acquaintances interact with the posts that you share. Whether it be a like or a comment, everyone is craving for social interaction.

So when the conversations with your best friends are becoming stale, you might see yourself striking a conversation with someone whom you haven’t talked to in a long while. Maybe it was a person you met pre-COVID and never got the chance to interact with on a deeper level. Or maybe it’s a good friend from high school that disappeared in your life after graduation.

The crazy part is they’ll probably be up to talk to you too. Just watch as they reply with the same excitement that you have! While some people may not be up for a conversation all the time, this is the best time to talk with practically anybody. Why? Because a simple gesture like leaving a message in their DM’s will make them feel like they are not alone in this pandemic.

Overcommunication is real.

Ironically, the same people who want to be left alone in this pandemic are the ones who talk a lot too. Similar to how we may experience mood swings during the pandemic, our willingness to talk also flip flops. Gen Z communication is now defined by a neverending stop-and-go seesaw battle where one may just choose to spend the entire night chatting with people, or hiding from the online world.

What triggers this tendency to flip flop?

The first one is guilt. At times when we’re not in the frame of mind to have a conversation with people, we may feel bad for leaving them hanging. So when the time comes when we’re finally in the mood to reply, we may tend to start bombing their inbox with messages.

Aside from that, overcommunication is also a coping mechanism for those who need a sense of “normalcy” in their lives. Talking with people face-to-face is something everybody took for granted until the pandemic started. By starting conversations with others during quarantine, we are putting ourselves back in a mentally comfortable place where everything feels normal again.

And in addition to that, having a chat with someone is a great distraction from whatever hell is happening outside. Our overthinking may kick in the moment we are left alone with our thoughts.

We’ve forgotten how to communicate properly.

Gen Z communication was always weird in the eyes of older people. We could be typing gibberish and it would be sensible and funny to only us. So imagine doing most of your communication online with friends who all type weird like you.

As a reference, most of my conversations with fellow zoomers are just filled with keyboard smashes and all the synonyms to “lol” that you could think of. If we’re not doing any of those, we’re probably just using one of the reactions in Facebook Messenger or finding the perfect GIF/meme to use as a reply. It was perfectly fine before COVID hit because we complemented this form of communication with real-life, socially-acceptable interactions.

Now that most of us have not been able to go out to meet friends nor an authority figure (who is not our parent), we are forgetting what it’s like to talk like a functioning human being. The first wave of job interviews and online classes would probably be difficult for zoomers who have gotten used to light conversations that don’t require proper decorum.

When was the last time you were actually able to sustain a conversation with someone who required your full respect and courtesy? Zoomers now face the challenge of training or re-training themselves in the art of communication which has been getting more muddled as we spend more days in the pandemic.

Coronavirus has affected everything in our lives including our mental health. We have some tips that can help you cope with online classes. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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The post How COVID-19 is Changing The Way Gen Z Communicates appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

With all the disturbing news in the country and the world, it’s time for us to speak out. In a world where social media reigns, it’s become your responsibility to learn how to use your platform effectively.

While most of us think that it just means spreading awareness about the issue, you can go much, much deeper than that.

1. Share content that educates.

Ever watch a video or read an article online that made you think, if only everyone knew this. Well the first step to using your platform is actually sharing that piece of content in your timeline or news feed. Sharing something nowadays literally only takes two taps, and it can already do so much.

Always remember that staying silent is why nothing gets changed in the first place. Make it a mindset to share anything that adds value to a topic that you feel needs to be talked about.

2. Do not underestimate your reach.

You may only have five followers, but never be discouraged to educate online just because you feel like you’re not “influential” enough. Changing the mind of even one single person is important in the grander scheme of things.

You never know how strong an impact you really have on others. Who knows? Maybe one of your followers could be so inspired with what you had shared that they start to influence their own set of followers instead.

And then it becomes a chain reaction with more people starting to influence each other…. just because you chose to share something online!

3. No dilly-dallying, take a stand.

Creating awareness about an issue and educating your friends aren’t enough. You absolutely need to pick a side and share your personal opinion to be successful in using your platform effectively.

While most hashtags are already a stand in of themselves, they’re really nothing without your personal input. Your internet moots would like to read something that comes from you personally. After all, they’re not online friends with the news organization where you had shared the article from, they’re friends with you.

If you want to change mindsets, you need to understand that you play a pivotal role that comes after awareness and education.

4. Speak like a human being to your audience.

This is a common mistake that a lot of people including myself make from time to time. Learning how to use your platform effectively means erasing your narcissism and pride. It’s the worst time to sound smart!

I know it’s not just me who rolls their eyes when they see an online post with so many “big” words. Yes, you can probably speak in perfect English and you know all these relevant concepts.

But who are you talking to here? Whose mindsets do you want to change? Do they understand you?

Flaunting your intellect and trying to outsmart others could actually be counterproductive in your goal to influence. It’s difficult to do especially when you’re used to a circle of friends that can understand what you’re trying to say.

If you want to influence others, however, you may have to dumb it down. Otherwise, you’ll find that the people whose opinions you want to challenge will just gloss over everything you had said.

5. Mix facts with emotions.

In using your platform, avoid sounding like a fact-spitting robot or an emotional trainwreck.

Do you know why the top-selling products on earth are probably not the best at solving the problems they try to address? Because advertisers know that having the best product is just half the game. Creating an emotional connection with their customers is what separates the top dog from the rest of the pack.

Trying to influence other people online isn’t a game of Jeopardy. You have to appeal to their emotions, too.

On the other hand, you can’t just let your emotions drive the statement you’re trying to make either. Cursing is okay, but it’s not really an effective way to use your platform. You have to explain why you feel strongly about something through facts.

6. Be creative.

If you’re an avid news feed scroller, you probably only read the posts with compelling images and videos. In the same way, when crafting a post online, make sure it’s not just a generic statement that anybody could make. It has to stand out!

All the things you have learned about how to use your platform so far will be for nothing if no one reads your piece.

Inject your personality into whatever you’re posting, and the reader will probably be enticed to listen to you more. This is why memes can be an integral part in many online movements. Humor is an effective way to educate others when done tastefully.

7. Defend your stance, but be open-minded.

Once you post your opinion to the world, there will undoubtedly be those who disagree with you. The first thing you need to do is to keep an open mind; maybe said person has a point. Now what you can do is engage with them so you can educate each other.

Correct yourself if you must. The worst thing you could do is be stubborn when all the facts had been laid out for you.

However, if you still feel that you’re right, you have to address their comment. It’s not a good look if there’s a flood of people contradicting your argument, and you have nothing to say to them. It makes you look like you didn’t really know what you were saying in the first place.

Finally, choose your battles wisely! You do not want to waste half of your day arguing with a troll who just wants to annoy you. Argue with the ones whose minds can be changed.

8. Persuade others to take action.

Now that you’ve convinced your followers that there is a terrible problem that needs to be addressed, the next step is, well, to tell them the next step. Basically, show them the way so they can help.

Is there a petition that they can sign? Is there somebody that they can e-mail? Can they donate somewhere? Whatever it is, remember to include that important information in your post. If you don’t, you’ll basically just leave your followers hanging without knowing what to do.

People’s attention spans are short. If they’re not able to take action ASAP, the worst thing that could happen is their losing interest. They may forget to help out in the future.

You don’t have to follow all of these items in the list every time you want to signal-boost an issue, but it’s just a guide on how to use your platform to its fullest potential. The most important thing to realize is that you, a zoomer, have the power to influence other people, no matter how small you feel in this world.

Feel like you now have to use your platform for something? You can read up certain issues that the Philippines have come across during the coronavirus pandemic here. Don’t forget to follow us @ZoomersCornerPH on Twitter!

Featured Image: Plann on Pexels

The post ‘Use Your Platform’: What it Means and How to Do it Effectively appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Is love in quarantine even real or is everything just a quaranfling? Dating during coronavirus in the Philippines has been one giant obstacle for us singles since we’ve decided to lock ourselves at home.

Even if we wanted to put ourselves out there, it’s become such a challenge to meet new people in these times. And when you do get past the hurdle of having an actual physical date with someone, more challenges you if you want to maintain those relationships.

However, just like the rest of the world, single people have been making ways to adjust to the pandemic. So how exactly has the dating and hookup game changed after more than 100 days in quarantine?

1. Dating apps are becoming a hot commodity.

Since people have been ordered to stay at home, there has been an incessant use of the three dating app giants: Tinder, Bumble & Grindr. In March, Tinder was the highest-grossing app in the world, while Bumble has been seeing lengthier, higher-quality conversations among its users. As a free gift during quarantine, some of these apps have even offered the feature of talking with people from other countries.

Seriously though, how are you going to meet new people the “old-fashioned” way? I can already imagine us zoomers telling our kids how we met our spouses through Tinder during the whole pandemic. That’s gonna be quite the story, isn’t it?

2. You’re forced to be sure about someone.

Dating during coronavirus means having to only meet someone in person when you really need to. I mean, do you really want to risk getting Ms. Rona from a date with a rando that you’re gonna forget about the next day?

While hookups are a totally different ballgame, a person looking for something serious may only want to meet with you if you’re worth the risk. So take it as a compliment when someone asks you out during this time. There’s a chance they’re doing it because they see potential in you as a serious partner.

Or they’re just lonely and need physical touch. That’s a possiblity, too.

3. Netflix and chill has never been more real.

What would your ideal first date be: a picnic in the park, a fancy restaurant, or a trip to the movies? Too bad, ’cause you’re probably just gonna have yours at each other’s places.

This spells disaster for Filipinos where it’s commonplace to stay under your parents’ roof ’til you’re married. There’s also the tiny problem of not being able to run away when the date is going terribly.

But on the other hand, things can become more intimate when you’re just chilling and enjoying each other’s company. Maybe a Netflix and chill date isn’t as bad as you think it is!

… We’ll let you decide what “Netflix and chill” means.

4. Gift-giving is a must.

So the first date went perfectly, but you don’t want to risk getting the virus again. You’re also tired of saying sweet nothings to each other through text. For the older zoomers, maybe you’ve had virtual sex already.

How else do you express your affection but by sending them care packages through Lalamove? Or surprising someone with a treat from GrabFood?

It’s such a lovely gesture to give gifts in an anxiety-inducing time. No matter what you decide to send over to someone, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it a lot.

On that note, we want to express our utmost support and gratitude to the deliverymen who go out there every day being a messenger of love. Tip them handsomely, kids!

5. There’s more paranoia than ever.

Do you know how sometimes a person you meet through Tinder just seems too good to be true?

Well imagine that feeling on top of the thought that they’re just using you to pass boredom. Doubting someone’s true intentions and honesty is probably a dating trend that will continue during these times.

Always make sure you’re cautious of the people you meet online. They might just like the feeling you give them, but they may not necessarily like you.

6. People have become more clingy.

Who knew online dating could be so high-maintenance?

Don’t be surprised if someone seems overly excited to interact with you. With everyone being apart from their friends and family for so long, dating during coronavirus has become a playground for separation anxiety.

This pandemic has already taken a lot from us, so excuse us if we’re a little pushy and clingy and never want the conversation to end.

7. Ghosting is easier.

If you want to try dating during coronavirus, then you better emotionally prepare yourself. Unfortunately, getting ghosted has become a stronger possibility in these times.

Think about it: it’s easier to leave somebody hanging and ignore them forever when it’s become more difficult to physically meet up with each other. Also, with there being more users on these apps, who’s to say that you’re not just another replaceable number for somebody?

It all ties back to the fact that some people right now just want to flirt and go on virtual dates for fun. Nothing more.

This spells trouble for those who are looking to find real romantic partners. One day, you might be thinking of taking the next step with a person but then, they’ll never ever reply back to you again. Like, ever.

So to all my ghosters reading this, please grow up and face the music. Behind the screen, there’s a real person with real feelings. Everyone is more anxious these days, so you’re actually harming someone’s mental disposition and emotional confidence when you ghost them.

We know we kind of ended the article on a sad note. But if you have the self-esteem for it, we don’t see why you shouldn’t try out dating during coronavirus!

And if you’re one of the lucky birds who has had a successful love story during these times, we want to hear you out in the comments. Same goes for the people who want to share their thoughts or own (failed) experiences!

Dating can be a coping mechanism for Filipinos not only because of the pandemic, but because the government decided some things are more important than coronavirus. Read more now!

Featured Image: cottonbro on Pexels

The post How Coronavirus Has Changed the Way Filipinos Date appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

Dear Facebook, you have effectively killed our democracy by turning a blind eye on fake news and troll accounts. Do we need to start our own Facebook ad boycott in the Philippines to get you to listen to us?

We know you don’t care much when you’re still turning profit from our advertising pesos, but tech giants like yourself need to know your place. Stop messing with how the world operates because if the people get angry enough, we could crush you like the bug that you are.

Facebook is Basically a Military-Grade Weapon

Just weeks ago, something crazy jolted me up from the bed, and into a pool of anger. A lot of my friends and I who had graduated from, or studied in the University of the Philippines, woke up to news that gave me absolute goosebumps. Multiple “duplicate” accounts had been created using our names overnight. These accounts had a default profile picture, which was a huge indicator that they were created by trolls. Oh, and what’s worse is, some of these accounts were sending threatening messages to the real users.

Now, some of you might be wondering why it’s such a scary thing. Well, this happened right at the peak of the #JunkTerrorBill movement that forced a lot of zoomers to speak out online against the government and the Anti-Terror Bill.

With how vaguely the ATB could be interpreted, the writing was on the wall: these duplicate accounts could post something incriminating under your name, like pretending to threaten people for example. If they do that, you could easily be thrown in jail without question.

Later on however, we’d realize that it was not just students and alumni from my school who were being targeted. Most of the victims of this cyber identity thefit situation were those who were vocal about their opposition to the Anti-Terror Bill.

There were a lot of theories as to where the data came from.

It could have been from an algorithm that targets people who had used the hashtag “#JunkTerrorBill” in one of their posts. Another theory is how the trolls targeted users who had signed a Change.org petition against the ATB. One thing is for sure though: with how quickly the accounts were being created, Facebook was once again being used as a weapon by the troll farms.

So after that happened, Facebook said no malicious activity happened, and the National Bureau of Investigation claimed it was a glitch. Pretty sure no one who was victimized believed that.

What kind of Black Mirror episode did I just live through?

How Facebook Killed our Democracy

After that whole thing, I decided to watch The Great Hack on Netflix. It’s a great look into how a data analytics company, Cambridge Analytica, had used our Facebook data to skew elections in different countries with the aid of targeted ads. While that might seem like fair game, they planted fake news and intentionally created dissent in these countries to make their client win. Of course for some reason, they decided to side with candidates who were bigots for these elections.

Here’s the kicker. They were a British consulting firm, but had the balls to test out their strategies on developing countries like the Philippines. Then, once they proved their success in these areas, they then decided to take on the 2016 U.S. presidential election and Brexit next.

Like… are they for real? Why do these people think that they can just swoop in and totally change how other countries operate?

We are not your guinea pigs! If you’re going to pull down your zipper and piss all over the plants, do it in your own backyard!

But besides that, the fact that Facebook is doing virtually nothing to regulate political ads, fake news, and troll accounts shows where their allegiance truly lies: their bank account. Having these things unregulated in a social media-heavy country like ours is tantamount to a dead democracy.

If you don’t have facts, you can’t have truth. If you don’t have truth, you don’t have trust. If you don’t have these two things, you don’t have democracy.

Maria Ressa in a 2019 interview with CIGI

So if you’ve been on the political side of the internet for some time now, you’d know how our current government has used Facebook to create chaos. Paid troll armies are the most notorious example, coming to the defense of the president when he is being criticized. As they grow in number, the divide between Duterte’s supporters and detractors just keep getting bigger and bigger by the day.

Which is exactly what they want. And something that Facebook has done nothing about.

July 2020 Facebook Ad Boycott

Since Americans have caught up to Facebook’s role in democracy and elections, lawmakers have been rightfully grilling Zuckerberg for lack of regulation when it comes to fake news. And now that the 2020 U.S. presidential elections are coming up, the anger of the people has been piling up, as Facebook could very well be weaponized to favor a presidential candidate again.

Additionally, the platform has been used to post hateful content against vulnerable communities, primarily those that include BIPOC. They have refused to take down hate-filled comments in relation to recent killings against POC. One such comment was made by President Donald Trump himself, where he encouraged protesters to be shot. Throughout this debacle, Mark Zuckerburg remained silent about the issue, despite a huge backlash from numerous people and groups.

And believe me, this just fueled the fire even more.

As a response to their inaction when it comes to racially-charged comments, a prominent number of big and small advertisers have vowed not to run any Facebook ads in the month of July. Activist groups have been working non-stop for more advertisers to join their call to #StopHateforProfit. Yes, there have been many ad boycotts in the past, but this seems to be the biggest one yet.

Why This Boycott Means Something

Even being a Filipino, you’d be able to recognize names of brands who have agreed to take part in this movement: The North Face, Upwork, Ben & Jerry’s, Rakuten Viber, and probably the biggest fish yet, Verizon Wireless.

To provide context, Facebook was able to to earn a whopping $69.7 billion dollars in 2019, with 46.1% of their 2018 revenue coming from U.S. and Canada alone. From those numbers, you’re probably thinking that this boycott will not do anything in the long run, especially when these brands are planning to resume their ads after July anyway. Great, that’s what other marketers are thinking too.

However, let’s look at the bigger picture.

By participating in the boycott, all these companies are using the reach and influence that they have to spread awareness about Facebook’s problem in addressing racist and discriminatory comments. More than that, these advertisers could very much influence how their customers think and feel. Just by explaining why they refuse to run ads for July, they are already educating people on how dangerous the tech giant could truly be.

As this continues to gain steam, the activist groups and brands who joined the boycott have already made a statement. And now that more advertisers are taking part, this story has continued to gain momentum throughout media and news outlets. The best part is almost all of their content gives context on why this boycott is happening in the first place: Facebook’s inaction towards racially-charged comments. While this won’t put a dent in Facebook’s revenue numbers, this movement has been chipping away at their credibility and reputation.

Plus, the public pressure is probably weighing heavily on Mr. Robot right now. If he’ll finally cave in, we will have to wait and see.

Why We Need a Facebook Ad Boycott in the Philippines

What that in mind, imagine if all the big and small local advertisers could come together to create a Facebook ad boycott in the Philippines. We even have our own, extremely valid concern to rationalize this: the weaponization of Facebook against free speech.

Imagine if the likes of P&G, Unilever, and Jollibee Foods Corporation would actually take a stand against disinformation, troll armies, clone accounts, and other shenanigans, by not running any Facebook ads for a certain time.

Having an ad boycott would be a big step in taking back our virtually-dead democracy that we worked so hard to earn. It’s probably true that the advertising revenue from the Philippines is barely a blip in Facebook’s radar, but a movement like this has a ton of potential to create awareness and educate the masses. Media outlets from all over the world and the country would pick it up and help impart our message about responsible regulation of online platforms.

Then, we could inspire the people and truly make a change. Now that’s what I call a power move.

Unfortunately, this all seems like an unreachable and unrealistic dream.

If someone does start a Facebook ad boycott in the Philippines, we’d probably just have other companies taking advantage of the lighter competition on the platform. I also presume that the gesture wouldn’t be appreciated as much as in the U.S., as most of the population haven’t realized the impact of Facebook has had in our democracy yet. Even so, realistically speaking, the big advertisers here don’t have the guts to take part in something as small as a Facebook ad boycott. I’d literally have to see it to believe it.

But hey, we can always stay hopeful that advertisers will be able to realize that they play a much bigger role in society than they’d like to think. Someday, I know that citizens and advertisers alike can put our differences, fear, and greed aside to slay the Facebook dragon once and for all.

Want to hear more hot takes from zoomers like this one? Take a look at our opinion articles here.

Featured Image: Thought Catalog

The post Facebook Killed PH’s Democracy (But Advertisers Can Help Take it Back) appeared first on Zoomers Corner.

We compiled easy-to-understand online resources about LGBTQ+ people that you can use to educate yourselves. This isn’t just for queer folks; it can help you and your friends learn how to be a good ally as well. As the title of the article suggests, this is just an introduction to LGBTQ+ terminologies, identities, issues, history, and media. It’s always best to go out and learn more about the world of the rainbow warriors!

Pride Month may have ended in June, but if you think about it, the fight for equal rights is far from over. School’s out anyway, so do you really have anything better to do?

Difference Between Sex, Gender & Everything Else (SOGIESC)

The words sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression may be confusing for some. In most cases, we tend to actually interchange them. Hell, I still get confused sometimes too! Here is a quick video that shows you what they all mean in a nutshell:

Takeaway: While gender is a term that refers to how society expects us to behave and act, sex is mainly biological.

The Different Sexualities and Labels

Have you ever come across someone identifying themselves as demisexual, but never knew what they meant? It’s a small victory that most people already know what the letters in LGBT stand for, but there’s a reason the community uses a rainbow flag as its symbol. Sexuality is a spectrum, and in it, you’ll find lots of colorful terms that members of the community use to empower themselves!

Unite UK’s A-Z List of Sexualities covers most common terms people use to describe their sexuality. Healthline’s 46 Terms That Describe Attraction, Behavior and Orientation is a great dictionary to learn more about terminologies used within the community. But don’t feel pressured to fit into the labels in those websites. You do you, boo!

Takeaway: “Queer” is an umbrella term for people who aren’t homosexual. It used to have a negative connotation, but the community is reclaiming it.

Pride Month Origin and History

Now let’s delve deeper into how Pride Month started, because it’s a good reminder to us all that gender is intersectional. This means that we can’t tackle it without considering other factors like race and class. Why do I mention that? Because two black trans women, Marsha P. Johnson and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy were at the forefront of the gay rights movement. However, it is an unfortunate fact that BIPOC transwomen nowadays are more susceptible to discrimination and hate crimes. Some white gay men even shun them out of the community!

Bobby Berk’s short write-up tells us a little bit more about Johnson and Griffin-Gracy, the Stonewall Riots, and the origin of Pride Month. Refinery29’s From Stonewall to Pride 50 succinctly tells us about what happens after!

Takeaway: Our trans brothers and sisters are just as important as everyone else in our community. Period.

Straight Privilege

In the same way that white privilege exists, straight people don’t realize the luxuries that they are afforded just for being born straight. It’s Pronounced Metrosexual lists over forty examples of heterosexual or straight privilege in action. If you are reading this article as an ally, it’s a great way to realize how your queer friends’ lives are harder just for being themselves. This article on Bustle is a great addition to the topic, going into more detail.

Takeaway: If you’re straight and can’t wrap your head around why Straight Pride is wrong, then recognize that you already enjoy so many privileges. Straight Pride is unnecessary AF.

LGBTQ+ Issues and Hate Crimes

Unfortunately, we can’t talk about LGBTQ+ community without acknowledging the issues that we face on a micro- and macro-level. For every topic in the list, I linked a short article. Just a note that there are endless articles for these issues because they are more complex and needs more reading to fully understand. This whole list is just a starting point to learn more about them. Safe to say that these should not be read if you do not feel comfortable.

• LGBTQ Youth and Suicide
• LGBTQ Youth, Family Conflict & Homelessness
• LGBTQ Killings & Murders
• LGBTQ Hate Crimes
• LGBTQ Workplace Discrimination
• LGBTQ Healthcare Discrimination
• LGBTQ Discrimination in Media
• Same-Sex Marriage Issues in the World
• Trans Bathroom Access
• Gay Conversion Therapy

Takeaway: With the amount of shit that the LGBTQ+ community faces every day, we are some of the bravest people to walk this earth.

LGBTQ+ Film Recommendations

There are plenty of LGBTQ movies to watch, including documentaries. The content is endless! I mean, just look at Rotten Tomatoes‘ list of the 200 best LGBT movies of all-time. Or if you feel like you’ve watched all the popular ones already, you could always check out The Guardian‘s list of best queer films you haven’t seen. If you’re bummed out that the Pride March was cancelled due to coronavirus (she’s homophobic), you can always make it feel like Pride at home! Just stream your movie of choice and let the laughter and tears roll.

I hope that these resources gave you a deeper insight into yourself, the people around you, and the larger LGBTQ+ community. Remember, all of our experiences are different, but in the end, we are all just human. No matter what your sexuality is and what you identify as, it’s everybody’s responsibility to take care of each other as decent human beings. And educating yourself on the issues is what will give you the empathy that you need to do just that.

Featured Image: Gotta Be Worth It on Pexels

The post The Beginner’s Guide to the LGBTQ+ Community appeared first on Zoomers Corner.