Introduction.

[shazna-love.livejournal.com]

Name: Leah

Age: 23

Location: Roanoke, VA

How do you identify?: (sexuality/gender) Oh dear, so I really dislike "identifying" (we can have a conversation about that!), but if I *must* I prefer queer. I have been interested in all genders and sexes so I find it really hard to stick to a simple "bi" label (especially when you date genderqueer people...it doesn't really fit)

Interests/hobbies: languages, linguistics, trying to find a job (as a recent college graduate), cooking, scrapbooking, photoshopping, activism.

Favourite books: Everything by Judith Butler, Oscar Wilde, Miyuki Miyabe, and T.S. Eliot, but also the Harry Potter series, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Kitchen ,among others.

Favourite films: Ma vie en Rose, Benny and Joon, Religulous, Mean Girls (it's a classic!); Tv shows: Doctor Who, Big Bang Theory, Buffy, Weeds, and (most recently) Dexter.

Favourite music: Lady Gaga, OK GO, the new pornographers, KAT-TUN, the sounds, Regina Spektor, La Roux, Greeeen

What would you like to send/receive?: Anything! I love letters (especially with ridiculous stationary and stickers), CDs, and postcards :)

Who would you like to send and receive mail from?: Anyone, really!

What countries would you like to receive mail from and send to?: All :) I can speak Japanese and took 8 years of German (however, it's been like 4 since I've taken any classes/studied)

Anything that you would particularly NOT like to receive?: Things not pre-approved by me, which I guess would pretty much based on the situation.

What would be in your dream letter or package?: a hand-written letter with a random/funny personal story.

Anything else you'd like to add?: I haven't really emphasized my interest in queer studies and activism, but I am experienced (and trained in) non-violent protest and have held various leadership positions in the queer community within my University and am very interested in getting to know others who are passionate about or interested in queer/human rights and activism.

Picture: I am lame and terrible with technology and figuring out how to link pictures,etc. I apologize.

Comments

[bleedingretinas.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm Shawn from Australia and you seem really interesting, want to be pen-pals? I'm not good with words though, but eh, it just sounds like fun :)

[shazna-love.livejournal.com]

Hello! Sounds fantastic :) Could I get some info about you as well?
I will add you on here ( I apologize, I have had my LJ since I was 14 and have used it on and off since then....so most of the entries are probably stupid)

[profstark.livejournal.com]

Hurray for queer studies and activist! Would love to be penpals. Me: bisexual female marxist feminist, interested in social justice issues of all kinds. Have read Judith Butler, Eve Kosofsky Sedwick, Foucault, et al. And may I recommend Judith Halberstam "In a Queer Time & Place" if you have not yet read it. Read it as an undergrad a couple of years ago and loved it.

you can add me on here if you'd like, but I almost never post anymore, and my journal has been up for a decade, which means most entries are inane, so you can also just email me directly if you'd like: mary.christina.huizar@gmail.com.

:)

[shazna-love.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the book recommendation, I am so excited to actually have time to read again. I am drafting up an e-mail to you now!

[enigmalea]

Wait... WHAT? NO WAY THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE IN ROANOKE ON HERE.

/random squeal of disbelief

[shazna-love.livejournal.com]

WHATTTT?!?!?! CRAZY!!!! For serious, Roanoke, Virginia???? *gasp*

[enigmalea]

Yeah. Crazy times. Born and lived here my whole life.

[llamanollama.livejournal.com]

Aaah! You seem so cool, specifically in regards to: Oscar Wilde, Buffy, Regina Spektor, stickers and queer studies/activism!
I'm dual majoring in Psychology and Sexuality Studies at OSU and I am going to try to work with a campaign to end abuse, if possible the It's Abuse college campaign, or BRAVO.

If you're interested in whatever I put here the link is: http://community.livejournal.com/queermail/157726.html
however, I didn't get too detailed.

Anyway, basically this comment is to say that you seem pretty cool and I wouldn't mind talking back and forth with you, if you'd like!

[shazna-love.livejournal.com]

Oh! That's fantastic. I really want to work for some type of NPO...I think they are much more rewarding. And I have enjoyed my work with queer groups in college, so I'd really like to continue that. And stickers. Ugh. They are my obsession. My favorite feature alpaca and chickens and some of the alpaca have chicken wings! I spent an ungodly amount of money in Japan when I studied abroad on things like stickers and stationary. It's sooo hard to pass them up, though.

[llamanollama.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a pretty great sticker, haha! I love stickers as well, though I can generally resist them now. I think I would love to see that image because in my head it is pretty fantastic.

I definitely agree about the NPO, which is why a lot of my attention and interests are focused around the humanities. I'm pretty sure that I'll end up working to help people in need no matter what I end up doing.

[shazna-love.livejournal.com]

Congrats for being able to resist. I am trying to use mine; they make for great additions to letters,etc. (one reason I'm super excited for penpals!)

That's so exciting. I wish I had focused more of my studies on women and gender studies,etc..instead of just doing it on the side. While I devoted a lot of time to it,I'm having a hard time now trying to get my major and my interests together for a job. But I'm still trying. hahaha. Unfortunately my major encompasses a pretty conservative part of the world (East Asia) when it comes to gender/sexuality/women's issues.

[deerbehindglass.livejournal.com]

Hey! I'm Lisa, and like you I really am not into labels. Also like you, if I had to I'd use "queer." Also, "bookworm." It's important. I have a year left in my undergrad studies and feel like I can [begin?] to relate to you since you just finished. Although I'm a bit rusty on actual activism I am interested in it and am pretty serious about queer theory. Message me if you're interested in knowing each other and if you haven't gotten enough offers already! :)

[shazna-love.livejournal.com]

Hello!~ I think any interest in activism and queer theory is better than none! :) I am no way near being a scholar but just enjoy what I have done and want to continue. What are you studying in school??? I've been out for a month and am ready to go back! Not ready to think of trying to get a "real" job and become a "real" adult.
But yessss let's talk!