This week in queer web content // April 18, 2013

• Simon Moritz writes about the dangers of assimilationism and gender policing within communities of gay men.

• Uruguay has legalized same-sex marriage, making it the third country in the Americas to do so (after Canada and Argentina). On the other side of the world, New Zealand has done the same, and the legislature broke into song when the vote passed.

• DC Comics’ Batgirl becomes the first non-mature mainstream title to feature a character who is openly trans.

• Robert Espinoza reports on the challenges to health equity for older queer people of colour.

• New television series Da Vinci’s Demons will adhere to historical evidence and portray Da Vinci as a bisexual man.

• California has banned insurance discrimination against trans patients.

• A former member of the Westboro Baptist Church is now involved in ally work.

• Rob Watson explains why a “satirical” article about a couple putting their lesbian teen up for adoption isn’t really much of a joke at all.

• Out Magazine’s 50 Gay “Power Players” included 4 people of colour and zero trans people.

• MIT recently hosted a QUILTBAG Game Jam to encourage professionals and amateurs alike to make games with queer characters and themes. Check out the results!

• Speaking of games, developer Dani Landers and trans gamers talk about using game characters and avatars to explore their gender identities prior to coming out.

• Sweden has officially added the gender-neutral pronoun “hen” to the National Encyclopedia.

• [Content note: transphobic language.] While there are a few exceptions, Girls on Grindr chronicles mostly straight women trying to use the hookup app to find “gay bffs”.

• More encouragingly, artist Ted Sterchi uses Grindr profile photos to inspire his gorgeous watercolour portraits.

• Kate Bornstein has released a new version of My Gender Workbook.

• Top WNBA draft pick Brittney Griner talks about being comfortable with her lesbian identity, making her one of the highest profile queer athletes in North America.

• Lisa Millbank sparked debate with a challenging piece on white femininity, signs of submission, and the meaning of femme; she then wrote a followup in response to the discussions.