Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Lesbian judge won't wed straight couples
In Texas, Dallas County Judge Tonya Parker has said she won't perform marriage ceremonies until same-sex couples can wed, according to NBCDFW.com.
Former Secretary of the Army, Clifford Alexander:
“The policy is an absurdity and borderline on being an obscenity. What it does is cause people to ask of themselves that they lie to themselves, that they pretend to be something that they are not. There is no empirical evidence that would indicate that it affects military cohesion. There is a lot of evidence to say that the biases of the past have been layered onto the United States Army.”
Iraq War Veteran and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, challenging a witness during “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” hearings in the U.S. House:
“You’re basically asserting that straight men and women in our military aren’t professional enough to serve openly with gay troops while completing their military missions. You know as a fo…
Read More
Iraq War Veteran and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, challenging a witness during “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” hearings in the U.S. House:
“You’re basically asserting that straight men and women in our military aren’t professional enough to serve openly with gay troops while completing their military missions. You know as a fo…
Read More
Real Estate News
Big bad banks and foreclosure
SIDEWALK STORY
A teeny bit of prime Palm Springs real estate became the proud recipient of a “star” bearing the name of Carol Channing this past Saturday. ARG Abbott Realty Group Realtor Dan Larson and husband Nick Weitzel arranged for a group of us including Dan’s mom Lily to be present when Channing showed up to accept the accolade for her contributions to the arts. She showed up in a white Rolls Royce with husband Harry Kullijian and a crowd of several hundred that backed up cars on Palm Canyon Drive for a half-mile. Carol can still stop traffic! Channing who looked amazing in her silver au-natural coif broke into song as she made a pitch for expanded (hell, hows’about some?) arts programs in our public schools. She could not have…
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SIDEWALK STORY
A teeny bit of prime Palm Springs real estate became the proud recipient of a “star” bearing the name of Carol Channing this past Saturday. ARG Abbott Realty Group Realtor Dan Larson and husband Nick Weitzel arranged for a group of us including Dan’s mom Lily to be present when Channing showed up to accept the accolade for her contributions to the arts. She showed up in a white Rolls Royce with husband Harry Kullijian and a crowd of several hundred that backed up cars on Palm Canyon Drive for a half-mile. Carol can still stop traffic! Channing who looked amazing in her silver au-natural coif broke into song as she made a pitch for expanded (hell, hows’about some?) arts programs in our public schools. She could not have…
Read More
We must straighten our backs…
We trusted that following conservative and STRAIGHT (for those Prop 8 supporters) Justice Phillips’ September 9th decision that “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was unconstitutional on two counts, the Senate would vote to uphold the integrity of our Nation by voting for the repeal of this pathetic law. The House had done so in June, along with the Senate Armed Services Committee. Now, backed by an unconstitutionality ruling, certainly the Senate would end the ban once and for all.
Fail.
Instead, on September 21st Sen. John McCain (R-Az.), a POW and a former hero to many of us veterans, single handedly obstructed justice with a filibuster. Sadly, the Senate could not muster 60 Senators willing to vote to override him.
No more than two…
Read More
Fail.
Instead, on September 21st Sen. John McCain (R-Az.), a POW and a former hero to many of us veterans, single handedly obstructed justice with a filibuster. Sadly, the Senate could not muster 60 Senators willing to vote to override him.
No more than two…
Read More
Presbyterian pastor rebuked for same-sex weddings
A San Francisco pastor who conducted 16 same-sex weddings while they were legal in California has been censured by the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.'s highest judicial body - which was rebuked by its dissenting members. In...
Iowans don?t want marriage amendment, poll finds
Just 38% of Iowa adults say they want the state Legislature to begin an effort to amend
the state constitution to end marria -More-
the state constitution to end marria -More-
21st ANNUAL AIDS WALK & RUN SAN DIEGO SET FOR SEPT. 26
San Diego’s Largest HIV/AIDS Fundraiser Will Take Place
in Balboa Park
WHAT: The 21st annual AIDS Walk & Run San Diego, the largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser in San Diego County.
WHEN: Sun., Sept. 26
Registration begins at 6am; opening ceremonies at 7:30am
Walk steps off at 8:10am
WHERE: Balboa Park — step off is near Sixth Avenue and Quince
WHY: To raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS, and to raise critically-needed funds for more than 20 San Diego County HIV/AIDS organizations that serve the more than 16,000 people living with the disease in San Diego County.
NOTE: Walkers and organizational spokespeople will be available on Sept. 26 from 6-9am at Sixth and Quince. To arrange advance or day-of-event coverage, plea…
Read More
in Balboa Park
WHAT: The 21st annual AIDS Walk & Run San Diego, the largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser in San Diego County.
WHEN: Sun., Sept. 26
Registration begins at 6am; opening ceremonies at 7:30am
Walk steps off at 8:10am
WHERE: Balboa Park — step off is near Sixth Avenue and Quince
WHY: To raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS, and to raise critically-needed funds for more than 20 San Diego County HIV/AIDS organizations that serve the more than 16,000 people living with the disease in San Diego County.
NOTE: Walkers and organizational spokespeople will be available on Sept. 26 from 6-9am at Sixth and Quince. To arrange advance or day-of-event coverage, plea…
Read More
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Too High a Price: Less than two months after taking control in Richmond, Virginia Republicans have launched outrageous and dangerous attacks on women and gays
Opinion: Living in Virginia comes with a price. First, though, there are the benefits, the most important of which is that it makes my husband happy. Also, a lot of my in-laws live in the area and while I know that doesn't appeal to everyone, the rural Kentucky boy still living inside me finds comfort in that. My neighborhood is more diverse than many of the ones where I lived in D.C. And there are a lot of gay people out here: in my neighborhood, in our businesses, at my gym, everywhere you turn. You can't forget that Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax simply aren't the same Virginia as Lynchburg and Roanoke. ... (more)
Gay group counters Target money
ST. PAUL (AP) – A Democratic-backed political fund, a Minnesota gay rights organization and Democratic candidates will split a $150,000 donation as part of a push to elect gay marriage supporters in the state, after Target Corp. donated the same amount to a Republican-friendly group.
Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that the donation is partly a response to Target’s donation to a group helping Republican Tom Emmer in the governor’s race. Emmer opposes gay marriage, and the Target contribution set off a national backlash among liberals and the retailer’s gay employees and customers.
The Washington-based gay rights organization may spend more in Minnesota, which Solmonese s…
Read More
Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that the donation is partly a response to Target’s donation to a group helping Republican Tom Emmer in the governor’s race. Emmer opposes gay marriage, and the Target contribution set off a national backlash among liberals and the retailer’s gay employees and customers.
The Washington-based gay rights organization may spend more in Minnesota, which Solmonese s…
Read More
Judy Shepard to keynote H.E.R. Day 2012
Center on Halsted has announced that Judy Shepard will serve as keynote speaker at this year's H.E.R. Health Education & Recreation Day Saturday, March 10.
The Rev. Albert Ogle: Reaching out across the globe
(Editor's note: The Rev. Canon Albert Ogle is a regular contributor to San Diego Gay & Lesbian News. Ogle's popular new column, RGOD2, which is published on Fridays, brings an important LGBT voice to discussions on issues of faith and religion at a time when the Religious Right is demonizing our community in the United States and across the globe.)
Rev. Canon Albert Ogle?s San Diego organization has an international focus aimed at promoting equality and unity.
read more
Rev. Canon Albert Ogle?s San Diego organization has an international focus aimed at promoting equality and unity.
read more
Dot429.com Networking at SoHo Grand Jan 25th
429INSPIRED NYC
SOHO Grand
310 West Broadway
6:00PM
- 9:00PM
Join dot429 for 429INSPIRED
dot429s signature speaker series.
Cocktails. Conversation & Cause.
Join us as we welcome Brad Carpenter, Producer of Nurse Jackie and
Sex and the City as he tells us what inspires him.
Hosted by Brian Balthazar, Kelvin Chen, Mike Sullivan, Steven Birkeland,
Norbert Beatty, James Norton, Phil Putnam, and Elliot Tomaeno
These monthly installments have successfully brought together pioneering
professionals and inspiring individuals for an evening of cocktails and
connections.
Hosted Blue Angel Vodka bar.
$25 in advance | $35 at the door. RSVP ONLINE
Proceeds to benefit Newfest
CONNECT + ENGAGE + DISCOVER
SOHO Grand
310 West Broadway
6:00PM
- 9:00PM
Join dot429 for 429INSPIRED
dot429s signature speaker series.
Cocktails. Conversation & Cause.
Join us as we welcome Brad Carpenter, Producer of Nurse Jackie and
Sex and the City as he tells us what inspires him.
Hosted by Brian Balthazar, Kelvin Chen, Mike Sullivan, Steven Birkeland,
Norbert Beatty, James Norton, Phil Putnam, and Elliot Tomaeno
These monthly installments have successfully brought together pioneering
professionals and inspiring individuals for an evening of cocktails and
connections.
Hosted Blue Angel Vodka bar.
$25 in advance | $35 at the door. RSVP ONLINE
Proceeds to benefit Newfest
CONNECT + ENGAGE + DISCOVER
The Center seeks volunteers for annual Dining Out For Life event
SAN DIEGO -- More than 100 local restaurants, bars, coffeehouses and nightclubs will donate a minimum of 25% of the day's sales on Thursday, April 26, to The San Diego LGBT Community Center's HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs as part of the annual Dining Out For Life event.
Volunteers are needed to help make Dining Out for Life San Diego a success!
read more
Volunteers are needed to help make Dining Out for Life San Diego a success!
read more
Adam Lambert fills Freddie Mercury's Shows on QUEEN tour
Adam Lambert has been chosen to front for QUEEN for their summer tour.
The
former American Idol contestant revealed that he will sing the songs
made famous by Freddie Mercury when the group begin the tour later this
year.
He wowed fans by singing with original members Brian May and Roger Taylor at MTV?s EMAs in Belfast last November.
Adam told me he can?t wait to sing with guitarist Brian, 64,
and drummer Roger, 62.
The flamboyant 30-year-old revealed: ?The intention is to
pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some f*****g great songs.
It?s to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that
Freddie would have been proud of.?
?Being asked to front Queen is the best thing that can possibly happen.?
Freddie died in 1991 but Queen reformed for an album and
tour with Free singer Paul Rodgers, 62, in 2005.
As well as his Queen duties, Adam releases stunning
discotastic second album Trespassing on March 19. He grinned: ?I learned so much from doing my first album.
?Trespassing is much more of an album, not just a collection
of would-be singles like my first record.?
October 8th 1988, was the last time Freddie Mercury performed on stage. At
the time, he was terribly ill with AIDS, although he didn't want
people to know about it. He announced that fact the day before
he died. Being ill he continued to compose and record songs and
even took part in making videos. In my opinion,
I'm Going
Slightly Mad video is his masterpiece.
On November 24th, 1991 Freddie died peacefully at his home in London of
AIDS-related bronchial pneumonia.
The
former American Idol contestant revealed that he will sing the songs
made famous by Freddie Mercury when the group begin the tour later this
year.
He wowed fans by singing with original members Brian May and Roger Taylor at MTV?s EMAs in Belfast last November.
Adam told me he can?t wait to sing with guitarist Brian, 64,
and drummer Roger, 62.
The flamboyant 30-year-old revealed: ?The intention is to
pay tribute to Freddie and the band by singing some f*****g great songs.
It?s to keep the music alive for the fans and give it an energy that
Freddie would have been proud of.?
?Being asked to front Queen is the best thing that can possibly happen.?
Freddie died in 1991 but Queen reformed for an album and
tour with Free singer Paul Rodgers, 62, in 2005.
As well as his Queen duties, Adam releases stunning
discotastic second album Trespassing on March 19. He grinned: ?I learned so much from doing my first album.
?Trespassing is much more of an album, not just a collection
of would-be singles like my first record.?
October 8th 1988, was the last time Freddie Mercury performed on stage. At
the time, he was terribly ill with AIDS, although he didn't want
people to know about it. He announced that fact the day before
he died. Being ill he continued to compose and record songs and
even took part in making videos. In my opinion,
I'm Going
Slightly Mad video is his masterpiece.
On November 24th, 1991 Freddie died peacefully at his home in London of
AIDS-related bronchial pneumonia.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Bert is not gay - say Sesame Streets producers
Apparently the use of the word Mo in reference to Bert does not mean he is gay. Mo is a derogatory US word used to refer to gays as well as hairstyles. The LA Times says the reference is about the hairstyle and not the sexuality (of a puppet)!
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Cato's Constitutional Case for Gay Marriage
Our friends at the Cato Institute have produced this new video,
which is particularly relevant given the goings-on in Maryland,
where the state Senate has passed a gay marriage bill that will be
signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley.
Here's the Cato write-up for the vid, which features the great
David Boaz, along with super-lawyers Ted Olson and David Boies:
On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down bans on
interracial marriage in more than a dozen states in the case of
Loving v. Virginia. Today, the highest court in the United States
may soon take on the issue of marriage equality for gay and lesbian
relationships. Attorneys David Boies and Theodore B. Olson are
hoping the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger will further establish
marriage as a fundamental right of citizenship. Also featured are
John Podesta, President of the Center for American Progress, Cato
Institute Chairman Robert A. Levy and Cato Executive Vice President
David Boaz.
Video produced by Caleb O. Brown and Austin Bragg. Event footage
shot by Evan Banks.
And in case you missed Reason's gay marriage vid from yesterday,
here it is:
With Washington state recently legalizing
same-sex unions and Maryland
about to follow suit, gay marriage hasn't been on this big a
roll since Bert and Ernie first shacked up on Sesame
Street. When Maryland finalizes its bill, seven states and the
District of Columbia will sanction the practice.
But before you bust out the appletinis and Indigo Girls CDs to
celebrate, consider that just last year in Maryland - a deep-blue,
Democratic-majority state when it comes to politics - gay marriage
went down faster than George Michael in a public restroom due to
resistance from socially conservative African Americans in the
Democratic Party. Indeed, while 71 percent of white Democrats in
the Old Line State favor gay marriage, just
41 percent of black Democrats do.
So what's different this time around? Democratic
Gov. Martin O'Malley and other pro-marriage legislators
took a page from New
York's gay playbook and reached around to sympathetic
Republicans to seal the deal.
Inconceivable even a generation ago, gay marriage is well on its
way to
becoming mainstream as a growing majority of Americans now
favor it. The only question is when, not if, folks such as Maryland
residents Justin and Phillip Terry-Smith will join heterosexuals in
the joys of getting married - and divorced - happily ever
after.
About 2.30 minutes. Produced by Joshua Swain. Written by Nick
Gillespie and Kennedy, who also hosts.
'Woke Up Black' screening Feb. 27
Filmmaker and activist Mary Morten's documentary, Woke Up Black, will screen at Loyola University Chicago's Water Tower Campus Monday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m.
Santorum: Homosexual Acts Are a Crime, but Maybe Not Quite As Bad As Molesting Children
Rick Santorum's comments about gay marriage
in a 2003
interview with the Associated Press have been getting a lot of
mileage lately, but they are often misreported. In a January 4
profile of Santorum, for example, New York
Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg describes the
notorious quote this way:
He once offhandedly invoked bestiality in arguing that states
should have the right to regulate homosexual acts. "That is not to
pick on homosexuality," he said. "It's not, you know, man on child,
man on dog."
That makes it sound as if Santorum was saying homosexuality is
not as bad as pedophilia or bestiality, which is the interpretation
he embraced in a January 4 interview
with CNN's John King:
King: How do you connect homosexuality to
bestiality? And you went on in that interview to talk about bigamy.
Connect those dots.
Santorum: Hold on a second, John. Read the
quote. I said it's not, it is not; I didn't say
it is. It says it's not. I'm trying to understand
what you're trying to make the point. I said it's
not those things. I didn't connect them; I
specifically excluded them.
Nice try, but the relevant passage (which King read) does not
support that gloss:
Every society in the history of man has upheld the institution
of marriage as a bond between a man and a woman. Why? Because
society is based on one thing: that society is based on the future
of the society. And that's what? Children. Monogamous
relationships. In every society, the definition of marriage has not
ever to my knowledge included homosexuality. That's not to pick on
homosexuality. It's not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or
whatever the case may be. It is one thing.
In context, the it clearly refers to marriage, not
to homosexuality. Santorum is saying marriage traditionally has
excluded certain relationships, including those between people of
the same sex, between adults and children, and between people and
animals. He is not necessarily saying these relationships are
morally equivalent, although that seems to be the implication. In
any event, Santorum makes it pretty clear in the same interview
that he thinks sex between two men is bad enough that it should be
a crime:
If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual
sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have
the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the
right to adultery. You have the right to anything. Does that
undermine the fabric of our society? I would argue yes, it does. It
all comes from, I would argue, this right to privacy that doesn't
exist in my opinion in the United States Constitution; this right
that was created, it was created in Griswold ?
Griswold was the contraceptive case ? and abortion. And
now we're just extending it out. And the further you extend it out,
the more you ? this freedom actually intervenes and affects the
family. You say, well, it's my individual freedom. Yes, but it
destroys the basic unit of our society because it condones behavior
that's antithetical to strong healthy families. Whether it's
polygamy, whether it's adultery, where it's sodomy, all of those
things, are antithetical to a healthy, stable, traditional
family....
The idea is that the state doesn't have rights to limit
individuals' wants and passions. I disagree with that. I think we
absolutely have rights because there are consequences to letting
people live out whatever wants or passions they desire.
Here Santorum is not just objecting, on constitutional grounds,
to the Supreme Court's interference with a state's decision to
criminalize homosexual sex; he is defending such laws, saying
sodomy "destroys the basic unit of our society." Evidently he does
not think that position will help him win the Republican
nomination. As with his bizarre
denial that the federal government imprisons nonviolent drug
offenders (with families!), Santorum is not defending his
principles; he is trying to weasel out of their implications.
in a 2003
interview with the Associated Press have been getting a lot of
mileage lately, but they are often misreported. In a January 4
profile of Santorum, for example, New York
Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg describes the
notorious quote this way:
He once offhandedly invoked bestiality in arguing that states
should have the right to regulate homosexual acts. "That is not to
pick on homosexuality," he said. "It's not, you know, man on child,
man on dog."
That makes it sound as if Santorum was saying homosexuality is
not as bad as pedophilia or bestiality, which is the interpretation
he embraced in a January 4 interview
with CNN's John King:
King: How do you connect homosexuality to
bestiality? And you went on in that interview to talk about bigamy.
Connect those dots.
Santorum: Hold on a second, John. Read the
quote. I said it's not, it is not; I didn't say
it is. It says it's not. I'm trying to understand
what you're trying to make the point. I said it's
not those things. I didn't connect them; I
specifically excluded them.
Nice try, but the relevant passage (which King read) does not
support that gloss:
Every society in the history of man has upheld the institution
of marriage as a bond between a man and a woman. Why? Because
society is based on one thing: that society is based on the future
of the society. And that's what? Children. Monogamous
relationships. In every society, the definition of marriage has not
ever to my knowledge included homosexuality. That's not to pick on
homosexuality. It's not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or
whatever the case may be. It is one thing.
In context, the it clearly refers to marriage, not
to homosexuality. Santorum is saying marriage traditionally has
excluded certain relationships, including those between people of
the same sex, between adults and children, and between people and
animals. He is not necessarily saying these relationships are
morally equivalent, although that seems to be the implication. In
any event, Santorum makes it pretty clear in the same interview
that he thinks sex between two men is bad enough that it should be
a crime:
If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual
sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have
the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the
right to adultery. You have the right to anything. Does that
undermine the fabric of our society? I would argue yes, it does. It
all comes from, I would argue, this right to privacy that doesn't
exist in my opinion in the United States Constitution; this right
that was created, it was created in Griswold ?
Griswold was the contraceptive case ? and abortion. And
now we're just extending it out. And the further you extend it out,
the more you ? this freedom actually intervenes and affects the
family. You say, well, it's my individual freedom. Yes, but it
destroys the basic unit of our society because it condones behavior
that's antithetical to strong healthy families. Whether it's
polygamy, whether it's adultery, where it's sodomy, all of those
things, are antithetical to a healthy, stable, traditional
family....
The idea is that the state doesn't have rights to limit
individuals' wants and passions. I disagree with that. I think we
absolutely have rights because there are consequences to letting
people live out whatever wants or passions they desire.
Here Santorum is not just objecting, on constitutional grounds,
to the Supreme Court's interference with a state's decision to
criminalize homosexual sex; he is defending such laws, saying
sodomy "destroys the basic unit of our society." Evidently he does
not think that position will help him win the Republican
nomination. As with his bizarre
denial that the federal government imprisons nonviolent drug
offenders (with families!), Santorum is not defending his
principles; he is trying to weasel out of their implications.
U.S. District Court judge in SF rules DOMA unconstitutional
San Francisco, February 22, 2012 - U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey S. White today ruled the so-called Defense of Marriage Act DOMA unconstitutional, declaring that the discriminatory federal statute violated the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equality. Lambda Legal and Morrison & Foerster LLP brought the case on behalf of Karen Golinski, a federal court employee denied spousal health coverage for her wife.
Which Etiquette Rules Apply In A Same-Sex Engagement?
We were thrilled to be approached by Stephanie Hallett of The Huffington Post this week as she sought more information on the "norms" and "traditions" of same-sex couples who are popping the question, purchasing rings and thinking about exchanging vows.
Here is an excerpt from the article Gay Engagement: Which Etiquette Rules Apply?
read more
Here is an excerpt from the article Gay Engagement: Which Etiquette Rules Apply?
read more
NOW Congratulates Suzanne Bonamici on Special Election Victory
http://www.nowpacs.org/2012/bonamici-congrats.htmlNOW/PAC-endorsed candidate Suzanne Bonamici (D) soundly defeated Tea Party favorite Rob Cornilles (R) in Tuesday's special election in Oregon's 1st Congressional District. Bonamici, a strong supporter of NOW's issues, will be the first woman in recent years to be part of Oregon's congressional delegation.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ injunction now up to judge
SAN DIEGO, Ca (AP) – U.S. government lawyers are trying to stop a federal judge from issuing an injunction that would immediately do what President Obama has yet to accomplish so far in his first term: Halt the military’s ban on openly gay troops. Now it is up to U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Phillips to decide if she is willing to do that.
The White House says the legal filing Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice attorneys in a federal court in Riverside follows government procedure by defending an act of Congress that is being challenged, but it does not detract from the president’s efforts to get ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repealed.
“This filing in no way diminishes the president’s firm commi…
Read More
The White House says the legal filing Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice attorneys in a federal court in Riverside follows government procedure by defending an act of Congress that is being challenged, but it does not detract from the president’s efforts to get ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repealed.
“This filing in no way diminishes the president’s firm commi…
Read More
Love is Love
I've seen a lot of ads for marriage equality, but for some reason this one got to me. It's from Basic Rights Oregon, our state-wide gay rights organization. They're raising money to put gay marriage up for a vote in Oregon, probably in 2012, to overturn anti-gay amendment. But first they're running campaigns like this one on cable TV stations. If all works out as we plan, Oregon could be the first state to legalize gay marriage by a popular vote.
I came out to my parents. It isn't going well.
I recently came out to my parents. How can I not let their opinions about my sexuality lower my self esteem and mess with my sex-drive? It took me a long time not to feel like I was gross and perverted for being attracted to other women. I came out to my parents last week, and now every other conversation involves them telling me about how wrong and disgusting and gross they find my choices. They've also been saying that I'm only dating a woman and because I can't find a man, I shouldn't lower myself like that, I shouldn't be so desperate, they didn't raise me this way, and things along that line. They've also been making inappropriate comments about my sex life such as sarcastically asking, "So, what's it like to be with a woman?" and following up with a hateful comment like, "We all know she's a bull-dyke, don't try to pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about."
My parents and I have a strained relationship to begin with, so I thought their reaction wouldn't phase me. But now that it's starting to seem time for the girlfriend and I to have sex, it's difficult for me to think about it without thinking of my parents' comments and feeling down on myself. I've slept with women before and I never felt bad about it, but now that I'm out and they're commenting on it I feel uneasy. I think the open comments about my sex life bother me the most because we're not at all the type of family that talks about that and previously it remained unspoken. I feel so uncomfortable with how every time I go out with her they basically say "we know you're having sex with another woman and it's disgusting." I live with them and moving out isn't an option. I'm not doing anything like having sex in the house; I don't even have her over just to hang out.
Help? I want to go back to being happy I met someone I'm really into and excited about sexy things and I really, really don't want to go back to teenage-me who felt like she was the worst person in the world for liking other women.
My parents and I have a strained relationship to begin with, so I thought their reaction wouldn't phase me. But now that it's starting to seem time for the girlfriend and I to have sex, it's difficult for me to think about it without thinking of my parents' comments and feeling down on myself. I've slept with women before and I never felt bad about it, but now that I'm out and they're commenting on it I feel uneasy. I think the open comments about my sex life bother me the most because we're not at all the type of family that talks about that and previously it remained unspoken. I feel so uncomfortable with how every time I go out with her they basically say "we know you're having sex with another woman and it's disgusting." I live with them and moving out isn't an option. I'm not doing anything like having sex in the house; I don't even have her over just to hang out.
Help? I want to go back to being happy I met someone I'm really into and excited about sexy things and I really, really don't want to go back to teenage-me who felt like she was the worst person in the world for liking other women.
Forced Vaginal Probing A Source Of Levity Among Virginia Legislators: VIDEO
Not two weeks ago, male Republicans in the Virginia legislature were advocating mandatory "trans-vaginal" ultrasounds for women seeking abortion in the early weeks of pregnancy. If they'd had their way, women seeking abortions would have had camera-equipped metal thingamajigs forcibly inserted into their vaginas to snap pictures of fetuses too underdeveloped to be detected with a standard ultrasound.
That battle's over now -- "trans-vaginal" ultrasounds shall remain purely elective in Virginia -- but one Virginia lawmaker won't let it go. He's milking the issue for its comedic value. That's State Del. David Albo, who assumed the dais in the House of Delegates on Friday to relate an allegedly humorous anecdote about how media coverage of the legislation disrupted his attempted seduction of his wife. As he told the story, he set the mood with some porn-y funk music, played through his cell phone.
Watch AFTER THE JUMP ...
That battle's over now -- "trans-vaginal" ultrasounds shall remain purely elective in Virginia -- but one Virginia lawmaker won't let it go. He's milking the issue for its comedic value. That's State Del. David Albo, who assumed the dais in the House of Delegates on Friday to relate an allegedly humorous anecdote about how media coverage of the legislation disrupted his attempted seduction of his wife. As he told the story, he set the mood with some porn-y funk music, played through his cell phone.
Watch AFTER THE JUMP ...
Former Student Gains Major Settlement After Enduring Years of Harassment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
A former student who endured severe and persistent harassment throughout junior high and high school has gained a major settlement from the Aberdeen School District, the ACLU of Washington announced today. The ACLU has represented Russell Dickerson III in a lawsuit saying that school district officials were aware of the harassment but failed to take steps reasonably calculated to end it. Under terms of the settlement, Dickerson will receive $100,000 from the district. Additionally, the ACLU will receive $35,000 in legal fees.
“Public school officials must be held accountable when they fail to meet their responsibility to act decisively when a student is subjected to harassment by his peers. This settlement sends a message to school districts statewide to take strong action as soon as they learn that a student is being bullied,” said Sarah Dunne, ACLU-WA legal director.
“I learned from my parents that you should never give up. You should fight for your rights – you don’t just walk away,” said Dickerson.
Russell Dickerson III, now 20, is an African-American resident of Aberdeen. For six years, from 2003 when he entered junior high until 2009 when he graduated high school, other students harassed Dickerson on the basis of his race, sex, and perceived sexual orientation.
At Miller Junior High, Dickerson was called names by other students and found notes in his backpack and taped to his back calling him “stupid nigger” and “dog.” Students tripped him in the hallways and threw food at him in the cafeteria. In one incident, three students pushed him to the floor in the hallway and smashed a raw egg on his head; only one of the students was disciplined.
At Aberdeen High School, the harassment escalated, with Dickerson subjected to a continuing barrage of viciously derogatory insults about his race, physical appearance, and suspected sexual orientation. Dickerson suffered physical harassment, with other students pinching and fondling his chest, spitting on his head, and throwing objects at him. Although an assistant principal discouraged Dickerson from reporting misconduct by the student’s peers, the student and his parents repeatedly reported incidents of harassment to district administrators, both verbally and in writing. Yet the district failed to take adequate steps to end the harassment.
In 2007 students in the district created a website mocking Dickerson and his perceived sexual orientation, and posted threatening racist comments on it. Students discussed the website at school. Grays Harbor Superior Court issued a no contact order between Dickerson and one of his harassers who had threatened on the website to lynch him, yet Dickerson became the target of retaliatory harassment after reporting the website to school authorities.
The school district’s failure to act created a hostile educational environment for the student. His academic progress was hindered, he was isolated at school, he felt discouraged from using his locker, and he avoided extra-curricular activities that put him in contact with his peers. Further, the student suffered extreme emotional distress, including an inability to concentrate on studies, serious depression, despair, and anxiety.
Filed in December 2010 in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, the lawsuit said that the deliberate indifference to ongoing harassment by the school district, which receives federal funds, violated federal law – Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The district’s negligent inaction also violated the Washington Law Against Discrimination.
ACLU-WA cooperating attorneys Michael Scott, Joseph Sakay, and Alexander Wu of Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson P.S. and ACLU-WA staff attorneys Sarah Dunne and Rose Spidell represented Dickerson.
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
A former student who endured severe and persistent harassment throughout junior high and high school has gained a major settlement from the Aberdeen School District, the ACLU of Washington announced today. The ACLU has represented Russell Dickerson III in a lawsuit saying that school district officials were aware of the harassment but failed to take steps reasonably calculated to end it. Under terms of the settlement, Dickerson will receive $100,000 from the district. Additionally, the ACLU will receive $35,000 in legal fees.
“Public school officials must be held accountable when they fail to meet their responsibility to act decisively when a student is subjected to harassment by his peers. This settlement sends a message to school districts statewide to take strong action as soon as they learn that a student is being bullied,” said Sarah Dunne, ACLU-WA legal director.
“I learned from my parents that you should never give up. You should fight for your rights – you don’t just walk away,” said Dickerson.
Russell Dickerson III, now 20, is an African-American resident of Aberdeen. For six years, from 2003 when he entered junior high until 2009 when he graduated high school, other students harassed Dickerson on the basis of his race, sex, and perceived sexual orientation.
At Miller Junior High, Dickerson was called names by other students and found notes in his backpack and taped to his back calling him “stupid nigger” and “dog.” Students tripped him in the hallways and threw food at him in the cafeteria. In one incident, three students pushed him to the floor in the hallway and smashed a raw egg on his head; only one of the students was disciplined.
At Aberdeen High School, the harassment escalated, with Dickerson subjected to a continuing barrage of viciously derogatory insults about his race, physical appearance, and suspected sexual orientation. Dickerson suffered physical harassment, with other students pinching and fondling his chest, spitting on his head, and throwing objects at him. Although an assistant principal discouraged Dickerson from reporting misconduct by the student’s peers, the student and his parents repeatedly reported incidents of harassment to district administrators, both verbally and in writing. Yet the district failed to take adequate steps to end the harassment.
In 2007 students in the district created a website mocking Dickerson and his perceived sexual orientation, and posted threatening racist comments on it. Students discussed the website at school. Grays Harbor Superior Court issued a no contact order between Dickerson and one of his harassers who had threatened on the website to lynch him, yet Dickerson became the target of retaliatory harassment after reporting the website to school authorities.
The school district’s failure to act created a hostile educational environment for the student. His academic progress was hindered, he was isolated at school, he felt discouraged from using his locker, and he avoided extra-curricular activities that put him in contact with his peers. Further, the student suffered extreme emotional distress, including an inability to concentrate on studies, serious depression, despair, and anxiety.
Filed in December 2010 in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, the lawsuit said that the deliberate indifference to ongoing harassment by the school district, which receives federal funds, violated federal law – Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The district’s negligent inaction also violated the Washington Law Against Discrimination.
ACLU-WA cooperating attorneys Michael Scott, Joseph Sakay, and Alexander Wu of Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson P.S. and ACLU-WA staff attorneys Sarah Dunne and Rose Spidell represented Dickerson.
POZitively Speaking
21st Annual AIDS WALK & RUN A HUGE SUCCESS!
Thousands participated in the 21st Annual Aids Walk Run event, in Balboa Park, to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS, and raise funds for more that 20 San Diego County organizations. From its beginning in 1989, the Annual Aids Walk Run event has helped raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS, which has become an epidemic of global proportions. The event helps to raise funds through donations to help over twenty San Diego County service organizations. The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative combines donations from other philanthropists and foundations qualifying for matching funds and has raised millions over the years, distributing half a million dollars to community-based HIV/AIDS service orga…
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Thousands participated in the 21st Annual Aids Walk Run event, in Balboa Park, to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS, and raise funds for more that 20 San Diego County organizations. From its beginning in 1989, the Annual Aids Walk Run event has helped raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS, which has become an epidemic of global proportions. The event helps to raise funds through donations to help over twenty San Diego County service organizations. The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative combines donations from other philanthropists and foundations qualifying for matching funds and has raised millions over the years, distributing half a million dollars to community-based HIV/AIDS service orga…
Read More | View Comments (1 comment)
Gay Pets and Big Discount
Hello Readers, I have missed you so much. I’ve been spending time on my new website I started a blog there but I have a dilemma since that is my professional website and I’m not sure how outspoken I ought … Continue reading →
Bois Will be Bois
Here's the thing: Yup. Yo Ciara, babe, I'm waiting here with open arms whenever you're ready. And then also ladies, join me in watching this for the 99th time and moving your head along with her movements like its the very 1st time, won't you?She market it so good, we can't wait to try-y-y-y-y her...___Featured Juliet & Juliet member: Tomasita, 20 California'I love music, I love art, I love talking to people who have something to say and don't leave me making all the conversation. Life is too short to not find someone who's right for you, and I want to make that happen. I want to meet someone who I can be my goofy self with.'Visit her profile HERE!Juliet & Juliet is my new matchmaking and social network. If YOU'd like to be featured and be seen by thousands of chicks who dig chicks worldwide, join today and use this form:) -ArlanYou must be a paid member to access the nearly 500 member profiles and/or be featured.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Alabama Family Says Murdered Loved One Was Targeted For Being Trans
A family in Alabama believes their relative was targeted in a hate crime because he was transgender.
Gay Texas Judge Refuses to Perform Marriage Ceremonies
Texas Judge Tonya Parker cannot legally marry a woman in her state, so she refuses to perform any marriage ceremonies until there is equality.
New An Horse Album: FULL STREAM
New An Horse Album: FULL STREAM: Get psyched ya?ll, the new An Horse album, Walls, comes out this week and you can stream it in its entirety over at Spinner. High-fives!
Castro Street fair a G-rated family reunion
Castro Street rolled out its version of a G-rated neighborhood street fair Sunday, complete with a Jackson 5 cover band and origami contests. There were even a few children in attendance. "It's a joyous celebration of...
No gays at the Chymorvah guesthouse Cornwall
Martin Hall and his civil partner Stephen Preddy, were turned away from a homophobic guesthouse at Marizion in Corwall, on the grounds of "we dont allow unmarried couples to sleep in our guesthouse". Given that Hall and Preddy are in a civil partnership, this is a bit hard to believe.
It transpires that the owners are some sort of religious nut cases who have taken some line from the Bible a little to far. It is incredible in this day and age that people still think this way. It is obviously far more important to ignore the "LOVE" and "ACCEPTANCE" message from their faith and focus on - shock horror - the possibility that two people might actually have SEX.
Peter and Hazelmary Bull denied the allegation that they discriminated against Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy because they were gay, but insisted their faith meant they believed unmarried couples should not share a room under their roof.
A second case of homophobic prejudice. Sad old couple!
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
It transpires that the owners are some sort of religious nut cases who have taken some line from the Bible a little to far. It is incredible in this day and age that people still think this way. It is obviously far more important to ignore the "LOVE" and "ACCEPTANCE" message from their faith and focus on - shock horror - the possibility that two people might actually have SEX.
Peter and Hazelmary Bull denied the allegation that they discriminated against Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy because they were gay, but insisted their faith meant they believed unmarried couples should not share a room under their roof.
A second case of homophobic prejudice. Sad old couple!
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Life Beyond Therapy
A psychological look at HIV
I am sometimes asked to help facilitate workshops at The Center for people who are HIV-positive. As an HIV- person, I consider this quite an honor…and I have learned A LOT in doing so. I’ve learned that, for many people, an HIV+ diagnosis feels like your world is falling apart. After the initial shock wears off, most people feel a lot of grief and depression. Over the years, so many people have asked me some version of these two questions: “How do I keep my sanity when I get an HIV+ diagnosis?” “What do I do when it feels like my life is falling apart?”
To answer these questions, here are some questions that I have offered participants in workshops for HIV+ folks. [Note: If you’re HIV-, these questions may still be…
Read More
I am sometimes asked to help facilitate workshops at The Center for people who are HIV-positive. As an HIV- person, I consider this quite an honor…and I have learned A LOT in doing so. I’ve learned that, for many people, an HIV+ diagnosis feels like your world is falling apart. After the initial shock wears off, most people feel a lot of grief and depression. Over the years, so many people have asked me some version of these two questions: “How do I keep my sanity when I get an HIV+ diagnosis?” “What do I do when it feels like my life is falling apart?”
To answer these questions, here are some questions that I have offered participants in workshops for HIV+ folks. [Note: If you’re HIV-, these questions may still be…
Read More
Friday, February 24, 2012
Lesbian News - 23 Feb 2012
First lesbian approved to be ordained as a minister in DurhamLesbian couple wins in St. Joe's Facebook about-faceHomosexuality, lesbian relationships unnatural, Supreme Court toldBrett Ratner Teams With GLAAD For 'Coming Out' LGBT Video CampaignLesbian Tearoom Before Its Time
Prosecutor Says Dharun Ravi Had 'Malicious, Criminal Intent' in Targeting Roommate Tyler Clementi: VIDEO
Opening remarks have been made in the trial of Dharun Ravi, the roommate of Tyler Clementi, who killed himself by jumping off the George Washington bridge in September 2010 after Ravi broadcast intimate moments of him with another man to the internet.
ABC News reports on the testimony of prosecutor Julie McClure:
"Even that, though, was not enough. Within minutes of viewing those live video images, he didn't say 'I'm shocked, 'I didn't think that's what I expected to see, I'm embarrassed.' No, he sent out a message, an announcement via his Twitter account, a public twitter account, friends outside of Rutgers," McClure said.The prosecution accused Ravi of publicly ridiculing Clementi, disregarding both Clementi's privacy and his dignity. McClure charged that it was clear that Ravi was targeting Clementi because he was gay.When Clementi asked for the room a second time two days later, Ravi agreed, which McClure described as a "trap," and that he sent out "another public announcement.""He's seeking to brand Tyler as different from everybody else, as gay, to set him up for contempt and ridicule," she said. "These acts were not a prank, not an accident, not a mistake, and certainly were not good natured... These acts were purposeful, intentional, planned. I would suggest to you beyond that mean spirited, malicious, and criminal."
Watch ABC's report, AFTER THE JUMP...
ABC News reports on the testimony of prosecutor Julie McClure:
"Even that, though, was not enough. Within minutes of viewing those live video images, he didn't say 'I'm shocked, 'I didn't think that's what I expected to see, I'm embarrassed.' No, he sent out a message, an announcement via his Twitter account, a public twitter account, friends outside of Rutgers," McClure said.The prosecution accused Ravi of publicly ridiculing Clementi, disregarding both Clementi's privacy and his dignity. McClure charged that it was clear that Ravi was targeting Clementi because he was gay.When Clementi asked for the room a second time two days later, Ravi agreed, which McClure described as a "trap," and that he sent out "another public announcement.""He's seeking to brand Tyler as different from everybody else, as gay, to set him up for contempt and ridicule," she said. "These acts were not a prank, not an accident, not a mistake, and certainly were not good natured... These acts were purposeful, intentional, planned. I would suggest to you beyond that mean spirited, malicious, and criminal."
Watch ABC's report, AFTER THE JUMP...
Washington State Legislature Passes Historic Same-Sex Marriage Bill
Expected Signing by Governor Will Make Washington the Seventh State to Allow Same-Sex Couples to Marry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Washington today hailed the passage by the Washington House of Representatives of a bill granting lesbian and gay couples in the state the freedom to marry as a historic step towards fairness for families across the country.
“Washingtonians should be proud of their legislature and their governor for standing on the right side of history by securing fairness and dignity for all families,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. “When loving couples make the kind of commitment that is at the heart of marriage, it's not fair to exclude them from the protections that only marriage can provide.”
The vote comes one day after a ruling by a federal appeals court that a California ballot initiative that excludes same-sex couples from marriages is unconstitutional. Currently, six states plus Washington, D.C. allow same-sex couples to marry, three other states recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere, nine states have full domestic partnerships or civil unions and three more states have more limited domestic partnership registries.
“Today is an early Valentine's Day,” said Kathleen Taylor, executive director of the ACLU of Washington. “We're so proud to have Washington join the ranks of states extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. More and more people are realizing that civil marriage should be available to and shared by all loving, committed couples."
The ACLU is working with other organizations to secure the freedom to marry across the country, including passing a marriage bill in Maryland, passing a voter initiative in Maine that would allow same-sex couples to marry and defeating proposed anti-marriage amendments in Minnesota and North Carolina. The ACLU is also seeking domestic partnership protections in Montana, Missouri and Alaska.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Washington today hailed the passage by the Washington House of Representatives of a bill granting lesbian and gay couples in the state the freedom to marry as a historic step towards fairness for families across the country.
“Washingtonians should be proud of their legislature and their governor for standing on the right side of history by securing fairness and dignity for all families,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. “When loving couples make the kind of commitment that is at the heart of marriage, it's not fair to exclude them from the protections that only marriage can provide.”
The vote comes one day after a ruling by a federal appeals court that a California ballot initiative that excludes same-sex couples from marriages is unconstitutional. Currently, six states plus Washington, D.C. allow same-sex couples to marry, three other states recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere, nine states have full domestic partnerships or civil unions and three more states have more limited domestic partnership registries.
“Today is an early Valentine's Day,” said Kathleen Taylor, executive director of the ACLU of Washington. “We're so proud to have Washington join the ranks of states extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. More and more people are realizing that civil marriage should be available to and shared by all loving, committed couples."
The ACLU is working with other organizations to secure the freedom to marry across the country, including passing a marriage bill in Maryland, passing a voter initiative in Maine that would allow same-sex couples to marry and defeating proposed anti-marriage amendments in Minnesota and North Carolina. The ACLU is also seeking domestic partnership protections in Montana, Missouri and Alaska.
I'm From Driftwood: Black LGBTQ Spotlight Preview Party Jan 31st
DescriptionImFromDriftwood.com
is spotlighting the black LGBTQ Community in early February. Before the
stories are shared online, you can get a first look at Gallery Bar! All
while enjoying an OPEN BAR from El Dorado Rum, winning great raffle and
silent auction items, and listening and dancing to live DJ Missy B! Details: *Gallery Bar, 120 Orchard St. *Tuesday, January 31, 6:30pm - 10pm (*story screening starts at 8) ***EL DORADO RUM OPEN BAR 6:30 - 7:30 *Tickets: $10 advance, $15 door, purchase tickets here
*VIP Tickets ($100 or 2 for $150) get you Open Bar all night, 5 free
raffle tix, bottle of El Dorado rum, signed I'm From Driftwood book. *Silent Auction + Raffle Prizes *DJ Missy BJoin the Facebook PageImFromDriftwood.com is a Brooklyn-based
non-profit that collects and shares personal LGBT stories to help deepen
our understanding of each other, preserve our history, and open hearts
and minds. ImFromDriftwood.com/Event
is spotlighting the black LGBTQ Community in early February. Before the
stories are shared online, you can get a first look at Gallery Bar! All
while enjoying an OPEN BAR from El Dorado Rum, winning great raffle and
silent auction items, and listening and dancing to live DJ Missy B! Details: *Gallery Bar, 120 Orchard St. *Tuesday, January 31, 6:30pm - 10pm (*story screening starts at 8) ***EL DORADO RUM OPEN BAR 6:30 - 7:30 *Tickets: $10 advance, $15 door, purchase tickets here
*VIP Tickets ($100 or 2 for $150) get you Open Bar all night, 5 free
raffle tix, bottle of El Dorado rum, signed I'm From Driftwood book. *Silent Auction + Raffle Prizes *DJ Missy BJoin the Facebook PageImFromDriftwood.com is a Brooklyn-based
non-profit that collects and shares personal LGBT stories to help deepen
our understanding of each other, preserve our history, and open hearts
and minds. ImFromDriftwood.com/Event
Video of the Week: France legalizes gay marriage
This week, France has become the 11th country to legalize gay marriage, narrowly missing a top ten spot.
French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, stated that he was "tired of France sagging behind" and "upholding discrimination". He went on to say, "France was embarrassingly late in giving women the right to vote, I don't want us to be last in giving gays equal rights as well."
While the pope and members of his own political party were "shocked" by Sarkozy's announcement, most young people who actually knew and had gay friends welcomed the news. The only complaint came from a third year university student who complained that her already stretched budget would be even more burdened by more wedding gifts.
Kudos to JPSNewsTV for making this video (and for supplying the press release quoted above), who have stated:
In a country where it is legal for a dead man to marry a live woman (this is actually a law in France), we must ask ourselves, why do we not declare our rights ourselves. We believe gay marriage should be legal, therefore it is.
Let's give gay people the same rights as the dead.
Well, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Happy April Fools Day!
French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, stated that he was "tired of France sagging behind" and "upholding discrimination". He went on to say, "France was embarrassingly late in giving women the right to vote, I don't want us to be last in giving gays equal rights as well."
While the pope and members of his own political party were "shocked" by Sarkozy's announcement, most young people who actually knew and had gay friends welcomed the news. The only complaint came from a third year university student who complained that her already stretched budget would be even more burdened by more wedding gifts.
Kudos to JPSNewsTV for making this video (and for supplying the press release quoted above), who have stated:
In a country where it is legal for a dead man to marry a live woman (this is actually a law in France), we must ask ourselves, why do we not declare our rights ourselves. We believe gay marriage should be legal, therefore it is.
Let's give gay people the same rights as the dead.
Well, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Happy April Fools Day!
Silver Fox, Red Fox, and Stone Cold Fox Spotted Together: VIDEO
The above photo is the result of Anderson Cooper's search for a mascot for Adam Levine on this coming Monday's episode of his daytime show.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Interview with Lesbian Romance Writer Radclyffe
Have you ever wanted to just quit your job and do something crazy, like, become a writer? Even though she was a successful surgeon, eight years ago, Radclyffe did just that. She quit her day job to write the kinds of books she liked to read: lesbian romance novels and pararomance novels. And she's never looked back. Today Radclyffe has thousands of faithful fans who are grateful she took that leap. Her novels are some of the most popular ones with our readers too. Radclyffe talks to Lesbian Life about the type of stories she likes to read, her writing process, what makes a good lesbian romance story and more.
Whoa, rude, @JillianMichaels. At least Lindsay never denied...
Whoa, rude, @JillianMichaels. At least Lindsay never denied having a gf. Maybe you could come out before your take. Just a suggestion.
Also, Leno? Why are these two forcing me to watch him tonight?
Also, Leno? Why are these two forcing me to watch him tonight?
Girl Bar Dinah Shore 2012 Moves From Palm Springs to Las Vegas
Big changes are afoot for the what's often called the largest annual lesbian party in the world, Dinah Shore Weekend, which takes place at the end of March and in early April in 2012. And it sounds like this will be great news for fans of Dinah, as this year they'll have two entirely different events to choose from in the Southwest, taking place a full month apart....Read Full Post
We must straighten our backs…
We trusted that following conservative and STRAIGHT (for those Prop 8 supporters) Justice Phillips’ September 9th decision that “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was unconstitutional on two counts, the Senate would vote to uphold the integrity of our Nation by voting for the repeal of this pathetic law. The House had done so in June, along with the Senate Armed Services Committee. Now, backed by an unconstitutionality ruling, certainly the Senate would end the ban once and for all.
Fail.
Instead, on September 21st Sen. John McCain (R-Az.), a POW and a former hero to many of us veterans, single handedly obstructed justice with a filibuster. Sadly, the Senate could not muster 60 Senators willing to vote to override him.
No more than two…
Read More
Fail.
Instead, on September 21st Sen. John McCain (R-Az.), a POW and a former hero to many of us veterans, single handedly obstructed justice with a filibuster. Sadly, the Senate could not muster 60 Senators willing to vote to override him.
No more than two…
Read More
Brett Mycles aka Bob Sager - It's Been 5 Years
Brett Mycles (birth name Robert Christopher Sager) (December 2, 1977 - February 25, 2007) was a bodybuilder, a fitness model and an adult film star.
This week, he will have been gone 5 years.
IN 2007 we did a story about Brett on our New Gay Travel Guide. To this day, it is one our top Googled postings. And his step-father, allegedly, left comments on our site, about the circumstances surrounding his death, which happened in Chicago.
But to back up a bit,
He was born in Houston, Texas. He moved to Ohio and resided in the Los Angeles area. At age 22, while in Ohio, he entered an Arnold Classic bodybuilding contest where he was spotted by photographer, Irvin Gelb.
He became a successful muscle and fitness model, frequently appearing in such widely-read publications as Muscle & Fitness, Men's Fitness (both founded by bodybuilding impresario, Joe Weider) & Men's Workout, amongst others, as well as becoming a featured model for the International Male clothing catalog.
Adult film career
As
"Brett Mycles", he gained fame as an adult film actor, achieving the
rarely attained feat of maintaining successful careers in both the
mainstream fitness and adult film industries simultaneously. He starred
in several adult films, mostly for Studio2000, primarily in solo and
fantasy scenes, and posed nude in several adult magazines. He worked in
both same-sex and opposite-sex adult films. He also made regular
appearances on a webcam site for paying fans. In a 2005 interview, he
stated that he'd recently married his high school sweetheart, whom he
first met when he was 19 and she was 17.
He passed away in Chicago. He died in his sleep of heart failure on
February 25, 2007.
Weeks beforehand, family and friends report that he
complained of irregular heart beats and said that his family had a
history of heart problems. -
People have alleged that his use, common among bodybuilders, of steroids and "fat-burner"
supplements, which sharply increase heart rates, may have increased his risk of heart failure. His step-dad seems to believe this is true.
This week, he will have been gone 5 years.
IN 2007 we did a story about Brett on our New Gay Travel Guide. To this day, it is one our top Googled postings. And his step-father, allegedly, left comments on our site, about the circumstances surrounding his death, which happened in Chicago.
But to back up a bit,
He was born in Houston, Texas. He moved to Ohio and resided in the Los Angeles area. At age 22, while in Ohio, he entered an Arnold Classic bodybuilding contest where he was spotted by photographer, Irvin Gelb.
He became a successful muscle and fitness model, frequently appearing in such widely-read publications as Muscle & Fitness, Men's Fitness (both founded by bodybuilding impresario, Joe Weider) & Men's Workout, amongst others, as well as becoming a featured model for the International Male clothing catalog.
Adult film career
As
"Brett Mycles", he gained fame as an adult film actor, achieving the
rarely attained feat of maintaining successful careers in both the
mainstream fitness and adult film industries simultaneously. He starred
in several adult films, mostly for Studio2000, primarily in solo and
fantasy scenes, and posed nude in several adult magazines. He worked in
both same-sex and opposite-sex adult films. He also made regular
appearances on a webcam site for paying fans. In a 2005 interview, he
stated that he'd recently married his high school sweetheart, whom he
first met when he was 19 and she was 17.
He passed away in Chicago. He died in his sleep of heart failure on
February 25, 2007.
Weeks beforehand, family and friends report that he
complained of irregular heart beats and said that his family had a
history of heart problems. -
People have alleged that his use, common among bodybuilders, of steroids and "fat-burner"
supplements, which sharply increase heart rates, may have increased his risk of heart failure. His step-dad seems to believe this is true.
‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ injunction now up to judge
SAN DIEGO, Ca (AP) – U.S. government lawyers are trying to stop a federal judge from issuing an injunction that would immediately do what President Obama has yet to accomplish so far in his first term: Halt the military’s ban on openly gay troops. Now it is up to U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Phillips to decide if she is willing to do that.
The White House says the legal filing Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice attorneys in a federal court in Riverside follows government procedure by defending an act of Congress that is being challenged, but it does not detract from the president’s efforts to get ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repealed.
“This filing in no way diminishes the president’s firm commi…
Read More
The White House says the legal filing Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice attorneys in a federal court in Riverside follows government procedure by defending an act of Congress that is being challenged, but it does not detract from the president’s efforts to get ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repealed.
“This filing in no way diminishes the president’s firm commi…
Read More
NOVELIST DANIEL MCVAY IS FINALLY BACK IN PRINT
(01-12-2012) -- Twenty years after the demise of Knights Press, author Daniel McVay's previously published comic novels (along with his fourth novel, which almost got published) have been reissued and are available on Amazon, plus several other online sources and from book distributors worldwide by way of CreateSpace.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
THURSDAY: WET Finals to be held at Bourbon Street with $1300 in cash and prizes
SAN DIEGO -- The water is warm, the competition is hot, and the contestants are on fire!
The WET Finals are back.
Contestants from the last month's worth of shows will take the stage on Thursday, Feb. 23, to compete for over $1300 in cash and prizes at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill.
Presented by San Diego Pix (SDPIX), WET is San Diego's hottest wet underwear contest, held weekly at the popular University Heights venue.
The next round of WET Finals will take place at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill Thursday night!
read more
The WET Finals are back.
Contestants from the last month's worth of shows will take the stage on Thursday, Feb. 23, to compete for over $1300 in cash and prizes at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill.
Presented by San Diego Pix (SDPIX), WET is San Diego's hottest wet underwear contest, held weekly at the popular University Heights venue.
The next round of WET Finals will take place at Bourbon Street Bar & Grill Thursday night!
read more
Girl Bar Dinah Shore 2012 Moves From Palm Springs to Las Vegas
Big changes are afoot for the what's often called the largest annual lesbian party in the world, Dinah Shore Weekend, which takes place at the end of March and in early April in 2012. And it sounds like this will be great news for fans of Dinah, as this year they'll have two entirely different events to choose from in the Southwest, taking place a full month apart....Read Full Post
Washington Legislature Passes Historic Marriage Equality Bill
Expected Signing by Governor Will Make Washington the Seventh State to Allow Same-Sex Couples to Marry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Washington today hailed the passage by the Washington House of Representatives of a bill granting lesbian and gay couples in the state the freedom to marry as a historic step towards fairness for families across the country.
“Today is an early Valentine's Day,” said Kathleen Taylor, executive director of the ACLU of Washington. “We're so proud to have Washington join the ranks of states extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. More and more people are realizing that civil marriage should be available to and shared by all loving, committed couples."
The vote comes one day after a ruling by a federal appeals court found that a California ballot initiative that excludes same-sex couples from marriages to be unconstitutional. Currently, six states plus Washington, D.C. allow same-sex couples to marry, three other states recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere, nine states have full domestic partnerships or civil unions and three more states have more limited domestic partnership registries.
“Washingtonians should be proud of their legislature and their governor for standing on the right side of history by securing fairness and dignity for all families,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. “When loving couples make the kind of commitment that is at the heart of marriage, it's not fair to exclude them from the protections that only marriage can provide.”
The ACLU is working with other organizations to secure the freedom to marry across the country, including passing a marriage bill in Maryland, passing a voter initiative in Maine that would allow same-sex couples to marry and defeating proposed anti-marriage amendments in Minnesota and North Carolina. The ACLU is also seeking domestic partnership protections in Montana, Missouri and Alaska.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Washington today hailed the passage by the Washington House of Representatives of a bill granting lesbian and gay couples in the state the freedom to marry as a historic step towards fairness for families across the country.
“Today is an early Valentine's Day,” said Kathleen Taylor, executive director of the ACLU of Washington. “We're so proud to have Washington join the ranks of states extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. More and more people are realizing that civil marriage should be available to and shared by all loving, committed couples."
The vote comes one day after a ruling by a federal appeals court found that a California ballot initiative that excludes same-sex couples from marriages to be unconstitutional. Currently, six states plus Washington, D.C. allow same-sex couples to marry, three other states recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere, nine states have full domestic partnerships or civil unions and three more states have more limited domestic partnership registries.
“Washingtonians should be proud of their legislature and their governor for standing on the right side of history by securing fairness and dignity for all families,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. “When loving couples make the kind of commitment that is at the heart of marriage, it's not fair to exclude them from the protections that only marriage can provide.”
The ACLU is working with other organizations to secure the freedom to marry across the country, including passing a marriage bill in Maryland, passing a voter initiative in Maine that would allow same-sex couples to marry and defeating proposed anti-marriage amendments in Minnesota and North Carolina. The ACLU is also seeking domestic partnership protections in Montana, Missouri and Alaska.
Release of names on same-sex petition blocked
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has temporarily blocked Washington state officials from releasing the names of people who signed a ballot measure that could restrict the legal rights of same-sex couples. Kennedy's...
"Maddow is an anchor who is, she says? ?definitely not an ?autocutie??. And if there were any doubt,..."
?Maddow is an anchor who is, she says? ?definitely not an ?autocutie??. And if there were any doubt, when she stands up from her desk, she reveals that the jacket is worn, not with a pencil skirt, but a pair of jeans and cumbersome black and red trainers. ?And not just jeans ? ugly jeans!? Maddow laughs, proudly, and then swiftly swaps that regulation jacket for a grey sweatshirt.? - Rachel Maddow: The Guardian (via fuckyeahrachelmaddow)
4 Hour Body
This is a must for all gym boys out there.
I have started the 4 Hour Body diet (yeh) - follow my progress here The Four Hour Body - Paul ThompsonView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
I have started the 4 Hour Body diet (yeh) - follow my progress here The Four Hour Body - Paul ThompsonView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Diary of Zac Efron
I found this hottie on YouTube quite randomly. And his videos are really funny. DIARY OF ZAC EFRON
Ninth Circuit Won't Say If ?Same-Sex Couples May Ever Be Denied the Right to Marry?
As Peter Suderman
noted below, a 3-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of
Appeals voted today to strike down California?s Proposition 8,
which had amended the state constitution in order to forbid gay
marriage. While this is a big win for the cause of gay rights, it
is not a definitive judicial ruling in favor of gay marriage. As
Judge Stephen R. Reinhardt states in his majority opinion, the
court refused to touch the big question of whether the Constitution
protects a right to gay marriage:
Whether under the Constitution same-sex couples may
ever be denied the right to marry, a right that has long
been enjoyed by opposite-sex couples, is an important and highly
controversial question. It is currently a matter of great debate in
our nation, and an issue over which people of good will may
disagree, sometimes strongly. Of course, when questions of
constitutional law are necessary to the resolution of a case,
courts may not and should not abstain from deciding them simply
because they are controversial. We need not and do not answer the
broader question in this case, however, because California had
already committed to same-sex couples both the incidents of
marriage and the official designation of ?marriage,? and
Proposition 8?s only effect was to take away that important and
legally significant designation, while leaving in place all of its
incidents. This unique and strictly limited effect of Proposition 8
allows us to address the amendment?s constitutionality on narrow
grounds.
In other words, Reinhardt attempted to craft a relatively narrow
decision both to minimize the likelihood of the Supreme Court
hearing an appeal in the case (if one is filed), and to postpone
the ultimate battle over the constitutionality of gay marriage
until some later date. Had he issued a sweeping opinion that found
gay marriage to be a protected right, the Supreme Court would
almost certainly have agreed to hear the appeal. So why not force
the vote? Perhaps Reinhardt doesn't think there are five current
Supreme Court justices in favor of gay marriage and he doesn't want
to give the Court a chance to rule on the issue just yet.
noted below, a 3-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of
Appeals voted today to strike down California?s Proposition 8,
which had amended the state constitution in order to forbid gay
marriage. While this is a big win for the cause of gay rights, it
is not a definitive judicial ruling in favor of gay marriage. As
Judge Stephen R. Reinhardt states in his majority opinion, the
court refused to touch the big question of whether the Constitution
protects a right to gay marriage:
Whether under the Constitution same-sex couples may
ever be denied the right to marry, a right that has long
been enjoyed by opposite-sex couples, is an important and highly
controversial question. It is currently a matter of great debate in
our nation, and an issue over which people of good will may
disagree, sometimes strongly. Of course, when questions of
constitutional law are necessary to the resolution of a case,
courts may not and should not abstain from deciding them simply
because they are controversial. We need not and do not answer the
broader question in this case, however, because California had
already committed to same-sex couples both the incidents of
marriage and the official designation of ?marriage,? and
Proposition 8?s only effect was to take away that important and
legally significant designation, while leaving in place all of its
incidents. This unique and strictly limited effect of Proposition 8
allows us to address the amendment?s constitutionality on narrow
grounds.
In other words, Reinhardt attempted to craft a relatively narrow
decision both to minimize the likelihood of the Supreme Court
hearing an appeal in the case (if one is filed), and to postpone
the ultimate battle over the constitutionality of gay marriage
until some later date. Had he issued a sweeping opinion that found
gay marriage to be a protected right, the Supreme Court would
almost certainly have agreed to hear the appeal. So why not force
the vote? Perhaps Reinhardt doesn't think there are five current
Supreme Court justices in favor of gay marriage and he doesn't want
to give the Court a chance to rule on the issue just yet.
I Used Up All My 'Ello Govna' Post Title Points on Adele and Jessie J...
I happened upon an episode of Eastenders tonight while flippin' channels. PBS is BOMB, btw. First thing I see is the Bionic Woman on my screen talkin' all British like. Then there was a 6 or 7 minute scene with poor lighting dedicated solely to the selling of a motorbike...and I was sold. I thought to myself, I says 'Self, what would be better than Bionic Woman talkin' all British on my screen right now?' And I answered, 'If Bionic Woman were to make out with a crying, wacked out, yet hot OTHER British chick.' We both said a collective 'DUH' and then apparently Bob was our uncle, cause...The best time to express your true feelings to your bff is on the side of the road, 'neath a crashed rig in the middle of the night, that's what I say, I do.___Featured Juliet & Juliet member: Rosie, 19, Coventry, UKVisit her profile HERE!'Photographer. Livin it up in Coventry UK. ok or not. Really i would prefer to move to back to canada after having such an amazing gap year. But *YAWN im stuck here for now. Woah. So im a mad photographer i dont stop shooting pictures. Play Ice Hockey, its full of hot girls why not. OH and i do generally love it, i play 4 times a week and play roller twice a week too! Yes Hockey. Oh and i cant drink anymore. thanksgallstones. I have a 19week old puppy goes by the name of Dora, shes a horror but oh so adorable...'Juliet & Juliet is my new matchmaking and social network. If YOU'd like to be featured and be seen by thousands of chicks who dig chicks worldwide, join today and use this form:) -ArlanYou must be a paid member to access the nearly 500 member profiles and/or be featured.
Sexy Friday: How Do You Keep Sex Alive
Today's Sexy Friday is a continuation from last week. I recently interviewed Emily Wilcox, lesbian advice columnist and author of 100 Lesbians Walk into a Bar and I asked her what the most common question she is asked by lesbians. Her answer: How to keep sex alive in a long term relationship. Here's Emily's take on this age-old lesbian problem: How to Keep Sex Alive....Read Full Post
Cambodia Lesbian Wrongly Jailed
Phlong Srey Rann, 20, could be spending the next four and a half years behind bars
for having sex with her girlfriend.
What a mess this is. A great example of Guilty, until proven innocent...
?On August 10, 2011, [her girlfriend?s] brother filed a complaint that I
was illegally detaining her. The police then arrested me and accused me
of illegal detention and human trafficking,? Phlong Srey Rann
explained.
In November, a judge convicted her of having sexual intercourse with a minor and sentenced her to five years in prison.
The
?minor? involved was a co-worker she had met at a shoe factory in
Kandal province. They had been together for more than a year.?I told police that I was not [involved in] human trafficking and that
we loved each other. I don?t understand why her brother filed a lawsuit
against me,? Phlong Srey Rann said.Letters between the two
support these claims. One from her girlfriend identifies an older
brother as the source of the problem. ?My brother is forcing me to stop
having a relationship with you, but I have to overcome it . . . you are
the person whom I love so much,? the hand-written letter reads.Phlong
Srey Rann said it was news to her that her girlfriend was under age.
Her girlfriend?s family had provided falsified documents to the court
identifying their daughter as only 14 years old, she said.?My girlfriend?s family lied to the court when they said she was only 14 years old,? Phlong Srey Rann said.Cambodian
labour law stipulates that factory workers must be 18 or older, which
would mean that her girlfriend had been working in the factory since she
was 13.Phlong Srey Rann?s girlfriend had been taken back to her village in
Kampot by her family, people familiar with the case said. She was
confined to her parents? home and her mobile phone has been taken from
her, they said.Still, a letter slipped through. ?I love only
you. I will never love other. If my family does not love you, I will
still love you forever.? READ MORE
for having sex with her girlfriend.
What a mess this is. A great example of Guilty, until proven innocent...
?On August 10, 2011, [her girlfriend?s] brother filed a complaint that I
was illegally detaining her. The police then arrested me and accused me
of illegal detention and human trafficking,? Phlong Srey Rann
explained.
In November, a judge convicted her of having sexual intercourse with a minor and sentenced her to five years in prison.
The
?minor? involved was a co-worker she had met at a shoe factory in
Kandal province. They had been together for more than a year.?I told police that I was not [involved in] human trafficking and that
we loved each other. I don?t understand why her brother filed a lawsuit
against me,? Phlong Srey Rann said.Letters between the two
support these claims. One from her girlfriend identifies an older
brother as the source of the problem. ?My brother is forcing me to stop
having a relationship with you, but I have to overcome it . . . you are
the person whom I love so much,? the hand-written letter reads.Phlong
Srey Rann said it was news to her that her girlfriend was under age.
Her girlfriend?s family had provided falsified documents to the court
identifying their daughter as only 14 years old, she said.?My girlfriend?s family lied to the court when they said she was only 14 years old,? Phlong Srey Rann said.Cambodian
labour law stipulates that factory workers must be 18 or older, which
would mean that her girlfriend had been working in the factory since she
was 13.Phlong Srey Rann?s girlfriend had been taken back to her village in
Kampot by her family, people familiar with the case said. She was
confined to her parents? home and her mobile phone has been taken from
her, they said.Still, a letter slipped through. ?I love only
you. I will never love other. If my family does not love you, I will
still love you forever.? READ MORE
Dot429.com Networking at SoHo Grand Jan 25th
429INSPIRED NYC
SOHO Grand
310 West Broadway
6:00PM
- 9:00PM
Join dot429 for 429INSPIRED
dot429s signature speaker series.
Cocktails. Conversation & Cause.
Join us as we welcome Brad Carpenter, Producer of Nurse Jackie and
Sex and the City as he tells us what inspires him.
Hosted by Brian Balthazar, Kelvin Chen, Mike Sullivan, Steven Birkeland,
Norbert Beatty, James Norton, Phil Putnam, and Elliot Tomaeno
These monthly installments have successfully brought together pioneering
professionals and inspiring individuals for an evening of cocktails and
connections.
Hosted Blue Angel Vodka bar.
$25 in advance | $35 at the door. RSVP ONLINE
Proceeds to benefit Newfest
CONNECT + ENGAGE + DISCOVER
SOHO Grand
310 West Broadway
6:00PM
- 9:00PM
Join dot429 for 429INSPIRED
dot429s signature speaker series.
Cocktails. Conversation & Cause.
Join us as we welcome Brad Carpenter, Producer of Nurse Jackie and
Sex and the City as he tells us what inspires him.
Hosted by Brian Balthazar, Kelvin Chen, Mike Sullivan, Steven Birkeland,
Norbert Beatty, James Norton, Phil Putnam, and Elliot Tomaeno
These monthly installments have successfully brought together pioneering
professionals and inspiring individuals for an evening of cocktails and
connections.
Hosted Blue Angel Vodka bar.
$25 in advance | $35 at the door. RSVP ONLINE
Proceeds to benefit Newfest
CONNECT + ENGAGE + DISCOVER
The Lesbian Challenge.
On this wonderful Christmas Eve. there are a ton of romantic things that you can do for your girl. What you need to do is surprise her with something, start a new tradition. Give her flowers, let her open a present, make cookies, watch a special holiday movie, light candles or sit around your Christmas [...]
Monday, February 20, 2012
Gay Girl in Amsterdam for 2 Days: Where to stay and what to do???
Where should I stay in Amsterdam and what should I check out?
I'm going to Amsterdam for two days and two nights the first week of January. I am a 26 year old single lesbian who is very interested in checking out the local hotspots for gay women and also visiting some art galleries. I would like to see some unusual art installations and/or performance art while I am there. Thank you! : ) I have plans to go back to Amsterdam in the summer for a few weeks so if you can think of any intriguing things happening art-wise or women-wise, let me know, please! : ) I appreciate it!
I'm going to Amsterdam for two days and two nights the first week of January. I am a 26 year old single lesbian who is very interested in checking out the local hotspots for gay women and also visiting some art galleries. I would like to see some unusual art installations and/or performance art while I am there. Thank you! : ) I have plans to go back to Amsterdam in the summer for a few weeks so if you can think of any intriguing things happening art-wise or women-wise, let me know, please! : ) I appreciate it!
What are some cool queer events in Paris?
What are some lesbian/queer events, gallery exhibitions, movies, bars, etc. to see in Paris? From 17-20 October, I'll be in Paris for the first time by myself, and I want to take advantage of the days by seeing or going to places that are lesbian/queer friendly/oriented. I've checked major sites like tetue.com and paris-gay.com for bars and events, but since I don't know the Paris gay scene at all, I was hoping there are some MeFites who could help me. I'm staying in the Marais, so my location is ideal. Cheaper things are always better, but if it's something that is unique to the city, cost isn't a mitigating issue.
Fat Tuesday in West Hollywood
If you’re a SoCal�queen then you might want to check out WeHo�for Fat Tuesday and a Mardis�Gras celebration that is sure to be off the hook!� You can click the image to make it bigger.� If you know of another hot Fat Tuesday event you can send the web flyer to info@queerlandia.com for consideration!
Back by popular demand: 'Otep is my homogirl' & 'homegirl' tshirts!
New tshirts, hoodies & tanks!In association with Otep Shamaya:(scroll down for HOMOgirl version)shirt, tank or hoodie? Tshirt $20.00 USD Tank $18.00 USD Hoodie $35.00 USD Tshirt + Hoodie combo $55.00 USD Homogirl or Homegirl? Homogirl Homegirl Color white army green cardinal yellow heather gray charcoal blue black (w/white ink!) Size: women's small women's medium women's large women's XL men's/unisex small men's/unisex medium men's/unisex large men's/unisex XL men's/unisex 2XL men's/unisex 3XL If combo, hoodie size/color?Cardinal | Turquoise | Hot Pink | Silver | BLACKSand | Charcoal | Army Greenand more! Men's/Unisex cut size chart: HEREWomen's cut size chart: HERE*As seen on Otep's Live Confrontation DVD!!!* 'Thank you so much... I received my hoodie today and I love it. Soft and cuddly on the inside and perfect for a New York winter. It fits just the way I want it to...' - Joanna Jenkins, Brooklyn, NY*This is a busy, crazy shipping season. Every effort will be made to deliver your package in time for Christmas, but because we cannot control the United States Postal Service, we can make no guarantees of a delivery date. You can contact me at any time at interludemagazine@yahoo.com for a status on your shipping so you can at least be aware of its progress. Please note that the USPS cutoff time for international orders to make it in time for Christmas has already passed (Dec 3). You can still order from overseas, but you may not receive your item until January.**super soft & durable Tultex & American Apparel shirtsshirt, tank or hoodie? Tshirt $20.00 USD Tank $18.00 USD Hoodie $35.00 USD Tshirt + Hoodie combo $55.00 USD Homogirl or Homegirl? Homogirl Homegirl Color white army green cardinal yellow heather gray charcoal blue black (w/white ink!) Size: women's small women's medium women's large women's XL men's/unisex small men's/unisex medium men's/unisex large men's/unisex XL men's/unisex 2XL men's/unisex 3XL If combo, hoodie size/color?*super soft & durable Tultex & American Apparel shirts"Otep is my HOMOgirl"
The National Organization for What, Now?
During what must have been the dizzying whirlwind of her participation in the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. last week, National Organization for Marriage maven Maggie Gallagher set aside the time to chat on camera with RT News?s Thom Hartman about her opposition (overruled that same week by the legislatures of two geographically [...]
Google's CPAC sponsorship stirs controversy
More than 25,000 people have joined a popular campaign on Change.org calling on Google to publicly reject the viewpoints of speakers at the Conservative Political Action Conference CPAC, according to a press release.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Lesbian Commercials
My friend Kelly sent these great commercials to me recently and I thought you'd all appreciate them...
HRC's official press release on Joe Solmonese's departure
Just in, presented without comment:
HRC President Joe Solmonese to Depart Early 2012
Board Announces Search Process, Salutes Leadership
WASHINGTON - The co-chairs of the Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors and the HRC Foundation Board today announced that HRC President Joe Solmonese has informed the boards that he will not renew his contract which expires March 31, 2012. Solmonese will remain at the helm of the organization until the completion of his contract to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
At the same time, the co-chairs announced the formation of a search committee to be co-chaired by board members Joni Madison of Hillsborough, N.C., and Dana Perlman of Los Angeles.
"Joe Solmonese is an outstanding leader," said Anne Fay who co-chairs the Foundation Board of Directors with Andy Linsky. "While we will miss his extraordinary leadership, we enter this next phase, thanks to Joe, in the best place the organization has ever been. Not only has our community secured historic victories, but our membership is larger and more active than at any time in our history, and our financial health is secure even in these difficult economic times."
"From the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', to the recent passage of marriage equality in New York, Joe has made sure that HRC is an effective and strategic force for positive change," said Tim Downing, who co-chairs the HRC Board of Directors with Rebecca Tillet. "Over the course of his tenure, he's set the tone for delivering real reform that matters in peoples' everyday lives."
"Leading HRC has been an inspiring experience and a complete privilege," said Solmonese. "I could not be more proud of our staff, our volunteer leadership and of the extraordinary progress we've made together as a community."
Solmonese's leadership has taken the organization from 750,000 members and supporters to more than 1,000,000. Additionally, he oversaw significant expansion of HRC's public education and outreach programs including the launch of the Healthcare Equality index, a more robust Religion and Faith Program and wider reach and success of the Corporate Equality Index. The HRC Foundation also launched the Welcoming Schools program to address family diversity, gender stereotyping, bullying and name calling in schools, as well as the All Children All Families initiative that helps open up adoption agencies to prospective LGBT parents. The grassroots field operation also expanded - most recently mounting the largest state-level campaign in LGBT movement history resulting in the passage of marriage equality in New York.
When Solmonese began at HRC in 2005, the organization was fighting the Federal Marriage Amendment and now marriage equality is a reality in six states and the District of Columbia with more within sight. Under Solmonese's leadership we saw the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and numerous administrative changes from gender identity non-discrimination policies for federal workers to reversing the HIV travel ban to ensuring that equal visitation in federally funded hospitals. Read more on the community's record of success during Solmonese's tenure.
"HRC has never been stronger and after nearly seven years, this is the right moment for me to move on," said Solmonese. "As I explore new professional possibilities, I plan on continuing to pour my heart and soul into improving the lives of members of our community - from battling proposed marriage amendments to creating more equitable workplaces to ensuring the President Obama is reelected for a second term."
The four volunteer board co-chairs will work with the search committee co-chairs in selecting the full committee as well as securing an executive search firm to assist the organization.
"From the beginning, we asked Joe to give us six months of transition when he decided to leave and he's done that," said Tillet. "We have every confidence that we will find and engage a new leader within that timeframe."
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
One Direction - Trouble in Da House
There is trouble in the house - the X Factor house that is, between the boys in One Direction.
Inside the house the boys are bitchin and fighting for the mirror. Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zain Malik and Niall Horan have been doing really well with X factor fans, so much so that there is plenty of cat calling and nail scratching over who is the most popular.
There is so much friction in the group. The other boys are jealous that Harry and Liam are getting all the press attention. It?s a real sore point.
Louis [Tomlinson], Niall [Horan] and Zain [Malik] are worried that they aren?t as popular and that no-one knows who they are.
Liam?s mother is adding to the heat by telling him to scratch those other boys eyes out, as he is the most popular. She said this week
?Liam has a very strong following.
?I can?t speak for the other boys, I don?t know about their solo careers, but Liam gigged all over the country so he has both options open really.?
Well there you go.
Mums the word.View Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Inside the house the boys are bitchin and fighting for the mirror. Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zain Malik and Niall Horan have been doing really well with X factor fans, so much so that there is plenty of cat calling and nail scratching over who is the most popular.
There is so much friction in the group. The other boys are jealous that Harry and Liam are getting all the press attention. It?s a real sore point.
Louis [Tomlinson], Niall [Horan] and Zain [Malik] are worried that they aren?t as popular and that no-one knows who they are.
Liam?s mother is adding to the heat by telling him to scratch those other boys eyes out, as he is the most popular. She said this week
?Liam has a very strong following.
?I can?t speak for the other boys, I don?t know about their solo careers, but Liam gigged all over the country so he has both options open really.?
Well there you go.
Mums the word.View Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Diary of Zac Efron
I found this hottie on YouTube quite randomly. And his videos are really funny. DIARY OF ZAC EFRON
The MetroWeekly & LGBT Weekly Follow-Ups To The HRC Story
Clarification/Correction: Chris Geidner wrote "Although the sources say that no permanent replacement has been selected, none of the four sources were willing to say what, if any, role Woolard would play in the transition efforts at HRC."
Beyond connecting a name to the unidentified paid consultant from the initial PHB piece, Chris Geidner indicated no conclusions as to what her role in the transition would be, assuming that Woolard would even have a role.
After the story broke at Pam's House Blend on Friday, August 26, 2011 -- as well as roughly simultaneously on the front page of Pam's House Blend's future host website Firedoglake -- MetroWeekly has released a follow-up piece.
Chris Geidner of MetroWeekly independently confirmed that the HRC's executive director, Joe Solmonese, is indeed leaving his position. What MetroWeekly is also reporting is that the consultant that we at PHB reported that the HRC is going to tap as the new executive director is going to instead be an interim director. And, MetroWeekly names the names of that would likely be that interim director:
From the MetroWeekly article HRC's Solmonese to Step Down, Sources Say No Replacement Has Been Selected:
...[Joe Solmonese's] most recent contract expires in March 2012, and an informed source tells Metro Weekly that "a full candidate selection process will take place" to find his successor.
A second source familiar with the situation said that a board conference call that originally was scheduled for Aug. 29 was rescheduled on the evening of Aug. 26 to take place later today, Aug. 27. The change was made after Spaulding published her report, which stated that an announcement about his departure was to be made public on Aug. 30.
...Although Spaulding reported that "a replacement executive director has been identified," four sources familiar with the situation describe that portion of the report as inaccurate -- with one saying the process is just beginning and will not be rapid.
Spaulding refers to the person she reported was identified as Solmonese's replacement as "a paid consultant" who has worked with the organization. Metro Weekly has identified that consultant as Cathy Woolard, who most recently served on the senior leadership team at CARE, which describes itself as "a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty" and is based in Atlanta...
The publication I write the Trans Progressive column for, the LGBT Weekly, also has a story up this morning as well by LGBT Weekly publisher Stampp Corbin, entitled HRC President to Step Down:
...Solmonese's tenure has had significant high points, most recently the passage of hates crime legislation and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. However, he has also had to deal with significant criticism for his handling of the Employment Non-discrimination Act. While Solmonese had promised he would support the inclusion of gender identity to protect the transgender community, at the last minute Congressman Barney Frank and Solmonese tried to pass legislation that did not include transgender protections. It created a firestorm within the LGBT community.
Sources also suggest that the press release date was moved up to accommodate the questions that will be asked of Solmonese when he addresses the HRC Cleveland Dinner this evening. Many current and former members of the HRC Board of Directors were caught off guard by the leak to Pam's House Blend, which suggests that Solmonese's decision to step down is a surprise.
Given Solmonese's salary level, it is unlikely that he will be joining the Obama administration as many have suggested on blogs, as well as Facebook.
I'm not sure if Stampp Corbin is interested in the job, but given his experience in HRC leadership in the past I would hope the HRC would consider him for the executive directorship.
So there you have the latest, as reported by Metro Weekly and the LGBT Weekly. As for the significant staff shake-up that PHB also reported as being in the works at the HRC, neither Metro Weekly and the LGBT Weekly mentioned anything about that aspect of the original PHB story.
Frankly, the staff aspect of the HRC story that PHB broke on Friday, August 26th is what I'm most interested in having independently verified or debunked -- what the staff looks like after the change in leadership is going to say a lot about how the HRC plans to move forward after this change of leadership.
Stopping the National Organization for Marriage
I don't think I've seen a better response to a misleading ad than this one. Thanks Stop8
Withers: This is it
For this� final post, let's return to the first. It was September 2007. We were Visiblevote then. The staff was me, Jay [1], Pauline Park [2], and John Polly of NewNowNext [3]. My first post was a disaster. Our writing program kept jamming, the photo didn't format correctly, and the writing was drivel. Screamed at the computer that entire morning. The insanity was so over the top that poor Billie [4] looked at me, slowly got up, and found a more comfortable spot to dream of snacks and tennis balls.
In that September, Democrats and Republicans were gearing up for the 2008 primary season. The lines were drawn in the sand. Anything we wrote that was remotely negative about then Sen. Hillary Clinton was quickly dismissed as "Hillary hate." Words that weren't supportive of the guy with the funny name, and big ears, were called press releases from Camp Clinton.
[5]
Despite those partisan charges, our coverage of the 2008 election season matches anything done. Anything. Jay, John, and Pauline� made me a better writer and thinker. I thank them for that.
While the thanks are being dispensed, I must talk about Ali Davis [6]. If you need to listen to a crazy man [7] bring Ali along. She wears the best shoes. Sooooooo many Beck fans asked me about her� sneakers. Ali: I better get an invite to the commitment ceremony between you and Melinda. She loved you!
Also want to give thanks to John Culhane, Lisa Neff, John Corvino, and Emma Ruby-Sachs. I've learned much from your words.
Have to give Jay a big hug. She's unparalleled as an editor. Always willing to listen. Here is what you need to know: any decent post of mine is because of her. All the lousy ones? My sole responsibility. This site's success is due to her efforts.
Before this turns into the last episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show [8] (don't mock Polly!), kudos to those who gave us your time. I can be found here [9]. Drop by and cuss me out.
Best of luck. Keep keeping on. Peace.
[1] http://www.JenniferVanasco.com
[2] http://www.paulinepark.com/
[3] http://www.newnownext.com/
[4] http://whattheworlddoesnotneed.blogspot.com/2008/10/billie.html?zx=90880988f9d4a64c
[5] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/News-foggy-road-top.jpg
[6] http://www.365gay.com http://davisexmachina.wordpress.com/
[7] http://www.365gay.com/topics/news_politics/fear-and-learning-at-the-glenn-beck-rally/
[8] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKwZ_aejLw8
[9] http://whattheworlddoesnotneed.blogspot.com/
In that September, Democrats and Republicans were gearing up for the 2008 primary season. The lines were drawn in the sand. Anything we wrote that was remotely negative about then Sen. Hillary Clinton was quickly dismissed as "Hillary hate." Words that weren't supportive of the guy with the funny name, and big ears, were called press releases from Camp Clinton.
[5]
Despite those partisan charges, our coverage of the 2008 election season matches anything done. Anything. Jay, John, and Pauline� made me a better writer and thinker. I thank them for that.
While the thanks are being dispensed, I must talk about Ali Davis [6]. If you need to listen to a crazy man [7] bring Ali along. She wears the best shoes. Sooooooo many Beck fans asked me about her� sneakers. Ali: I better get an invite to the commitment ceremony between you and Melinda. She loved you!
Also want to give thanks to John Culhane, Lisa Neff, John Corvino, and Emma Ruby-Sachs. I've learned much from your words.
Have to give Jay a big hug. She's unparalleled as an editor. Always willing to listen. Here is what you need to know: any decent post of mine is because of her. All the lousy ones? My sole responsibility. This site's success is due to her efforts.
Before this turns into the last episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show [8] (don't mock Polly!), kudos to those who gave us your time. I can be found here [9]. Drop by and cuss me out.
Best of luck. Keep keeping on. Peace.
[1] http://www.JenniferVanasco.com
[2] http://www.paulinepark.com/
[3] http://www.newnownext.com/
[4] http://whattheworlddoesnotneed.blogspot.com/2008/10/billie.html?zx=90880988f9d4a64c
[5] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/News-foggy-road-top.jpg
[6] http://www.365gay.com http://davisexmachina.wordpress.com/
[7] http://www.365gay.com/topics/news_politics/fear-and-learning-at-the-glenn-beck-rally/
[8] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKwZ_aejLw8
[9] http://whattheworlddoesnotneed.blogspot.com/
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Happy Canada Day!
It's Canada's Independence Day today and although it's cloudy out--boo!--it's sure to be a fabulous day. Here's hoping it burns off before my afternoon run.We had a fantastic time in Portland last week visiting with friends and shooting the music video for Toby. Thanks again to everyone who came out for the fun. The sun was out, the voices were perfectly pitched and a great time was had by all, I think.
World News Briefs
UK finds that only 1.5% of population is GLB
The United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics has produced data suggesting that only 1.5 percent of UK adults are gay, lesbian or bisexual.
As part of a yearly data collection effort, ONS questioned 247,623 people about their sexual identity. In the case of face-to-face interviews, respondents were shown a card that said “heterosexual/straight, gay/lesbian, bisexual, other” and told to read out a number beside the word that “best describes how you think of yourself.” In telephone interviews, respondents were read the four categories and told to “please say ‘yes’ when you hear the option that best describes how you think of yourself.”
ONS then applied t…
Read More
The United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics has produced data suggesting that only 1.5 percent of UK adults are gay, lesbian or bisexual.
As part of a yearly data collection effort, ONS questioned 247,623 people about their sexual identity. In the case of face-to-face interviews, respondents were shown a card that said “heterosexual/straight, gay/lesbian, bisexual, other” and told to read out a number beside the word that “best describes how you think of yourself.” In telephone interviews, respondents were read the four categories and told to “please say ‘yes’ when you hear the option that best describes how you think of yourself.”
ONS then applied t…
Read More
Conversations with Nicole
Over 200 cities across America will be celebrating “GLBT Center Awareness Day”. We in San Diego have one of the best community centers in the nation… A big “thank you” to all the Center volunteers, staff and Board!
About Muslim Tolerance
Hey yes, I believe in tolerance and support of Muslim Americans, but I have great concerns with their leaders. Silence…when it comes to the stoning of women in Muslim countries…of murders and killings of gays…of Muslim nations calling for the death of all Jews and the end of Israel …about Muslim countries prohibiting the building of any Christian churches or Jewish synagogues on their lands. Why do American Muslim leaders never speak out on these issues?? Tolerance…
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About Muslim Tolerance
Hey yes, I believe in tolerance and support of Muslim Americans, but I have great concerns with their leaders. Silence…when it comes to the stoning of women in Muslim countries…of murders and killings of gays…of Muslim nations calling for the death of all Jews and the end of Israel …about Muslim countries prohibiting the building of any Christian churches or Jewish synagogues on their lands. Why do American Muslim leaders never speak out on these issues?? Tolerance…
Read More | View Comments (5 comments)
US: military chaplains may perform same-sex unions
The Pentagon has decided that military chaplains may perform same-sex unions, whether on or off a military installation.
Montana GOP policy: Make homosexuality illegal
HELENA, Mont. (AP) – At a time when gays have been gaining victories across the country, the Republican Party in Montana still wants to make homosexuality illegal.
The party adopted an official platform in June that keeps a long-held position in support of making homosexual acts illegal, a policy adopted after the Montana Supreme Court struck down such laws in 1997.
The fact that it’s still the official party policy more than 12 years later, despite a tidal shift in public attitudes since then and the party’s own pledge of support for individual freedoms, has exasperated some GOP members.
“I looked at that and said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” state Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson, said last week. “…
Read More | View Comments (1 comment)
The party adopted an official platform in June that keeps a long-held position in support of making homosexual acts illegal, a policy adopted after the Montana Supreme Court struck down such laws in 1997.
The fact that it’s still the official party policy more than 12 years later, despite a tidal shift in public attitudes since then and the party’s own pledge of support for individual freedoms, has exasperated some GOP members.
“I looked at that and said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” state Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson, said last week. “…
Read More | View Comments (1 comment)
Australian actress Szubanski comes out
Australian comic actress Magda Szubanski came out of the closet while on one of that country's news shows, The Project, according to The Age.
Come Be a Part of Til Death Do Us Toby!
Portland!We are coming to town this week to film a portion of the short film Til Death Do Us Toby and want YOU to be a part of it.DETAILSSaturday, June 26, 20105 - 6pmLaurelhurst Park**meet at the bathroom area (click on map embedded here) We will be filming Christine Havrilla singing a song called Hightail, co-written by Gina Daggett and Patricia McKenny. With her jammin' acoustic guitar, we are going to film Havrilla in front of all of you, who will sing along with the chorus, which is super duper catchy...Gotta break freeGotta surviveGotta find a way to stay aliveI just wanna runI just wanna screamI just wanna hightail out of this dream What is this Til Death Do Us Toby movie anyway?It's a short film about a girl named Sam and a neurotic dog named Toby, who are both trying to find freedom. In Sam's case, she's trying to break free from her controlling mother, Mimi, who doesn't like Sam's best friend who's quite the edgy dyke. In Toby's case, he misunderstands a conversation between Mimi and Sam and thinks they're out to kill him, so he's just trying to hightail out of electric chair (aka their house). >>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's going to be a ton of fun and won't take up a bunch of time, so come on out and be in the short film, which will be making the queer festival rounds next year. Lipstick would be forever grateful!If you're coming, let us know on FACEBOOK!
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