How Queer!

In order to talk about the types of queer characters that we like to see in the TV and movie scene, we must understand the difference between liberation and assimilation, as well as incidental and queer-focused media.  Rue and Jules from Euphoria are a great example of queer-focused characters, because they are both main focuses of the show and Jules is able to explore trans issues, but her trans-ness is not her only identity trait, nor is it the premise of the show. Assimilation is the idea that minority groups or communities can blend in and "become the same" as the majority group or community; in this case, queer people assimilating with straight and cis people.  In this context, liberation is the idea of existing as our own people and not complying with the standards and expectations that our inherently heterosexual and cisgender society imposes on us, as queer people. Queer characters that would be considered "assimilating" are usually there as a token q

Upon cleaning out one of my offices this past week, I found some waivers from 2005 for getting HIV testing at the doctor's office where I work. I also found waivers from the state, and info sheets about HIV, one of which used outdated terms to refer to the virus. These waivers were to be signed by the patient to inform them about the HIV testing procedures in Oregon, and get their acceptance or denial to perform the HIV blood test. The waivers also had a box to check the reasoning behind this test, which had options like, "Patient Requested", "High-Risk Behavior", and "Symptomatic". My boss, who was a practicing laboratory technician during this time, mentioned that these waivers are no-doubt rooted in deep homophobia. He said that people were still so ignorant to the science, and that HIV and AIDS were still thought of as a "gay" thing, even in the mid-2000s. He said that the waivers were kind of a way to explain to patients that, "we