Living: October 2012
Your Halloween Costume [Open Thread]
Filed by Bil Browning | October 31, 2012 1:30 PM |It's Halloween and you know what that means... It's time for costumes! What's your Halloween costume this year? Did you party last weekend, or do you have plans for tonight?Read More
Keeping The Lights On
Filed by Terrance Heath | October 31, 2012 11:30 AM |After reading warnings that the worst of Sandy's winds would hit our area between 8:00 pm and 2:00 am, I watched and waited to join the growing number of people in our area without power.Read More
City-Destroying-Superpowers Edition [What you Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 31, 2012 10:00 AM |LGBT people catch blame for Sandy, Taipei throws a huge gay pride with a purpose, Joe Biden supports trans* equality, NYC's subways take a pounding, and more. Plus: the Dutch bring us a fabulous LGBT equality adRead More
Trans Depathologization: The Spark of Change
Filed by Mercedes Allen | October 30, 2012 1:30 PM |In the course of a news story, issues ignite, blaze hotly and then smoulder into memory. After awhile, one develops some sense of when a campaign will spread like a prairie fire or when it will extinguish itself.Read More
Rancho Bilerico Survives Hurricane Sandy
Filed by Bil Browning | October 30, 2012 11:00 AM |Hurricane Sandy has passed and Rancho Bilerico escaped without so much as a scratch. While we got plenty of rain and some wind gusts, it wasn't strong enough to even knock down a medium sized limb on our block in Adams Morgan.Read More
Vegan Banana Nut Bread [VAAB]
Filed by James Holmes | October 29, 2012 5:30 PM |I haven't posted a recipe in a awhile, largely because my night job has been owning most of my nights. But now there is this thing called Hurricane Sandy . . . Read More
Hurricane Sandy Meets Rancho Bilerico
Filed by Bil Browning | October 29, 2012 11:30 AM |Hurricane Sandy is headed straight for Rancho Bilerico. We're setting up the site to autopublish (just in case!), and we'll check in as we can.Read More
Further Disappointment Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 29, 2012 10:00 AM |East Aurora's School Board digs themselves a deeper hole, President Obama still thinks SSM is a "states rights" issue, Roseanne Barr posts transphobic tweets, N. Ireland decriminalized gay sex thirty years ago, and more! Plus: Lana Wachowski's awesome HRC speechRead More
Baron von Steuben: Washington's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Case
Filed by Mark Segal | October 26, 2012 4:30 PM |There are few historians today who would doubt that Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was gay. Without von Steuben, there would be no United States of America and that von Steuben, in today's terms, would be considered a gay man.Read More
A (No Longer) Quiet Revolution: Intersex Awareness Day
Filed by Guest Blogger | October 26, 2012 2:30 PM |Today is Intersex Awareness Day. How aware of the condition are you? How can you find out more?Read More
Donations Allow Terrorized Texan Gay Couple to Move
Filed by Bil Browning | October 26, 2012 12:30 PM |After Joshua Harrison and Jeremy Jeffers' home was repeatedly vandalized in their Texas town, the two reported the crime to police. As the media attention grew, so did the homophobia and disrespect of their neighbors.Read More
Sober Reminder Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 26, 2012 11:00 AM |Joe Jervis receives threats on Twitter, support for SSM is broader than you'd think, MLK's niece campaigns against marriage, OutServe-SLDN gets a new director, and more. Plus John Scalzi & Stephen Colbert tackle rape apologists in their own waysRead More
Why LGB People Should Care about Trans Bias in the Military
Filed by Guest Blogger | October 24, 2012 2:30 PM |Attorney and former Marine Captain Tom Carpenter has been writing about the bias against trans servicemembers for a very long time. This essay hopes to serve as a reminder of the pain of serving in silence.Read More
Purple Hat Project Leaves a Lasting Impression
Filed by Annette Gross | October 24, 2012 1:30 PM |The Purple Hat Project is being closed down. The project was started after an article addressing Tea Party Republicans suggested we enact legislation requiring immigrants and homosexuals to wear purple hats so we would know who they are on sight.Read More
Pat On The Back Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 24, 2012 10:00 AM |The Gates family gives big for marriage in WA, Mitt Romney doesn't support hospital visitation rights, NY's marriage law survives a challenge, where does the GSM/LGBT movement go from here, and more. Plus: women tell the GOP off in songRead More
My ADD Is as Real as I Am
Filed by Terrance Heath | October 23, 2012 12:30 PM |In the spirit of ADHD Awareness Week (which, of course, was last week), I'm coming out.Read More
Senator George McGovern's Role in the History of Gay Rights
Filed by Karen Ocamb | October 22, 2012 5:00 PM |In the remembrances of McGovern, many might note that McGovern's Democratic Convention featured the first ever gay speaker. They may not, however, note that he was the first major political figure putting gay rights within the broader context of civil rights.Read More
What Became of the Happy Hustler?
Filed by Mark S. King | October 22, 2012 4:00 PM |As Michael Kearns' parents battled each other at their divorce proceeding, his father presented damning surveillance of his mother's many infidelities. The evidence was unimpeachable, but then the father tried raising the stakes by charging that the woman also physically abused him.Read More
Fruit Roll Up: A Systemic Failure of Empathy
Filed by Guest Blogger | October 22, 2012 2:30 PM |Last Tuesday, The Daily Wildcat, the student newspaper of the University of Arizona in Tucson, ran a comic strip that appeared to celebrate violence against gay people. This isn't the first time the paper has courted controversy with offensive cartoons.Read More
South Florida Schools Come Out for LGBT History Month
Filed by Michael Emanuel Rajner | October 22, 2012 1:30 PM |This past September, the South Florida LGBT community and allies in Broward County came together to pass a school board resolution in support of LGBT History Month. In 2013 more school districts around the nation will step forward with similar leadership.Read More
Changing Minds with 'Marry Them' [Video]
Filed by James Holmes | October 22, 2012 12:30 PM |In this new video by musician and filmmaker, Sean Chapin, he uses his original song, "Marry Them," to hopefully change some minds in real life in the four states voting on marriage equality this November.Read More
Crafty Reverend Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 22, 2012 10:00 AM |A reverend turns ant-LGBT arguments against the people who make them, Austrians get overworked over bare balls, Congress gets worse on our issues, the weirdness of being voted on, and more! Plus, a fun take on "reparative" therapyRead More
My Thirst for Justice
Filed by D Gregory Smith | October 21, 2012 2:30 PM |"Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself." This, it seems, is one of the crowning principles of justice. But what I wished for myself was peace.Read More
San Diego Trans Women Resume Hunger Strike
Filed by Tobi Hill-Meyer | October 21, 2012 1:00 PM |Amazon and Caterina LePre had been hunger striking because of anti-trans discrimination that was preventing them from being able to share a cell. The warden assured them that they would be taken off single-cell status, but no action has been taken.Read More
The Backstory of Former Senator Arlen Specter's LGBT Legacy
Filed by Mark Segal | October 21, 2012 11:30 AM |Let me tell you about how I met former Senator Arlen Specter.Read More
My Heart on a Purple Sleeve: Honoring Spirit Day
Filed by Patrick J Hamilton | October 19, 2012 4:00 PM |The simple act of stepping out in a purple shirt brings back a flood of memories... and brings a surprising depth and relevance to Spirit Day.Read More
It's All a Bunch of 'Hocus Pocus'
Filed by James Holmes | October 19, 2012 1:00 PM |I like to be able to say that Bette Midler helped me realize I was gay. And with the announcement of a guest appearance on Glee, she has a new gaggle of gaybies on the way. Read More
Spirit Day Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 19, 2012 10:00 AM |10/19/12 is Spirit Day, Latino support for SSM reaches a new high, hope for gay adoption in N. Ireland, East Aurora, IL school district betrays trans* kids' trust, and more. Plus: Maude in '77 at the forefront of gay visibilityRead More
Please De-Friend Me
Filed by Kergan Edwards-Stout | October 18, 2012 5:30 PM |If you plan to vote for Mitt Romney, you are putting a nail into my civil rights coffin, and I'd rather not have friends who think I deserve anything less than equal treatment under the law. Read More
Dedicated to Dinesh D'Souza
Filed by Terrance Heath | October 18, 2012 2:30 PM |Evil, I know. But I couldn't help myself.Read More
The Rise & Fall of Dinesh D'Souza?
Filed by Terrance Heath | October 18, 2012 12:00 PM |Is anyone enjoying the implosion of Dinesh D'Souza nearly as much as I am? The shit hit the fan in D'Souza's private and public lives this week, and and he got sprayed with it from head to toe. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.Read More
Greek Brothels Sponsoring Soccer Team
Filed by Bil Browning | October 18, 2012 11:00 AM |Boy, you know times are tough when Greek brothels are becoming official sponsors of soccer teams. Talk about playing with balls.Read More
Historic Chinese AIDS Walk Raises Almost $24,000
Filed by Karen Ocamb | October 17, 2012 1:00 PM |While we've been so focused on the November elections, something truly remarkable happened in China over the weekend.Read More
Second Presidential Debate Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 17, 2012 10:00 AM |Summarizing the presidential debate, DOMA's defense has used up its budget, Howard Stern takes on Victoria Jackson, homophobia in women's sports, and more. Plus, LGBT celebrities tell their stories in support of President Obama's reelection. Read More
Because Domestic Violence & Racism Is Funny, Y'all
Filed by Bil Browning | October 16, 2012 6:00 PM |Nothing says "hilarious" like students at a high school pep rally donning blackface to re-enact Chris Brown beating Rihanna. Why? Because it's funny, y'all. Obviously.Read More
Love & Trans-formation!
Filed by Davina Kotulski | October 16, 2012 3:30 PM |For 45 years Rachel Love was a conservative, heterosexual male. She worked in the coal/nuclear industry for Southern California Edison for 27 years. Then her life was turned upside down.Read More
Bilerico Helps Dan Choi Get D--k in Indiana
Filed by Bil Browning | October 16, 2012 12:30 PM |If we're Facebook friends, you likely saw my post last week showing off the tin of cookies I got from Bilerico contributor and longtime friend Annette Gross for my birthday. One of my favorite things about this Indianapolis PFLAG mom is her wicked sense of humor.Read More
Duck Supremacy Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 16, 2012 10:00 AM |The "dangers of heterosexuality," duck supremacy in New Zealand, Disney gives big money to the GOP, anti-LGBT violence in Russia, Facebook causes two accidental outings, and more. Plus: Chris Wallace holds Romney advisor accountable on Fox News. Read More
Gay Comic Convention, Bent-Con, Returns For Third Year
Filed by Viktor Kerney | October 15, 2012 4:30 PM |We have a lot of different groups within the LGBTQ community. But one subculture is growing stronger by the minute... the LGBTQ geeks.Read More
Over 1000 Stand Against Westboro Baptist at Sgt Donna Johnson's Funeral
Filed by Karen Ocamb | October 15, 2012 3:30 PM |Thanks in large part to organizers on Facebook and the Patriot Guard Riders, Sgt. Donna Johnson received an emotional and dignified funeral Saturday with full military honors. Johnson's spouse, Tracy Joe Dice, attended the funeral, which was protested by the antigay Westboro Baptist.Read More
What If Churches Paid Their Taxes?
Filed by James Holmes | October 15, 2012 2:00 PM |In the US, religious organizations receive income tax-exemptions as long as they remain non-partisan. But what if that changed? Would the money be worth the shift in politics? Or would it actually change anything? Read More
Republican Moderate Turned Democrat Arlen Specter Dies at 82
Filed by Karen Ocamb | October 15, 2012 11:30 AM |Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania Democrat who became a moderate Republican, then became a Democrat again after the GOP became to extreme for his liberal/moderate beliefs, died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at his home Sunday. He was 82.Read More
Call To Arms Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 15, 2012 10:00 AM |Bryan Fischer call for our total defeat, Michelle Bachman's lesbian sister speaks up, an Alabama judge denies a 2nd parent adoption, Christian nurses try to tolerate LGBT people, and more. Plus a fabulous video on sexual orientation & gender IDRead More
California Conversion Therapy Ban Is Not About Consumer Protection
Filed by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer | October 14, 2012 12:00 PM |Why is it every time a minority makes some small progress toward getting the rest of everybody to get off their fucking backs and let them live their lives, some straight person or white person or male person jumps up and says, "What about me?"Read More
Pitch Imperfect
Filed by Joseph Gentile | October 12, 2012 2:00 PM |Tomboy Cynthia Rose of "Pitch Perfect," an uproarious musical comedy, shines as a gay acapella singer performing for the all-female Barden Bellas, until she tries, and fails, at propositioning the straight Bellas for a couple of cheap laughs. Read More
Rep Adam Schiff & NOH8 Campaign Produce Capitol Hill Photos
Filed by Karen Ocamb | October 12, 2012 11:30 AM |Last month, California Representative Adam Schiff organized a photo shoot with the NOH8 Campaign - "NOH8 on The Hill" - during which 26 Members of Congress posed to show support of the NOH8 Campaign and LGBT rights. Read More
VP Debate Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 12, 2012 10:00 AM |Winter's analysis of the VP debate, Norstrom supports marriage, queer comics, LGBT student-athletes struggle, a straight guy pretends to be gay to write a book, and more. Plus: VP Joe Biden's message for LGBT youth. Read More
Get Out of Jail Free: Justin Bieber's Cyberbullying PSA
Filed by Bil Browning | October 11, 2012 4:00 PM |Justin Bieber's new cyberbullying PSA isn't just an awkward eleven minute bit of promotional fluff for New York's Nassua County District Attorney, it's a Get Out Jail Free card for his manager and a record executive.Read More
National Coming Out Day: My Parents' Process
Filed by Adam Polaski | October 11, 2012 2:30 PM |Today is National Coming Out Day, and next week marks the fourth anniversary of my own "coming out" conversation with my parents. After some hiccups, they're now proud parents of a kid who works at an organization advocating for the freedom to marry.Read More
An Antelope, Matthew Shepard's Fence, & National Coming Out Day
Filed by Guest Blogger | October 11, 2012 12:30 PM |Guest blogger Jim Toevs has made the pilgrimage to Matt's fence at least a dozen times. He cannot explain why, but each time it has been a comfort to him, and his most recent visit was a truly mystical experience.Read More
When Did You Come Out? [Open Thread]
Filed by Bil Browning | October 11, 2012 11:30 AM |At what age did you come out of the closet? Who did you come out to first?Read More
Come Out, Come Out Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 11, 2012 10:00 AM |A FL dentist teaches the BSA a lesson in fairness, surveying LGBT seniors, Austin rallies against a hate crime, the state of marriage in Maine, and more. Plus: Rachel Maddow interviews Ted Olson and David Boies at NYURead More
The Isophyls of History
Filed by Guest Blogger | October 10, 2012 5:00 PM |According to Gerald Heard, the "isophyls" are a secret society that has been the primary influence throughout history. Is there any truth to this? Have LGBTQ individuals been the primary movers and shakers throughout civilization?Read More
Bullied Teen Bullied on Camera While Talking About Being Bullied
Filed by Bil Browning | October 10, 2012 3:00 PM |After Brunswick, Maryland teen Preston Deener was suspended from school for punching a bully that had tackled him, a local news crew went to the school to do an interview with him. What happened next is surreal.Read More
Supportive Mothers Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 10, 2012 10:00 AM |Supportive mothers and a hateful Bishop, LGBT History Month in the schools, HRC & PFLAG's "Coming Out as a Straight Supporter," Roy Moore attacks LGBT people to win an election, and more. Plus: John Corvino destroys the "unnatural" argument against LGBT peopleRead More
Dear Abby Has Marriage Advice for Minnesota
Filed by Bil Browning | October 09, 2012 5:00 PM |It's not often that I'll simply reprint a blast e-mail from one of the many marriage campaigns happening this year, but this one is too good not to share.Read More
My Own 'Growing Up Gay'
Filed by James Holmes | October 09, 2012 3:00 PM |The creator of Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay has a new book out today. Here is my own story to go with it. Read More
Using Humor to Promote Marriage Equality
Filed by Guest Blogger | October 09, 2012 2:00 PM |Equality is serious business, but guest blogger Jim Toevs think we often lose our audience by being overly earnest and serious in our efforts to promote our point of view.Read More
Naked In San Francisco
Filed by Jesse Monteagudo | October 09, 2012 12:30 PM |The City of San Francisco, ahead of its time in so many ways, is the most liberal place in America with regard to public nudity. Soon that may change. Read More
Sally Field Talks About Her Gay Son at HRC 2012 Gala
Filed by Karen Ocamb | October 09, 2012 11:30 AM |I've always been fond of Sally Field - as are tons of other gays. But until today, I had no idea she had a gay son.Read More
(Killer) Hugging Coats Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 09, 2012 10:00 AM |Hugging coats, what's wrong with the media's typical trans* narrative, South Africa gets a gay flag, Intel gives the BSA an ultimatum, O'Reilly & Steward square off, and more. Plus: a powerful marriage ad starring a Republican politicianRead More
Why You Should Celebrate Today
Filed by Bil Browning | October 08, 2012 2:00 PM |It's Columbus Day where Americans are supposed to celebrate the beginning of our country. I'm here to give you a chance to still celebrate the day.Read More
Bil's Most Excellent 40th Birthday Gift: His Health
Filed by Guest Blogger | October 08, 2012 11:30 AM |Bil, I hope I'm one of the very first people to wish you Happy Birthday! Today you're giving yourself the most excellent gift ever: quitting smoking.Read More
Anti-Science Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 08, 2012 10:15 AM |That some people twist the dictates of faith to support their own financial and cultural ends, is not inherently the fault of belief. Science too can be twisted to suit an ideological end after all.Read More
Why LGBT Adults Should (and Do) Care About The BSA's Bigotry
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 07, 2012 12:00 PM |Why do many of us care so deeply about whether the Boy Scouts of America excludes gay, bisexual, and trans* boys?Read More
LGBT History Month: Already Forgotten
Filed by Guest Blogger | October 05, 2012 2:00 PM |Forget the old because, heaven forbid, the old gay pioneers like Dr. Frank Kameny and Jack Nichols lived in relative poverty and never tried to figure out how to turn it into a profitable venture and do the activism to make money.Read More
Cruz Comes Out
Filed by Leslie Robinson | October 05, 2012 11:30 AM |Featherweight boxer Orlando Cruz has become the first openly gay man in the history of the sport. Read More
Jesus In Heels Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 05, 2012 10:00 AM |Jesus in heels stirs drives protests in Serbia, Dan Savage tells Tony Perkins to bring it on, Miiler Light leaves a bad taste, and more. Plus: Anderson Cooper brings the bitchy to Star Jones. Read More
'Sex-Work' Deserves A Nuanced Discussion
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 04, 2012 5:01 PM |"Sex-worker" is arguably one of the most loaded terms in modern sexuality & gender discussion. Like so many other debates in our culture, issues around sex work are often difficult to discuss with nuance. People have a tendency to pick a side of the debate and hold fast to it. Read More
Biblical Literalism Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 04, 2012 10:00 AM |Romney/Ryan promises Focus on the Family that they'll oppose marriage equality, creationists indoctrinate kids, James Franco's gay art film, trans* woman gets her insurance to cover surgery, and more. Plus: Expedia's pro-gay marriage adRead More
Holy Guacamole: Romney Goes to Chipotle [Caption This]
Filed by Bil Browning | October 03, 2012 11:30 AM |If there's one thing that Republican presidential candidates are absolutely fantastic at creating, it's giving the internet meme possibilities. They have a knack for getting their photo taken at really inopportune moments.Read More
Growing Up LGBT Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 03, 2012 10:00 AM |HRC's Growing Up LGBT report, what the "two Maines" mean for marriage equality, Dan Savage makes new waves, the UK offers to clear convictions for homosexual sex, and more. Plus three upbeat new videosRead More
Barney Frank, Michelle Kosilek & Prisoner Sex Changes
Filed by Mercedes Allen | October 02, 2012 5:30 PM |If Barney Frank seriously wants to be an ally for trans people, the absolute first thing he should do is stop talking about anything at all to do with trans people.Read More
Author David G. Hallman Shares His Inspiration [Interview]
Filed by Kergan Edwards-Stout | October 02, 2012 1:00 PM |Author David G. Hallman shares the inspiration for his novel Searching for Gilead, and the loss of love detailed in his memoir August Farewell.Read More
Sen. Lieu & NCLR's Minter Ready for Challenges Against SB 1172
Filed by Karen Ocamb | October 02, 2012 11:30 AM |Sen. Lieu - a lawyer by training and a former prosecutor - said he is unconcerned by threats from Liberty Counsel and NARTH (National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality) to mount a legal challenge to SB 1172.Read More
NOM Strikes Out Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 02, 2012 10:00 AM |NOM strikes out at the Supreme Court, a more anti-gay Catholic than usual for San Francisco, protecting trans* people's voting rights, LGBT little people create a Facebook group, and more. Plus: a new take from an Australian anti-bullying adRead More
CA to LGBT Youth: No More 'Ex-Gay' - You're Officially OK!
Filed by Karen Ocamb | October 01, 2012 5:30 PM |The bill California Gov. Jerry Brown signed late Saturday night, SB 1172, could mark the beginning of the end of the inculcated religious and cultural shame over homosexuality that has caused so many kids to kill themselves. Read More
Austerity Is the New Greek Tragedy
Filed by Terrance Heath | October 01, 2012 4:00 PM |In a previous post, I noted that the U.S. is starting to look a lot like Greece, at least in terms of austerity-driven suicides. Last week, Greece's austerian nightmare seems to have metastasized in to a full-fledged tragedy.Read More
Athletes Come Out
Filed by Norm Kent | October 01, 2012 11:45 AM |In 1975, David Kopay, three years after retiring from professional football, acknowledged in a Washington Star interview that he was a gay man. It was unprecedented. Unfortunately, homophobia in sports still exists today just as it did yesterday. Read More
Good Guy Jerry Brown Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | October 01, 2012 10:00 AM |California Governor Jerry Brown signs three pro-LGBT bills, the French president argues LGBT decriminalization at the UN, a Harvard professor scientifically debunks myths about gay people, and more. Plus, the Austin, TX police's It Gets Better video. Read More
