Sunday, November 30, 2014
Who publishes lesbian erotic fiction?
From a first-time writer of lesbian erotic fiction: who publishes in this genre/where amongst them could a first-timer begin to seek publication? Any relevant advice greatly appreciated!
Tijuana to make history with opening of first LGBT center
TIJUANA, Baja California, Mexico ? History is in the making in Tijuana next month when the bustling city south of the border opens its first-ever LGBT center.
History is in the making in Tijuana next month when the bustling city south of the border opens its first-ever LGBT center.
read more
History is in the making in Tijuana next month when the bustling city south of the border opens its first-ever LGBT center.
read more
Irene Monroe: Remembering Two-Spirits this Thanksgiving
As I prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I am reminded of the autumnal harvest time's spiritual significance. As a time of connectedness, I pause to acknowledge what I have to be thankful for. But I also reflect on the holiday as a time of remembrance - historical and familial.
At Thanksgiving, I am also reminded of my Two-Spirit Native American brothers and sisters who struggle with their families and tribes not approving of their sexual identities and gender expressions as many of us do with our families and faith communities.
read more
At Thanksgiving, I am also reminded of my Two-Spirit Native American brothers and sisters who struggle with their families and tribes not approving of their sexual identities and gender expressions as many of us do with our families and faith communities.
read more
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
LETTERS Immigration reaction
On Nov. 20, President Obama announced that he would seek executive action to protect some undocumented immigrants, in light of the House of Representatives' inaction regarding comprehensive immigration reform.
Stonewall Awards London - 2010
The fifth Stonewall Awards, hosted by Sue Perkins, were held last night at London's V&A and attended by 450 people including celebrities, politicians, sportspeople and writers. The event celebrates those who have made a positive impact on the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain in the last year.
Chris Grayling Bigot Of The Year
Bigot Of The Year
Former shadow home secretary Chris Grayling was named ?Bigot of the Year?.
Tory MP Mr Grayling, who was secretly recorded in May saying that bed and breakfasts should have the right to bar gay couples.
Gareth Thomas, Hero Of The Year
Gareth Thomas, Hero Of The Year
Gareth Thomas, who became the first out gay professional rugby player last December, was named ?Hero of the Year?. He attended the London ceremony with his parents. Some audience members were in tears as he spoke after accepting the award. Mr Thomas said: ?I don?t really know what denotes a hero. I?m just myself. But when you live in a world that tries to make different a wrong thing, to me, being a hero is just being honest. He added: ?To be a hero, you have to follow in a hero?s footsteps. And there?s people here tonight who?ve been my heroes all my life and will be forever ? that?s my mother and father.?
Stella Duffy, joint winner of ?Writer of the Year?
Stella Duffy, joint winner of ?Writer of the Year?
Stella Duffy for Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore
Rupert Smith joint winner of ?Writer of the Year?
Rupert Smith joint winner of ?Writer of the Year?
Rupert Smith author of MANS WORLD, which is also shortlisted for the inaugral Creen Carnation prize.
Patrick Strudwick, ?Journalist of the Year?
Patrick Strudwick, ?Journalist of the Year?
Gay British journalist Patrick Strudwick spent several months investigating gay-to-straight conversion therapy, undergoing "treatment" from two psychotherapists who made no secret of their view that homosexuality was far from natural, but rather a composite of "mental illness, addiction and anti-religious phenomenon". Mr Strudwick, said: ?I am dedicating this award to all the victims of hate around the world who have told me their stories. Their strength and dignity spurred me on.?
He also thanked the thousands of people who added their support to his campaign to stamp out the controversial therapy.
John Partridge, Entertainer of the Year
John Partridge, Entertainer of the Year
EastEnders actor John Partidge won the ?Entertainer of the Year? award for his gay storyline in the soap. He paid tribute to screenwriter Dominic Treadwell-Collins for managing to ?tell a gay story at 7.30 in the evening?.
Martina Navratilova, Sports Person Of The Year
Martina Navratilova, Sports Person Of The Year
Martina Navratilova won huge applause when she was given the sports award. The tennis star is currently in Colorado training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and pre-recorded a message of thanks.
John Bercow, Politician of the Year
John Bercow, Politician of the Year
Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow was named ?Politician of the Year?. The MP, whose wife Sally recently completed a charity parachute jump for Stonewall, praised Mr Summerskill for his ?truly inspirational leadership?.
The Times, ?Publication of the Year?
The Times, ?Publication of the Year?
The Times won the award for ?Publication of the Year?
Coronation Street, Broadcast of the Year
Coronation Street, Broadcast of the Year
Corrie which broadcast its first lesbian storyline and first lesbian kiss this year, won the award for ?Broadcast of the Year?.
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Chris Grayling Bigot Of The Year
Bigot Of The Year
Former shadow home secretary Chris Grayling was named ?Bigot of the Year?.
Tory MP Mr Grayling, who was secretly recorded in May saying that bed and breakfasts should have the right to bar gay couples.
Gareth Thomas, Hero Of The Year
Gareth Thomas, Hero Of The Year
Gareth Thomas, who became the first out gay professional rugby player last December, was named ?Hero of the Year?. He attended the London ceremony with his parents. Some audience members were in tears as he spoke after accepting the award. Mr Thomas said: ?I don?t really know what denotes a hero. I?m just myself. But when you live in a world that tries to make different a wrong thing, to me, being a hero is just being honest. He added: ?To be a hero, you have to follow in a hero?s footsteps. And there?s people here tonight who?ve been my heroes all my life and will be forever ? that?s my mother and father.?
Stella Duffy, joint winner of ?Writer of the Year?
Stella Duffy, joint winner of ?Writer of the Year?
Stella Duffy for Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore
Rupert Smith joint winner of ?Writer of the Year?
Rupert Smith joint winner of ?Writer of the Year?
Rupert Smith author of MANS WORLD, which is also shortlisted for the inaugral Creen Carnation prize.
Patrick Strudwick, ?Journalist of the Year?
Patrick Strudwick, ?Journalist of the Year?
Gay British journalist Patrick Strudwick spent several months investigating gay-to-straight conversion therapy, undergoing "treatment" from two psychotherapists who made no secret of their view that homosexuality was far from natural, but rather a composite of "mental illness, addiction and anti-religious phenomenon". Mr Strudwick, said: ?I am dedicating this award to all the victims of hate around the world who have told me their stories. Their strength and dignity spurred me on.?
He also thanked the thousands of people who added their support to his campaign to stamp out the controversial therapy.
John Partridge, Entertainer of the Year
John Partridge, Entertainer of the Year
EastEnders actor John Partidge won the ?Entertainer of the Year? award for his gay storyline in the soap. He paid tribute to screenwriter Dominic Treadwell-Collins for managing to ?tell a gay story at 7.30 in the evening?.
Martina Navratilova, Sports Person Of The Year
Martina Navratilova, Sports Person Of The Year
Martina Navratilova won huge applause when she was given the sports award. The tennis star is currently in Colorado training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and pre-recorded a message of thanks.
John Bercow, Politician of the Year
John Bercow, Politician of the Year
Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow was named ?Politician of the Year?. The MP, whose wife Sally recently completed a charity parachute jump for Stonewall, praised Mr Summerskill for his ?truly inspirational leadership?.
The Times, ?Publication of the Year?
The Times, ?Publication of the Year?
The Times won the award for ?Publication of the Year?
Coronation Street, Broadcast of the Year
Coronation Street, Broadcast of the Year
Corrie which broadcast its first lesbian storyline and first lesbian kiss this year, won the award for ?Broadcast of the Year?.
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Photos: Matthew Shepard's parents advocating in Russia for LGBT equality
Matthew Shepard's parents, Judy and Dennis brought the new documentary,�Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine, to Russia to participate in the�Side by Side LGBT International Film Festival. GLAAD has photos of the photos, provided by the Side by Side festival. Check out our earlier interview with Judy and Dennis here.
The festival seeks to establish a supportive environment where LGBT people are able to affirm and extend their identities. Last year, GLAAD worked with the festival to bring Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen, and Gus Van Sant and their film, MILK, to the festival. GLAAD also honored Side by Side director, Manny de Guerre, with the International Advocate for Change Award at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.�
Photos from the St. Petersburg Side by Side LGBT Film Festival by photographer Yulia Zhivolupova.
Photos from the St. Petersburg Side by Side LGBT Film Festival by photographer Roman Melnik.
As they shared with GLAAD before they left, Judy and Dennis were also able to speak to parents of LGBT people in Moscow after the film festival. Moscow photos by�Yulia Maligina.
�
The photos are available for use, with credit given to the photographers.�
November 26, 2014
Issues:
News,
Family
Tags:
Global Voices,
Matthew Shepard,
Matthew Shepard is a Friend of Mine,
Judy Shepard,
Dennis Shepard,
Russia
The festival seeks to establish a supportive environment where LGBT people are able to affirm and extend their identities. Last year, GLAAD worked with the festival to bring Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen, and Gus Van Sant and their film, MILK, to the festival. GLAAD also honored Side by Side director, Manny de Guerre, with the International Advocate for Change Award at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.�
Photos from the St. Petersburg Side by Side LGBT Film Festival by photographer Yulia Zhivolupova.
Photos from the St. Petersburg Side by Side LGBT Film Festival by photographer Roman Melnik.
As they shared with GLAAD before they left, Judy and Dennis were also able to speak to parents of LGBT people in Moscow after the film festival. Moscow photos by�Yulia Maligina.
�
The photos are available for use, with credit given to the photographers.�
November 26, 2014
Issues:
News,
Family
Tags:
Global Voices,
Matthew Shepard,
Matthew Shepard is a Friend of Mine,
Judy Shepard,
Dennis Shepard,
Russia
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Book Excerpt: Richard Blanco's First 'San Giving'
The first out inaugural poet shares a childhood memory of a Thanksgiving Day with a Cuban twist in his new memoir, The Prince of Los Cocuyos.
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ACLU revises gay marriage suit to raise new claims
The American Civil Liberties Union has revised its lawsuit over gay marriage in Kansas to raise new claims that the state is refusing to recognize the unions performed in Kansas and other states. Their amended complaint, filed Wednesday, seeks to force the state to recognize same-sex marriages for spousal health insurance benefits, tax filing purposes and driver's license name changes.
Center Stage
Powerful Steps
On Sunday, Sept. 26, our community will come together in a hopeful, beautiful and powerful display of commitment and compassion – AIDS Walk & Run San Diego.
Each year for the last 21 years, our community has worked together to ensure the success of the event and make certain that urgently needed funds are raised for our local HIV/AIDS service organizations.
AIDS Walk continues to be a vitally important source of support for San Diegans impacted by HIV/AIDS. And it happens each year because so many people are willing to help and to give in whatever ways they are able.
On the morning of AIDS Walk, you’ll see the best of San Diego. A diverse lineup of people all committed to supporting people living with HIV/AIDS and who share a common dream …
Read More
On Sunday, Sept. 26, our community will come together in a hopeful, beautiful and powerful display of commitment and compassion – AIDS Walk & Run San Diego.
Each year for the last 21 years, our community has worked together to ensure the success of the event and make certain that urgently needed funds are raised for our local HIV/AIDS service organizations.
AIDS Walk continues to be a vitally important source of support for San Diegans impacted by HIV/AIDS. And it happens each year because so many people are willing to help and to give in whatever ways they are able.
On the morning of AIDS Walk, you’ll see the best of San Diego. A diverse lineup of people all committed to supporting people living with HIV/AIDS and who share a common dream …
Read More
Portland Pride This Weekend
Boy do I wish I was going to be in Portland this weekend!Two of my favorite performers are singing or strutting their stuff on the Community Stage for the Portland Pride 2010.First up: Christine Havrilla plays at 3pm on Saturday. Right after: Bang Bang Betty's Big Beautiful Bombshells (which includes our Executive Editor from Curve, Diane Anderson-Minshall) at 4:30.Portland Peeps: get your pride on this weekend and go check out these fantabulous performances!Be sure to check out the full lineup of great performers coming to Portland Pride this weekend. It's quite the talent draw: http://www.pridenw.org/* Kina Williams Photography for Bang Bang Betty
A look at one of many #TDOR events around the country
This evening, as part of the sixteenth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, nationwide memorials will be held to honor those whose lives were lost to acts of anti-transgender violence. According to the Transgender Violence Tracking Portal, over 268 murders of transgender and gender non-conforming people have been reported in the past year alone, and a majority of the victims are transgender women of color.
One such event will take place in Winona, Minnesota this evening. The vigil will include a candle-lighting, reading of victims' names, and remarks from JamieAnn Meyers, a trans advocate and activist who works with Minnesotans in secular and faith communities. Today, she published a piece on Huffington Post regarding the importance of today's events:
"The transgender and gender non-conforming people who were murdered this year stand as a stark reminder of the fear and hatred of trans people that still exists in many parts of our global society. This fear and hatred fills the hearts of those who cannot accept or understand that each person has the right to live in their true gender identity, as their true selves."
JamieAnn also cites GLAAD's Transgender Media and Education Program as a call to action, referencing that less than 10 percent of Americans say they know a trans person, while 90 percent say they know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. By celebrating trans folks as a resilient people in addition to remembering lives lost, JamieAnn sees today as an opportunity to "end the vicious cycle of murders and suicides of transgender and gender-nonconforming people" by encouraging allies to interrupt hurtful language and transphobic actions, joining together for understanding to end ignorance and fear, and "working together for justice so that every person is respected and accepted without regard to the differences that too often separate us."
To participate in a memorial near you, check this list of international #TDOR events by location.
�
November 20, 2014
Issues:
Transgender
Tags:
#TDOR,
Transgender Day of Remembrance,
Minnesota,
JamieAnn Meyers
One such event will take place in Winona, Minnesota this evening. The vigil will include a candle-lighting, reading of victims' names, and remarks from JamieAnn Meyers, a trans advocate and activist who works with Minnesotans in secular and faith communities. Today, she published a piece on Huffington Post regarding the importance of today's events:
"The transgender and gender non-conforming people who were murdered this year stand as a stark reminder of the fear and hatred of trans people that still exists in many parts of our global society. This fear and hatred fills the hearts of those who cannot accept or understand that each person has the right to live in their true gender identity, as their true selves."
JamieAnn also cites GLAAD's Transgender Media and Education Program as a call to action, referencing that less than 10 percent of Americans say they know a trans person, while 90 percent say they know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. By celebrating trans folks as a resilient people in addition to remembering lives lost, JamieAnn sees today as an opportunity to "end the vicious cycle of murders and suicides of transgender and gender-nonconforming people" by encouraging allies to interrupt hurtful language and transphobic actions, joining together for understanding to end ignorance and fear, and "working together for justice so that every person is respected and accepted without regard to the differences that too often separate us."
To participate in a memorial near you, check this list of international #TDOR events by location.
�
November 20, 2014
Issues:
Transgender
Tags:
#TDOR,
Transgender Day of Remembrance,
Minnesota,
JamieAnn Meyers
Trans Man's Speech Dedicated to Trans Women of Color
Trans women are being killed in the streets. What are we doing about it?
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Friday, November 28, 2014
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
A look at one of many #TDOR events around the country
This evening, as part of the sixteenth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, nationwide memorials will be held to honor those whose lives were lost to acts of anti-transgender violence. According to the Transgender Violence Tracking Portal, over 268 murders of transgender and gender non-conforming people have been reported in the past year alone, and a majority of the victims are transgender women of color.
One such event will take place in Winona, Minnesota this evening. The vigil will include a candle-lighting, reading of victims' names, and remarks from JamieAnn Meyers, a trans advocate and activist who works with Minnesotans in secular and faith communities. Today, she published a piece on Huffington Post regarding the importance of today's events:
"The transgender and gender non-conforming people who were murdered this year stand as a stark reminder of the fear and hatred of trans people that still exists in many parts of our global society. This fear and hatred fills the hearts of those who cannot accept or understand that each person has the right to live in their true gender identity, as their true selves."
JamieAnn also cites GLAAD's Transgender Media and Education Program as a call to action, referencing that less than 10 percent of Americans say they know a trans person, while 90 percent say they know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. By celebrating trans folks as a resilient people in addition to remembering lives lost, JamieAnn sees today as an opportunity to "end the vicious cycle of murders and suicides of transgender and gender-nonconforming people" by encouraging allies to interrupt hurtful language and transphobic actions, joining together for understanding to end ignorance and fear, and "working together for justice so that every person is respected and accepted without regard to the differences that too often separate us."
To participate in a memorial near you, check this list of international #TDOR events by location.
�
November 20, 2014
Issues:
Transgender
Tags:
#TDOR,
Transgender Day of Remembrance,
Minnesota,
JamieAnn Meyers
One such event will take place in Winona, Minnesota this evening. The vigil will include a candle-lighting, reading of victims' names, and remarks from JamieAnn Meyers, a trans advocate and activist who works with Minnesotans in secular and faith communities. Today, she published a piece on Huffington Post regarding the importance of today's events:
"The transgender and gender non-conforming people who were murdered this year stand as a stark reminder of the fear and hatred of trans people that still exists in many parts of our global society. This fear and hatred fills the hearts of those who cannot accept or understand that each person has the right to live in their true gender identity, as their true selves."
JamieAnn also cites GLAAD's Transgender Media and Education Program as a call to action, referencing that less than 10 percent of Americans say they know a trans person, while 90 percent say they know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual. By celebrating trans folks as a resilient people in addition to remembering lives lost, JamieAnn sees today as an opportunity to "end the vicious cycle of murders and suicides of transgender and gender-nonconforming people" by encouraging allies to interrupt hurtful language and transphobic actions, joining together for understanding to end ignorance and fear, and "working together for justice so that every person is respected and accepted without regard to the differences that too often separate us."
To participate in a memorial near you, check this list of international #TDOR events by location.
�
November 20, 2014
Issues:
Transgender
Tags:
#TDOR,
Transgender Day of Remembrance,
Minnesota,
JamieAnn Meyers
(57) How Can a Fish Look Like a Horse? (mini)
King Nero Bloombucks, X the hunting … the abortion issues … oh and that whole anti-gay marriage issue, and it’s Palin Lust, Bruno, etctera
(53) Skeleton Closet Confessions
8 minute Mash-up, Then Nikki Guest Hosts and says it’s show 54 but don’t listen to her it’s #53; ate mail from God?/Yeshua; Aimless feminists; and answer listener inquiries from show 52 re: (Sandi’s) run in with a past flame’s ex-hubby a few weeks ago and we both confess a few skeletons in our closets […]
The Sound You Hear Is That of a Thousand Lesbian Heads Exploding.
...and it sounds oh so lovely.I'm coming out of hiding to post this picture and to let you guys deal with the fact that Gwen Stefani and Pink not only sang together, and not only did super incredibly homosexual push-ups together on stage tonight, but they seem to have brushed liptorials in the process. If you need assistance getting up off of the floor, please call 1-800-ARLAN-IVE-FALLEN-AND-ICANT-GETUP and I'll send someone over to pick your ass up.I've said it before, and I'll say it again: You. Are. Welcome.
COMEDY BODEGA : Thursday night comedy club in San Francisco
COMEDY BODEGA : Thursday night comedy club in San Francisco.
(4) PMS and Worst Psycho Lesbian Stories Revealed
pms, weapon weilding mattress stabbing, gas station fights, holes in walls, head banging stalkers, bottle dodging, and flying chairs …
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Comments from the Web
Kenny Kardashian says:
I, too, served in the Navy and also swore the same oath, not really knowing what lay ahead. While for most people, being gay is dangerous I was lucky to experience minimal discrimination and teasing. However, I was not immune from such teasing. Everyone at my shore duty facility at Naval Air Staton North Island in San Diego knew I was gay and while I made a risky move, when people asked, I told. However, there was no one running to the officer in charge. Most the people that asked me said they were “cool with it”, or others simply just knew.
I am not the most butch guy in the world, but my feminine mannerisms and the way I was did catch the attention of some few people in leadership chain of command around me. They woul…
Read More
I, too, served in the Navy and also swore the same oath, not really knowing what lay ahead. While for most people, being gay is dangerous I was lucky to experience minimal discrimination and teasing. However, I was not immune from such teasing. Everyone at my shore duty facility at Naval Air Staton North Island in San Diego knew I was gay and while I made a risky move, when people asked, I told. However, there was no one running to the officer in charge. Most the people that asked me said they were “cool with it”, or others simply just knew.
I am not the most butch guy in the world, but my feminine mannerisms and the way I was did catch the attention of some few people in leadership chain of command around me. They woul…
Read More
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
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
Business Spotlight: Tinassy’s K-9 Splash-R-Cise
10925 Hartley Rd.
Suite E
Santee, CA 92071
Shelley: 619 200-7619
Tara: 619 822-3223
www.tinassysk9splashrcise.com
Tinassy’s K-9 Splash-R-Cise is a fairly unique type of business. It is a dog water therapy business for exercise, massage and everything to help heal ailments in dogs.
It was started by Tara and Shelley in May 2010 after their dogs, Tindy and Sassy both required knee surgery.
Tara’s dog Tindy was diagnosed with an ACL tear which would require her to have surgery. Tindy underwent knee surgery which was a success. Tindy’s veterinarian recommended water therapy for a better recovery. Tindy was put in water therapy even though she wasn’t too excited about it at first. She came to love the water and was swimming every d…
Read More
Suite E
Santee, CA 92071
Shelley: 619 200-7619
Tara: 619 822-3223
www.tinassysk9splashrcise.com
Tinassy’s K-9 Splash-R-Cise is a fairly unique type of business. It is a dog water therapy business for exercise, massage and everything to help heal ailments in dogs.
It was started by Tara and Shelley in May 2010 after their dogs, Tindy and Sassy both required knee surgery.
Tara’s dog Tindy was diagnosed with an ACL tear which would require her to have surgery. Tindy underwent knee surgery which was a success. Tindy’s veterinarian recommended water therapy for a better recovery. Tindy was put in water therapy even though she wasn’t too excited about it at first. She came to love the water and was swimming every d…
Read More
Boy George Headlines Cleveland Gay Games White Party
This should be fun, especially to any of us who grew up in the '80s: queer pop icon Boy George will be performing this summer in Cleveland during Gay Games IX. You can catch the show during the week's much-anticipated White Party, which takes place Monday, August 11, at Jacobs Pavilion, in Nautica. The party is preceded by a two-hour scenic dinner cruise on the Nautica Queen, and Boy George will be joined onstage by DJs Marc Vedo and Evan Evolution. Sounds like a memorable evening! Here are more details on this year's Gay Games 9 in Cleveland.
LGBT activist Ouma on work, Tanzania and future hopes
For 41-year old James Wandera Ouma, LGBT activism has become his life's work. As the executive director of LGBT Voice Tanzania formerly WEZESHA , Ouma works to advance equality, diversity, education and justice for LGBT people in Tanzania.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
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
Schuette urges court to take gay marriage case
Attorney General Bill Schuette and supporters of gay marriage have at least one thing in common: They want the U.S. Supreme Court to use a Michigan case to settle the legality of same-sex nuptials. Schuette's office filed a legal brief Monday at the Supreme Court.
The Story of My Rotten Sunday School Class
God, Oprah... my life is full of favorite quotes I heard on your show. One that I heard that became a mantra for me was "Expect nothing and appreciate everything"The thing on my mind right now is the trouble that unmet expectations cause in the fucking up of relationships. Yesterday, I awoke to a text from a new acquaintance who expressed disappointment in me not pursuing a friendship with her more aggressively. She had expectations of me that I had not met and she wanted to talk about that. As I thought about her pain and tried to evaluate how much I had caused by my not being as attentive to the new friendship and how much she caused herself by expecting me to behave in a certain way, it got me thinking about unmet expectations that we can have for each other.I recalled an example from my own life many years ago during my church days when I was trying to pray away my gay and thought it might be good to share.The Story of My Rotten Sunday School Class I was pregnant with Lindsey and in a close-knit group of young adults that made up my Sunday School class. We did a lot of social events together. Many of the women were stay-at-home moms like me and we had many opportunities outside of Sunday School to fellowship including Bible study, couples bowling, attending our husbands' softball games together, etc. I threw several baby showers for women in this group as well as remembered birthdays and took meals when someone was sick. In many ways, we were like a family.It hurt my feelings that my due date was upon us and nobody had offered to throw a baby shower for me. I didn't say anything. However, Lindsey was born on a Sunday morning just before church and it was announced in our class that she had arrived safely. I had expected a few visitors or calls after church. When they didn't come, I was really hurt. In fact, I only had a single phone call from Mona, one of the women that I thrown a shower for. She offered to bring a meal later that week. Other than that, I didn't get a call, a visit, a card, a gift - not any kind of acknowledgement that my daughter was born. Each week, I sat in class silently stewing about it and looking across the rows into the faces of my classmates and silently singing "Fake Friends" by Joan Jett in my mind.I fantasized about standing up in the middle of class and telling them all what hypocrites they were. Here I was a lesbian, not being a lesbian because I was being a good Christian woman, and they were acting like inconsiderate assholes!I wanted to laugh out loud when our teacher taught about loving your neighbor as much as you love yourself. I found it more and more difficult to get up on Sunday mornings and go to class because I was dragging this incredible burden around with me. I couldn't even pay attention to what was being said because it bothered me so much that they were all so unaware of the pain they had caused me.I was withdrawing from activities and stopped participating in things as a way to protect my heart from further hurt and, as weird as it seems, as a punishment for them. I was divorcing myself from this family.I had this expectation for them to have the same love toward me that I had for all of them. When they didn't show me love the way I wanted to see it - an acknowledgement of my daughter's birth, it cut me to my core.All of those times I was so bitter and angry and wanted to lash out and call them hypocrites would have never reached their hearts because I would have delivered it in an attacking way. Whenever you attack, it is a natural response to be defensive. After several months of me feeling so badly about this and wishing to just quit church all together, I finally had some relief. It happened this way:Our Sunday School class was growing and our teacher suggested that we use a class to organize and put certain people in charge of tasks. Couples were assigned as "care group" leaders - they had 4-5 couples in the class that they were to be sure were ministered to and, if they stopped coming, were reached out to. The teacher suggested a few women volunteer for some spots such as organizing meal delivery for families who were in crisis, and perhaps someone to make sure that all babies born to a class member were welcomed with either a shower or a diaper drive.Mona, the woman who called me to offer a meal, spoke up and said, "We don't need anyone to do that. We all take care of that."The teacher said, "We don't want anyone to fall through the cracks, though. I think we need to have a woman be in charge of making sure that doesn't happen."She said, "Nobody will fall through the cracks."Without even realizing it, I found myself rising to my feet. I looked into the faces of everyone staring at me and I said, "I fell through the cracks."The room was silent except for the pounding of my heart. I could peripherally see my then husband look down at the ground, probably praying that I didn't embarrass him. I looked at Mona and said, "Mona, you were the only person in this class to contact me when Lindsey was born. Other than that, I did not get a call, visit, card, or any type of acknowledgement that we added a new life into our family."Heads began to hang in shame as the realization that other people didn't step in and do what should have been done - so it didn't get done at all. Even the teacher looked away.My voice began to tremble as I tried to keep those hurt feelings, along with my tears, from spilling onto the floor of that room at First Baptist Church of Woodstock. "I had an expectation that because I have loved you all, invested in your families, wished you happy birthdays with cards, attended funerals with you when you lost a loved one, prayed for you each week when you shared your requests and lovingly prepared meals for you when you had a need - I had an expectation of you that you would do the same for me. I apologize for holding you all in contempt in my heart and for the bitterness I have felt toward you all since then. But we do need someone to step up and make certain that nobody falls through the cracks again."With the weight of the world now off my shoulders, I sunk down into my chair to settle my heart back to normal speed. I felt my husband's hand on my leg giving me a pat which may have meant "Good job" or may have meant "That's enough" - I don't really know. Probably "Please, God, give me another wife that can just let shit go!"I don't even remember the rest of the meeting because I was just thinking how perfect the circumstances for me to unload my burden. The woman that needed to be addressed in the discussion was the one that I could deliver my pain to her without making her feel attacked because she was the lone person that actually did what she should have done. I got to say what was in my heart in a way that was helping everyone see the need and I got to say it in a way that was not angry or bitter so people received it in a way that allowed it to do its motivating work.The lessons I learned from this experience:Don't assume someone else will take care of it. If you become aware of a need, go ahead and accept responsibility for it. I should have expected nothing and just appreciated so much the one friend who cared enough to call.I should have let the anger and bitterness go long before I did.I trusted the universe to give me a way to unload it and I waited patiently and it was sublime when I was finally able to let it go - it was my first time not just unloading what I was feeling but thinking before I spoke. It was a great feeling to know that if I need to get it off my chest at all, I should wait for the best time to do it, not just when I first feel it.Expect nothing and appreciate everything, my friends. Don't burden your family and friends with expectations of how they should behave. Just appreciate whatever they bring, no matter how big or small. Life is too short to let small offenses caused by unmet expectations ruin our relationships.
See Rochelle, She's MY Boo!
So you know that pic I posted this weekend of me meeting the AMAZING Whoopi Goldberg and me looking like someone just punched me in the face and stole my bike? THAT is EXACTLY how my face looks right now watching what I just found on youtube:LOL what?? ...and then also, what. PLEASE do yourself a favor and watch the entire 2 minutes and 4 seconds cause it will change your life.
6 Relatively Simple Things that will make your Relationship Awesome
It's the little things that matter, right? Well here are six little things that you can do in your relationship to make a BIG difference. Why not do all six this week?...Read Full Post
(65) ?Outrage? Director Kirby Dick
Interview with prolific filmmaker Kirby Dick on his controversial movie Outrage, which outs closeted gay politicians who vote to pass anti-gay legislation. His film SICK (1997) won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance and the Grand Prize at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Dick also directed the controversial TWIST OF FAITH (2005), a film about […]
Largest ever study into the gay gene
A new scientific study of 409 pairs of gay brothers could put to rest decades of debate over the existence of the so-called and lsquo;gay gene and rsquo;.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Sorry about your old e-mails coming in like they're new....
Last night, my e-mail feed sent out my latest post along with a few older posts. I have no idea why - I have no control over the email feed. In fact, I can't even see who is subscribed to receive my e-mails. Anyway, I just wanted to apologize for the confusion. It was weird...
Trans Lifeline provides suicide prevention by and for the trans community
Yesterday, we marked the sixteenth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, focusing on the transgender and gender-nonconforming people taken by violence in the past year. On November 1st, an integral resource was launched to help trans people in crisis?the Trans Lifeline, a free crisis and suicide prevention hotline that is managed and staffed by volunteers who are themselves members of the trans community.
The first of its kind, the San Francisco-based Trans Lifeline is a non-profit dedicated to the wellbeing of transgender people. The line is primarily for individuals in crisis, which may include those struggling with gender identity, and individuals who may be engaged in self-harm. It is especially important that members of the community have individuals to reach out to who are 'true experts' on transgender experience, and in addition to being trans identified, all volunteers are educated in the range of difficulties transgender people experience.
President Greta Gustava Martela states, "According to the most recent and comprehensive statistics available, 41% of trans people attempt suicide at least once in their lives, and the figures go up to 50% if their trans status is known or disclosed. We'd like to get that number to zero. Our community needs every one of our members."
Professor H. Adam Ackley published a Huffington Post piece for Transgender Day of Remberence, in which he discusses the importance of Trans Lifeline and cites similar statistics to Gustava Martela. He elaborates that transgender suicide attempts are about nine times the national average, and that harassment, family rejection, unstable housing and employment, and discrimination in work and health care lead to high rates of suicide attempts among trans people. One in three transgender people worldwide are reported to die from suicide attempts, a striking number when considering that many trans individuals and cases are misgendered or unreported.
The hotline is available for individuals across the continental United States and in Canada, and is staffed by volunteers from outside the Bay Area. In order to increase efficacy, Martela is looking to add dedicated volunteers to the team quickly. If you are trans identified and interested in volunteering, learn more here. For help and support, the hotline number is 877-565-8860.�
November 22, 2014
Issues:
Transgender
Tags:
Trans Lifeline,
Suicide Prevention,
transgender,
#TDOR
The first of its kind, the San Francisco-based Trans Lifeline is a non-profit dedicated to the wellbeing of transgender people. The line is primarily for individuals in crisis, which may include those struggling with gender identity, and individuals who may be engaged in self-harm. It is especially important that members of the community have individuals to reach out to who are 'true experts' on transgender experience, and in addition to being trans identified, all volunteers are educated in the range of difficulties transgender people experience.
President Greta Gustava Martela states, "According to the most recent and comprehensive statistics available, 41% of trans people attempt suicide at least once in their lives, and the figures go up to 50% if their trans status is known or disclosed. We'd like to get that number to zero. Our community needs every one of our members."
Professor H. Adam Ackley published a Huffington Post piece for Transgender Day of Remberence, in which he discusses the importance of Trans Lifeline and cites similar statistics to Gustava Martela. He elaborates that transgender suicide attempts are about nine times the national average, and that harassment, family rejection, unstable housing and employment, and discrimination in work and health care lead to high rates of suicide attempts among trans people. One in three transgender people worldwide are reported to die from suicide attempts, a striking number when considering that many trans individuals and cases are misgendered or unreported.
The hotline is available for individuals across the continental United States and in Canada, and is staffed by volunteers from outside the Bay Area. In order to increase efficacy, Martela is looking to add dedicated volunteers to the team quickly. If you are trans identified and interested in volunteering, learn more here. For help and support, the hotline number is 877-565-8860.�
November 22, 2014
Issues:
Transgender
Tags:
Trans Lifeline,
Suicide Prevention,
transgender,
#TDOR
Regional superstars "Los Tigres del Norte" pen a song about same-sex love
One of Mexico's leading bands has a new song in support of the LGBT community. The hugely popular Norte�o band Los Tigres del Norte, has a new single titled "Era Differente" ("She Was Different") on their new album "Realidades." The single tells the story of a girl who, all her life has been wooed by boys, but whose "heart is not for a boy." Instead, she buys flowers for her best friend, a girl. The lyrics then express that love simply exists and people should look for their best match, regardless of gender. The song is a huge breakthrough for the LGBT community, especially coming from a band that is a staple of the regional genre, akin to country music in the United States. A portion of the song lyrics are "Dicen que el vuelo ideal es paloma y palomo y les parece rara otra forma de amor. Yo solo pienso que existen corrientes de aire y cada quien que aspire su viento mejor" which loosely translates to "They say an ideal match is between and man and a woman and another form of love is rare. I think love exists and everyone looks for their perfect match". Los Tigres del Norte stopped by the Las Ma�anitas Show, where Eduardo Hern�ndez, who wrote the song, said everyone should be free to feel what they want. They also had supportive messages to say when popular entertainment show El Gordo y La Flaca asked them a few questions. The article from their visit can be found here. Watch them on El Gordo y La Flaca here. Watch their video on YouTube here.
November 24, 2014
Issues:
Spanish-Language and Latino
Tags:
Los Tigres del Norte,
Era Differente,
Realidades,
Familia,
family,
gay latino,
LGBT latino,
El Gordo y la Flaca,
Las mananitas Show
November 24, 2014
Issues:
Spanish-Language and Latino
Tags:
Los Tigres del Norte,
Era Differente,
Realidades,
Familia,
family,
gay latino,
LGBT latino,
El Gordo y la Flaca,
Las mananitas Show
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 …
Read More
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
4 Hour Body
This is a must for all gym boys out there.
I have started the 4 Hour Body diet (yeh) - follow my progress here The Four Hour Body - Paul ThompsonView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
I have started the 4 Hour Body diet (yeh) - follow my progress here The Four Hour Body - Paul ThompsonView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
WATCH: Pastor Gets a Taste of His 'Sodomite Semen' Lattes By Sharing Parody Video
James David Manning isn't backing down from his claims that Starbucks uses semen in its lattes, sharing a satirical video he says proves the coffee chain is selling 'sex in public for $9 a hit.'
read more
read more
Monday, November 24, 2014
January 2012 - Life on the road (and my own bed)
I've been wanting to share a lot that's happened over the last 5 or so weeks with you guys, but it seemed so overwhelming because I didn't know exactly where/how to start. Yesterday I read a musician's blog and what she does is summarizes her work by the month. So a few days into a month, she'll write about the preceding month. I dig that, so I shall henceforth be stealing this idea from Hannah:)I won't bore you with ALL of the details of how I got to this point, but basically, I spent months and months in my early-mid 20s booking and tour managing some of my indie friends' tours. This was thousands of miles traveled, several hotels and friends' couches crashed, and lots and lots of gas station food partaken...ofeth. All of this was of course after spending weeks booking the actual shows one by one, and talking to people with names like 'Snake' and 'Timber' asking if my friend(s) could play at their venue. For every show I booked, I got at least 10 'no's. I also heard hundreds of 'no's when I was publishing my music magazine INTERLUDE.So things haven't always been easy and I've spent plenty of time sleeping on the floor, the couch, and every once in a while, in beds. All the while though, I've been networking and making friends in various production roles, at various levels of success. The tenacity paid off when just a couple of days before New Year's, I was asked to help out with the production of a show out of town.The artist was CeeLo Green, and the show was the headlining Allstate BCS Fanfest event in New Orleans. So on New Year's Eve, I watched my new boss sing during the NYE countdown in Times Square, and a few hours later, I was hard at work helping to advance his next show.It was in New Orleans that I met CeeLo, the Goodie Mob, and CeeLo's incredible band for the first time. They're all amazingly talented and some of the nicest people I've ever met. The city was SO full of energy during these few days in particular because of the big game, and aside from being physically exhausted from all the work we did, I was on cloud 9 the entire time. I also got to meet this cool performer named DJ Ruckus. You guys should check him out. He is a REALLY sweet guy, and kinda blew my mind with how talented he is.(New Orleans stage during soundcheck!>(CeeLo's lighting/video director Fraser and me after the New Orleans show...right outside our production office/backstage area)I flew back to my new home in Houston for a few days to work on the next shows...and then it was back in the air. I can already tell that this year I will probably spend more time in the security line at airports than in my own bedroom. But do you see me complaining? Nope! And if you ever do, please feel free to slap me about my person.January was capped off the same way it started: EPIC...ly. Or whatever.I was flown to Miami and Montego Bay, Jamaica for 2 big shows. Miami's show was at the Fontainebleau hotel in their venue LIV and Jamaica's was the Jazz and Blues Festival where CeeLo was Saturday night's headliner. Friday night's headliner was Celine Dion! I definitely got spoiled with our accommodations that week and I'm not sure I'll know how to do anything without wearing a plush robe and having room service every 3 hours now that I've tasted the good life. I was also in the same room with Bobby Brown for a couple of hours while a Jamaican lady sang a 45 minute Whitney Houston medley to about 25k people...needless to say it was all sorts of awkward, but thats another story for another time. Anyhoo...I love robes!(My awesome view from my room in Miami)(The view from the hotel's private beach....cause THAT happens)It's pretty awesome to get to see everyone at the top of their game. Everyone in this team comes in ready to work hard, do their thing, and then celebrate just as passionately. I dig the pace of it all. And I think I'm going to like it here. I feel like Annie just moved into Mr. Warbucks' place and having a look around.(My view of soundcheck in Jamaica, mon!)While I was at the hotel in Jamaica, I saw these two chicks playing pool. My dar went into overdrive. I said to myself, I says 'Self...I spy homosexuals.' And Self agreed with me. But we were in Jamaica which isn't very lezzy friendly, AND I didn't wanna just walk up to them and say "LESBIANS!...welcome." No, this wasn't Weho, after all. So I did what any self-respecting gay blogger would have done: I walked up to them and I said 'If I said 'Shane is my homegirl,' would it mean anything to you?" They paused...stared at me for a while--enough time for me to be frightened even though they were a good 6 inches shorter than me and I could TOTALLY outrun them--and then one of them said, "HELL YEAH IT WOULD!" and we all hugged. It was awesome!! I recommend it as an icebreaker at your local deli or Jamaican hotel situation.Oh and did I mention everyone is British?? Well, not everyone. But like...more than half of the people I deal with are incredibly English and it rocks my world. Here are background singers Annabel and Jodie. The girls were drinking TEA. Can't make this stuff up!Not sure what's on the horizon for February and the rest of 2012, but I do know it will be filled with experiences I've never had before, new friends, hard work, hard play, and more robes than you can shake a robe at!
Marga?s Humpday News: Castro Naked Guys
More Marga Friends, You’re still here, Yay! It’s been a slow news week. Here’s a little chat about the weather, Inception and Naked Guys in San Francisco. See you next Wednesday!
SF Pride 2010
It's been almost a week since SF Pride and I think I'm just recovering now. Wow, what a fun and fantastic time. For the first time since we've been writing for them, Curve magazine had a float in the San Francisco Pride parade. I was so excited when I got the call. Did I want to ride on the float? Are you kidding me? I wouldn't miss it!But before Sunday and the parade began, I had a lot of other partying to get through. I arrived in SF Friday morning. I spend the afternoon with my friends, before heading over to the Olivia/Curve comedy night show with Dana Goldberg, Julie Goldman, Sandra Valls and Gina Yashere. I ran into many friends from past Olivia trips and laughed my little a** off. Then it was off to Tease to dance the night away. Perhaps I should have started pacing myself earlier. I had to be up early the next morning to join my friends over in Delores Park because I was helping out on stage at the Dyke March. My good friend Retts is stage manager and I volunteered to help out with stage crew. From noon until 7pm or so, we hustled ladies and dykes on and off the stage. Drummers and poets and politicians and singers and drag kings. What a lot of fun! I got to say hi to old friend Alix Dobkin and meet one of my butch Role Models, Phranc. The only bummer is we were wrapping things up at the stage and I missed the beginning of the march. The Dykes on Bikes. You know how Dipstick loves the Dykes on Bikes.After a quick dinner and outfit change, it was time to head out for more dancing with Curve and Olivia. This time over at the Olivia headquarters where I got to hang out with new friends: Mikey from The Real L Word and Top Chef Josie. But the big thrill of the night was when a tall woman came up to me and said, "Hi, I'm Sheri Sam." As in, Sheri Sam, the amazing WNBA star. If there's one thing Dipstick likes better than Dykes on Bikes, it's women's basketball. What an amazing day this was turning out to be. Lord knows what time it was by the time I got home to bed. And we had to meet at some corner at 10:15 am for the float. When I finally found the corner, I found the Curve ladies frantically gluing tissue paper and glitter to the Curve float. I grabbed a staple gun and got right to work.I love coming down to San Francisco for Curve events, because I get to meet other Curve contributors, like the amazing photographer Cheryl Mazak and blogger Queerie Bradshaw. And of course, any time I get to hang out with Curve publisher Franco Stevens, it's a good day. Once the float was together, we relaxed a bit, practiced our butchest parade wave and watched all the beautiful people stroll by. After about two hours of waiting, finally it was our turn! Our big cupcake float pulled out onto the street and the crowds were deafening. Our onboard DJ spun some old school Michael Jackson and of course, Pussy Cat Dolls. I waved and blew bubbles and looked for people I knew in the crowd while the ground crew handed out magazines to the crowd. The sun was out. We were happy and gay. And too quickly, it was over. I headed back to my hotel room to rest up, because, no, oh no, there was still much more partying to be done. Met some new friends for Happy Hour, old friends for dinner and then we all went to see Red Hot Blues Sisters play in a small club downtown. I stayed in San Francisco an extra day. I planned on spending some time hanging out and seeing the city. Instead, I got a late check-out from my hotel, met a friend for lunch and took the shuttle to the airport.You can see why it took me so long to recover. I'm not as young as I once was. But still, Pride in San Francisco never gets old.
THEATER REVIEW: "Enron" at Moxie
It?s difficult to get your mind around the schemes that took Enron from just another oil and gas company to a $110 billion corporation created and sustained by accounting fraud ? and that precipitated the biggest bankruptcy in American history, sending three of its executives to prison.
Playwright Lucy Prebble?s ?Enron? brings this economic disaster to the stage in its local premiere at Moxie Theatre through Dec. 7. Jennifer Eve Thorn directs.
?Enron? plays through Dec. 7 at Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd. Suite N., San Diego, California.
read more
Playwright Lucy Prebble?s ?Enron? brings this economic disaster to the stage in its local premiere at Moxie Theatre through Dec. 7. Jennifer Eve Thorn directs.
?Enron? plays through Dec. 7 at Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd. Suite N., San Diego, California.
read more
(25) The Pope Show & Debbie Gibson
The Pope reps in NYC, The Pope-mobile, Pope apologies, The Pope on Evil Eve, The Pope, Pope and more Pope ….
Unobtanium suddenly becomes obtainable; drat! complications!
I have two romantic interests in my life: one who adores me and is giving herself to me wholeheartedly, and one who seems to be a better match but lives 850 miles away and is just getting out of a relationship. What should I do? I am a woman, late 30s. I have been dating Lynn (not using real names, obviously) for 6 weeks. She is wonderful, the best girlfriend a girl could ask for. She's giving, sexy, smart, funny -- almost everything I've been looking for, except for a big thing: she has a small child and I'm not interested in being a parent. Her having a kid would ordinarily be a dealbreaker for me, but I set it aside to see what might happen with Lynn, because she is otherwise a really, really great match.
And behind the scenes, there's Ariel. We dated briefly 17 years ago, but I never forgot her. She and I reconnected on Facebook (as you do), but she had a girlfriend and so did I, so it was just as friends (with an undercurrent of curious flirting). I re-read her love letters to me from 17 years ago and some of my old poetry I wrote about her, and it reminded me of how much I had been convinced at the time that she was really right for me. After some lengthy correspondence, I told her in February of this year that if she and I were ever single and living in the same town, I was totally going to ask her out.
Then this summer Ariel and her girlfriend started having trouble, and she and I started talking more. Just me being a friendly ear at first. We started talking every day. I started having feelings for her again. She started having feelings for me. We started planning for her to come visit me. By the end of August, it was driving me crazy. She had this girlfriend and lived so far away, yet I couldn't stop thinking about her. It was limerence.
And then I met Lynn. And she was available, and into me, and it was great! I poured out my feelings to Ariel, and we agreed that 1) I was free to date whomever I wished; 2) she would still come visit me (as a friend); and 3) we would stop talking all the time. But after only a couple days, we started back again. I was still thinking about Ariel all the time, sometimes (to my own shame) in bed with Lynn. Ariel was still somone I thought of as my perfect unobtainium. I didn't think I had a shot with her, but I wanted one.
Over the past 6 weeks, Ariel and her girlfriend broke up, we finalized concrete plans for her to come visit, and we continued to bond. At this point, we've both declared our mutual interest in each other and desire to see if there's a chance for us. She's coming here next weekend, staying for 6 days.
I feel guilty about all the time I've been spending thinking about & talking to Ariel, but I haven't broken up with Lynn. She and I have vacation plans involving airfare at the end of the month (we leave 2 days after Ariel leaves). Also, until a couple days ago, I really wasn't sure Ariel would actually come, and would actually be interested in giving me a shot, and would consider moving up here to be with me. But now she says she's considering it. Depending on how the visit goes, and she's hoping it goes well. So am I. I've told Lynn that Ariel and I used to date a long time ago, but that now we're just friends. I really thought Ariel could probably visit me platonically until about a week ago, when it became apparent that that was unlikely. So I know some people are going to say I should probably just break up with Lynn right now, but that's why I'm not...
Also, to be completely honest, I'm still hedging my bets. If Ariel and I don't actually have any chemistry in person this time around, or we don't hit it off for some reason, I could still have a relationship with Lynn. And that wouldn't be a horrible outcome. As I said, Lynn is great, I love her, we have a great sex life, and I can totally see a future with her. I don't know if it's the future I want, but I bet I could make it work. If Ariel weren't in the picture, I would have doubts, but I think I would still be gung-ho to give it a shot.
There's more, but I will stop there. Have you been in a situation like mine? Do you have any advice for me? I still have a chance to not fuck things up with Lynn, by backing away from Ariel and keeping her visit platonic. I worry that I will have regrets either way, no matter what/whom I choose. What do you think, o wise Mefites?
And behind the scenes, there's Ariel. We dated briefly 17 years ago, but I never forgot her. She and I reconnected on Facebook (as you do), but she had a girlfriend and so did I, so it was just as friends (with an undercurrent of curious flirting). I re-read her love letters to me from 17 years ago and some of my old poetry I wrote about her, and it reminded me of how much I had been convinced at the time that she was really right for me. After some lengthy correspondence, I told her in February of this year that if she and I were ever single and living in the same town, I was totally going to ask her out.
Then this summer Ariel and her girlfriend started having trouble, and she and I started talking more. Just me being a friendly ear at first. We started talking every day. I started having feelings for her again. She started having feelings for me. We started planning for her to come visit me. By the end of August, it was driving me crazy. She had this girlfriend and lived so far away, yet I couldn't stop thinking about her. It was limerence.
And then I met Lynn. And she was available, and into me, and it was great! I poured out my feelings to Ariel, and we agreed that 1) I was free to date whomever I wished; 2) she would still come visit me (as a friend); and 3) we would stop talking all the time. But after only a couple days, we started back again. I was still thinking about Ariel all the time, sometimes (to my own shame) in bed with Lynn. Ariel was still somone I thought of as my perfect unobtainium. I didn't think I had a shot with her, but I wanted one.
Over the past 6 weeks, Ariel and her girlfriend broke up, we finalized concrete plans for her to come visit, and we continued to bond. At this point, we've both declared our mutual interest in each other and desire to see if there's a chance for us. She's coming here next weekend, staying for 6 days.
I feel guilty about all the time I've been spending thinking about & talking to Ariel, but I haven't broken up with Lynn. She and I have vacation plans involving airfare at the end of the month (we leave 2 days after Ariel leaves). Also, until a couple days ago, I really wasn't sure Ariel would actually come, and would actually be interested in giving me a shot, and would consider moving up here to be with me. But now she says she's considering it. Depending on how the visit goes, and she's hoping it goes well. So am I. I've told Lynn that Ariel and I used to date a long time ago, but that now we're just friends. I really thought Ariel could probably visit me platonically until about a week ago, when it became apparent that that was unlikely. So I know some people are going to say I should probably just break up with Lynn right now, but that's why I'm not...
Also, to be completely honest, I'm still hedging my bets. If Ariel and I don't actually have any chemistry in person this time around, or we don't hit it off for some reason, I could still have a relationship with Lynn. And that wouldn't be a horrible outcome. As I said, Lynn is great, I love her, we have a great sex life, and I can totally see a future with her. I don't know if it's the future I want, but I bet I could make it work. If Ariel weren't in the picture, I would have doubts, but I think I would still be gung-ho to give it a shot.
There's more, but I will stop there. Have you been in a situation like mine? Do you have any advice for me? I still have a chance to not fuck things up with Lynn, by backing away from Ariel and keeping her visit platonic. I worry that I will have regrets either way, no matter what/whom I choose. What do you think, o wise Mefites?
Montana GOP policy: Make homosexuality illegal
HELENA, Mont. (AP) – At a time when gays have been gaining victories across the country, the Republican Party in Montana still wants to make homosexuality illegal.
The party adopted an official platform in June that keeps a long-held position in support of making homosexual acts illegal, a policy adopted after the Montana Supreme Court struck down such laws in 1997.
The fact that it’s still the official party policy more than 12 years later, despite a tidal shift in public attitudes since then and the party’s own pledge of support for individual freedoms, has exasperated some GOP members.
“I looked at that and said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” state Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson, said last week. “…
Read More
The party adopted an official platform in June that keeps a long-held position in support of making homosexual acts illegal, a policy adopted after the Montana Supreme Court struck down such laws in 1997.
The fact that it’s still the official party policy more than 12 years later, despite a tidal shift in public attitudes since then and the party’s own pledge of support for individual freedoms, has exasperated some GOP members.
“I looked at that and said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” state Sen. John Brueggeman, R-Polson, said last week. “…
Read More
Sunday, November 23, 2014
(4) PMS and Worst Psycho Lesbian Stories Revealed
pms, weapon weilding mattress stabbing, gas station fights, holes in walls, head banging stalkers, bottle dodging, and flying chairs …
A Bit About Losers
Success isn't hard to come by.A winning attitude, a strong work ethic and the ability to stay focused are really all it takes.For some people, this simple recipe is nearly impossible to do. They start looking at what others have and they feel jealous and insecure about their own lives.Instead of staying focused on making their own lives better and creating success for themselves, they fixate on others who are working hard and staying focused. They may even try to cause them to stumble or get sidetracked in an effort to gain the upper hand.You can always tell a winner by how much they focus on winning as easily as you can identify a loser by how much they focus on the lives of the winners.If you want a life that you can be proud of, stop obsessing over others and appreciate what you have in front of you. Review your goals and start doing things to reach them. Oh, and if your goals are mostly ones where there is a financial benefit and not a personal growth benefit, you are already on the wrong road. Only losers think making a lot of money is what defines you as a winner.ChildrenDo you have good kids? Do they show you love and respect? Are they always in trouble or turmoil because you've been too lazy to parent them?FriendsAre your close friends ones you've had for your whole life or is your circle full of people that you only recently met? Do you spend your spare time gossiping and cutting others down to try to make yourself look bigger or is truth and beauty on your lips? Do you invest your time supporting your friends or are they only around to suit your needs?LoveDo you cycle through romantic partners or are you a person who can be comitted to a relationship? Do you seek to advance your partner, even at a cost to you? Do you have open communication with them or do you only tell them certain things?TimeDo you waste your life away in front of video games or television? Do you share it with others in the community who need your companionship, expertise or labor? How about volunteering - ever make time for that? Or is your spare time only for your entertainment?Discuss... what makes a winner and why are losers so jelly of them?
Federal judge: Montana's anti-equal marriage rule unconstitutional
GREAT FALLS, Mont. — In a victory for equality across Montana, the U.S. District Court of Montana ruled today in favor of four same-sex couples suing for marriage.
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
Trans Lifeline provides suicide prevention by and for the trans community
Yesterday, we marked the sixteenth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, focusing on the transgender and gender-nonconforming people taken by violence in the past year. On November 1st, an integral resource was launched to help trans people in crisis?the Trans Lifeline, a free crisis and suicide prevention hotline that is managed and staffed by volunteers who are themselves members of the trans community.
The first of its kind, the San Francisco-based Trans Lifeline is a non-profit dedicated to the wellbeing of transgender people. The line is primarily for individuals in crisis, which may include those struggling with gender identity, and individuals who may be engaged in self-harm. It is especially important that members of the community have individuals to reach out to who are 'true experts' on transgender experience, and in addition to being trans identified, all volunteers are educated in the range of difficulties transgender people experience.
President Greta Gustava Martela states, "According to the most recent and comprehensive statistics available, 41% of trans people attempt suicide at least once in their lives, and the figures go up to 50% if their trans status is known or disclosed. We'd like to get that number to zero. Our community needs every one of our members."
Professor H. Adam Ackley published a Huffington Post piece for Transgender Day of Remberence, in which he discusses the importance of Trans Lifeline and cites similar statistics to Gustava Martela. He elaborates that transgender suicide attempts are about nine times the national average, and that harassment, family rejection, unstable housing and employment, and discrimination in work and health care lead to high rates of suicide attempts among trans people. One in three transgender people worldwide are reported to die from suicide attempts, a striking number when considering that many trans individuals and cases are misgendered or unreported.
The hotline is available for individuals across the continental United States and in Canada, and is staffed by volunteers from outside the Bay Area. In order to increase efficacy, Martela is looking to add dedicated volunteers to the team quickly. If you are trans identified and interested in volunteering, learn more here. For help and support, the hotline number is 877-565-8860.�
November 22, 2014
Issues:
Transgender
Tags:
Trans Lifeline,
Suicide Prevention,
transgender,
#TDOR
The first of its kind, the San Francisco-based Trans Lifeline is a non-profit dedicated to the wellbeing of transgender people. The line is primarily for individuals in crisis, which may include those struggling with gender identity, and individuals who may be engaged in self-harm. It is especially important that members of the community have individuals to reach out to who are 'true experts' on transgender experience, and in addition to being trans identified, all volunteers are educated in the range of difficulties transgender people experience.
President Greta Gustava Martela states, "According to the most recent and comprehensive statistics available, 41% of trans people attempt suicide at least once in their lives, and the figures go up to 50% if their trans status is known or disclosed. We'd like to get that number to zero. Our community needs every one of our members."
Professor H. Adam Ackley published a Huffington Post piece for Transgender Day of Remberence, in which he discusses the importance of Trans Lifeline and cites similar statistics to Gustava Martela. He elaborates that transgender suicide attempts are about nine times the national average, and that harassment, family rejection, unstable housing and employment, and discrimination in work and health care lead to high rates of suicide attempts among trans people. One in three transgender people worldwide are reported to die from suicide attempts, a striking number when considering that many trans individuals and cases are misgendered or unreported.
The hotline is available for individuals across the continental United States and in Canada, and is staffed by volunteers from outside the Bay Area. In order to increase efficacy, Martela is looking to add dedicated volunteers to the team quickly. If you are trans identified and interested in volunteering, learn more here. For help and support, the hotline number is 877-565-8860.�
November 22, 2014
Issues:
Transgender
Tags:
Trans Lifeline,
Suicide Prevention,
transgender,
#TDOR
Saturday, November 22, 2014
4 Hour Body
This is a must for all gym boys out there.
I have started the 4 Hour Body diet (yeh) - follow my progress here The Four Hour Body - Paul ThompsonView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
I have started the 4 Hour Body diet (yeh) - follow my progress here The Four Hour Body - Paul ThompsonView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Real Estate News
San Diego needs its own Housing Hero
Big Bad Banking got some really BAD NEWS last week as Mother Jones Magazine’s Andy Kroll broke the story of huge law firms, known as “foreclosure mills”, operating in Florida (and elsewhere) engaged in the potentially illegal taking of millions of homes.
GMAC -a subsidiary of Ally Financial was so worried it suspended foreclosure evictions and sales altogether. Rising Democratic Party star Rep. Alan Grayson along with his Ohio colleague Marcy Kaptur have been among the few voices in Congress for homeowners in the ongoing class war waged against them by Wall Street. It seems now they were right all along. You may remember Kaptur as the take-charge legislator who advised homeowners in her Toledo-area district to demand that banks produce th…
Read More
Big Bad Banking got some really BAD NEWS last week as Mother Jones Magazine’s Andy Kroll broke the story of huge law firms, known as “foreclosure mills”, operating in Florida (and elsewhere) engaged in the potentially illegal taking of millions of homes.
GMAC -a subsidiary of Ally Financial was so worried it suspended foreclosure evictions and sales altogether. Rising Democratic Party star Rep. Alan Grayson along with his Ohio colleague Marcy Kaptur have been among the few voices in Congress for homeowners in the ongoing class war waged against them by Wall Street. It seems now they were right all along. You may remember Kaptur as the take-charge legislator who advised homeowners in her Toledo-area district to demand that banks produce th…
Read More
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.
Assault survivors reclaim their stories with It's On Us and GLAAD
***Trigger Warning: Themes of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
Some stories don?t want to be told.They walk away, carrying their suitcasesheld together with grey string.Look at their disappearing curved spines.Hunchbacks. Harmed ones. Hold-alls.
�- Ingrid de Kok
But some stories need to be told; need to burst through discourse and shape the narrative in a new way. This week, GLAAD partnered with�It?s On Us�to act as a conduit for the stories of LGBT survivors of sexual assault. These young survivors living in New York City were asked to create posters with their own prose, poetry, or visual art to express their experiences.
According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, in 2013, ?gay men, LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities of color, LGBTQ and HIV-affected youth and young adults, bisexual survivors, and transgender communities [are the]�most impacted by intimate partner violence.? However, this issue is rarely addressed within the community, and the risks of pursuing justice are plentiful.
As these survivors shared their stories, one theme came up again and again: the act of telling their own story, in and of itself, is instrumental in personal and communal healing. In the words of one survivor:
?Breaking the silence has made my experiences real for me. I've sent my words out into the world, told my story as I experienced it, and people listened. Some believed me and some did not. But the telling was ultimately more important than the being believed. At first I told my story because I needed to let it out, needed my experiences to be as real as possible in order to heal. But now I also tell my story because I hope I can help others. If breaking my silence inspires one other person to reclaim their body, their sexuality, validate their 'yes' as well as their 'no,' and show them that they are not to blame, then I will keep breaking the silence until it is in shards at my feet.?
What follows aims to put a name, a face, and a narrative to the pandemic of sexual assault committed against members of the LGBT community. This is the project's culminationt a photo series of survivors and their stories.
?Being a survivor used to mean living with a virus I would never get rid of. At least that's how I'd felt for 2,555 days... I want to make one less survivor feel alone or devalued or not beautiful anymore. You're still worthy of being loved and worthy of loving yourself and deserving of all that love. It's a process-- I'm still working through it, too. But it's a process no one has to go through alone.?
�
"I think of the other people I know who are survivors, and I know too many, and I don't count myself among them. I feel like I am the wrong kind of survivor. I'm dramatic and loud and I like attention. The first friends I told assumed I was spinning tales to make people pay attention to me. Really, I just wanted to fish the words out of my stomach. I was so tired of digesting acid. I had been tasting pennies at the back of my throat for years. It had just? been so long? But I think a lot of survivors feel similarly. And by loving other survivors deeply, I?ve begun to understand little ways that I can love myself."
�
This is our work. In conjunction with It's On Us, we want to rewrite the narrative surrounding sexual assault.
�
It's On Us is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think about sexual assault. Together, we can all�reframe sexual assault in a way that inspires everyone to see it as their responsibility to do something, big or small, to prevent it. We are asking everyone to create an environment, be it a dorm room, a party, a club or a sports team, or the greater college campus, where sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported. One way we are doing this is through the arts and spaces of creation.
�
"I'm generally a quiet, silent, stoic person, and it's only really recently that I'm beginning to realize that I have a voice and it's important to use it. My inability to speak out about this speaks volumes about our society, and by using my voice, I can contribute to an ongoing discussion where we acknowledge this as a horrific reality and take steps towards prevention.?
�
?Being a survivor means so many things to me but maybe most importantly, it means being here to help prevent things like this from happening to other people."
�
?For years I've pretended it never happened, tried not to give it any meaning. Even now, I don't know how to think about what happened without dissociating myself from the memory. It's empowering to tell my story because I wanted to, not because I was holding it in so much that I vomited it out.?
�
?I'm still here, I survived a terrible violation and will defy the person who did it by flourishing and living a worthwhile life.?
�
?I have a responsibility to prevent it from happening to others as much as I possibly can. It means that I?ve got more strength than I realize or feel like I have. It means I am a part of a supportive and loving community.?
�
?Being a survivor is getting yourself through the day. Sometimes it means feeling like left-overs from your experience. Sometimes it's knowing that you are so much more than that.?
Why still believe stories can risewith wings, on currents, as silver flares?Why still imagine whole words, whole worlds:the flame splutter of consonants,deep sea anemone vowels,birth-cable syntax, rhymes that start in the heart,and verbs, verbs that move mountains?
�- Ingrid de Kok
For RAINN?s free, confidential, and secure national sexual assault hotline, call: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
November 21, 2014
Issues:
Transgender,
Young Adult
Tags:
Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault,
LGBT sexual assault,
sexual assault,
intimate partner violence,
survivorship,
It's On Us
Some stories don?t want to be told.They walk away, carrying their suitcasesheld together with grey string.Look at their disappearing curved spines.Hunchbacks. Harmed ones. Hold-alls.
�- Ingrid de Kok
But some stories need to be told; need to burst through discourse and shape the narrative in a new way. This week, GLAAD partnered with�It?s On Us�to act as a conduit for the stories of LGBT survivors of sexual assault. These young survivors living in New York City were asked to create posters with their own prose, poetry, or visual art to express their experiences.
According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, in 2013, ?gay men, LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities of color, LGBTQ and HIV-affected youth and young adults, bisexual survivors, and transgender communities [are the]�most impacted by intimate partner violence.? However, this issue is rarely addressed within the community, and the risks of pursuing justice are plentiful.
As these survivors shared their stories, one theme came up again and again: the act of telling their own story, in and of itself, is instrumental in personal and communal healing. In the words of one survivor:
?Breaking the silence has made my experiences real for me. I've sent my words out into the world, told my story as I experienced it, and people listened. Some believed me and some did not. But the telling was ultimately more important than the being believed. At first I told my story because I needed to let it out, needed my experiences to be as real as possible in order to heal. But now I also tell my story because I hope I can help others. If breaking my silence inspires one other person to reclaim their body, their sexuality, validate their 'yes' as well as their 'no,' and show them that they are not to blame, then I will keep breaking the silence until it is in shards at my feet.?
What follows aims to put a name, a face, and a narrative to the pandemic of sexual assault committed against members of the LGBT community. This is the project's culminationt a photo series of survivors and their stories.
?Being a survivor used to mean living with a virus I would never get rid of. At least that's how I'd felt for 2,555 days... I want to make one less survivor feel alone or devalued or not beautiful anymore. You're still worthy of being loved and worthy of loving yourself and deserving of all that love. It's a process-- I'm still working through it, too. But it's a process no one has to go through alone.?
�
"I think of the other people I know who are survivors, and I know too many, and I don't count myself among them. I feel like I am the wrong kind of survivor. I'm dramatic and loud and I like attention. The first friends I told assumed I was spinning tales to make people pay attention to me. Really, I just wanted to fish the words out of my stomach. I was so tired of digesting acid. I had been tasting pennies at the back of my throat for years. It had just? been so long? But I think a lot of survivors feel similarly. And by loving other survivors deeply, I?ve begun to understand little ways that I can love myself."
�
This is our work. In conjunction with It's On Us, we want to rewrite the narrative surrounding sexual assault.
�
It's On Us is a cultural movement aimed at fundamentally shifting the way we think about sexual assault. Together, we can all�reframe sexual assault in a way that inspires everyone to see it as their responsibility to do something, big or small, to prevent it. We are asking everyone to create an environment, be it a dorm room, a party, a club or a sports team, or the greater college campus, where sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported. One way we are doing this is through the arts and spaces of creation.
�
"I'm generally a quiet, silent, stoic person, and it's only really recently that I'm beginning to realize that I have a voice and it's important to use it. My inability to speak out about this speaks volumes about our society, and by using my voice, I can contribute to an ongoing discussion where we acknowledge this as a horrific reality and take steps towards prevention.?
�
?Being a survivor means so many things to me but maybe most importantly, it means being here to help prevent things like this from happening to other people."
�
?For years I've pretended it never happened, tried not to give it any meaning. Even now, I don't know how to think about what happened without dissociating myself from the memory. It's empowering to tell my story because I wanted to, not because I was holding it in so much that I vomited it out.?
�
?I'm still here, I survived a terrible violation and will defy the person who did it by flourishing and living a worthwhile life.?
�
?I have a responsibility to prevent it from happening to others as much as I possibly can. It means that I?ve got more strength than I realize or feel like I have. It means I am a part of a supportive and loving community.?
�
?Being a survivor is getting yourself through the day. Sometimes it means feeling like left-overs from your experience. Sometimes it's knowing that you are so much more than that.?
Why still believe stories can risewith wings, on currents, as silver flares?Why still imagine whole words, whole worlds:the flame splutter of consonants,deep sea anemone vowels,birth-cable syntax, rhymes that start in the heart,and verbs, verbs that move mountains?
�- Ingrid de Kok
For RAINN?s free, confidential, and secure national sexual assault hotline, call: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
November 21, 2014
Issues:
Transgender,
Young Adult
Tags:
Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault,
LGBT sexual assault,
sexual assault,
intimate partner violence,
survivorship,
It's On Us
Judge overturns Montana's gay marriage ban
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris ruled that Montana's constitutional amendment limiting marriage to between a man and a woman violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. "This Court recognizes that not everyone will celebrate this outcome," Morris wrote.
Coming Soon to Big Sky Country: Marriage Equality
Ninth Circuit decision Paves the way for Montana District Court Ruling by the End of the Year
October 7, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org
HELENA, Mont. ? A Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling today that marriage bans in Nevada and Idaho are unconstitutional means Montana will soon be a marriage equality state.
"I?m finally going to be able to marry the woman I love," says Angie Rolando of her partner Tonya. The Great Falls couple is one of four plaintiff couples represented by the ACLU of Montana in a federal court case challenging Montana?s marriage amendment. "We?ve been dreaming of this day for so long, and now we can start planning our wedding. Here come the brides!"
"This is a great day for marriage equality," says Elizabeth Gill, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. "The ruling that the bans on same-sex couples marrying in Idaho and Nevada are unconstitutional is important for not only the states whose marriage bans were involved ? Idaho and Nevada ? but also for every state in the Ninth Circuit that still excludes same-sex couples from the freedom to marry, including Montana. Coupled with the Supreme Court yesterday denying certiorari on similar rulings, the effect of today?s Ninth Circuit opinion will be to add five more states to the growing number of marriage equality states. It means that marriage equality will soon be the law of the land in 35 states."
The Ninth Circuit Court ruled in a unanimous opinion that Idaho and Nevada?s bans on marriage for same-sex couples are unconstitutional as discrimination based on sexual orientation under the federal Equal Protection Clause.
In addition to Angie and Tonya Rolando of Great Falls, the couples in the ACLU?s lawsuit challenging Montana?s marriage amendment are Shauna and Nicole Goubeaux of Billings, Ben Milano and Chase Weinhandl of Bozeman and Sue Hawthorne and Adel Johnson of Helena.
All that stands in the way of marriage equality in Montana is a final ruling in our case. "We will be filing for summary judgment right away," says ACLU of Montana Legal Director Jim Taylor. "Then it?s just up to Judge Brian Morris to apply the Ninth Circuit?s opinion. Then we expect to hear champagne corks popping across the state."
In addition to Taylor and Gill, the couples are represented by Ben Alke and James Goetz of Goetz, Gallik & Baldwin P.C.; and Stuart Plunkett, Ruth Borenstein, Ariel Ruiz, and Emily Regier of the law firm Morrison & Foerster LLP.
Additional information about the case and plaintiffs can be found at www.aclumontana.org
October 7, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org
HELENA, Mont. ? A Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling today that marriage bans in Nevada and Idaho are unconstitutional means Montana will soon be a marriage equality state.
"I?m finally going to be able to marry the woman I love," says Angie Rolando of her partner Tonya. The Great Falls couple is one of four plaintiff couples represented by the ACLU of Montana in a federal court case challenging Montana?s marriage amendment. "We?ve been dreaming of this day for so long, and now we can start planning our wedding. Here come the brides!"
"This is a great day for marriage equality," says Elizabeth Gill, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. "The ruling that the bans on same-sex couples marrying in Idaho and Nevada are unconstitutional is important for not only the states whose marriage bans were involved ? Idaho and Nevada ? but also for every state in the Ninth Circuit that still excludes same-sex couples from the freedom to marry, including Montana. Coupled with the Supreme Court yesterday denying certiorari on similar rulings, the effect of today?s Ninth Circuit opinion will be to add five more states to the growing number of marriage equality states. It means that marriage equality will soon be the law of the land in 35 states."
The Ninth Circuit Court ruled in a unanimous opinion that Idaho and Nevada?s bans on marriage for same-sex couples are unconstitutional as discrimination based on sexual orientation under the federal Equal Protection Clause.
In addition to Angie and Tonya Rolando of Great Falls, the couples in the ACLU?s lawsuit challenging Montana?s marriage amendment are Shauna and Nicole Goubeaux of Billings, Ben Milano and Chase Weinhandl of Bozeman and Sue Hawthorne and Adel Johnson of Helena.
All that stands in the way of marriage equality in Montana is a final ruling in our case. "We will be filing for summary judgment right away," says ACLU of Montana Legal Director Jim Taylor. "Then it?s just up to Judge Brian Morris to apply the Ninth Circuit?s opinion. Then we expect to hear champagne corks popping across the state."
In addition to Taylor and Gill, the couples are represented by Ben Alke and James Goetz of Goetz, Gallik & Baldwin P.C.; and Stuart Plunkett, Ruth Borenstein, Ariel Ruiz, and Emily Regier of the law firm Morrison & Foerster LLP.
Additional information about the case and plaintiffs can be found at www.aclumontana.org
Friday, November 21, 2014
OKCupid expands gender, orientation options
The popular internet dating site is expanding options for members to choose in the categories of sexual orientation and gender identity, NewNowNext reported. "You're part of a select group with access to this feature," the message read, according to NewNowNext.
Stuff Lesbians Like Part 124: Reply-All-colism
What really makes a lesbian more excited than a paparazzo in room full of Kardashians is when she receives a mass email announcing a night on the town or a house party. This is not because she will get to drink cocktails with her friends and thirty other people she barely knows but pretends to be best friends with. It means that she will be able to solidify her position in the entourage by announcing her presence and expressing her thoughts to a built-in audience by pressing ?reply all.?
'The Last One' AIDS memorial quilt documentary premieres on Showtime Dec 1
In honor of the 26th World AIDS Day, Showtime will premiere the documentary The Last One on December 1 at 8:30pm. The 70-minute documentary chronicles the history of The NAMES Project Foundation's AIDS Memorial Quilt. Watch the trailer below.
The Last One uses archival footage and interviews with the Quilt's founder Cleve Jones, "Hand Maiden of the Quilt" Gert McMullin and other early volunteers and panel makers to talk about the creation of the Quilt, giving hope and fighting back against a system that refused to act. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is the largest ongoing community art project in the world and people continue to submit panels to memorialize loved ones lost to HIV/AIDS.
The documentary's world premiere falls on the 26th Annual World AIDS Day, an international observance in support of those living with HIV/AIDS and in memory of the lives lost in the epidemic. Worldwide, there are an estimated 34 million people living with HIV and more than 35 million have already died from the virus. In the US, over 1.1 million people have HIV and almost 1 in 6 are unaware of their positive status.
There are numerous ways to get involved with World AIDS Day this year, by learning the facts and putting the knowledge into action. Another way to show support for those living with HIV/AIDS is by wearing the signature red ribbon on December 1. You can find out more about World AIDS Day at www.worldaidsday.org.
Don't miss The Last One on Showtime at 8:30pm on December 1.
November 21, 2014
Issues:
Entertainment,
Film,
Television
Tags:
The Last One,
World AIDS Day,
Showtime,
Cleve Jones
The Last One uses archival footage and interviews with the Quilt's founder Cleve Jones, "Hand Maiden of the Quilt" Gert McMullin and other early volunteers and panel makers to talk about the creation of the Quilt, giving hope and fighting back against a system that refused to act. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is the largest ongoing community art project in the world and people continue to submit panels to memorialize loved ones lost to HIV/AIDS.
The documentary's world premiere falls on the 26th Annual World AIDS Day, an international observance in support of those living with HIV/AIDS and in memory of the lives lost in the epidemic. Worldwide, there are an estimated 34 million people living with HIV and more than 35 million have already died from the virus. In the US, over 1.1 million people have HIV and almost 1 in 6 are unaware of their positive status.
There are numerous ways to get involved with World AIDS Day this year, by learning the facts and putting the knowledge into action. Another way to show support for those living with HIV/AIDS is by wearing the signature red ribbon on December 1. You can find out more about World AIDS Day at www.worldaidsday.org.
Don't miss The Last One on Showtime at 8:30pm on December 1.
November 21, 2014
Issues:
Entertainment,
Film,
Television
Tags:
The Last One,
World AIDS Day,
Showtime,
Cleve Jones
Bent-Con 2014: LGBTQ Nerdery at Its Best
This weekend, Bent-Con marked its fifth year as the premiere convention to celebrate LGBTQ (and allies') contributions to pop-culture and geekdom.
The Pope Books Take That for the Next Vatican Show
After this weeks Royal Variety Performance (the one where Duchess Camilla was attacked with a stick when caught up in the London riots), the Pope has booked Take That. The show included hundreds of near naked male dancers.
Naked from the back
The five Take That members sang on top of a raised platform while the remainder of the stage was covered in male dancers wearing nothing but flesh-coloured jockstraps.
As the song continued the men re-enacted the five poses on the front of the band?s new album, Progress.
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Naked from the back
The five Take That members sang on top of a raised platform while the remainder of the stage was covered in male dancers wearing nothing but flesh-coloured jockstraps.
As the song continued the men re-enacted the five poses on the front of the band?s new album, Progress.
Gay newsView Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
Run don’t walk…
Like most things that weigh heavily in our community and lives, from our civil rights and freedoms to our many other struggles, HIV has been at the forefront. HIV infection and reduction and making those who are HIV positive or living with AIDS more comfortable and fulfilled has been a huge priority for all of us. For those of us who have lost someone to this disease it is much more personal and AIDS Walk and other related events are a way to remember and show our commitment to those we loved. For others who know someone who is living with HIV or AIDS it is an opportunity to do something about it and show love and support for our brothers and sisters. For everyone it is a way to show support, tolerance and compassion.
Whatever the motivation or experience …
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Whatever the motivation or experience …
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Leaving a legacy: Danny Kopelson reflects on Hall of Fame life
Danny Kopelson is heading west—bound for Palm Springs, California—leaving behind a multimillion-dollar legacy to Chicago's LGBT community.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Must-See LGBT TV: Sunday 11/16 - Saturday 11/22
Grab the remote, set your DVR or queue up your streaming service of choice! GLAAD is bringing you the highlights in LGBT on TV this week. Check back every Sunday for up-to-date coverage in LGBT-inclusive programming on TV.
On Tuesday, PBS' Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. will feature out writer David Sedaris as one of three celebrities tracing their ancestry. As part of his journey, Sedaris finds that his great-grand-aunt was actually taken into captivity by the Ottoman military. Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.: Tuesday, 8pm on PBS.
This week marks the mid-season finales for ABC's #TGIT programming block: Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. On Grey's, Callie blames herself when one of the veterans she is working with is pushed too far. Scandal's Cyrus faces the repercussions of his recent actions and How to Get Away with Murder will reveal the events that led to Sam's death the night of the bonfire. Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder: Thursday, starting at 8pm on ABC.
For a breakdown of LGBT-inclusive shows airing every week, check out our nightly listings below:
Sunday November 16: Brooklyn Nine-Nine (8:30pm, FOX); The Good Wife (9pm, CBS); Revenge (10pm, ABC)
Monday: Gotham (8pm, FOX); Jane the Virgin (9pm, CW)
Tuesday: The Flash (8pm, CW); Marry Me (9pm, NBC); Awkward. (10pm, MTV); Faking It (10:30pm, MTV)
Wednesday: Survivor (8pm, CBS); Modern Family (9pm, ABC); Red Band Society (9pm, FOX); Nashville (10pm, ABC)
Thursday: Grey's Anatomy (8pm, ABC); The Biggest Loser (8pm, NBC); Scandal (9pm, ABC); White Collar (9pm, USA); The McCarthys (9:30pm, CBS); How to Get Away with Murder (10pm, ABC)
Friday: America's Next Top Model (9pm, CW)
On daytime,�check your local listings for information about�Ellen,�The Talk�(CBS), The Gossip Table (VH1), The View (ABC) and�The Chew�(ABC). Soap operas Days of Our Lives�on NBC and General Hospital on ABC (check local listings) both feature out characters.
______________________________________________________
About GLAADGLAAD amplifies the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, see�www.glaad.org, www.facebook.com/glaad, www.twitter.com/glaad and�www.glaad.tumblr.com.
November 16, 2014
Issues:
What to Watch on TV
Tags:
Finding Your Roots,
David Sedaris,
How to Get Away with Murder,
Scandal,
Grey's Anatomy,
Must-See LGBT TV
On Tuesday, PBS' Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. will feature out writer David Sedaris as one of three celebrities tracing their ancestry. As part of his journey, Sedaris finds that his great-grand-aunt was actually taken into captivity by the Ottoman military. Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.: Tuesday, 8pm on PBS.
This week marks the mid-season finales for ABC's #TGIT programming block: Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. On Grey's, Callie blames herself when one of the veterans she is working with is pushed too far. Scandal's Cyrus faces the repercussions of his recent actions and How to Get Away with Murder will reveal the events that led to Sam's death the night of the bonfire. Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder: Thursday, starting at 8pm on ABC.
For a breakdown of LGBT-inclusive shows airing every week, check out our nightly listings below:
Sunday November 16: Brooklyn Nine-Nine (8:30pm, FOX); The Good Wife (9pm, CBS); Revenge (10pm, ABC)
Monday: Gotham (8pm, FOX); Jane the Virgin (9pm, CW)
Tuesday: The Flash (8pm, CW); Marry Me (9pm, NBC); Awkward. (10pm, MTV); Faking It (10:30pm, MTV)
Wednesday: Survivor (8pm, CBS); Modern Family (9pm, ABC); Red Band Society (9pm, FOX); Nashville (10pm, ABC)
Thursday: Grey's Anatomy (8pm, ABC); The Biggest Loser (8pm, NBC); Scandal (9pm, ABC); White Collar (9pm, USA); The McCarthys (9:30pm, CBS); How to Get Away with Murder (10pm, ABC)
Friday: America's Next Top Model (9pm, CW)
On daytime,�check your local listings for information about�Ellen,�The Talk�(CBS), The Gossip Table (VH1), The View (ABC) and�The Chew�(ABC). Soap operas Days of Our Lives�on NBC and General Hospital on ABC (check local listings) both feature out characters.
______________________________________________________
About GLAADGLAAD amplifies the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, see�www.glaad.org, www.facebook.com/glaad, www.twitter.com/glaad and�www.glaad.tumblr.com.
November 16, 2014
Issues:
What to Watch on TV
Tags:
Finding Your Roots,
David Sedaris,
How to Get Away with Murder,
Scandal,
Grey's Anatomy,
Must-See LGBT TV
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!
(71) Are We Podfading?
Understatement of the year: “That really hurt me;” Nona’s World War II PTSD poverty complex; Some chatting w/friends re: Liza Minelli; Lez Social Scene; Mr. Softee; Being taken advantage of by one of Giulliani’s; Dirty Talk; Your vadge & chlorinated toxins, including dioxin; Sister Louis Marie & more! This one’s a little slow moving, it’s […]
Speaking Truth About the End
Lesbian Relationship Ends on a Good Note I got an e-mail from a friend the other day. I wrote about her and her former partner deciding to reconcile in a previous post that I can't seem to find. (Big shocker) She wanted to let me know that despite their best efforts to make it happen, it wasn't meant to be and didn't work out for them. What impressed me the most was how she presented it to me. It wasn't the typical crap I tend to hear when there is a break-up: the other person was an evil villain who was horrible who victimized her, blah, blah, blah. Instead, this sweet lady said about her break-up:I feel empowered because I made the decision less because she was 'wrong' and more about what wasn't right for me. In other words, it wasn't anti-her...it was pro-me. It is a slight difference, but it is a important shift. I am committed to not over functioning and getting the support and love that I need and deserve. And that begins with restoring the love affair I have with myself. So I am good. Wasn't that refreshing? Healthy? Kind?Sometimes, it's okay to date someone, even for a long time, and then realize that despite feeling love and affection you have, they are not the best match for you. It's not that there is anything wrong with them, it's that you are looking for something different and you don't want to settle. Things you can't know after just dating for a few months. When you make the decision that you love yourself enough not to settle for less than you know you want, it doesn't mean you have to hate that person first in order to let them go. It doesn't mean you have to sell your reasons to others so they don't blame you or think badly of you. If you are smart enough to walk away from comfort and security in exchange for staying true to yourself, you can still honor the person that you have been with by not making it seem as though they had blame in it. More Proof I reconnected with an old friend recently who ended things with her girlfriend while we were apart. I asked her why and she had an equally lovely answer. I'm paraphrasing but she said something to the effect of "I honor her as a person and I didn't want to change who she was. But all of those things that you don't like in a partner, that's what our mutual friend, so-and-so, calls 'The price of admission.' Sometimes, you just don't want to pay that price."The price of admission? Hmmmm. I mentally took that metaphor for a test drive and loved the way it handled my neuropathways. I don't want to pay because I realize I've seen this show beforeI've become emotionally bankrupt from being in this show and I can't keep payingI don't want to pay because I don't like horror flicksI don't want to pay because this show is not very entertaining, anymoreI don't want to pay because I work in this show and someone should be paying me ...you get the idea. It's a keeper!Anyway, I have become fascinated with why people who love their partners and seemed thrilled with the relationship one day can be rejected by said partner the next day and suddenly, the person who rejected him is the devil. They will not stop talking to anyone who will listen about all their faults. They hold themselves up as a victim to be pitied. (See my previous post for more about these types). It is SO NICE to hear from two people who had ample opportunities to drag their exes through the mud and go the way of other less introspective people, but chose to stay on the high road. After all, the view is so much better up there and both of these women moved up a few notches in my book of classy friends. I am so glad to see these healthy examples of how to handle the end of a lesbian relationship.May it be a lesson for all of us.
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