Living: June 2009
Former Indy resident gay bashed in NYC
Filed by Bil Browning | June 30, 2009 7:00 PM |Fellow blogger Ruth Holladay's cousin, Joe Holladay, was recently beaten on the Upper East Side on gay pride weekend. Joe went to school in Indianapolis before eventually finding his way to Boston where he lives currently. According to the New...Read More
A "Penultimate Step" in the Fight to End the HIV Travel Ban
Filed by Steve Ralls | June 30, 2009 4:30 PM |In a move that closes the gap between two White House administrations, numerous government agencies and a year-old act of Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued regulations that would end the United States' decades-old HIV travel...Read More
Pink Saturday: Party or police state?
Filed by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore | June 30, 2009 2:30 PM |Okay, so I actually kind of like Pink Saturday, the night before pride when the Castro gets blocked off to traffic and people wander around getting smashed and dancing to terrible music blasted from sound stages in the street. I...Read More
Pink Saturday: Party or police state?
Filed by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore | June 30, 2009 2:30 PM |Okay, so I actually kind of like Pink Saturday, the night before pride when the Castro gets blocked off to traffic and people wander around getting smashed and dancing to terrible music blasted from sound stages in the street. I...Read More
Religious Right mad that gay person nominated to Education position
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 30, 2009 1:00 PM |The Family Research Council has decided to take on one of Obama's appointments, and they're going after openly gay nominee to head the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Kevin Jennings. Jennings also happens to be the former head of...Read More
Clubland's Wonder Woman: Kristine W interview
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 29, 2009 3:00 PM |Editors' Note: Guest blogger Scott David recently interviewed dance music artist Kristine W for Bilerico Project. She has had 13 No. 1 Billboard Dance hits and is one of the best selling dance artists of all time. The singer took...Read More
Two quick hits from Projectors
Filed by Bil Browning | June 29, 2009 12:30 PM |Two quick hits from the "What do Bilerico Project contributors do when they're not blogging for the site?" department. The answer? They write for large mainstream newspapers! Here are two must-read articles from Bilerico contributors that were published yesterday and...Read More
Gay NYC Marching Bloggers in front of Stonewall on the 40th Anniversary
Filed by Father Tony | June 29, 2009 10:30 AM |We assembled on 54th Street at 11:30 AM Sunday June 28, 2009 with our group in Section 8 (of 12 - largest gay pride New York City parade ever). FIrst time the gay bloggers and digital activists marched as...Read More
Outside the binary
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 28, 2009 2:00 PM |Via feministing, here's a story about a couple in Sweden who's raising their child without gender pronouns or gendered behavior. In fact, they're keeping their child's sex a secret from the world at large in hopes that the child will...Read More
40 Years Across the Table, Stonewall Vets Talk with LGBT Youth
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 28, 2009 11:30 AM |[E ditor's Note: Carl Siciliano is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center, whose mission is to help homeless LGBT youth be safe and become independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood. For moreinformation go to...Read More
Our One Year Wedding Anniversary: A Journey of Recognition
Filed by Waymon Hudson | June 27, 2009 4:00 PM |One year ago, we made a trek from Florida to California to celebrate our 6 year anniversary (this year makes it 7). While visiting San Francisco on June 27, Anthony and I were lucky enough to become one of the...Read More
Family Planning: A Good Return on the Investment
Filed by Serena Freewomyn | June 27, 2009 12:00 PM |A new report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) shows that development assistance for family planning services in developing nations is a pretty remarkable investment. According to the study, donor nations can see a 4-fold return on their investment...Read More
South Bend Council Members Henry Davis Jr. & Oliver Davis Do Not Support Equal Rights For GLBT?
Filed by Donna Pandori | June 26, 2009 6:00 PM |Many in South Bend are praising Mayor Steve Luecke for his executive order issued Wednesday that bans GLBT discrimination of city employees and prospective workers. However, council members Henry Davis Jr. (district 2) and Oliver Davis (district 6) are not....Read More
CVS: Condoms Vs Shoplifters
Filed by Bil Browning | June 26, 2009 12:00 PM |A coalition of labor unions is criticizing CVS pharmacies for locking up condoms in some of its stores. The group, Change to Win, says that putting the rubbers behind glass means that young people will be less likely to ask...Read More
Michael Jackson & Farrah Fawcett died today
Filed by Bil Browning | June 25, 2009 8:30 PM |Farrah Fawcett died of anal cancer this morning. Michael Jackson passed away after a heart attack this afternoon. Can you imagine the late night talk show jokes tonight? Rumors of Jeff Goldblum and Harrison Ford's deaths seem to be overblown,...Read More
Don't Be Played for a Sucker, Again
Filed by Michael Hamar | June 25, 2009 4:00 PM |Following various blogs and e-mails, the grass roots LGBTQ fury at the Congressional Democrats and President Obama seems to be continuing to escalate, and rightly so. Obama courted the gay and lesbian vote in his campaign for the presidency but...Read More
Three funny videos about health care from SEIU
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 25, 2009 11:30 AM |The SEIU has made up a parody group, Healthy Americans Against Reforming Healthcare (HAARM), complete with parody videos. I love the part in this one about how America hates fat people so they're just going to associate the public option...Read More
Fluid sex. Schedule it for 2020.
Filed by Father Tony | June 25, 2009 10:30 AM |Father Tony, it'd be great to have you write in more depth about why you hope the 'straight vs. gay' dichotomy has gone stale. What kind of potentialities do you imagine? Grounding 'fluidity' in some practical, lived way is...Read More
Virginia Court Rules Executive Order 1 (2006) Gives Gays No Cause of Action
Filed by Michael Hamar | June 24, 2009 11:30 PM |The Circuit Court for the City of Martinsville has ruled in Michael Ware Moore v. Virginia Museum of Natural History that Executive Order 1 (2006) signed by Virginia Governor (and DNC Chair) Tim Kaine provides no cause of action to...Read More
Raise LGBTQ & HIV Voices in Health Care Reform
Filed by Simon Aronoff | June 24, 2009 6:00 PM |I am as pleased as the next guy that President Obama has made health care reform a priority. In the last few weeks, we've seen the House and Senate release draft reform bills, and the profit mongering executives of HMOs...Read More
Breaking: South Bend Mayor To Protect LGBT City Workers
Filed by Donna Pandori | June 24, 2009 4:30 PM |From WSBT Newstalk South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke is issuing his first Executive Order and it will prohibit discrimination against city employees who are gay, bisexual or transgender....Read More
Tammy Baldwin introduces LGBT health care bill
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 24, 2009 11:00 AM |Wow. After participating in the Congressional Progressive Caucus's ideological coup to stand solid against any health care reform without a strong public option, Tammy Baldwin introduced legislation to deal with LGBT health care issues: Baldwin's Ending Health Disparities for LGBT...Read More
Take the Test: Local Events for National HIV Testing Day (Saturday, June 27)
Filed by Dan O'Neill | June 24, 2009 9:30 AM |Many of you may have seen advertisements for National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), happening this Saturday, June 27th. The observance day, established by the CDC in 1995, promotes voluntary HIV counseling and testing and raises awareness of the significant number...Read More
The Murder that Didn't Happen
Filed by Tobi Hill-Meyer | June 23, 2009 11:30 AM |Last week I wrote about the reported murder of a young trans woman. But as time went on and the facts could not be verified, suspicions rose about whether it could be a hoax. There is now verification that it...Read More
Traditional Marriage Threat Alert - Brownsburg, Indiana
Filed by Donna Pandori | June 23, 2009 11:00 AM |The sanctity of traditional marriage (i.e. Marriage = Man + Woman) was under attack Sunday in Brownsburg, Indiana as a husband stabbed his wife to death while she was in bed. No comments have been forthcoming from the folks over...Read More
Pictures from Pride of Greater Ft. Lauderdale!
Filed by Waymon Hudson | June 23, 2009 8:00 AM |Enjoy these pictures from the nighttime parade and Pride of Greater Ft. Lauderdale Stonewall Pride Festival in Wilton Manors, FL! You might recognize Bilerico Florida's own Commissioner Anthony Niedwiecki (who I'm riding with in the parade). Click here for pictures...Read More
Bloomington group to hold sit-in for equality
Filed by Bil Browning | June 22, 2009 2:30 PM |Wow. I'm torn on this one. Gay Recruiters, a Bloomington-based gay rights group, is planning a protest on July 2nd. The group says the sit-in is being held to condemn a possible constitutional ban on same-sex marriage or civil unions....Read More
Transgender Comics: Venus Envy
Filed by Austen Crowder | June 22, 2009 10:00 AM |This is part two of Austen's ongoing Transgender Comic review. Be sure to check out Closetspace as well! The picture says it all. If I were to pick any one comic, novel, or show to give to a young trans-person,...Read More
Condoms and Sex
Filed by John Shields | June 22, 2009 9:30 AM |As an out gay man, I have a confession to make: I have had sexual intercourse with women. In college, my first girlfriend's last name was Condon. Some of her friends - before me - nicknamed her "Troj." That would...Read More
Health care reform week, not weak health care reform
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 21, 2009 4:00 PM |As big of a week this was for LGBT policy, it was also an important, exciting, disappointing, and stressful week for health care reform. I have more on that after the jump, but for those people who don't follow the...Read More
"The Times of Harvey Milk" now on YouTube
Filed by Waymon Hudson | June 21, 2009 2:30 PM |YouTube has recently put up the amazing documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" in its entirety. Everyone should watch this great piece of LGBT history, with interviews and footage from Milk's life and death. (h/t Joe.My.God.)...Read More
For Father's Day
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 21, 2009 10:00 AM |[Editor's Note: Bob Morris is a New York Times Sunday Styles section contributor. In his book Assisted Loving: True Tales of Double Dating With My Dad he takes a very personal, candid, and hilarious look at a year of dating...Read More
Princess Dianu
Filed by Kate Clinton | June 21, 2009 8:00 AM |I'm so pissed. After everything else, the Department of Justice defends the undefendable? The LGBT ATM is shutting down. Thanks for the memo, Obama....Read More
See Update -- Another Brutal Murder
Filed by Tobi Hill-Meyer | June 19, 2009 6:00 PM |Further Update: There is now concrete evidence that this murder did not happen. For more details see an updated post Update: As pointed out in the comments below, the original source on this story has pulled it because they cannot...Read More
Hate Violence Report Sites the Changing Face of Crime
Filed by Keri Renault | June 19, 2009 4:30 PM |Violence against the LGBT community was up in 2008. So says the 2008 Hate Violence Report released June 16th by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects (NCAVP). A 2% national increase follows a 24% spike in violence reported in 2007....Read More
Passing (Or Not) at the Pool
Filed by Paige Schilt | June 19, 2009 2:00 PM |It feels like 95 degrees in the shade. We're standing in line at the municipal pool. The mom in front of us has three kids and a tattoo on her cleavage that says "Ivan" or "Juan," I can't tell which....Read More
For Love AND Country: Immigration & The LGBT Community
Filed by Steve Ralls | June 19, 2009 12:00 PM |In 1999, when I first began working for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the question I heard most often - from friends, colleagues and the media - was "why?" Why did I, having never served in uniform, care about...Read More
White House Looks to Include Same-Sex Unions in Census Count
Filed by Waymon Hudson | June 19, 2009 10:30 AM |Big news out of the White House today. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Obama Administration is turning its back on a Bush interpretation of the Defense of Marriage Act that they said prohibited the release of the...Read More
Indiana Equality: No stranger to controversy
Filed by Bil Browning | June 19, 2009 9:45 AM |While Indiana Equality's opposition to the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has raised eyebrows nationally about the organization's leadership, the state equality group isn't new to controversy. The organization, led by Republican fundraiser and organizer Kathy Sarris, has been perceived...Read More
Employee Reprimanded For Facebook Post
Filed by Michael Hamar | June 18, 2009 6:30 PM |The question has been posed as to where exactly do our personal social media rights stand in light of our employer's right and/or desire to know and their ability to dictate what goes on our personal Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or...Read More
Employee Reprimanded For Facebook Post
Filed by Michael Hamar | June 18, 2009 6:30 PM |The question has been posed as to where exactly do our personal social media rights stand in light of our employer's right and/or desire to know and their ability to dictate what goes on our personal Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or...Read More
One small step...
Filed by Cathy Renna | June 18, 2009 3:30 PM |The past few days have been a whirlwind for the LGBT community, but for those of us in DC particularly so. Working with the Family Equality Council, whose Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler attended the Oval Office signing of the Presidential...Read More
Catholic Church Participates in Gay Pride
Filed by Father Tony | June 18, 2009 2:30 PM |On Tuesday, June 16, 2009, I attended the mandatory marshal training for groups accepted into the New York City Gay Pride March on June 28th. I sat in the vast Cronin Auditorium of the St. Vincent Catholic Hospital among more...Read More
I've Been Everywhere
Filed by Kate Clinton | June 18, 2009 12:30 PM |For LGBT comics, Gay Pride Month is like our national trade show. Comic troubadours fan out across the land to Gay Pride parades, rallies, block parties, garden parties, and hootenannies. No wait, the hootenannies are for National Coming Day. We...Read More
A Personal Reflection on President Obama's Step Towards Equality for LGBT Americans
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 18, 2009 12:30 PM |Editors' note: Leonard Hirsch works for the Smithsonian on international environmental issues. He also has been active in the LGBT Political Science Caucus, the Network of Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae Associations, and is one of the founders and President of...Read More
Spoken Like a True Bureaucrat
Filed by Father Tony | June 18, 2009 10:30 AM |Tony: In the general I supported Obama, and maxxed out my contribution. I did it because I felt I had no choice, anyone was better then Bush. I still think anyone was better then Bush. Politically I register DEM....Read More
Obama Signs Landmark Action to Extend Gay Rights
Filed by John Shields | June 18, 2009 9:30 AM |Breaking News: WASHINGTON, D.C. At an unprecedented early morning briefing, White House Press Secretary Robert L. Gibbs, outlined the Obama administration's rationale behind the low-key June 17th rollout of the "Memorandum on Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination, and Support of the...Read More
2009 Pride was More than a Capital Affair
Filed by Keri Renault | June 17, 2009 9:30 AM |Capitol Pride wrapped its 2009 festival Sunday with balmy blue skies and high-flying spirits that eclipsed the temps along Pennsylvania Avenue. What a sight to see for the first time. As a relative newcomer to the DC scene, I've witnessed...Read More
Indiana Equality opposes ENDA: Calls it "segregation"
Filed by Bil Browning | June 17, 2009 9:30 AM |In a stunning and controversial move, Indiana's statewide LGBT organization, Indiana Equality, has publicly called the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) "a new form of segregation," and will not support the proposed federal legislation. Instead, the group will only accept full...Read More
Behind The Scenes at D.C. Pride
Filed by Cathy Renna | June 16, 2009 12:30 PM |So what really is the best part of working behind the scenes at one of the largest LGBT Pride events in the country? The longtime activist in me says it's the clean bathrooms with no lines and a truck full...Read More
Caption This: Seen at LA Pride
Filed by Father Tony | June 16, 2009 11:30 AM |In the shirts are SF Mayor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at LA Pride. (Photo by Karen Ocamb)...Read More
SNAP TO IT AT TRINA'S
Filed by Charles L. Ross | June 16, 2009 8:00 AM |Thursday, June 18 SNAP Social Network of Active Professionals This month, the gathering will be at Trina's in the Atlantic Hotel 6:00-8:00pm $10 suggested donation. Call or email Chad for more info and to make a reservation. 954-763-8565 chad@stonewall-library.org Trina's...Read More
The Ultimate List - Time Travel
Filed by Terrance Heath | June 15, 2009 9:30 AM |This post at The Best Article Every Day reminded me of a meme I launched years and years ago, on USENET. (I told you it was years ago.) Let's say you get your hands on a brand new Time Machine....Read More
Indy Pride 2009: It just keeps getting bigger
Filed by Bil Browning | June 14, 2009 4:00 PM |I feel sooooooo old when I say this, but I can remember when Indianapolis didn't have a Pride celebration. One year a small group of us just had a small picnic at a downtown park; I don't think there were...Read More
Was Jesus Gay? The Detective Story Continues
Filed by Patricia Nell Warren | June 14, 2009 2:30 PM |This subject has fascinated me for many years. Most of us agree on the importance of claiming some great historical figures, provided there is evidence. But with Jesus, what some of us view as "evidence" is that heart-throbbing incident in...Read More
Husqvarna Panthera Leo: Kids of the future will have it too easy
Filed by Nathan Strang | June 14, 2009 11:30 AM |If he (or she, I'm an equal opportunity child laborer) gets to mow the lawn with one of these I don't wanna hear a peep out of 'em: Husqvarna, the global leader of outdoor power products, has developed a quiet,...Read More
Stonewall Rebooted
Filed by Kate Clinton | June 13, 2009 2:00 PM |On an early morning flight from Orlando, after appearing at the 19th Annual Gay Days at Disneyworld, I was "sirred" twice by a cab driver and flight attendant. All before 7 a.m. I would have thought the brand new faux...Read More
From Whence We Came: The Importance of Pride in Establishing Gay Heritage
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 13, 2009 11:30 AM |Editor's Note: Kasey M. Dunton is an attorney and lobbyist in DC, focusing primarily on civil rights, employment, and First Amendment issues. Most of us remember our first Pride - where it was, who they went with, how they felt....Read More
Because Pride can really wipe you out
Filed by Bil Browning | June 13, 2009 10:00 AM |I'm off to Indy Pride today, but here's a cute picture to start a caption this/open thread. The floor is yours. The dog is Jerame's. (Note: This is the super hyper dog that I complain about constantly. To be able...Read More
Pride? Yes. Prideful? No.
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 12, 2009 7:30 PM |Editor's Note: Guest blogger Keri Renault is a broadcast writer/producer credited with creating & distributing two PBS-oriented television series, and blogs on the power of self advocacy in personal & relationship transitions. The burgeoning LGBTQ community has much to celebrate...Read More
Louisiana court deprives child of her second mom
Filed by Nancy Polikoff | June 12, 2009 2:30 PM |Add Louisiana to the list of states willing to deprive a child of her mother...and her brother. This week the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal ruled in Black v. Simms that Kimberlee Black is not entitled to joint custody...Read More
Farewell to LGBT Services?
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 12, 2009 1:30 PM |Editors' Note: Guest blogger Greg Varnum is the Executive Director of NYAC, the National Youth Advocacy Coalition. As news of marriage equality in New Hampshire dominated the headlines, I got word of another story unfolding in New Hampshire that is...Read More
Inhale for Pride - Exhale for Equal Rights
Filed by Father Tony | June 12, 2009 12:30 PM |A back injury that sends you to a physical therapist may have a good side effect. It makes you think about the mechanics of your body. It makes you analyze your movements. You learn to stretch, sit, bend, lift and...Read More
Happy Pride. Be Proud. Every Day.
Filed by John Shields | June 12, 2009 11:30 AM |It's June - which means LGBTQ Pride parades, festivals and street fairs are happening in cities and in nearly every state across this nation that we call the United States of America. From Capital Pride in Washington to Boston Pride...Read More
Happy Pride. Be Proud. Every Day.
Filed by John Shields | June 12, 2009 11:30 AM |It's June - which means LGBTQ Pride parades, festivals and street fairs are happening in cities and in nearly every state across this nation that we call the United States of America. From Capital Pride in Washington to Boston Pride...Read More
Sacramento Radio Show Comes Clean
Filed by Kelley Winters | June 12, 2009 9:30 AM |After three days off the air, the Rob, Arnie and Dawn Show returned to KRXQ FM radio Thursday morning to apologize for defamatory remarks about transpeople on their May 28 broadcast. Hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States outraged the transcommunity...Read More
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love a Pride Parade
Filed by Sean Bugg | June 11, 2009 7:30 PM |Here's the reason I don't usually consider myself a parade person: Since childhood, every public appearance for me is an exercise in fear of all the ways I can be mortified, from unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions to buckets of pig's blood...Read More
Rob, Arnie, and Dawn really go all out
Filed by Austen Crowder | June 11, 2009 4:00 PM |If you have a chance, please listen to Rob, Arnie, and Dawn's response to the transgender controversy. Even if you can't listen to the whole broadcast, at least catch the first twenty minutes. I am genuinely impressed....Read More
Town Hall Meeting - Tonight~! "The State of Marriage Equality"
Filed by John Shields | June 11, 2009 3:30 PM |There is a Town Hall meeting (isn't that just cool to say in the 21st Century?) tonight at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters in the District of Columbia. Details to follow, but it's 6:30pm TONIGHT. Be there or be square....Read More
It's the journalists, not the police
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 11, 2009 3:30 PM |I posted yesterday about a man arrested for what seemed to be wearing a women's bathing suit. Dayton Daily News, via Dale in the comments, had this to add: Xenia Prosecutor Ron Lewis said Miller was charged with menacing because...Read More
I realize the price one pays
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 11, 2009 2:00 PM |Editors' Note: Guest blogger Right Reverend Raymond S. Decelles-Smith, M.Div., Ph.D., has retired from active ministry and is a veteran in many definitions of the term. Dr. Sawyer has been partnered for thirty-three years and they are the parents of...Read More
Pride around the area
Filed by Bil Browning | June 11, 2009 11:30 AM |With Pride season starting out well, I thought I'd throw out the rest of the area's schedule. We've focused pretty narrowly on the Indianapolis area up till now. Sat 6/13 Indy Pride (Indianapolis, IN) Sat 6/19 & Sun 6/20 Columbus...Read More
Was Jesus Gay?
Filed by Father Tony | June 11, 2009 10:30 AM |Hey FT, I am back to ranting that Jesus Christ was a gay man. Since you were a priest versed in all the jargon and able to be viewed as a credible source on the subject, I want you...Read More
Marriage Plans and Insurance Plans: How Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Can Affect LGBT Health
Filed by Dan O'Neill | June 11, 2009 9:30 AM |LGBT Americans currently find themselves at the nexus of two major political debates that are raging within the state and federal legislatures: same-sex marriage and healthcare reform. As a result, it's especially important that we consider how these issues are...Read More
Marriage Plans and Insurance Plans: How Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Can Affect LGBT Health
Filed by Dan O'Neill | June 11, 2009 9:30 AM |LGBT Americans currently find themselves at the nexus of two major political debates that are raging within the state and federal legislatures: same-sex marriage and healthcare reform. As a result, it's especially important that we consider how these issues are...Read More
Marriage Plans and Insurance Plans: How Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Can Affect LGBT Health
Filed by Dan O'Neill | June 11, 2009 9:30 AM |LGBT Americans currently find themselves at the nexus of two major political debates that are raging within the state and federal legislatures: same-sex marriage and healthcare reform. As a result, it's especially important that we consider how these issues are...Read More
Dear Michelle,
Filed by Kate Clinton | June 11, 2009 8:00 AM |So I was talking to Michelle Obama yesterday and I said......Read More
DC Elections Board Considers Harry Jackson's Demand for Referendum Against Marriage Recognition Law
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 10, 2009 7:30 PM |Editor's Note: Guest blogger Peter Montgomery is a D.C.-based writer, editor and communications consultant. He is a Senior Fellow at People For the American Way Foundation and authored its recent report on Harry Jackson, Point Man for the Wedge Strategy....Read More
Thomas Beatie becomes America's favorite trans dad... twice
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 10, 2009 6:30 PM |Thomas Beatie, who gained some fame last year as he spoke with the Advocate, Oprah, and Barbara Walters about the details of being a transman who kept his reproductive organs, went off hormone, and became pregnant, had a second baby...Read More
Suffering in Silence, Part 2.
Filed by John Shields | June 10, 2009 5:30 PM |And I thought I had a personal story to tell about Don't Ask Don't Tell... This video just in from the New York Times op-ed online pages. Yep, there's a commercial beforehand - but someone's got to pay the bills...Read More
Man arrested for wearing women's swimsuit
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 10, 2009 4:30 PM |What's next, police arresting people for not wearing at least three pieces of sex-appropriate clothing?...Read More
Is D.C. Mayor Fenty Our Friend?
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 10, 2009 3:30 PM |Editor's Note: Guest blogger Tim Newman is a DC-based activist working primarily on economic justice and global justice issues. Gay pride month has a particularly important significance this year as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots on...Read More
New Film Explores How Gender Stereotypes and Homophobia Affect All Teens
Filed by Dana Rudolph | June 10, 2009 11:00 AM |"I felt that teenagers in particular were really affected by anti-gay prejudice," said Academy Award-winning filmmaker Debra Chasnoff, "but so much of the conversation that's been had to date about that prejudice has been solely focused on how homophobia affects...Read More
97 and Homeless in L.A.
Filed by Patricia Nell Warren | June 10, 2009 9:30 AM |Several times now, two colleagues of mine have seen this elderly woman at a busy intersection in central Los Angeles. She's been there in her wheelchair, with her cardboard sign, for a couple of weeks now. Her middle-aged son, also...Read More
Two shows in two weeks! Come out!
Filed by Gina de Vries | June 09, 2009 6:00 PM |1. Have I mentioned those two shows I have in two weeks? If you're in San Francisco, please come to "REBEL GIRL: a riot grrrl nostalgia show" on Thursday night. Performers are bringing old & new zines, buttons, flyers, and...Read More
Bigotry 2.0: Hate Tweets
Filed by Waymon Hudson | June 09, 2009 4:30 PM |I've gotten used to hate mail, both by traditional snail mail and email. It comes with the territory. Most of the time it's pretty amusing, like in my last post about getting bigotry delivered right to my inbox. I did,...Read More
LGBT organizing WIN
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 09, 2009 2:30 PM |The other day Dr. Kelley Winters posted an action item about the KRXQ radio hosts who attacked trans youth on a segment on their morning radio show. Check out her post for the description of what they said if you...Read More
Money Matters
Filed by Michele O'Mara | June 09, 2009 1:30 PM |After my husband and I got married we combined all of our money, accounts, etc. My husband left me in charge of our finances, which was fine by me. Recently he has started to criticize the way I do...Read More
Jesse's Journal: Sodomy and the British Raj
Filed by Jesse Monteagudo | June 09, 2009 10:00 AM |In 1860, the British rulers of India criminalized homosexual activity in the subcontinent. Originally drafted by the historian Lord Macaulay, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code decreed that "whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with...Read More
Getting Married? Consider This Proposal
Filed by Dana Rudolph | June 09, 2009 9:30 AM |It should be a happy time for LGBT folks in New Hampshire, with a marriage equality victory making the springtime a little brighter. For the LGBTQ youth organization Seacoast Outright, however, things are looking bleak. The organization, which provides educational,...Read More
Responding to a Facebook homophobe
Filed by Annette Gross | June 09, 2009 9:30 AM |Facebook is an interesting phenomenon. By using it, you can reach people automatically and get feed-back right away. Though geographically diverse, it has enabled my extended family of cousins to stay in close contact. Last week, one of my cousins...Read More
What a riot!
Filed by Kate Clinton | June 08, 2009 9:30 PM |Pride month is this month as we remember the Stonewall riots. In honor of the birth of the modern LGBT rights movement, let's have a riot!...Read More
Universal health care's back
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 08, 2009 6:00 PM |The push for health care reform started this week, and now there's a cacophony of voices speaking on the topic. It's all well and good for me, since I get off on that sort of thing, but it also means...Read More
Poisonous Parenting: Making Babies vs. Raising Children
Filed by Terrance Heath | June 08, 2009 5:30 PM |This series is overdue for an update. I’ve been meaning to get to it for a while now. But every time a relevant news story reminds me of it, there’s always something more pressing. The entire time the “Octomom” saga...Read More
Poisonous Parenting: Making Babies vs. Raising Children
Filed by Terrance Heath | June 08, 2009 5:30 PM |This series is overdue for an update. I’ve been meaning to get to it for a while now. But every time a relevant news story reminds me of it, there’s always something more pressing. The entire time the “Octomom” saga...Read More
The cost of defamation: Rob, Arnie & Dawn show pays dear cost
Filed by Austen Crowder | June 08, 2009 1:00 PM |I think its important to point out victories on the GLBT front wherever they arrive. Thanks to action taken by GLAAD and well-meaning activists, the Rob, Arnie & Dawn show has been taken to task on defamatory remarks made on...Read More
Affirming Our Books Too
Filed by Patricia Nell Warren | June 08, 2009 9:30 AM |To help celebrate Pride Month, many bookstores around the nation are doing special displays of LGBT books and authors. I found news mention of this fact as far afield as the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, India! Mainstream organizations like the...Read More
Jesse's Journal: A Day at the (Nude) Beach
Filed by Jesse Monteagudo | June 08, 2009 9:00 AM |Summer is the time of year when peoples of all races, genders and sexualities shed their clothes and inhibitions and head to the beach. Clothing-optional beaches are more popular now than ever before, and not just among gay men. They...Read More
Poor, Elderly, HIV/AIDS Citizens to Die in California
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 07, 2009 5:30 PM |Editor's Note: Guest Blogger Herndon Davis is a media consultant/journalist focusing on issues of diversity among people-of-color, women and LGBT. He can be reached at www.herndondavis.com. The piece below is reposted with permission from Diversity Reports, June 6, 2009. In...Read More
George Tiller's killer "treated as a criminal"
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 07, 2009 2:30 PM |Over the last several decades, the right has constructed and reinforced the idea among themselves that if someone does something, however illegal or wrong, because of their "personal morals" or "religious beliefs," then they should get off the hook. According...Read More
Entercom Communications Corporation: When Big Business Demonizes Innocent Children
Filed by Kelley Winters | June 07, 2009 1:00 PM |The community response to Sacramento radio station KRXQ FM, following hateful and threatening remarks toward gender variant children on May 28th, has been overwhelming and gratifying. A GLAAD Call to Action and a remarkable report by Michael Rowe of the...Read More
Oh baby! It's Dana's birthday!
Filed by Bil Browning | June 07, 2009 11:30 AM |A big fat happy birthday to contributor (and editor) Dana Rudolph! Since you never ask a lady her age, I thought I'd express Dana's age as an algebra problem. 29 + X = Solve for X if you really want...Read More
"You may not be one of ours..."
Filed by Austen Crowder | June 07, 2009 10:30 AM |Albert Mohler on Obama's GLBT Pride Month proclamation: "The United States federal government, now by executive order, signed by the President of the United States, is declaring national pride in these lifestyles," he contends. "This is not mere toleration; it's...Read More
"You may not be one of ours..."
Filed by Austen Crowder | June 07, 2009 10:30 AM |Albert Mohler on Obama's GLBT Pride Month proclamation: "The United States federal government, now by executive order, signed by the President of the United States, is declaring national pride in these lifestyles," he contends. "This is not mere toleration; it's...Read More
A Two-Fer at the Broward County Main Library
Filed by Father Tony | June 07, 2009 9:00 AM |I attended the opening of the ArtsUnited Members Only Exhibition (June 1- 18, 2009 at Gallery Six, Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale). The exhibit will be on display with the Stonewall Library & Archive's exhibit,...Read More
Indy Pride events - something new for every day!
Filed by Austen Crowder | June 05, 2009 5:30 PM |Events can always use more cross-posting. Indy Pride has some great events this year! Saturday, June 6th Circle City IN Pride Kick-Off with the Bag Ladies Location: Greg's Time: Doors Open at 8:00pm and Show Begins at 9:00pm Cover: $2...Read More
Indy Pride events - something new for every day!
Filed by Austen Crowder | June 05, 2009 5:30 PM |Events can always use more cross-posting. Indy Pride has some great events this year! Saturday, June 6th Circle City IN Pride Kick-Off with the Bag Ladies Location: Greg's Time: Doors Open at 8:00pm and Show Begins at 9:00pm Cover: $2...Read More
My Own Adoption Deemed "Confidential"
Filed by Tobi Hill-Meyer | June 05, 2009 4:00 PM |When second parent adoption became legal in Oregon I was 16. My parents and I jumped at the chance to be legally recognized as a whole family. Within that process, we had the chance to change my name. Since I...Read More
Who hasn't seen Bruce's birthday suit?
Filed by Bil Browning | June 05, 2009 3:00 PM |Today is contributor Bruce Parker's birthday! Yaaaaay! He's 29 now. When Bruce and I first met, I thought he was nuts. After all these years I know he's certifiable! (After all, he's part of the Bilerico family so that automatically...Read More
Lesbian couple separated at hospital
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 05, 2009 2:00 PM |Wow. "By that time, I was going in and out of consciousness. The paramedics wanted nothing to do with Teresa and she had to practically fight them to be allowed to ride in the ambulance. I remember one of them...Read More
Betty Bowers Takes on "Traditional" Marriage
Filed by Waymon Hudson | June 05, 2009 1:30 PM |Betty Bowers, America's Best Christian, takes time to explain to less informed Christians the curious details of the Lord's concept of marriage. Funny, smart, and completely on point. Maybe we can get her to take on "homosexualizing" next......Read More
Introducing Annise Parker
Filed by Monica Roberts | June 05, 2009 12:30 PM |One of the first mayoral elections I was eligible to participate in back home after I turned 18 the previous year was the historic 1981 one in which we elected city controller Kathy Whitmire our first female mayor. The road...Read More
Don't Tell Me Who To Love
Filed by Donna Pandori | June 05, 2009 10:00 AM |Hat tip to Louise over at Pamshouseblend.com , for finding this great video clip:...Read More
This Is How Change Is Made: A Story from Blogging for LGBT Families Day
Filed by Dana Rudolph | June 04, 2009 3:30 PM |Of all the posts submitted to Blogging for LGBT Families Day, my yearly blogfest over at Mombian, the one that has made the greatest impression on me is: "The One Where I Come Out... And Say It," by Haley Montgomery,...Read More
The transgender row to hoe
Filed by Austen Crowder | June 04, 2009 3:30 PM |I had a strange experience at a drag club the other night. I had gone with friends to see the show, see, and we were having a great time of it. During the end-of-show monologue, the queen onstage asked how...Read More
Suffering in Silence - A Personal Tale of DADT
Filed by John Shields | June 04, 2009 1:00 PM |As a former Air Force officer before Don't Ask Don't Tell was even a twinkle in the eye, I was "in" the US Military when Ronnie was king, Nancy was queen and friends and family were dying by aircraft crashes...Read More
What does Pride mean to Hoosiers?
Filed by Bil Browning | June 04, 2009 12:30 PM |I had the opportunity to sit with the folks from Metromix (aka Indy.com) a couple of weeks ago as part of a group discussion about what Pride means to Hoosiers. Also on the panel was former scientist/journalist Tanisha Neely (hell...Read More
How has marriage changed me?
Filed by Father Tony | June 04, 2009 10:30 AM |Dear Father Tony, In all the talk about marriage equality, we hear about laws and rights and injustice, as well we should. But the video interview of George Takei and his husband made me wish I could hear more...Read More
Kamikaze Gay Liberation in Iraq
Filed by Michelle Marzullo | June 04, 2009 9:30 AM |In the recent New York Times story entitled "Iraq's Newly Open Gays Face Scorn and Murder,", Timothy Williams and Tareq Maher detail the murders of many gay men as well as the generalized tyranny these Iraqis toil under on a...Read More
Hybrid Explosion
Filed by Donna Pandori | June 03, 2009 5:00 PM |Pam Spaulding has a good post up, "Are bailed-out banks about to cause another mortgage meltdown?", over at Pamshouseblend.com Is there a new mortgage meltdown on the horizon? I believe the mortgage beast discussed in Pam's article is actually a...Read More
Gina: Then & Now
Filed by Gina de Vries | June 03, 2009 1:00 PM |THEN: This photo was published at NoFauxxx sometime in 2003. I was 19 years old. I'd been involved in the sex industry for a matter of months. I'd done a few naked photo shoots where friends took snapshots in hopes...Read More
That which does not kill us
Filed by Guest Blogger | June 03, 2009 10:30 AM |Editors' Note: Guest blogger Elsbeth Goff is presently unemployed and learning of the trials and tribulations of an out transwoman trying to find a job. A recent stroke has further complicated her life, but then without it, things would be...Read More
An Unlikely Heroine, Making History in the Senate
Filed by Steve Ralls | June 03, 2009 9:30 AM |Later this morning, the United States Senate will make history as it convenes the first-ever hearings on lesbian and gay binational couples. At 10am today, the Senate Judiciary Committee will meet to discuss The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a...Read More
To Swing or Not to Swing
Filed by Michele O'Mara | June 02, 2009 7:00 PM |My partner and I have been together 10 years. About 6 years ago, we met a lesbian couple that we were attracted to so we decided to have an "open relationship" and try to "swing" with them (which never...Read More
Barbar Dyke
Filed by Kate Clinton | June 02, 2009 4:00 PM |"Well there's a job I never wanted," my mom once remarked as we watched an elephant trainer on some TV variety show putting a pachyderm through his paces. If I remember correctly, the gentle, possibly drugged, giant was in a...Read More
FUK!T. Use a TOOLK!T: A Safer Sex Kit for Men Who Have Sex with Men
Filed by Dan O'Neill | June 02, 2009 9:30 AM |The Gay/Bi/Trans HIV Prevention Working Group, a project of the DC Center, was formed last year in response to the alarming rise in new incidences of HIV and other STDs among men who have sex with men within the District...Read More
FUK!T. Use a TOOLK!T: A Safer Sex Kit for Men Who Have Sex with Men
Filed by Dan O'Neill | June 02, 2009 9:30 AM |The Gay/Bi/Trans HIV Prevention Working Group, a project of the DC Center, was formed last year in response to the alarming rise in new incidences of HIV and other STDs among men who have sex with men within the District...Read More
Indiana removes gay white men from HIV/AIDS funding priorities
Filed by Bil Browning | June 01, 2009 7:00 PM |The Indiana State Department of Health recently cut gay white men as an HIV/AIDS funding priority. African-American and Hispanic men who have sex with men are still included as priority populations. The decision was made by the department's advisory Community...Read More
Indiana removes gay white men from HIV/AIDS funding priorities
Filed by Bil Browning | June 01, 2009 7:00 PM |The Indiana State Department of Health recently cut gay white men as an HIV/AIDS funding priority. African-American and Hispanic men who have sex with men are still included as priority populations. The decision was made by the department's advisory Community...Read More
My "Non-Traditional" Family: Blogging for LGBT Families
Filed by Waymon Hudson | June 01, 2009 6:00 PM |I often tire of the labels that those against LGBT people put on our families. They say they fight for "traditional marriage" and preserving "traditional families", as if there is such a thing. Their close-mindedness extends beyond just our community...Read More
My Two Moms <3 Their Trans Daughter
Filed by Tobi Hill-Meyer | June 01, 2009 4:30 PM |I consider myself really blessed to have such a strong queer family. Recently, I got a chance to interview one of my moms about being a lesbian mom of a trans daughter for the public radio program Story Corps. A...Read More
Listen to the (Trans) Kids: EQAZ Interviews Kim Pearson
Filed by Simon Aronoff | June 01, 2009 4:00 PM |Last week, Equality Arizona Radio broadcast a long format interview with Kim Pearson, Executive Director of TransYouth Family Allies. TYFA is the first national organization exclusively dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for gender variant and transgender children. Hosted by...Read More
My Impossible Father
Filed by Dr. Jillian T. Weiss | June 01, 2009 3:00 PM |As part of the 4th Annual Blogging for LGBT Families Day, here is an essay by a teenager about his LGBT family. I thank him for sharing it at my request, and I think we can all learn something from...Read More
Codenamed "Not even trying"
Filed by Alex Blaze | June 01, 2009 12:00 PM |This is a bit old, but projector boi polloi sent this in. The Herald-Sun wrote an article about a transboy who, at age 17, got a court order for a double mastectomy. Not really news, but if they were going...Read More
