After a helluva crazy week - Netroots Nation in Vegas with all the stimulation overload, the flight back home complete with jet lag, the NOM rally a few hours after landing, the death of my beloved dog, and now taking Jerame to the airport for a weekend trip to DC - I'm exhausted. I can't write; hell, I can barely keep my eyes open at this point.

So what's a Bilerico blogger to do?

Thanks to Projector Ed, I bring you a boy pic. Two actually. British boy band McFly posed for Attitude magazine and it's no a photo shoot you'll see in an American magazine any time soon! As Ed says in his e-mail, "I feel cheated!"

Mostly naked (probably NSFW) picture of the hottie on the left with the star tattoo on his chest after the jump. Thank Ed. He knows how to motivate me.

Continue reading "McFly: Naked boy band pics" »

Grover Norquist is a conservative hit man who has absolutely no values other than helping the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. So it was an interesting move last month to put him on the board of GOProud, the newer gay and lesbian Republican org - the message that I got, at least, was that there are famous figures on the right that care more about advancing the conservative agenda of tax breaks and deregulation than they do about social issues. Considering some of Norquist's other activities, that message should not be confused with the idea that he's a famous rightwinger who's actively pro-gay and conservative.

It's the basic division between "tolerance" and "acceptance," and GOProud chooses "tolerance."

Norquist is also an advisor to the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, a group that tries to use abortion and gay rights as wedge issues to get latinos to vote for Republicans, set up by the American Principles Project. This past week, the LPCP announced that they'd be conducting a $1 million independent expenditure (spending money for her without coordinating with the campaign itself) for California Senate candidate Carly Fiorina.

A few wondered where that money's coming from, considering how new the LPCP is, and they announced their two partners: the Susan B. Anthony List (who'll be donating $100K) and the National Organization for Marriage, who'll be donating an unknown amount of money, but I'd guess the bulk of the million dollars will be coming from them.

Continue reading "GOProud, NOM, Grover Norquist: A conservative family photo" »

A video featuring an amazingly well intentioned straight ally from Minnesota has been widely shared this week on social media sites.

She respectfully purchased over $200 worth of merchandise from her local target store, then returned it to customer service while she explained to the store manager why she plans to boycott Target.

At issue, $150,000.00 campaign contribution to a group campaigning for anti-gay Republican Minnesota Governor candidate Tom Emmer. Watch:

Continue reading "Should gays and lesbians boycott Target?" »

At Netroots Nation, a bunch of us got together to talk about why ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, has fallen to the bottom of the barrel.

One of the points we noticed is that the campaign to put soldier's stories of harassment in the military front and center seemed to be very effective in mobilizing resistance against the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.

We agreed that it was time to start doing the same for stories of workplace discrimination and harassment.

Our political leaders get that it's wrong and something needs to be done about it, but in the face of Republican resistance, they've pretty much folded their hand.

I'd like to put your story of workplace harassment here on Bilerico. It doesn't have to be the most horrific story ever, but I think people need to start hearing about the day-to-day worries of people who have had to put up with harassment or being fired or not getting hired because of sexual orientation or gender expression.

Send me your story at jillian@bilerico.com, and I'll put it up here.

United ENDA is also conducting a "Tell Your Story" campaign to get personal stories out to the media. Please fill out their survey.

One such story after the jump.

Continue reading "Telling Your Story of Workplace Discrimination And Harassment" »

Last week I posted on the fatal police shooting of Dean Gaymon and said that the orgs working on that were asking for a federal investigation. Shortly after Bill Dobbs emailed to correct me - they were asking for the New Jersey attorney general to investigate.

Well, the state attorney general said no:

After meeting with her top officials today afternoon, Dow concluded there was "no indication of a conflict with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office handling this case fairly and impartially," said her spokesman, Paul Loriquet. "That was never called into question."

Afterward, the attorney general called the Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino to discuss the decision. The prosecutor's office will present its investigation to a grand jury, which will take several weeks.

Considering the county prosecutor was already acting like the police department's defense attorney last week when the shooting happened, hiding the name of the officer (which was later leaked) and accepted the officer's incredibly suspicious version of the facts before an investigation was conducted, I really doubt that they'll handle the case "impartially." Consider the prosecutor talking to the press:

Continue reading "State will not investigate police shooting of man in cruising area" »

I was back on the new LGBT podcast "Gay Street Beat" this week for their latest edition and wanted to share it with all of you! Be sure to download it free on iTunes or listen to it on the website and hear all the fun & informative interviews.

I get things started and kick off the episode giving some updates on Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the National Organization for Marriage's bigot bus tour, and the story behind Derrick Martin & Project LifeVest. This week also brings us up close and personal with Noah's Arc creator, Patrik-Ian Polk. Beyond being a groundbreaking writer, producer and director, Patrik-Ian is also a gifted singer and vocalist for the band, Fol Chen. Patrik shares with us the song C/U and describes the band's fun sound and unique narrative. We also chat with the always fantastic Scott Nevins. Scott talks about recent developments with uber-hater Bill Donohue from the Catholic League and efforts to boycott Target, who has been funding anti-LGBT candidates and causes. You need to hear it!

As always, the podcast was amazing fun to do with host Jim Ver Steeg, so check it out and download it! Without a doubt, you'll be educated, entertained, and amused!

Continue reading "New Gay Street Beat Podcast (Featuring Me!) Talks About DADT, Music, Target, & More!" »

Toni Broaddus, Executive Director of the Equality Federation, will be stepping down. She has served the organization for nearly six years and was the group's first leader. Toni is also a personal friend who has helped many state organizations gain the capacity to achieve actual change on the front lines.

Toni first became involved with the Federation in 2003 during her tenure as Program Director for Equality California. In 2004, she left EQCA to work with the Federation Board to transition the Federation from a volunteer-run coalition to a resourced and staffed organization with the capacity to implement a vision for the movement on behalf of state equality organizations. In 2005, she became Equality Federation's first executive director. The Federation now boasts 55 member organizations in 42 states and has an annual operating budget of $1 million.

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve the leaders of equality organizations in the states, who are some of the most amazing unsung heroes of the LGBT civil rights movement," said Toni. "Equality Federation is one of the most critical organizations in this movement for equality, because it is the only organization built by state leaders in every state with a vision for equality based on the belief that change trickles up. I am incredibly sad to leave this great organization, but I am proud of what we have built together over the past six years."

America's first great professional trans stage performer, Julian Eltinge, was a subject of intrigue, romance, and controversy. According to W.C. Fields, "When Julian Eltinge enters a room, all the women swoon and all the men leave for the smoking room."

Continue reading "Tribute to Julian Eltinge: Theatre memorabilia" »

Editors' Note: Guest blogger Zack Rosen is a Leo who is losing his hair. He attended Netroots Nation on a Freedom To Marry scholarship. He blogs at The New Gay.

Nothing looks more democratic than Las Vegas from the 36th floor of the Rio Grande Hotel. A whole city of lights, bustling, in perfect little squares of houses and commerce, all given an equal plot of land in the city where anyone, as the legend goes, can win a million bucks from a quarter or get a blowjob from someone they might or might not be paying. It was a great fantasy from the window of my hotel room in the midst of last weeks NetRoots Nation conference. We are all equal, and we all count. Unfortunately, the view of the city looks way different from the street. It’s dominated, depending on where you look, by a smattering of buildings so tall that you can barely see the sky.

Wednesday, in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building, I was arrested for something I believe in. I complain a lot, and criticize, but rarely have I felt so close to creating the actual change that I think is needed in our queer universe. It’s hard to put yourself on the line like that. I was only assured that it was worth it, worth the temporary loss of freedom, the spectacle of being shackled in front of the whole word, because I approached the issue (with the help of fearless activist group Get Equal) on my own terms. I am tired of waiting, tired of being polite, and tired of being stymied by an overly organized system every time I try to make a difference.

Continue reading "NetRoots Gaytion: Is It Wicked Not To Care?" »

The trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has arrived. In order to convey the excitement that this news generated at our house, I have to confirm one of fundamentalist Christianity's most apoplectic fantasies: the Harry Potter series is like the Bible in our queer home.

I wish you could have seen my son's face when we told him that J.K. Rowling had outed the series' eccentric éminence grise, Albus Dumbledore. Waylon paused for an uncharacteristically long time, his little eyes blank with surprise. Then a slow grin crept across his face, until he was positively beaming.

For all of his short life, we'd been trying to help Waylon feel good about his family by telling him about famous queers who made a difference: Bayard Rustin, Harvey Milk, Eleanor Roosevelt. But here was someone who was actually famous in Waylon's world. Here was a gay who made a difference to five-year-olds.

Which was why it was so painful that Dumbledore should be the subject of the first anti-gay taunts that Waylon ever heard.

Continue reading "Dumbledore is Gaaaaay" »

Boston's Gospelfest this year featured Rev. Donnie McClurkin, the poster boy for African American ex-gay ministries, who spews anti-gay religion-based vitriol at every public event he can get as part of his outreach ministries to gay youths. But at this event, McClurkin had to refrain from his usual homophobic diatribes. And it was not because the spirit moved him or any public protest, but rather because the mayor's office warned him. McClurkin's folks knew if Donnie got on his anti-gay soap box that he would never sing in this town again at a city-sponsored gospelfest, but also no place else.

MuClurkin is a classic example why homophobia is an ongoing problem in the African American community, and it must be challenged at every opportunity. However, the tactics and strategies needed must derive from the community itself and in cooperation with other faith and activist communities in order for the challenge and protest to be both successful and sustainable.

When Don Gorton, organizer of Join the Impact - MA (JTIMA), a grassroots campaign to promote LGBTQ civil rights, contacted me on June 25th offering his help in protesting McClurkin's upcoming appearance I thought the invitation was sincere.

"Great quotes in the Phoenix article. The Anti-Violence Project is on board with your call to action to protest Donnie McClurkin's scheduled appearance at GospelFest. I also expect support from Join the Impact MA and Truth Wins Out," Gorton wrote in an email to me.

Continue reading "Another example of the black-white divide in our community " »

I'm breathless, but in a good way. I attended the protest at the NOM rally in front of the Indiana Statehouse on Monday, and someone took my picture. That picture has found its way on the InterWebs, and it's kind of overwhelming. I had no idea the response it would engender.

Continue reading "NOM Indianapolis: Newbie Report" »