We are giving 5 STEEM to six authors that contribute a post on a current event, issue or topic related to the LGBT+ global community.

Members, allies and any interested bloggers encouraged to participate!

Since joining Steemit, I have encountered so many people in the LGBT+ community from all over the globe, and it is clear that we have very different voices and social experiences. So I want to open up the space to learn more about what’s happening globally.

---

WHY an LGBT Global Awareness Initiative?

Awareness Creates Solidarity

My hope is that this initiative will give the context needed to understanding the day to day challenges faced by members of the global LGBT+ community, so that we can create more genuine connections and conversations. One of the greatest acts of love we can give is our devoted attention to the needs and concerns of others. We can all attest to the spark that arises when someone says they have visited your country or city. How much more intimate to say, ‘I know the ways your home makes it hard for you to be queer.’

Awareness Creates Empathy

As a North American, I recognize that while not yet arrived, I am privileged to be living in a country that has legal protections for LGBT+ citizens. While I will proudly share my story, I want to always be sensitive to those that are not allowed to be as vocal.

Awareness Creates Compassion

I believe this initiative will further open our eyes to the misinformation and poor ideologies that exist in the world about queer people. It hasn’t taken long to discover that there is inflamed rhetoric being published expressly to offend LGBT+ Steemians, but the way we will combat ignorance is by being informed.

---

How Can I Participate?

1. Write a post of interest related to the Global LGBT+ Community

I want to leave the content of this post open ended, as there are so many issues and topics that can be covered. For instance, some topics to choose from may be:

• Overview of LGBT+ Rights/Laws in a specific country (i.e., Egypt, Indonesia) or a in a Specific Region (South America, Northern Africa)
• Mental health perceptions of LGBT+ people throughout the world
• Transpersons access to surgery and hormone therapy in various countries.

But the content may also be more personal and specific to our present LGBT+ Steemit Community:

• What have you learned about the global LGBT+ community since joining Steemit?
• Conduct a brief interview with a fellow LGBT+ Steemian in another country and ask about their personal experience
• What is the process of changing your name in your country?
  

  2. Use the LGBT, LGBTQ+, Transgender and related tags

  3. Leave a link to your post in the comment section

  4. Upvote and Resteem this Initiative!

  ---

  Deadline

  This initiative ends on Friday, February 9th at 9:00pm EST

  All links posted in the comment section will be reviewed for quality, and properly cited sources to avoid plagiarism. The six winners will be announced and receive their 5 STEEM reward on Sunday, February 11th.

  Rules: the only "rules" are do not be offensive! Otherwise, all posts welcome no matter how long, short or the topic!

  Love and Steem On

  

  ---

  

  Image Sources