LifeLube's Pete Subkoviak Talking Homophobia on Feast of Fun

via Feast of Fun

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Disease, suicide, abuse and discrimination, in many ways all stem from the same disorder- homophobia.

So how do we get to the root of this hate and create an environment where our health, wellness, and human rights are respected and nurtured?

Does it all start with just a little bit love and understanding?

Pete Subkoviak, health advocate, blogger for Lifelube, and policy coordinator at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago joins us to talk about fighting homophobia, in obvious and not so obvious ways. Next week in Chicago, Lifelube is holding a public discussion on fighting hate and bigotry, and they want to hear your ideas on what works.

Pete also shares with us his own experience in being a trans guy, and how he got the support from his family to transition at the young age of 18.

Plus we take a look at some trans guy myths and legends, like why so many guys choose the name Bastain or Sebastian and what part the film “The Never Ending Story” has in choosing that name.

Listen to the podcast.

Check out info on the It's Not Just "Faggot!" forum next Wednesday.

Remembering the Self-Violence on the Transgender Day of Remembrance

by Pete Subkoviak, via Huffington Post 

As I enter my 30th year of life, something is happening to me that I never thought would take place: I'm getting older. The hair atop my head is thinning; the creases around my eyes are deepening, and the love handles simply won't go away, no matter how hard I hit the gym. It's a fact of life I never imagined I'd have to deal with because, simply put, I thought I'd be dead by now. Grim I know, but keep reading - it gets better.

November 20th is the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, which pays homage to transgender individuals around the globe who are murdered for being who they were born to be. Fourteen were murdered this year in the United States and Puerto Rico alone, including Sandy Woulard, who was murdered right here in Chicago. While I believe violence is an unbelievably important issue in the transgender community, I think it is important to broaden this commemoration to include victims of self-violence, as transgendered individuals are much more likely to die by their own hands than by another's. Suicide is a huge issue in the trans community, and a recent survey by the Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality elucidates this more clearly, finding that 41 percent of transgender people have attempted suicide (compared to the 1.6 percent national average).

Read the rest at HuffPo

LifeLuber Talks Sacred Sexuality

Lifelube's own Pistol Pete Subkoviak sat on a panel to discuss sexuality, diversity and spirituality at the Bodhi Spiritual Center in Chicago. The group discussed the hardships of growing up in religions and cultures that do not accept LGBT individuals, how they dealt with the challenges of their differences and how they now celebrate their Sacred Sexuality. Check it out below and hop over to Bodhi's website to see the entire Sacred Sexuality lectures!

Check out Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4!

Fight for Health Care Reform - Volunteer at the 2009 Chicago AIDS Run & Walk!

Health care reform will fundamentally transform and enhance our ability to fight the spread of HIV and AIDS, and NOW is a critical moment that we need the voices of the HIV/AIDS community to be heard. The Advocacy Team at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is looking for volunteers to help run the advocacy tent at the 2009 AIDS Run and Walk, happening October 3^rd at Grant Park. Volunteers would work from 8:30 – 12pm (if possible), and encourage Run/Walk participants to sign petitions and join the fight for comprehensive health care reform. Even if you are participating, we can still use your help before, during and after the run! If you are interested in helpin’ out, please contact me at psubkoviak@aidschicago.org or at 312-334-0963.

Outtake Voices Features the LGBTI Health Summit, HIV/AIDS and MORE

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson talks with Pete Subkoviak, Policy Associate at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) where he works on several legislative and advocacy initiatives. Subkoviak runs AFC’s online outreach and advocacy projects and also works on many HIV-prevention programs that target the African-American, LGBT and other at-risk communities. The mission of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS and improve the lives of people affected by the epidemic. Founded in 1985 by community activists and physicians, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is a local and national leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. AFC collaborates with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services. Subkoviak also chatted about Obama’s commitment to LGBT issues during his years as an Illinois Senator and recent criticism.

AFC is one of the main organizers of the 2009 National LGBTI Health Summit that is taking place at the Chicago Hilton and Towers August 14th -18th. Subkoviak shares his enthusiasm about this year’s workshops that will be offered and the array of topics that will be covered from the aging of the Stonewall generation to new HIV prevention technologies. There will also be workshops on intimate partner violence, transgender health care, biphobia, body image, club drugs, anti-smoking initiatives, sexual racism and bareback sex to Qigong, yoga and meditation.

How is Pete Subkoviak healthy?

Oh, I’ve done all the regular ole health stuff like working out, taking in copious amounts of sleep and trying to eat lots of veggies, but that stuff never really made me feel healthy, because I was never happy with myself. Being healthy didn’t really come until I became comfortable with and confident in whom I am, realizing that being unique and independent is a good thing, and standing out in this world works to one’s advantage.

I don’t fit into traditional boxes, and for a long time I felt this was my greatest weakness. I thought (thanks in good part to a Catholic upbringing!) that I needed to be “normal” to lead a happy and successful life and that faulty belief hampered me for a very long time. I’ve always been very masculine, but as a transgender man I’ll never fit some people’s definition of male, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I have a hint of faggotry in me. And even worse, I had a lot of good stuff to offer: I’m humorous, reasonably intelligent, and an aspiring do-gooder. All this would go to waste, I assumed, because conventional wisdom held that I was abnormal.

It’s only lately that I’ve come to this conclusion: fuck that! I’ll never be totally male or female, gay or straight, but I know what I am and what I’m not. I am a man and I am bisexual, and there are people out there that will hire me, befriend me and love me as is. And so it turns out the faulty beliefs I held were the only thing holding me back from the true happiness, healthiness and great possibilities of life.

-- Pete Subkoviak
Chicago

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