D is for DarkMatter, demiromantic, demisexual, dildo, drag and dyke!

DarkMatter is “a trans south asian performance art duo comprised of Alok Vaid-Menon and Janani Balasubramanian.” You can check out some of their work here.

Demiromantic – “ A demiromantic does not experience romantic attraction unless they have already formed a strong emotional bond with the person.” –www.asexualityarchive.com

Demisexual – is “a sexual orientation in which someone feels sexual attraction only to people with whom they have an emotional bond. Most demisexuals feel sexual attraction rarely compared to the general population, and some have little to no interest in sexual activity.” –demisexuality.org

Dildos – “a vaguely-phallus-shaped device used for sexual gratification. Actually, they come in lots of shapes, from very-realistic penis-shape, to vegetables like corn cobs and zucchini, to dolphins”- lesbianhandbook.net , (check out this feminist sex store Self Serveonline for more info & resources; you may also go to the sensuality shop in Northampton,Oh My!, which is run and founded by a Mount Holyoke alum.)

Drag is “the act of dressing in gendered clothing and adopting gendered behaviors as part of a performance, most often clothing and behaviors typically not associated with your gender identity. Drag Queens perform femininity theatrically. Drag Kings perform masculinity theatrically. Drag may be performed as a political comment on gender, as parody, or simply as entertainment. Drag performance does not indicate sexuality, gender identity, or sex identity.” – Gender Equality Resource Center Berkeley

Drag Ball is OUTreach’s annual Chapin party with student DJs, Student Drag Performances, photobooth, bartending services and more!  Last spring, we sold out and raised over $2000 towards a Camp Outright scholarship, QPOC week at MHC, and theLyon’s Legacy Fund!
Our next Drag Ball will take place on February 13th, 2016. If you’re interested in helping to plan Drag Ball, contact Stephanie Corrales at corra22s@mtholyoke.edu

Dyke – “Originally meant to be a slur, it has been reclaimed by many lesbians who might use it to identify themselves of other lesbians. It is considered rude to use the word ‘dyke’ unless you self-identify as one.” –urbandictionary.com
“-a lesbian, frequently one with attitude” –lesbianhandbook.net (see also: diesel dyke –a very truck-driver-like butch)

Melina uses “dyke” as a gender identity. Feel free to contact her with any questions at baron24m@mtholyoke.edu

Dykes to Watch Out For is a comic strip series by Alison Bechdel that ran for 25 years (from 1983-2008). Dykes to Watch Out For is the origin of the Bechdel Test. (The Bechdel Test asks whether a work of fiction features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. The requirement that the two women must be named is sometimes added.)