Browsing Category

Lifestyle

When ‘The One’ Becomes Two: Top 5 Myths About Polyamory

Posted on February 14, 2019
An illustration of polyamory.

Polyamory, like many relationship expressions that fall outside the societal “norm” of monogamy, is largely misunderstood, often dismissed, and rarely validated as a natural way for humans to connect with one another. This dynamic is not as provocative or alluring as the media depicts, nor is it fraught with more complications that the traditional two-party relationship system. In fact, almost no mammal on earth is truly monogamous (yes, even those that “mate for life”). As queer people, our relationships are…

Continue Reading

Ending the HIV Epidemic by 2030: The Federal Government Has It All Wrong

Posted on February 8, 2019
A photo of red carnations representing the HIV epidemic.

After the nation’s longest government shutdown in history, the president of the United States was finally able to give his State of the Union address. The purpose of this address, as prescribed by the US Constitution, is to give the United States Congress information on the state of our nation and to “recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary.” Essentially, this is the president’s chance to state where we are currently as a country, as well as…

Continue Reading

Rise and Grind: Top Queer Southern Entrepreneurs of 2019

Posted on January 31, 2019
A photo of queer southern entrepreneurs.

Creating a business is no joke. Between articles of incorporation and business bank accounts to mission statements and target audiences, it’s enough to make your head spin and send you down that dreaded rabbit hole of self-doubt and insecurity, only to spit you out the other end questioning your entire purpose in life. Dramatic? Maybe a smidge. But I think we can all agree that self-doubt is evil and has no business in business—we don’t know her. Here’s what we do…

Continue Reading

Working Out with Erica Nix: Making Fitness Queer Again

Posted on January 22, 2019
A photo of Erica Nix.

I’m an artist, and Workout! With Erica Nix started out as performance art. I used to dance for a punk rock band and, instead of go-go dancing or dancing in this cute, sexy way, I would do aerobics and act crazy on stage. I’d weigh myself afterwards, get pissed off, and throw a huge fit and hump food, spray Cheez Whiz on people, and throw donuts. It was a lot of fun! A lot of people would come for the…

Continue Reading

Eye for an Eye’s Jess Swaim Talks Tattoo Artistry, Non-binary Identity in Conroe

Posted on January 18, 2019
An illustration of Conroe based tattoo artist Jess Swaim.

Tattoos. From metropolises like New York and Los Angeles to small town Texas, this art form has always welcomed the most marginalized in society. Spectrum South recently caught up with Jess Swaim, a nonbinary tattoo artist based out of Conroe, Texas, to talk about their experience tattooing LGBTQ clients, navigating a male-dominated industry, and queer parenting in the small town about an hour north of Houston.…

Continue Reading

Five Essential Self-Care Habits for Queers

Posted on January 14, 2019
A photo of queer self-care.

Self-care is not just Instagram fodder, Lush bath bombs, aromatherapy, and crystals. It’s not selfies, expensive beverages, salads, yoga poses, or even spa services. Self-care is actually work. And it often can be free. It’s akin to the psychological concept of re-parenting, or self-stewardship. It is adulting 2.0. It’s an essential skill that combats the effects of living in the relentless consumerist culture we’re steeped in. But don’t let that discourage you, because here are my top 5 self-care tips…

Continue Reading

Traveling While Queer: Miami

Posted on January 8, 2019
A photo of queer Miami.

Welcome to the third installment of Traveling While Queer! Join me as I journey across the country to discover our shared queer history and sightsee in some of my favorite cities. Along the way, we will explore hidden havens, places of LGBTQ significance, and help you to plan a top-notch gay getaway. Our next stop is bringing that heat—welcome to Miami!…

Continue Reading

Revolutionizing Gender Care from the Inside Out, with Dr. Colt Keo-Meier at UTMB in Galveston

Posted on December 28, 2018
An illustration of gender care at UTMB.

Only in the last few years or so has access to hormone therapy for the transgender and gender non-conforming population become more readily available in the South. Yet, recipients are often barred from hormone therapy by “medical gatekeeping,” which requires each patient to produce a letter of diagnosis and recommendation from a licensed mental health professional and attend up to six months of psychotherapy. Thanks to WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) and people like Dr. Colt Keo-Meier, however,…

Continue Reading

Supporting Queer Sex Workers: How and Why

Posted on December 17, 2018
A photo of the sex workers red umbrella.

Sex work is term and concept that is, at best, misunderstood and vilified at worst. While almost everyone has benefited from sex workers’ labor at some point in their lives, few acknowledge this fact or think about the lack of support or rights that these artists and healers have in western modern society.…

Continue Reading