British novelist Imogen Robertson rose swiftly in the ranks of historical mystery authors with the launch of Instrument of Darkness, her first book in the Westerman/Crowther series. Her latest and fourth book in the series, Circle of Shadows (Pamela Dorman Books/Viking, June 2013), secures her position as a writer of lovely prose that transforms a murder and mayhem-laden subgenre into a literary treat.
"Circle of Shadows," which serves well as a stand-alone novel, is an enchanting panacea for the blight of mediocre writing passing today as thrillers, with neither hide nor hair of a supernatural being.
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Wednesday, July 31, 2013
You are not a bad person for wanting to break up, and neither is he.
Any resources for healing after a breakup when you're the one that initiated it? And that doesn't demonise either party? After six years my partner and I are now just friends. It was necessary and a long time coming: we still care for each other a great deal but the relationship as it stands wasn't sustainable anymore. We'd still like to be friends, he's practically family to me anyway, but understandably things are still awkward and raw right now (it's been less than a week).
I'm trying to find resources for healing and support, but so much of it runs along the lines of "that bastard doesn't know what they're missing!". Even the ones that are slightly more sympathetic to the initiator are very "well that person was an asshole anyway" - which, NO. He is not a bad person and neither am I. We have both been very good for each other. It just wasn't working out healthily for both of us. It doesn't help that a few other friends have been dumped around the same time, and a lot of what they report the *other party* saying is stuff I relate to...and I haven't the heart to say `well I can see where they are coming from` because they're obviously hurting.
My special snowflake guilt was that a large part of the breakup was because last year I came out to myself and him as more interested in girls than I thought I was (I'd known I was queer for ages and so did he, but some incidences made me realise that I tend to like girls *exclusively*). But because we still loved and cared for each other as companions, and had an open relationship that was working really well for a while, we figured we'd give it a shot. But it wasn't working. I felt like the breakup was the only way for me to be honest and authentic with myself - but sometimes I wonder what is the point of authenticity when it only hurts the ones that already love you as you are?
I'm trying to find resources for healing and support, but so much of it runs along the lines of "that bastard doesn't know what they're missing!". Even the ones that are slightly more sympathetic to the initiator are very "well that person was an asshole anyway" - which, NO. He is not a bad person and neither am I. We have both been very good for each other. It just wasn't working out healthily for both of us. It doesn't help that a few other friends have been dumped around the same time, and a lot of what they report the *other party* saying is stuff I relate to...and I haven't the heart to say `well I can see where they are coming from` because they're obviously hurting.
My special snowflake guilt was that a large part of the breakup was because last year I came out to myself and him as more interested in girls than I thought I was (I'd known I was queer for ages and so did he, but some incidences made me realise that I tend to like girls *exclusively*). But because we still loved and cared for each other as companions, and had an open relationship that was working really well for a while, we figured we'd give it a shot. But it wasn't working. I felt like the breakup was the only way for me to be honest and authentic with myself - but sometimes I wonder what is the point of authenticity when it only hurts the ones that already love you as you are?
Conversations with Nicole
Well I’ll be very busy next week…Stuart Milk (founder, Harvey Milk Foundation) is coming into town and so is Miguel Claudio Jimenez Vizcarra (Mexican Tequila Business Baron)…major announcements coming soon!
Heroes, Pioneers and Trailblazers;
2011 Honorees:
The Lambda Archives of San Diego will soon officially announce the 2011 Honorees of their prestigious “Heroes, Pioneers and Trailblazers” presentation and among the well deserved recipients are: AL BEST the first openly gay candidate to run for office in San Diego. GLORIA JOHNSON Ms. N.O.W. and Ms. Democrat of our community. BILL BECK, major charity, civil rights, AIDS, and political fundraiser. JENNIFER LE SAR community, civil leader and co-founder of GLBT Youth Housing…
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Heroes, Pioneers and Trailblazers;
2011 Honorees:
The Lambda Archives of San Diego will soon officially announce the 2011 Honorees of their prestigious “Heroes, Pioneers and Trailblazers” presentation and among the well deserved recipients are: AL BEST the first openly gay candidate to run for office in San Diego. GLORIA JOHNSON Ms. N.O.W. and Ms. Democrat of our community. BILL BECK, major charity, civil rights, AIDS, and political fundraiser. JENNIFER LE SAR community, civil leader and co-founder of GLBT Youth Housing…
Read More
She don't want no shy guy...or like...ANY guy, apparently
Anderson Cooper isn?t the only celebrity to recently come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.Diana King, the Jamaican ?reggae-fusion? singer-songwriter, revealed that she was a lesbian in a lengthy Facebook posting late last month.Declared King on her blog: ?I AM A LESBIAN?the answer to my most asked INDIRECT question. I welcome the ?WHO CARES? right now LOL.?Read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices
Horoscope
Breathe, Aries!
Saturn in Libra is squaring the lunar nodes, showing necessary steps in the relationships that are most important in our life’s lessons. Mars is in Scorpio, offering insights to those problems, but those insights can feel more urgent and be more complex and distracting than strictly helpful.
ARIES
March 20 – April 19
Your control issues can wreck your relationship. Step back. Breathe. Be responsible for yourself, and let your partner do the same. Domestic issues are an easy distraction. Work is where you need to focus your energies and sense of mastery.
TAURUS
April 20 – May 20
You’re fine on the details; don’t worry about those! Work on seeing the big picture. There, you need some help that you’ll …
Read More
Saturn in Libra is squaring the lunar nodes, showing necessary steps in the relationships that are most important in our life’s lessons. Mars is in Scorpio, offering insights to those problems, but those insights can feel more urgent and be more complex and distracting than strictly helpful.
ARIES
March 20 – April 19
Your control issues can wreck your relationship. Step back. Breathe. Be responsible for yourself, and let your partner do the same. Domestic issues are an easy distraction. Work is where you need to focus your energies and sense of mastery.
TAURUS
April 20 – May 20
You’re fine on the details; don’t worry about those! Work on seeing the big picture. There, you need some help that you’ll …
Read More
I think of young children growing up at school, who might be uncertain about their sexuality, knowing that now, in the highest place in the land -- in Parliament ?-we've passed this law that says that marriage is for you, whether you're gay or whether you're straight.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking at a celebration of a new marriage-equality law, as quoted by the Daily Mail -More-
Post DOMA, a deluge of litigation
"The lay of the land is getting a bit complicated," says James Esseks, director of the ACLU's National LGBT and AIDS Project. Esseks, who was one of the attorneys involved in pressing the case of Edith Windsor —the case which ultimately struck down the core provision of DOMA June 26—was assessing the deluge of litigation that has ensued in the one month since the U.S. Supreme Court issued that ruling and the ruling that let stand a federal district court ruling that California's Proposition 8 was unconstitutional.
Sidetrack stops serving Stoli, other Russian products
Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., today said that it would be removing Stolichnaya Vodka and other Russian products from their shelves. The decision comes in the wake of Russia's implementation of oppressive anti-gay laws last month.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Lady Ga Ga Speaks her Mind
They asked her to boycott her shows in Arizona to protest SB1070. Instead, Lady Ga Ga activates the crowd. I love Lady Ga Ga.
Help Curve Keep Publishing!
We know these are tough economic times. And print media is struggling to figure out its place in the wide world of instant internet gratification. If you value Curve magazine, the place that gave Lipstick & Dipstick it's start and the place that continues to publish our monthly column, please do what you can to help out.This year Curve is celebrating it's 20th year. But unless the community comes out to support it, Curve will not make it to its 21st birthday. Curve is struggling financially. There are a few ways you can help.Make a donation. Subscribe. And when you do, you're entered to win a trip to Cozumel with Sweet Vacations. Unlike most magazines that rely on advertising dollars to sustain them, Curve relies on its subscribers. So don't just pick an issue up at the newsstand. Become a regular subscriber. Advertise. If you own a business, consider advertising in Curve magazine. Buy your tickets to the 20th anniversary gala in San Francisco. We love Curve and we know you do too. So please, do what you can. If you already subscribe, consider buying one for a friend. Where would our community be without Curve?
Stoli Vodka Faces American Boycott
STOLI could be in a little hot water. Some LGBT groups are already calling for a boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia. Now, Vodka. Gay drink lots of Vodka! But Stoli has also been a supporter of the LGBT community...
Queer Nation has organized a boycott of Russian vodka.
From their statement:
In light of the Putin regime's attacks on the LGBT community, Queer Nation is calling for a worldwide boycott of Russian vodka.
Do not buy or drink Russian vodka: Brands
include Russian Standard and Stolichnaya. Demand that bar owners do not
buy or serve Russian vodka. Ask your favorite club promoters, DJs, and
entertainers to insist that Russian brands are not served in the venues
in which they perform.
It's time to target Russia. Dump Russian vodka!
Stoli has shown support to LGBT community in the past - is a boycott the answer, to send a message to Russian Government? At first, I wasn't sure it was the right choice - but now I do - even though Stoli has shown support to the gay community, the Russian government still shares in Stoli's profits. We MUST put pressure where we can, so they stop this madness over there!
Dan Savage, columnist, author, and founder of the It Gets Better Project, published an article in Seattle's independent newspaper The Stranger on Wednesday titled
?Why I?m Boycotting Russian Vodka,? urging gay bars to stop serving the
brand and others like Russian Standard, Shustov, Starka, and Stolnaya.
?[T]here is something we can do right here, right now, in Seattle and
other U.S. cities to show our solidarity with Russian queers and their
allies," wrote Savage on Wednesday. "And to help to draw international
attention to the persecution of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans
people, and straight allies in Putin's increasingly fascistic Russia:
DUMP RUSSIAN VODKA.?
The SPI Group, which owns Stolichnaya Vodka, contacted The Advocate
today to release an open letter to the LGBT community. The statement
stressed that Stoli ?firmly opposes such attitude and actions? committed
by the Russian government and continues to be a ?fervent supporter and
friend? of the community, pointing to past endorsements of Pride events
and LGBT organizations.
The statement claimed that the Luxembourg-based company is not
affiliated with the Russian government, and that the vodka's production
is divided between Russia and Latvia.
Queer Nation has organized a boycott of Russian vodka.
From their statement:
In light of the Putin regime's attacks on the LGBT community, Queer Nation is calling for a worldwide boycott of Russian vodka.
Do not buy or drink Russian vodka: Brands
include Russian Standard and Stolichnaya. Demand that bar owners do not
buy or serve Russian vodka. Ask your favorite club promoters, DJs, and
entertainers to insist that Russian brands are not served in the venues
in which they perform.
It's time to target Russia. Dump Russian vodka!
Stoli has shown support to LGBT community in the past - is a boycott the answer, to send a message to Russian Government? At first, I wasn't sure it was the right choice - but now I do - even though Stoli has shown support to the gay community, the Russian government still shares in Stoli's profits. We MUST put pressure where we can, so they stop this madness over there!
Dan Savage, columnist, author, and founder of the It Gets Better Project, published an article in Seattle's independent newspaper The Stranger on Wednesday titled
?Why I?m Boycotting Russian Vodka,? urging gay bars to stop serving the
brand and others like Russian Standard, Shustov, Starka, and Stolnaya.
?[T]here is something we can do right here, right now, in Seattle and
other U.S. cities to show our solidarity with Russian queers and their
allies," wrote Savage on Wednesday. "And to help to draw international
attention to the persecution of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans
people, and straight allies in Putin's increasingly fascistic Russia:
DUMP RUSSIAN VODKA.?
The SPI Group, which owns Stolichnaya Vodka, contacted The Advocate
today to release an open letter to the LGBT community. The statement
stressed that Stoli ?firmly opposes such attitude and actions? committed
by the Russian government and continues to be a ?fervent supporter and
friend? of the community, pointing to past endorsements of Pride events
and LGBT organizations.
The statement claimed that the Luxembourg-based company is not
affiliated with the Russian government, and that the vodka's production
is divided between Russia and Latvia.
Interview with Rose Rowe and Renee Olbert of Seeking Simone
Seeking Simone is a web series that follows Simone Selkin's bumbling attempts to date her way through Toronto, and the first episode of the second season recently premiered. Judging from the sheer insanity in her encounters with Toronto's finest ladies, I'm concerned about New York City's proximity to Toronto. I wonder if winds from the northwest could blow the cuckoo into the Big Apple like winds blew volcanic ash all over Europe from the Icelandic volcano last year.
Russia, Olympics and LGBT rights: IOC and Putin promises
WASHINGTON — Today the International Olympic Committee IOC released a statement to Russian news outlets responding to growing international fear about the safety of LGBT individual and allies living in Russia or traveling to Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The fear and outrage is rooted in the recent crackdown on LGBT Russians, including passage of a law that criminalizes even the most modest gestures of support for the dignity and humanity of LGBT people. The IOC's statement reports that it "has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games."
Baltic Pride: Pro-LGBT Politicians Threatened, Pelted With Eggs
It was only the second Pride parade ever and that kind of groundbreaking comes with danger.
read more
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Zimbabwean President Wants to Decapitate Gay Men
Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe, told supporters that gay men unable to produce children should have their heads cut off.
read more
read more
Monday, July 29, 2013
Plug In To A Marriage Equality Anthem by Arro Verse
I enjoyed the great fortune of receiving a call from Arro Verse, a a Detroit native from a culturally diverse family has been writing songs since she was 7. She had stumbled upon our site and concluded, correctly, that we might be interested in hearing her upbeat and playful, yet thoughtful new single, Marry Me.
read more
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PA Anti-Gay Group Decries 'War On Children' In Marriage Equality Protest
A Pennsylvania anti-gay group attacked what they see as a war on children while protesting marriage equality in Montgomery County.
One Direction will appear at GAY
The tabloids are full of One Direction shots as this week the X Factor is now down to 9 contestants. One Direction are going to be the next Take That. The act which is voted off always appears in Londons biggest gay club, GAY thanks to an amazing coup by Jeremy Joseph. It does go to show that X Factor considers its gay audience an important sector to back the acts. Sharon Osborne always used to say that boys bands like One Direction should definitely get the gays behind them (although I think she meant it metaphorically not physically).
We might go to see One Direction at GAY
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
We might go to see One Direction at GAY
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
7 Things Happy Lesbians Do Differently
Have you ever wondered what makes one lesbian so happy and others seems pissed off, grumpy or sad? It's not an accident that some lesbians are happier than others. No matter how happy or sad you are, there are things you can do to increase your happiness. Here are seven places to start....Read Full Post
S.O. G.A.Y.
I just threw the bra I'm wearing and the ones in my suitcase at the screen. I need her to marry me NOW. Have my babies NOW. (Thank you Aimee for posting this!!) Get more info on Ash by clicking HERE
Lambda Legal shows 'Ambition' at event
On July 19, almost 300 young professionals attended Lambda Legal's "Summer Ambition," at the new Chicago location for Suitsupply, a men's retailer based in the Netherlands.
Sheriff Claims He Didn't Know Anti-Sodomy Laws Weren't Valid Anymore
The U.S. Supreme Court invalidated anti-sodomy laws in 2003 but this sheriff says he didn't get the memo.
read more
read more
Real Estate News
Lorie Zapf follow up
Last Friday, our community got some good news from the San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR) which decided to suspend its endorsement of Lorie Zapf for City Council. Zapf failed to disclose a number of crippling personal details including her open gay-hatred and her operation of a short sale scam with husband Eric. Zapf is now forced to remove the Realtor thumbs-up from all campaign material and won’t have access to the organization’s PAC funds. Thanks to all who took a moment to contact SDAR, both as Realtors and as clients. Your direct involvement helped immensely. Professional credit is owed to SD City Beat’s Dave Maass and Realtor Pat Flannery from blogofsandiego.com.
Before we uncork the Prosecco in victory, let me offer a more dir…
Read More
Last Friday, our community got some good news from the San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR) which decided to suspend its endorsement of Lorie Zapf for City Council. Zapf failed to disclose a number of crippling personal details including her open gay-hatred and her operation of a short sale scam with husband Eric. Zapf is now forced to remove the Realtor thumbs-up from all campaign material and won’t have access to the organization’s PAC funds. Thanks to all who took a moment to contact SDAR, both as Realtors and as clients. Your direct involvement helped immensely. Professional credit is owed to SD City Beat’s Dave Maass and Realtor Pat Flannery from blogofsandiego.com.
Before we uncork the Prosecco in victory, let me offer a more dir…
Read More
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Ecuador shocked by inhumane practices at at gay conversion clinics
Sent to a center offering to "cure" her attraction to women, Denisse Freire was raped and tortured -- in a practice Ecuadoran authorities admit has been tolerated for too long.
Lesbian News - 12 Jul 2013
Baton Bob?s epic rant: ?white lesbian bitch? and her cancer friendProud, But Not Out: Native Lesbians at NYC Pride 2013Out Of The Closet: WNBA Player Sharnee Zoll-Norman Admits She's A LesbianMum tells of lesbian?s horror deathGay, lesbian evangelicals increasingly speaking out
New survey on sex in US, biggest since 1994
NEW YORK (AP) – The male-female orgasm gap. The sex lives of 14-year-olds. An intriguing breakdown of condom usage rates, by age and ethnicity, with teens emerging as more safe-sex-conscious than boomers.
That’s just a tiny sampling of the data being unveiled Monday in what the researchers say is the largest, most comprehensive national survey of Americans’ sexual behavior since 1994.
Filling 130 pages of a special issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the study offers detailed findings on how often Americans have sex, with whom, and how they respond. In all, 5,865 people, ranging in age from 14 to 94, participated in the survey.
The lead researchers, from Indiana University’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion, said the study f…
Read More
That’s just a tiny sampling of the data being unveiled Monday in what the researchers say is the largest, most comprehensive national survey of Americans’ sexual behavior since 1994.
Filling 130 pages of a special issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the study offers detailed findings on how often Americans have sex, with whom, and how they respond. In all, 5,865 people, ranging in age from 14 to 94, participated in the survey.
The lead researchers, from Indiana University’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion, said the study f…
Read More
(9) Interview w/ Lea Delaria and More Nonsensical Babblings
Interview with Lea Delaria and some more nonsensical babblings ..
Seattle's Alexis Hotel Creates Gay Marriage Package, Offers Pride Discount
Already one of Seattle's best hideouts for romantic getaways, Kimpton's elegant Alexis Hotel has launched a couple of fun promotions with the GLBT community in mind. To take advantage of the first of these, act fast: if you're headed to town for Seattle Gay Pride this year, use the rate code "PRIDE" when booking a room at the Alexis or the city's two other Kimpton hotels - the Monaco and the Vintage Park - and you'll receive a 15% discount off the best available rate. This deal is good from June 27 through July 3....Read Full Post
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…
Read More
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
Saturday, July 27, 2013
(17) 1 Minute Commentary on Tom and Katie
It’s been common knowledge for decades that Tom shoots blanks. I know Morton thinks he has the lowdown, but he doesn’t … I DO!
D.C. Community Mourns Annie Kaylor: Namesake of Annie's Paramount Steakhouse dies at 85
News:
As Annie's Paramount Steakhouse has been an institution along D.C.'s 17th Street NW for decades, so, too, has its namesake Annie Kaylor. But at 85, Kaylor died of natural causes yesterday evening, July 24, confirms the restaurant's general manager, Raul DeGuzman.
To allow patrons and friends to pay their respects and honor Kaylor's long life and the mark she has left on this neighborhood that is home to so much of the city's LGBT history – as underscored by Frank Kameny Way, the specially named stretch of 17th Street on which Annie's sits – DeGuzman says the restaurant will hold a memorial event at the restaurant Tuesday, Aug. 20, what would have been Kaylor's 86th birthday, from 6 to 10 p.m., as a celebration of Kaylor's life.
In the meantime, Metro Weekly would like to share some of Kaylor's own words from a 2006 interview exploring both the venue's history and her own.
Annie Kaylor
Photo by Todd Franson
''I started working here in 1952. [My sister, Sue Stouts] started in '53. We ran the night shift,'' Kaylor explained in that interview, detailing her brother George Katinas's ownership. ''My sister had a big, big role here. We both worked together. Her and I would work the bar at night. Customers who came in for her, they were very dignified and nice. They were gay. But the ones who came in for me were all crazy. My brother would say, 'You can tell when Annie's working -- look at this place!'''
Kaylor recalled that gay patrons began frequenting Annie's before 17th Street had any sort of reputation as a gay neighborhood.
''One of the things that I want to get across is that we're called a landmark for the gay community,'' she said. ''Back in the '50s, the gays started coming in. I had these waitresses that were all mothers, and they used to treat them very nice. We didn't even know they were gay. They would just pass the word around how nice we were, and how you got a good steak.''
Kaylor pointed to the riots that shook Washington in the wake of the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. as the point when gay patrons truly made Annie's their own, with the chaos of the time keeping others away. ''That's when they claimed it,'' said Kaylor.
During the interview, Kaylor recalled another tragic time, thinking of the friends lost to the first wave of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
''We lost a lot of customers,'' she said. ''It got kind of jittery. People got scared. We did lose a lot of waiters, a lot of friends. HIV became very obvious, but people kept it quiet if they had it. Then some night they'd have a few drinks at the bar and start crying, and they'd tell us. We lost a lot of nice boys. It was very difficult.''
Amid the sad memories revisited during the interview, Kaylor still managed to return to an optimistic outlook, the sort of attitude that matched her signature smile perfectly.
''A lot of our regulars moved to Florida, but they visit. We're developing new faces. That's what we want. The new faces, they learn to appreciate the place,'' Kaylor said with an eye toward the restaurant's changing future, but unchanging welcome. ''We've got young people who go the bar, who are maybe not gay, and they love it here because it's so friendly. A lot of places you can go into and no one talks to you. I think that has a lot to do with it. If you come in here, you're not going to feel unwanted.''
The full 2006 feature, ''Forever Annie's,'' is available online. For more about Annie's Paramount Steakhouse, located at 1609 17th St. NW, call 202-232-0395 or visit anniesdc.com.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: As originally posted, Kaylor's age was listed as 86 via information provided. Kaylor, however, was 85.] ...more
As Annie's Paramount Steakhouse has been an institution along D.C.'s 17th Street NW for decades, so, too, has its namesake Annie Kaylor. But at 85, Kaylor died of natural causes yesterday evening, July 24, confirms the restaurant's general manager, Raul DeGuzman.
To allow patrons and friends to pay their respects and honor Kaylor's long life and the mark she has left on this neighborhood that is home to so much of the city's LGBT history – as underscored by Frank Kameny Way, the specially named stretch of 17th Street on which Annie's sits – DeGuzman says the restaurant will hold a memorial event at the restaurant Tuesday, Aug. 20, what would have been Kaylor's 86th birthday, from 6 to 10 p.m., as a celebration of Kaylor's life.
In the meantime, Metro Weekly would like to share some of Kaylor's own words from a 2006 interview exploring both the venue's history and her own.
Annie Kaylor
Photo by Todd Franson
''I started working here in 1952. [My sister, Sue Stouts] started in '53. We ran the night shift,'' Kaylor explained in that interview, detailing her brother George Katinas's ownership. ''My sister had a big, big role here. We both worked together. Her and I would work the bar at night. Customers who came in for her, they were very dignified and nice. They were gay. But the ones who came in for me were all crazy. My brother would say, 'You can tell when Annie's working -- look at this place!'''
Kaylor recalled that gay patrons began frequenting Annie's before 17th Street had any sort of reputation as a gay neighborhood.
''One of the things that I want to get across is that we're called a landmark for the gay community,'' she said. ''Back in the '50s, the gays started coming in. I had these waitresses that were all mothers, and they used to treat them very nice. We didn't even know they were gay. They would just pass the word around how nice we were, and how you got a good steak.''
Kaylor pointed to the riots that shook Washington in the wake of the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. as the point when gay patrons truly made Annie's their own, with the chaos of the time keeping others away. ''That's when they claimed it,'' said Kaylor.
During the interview, Kaylor recalled another tragic time, thinking of the friends lost to the first wave of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
''We lost a lot of customers,'' she said. ''It got kind of jittery. People got scared. We did lose a lot of waiters, a lot of friends. HIV became very obvious, but people kept it quiet if they had it. Then some night they'd have a few drinks at the bar and start crying, and they'd tell us. We lost a lot of nice boys. It was very difficult.''
Amid the sad memories revisited during the interview, Kaylor still managed to return to an optimistic outlook, the sort of attitude that matched her signature smile perfectly.
''A lot of our regulars moved to Florida, but they visit. We're developing new faces. That's what we want. The new faces, they learn to appreciate the place,'' Kaylor said with an eye toward the restaurant's changing future, but unchanging welcome. ''We've got young people who go the bar, who are maybe not gay, and they love it here because it's so friendly. A lot of places you can go into and no one talks to you. I think that has a lot to do with it. If you come in here, you're not going to feel unwanted.''
The full 2006 feature, ''Forever Annie's,'' is available online. For more about Annie's Paramount Steakhouse, located at 1609 17th St. NW, call 202-232-0395 or visit anniesdc.com.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: As originally posted, Kaylor's age was listed as 86 via information provided. Kaylor, however, was 85.] ...more
‘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…
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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
Flannel Fete: Bear promoter Charger Stone and lesbian promoter Karen Diehl team up for a party at the Brixton
Clublife:
''For the longest time,'' says Charger Stone, ''people thought you couldn't go into Phase 1 unless you had a lesbian escorting you. And I get emails all the time about whether or not people can bring their lesbian friends to Bear Happy Hour.''
Of course gay men can enter the Capitol Hill lesbian institution Phase 1 sans women. And women can go to Town's Bear Happy Hour, which Stone runs through his DC Bëar Crüe organization. But a big reason people question how welcome they'd be at either venue is unfamiliarity and self-segregation. ''To our knowledge, there's never actually been a bear and lesbian joint party,'' says Stone, who decided to change that by teaming up with Karen Diehl, D.C.'s leading lesbian promoter of ''Ladies of LURe'' fame.
The result is the ''Bears vs. Babes'' party this Saturday, July 27, at the Brixton. Stone has previously held a bear event in the primarily straight hotspot across U Street from Nellie's Sports Bar. Meanwhile Diehl has previously organized a mixed LGBT event at the Brixton during National Police Week with Stone's partner Scott Gunn.
In other words, the Brixton is essentially neutral turf for both lesbians and bears. For the inaugural Bears vs. Babes event, music will come from three ''dueling DJs,'' trading off on the decks: Ladies of LURe DJ Dee Dub, DC Bëar Crüe DJ Jumbo Slice, and DJ Keenan, a DJ-about-town regularly spinning for parties catering to women and men, straight and gay. At some point there will be a ''dance-off'' between bears and lesbians, with the winning team earning a trophy. The Brixton will also offer happy-hour drink prices throughout the party, plus six $6 specialty cocktails -- though only the second floor, where all of the action will take place, with spillover on the Brixton's rooftop deck.
Stone says patrons can wear whatever they want -- even if they want to simply play up the stereotypes. Meaning there might be a lot of men and women ''in flannel and the shorts and the New Balance shoes'' -- especially for those lesbians who Stone says ''are pretty much just female bears anyway.''
''Hopefully,'' Stone continues, ''the party will kind of break down some of these walls and stereotypes, and help people to realize that we're really not so different.''
Bears vs. Babes is Saturday, July 27, from 5 to 9 p.m. The Brixton, 901 U St. NW. Tickets are $5, paid with cash or credit, in advance; or $8, by credit only, at the door. Visit bearsvsbabes.eventbrite.com. ...more
''For the longest time,'' says Charger Stone, ''people thought you couldn't go into Phase 1 unless you had a lesbian escorting you. And I get emails all the time about whether or not people can bring their lesbian friends to Bear Happy Hour.''
Of course gay men can enter the Capitol Hill lesbian institution Phase 1 sans women. And women can go to Town's Bear Happy Hour, which Stone runs through his DC Bëar Crüe organization. But a big reason people question how welcome they'd be at either venue is unfamiliarity and self-segregation. ''To our knowledge, there's never actually been a bear and lesbian joint party,'' says Stone, who decided to change that by teaming up with Karen Diehl, D.C.'s leading lesbian promoter of ''Ladies of LURe'' fame.
The result is the ''Bears vs. Babes'' party this Saturday, July 27, at the Brixton. Stone has previously held a bear event in the primarily straight hotspot across U Street from Nellie's Sports Bar. Meanwhile Diehl has previously organized a mixed LGBT event at the Brixton during National Police Week with Stone's partner Scott Gunn.
In other words, the Brixton is essentially neutral turf for both lesbians and bears. For the inaugural Bears vs. Babes event, music will come from three ''dueling DJs,'' trading off on the decks: Ladies of LURe DJ Dee Dub, DC Bëar Crüe DJ Jumbo Slice, and DJ Keenan, a DJ-about-town regularly spinning for parties catering to women and men, straight and gay. At some point there will be a ''dance-off'' between bears and lesbians, with the winning team earning a trophy. The Brixton will also offer happy-hour drink prices throughout the party, plus six $6 specialty cocktails -- though only the second floor, where all of the action will take place, with spillover on the Brixton's rooftop deck.
Stone says patrons can wear whatever they want -- even if they want to simply play up the stereotypes. Meaning there might be a lot of men and women ''in flannel and the shorts and the New Balance shoes'' -- especially for those lesbians who Stone says ''are pretty much just female bears anyway.''
''Hopefully,'' Stone continues, ''the party will kind of break down some of these walls and stereotypes, and help people to realize that we're really not so different.''
Bears vs. Babes is Saturday, July 27, from 5 to 9 p.m. The Brixton, 901 U St. NW. Tickets are $5, paid with cash or credit, in advance; or $8, by credit only, at the door. Visit bearsvsbabes.eventbrite.com. ...more
Getting social with the Pansy King: Talking with Dave Awl
Writer, performer, and social media maven Dave Awl has been a presence in the Chicago fringe theater scene for over two decades, since moving to Chicago from his hometown of Peoria in 1988.
LGBT activist Sean Sala calls out San Diego County Clerk Ernest Dronenburg | VIDEO
SAN DIEGO -- Local LGBT rights activist Sean Sala recently appeared on UT-TV to call out San Diego County Clerk Ernest Dronenburg, who recently filed a petition to halt same-gender marriages in California.
While Dronenburg's petition was denied, Sala called on him to resign, otherwise he'll work to make sure the voters don't re-elect him at the next election.
Local LGBT rights activist Sean Sala recently appeared on UT-TV to call out San Diego County Clerk Ernest Dronenburg, who recently filed a petition to halt same-gender marriages in California.
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While Dronenburg's petition was denied, Sala called on him to resign, otherwise he'll work to make sure the voters don't re-elect him at the next election.
Local LGBT rights activist Sean Sala recently appeared on UT-TV to call out San Diego County Clerk Ernest Dronenburg, who recently filed a petition to halt same-gender marriages in California.
read more
(35) Fruits, Porn & Cheats 101
Frustrating fruits “shit in my peach.” Sarah Jessica Parker and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Getting Off, Interns, Infidelitors, Porn, and more trash-talk! (some of the calls had bad sound, sorry :/ Featuring music by: Sarah Greenwood’s – GSX! http://www.myspace.com/gsx Vote for her VIDEO HERE: http://www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/the_click_list/video_voting.jhtml
Everyday Racism: In the aftermath of Trayvon Martin's death and George Zimmerman's trial, we need to see racism for what it really is
Opinion: Since Saturday, when George Zimmerman was found ''not guilty'' of murder or manslaughter for killing Trayvon Martin, there has been outrage from the African-American community. But this racially charged trial has sparked a heated conversation between races, from angry blacks who feel justice wasn't served to whites who want African-Americans to stop ''pulling the race card.'' Privilege is a dynamic force with harmful consequences. The societal power of men, heterosexuals, adults, able-bodied individuals – and yes, whites -- has internalized privilege for too many, and inflicted harm on those minorities without it. AJ King ... (more)
Friday, July 26, 2013
I've Been Telling Her This for YEARS...
Step 1: Watch the video. Step 2: Listen to the lyrics. Step 3: Imagine my face right now:
A Moment of Silence for Trans Service Members on September 20, 2011
Note from Laurel: On 9/20 I invite you to join us for a moment of silence to honor our transgender brothers and sisters who, despite the repeal of DADT, are still forced to serve in silence. Let's let them know that they are not forgotten and that we LGB people are as committed to their open service as they were to ours, and as we are to our own.
As Autumn said to me, "It would be very appropriate for celebrants of the day that lesbian, gay and bisexual servicemembers are finally able to serve openly remember for a moment that transgender servicemembers still won't be able to serve openly. It would be very appropriate if organizations such as the SLDN, Servicemembers United, and the HRC publicly supported the idea of a moment of silence for the our transgender servicemembers who will still be required to serve in silence."The following is a guest post by the executive director of the Transgender American Veterans Association.
By Monica F. Helms
September 20, 2011 will go down as one of the most pivotal days in LGB history. On that day, gay, lesbian and bisexual service members will no longer have to hide their sexual orientation from the US military. LGB people will be allowed to enlist (or reenlist) in the military, and those already serving will be able to openly say who they love . . . if they wish to.
However, for the trans community, September 20 will be a bittersweet day. The "sweet" will be because we will all be thrilled to see another wall of discrimination crumble into history. We will celebrate along with our LGB brothers and sisters, and thank all of those who have served our country proudly. Our thanks will also go out to those who will step forward to join their ranks. Tears of joy will flow that day from all of us.
The "bitter" part comes when the celebration is over and trans people will still face discrimination from the US military. Trans service members will be ejected because the military says we have a "psychosexual condition," which they put in the same category as "exhibitionism, transvestism, voyeurism, and other paraphilias." No trans-identified person will be allowed to enlist for the same reason.
The Transgender American Veterans Association want to first congratulate all the people who worked tirelessly on getting Don't Ask, Don't Tell repealed and helped the Administration and the Department of Defense to smoothly integrate LGB people into the services. Our members worked alongside LGB people to put this terrible law to rest and we are proud to see our work not go in vain.
On this day of celebration, TAVA has one request for all of those who will be cheering and partying. We ask that everyone take a moment of silence to acknowledge that the fight is not over. A moment of silence for all of those trans people who will still face discharge when being outed. Take a moment to remember the trans people who gave their lives in silence to protect this country. TAVA stands in solidarity with our brothers and sister in celebrating this historical day. All we ask is for them to stand in solidarity with the trans community in our struggle to end ALL discrimination in the US military. The fight is not over.
To say that you or your organization will observe a moment of silence at a celebration on September 20 for trans service members, go to the Facebook Event page and click on "Attending."
Cross-posted at Bilerico.
WATCH: Sherry Vine Gets Hopped Up with Lady Bunny
Two beautiful ladies of the night drag it out on stage discussing old times, big wigs, and all that jazz.
read more
read more
San Diego community prepares to step off for 21st Annual AIDS Walk
As local service organizations continue to feel the impact of government funding cuts for HIV/AIDS services, the San Diego community will again come together in a display of support and compassion at the 21st annual AIDS Walk & Run. The event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26 at Balboa Park.
Registration for both walkers and runners will begin at 6am at Balboa Park, along Sixth Avenue (early registration is also available, see the official event guide here for more information) on Sunday. The 10K run will start at 8am, with the Walk step off at 8:10am.
Local elected officials will also take part in the day’s ceremonies, including U.S. Representative Susan Davis, California State Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, and San Diego City Councilmemb…
Read More
Registration for both walkers and runners will begin at 6am at Balboa Park, along Sixth Avenue (early registration is also available, see the official event guide here for more information) on Sunday. The 10K run will start at 8am, with the Walk step off at 8:10am.
Local elected officials will also take part in the day’s ceremonies, including U.S. Representative Susan Davis, California State Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, and San Diego City Councilmemb…
Read More
Ellen DeGeneres Sat Here
I was at a garage sale this weekend and came across these chairs. I thought they would be good for my deck. The guy was selling them for $7 each. Way too much. I offered $10 for all four. He countered with $15 and I accepted.As I was getting ready to load the chairs into my car, he told me Ellen DeGeneres sat in one of them. He said he used to work as a waiter at the Heathman, a high-end hotel in Portland. Ellen and Ann Heche were having drinks on the patio and invited him to come back when his shift was over and have a drink. He said Ellen was very nice.I was glad to hear that, but I told him he could keep the Ann Heche chair.
(7) The I Have No Show, Show. Going Topic-less!
All I need is the right man, Thank God I’m gay, No topic whatsoever, Being ditched, Bad Karaoke Nonsensical ramblings, Paris? Kelly Clarkson? Farting? A tasteless show indeed …
Commentary: Killing activists won't kill activism in Africa
Neela Ghoshal, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, writes about working with Cameroonian LGBT activist Eric Ohena Lemb -More-
Gay Pride and Health Fair in the Bronx with Hundreds of Entertainers
The new Bronx LGBTQ Center (the ?Center?) is pleased to announce final details of its
2013 pride event, which will feature nearly 100 different entertainers, speakers, and organizations. The event will be held on ?Keeping in line with doing things differently, our pride event will be different from other borough's events at its very core as it will incorporate a health fair, where over 12 health-oriented organizations will provide on-site health screenings that will include rapid HIV testing, blood glucose/diabetes screenings & blood pressure testings, and more.
More than 40 organizations in total have signed on to provide information and outreach to pride participants,? statedPeter C. Frank, the Center's secretary, who also chairs their pride committee.
This year's event is co-hosted by internationally-renown drag entertainers Appolonia Cruz
& Tyra A. Ross, with Lady Clover Honey serving as the event's Welcome Maven. Billboard
Top 20 and MTV/LOGO recording artist Adam Barta, who is a Bronx native, will headline the event: ?I'm super-excited to be rocking it out in my hometown where I was born and raised!
Can't wait to see how Bronx does it best. And I'm so happy to be supporting such a great, new
organization,? Mr. Barta exclaimed when recently speaking about performing. He will preview his new duet with RuPaul's Drag Race Star Pandora Boxx in his performance on Saturday.
?I support the new Bronx LGTBQ Center because they have proven to me that they are
serious about helping our Bronx LGBTQ community by putting this much needed 2013 Bronx
Gay Pride Festival / Health Fair together with zero funding, based solely on donations from
our community and supporters. All the NYC boroughs had their Gay Pride Festivals this past June & the Bronx Needed one too,? Ms. Cruz stated.
The performances will run the gamut of genres ranging from opera singer David White to
hip-hop artist Lovari. A host of drag entertainers will be on hand, including Diva Jackie
Dupree, who delivers an amazing Whitney Houston performance using live vocals. Indie
Latina band Rok Fairies, reggae singer Barnacle Bill, R&B artist India M., pop performance artist Shadina, and rising artists Caiike and Sylvestri are just some of the nearly 40 entertainers who will perform during the six-hour pride festival.
Scheduled to appear and speak during the event are both the only father-son and mother-daughter team of elected officials representing one area: NYC Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo and her mother, NYS Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo, along with NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano and his father, Congressman Jose E. Serrano, who will spend a significant portion of their day celebrating pride with their constituents. NYC Council Speaker Christine C.Quinn will be on hand to celebrate with her fellow LGBTQ community, while Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.and other elected officials will also make appearances.
This year's event was in jeopardy when the nascent organization was advised late last month of a few thousands of dollars in fees that needed to be paid to the NYC Parks Department, more than a month after they were advised the permit was approved. A number of organizations and individuals stepped forward since then to save the event: ?We are thrilled to be able to support Bronx Pride in bringing these magical events to life for 2013. Giving back and helping to inspire the LGBTQ community has always been part of the mission for Heritage of Pride / NYC Pride. We are happy to be able to help in a time of need after coming off of an historic year for the community. We look forward to celebrating with our Bronx LGBTQ community members on July 20th,? says Heritage of Pride's Managing Director, Chris Frederick.
Tym Moss, the Center's president, added, ?We are so very, very grateful to all of the individuals and organizations that came forward to ensure that our pride event would take place this year and the Bronx would not be forgotten, especially to Union Community Health Center, our neighbor to the South, Heritage of Pride / NYC Pride, and the Human Rights Campaign. And of course, we thank all of our entertainers & speakers, all of whom are so generously giving of their time.?at Crotona Park from 12 ? 6 pm at the amphitheater south of Indian Lake, north of the picnic area.
Full details about the event can be found online at http://bronxpride2013.eventbrite.com/
2013 pride event, which will feature nearly 100 different entertainers, speakers, and organizations. The event will be held on ?Keeping in line with doing things differently, our pride event will be different from other borough's events at its very core as it will incorporate a health fair, where over 12 health-oriented organizations will provide on-site health screenings that will include rapid HIV testing, blood glucose/diabetes screenings & blood pressure testings, and more.
More than 40 organizations in total have signed on to provide information and outreach to pride participants,? statedPeter C. Frank, the Center's secretary, who also chairs their pride committee.
This year's event is co-hosted by internationally-renown drag entertainers Appolonia Cruz
& Tyra A. Ross, with Lady Clover Honey serving as the event's Welcome Maven. Billboard
Top 20 and MTV/LOGO recording artist Adam Barta, who is a Bronx native, will headline the event: ?I'm super-excited to be rocking it out in my hometown where I was born and raised!
Can't wait to see how Bronx does it best. And I'm so happy to be supporting such a great, new
organization,? Mr. Barta exclaimed when recently speaking about performing. He will preview his new duet with RuPaul's Drag Race Star Pandora Boxx in his performance on Saturday.
?I support the new Bronx LGTBQ Center because they have proven to me that they are
serious about helping our Bronx LGBTQ community by putting this much needed 2013 Bronx
Gay Pride Festival / Health Fair together with zero funding, based solely on donations from
our community and supporters. All the NYC boroughs had their Gay Pride Festivals this past June & the Bronx Needed one too,? Ms. Cruz stated.
The performances will run the gamut of genres ranging from opera singer David White to
hip-hop artist Lovari. A host of drag entertainers will be on hand, including Diva Jackie
Dupree, who delivers an amazing Whitney Houston performance using live vocals. Indie
Latina band Rok Fairies, reggae singer Barnacle Bill, R&B artist India M., pop performance artist Shadina, and rising artists Caiike and Sylvestri are just some of the nearly 40 entertainers who will perform during the six-hour pride festival.
Scheduled to appear and speak during the event are both the only father-son and mother-daughter team of elected officials representing one area: NYC Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo and her mother, NYS Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo, along with NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano and his father, Congressman Jose E. Serrano, who will spend a significant portion of their day celebrating pride with their constituents. NYC Council Speaker Christine C.Quinn will be on hand to celebrate with her fellow LGBTQ community, while Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.and other elected officials will also make appearances.
This year's event was in jeopardy when the nascent organization was advised late last month of a few thousands of dollars in fees that needed to be paid to the NYC Parks Department, more than a month after they were advised the permit was approved. A number of organizations and individuals stepped forward since then to save the event: ?We are thrilled to be able to support Bronx Pride in bringing these magical events to life for 2013. Giving back and helping to inspire the LGBTQ community has always been part of the mission for Heritage of Pride / NYC Pride. We are happy to be able to help in a time of need after coming off of an historic year for the community. We look forward to celebrating with our Bronx LGBTQ community members on July 20th,? says Heritage of Pride's Managing Director, Chris Frederick.
Tym Moss, the Center's president, added, ?We are so very, very grateful to all of the individuals and organizations that came forward to ensure that our pride event would take place this year and the Bronx would not be forgotten, especially to Union Community Health Center, our neighbor to the South, Heritage of Pride / NYC Pride, and the Human Rights Campaign. And of course, we thank all of our entertainers & speakers, all of whom are so generously giving of their time.?at Crotona Park from 12 ? 6 pm at the amphitheater south of Indian Lake, north of the picnic area.
Full details about the event can be found online at http://bronxpride2013.eventbrite.com/
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Is Ohio ready to reverse its marriage ban?
Ohio voters in 2004 overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment banning marriage for same-sex couples.�Some advocates -More-
Should I try to start an LGBTQ organization at my middle school?
Should I try to start an LGBTQ organization at my middle school? How? I?m teaching sixth grade at an urban middle school and I?d like to approach the administration about starting an LGBTQ support club for maybe half an hour a week after school. We have some students in the seventh and eighth grades who are reasonably out and I?d really like to support both them and any other students who are dealing with their sexuality or want to support their LGBTQ friends and family. Here are my questions:
1) Is this a good idea? The worst case scenario is that kids get targeted for being in the group. Is this likely? Would anyone even join?
2) Is middle school too young for a group like this?
3) I would likely get at least some pushback from the community/families along the lines of ?Why are you turning my kid gay?? How would I handle that?
4) What should we actually DO? I?d like to make sure it?s more than just eating Fig Newtons and drinking apple cider but I don?t want to get in over my head in terms of what I?m comfortable discussing.
Is there a good way to do this? Should I even try? Thank you so much for your help and suggestions!
1) Is this a good idea? The worst case scenario is that kids get targeted for being in the group. Is this likely? Would anyone even join?
2) Is middle school too young for a group like this?
3) I would likely get at least some pushback from the community/families along the lines of ?Why are you turning my kid gay?? How would I handle that?
4) What should we actually DO? I?d like to make sure it?s more than just eating Fig Newtons and drinking apple cider but I don?t want to get in over my head in terms of what I?m comfortable discussing.
Is there a good way to do this? Should I even try? Thank you so much for your help and suggestions!
GLAAD's What To Watch On Wednesday
(This post was originally published by SDGLN content partner GLAAD.)
GLAAD's LGBT-friendly TV picks for Wednesday.
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GLAAD's LGBT-friendly TV picks for Wednesday.
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(63) Stop the Insanity! w/Susan Powter
Out Three-time New York Times best-selling author and creator of the ?Stop the Insanity!? movement, Susan Powter, like you’ve never heard her before. We talk Wellness, Radical Feminism, Lesbian Culture, her new book The Politics of Stupid and more … http://susanpowteronline.com ____________________________ PS. The Trevor Project crisis and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender [...]
PHOTOS: LGBT Square Dancers Twirl Into San Francisco
The 30th Annual Convention of the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs kicked it up at Weave Your Heart in San Francisco.
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Historic, Bipartisan Vote Sends Employment Non-Discrimination Act to the Senate Floor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org
WASHINGTON ? The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions today adopted the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by a bipartisan vote of 15-7. ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in most American workplaces.
"Coming on the heels of the landmark Supreme Court marriage rulings, today's strong, bipartisan vote in favor of expanding workplace non-discrimination protections to include those who are LGBT is yet another sign that the tide has turned," said Ian Thompson, American Civil Liberties Union legislative representative. "Advocates have been working for nearly 40 years to pass these basic protections to ensure that all American workers, who stand side-by-side in the workplace and contribute with equal measure in their jobs, will stand on the same equal footing under the law. In 2013, it is completely unacceptable to force individuals to hide who they are out of fear of losing their livelihood."
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
ACLU letter urging a "YES" vote on S. 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is available here.
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org
WASHINGTON ? The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions today adopted the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by a bipartisan vote of 15-7. ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in most American workplaces.
"Coming on the heels of the landmark Supreme Court marriage rulings, today's strong, bipartisan vote in favor of expanding workplace non-discrimination protections to include those who are LGBT is yet another sign that the tide has turned," said Ian Thompson, American Civil Liberties Union legislative representative. "Advocates have been working for nearly 40 years to pass these basic protections to ensure that all American workers, who stand side-by-side in the workplace and contribute with equal measure in their jobs, will stand on the same equal footing under the law. In 2013, it is completely unacceptable to force individuals to hide who they are out of fear of losing their livelihood."
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
ACLU letter urging a "YES" vote on S. 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is available here.
Monster Mashup: Entirely spectacle, ''Pacific Rim'' is as big and dumb as a movie about monster-fighting robots deserves to be
Film:
There is only one reason why anybody would want to endure Pacific Rim. That reason happens midway through the movie, when a giant robot faces off against an acid-spitting monster in Hong Kong. The robot is dragging a cargo ship, as robots are apparently wont to do. It lifts the ship up, grips it like a baseball bat, swings, and smashes it against the monster's head. The monster staggers and falls. The audience hoots and hollers. For an instant, Pacific Rim has matched its cartoonish premise and its chaotic ambition, and all seems right in the realm of the fantastic.
Too bad you'll have to slog through everything else just to get to that point.
Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim is precisely as big and dumb as a movie about monster-fighting robots deserves to be. It's colossal, both in size and stupidity. It's a movie born of spectacle -- towering, massive, unsustainably titanic spectacle -- and, as a result, it reveals how a filmmaker's boldest ambitions can often enable his worst instincts. Guillermo del Toro willed this ridiculous slug match to life, but he gave it an awfully fitful existence.
The story opens in the near future, when aliens known as "kaiju" begin to attack the world's cities. These pissed-off monsters don't arrive from the skies, but rather through an intergalactic portal resting on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Humanity's last hope to stop the kaiju is the "jaeger," an enormous fighting robot that's controlled by a pair of pilots who must literally read each other's mind to operate it correctly.
The terrible downside to that neural connection? If your co-pilot dies, you experience their last moments just as they do. This is what happens to Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam, perpetually on the verge of sneering), a jaeger pilot who watched a kaiju snatch his brother out of the co-pilot's seat in a battle gone awry. Raleigh barely survives, and soon after, retires to work a dismal construction job on the shores of Alaska. He's eventually lured back by his former commanding officer, Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba), who wants to launch an all-out assault against the kaiju with the world's last remaining jaegers. (Let's stop and appreciate that name for a minute. How great is it? Stacker Pentecost! Say it to yourself. Stack-er Pen-te-cost. It sounds like the name a con man would use if he posed as a Bible salesman.) Of course, that means Raleigh needs a new co-pilot. A vengeance-seeking rookie named Mako (Rinko Kikuchi) fills the bill, and after some initial rejections she finally suits up alongside him to kick some kaiju ass.
To anyone familiar with del Toro's work, this premise appears to have all the signs of greatness. A visual maestro with an uncanny eye for the spacial geography of an action sequence, del Toro's idiosyncratic style seems tailored for concocting Lovecraftian monsters. And here, he was essentially given a blank check to invent as many horrors as he pleased. This is easily del Toro's biggest, most ambitious movie. So, why is it also his most derivative one?
In a summer chock-full of reboots, sequels and altogether unnecessary "tent pole" blockbusters, Pacific Rim stands out for somehow being less than the sum of its many separate parts. The story only progresses by way of banal action tropes. Each character can be relied upon to say exactly what he's thinking at the exact moment he thinks it. Del Toro borrows a thousand pieces from a thousand different sources, and yet, lacks the joy and self-awareness he needed to hold it all together. The result resembles moviemaking by Lego, not by the inventive director who made Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy II: The Golden Army.
PACIFIC RIM Starring Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Idris Elba Rated PG-13 131 minutes Opens July 12 Area theaters
Pacific Rim is the sort of movie where a grown man smiles knowingly at a dog, and then the dog barks happily in response. Where people still live in cities along the Pacific Coast despite a decade's worth of evidence that there's nothing a kaiju loves more than stomping around San Francisco, Hong Kong or Sydney. Where the only thematic consistency is an extraordinary reliance on cliché, and characters are about as emotional as a block of wood. (Remember: We're expected to believe these characters don't just want to share a significant mental connection, but have to if they want to survive!)
Pacific Rim asks us to be fools, but doesn't bother to step over its own low intellectual hurdles. Even when we're lining up to see something as childishly delightful as robots fighting aliens, a movie needs to be more than that. Otherwise, we're simply paying to watch overactive boys smash their toys together.
...more
There is only one reason why anybody would want to endure Pacific Rim. That reason happens midway through the movie, when a giant robot faces off against an acid-spitting monster in Hong Kong. The robot is dragging a cargo ship, as robots are apparently wont to do. It lifts the ship up, grips it like a baseball bat, swings, and smashes it against the monster's head. The monster staggers and falls. The audience hoots and hollers. For an instant, Pacific Rim has matched its cartoonish premise and its chaotic ambition, and all seems right in the realm of the fantastic.
Too bad you'll have to slog through everything else just to get to that point.
Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim is precisely as big and dumb as a movie about monster-fighting robots deserves to be. It's colossal, both in size and stupidity. It's a movie born of spectacle -- towering, massive, unsustainably titanic spectacle -- and, as a result, it reveals how a filmmaker's boldest ambitions can often enable his worst instincts. Guillermo del Toro willed this ridiculous slug match to life, but he gave it an awfully fitful existence.
The story opens in the near future, when aliens known as "kaiju" begin to attack the world's cities. These pissed-off monsters don't arrive from the skies, but rather through an intergalactic portal resting on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Humanity's last hope to stop the kaiju is the "jaeger," an enormous fighting robot that's controlled by a pair of pilots who must literally read each other's mind to operate it correctly.
The terrible downside to that neural connection? If your co-pilot dies, you experience their last moments just as they do. This is what happens to Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam, perpetually on the verge of sneering), a jaeger pilot who watched a kaiju snatch his brother out of the co-pilot's seat in a battle gone awry. Raleigh barely survives, and soon after, retires to work a dismal construction job on the shores of Alaska. He's eventually lured back by his former commanding officer, Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba), who wants to launch an all-out assault against the kaiju with the world's last remaining jaegers. (Let's stop and appreciate that name for a minute. How great is it? Stacker Pentecost! Say it to yourself. Stack-er Pen-te-cost. It sounds like the name a con man would use if he posed as a Bible salesman.) Of course, that means Raleigh needs a new co-pilot. A vengeance-seeking rookie named Mako (Rinko Kikuchi) fills the bill, and after some initial rejections she finally suits up alongside him to kick some kaiju ass.
To anyone familiar with del Toro's work, this premise appears to have all the signs of greatness. A visual maestro with an uncanny eye for the spacial geography of an action sequence, del Toro's idiosyncratic style seems tailored for concocting Lovecraftian monsters. And here, he was essentially given a blank check to invent as many horrors as he pleased. This is easily del Toro's biggest, most ambitious movie. So, why is it also his most derivative one?
In a summer chock-full of reboots, sequels and altogether unnecessary "tent pole" blockbusters, Pacific Rim stands out for somehow being less than the sum of its many separate parts. The story only progresses by way of banal action tropes. Each character can be relied upon to say exactly what he's thinking at the exact moment he thinks it. Del Toro borrows a thousand pieces from a thousand different sources, and yet, lacks the joy and self-awareness he needed to hold it all together. The result resembles moviemaking by Lego, not by the inventive director who made Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy II: The Golden Army.
PACIFIC RIM Starring Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Idris Elba Rated PG-13 131 minutes Opens July 12 Area theaters
Pacific Rim is the sort of movie where a grown man smiles knowingly at a dog, and then the dog barks happily in response. Where people still live in cities along the Pacific Coast despite a decade's worth of evidence that there's nothing a kaiju loves more than stomping around San Francisco, Hong Kong or Sydney. Where the only thematic consistency is an extraordinary reliance on cliché, and characters are about as emotional as a block of wood. (Remember: We're expected to believe these characters don't just want to share a significant mental connection, but have to if they want to survive!)
Pacific Rim asks us to be fools, but doesn't bother to step over its own low intellectual hurdles. Even when we're lining up to see something as childishly delightful as robots fighting aliens, a movie needs to be more than that. Otherwise, we're simply paying to watch overactive boys smash their toys together.
...more
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
ACLU Moves to Challenge N.C.?s Ban on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples
Civil Rights Group Seeks to Add Claims Challenging North Carolina?s Ban on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples to Existing Lawsuit Seeking Second Parent Adoption Rights for North Carolina Families
July 9, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org
RALEIGH, N.C. ? Today the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of North Carolina Legal Foundation announced plans to challenge North Carolina?s ban on marriage for same-sex couples by amending a federal lawsuit filed against the state last year on behalf of six same-sex couples and their children that challenges North Carolina?s ban on second parent adoptions. The announcement comes on the same day that the ACLU has filed a federal challenge to Pennsylvania?s marriage ban and the ACLU and Lambda Legal have announced a challenge to Virginia?s marriage ban.
The ACLU is asking North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper to agree to allow an additional claim challenging the state?s ban on marriage for same-sex couples to be added to Fisher-Borne v. Smith, a lawsuit filed last year in Greensboro in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina that challenges the state?s ban on second parent adoption, a process by which one partner in an unmarried gay or straight couple adopts the other partner?s biological or adoptive child. If the Attorney General?s office does not agree to the addition of the new claim, the ACLU will petition the court to allow the claim to be added.
Marcie and Chantelle Fisher-Borne, one of the couples in the case, have been together for 16 years and live in Durham. Each woman carried one of their two children -- a 5-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy. They had a wedding in North Carolina 10 years ago and were legally married in Washington, D.C. in 2011, but their marriage is not recognized by North Carolina law. When their daughter was born, the couple met resistance from a hospital staff member who demanded their legal paperwork. If they were legally married in North Carolina, their family would be respected and such encounters could be avoided.
?Our children have two parents who love them dearly. Like any parents, we want to be able to do everything we can to care for our children. Our children deserve the security of having both Marcie and me as legally recognized parents, and marriage is the best way for us to provide that to them,? said Chantelle Fisher-Borne. ?We declared our love and commitment to each other years ago, but the law in North Carolina does not recognize the life we have built together or allow us to share legal responsibility for the children we have raised together. We want to be married for many of the same reasons anyone else does ? to do what?s best for our family, especially our children, and have our commitment to each other recognized by the law.?
Marriage would help same-sex couples protect their children by ensuring that all children in the family are covered if one partner lacks health insurance, that families will stay together and children will not be torn from the only home they?ve known if something should happen to the biological or legally recognized parent, and that either parent will be allowed to make medical decisions or be able to be by their child?s bedside if one of their children is hospitalized.
?The past year has witnessed a sea change in the quest to secure the freedom to marry for all committed couples across the nation and in North Carolina,? said Chris Brook, Legal Director of the ACLU-NCLF. ?From President Obama and Senator Hagan?s endorsements to the recent landmark Supreme Court decision declaring the so-called Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, support for the freedom to marry has moved forward by leaps and bounds. Conversations are happening at dinner tables throughout our state with more and more North Carolinians agreeing that the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage should not be denied to loving and committed couples simply because they are gay or lesbian. Our announcement today is the next step in that conversation.?
The move to amend the North Carolina lawsuit comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court?s landmark ruling in another ACLU case, United States v. Windsor, which found that the federal Defense of Marriage Act defining marriage as between one man and one woman was unconstitutional.
?Under DOMA, same-sex married couples have their lives burdened, by reason of government decree, in visible and public ways,? Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority in Windsor, adding that creating a ?second-tier? status for same-sex couples ?demeans the couple, whose moral and sexual choices the Constitution protects ? [a]nd it humiliates tens of thousands of children now being raised by same-sex couples. The law in questions makes it even more difficult for the children to understand the integrity and closeness of their own family and its concord with other families in their community and in their daily lives.?
July 9, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org
RALEIGH, N.C. ? Today the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of North Carolina Legal Foundation announced plans to challenge North Carolina?s ban on marriage for same-sex couples by amending a federal lawsuit filed against the state last year on behalf of six same-sex couples and their children that challenges North Carolina?s ban on second parent adoptions. The announcement comes on the same day that the ACLU has filed a federal challenge to Pennsylvania?s marriage ban and the ACLU and Lambda Legal have announced a challenge to Virginia?s marriage ban.
The ACLU is asking North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper to agree to allow an additional claim challenging the state?s ban on marriage for same-sex couples to be added to Fisher-Borne v. Smith, a lawsuit filed last year in Greensboro in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina that challenges the state?s ban on second parent adoption, a process by which one partner in an unmarried gay or straight couple adopts the other partner?s biological or adoptive child. If the Attorney General?s office does not agree to the addition of the new claim, the ACLU will petition the court to allow the claim to be added.
Marcie and Chantelle Fisher-Borne, one of the couples in the case, have been together for 16 years and live in Durham. Each woman carried one of their two children -- a 5-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy. They had a wedding in North Carolina 10 years ago and were legally married in Washington, D.C. in 2011, but their marriage is not recognized by North Carolina law. When their daughter was born, the couple met resistance from a hospital staff member who demanded their legal paperwork. If they were legally married in North Carolina, their family would be respected and such encounters could be avoided.
?Our children have two parents who love them dearly. Like any parents, we want to be able to do everything we can to care for our children. Our children deserve the security of having both Marcie and me as legally recognized parents, and marriage is the best way for us to provide that to them,? said Chantelle Fisher-Borne. ?We declared our love and commitment to each other years ago, but the law in North Carolina does not recognize the life we have built together or allow us to share legal responsibility for the children we have raised together. We want to be married for many of the same reasons anyone else does ? to do what?s best for our family, especially our children, and have our commitment to each other recognized by the law.?
Marriage would help same-sex couples protect their children by ensuring that all children in the family are covered if one partner lacks health insurance, that families will stay together and children will not be torn from the only home they?ve known if something should happen to the biological or legally recognized parent, and that either parent will be allowed to make medical decisions or be able to be by their child?s bedside if one of their children is hospitalized.
?The past year has witnessed a sea change in the quest to secure the freedom to marry for all committed couples across the nation and in North Carolina,? said Chris Brook, Legal Director of the ACLU-NCLF. ?From President Obama and Senator Hagan?s endorsements to the recent landmark Supreme Court decision declaring the so-called Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, support for the freedom to marry has moved forward by leaps and bounds. Conversations are happening at dinner tables throughout our state with more and more North Carolinians agreeing that the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage should not be denied to loving and committed couples simply because they are gay or lesbian. Our announcement today is the next step in that conversation.?
The move to amend the North Carolina lawsuit comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court?s landmark ruling in another ACLU case, United States v. Windsor, which found that the federal Defense of Marriage Act defining marriage as between one man and one woman was unconstitutional.
?Under DOMA, same-sex married couples have their lives burdened, by reason of government decree, in visible and public ways,? Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority in Windsor, adding that creating a ?second-tier? status for same-sex couples ?demeans the couple, whose moral and sexual choices the Constitution protects ? [a]nd it humiliates tens of thousands of children now being raised by same-sex couples. The law in questions makes it even more difficult for the children to understand the integrity and closeness of their own family and its concord with other families in their community and in their daily lives.?
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…
Read More
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
Lesbian News - 19 Jul 2013
'Under The Dome': Aisha Hinds And Samantha Mathis On Playing Interracial Lesbian Couple Carolyn And AliceEmotional Infidelity: A Surprising Issue In Lesbian RelationshipsElizabeth Banks Names Actresses She'd Want to Play Her Lesbian LoverFilm Review: ?Breaking the Girls?Rizzoli & Isles Goes Into Syndication Ensuring Fans Can Find Lesbian Subtext While Flipping ChannelsCollingwood footballer Heritier O?Brien objects to coach?s lesbian slurNew Doncaster theatre Cast unveils major gay and lesbian arts project
Business Spotlight: A Bedder Buy Discount Outlet
5058 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego CA 92115
619-287-2337
Se Habla Español: 619-428-2211
www.abedderbuy.com
ABedder Buy Discount Outlet is a family run business that has been at the same El Cajon Blvd. location for nineteen years. The owner of Bedder Buy has been in the furniture business for forty years and at Bedder Buy the staff just loves to help families find the furniture, beds and mattresses they want for their homes within their budgets.
Bedder Buy has a huge selection of furniture for the bedroom, like innerspring and memory foam mattresses, bedroom sets, futons, kid’s bedroom furniture, bunk beds, wall beds, storage beds and oak furniture - all at discount outlet prices. Brands like Simmons, Tempur-Pedic, Ashley and many more.
Bedder…
Read More
619-287-2337
Se Habla Español: 619-428-2211
www.abedderbuy.com
ABedder Buy Discount Outlet is a family run business that has been at the same El Cajon Blvd. location for nineteen years. The owner of Bedder Buy has been in the furniture business for forty years and at Bedder Buy the staff just loves to help families find the furniture, beds and mattresses they want for their homes within their budgets.
Bedder Buy has a huge selection of furniture for the bedroom, like innerspring and memory foam mattresses, bedroom sets, futons, kid’s bedroom furniture, bunk beds, wall beds, storage beds and oak furniture - all at discount outlet prices. Brands like Simmons, Tempur-Pedic, Ashley and many more.
Bedder…
Read More
Food for Thought
You’re kidding; there IS a pill for THAT?
As the government sets to begin reviews of new diet drugs, American obesity rates are nudging upwards in 28 states over the past year, a new report shows. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention reports that 68% of Americans are considered over weight or obese.
According to Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America’s Health, “Back in 1991, not that long ago, not a single state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. More than two-thirds of states now have adult obesity rates above 25 percent,”
There’s been a dramatic change in a relatively short period.
“Obesity is one of the biggest public health crises in the country,” Levi added. “Rising rates of obesity over past decades is one of the major fa…
Read More
As the government sets to begin reviews of new diet drugs, American obesity rates are nudging upwards in 28 states over the past year, a new report shows. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention reports that 68% of Americans are considered over weight or obese.
According to Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America’s Health, “Back in 1991, not that long ago, not a single state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. More than two-thirds of states now have adult obesity rates above 25 percent,”
There’s been a dramatic change in a relatively short period.
“Obesity is one of the biggest public health crises in the country,” Levi added. “Rising rates of obesity over past decades is one of the major fa…
Read More
TOO MANY WOMEN, TOO LITTLE TIME (DOUCHE BROS)
Los Angeles (03-01-13) - Douche Bros is a pilot comedy web series based on the battle of the sexes (Men vs. Women), featuring a fraternity of male lotharios who have rejected monogamy in favor of promiscuity and multiple partners. In the first webisode,
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Lucy Jane Bledsoe Coming to the NW
Get excited bibliophiles! Lucy Jane Bledsoe is coming to Portland, Seattle and Bellingham soon. If you're a lesbian and don't know Lucy Jane Bledsoe, you've been living under a rock or your idea of reading is scanning your friend's Facebook updates. Lucy is a prophetic writer who's written some real jewels, including Biting the Apple (which is sitting to the left of where I'm typing right now).If you live in or near these fabulous NW towns, go check out Lucy and her new book: The Big Bang Symphony.Wednesday, June 16, 7 pmTHIRD PLACE BOOKS -- Ravenna store6504 20th Ave. NESeattle, WA 98115206-525-2347Thursday, June 17, 7:30 pmPOWELL'S BOOKS -- Hawthorne store3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd.Portland, OR503-228-4651I love Powell's and I love Portland, my hometown. Come on out and say hi.Tuesday, June 22, 7:00 pmVILLAGE BOOKS1200 Eleventh StreetBellingham, WA 98225360-671-2626This reading with Carol Guess and Elizabeth Colen! Please come.
2 Men Found Guilty Under Cameroon's Anti-Gay Law
A lawyer says a court in Cameroon has found two men guilty under the African country's harsh law banning gay sex, the latest in a string of recent convictions.
DA to look into suicide of bullied teen Asher Brown
HOUSTON (AP) – Prosecutors said Friday they will look into what led to the suicide of a 13-year-old Houston boy whose parents say was relentlessly bullied at his middle school for two years because of his religion and sexual orientation.
Asher Brown’s parents, who claim school officials ignored their pleas for help, said they hope “justice will be served” by the investigation by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
“Once they find out what’s been hidden, we would want the people responsible to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Asher’s stepfather, David Truong.
Asher shot himself in the head with his stepfather’s handgun on Sept. 23 at his family’s home.
Truong sa…
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Asher Brown’s parents, who claim school officials ignored their pleas for help, said they hope “justice will be served” by the investigation by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
“Once they find out what’s been hidden, we would want the people responsible to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Asher’s stepfather, David Truong.
Asher shot himself in the head with his stepfather’s handgun on Sept. 23 at his family’s home.
Truong sa…
Read More
ADOPT ME! Take Muneca home!
Muneca is a black and tan Rottweiler mix weighing 70.2 pounds. She is 8 years old and has been spayed.
Why I'd make a great companion
I'm a fantastic companion seeking a family to cherish. I'm a mellow and easy-going companion, content just to feel loved. I'm a lovable companion seeking a special home where I'll be a cherished member of the family. With bright eyes and a precious face, I have a beautiful personality to match.
Type of home I'm looking for
Muneca is adorable! Will you take her home?
read more
Why I'd make a great companion
I'm a fantastic companion seeking a family to cherish. I'm a mellow and easy-going companion, content just to feel loved. I'm a lovable companion seeking a special home where I'll be a cherished member of the family. With bright eyes and a precious face, I have a beautiful personality to match.
Type of home I'm looking for
Muneca is adorable! Will you take her home?
read more
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!
Gay Parliamentarian Questions U.K. Wait for Marriage Equality
Chris Bryant, an openly gay member of Parliament, questioned the one-year delay of marriage equality in England and Wales, and a U.K. official responded.
read more
read more
Conversations with Nicole
In past columns in the last few years I have written about the issue of Bullying in our schools many times…I hope and pray that now all Americans….especially our community has awoken to this crisis. In one of my past columns I wrote that if “only1/4” of the energy, money, time that has been spent on Marriage Equality and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was focused on GLBT suicides and bullying this issue would have gotten further…we must make our GLBT youth/students who are coming out every day at younger ages our community’s No. 1 PRIORITY!
Take a stand against School Bullying: October 17
San Diegans will be coming together on Sunday, October 17 to take a united stand against all bullying…this …
Read More
Take a stand against School Bullying: October 17
San Diegans will be coming together on Sunday, October 17 to take a united stand against all bullying…this …
Read More
Monday, July 22, 2013
(20A) Ass Angst and Hill On the Hill (1hr)
Fellow Podcast – Swannie of Goddess Radio Interviews Zsussana Budapest author of The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries http://www.GoddessRadio.podomatic.com
Everyday Racism: In the aftermath of Trayvon Martin's death and George Zimmerman's trial, we need to see racism for what it really is
Opinion: Since Saturday, when George Zimmerman was found ''not guilty'' of murder or manslaughter for killing Trayvon Martin, there has been outrage from the African-American community. But this racially charged trial has sparked a heated conversation between races, from angry blacks who feel justice wasn't served to whites who want African-Americans to stop ''pulling the race card.'' Privilege is a dynamic force with harmful consequences. The societal power of men, heterosexuals, adults, able-bodied individuals – and yes, whites -- has internalized privilege for too many, and inflicted harm on those minorities without it. AJ King ... (more)
Families are Forever - The journey of a Mormon Family to Accept their Gay Son
This movie trailer brought tears to my eyes. Imagine being brought up Mormon, and 13, knowing your church rejects you - and your family might also - thoughts turn to suicide. WATCHFamilies are Forever which premieres at Frameline 37: the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival on Saturday, June 22, 2013 chronicles the journey of a devout Mormon family living in a conservative community who attended Church every Sunday,
actively served in their ward, went door-to-door to stop same-sex
marriage in support of California?s Prop 8 and whose lives were turned
upside down when their 13-year-old son admitted he was gay.
On the cusp of becoming an Eagle Scout, 13-year-old Jordan hid his
sexual orientation for fear of rejection by his family and Church like
many adolescents from socially and religiously conservative families who
are told they?re ?confused? or that ?It?s just a phase.? Like other
LGBT Mormon children and adolescents he daily walked past yellow Prop 8
yard signs and internalized painful messages that reinforced feelings of
isolation and despair as he began to realize that his family was
rejecting people like him.
Called ?riveting? by the Salt Lake Tribune, Families are Forever is a
powerhouse addition to the Family Acceptance Project?s inspiring family
education video series that is helping prevent suicide, HIV,
homelessness and other serious health risks by increasing family support
for LGBT youth ? in the context of family, culture and faith
backgrounds. This new video adds to critical research-based educational
materials the Family Acceptance Project is producing for families with
LGBT children, including the first ?Best Practice? resources for suicide
prevention for LGBT youth and young adults and the first for LGBT
Mormons in the Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention.
As with other family education materials and videos from the Family
Acceptance Project ? an acclaimed research, education and family
intervention initiative at SF State University that helps diverse
families to support their LGBT children ? Families are Forever is part
of a planned series of short documentaries that show the journey of
ethnically and religiously diverse families from struggle to support of
their LGBT children to give LGBT youth and families hope and to show how
diverse families learn to support their LGBT children. A collaboration
between Peabody award-winning documentary filmmaker, Vivian Kleiman, and
award-winning clinical social worker, Caitlin Ryan, these documentaries
are changing lives and building healthy futures for LGBT children and
adolescents.
?Many LGBT youth and families have never seen acceptance and support
expressed by parents and caregivers for their LGBT children.? said Dr.
Caitlin Ryan, Director of the Family Acceptance Project. ?Our videos
show individual stories of family acceptance that speak to families from
a wide range of backgrounds and help them understand that how they
respond to their LGBT children has a powerful impact on their health,
mental health and survival.?
Mitch Mayne, an openly gay Mormon religious leader in the San Francisco
Bay Ward of the Mormon Church knows this firsthand: ?Religiously
conservative families have little access to accurate information and
many believe they have to choose between their child and their faith. A
cornerstone of the Family Acceptance Project?s work is to integrate
research, culture and faith to inspire and educate diverse and very
conservative families on how to love their LGBT children. This video
will literally save lives.?
Families are Forever screens at the Victoria Theatre in a documentary shorts program at 3:30 pm. More information about the film at Frameline is available at:
http://ticketing.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2841&fid=50
actively served in their ward, went door-to-door to stop same-sex
marriage in support of California?s Prop 8 and whose lives were turned
upside down when their 13-year-old son admitted he was gay.
On the cusp of becoming an Eagle Scout, 13-year-old Jordan hid his
sexual orientation for fear of rejection by his family and Church like
many adolescents from socially and religiously conservative families who
are told they?re ?confused? or that ?It?s just a phase.? Like other
LGBT Mormon children and adolescents he daily walked past yellow Prop 8
yard signs and internalized painful messages that reinforced feelings of
isolation and despair as he began to realize that his family was
rejecting people like him.
Called ?riveting? by the Salt Lake Tribune, Families are Forever is a
powerhouse addition to the Family Acceptance Project?s inspiring family
education video series that is helping prevent suicide, HIV,
homelessness and other serious health risks by increasing family support
for LGBT youth ? in the context of family, culture and faith
backgrounds. This new video adds to critical research-based educational
materials the Family Acceptance Project is producing for families with
LGBT children, including the first ?Best Practice? resources for suicide
prevention for LGBT youth and young adults and the first for LGBT
Mormons in the Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention.
As with other family education materials and videos from the Family
Acceptance Project ? an acclaimed research, education and family
intervention initiative at SF State University that helps diverse
families to support their LGBT children ? Families are Forever is part
of a planned series of short documentaries that show the journey of
ethnically and religiously diverse families from struggle to support of
their LGBT children to give LGBT youth and families hope and to show how
diverse families learn to support their LGBT children. A collaboration
between Peabody award-winning documentary filmmaker, Vivian Kleiman, and
award-winning clinical social worker, Caitlin Ryan, these documentaries
are changing lives and building healthy futures for LGBT children and
adolescents.
?Many LGBT youth and families have never seen acceptance and support
expressed by parents and caregivers for their LGBT children.? said Dr.
Caitlin Ryan, Director of the Family Acceptance Project. ?Our videos
show individual stories of family acceptance that speak to families from
a wide range of backgrounds and help them understand that how they
respond to their LGBT children has a powerful impact on their health,
mental health and survival.?
Mitch Mayne, an openly gay Mormon religious leader in the San Francisco
Bay Ward of the Mormon Church knows this firsthand: ?Religiously
conservative families have little access to accurate information and
many believe they have to choose between their child and their faith. A
cornerstone of the Family Acceptance Project?s work is to integrate
research, culture and faith to inspire and educate diverse and very
conservative families on how to love their LGBT children. This video
will literally save lives.?
Families are Forever screens at the Victoria Theatre in a documentary shorts program at 3:30 pm. More information about the film at Frameline is available at:
http://ticketing.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2841&fid=50
Seattle mayoral candidate appears with partner in campaign ad
In a new advertisement for his campaign to become mayor of Seattle, Washington state Sen. -More-
YouTube Celebrates Gay Pride - Show YOUR Pride!
At YouTube, we believe that everyone has the right to love and be loved.
We strive to make YouTube a place where all communities can feel proud
to express themselves and connect through video. That's why we're proud
to stand with the LGBT community and support equal rights and marriage
equality for all.JOIN IN: Who, what, or why are you #ProudToLove? Upload a video or share a post with #ProudToLove in the title so others can find it.SUBSCRIBE: http://yt.be/spotlight/subscribeSHOW YOUR PRIDE VIDEO
We strive to make YouTube a place where all communities can feel proud
to express themselves and connect through video. That's why we're proud
to stand with the LGBT community and support equal rights and marriage
equality for all.JOIN IN: Who, what, or why are you #ProudToLove? Upload a video or share a post with #ProudToLove in the title so others can find it.SUBSCRIBE: http://yt.be/spotlight/subscribeSHOW YOUR PRIDE VIDEO
Gossiping with Moe
Understanding the vision of Moe Girton: Manager and Bartender at Gossip Grill
Moe Girton is one of San Diego’s favorite bartenders and is now also manager at Gossip Grill. She and her staff have worked hard to create a place that lesbians and just about everyone else love to go. They have some of the fairest drinks prices in town along with a friendly staff of very diverse girls and guys. Moe and Gossip have given San Diego lesbians a place again, that was much needed. After the closing of other lesbian bars there was a dry spell in San Diego. For a lot of lesbians a gay bar holding a lesbian night could not replace a real seven days a week place that was lesbian oriented. Thankfully that has all changed and Gossip Grill along with Moe have paved the way for a place for lesbians and their friends to go have a drink, socialize, h…
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Moe Girton is one of San Diego’s favorite bartenders and is now also manager at Gossip Grill. She and her staff have worked hard to create a place that lesbians and just about everyone else love to go. They have some of the fairest drinks prices in town along with a friendly staff of very diverse girls and guys. Moe and Gossip have given San Diego lesbians a place again, that was much needed. After the closing of other lesbian bars there was a dry spell in San Diego. For a lot of lesbians a gay bar holding a lesbian night could not replace a real seven days a week place that was lesbian oriented. Thankfully that has all changed and Gossip Grill along with Moe have paved the way for a place for lesbians and their friends to go have a drink, socialize, h…
Read More
Seeing Trayvon: Overcoming the blindness of prejudice requires reaching across our contentious diversity
Opinion: The man who stalked and killed Trayvon Martin is cleared of all charges, and a flood of disbelief and outrage pours across my computer screen: "My sense of justice is shattered." "Florida is overtaking California in the race for 'Best State to Kill Someone and Get Away With It.'" "Michael Vick got more punishment for killing a dog." All I can see is Tracy Martin weeping over his lost son. You cannot deny people justice, make it clear that their lives are worth less, and then command their respect. This country is not an anthem or a public-relations campaign. It is a living thing, and has been wounded by the acquittal of another in a long string of killers of unarmed black men and youth. We have much work to do to create our country. I am ashamed of the one I see. A friend asks, "What do we tell our children?" We tell them to strive to leave this country more just than they found it. We give them the history to inform them and the tools to carry on the struggle. ... (more)
Lesbian News - 22 Jul 2013
Lesbian lawmaker running for Maryland governorLiz Carmouche to Fight Jessica Andrade in UFC's First Lesbian Cage Match (???)Rainbow flag to take pride of place in gay and lesbian celebration Brisbane Pride FestivalLesbian couple struggles with how to register baby with two biological mums
Sunday, July 21, 2013
(14) Halloween Swinging! (1hr)
Questionable prank; Alix Olson?s, ?Cute For a Girl;? Lale complains about the prank, Some talk about swingers, Brit catches one of Tila Tequila’s TV suitors out at the local Halloween party, Loa sings ABBA and inhales second hand maryjane, Shelzy apparently wears too much costume at her local Halloween party
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
Op-ed: Finding Role Models for My Trans 5-Year-Old
It's a different, better world for young transgender kids.
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Does the party ever stop?
An interview with Nick Lewis, bartender at various San Diego bars
Nick Lewis is a bartender for several Lesbian nights that are hosted across San Diego. Nick is from Boston and if you ever order a drink from her you will know right away because her charming Boston accent is a dead give away. Nick is a fan of Softball and Ice Hockey and her favorite team is North Eastern University. Along with working the wild San Diego nightlife, Nick is a huge fan of comfy clothes, movies or a good book. Nick has given us the opportunity to ask her a few questions about herself and her job.
GLT: What is your favorite part of the night at Bourbon Street?
NL: Well I think it’s only fair I give all my bars some credit LOL. Rich’s: every time the girls get on the bar. Brass Rail: every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month I love beca…
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Nick Lewis is a bartender for several Lesbian nights that are hosted across San Diego. Nick is from Boston and if you ever order a drink from her you will know right away because her charming Boston accent is a dead give away. Nick is a fan of Softball and Ice Hockey and her favorite team is North Eastern University. Along with working the wild San Diego nightlife, Nick is a huge fan of comfy clothes, movies or a good book. Nick has given us the opportunity to ask her a few questions about herself and her job.
GLT: What is your favorite part of the night at Bourbon Street?
NL: Well I think it’s only fair I give all my bars some credit LOL. Rich’s: every time the girls get on the bar. Brass Rail: every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month I love beca…
Read More
(39) Tatooed Atom Smashers & 13 Bisexual Lesbotrons
Vladimir is Displeased w/the Bing Bang, Aries Discrimination, Lesbian Mafia Tattoos, Sex Addiction, *Guest *Heide* (formerly of Chaos Radio) and Her Dream Life, Houseboy Slaves, Dominatrixes Make Strange Lovers, 13 Types of Bisexuality – Which One Are You? *Guest: *Reap* of Pulse Talk Radio�talks Black Holes & San Fran … Lesbian Mafia Apparel: http://thelesbianmafia.spreadshirt.com Voice [...]
Zayn Malik Shirtless Again
Yet another photo of Zayn Malik Shirtless. People keep asking me for them...
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Out gay actors in Emmy-nomination mix
Out actors Jane Lynch and Jim Parsons are among those who received nominations for the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, according to TheWrap.com.
California City Ousts LGBT Pride Month, Arrests Protestors
The city council of Porterville, Calif., voted to rescind its mayor's recent proclamation that declared June LGBT Pride Month.
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HRC Gives Top Marks to Area Health Care Providers: Washington-area medical centers make the list of LGBT-friendly facilities on 2013 Healthcare Equality Index
News:
Washington-area hospitals and medical centers are at the forefront providing LGBT-competent patient service and care, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation's 2013 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), released this month.
The HEI, which surveyed 309 different hospitals, community health centers or veterans' medical centers, representing a total of 718 individual health care facilities, shows that American hospitals and clinics are increasingly adopting or wish to adopt and implement practices or policies that provide equal treatment for LGBT patients.
In 2012, only one veterans' care center participated in the HEI. This year, 121 veterans' care centers participated.
''The country's healthcare facilities are leading figures in our nation's movement toward full equality and inclusion for LGBT Americans,'' HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement announcing the release of the 2013 HEI. ''The Department of Veterans Affairs' participation in the HEI is another example of President Obama's unwavering commitment to those who put their lives on the line for the country they love, regardless of who they love.''
While sexual orientation has often been included in patient and employment nondiscrimination policies going back to 2010, there has been a significant increase in facilities adopting such policies with regard to gender identity. In 2010, less than a third of surveyed facilities had gender-identity-inclusive policies, compared to more than 85 percent in 2013.
The HEI, funded in part by grants from Pfizer Inc. and PhRMA, scores respondents on four core areas: patient nondiscrimination policies; explicitly LGBT-inclusive visitation policies, and clearly communicating those policies; employment nondiscrimination policies; and whether a facility provides training in LGBT-sensitive care.
Locally, 16 respondents, representing 24 different facilities, earned a ''leader'' designation, meaning they complied fully with all criteria.
In the District, MedStar National Rehabilitation Network, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Georgetown Medical Center, Hadley Specialty Hospital of Washington, the Veterans' Affairs Washington D.C. Medical Center and Whitman-Walker Health earned the distinction.
D.C.'s George Washington University, Howard University and Sibley Memorial Hospitals did not participate in the 2013 HEI. According to their responses from the 2012 HEI, they would have met all criteria except the requirement related to communicating their LGBT-inclusive visitation policies.
United Medical Center also fell short of that communication requirement, and was unable to provide documentation proving its employment-nondiscrimination policy includes gender identity. Providence Hospital's employment-nondiscrimination policy does not include gender identity, nor does the hospital provide LGBT-culturally sensitive training for staff members.
In Maryland, eight facilities were named leaders: Baltimore-based Chase Brexton, Bon Secours, Johns Hopkins Hospitals, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, Veterans' Affairs Baltimore Medical Center, Northwest Hospital Center of Randallstown, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital of Rockville, and Washington Adventist Hospital of Takoma Park.
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore lacks an explicit LGBT-inclusive visitation policy. The University of Maryland Medical Center lacks a patient nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity and does not provide LGBT-patient-centered care training. Greater Baltimore Medical Center lacks all criteria except for an employment nondiscrimination policy that includes only sexual orientation, but not gender identity.
In Virginia, all 10 hospitals that took part in the 2013 HEI were named leaders, including the Veterans Affair's Hampton Medical Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center in Richmond and Salem Medical Center. The other seven Virginia facilities are run by Bon Secours Health System: Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, St. Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, Richmond Community Hospital, and St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond.
''No one should have to worry about receiving discriminatory healthcare,'' Griffin said in a statement. ''We're very pleased to offer hospitals and clinics a comprehensive resource for equitable care, and we celebrate all of those who used the HEI 2013 to welcome LGBT patients, employees and families.'' ...more
Washington-area hospitals and medical centers are at the forefront providing LGBT-competent patient service and care, according to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation's 2013 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), released this month.
The HEI, which surveyed 309 different hospitals, community health centers or veterans' medical centers, representing a total of 718 individual health care facilities, shows that American hospitals and clinics are increasingly adopting or wish to adopt and implement practices or policies that provide equal treatment for LGBT patients.
In 2012, only one veterans' care center participated in the HEI. This year, 121 veterans' care centers participated.
''The country's healthcare facilities are leading figures in our nation's movement toward full equality and inclusion for LGBT Americans,'' HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement announcing the release of the 2013 HEI. ''The Department of Veterans Affairs' participation in the HEI is another example of President Obama's unwavering commitment to those who put their lives on the line for the country they love, regardless of who they love.''
While sexual orientation has often been included in patient and employment nondiscrimination policies going back to 2010, there has been a significant increase in facilities adopting such policies with regard to gender identity. In 2010, less than a third of surveyed facilities had gender-identity-inclusive policies, compared to more than 85 percent in 2013.
The HEI, funded in part by grants from Pfizer Inc. and PhRMA, scores respondents on four core areas: patient nondiscrimination policies; explicitly LGBT-inclusive visitation policies, and clearly communicating those policies; employment nondiscrimination policies; and whether a facility provides training in LGBT-sensitive care.
Locally, 16 respondents, representing 24 different facilities, earned a ''leader'' designation, meaning they complied fully with all criteria.
In the District, MedStar National Rehabilitation Network, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Georgetown Medical Center, Hadley Specialty Hospital of Washington, the Veterans' Affairs Washington D.C. Medical Center and Whitman-Walker Health earned the distinction.
D.C.'s George Washington University, Howard University and Sibley Memorial Hospitals did not participate in the 2013 HEI. According to their responses from the 2012 HEI, they would have met all criteria except the requirement related to communicating their LGBT-inclusive visitation policies.
United Medical Center also fell short of that communication requirement, and was unable to provide documentation proving its employment-nondiscrimination policy includes gender identity. Providence Hospital's employment-nondiscrimination policy does not include gender identity, nor does the hospital provide LGBT-culturally sensitive training for staff members.
In Maryland, eight facilities were named leaders: Baltimore-based Chase Brexton, Bon Secours, Johns Hopkins Hospitals, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, Veterans' Affairs Baltimore Medical Center, Northwest Hospital Center of Randallstown, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital of Rockville, and Washington Adventist Hospital of Takoma Park.
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore lacks an explicit LGBT-inclusive visitation policy. The University of Maryland Medical Center lacks a patient nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity and does not provide LGBT-patient-centered care training. Greater Baltimore Medical Center lacks all criteria except for an employment nondiscrimination policy that includes only sexual orientation, but not gender identity.
In Virginia, all 10 hospitals that took part in the 2013 HEI were named leaders, including the Veterans Affair's Hampton Medical Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center in Richmond and Salem Medical Center. The other seven Virginia facilities are run by Bon Secours Health System: Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, St. Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News, DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, Richmond Community Hospital, and St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond.
''No one should have to worry about receiving discriminatory healthcare,'' Griffin said in a statement. ''We're very pleased to offer hospitals and clinics a comprehensive resource for equitable care, and we celebrate all of those who used the HEI 2013 to welcome LGBT patients, employees and families.'' ...more
Comments from the Web
Dear Editor,
In honor of National Coming Out Day (October 11, 2010), we at Affirmations would like to take a moment to reflect on the continuous benefits to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) brought about since Michigan’s recently passed smoke free law has been implemented.
During the coming out process, many people seek to connect with the LGBT community for support, encouragement, networking and socializing. It is wonderful for the LGBT community to now socialize and connect at bars and restaurants in Michigan without facing the dangers of second hand smoke.
Historically, statistics have shown that the LGBT community is 50% more likely to start and/or continue smoking compared to its straight counterpart. We are hopeful …
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In honor of National Coming Out Day (October 11, 2010), we at Affirmations would like to take a moment to reflect on the continuous benefits to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) brought about since Michigan’s recently passed smoke free law has been implemented.
During the coming out process, many people seek to connect with the LGBT community for support, encouragement, networking and socializing. It is wonderful for the LGBT community to now socialize and connect at bars and restaurants in Michigan without facing the dangers of second hand smoke.
Historically, statistics have shown that the LGBT community is 50% more likely to start and/or continue smoking compared to its straight counterpart. We are hopeful …
Read More
Cuccinelli Launches New Site to Support Sodomy Law
Cuccinelli's site takes the angle that the antisodomy law must stay in tact to protect children.
read more
read more
International Olympic Committee warns Russia over new anti-LGBT law
In the wake of a legal crackdown on LGBT advocacy in Russia, the International Olympic Committee in a statement this week sai -More-
We Must Change the Culture of Violence Against Women in the Military
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terry-oneill/we-must-change-the-cultur_b_3239408.htmlFor women, the military can be a dangerous environment -- and I'm not just talking about combat. The Pentagon released chilling data this week that concludes there were an estimated 26,000 cases of sexual assault in the military last year, up from 19,000 in 2010. But only a small fraction of those assaults were reported -- 3,374 in 2012 compared with 3,192 in 2011. And of those few, only 238 assailants were convicted.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Can Gay Marriage in New York Help Fight AIDS?
When same-sex relationships are valued, gay men will be less likely to engage in risky behaviorAn HIV positive writer at New York Daily News said, "Research has already demonstrated that to curtail ongoing new HIV
infections, we must effectively merge behavioral and biomedical
approaches with changes in laws and policies that improve the lives of
gay men. Marriage equality is surely one such structural change that
will help us combat this disease.
With the overturning of DOMA, gay people can, more than ever, be truly
seen as equal and valued by others. Consequently, we will also see more
value in ourselves ? something we do not talk about enough in the larger
LGBT community, but is a reality we must acknowledge in fighting HIV."Read more: By Perry Halkitis
infections, we must effectively merge behavioral and biomedical
approaches with changes in laws and policies that improve the lives of
gay men. Marriage equality is surely one such structural change that
will help us combat this disease.
With the overturning of DOMA, gay people can, more than ever, be truly
seen as equal and valued by others. Consequently, we will also see more
value in ourselves ? something we do not talk about enough in the larger
LGBT community, but is a reality we must acknowledge in fighting HIV."Read more: By Perry Halkitis
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