Living: December 2012
Looking To 2013 [Open Thread]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 31, 2012 10:00 AM |Forget the 2012 retrospectives for now, and tell us what you foresee in the year ahead. Read More
Frontiers Co-Owner Mark Hundahl Dies at Age 61
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 30, 2012 3:00 PM |Mark Hundahl, the straight co-owner of the Los Angeles-based LGBT publication Frontiers, died of cancer early Thursday morning, Dec. 27. He was 61.Read More
Re-Thinking How We View & Discuss STIs
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 30, 2012 10:00 AM |In the lack of proper knowledge, half-truths and assumptions get taken as fact, as they always have. Read More
Our 2012 Wins Will Spur Further Advances in 2013
Filed by Mark Segal | December 28, 2012 10:30 AM |Do you appreciate the watershed moment in LGBT history we are witnessing? If any of you doubt that we are living in historic times for LGBT equality, just note what you're about to witness in the next few weeks and months.Read More
A (Not So) Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Christmas
Filed by Bil Browning | December 27, 2012 3:00 PM |So... My holiday plans haven't worked out at all as I'd planned. How did yours go?Read More
One Archives: The History of Us
Filed by Davina Kotulski | December 27, 2012 12:30 PM |"I have something I want to show you," she said. I followed her into the back room. There were shelves of white boxes with labels on the side. She took down a box and opened it. Read More
Celebrate Each Day & Value Every Night
Filed by Norm Kent | December 27, 2012 10:00 AM |As you celebrate the holidays and welcome the New Year, whether you are on South Beach or in San Francisco, may you be grateful for who you are and what our LGBT community is becoming.Read More
Poor Christmas Spirit Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 26, 2012 10:00 AM |Catholic leaders use Christmas to attach LGBT people, Mexico lifts its ban on gay blood donors, improving the experience of LGBT employees in India, a religious coalition in Illinois advocates for marriage equality, and more!Read More
Merry Christmas from the Bilerico Gang
Filed by Bil Browning | December 25, 2012 10:00 AM |From our gang to yours, we hope your holidays are full of life, love, and laughter.Read More
Will You Be Home for Christmas?
Filed by Bil Browning | December 24, 2012 11:30 AM |As the big day rapidly approaches, where will be spending Christmas? Are you going somewhere or hosting your own shindig? Or do you celebrate Jewish Christmas like Jerame and I do - Chinese food and a movie?Read More
Ex-Gays: Court Stays CA Law Banning Psychological Abuse of Kids
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 23, 2012 4:00 PM |On Friday, Dec. 21, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay of SB 1172 - the historic California law that would prohibit licensed therapists from using junk science to try to "change" LGBT kids into heterosexuals.Read More
What's In a Name?
Filed by Guest Blogger | December 23, 2012 2:00 PM |Having the wrong name and gender marker can be much more than a hassle. It is a source of constant inner pain.Read More
Disarming the Conservative Gun Agenda
Filed by Terrance Heath | December 21, 2012 1:30 PM |For decades, the conservative agenda rested upon a three-legged stool of "culture war" issues: "God, guns, and gays." Now there are signs that the third leg of conservative ideology - "guns" - is wobblier than ever. Read More
Adorbs: Ambassador to Poland's Holiday Christmas Video
Filed by Bil Browning | December 21, 2012 12:00 PM |U.S. Ambassador to Poland Stephen Mull and all the American and Polish staff at the United States Embassy in Warsaw wish everyone happy holidays and a joyous New Year!Read More
It IS The End Of The World Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 21, 2012 10:00 AM |Winter writes an editorial on the end of the world, the right wing warns of civil war, Newt Gingrich has a change of heart, reason for optimism in Montana, and much more. Plus an obligatory REM videoRead More
Richard Adams, Pioneer for Binational Couples & Marriage Equality, Dies at 65
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 20, 2012 3:00 PM |Adams' first petition in 1975 to allow his Australian same-sex partner to stay in the United States was denied with just one sentence: "You have failed to establish that a bona fide marital relationship can exist between two faggots."Read More
Dead Kids Sell Advertising: Commercializing Tragedy
Filed by Bil Browning | December 19, 2012 6:00 PM |After last week's school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, I questioned how long it would be before all of the squalling and bawling on Facebook turned back into Christmas commercialism.Read More
Silver Linings: Trans Youth Accommodated Despite Politics & IFI
Filed by Austen Crowder | December 19, 2012 1:30 PM |We can't always beat groups like the Illinois/Indiana Family Institute or MassResistance, who have deep pockets, deep connections, and a lot of pent-up anger. Yet at the same time schools have a far, far bigger problem than a tussle with quasi-religious nutjobs.Read More
The Lesbian & Gay Band Will March in Inauguration Parade
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 19, 2012 12:00 PM |The 2013 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Tuesday that they "are thrilled that the Lesbian and Gay Band has accepted their invitation to participate!"Read More
Unit Cohesion Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 19, 2012 10:00 AM |Todd Akin wants to enshrine bigotry in the military, a number of gay rights figures and allies have passed away, good and bad news in Montana, and much more. Plus: what if humans acted like cats?Read More
Will You Hold My Johnson Forever? [Caption This]
Filed by Bil Browning | December 18, 2012 6:00 PM |Reddit has made this photo of two happily married gentlemen famous - but not because everyone is wishing the newlyweds well. Instead, the jokes have come in fast and furious. What's the best caption you've got for the announcement?Read More
The East Aurora IL School Board Debacle Comes to a Disgraceful Close
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 18, 2012 4:00 PM |What began as a positive step forward in inclusiveness, degraded into a bullying, before finally ending in a victory for the anti-LGBT right. I hope that the board is half as disgusted with themselves as I am. Read More
Voting on My Marriage? Let's Vote on Your Guns
Filed by Patrick J Hamilton | December 18, 2012 2:00 PM |We owe the children of Sandy Hook a debt. But if you get to vote on my marriage, I get to vote on your assault rifle.Read More
Hurting Mom on My First Gay Christmas
Filed by Mark S. King | December 18, 2012 12:00 PM |If there was nothing wrong with being gay, then there should be nothing defiant about letting my family know about it - and my friends, teachers, and people at church. Never mind that we lived in Bossier City, Louisiana. Or that it was 1977.Read More
The Common Right of Toads & Men
Filed by Guest Blogger | December 18, 2012 10:00 AM |Death is our common right, the same one that we share with toads. We have no right to life, only to enough lighter fluid and matches so that we may burn ourselves all to ash.Read More
Steve & Paul's Wedding: He Never Thought He'd See the Day
Filed by Bil Browning | December 17, 2012 5:30 PM |I was asked to officiate long-time reader and commenter Steven Publicover's marriage to his partner, Paul. The wedding was last Friday and while the guys are a little shy with their personal lives, they did agree to let me run this beautiful photo from their reception.Read More
Remembering the Victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 17, 2012 1:30 PM |There is no "silver lining" here - but if there is some light of goodness - it is the empathy shown by Robbie Parker, whose daughter Emilie was murdered: he expressed sympathy for the family of the shooter, too.Read More
Crazy Years Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 17, 2012 10:00 AM |Are we living in "The Crazy Years?" Plus, a huge pro-marriage equality rally in France, questionable ethics from Scalia, Anglican vicars say they'll marry gay people regardless of the law, the WBC are still terrible, and more. Read More
The Continuing Saga of the Salvation Army
Filed by Annette Gross | December 16, 2012 11:30 AM |I recently received a letter from Major John E. Turner, Divisional Commander of the Indiana Divisional Headquarters of The Salvation Army in response to a message I wrote to them when they sent me a form for a donation.Read More
Another Shooting? Everyone Should Just Shut Up
Filed by Terrance Heath | December 15, 2012 11:00 AM |I haven't written about any shooting since Aurora. But I'm going to say the same thing now that I said then: Everyone should just shut upRead More
A Gun-Owner's Response to the Tragedy in CT
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 14, 2012 5:35 PM |What I do know is that this wouldn't have happened the way it did if guns were harder to acquire in the United States, which likely isn't what the firearm advocacy groups are going to say today.Read More
Connecticut School Shooting - How We Mourn [Open Thread]
Filed by James Holmes | December 14, 2012 4:00 PM |It is too early to know all the details, and we may never have all the answers, but we as a country now enter a time of mourning and reflection. How does this happen? How to we prevent it from happening again? Read More
My Boy: RIP Charlie
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 14, 2012 1:00 PM |My boy, Charlie, died last night. I am sad beyond tears, as is his sister Pepper - a Carin terrier (like Toto in the Wizard of Oz) who loved him immensely.Read More
More on Hun Sen's Hot Rod Homos
Filed by Bil Browning | December 14, 2012 11:30 AM |Andrew Sullivan picked up on my laugh at Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's awkward statement of support for LGBT people this week. Two of his readers chimed in to acknowledge that the Prime Minister probably meant exactly what he said - and explained why.Read More
Bigoted Interference Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 14, 2012 10:00 AM |As the East Aurora IL School Board mess breaks down further, a very similar story comes out of Florida. Plus, Britain honors a trans* trailblazer, House GOP raise the DOMA defense credit line, PA readies for a fight, and moreRead More
Mom & Me at the White House
Filed by Jerame Davis | December 13, 2012 5:30 PM |On Tuesday, I had the honor and privilege to take my mom to the White House for a Holiday celebration. She had the time of her life and she made sure to smuggle plenty of napkins emblazoned with the presidential seal out in her purse to take back home.Read More
The Night Don Lemon Hugged Me
Filed by Mark S. King | December 13, 2012 2:30 PM |Our first meeting on-camera was six years ago. The memory of it pains me still, despite my enthusiasm for appearing on national television for any reason whatsoever.Read More
Thomas Roberts Interviews Married Couple Featured in 'Jet'
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 13, 2012 1:00 PM |Writer/producer Rod McCullom has written a good piece for Ebony on the marriage cases before the Supreme Court - and now Jet Magazine has featured a black gay couple in their popular wedding announcements. Read More
Washington's Beautiful Bear Boyfriends Get Married
Filed by Bil Browning | December 13, 2012 11:30 AM |Remember the photo of two older bears applying for their marriage license that went viral last week? The beautiful duo got hitched yesterday and we have another photo of the happy couple that will bring you just as much joy.Read More
Bathing in Discrimination
Filed by Guest Blogger | December 13, 2012 10:00 AM |I'm a transgender man. Earlier this year I guest blogged about what it felt like to be inducted into male spaces for the first time once I started passing as male consistently. This weekend I was ejected from a male space for the first time.Read More
How I Would Rule if I Were a Supreme Court Judge
Filed by Norm Kent | December 12, 2012 6:30 PM |Here is Justice Norm Kent's ruling in the DOMA and Prop 8 CasesRead More
Scotch Broth [VAAB]
Filed by James Holmes | December 12, 2012 3:30 PM |This hearty vegan stew is simple, cheap, and perfect for a cold day. Read More
Young Latino Bi-National Couple Struggle With DOMA [Video]
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 12, 2012 1:00 PM |This is the story of a young Latino couple from Miami married in Washington DC fighting for their love and a Green Card.Read More
Um, Thanks: Hun Sen's Statement of Support
Filed by Bil Browning | December 12, 2012 11:30 AM |Every morning we post a "Quote of the Day" and if I hadn't already done today's I'd be posting this one. I love it so much it had to become its own post.Read More
Defending 'Hate Crimes' Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 12, 2012 10:00 AM |Rebutting criticism of hate crimes law, gay marriage in Uruguay, Oregon declares "Trans* Youth Awareness" month, Ban Ki-Moon speaks out for LGBT freedom, the mayor of Reykjavik schools Russians on Pride, and much more. Plus: Anderson Cooper's denim care tipsRead More
Smoking: A Personal Update & a Wider Conversation
Filed by Bil Browning | December 11, 2012 4:00 PM |I announced back at the beginning of October that my 40th birthday present to myself would be to finally stop smoking after 26 years. Sadly, I've not been successful yet. I managed to cut down dramatically for a while, but I'm right back where I started.Read More
I Agree with Maggie Gallagher
Filed by Bil Browning | December 11, 2012 1:00 PM |It's not often that I agree with NOM's Maggie Gallagher, but I'll admit that I think she has a point in her analysis of the Supreme Court marriage equality cases.Read More
Help! Helena Non-discrimination Poll Freeped By Haters
Filed by D Gregory Smith | December 11, 2012 11:30 AM |While I'm not sure that this is a huge issue (the poll, not the ordinance), it irks me that those opposed are marshaling the forces of discrimination across the country to weigh in.Read More
LGBT Ally Mexican-American Singer Jenni Rivera Believed Dead in Plane Crash
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 10, 2012 1:00 PM |Mexican-American singing sensation Jenni Rivera is believed to be dead. Mexican authorities have found wreckage of a small plane they think is the one carrying Rivera and six others that disappeared shortly after take off Sunday morning. There were no survivors.Read More
Don't Donate to the Salvation Army If You Care About LGBT People
Filed by Bil Browning | December 10, 2012 11:30 AM |As the holidays approach, the Salvation Army bell ringers are out in front of stores dunning shoppers for donations. If you care about gay rights, you'll skip their bucket in favor of a charity that doesn't actively discriminate against the LGBT community.Read More
Living Arrangements Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 10, 2012 10:00 AM |B.U. rejects gender-neutral housing, Maureen Down on GOP decline, LGBT Ethiopians stand up for LGBT Ugandans, Judge Mary Yu marries the first WA same-sex couple, and more. Plus: George Will says something insightful about gay marriage and SCOTUSRead More
Lesbian Eloise Klein Healy Named LA's First Poet Laureate
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 09, 2012 4:00 PM |Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Friday that lesbian poet Eloise Klein Healy has been named as the City of Los Angeles' first Poet Laureate.Read More
On Death & Exceptionalism
Filed by Yasmin Nair | December 09, 2012 12:00 PM |Surely the Left can do better than insist that some people deserve to die more than others. Or have we gone so far down the path of exceptionalism that we cannot find a way to unstick ourselves from its gooey, affective mess?Read More
I. Love. This. Photo.
Filed by Bil Browning | December 07, 2012 1:00 PM |This photo went viral last night and I found it fascinating how visceral the reaction has been to it. Why are people reacting so strongly (and positively)?Read More
It's Official: We Can Marry in Maryland
Filed by Terrance Heath | December 07, 2012 11:30 AM |Marriage equality won big in Maryland this November. But, as with many things in life, the job isn't finished until the paperwork is done. So, this update from Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is welcome news.Read More
Getting Hitched Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 07, 2012 10:00 AM |Same-sex marriage licenses begin to be issued in WA, the youngest gay lawmaker in America, the queer case for immigration reform, wealthy LGBT people on the fiscal cliff, and more. Plus: reflecting on just how far we've comeRead More
The Season & Its Reasons
Filed by Terrance Heath | December 06, 2012 4:30 PM |It's that time of year again. The holidays are upon us. That means it's time for us all to join in a couple of modern Christmas traditions. If "Christmas time is here," that means there's a war on.Read More
Washington's First Same-Sex Couples Apply for Marriage Licenses [Photos]
Filed by Joe Mirabella | December 06, 2012 11:00 AM |At 12:01 AM PST gay and lesbian couples in Washington State began to receive marriage licenses. I was at King County's administration building, but couples in every county throughout the state are preparing to marry on December 9, after the mandatory three day waiting period is over. Read More
GLAAD Helping Beaten Alabama Lesbian Mallory Owens
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 05, 2012 4:00 PM |GLAAD has been on top of this terrible story first reported at the end of November, Here's the latest - including a new way to help Mallory deal with her costly medical bills. Read More
Correcting the 'GID Is Removed from the DSM' Reports
Filed by Mercedes Allen | December 05, 2012 1:30 PM |Yesterday morning, I woke up to a rash of headlines proclaiming that transexuality was no longer considered "disordered" by the American Psychiatric Association. No, it hasn't. That's not true at all.Read More
Getting Better Edition [What You Need To Know]
Filed by E. Winter Tashlin | December 05, 2012 10:00 AM |Twenty links today, including - New Zealand's new rules for gender markers, top-10 most promiscuous cities, right wing craziness, international news, and more. Plus: what *does* NPH keep in his pants?Read More
The Best Twitter Exchange You'll See Today
Filed by Bil Browning | December 04, 2012 5:00 PM |This isn't LGBT related, but it did make me giggle. I'm a big proponent of gun control, but this woman's comeback to Piers Morgan on Twitter still made me laugh. I think you will too.Read More
Prayers for Frontiers Co-Publisher Mark Hundahl
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 03, 2012 3:00 PM |I humbly request those of you reading this to take a moment and either say a prayer or perhaps just say the name of Mark Hundahl, my friend and the co-publisher of Frontiers magazine, who is deathly ill right now.Read More
Is There a Connection Between Lefties & LGBT People?
Filed by Jesse Monteagudo | December 03, 2012 1:30 PM |According to a study by Canadian scientists, lesbians and gay men are more likely than others to be left-handed. This was not the first time that scientists noted a connection between being queer and being left-handed.Read More
Longtime Reader to Marry (With a Bilerico Twist)
Filed by Bil Browning | December 03, 2012 12:30 PM |One of our first readers, Steve Publicover, is getting married to his partner, Paul, this month here in DC and I'm honored to say that I've agreed to officiate their wedding.Read More
Same Sex Couple Marries at West Point Cadet Chapel
Filed by Karen Ocamb | December 03, 2012 11:30 AM |Army Veteran and OutServe-SLDN Board member Sue Fulton married long time love Penelope Dara Gnesin at the Cadet Chapel at West Point, the first same sex couple married at that chapel. Read More
Tell Texas School District to Honor Nondiscrimination Policy
Filed by Paige Schilt | December 02, 2012 10:00 AM |My son's school district has taken the unprecedented step of cancelling a University of Texas graduate student play based on the story of two real-life male penguins who parented an abandoned egg at the Central Park Zoo.Read More
On Becoming Positive: An Open Letter to Manny
Filed by Patrick J Hamilton | December 01, 2012 2:00 PM |Dear Manny: Thank you for sharing with me your news, even though of course the moment does not seem great. I am moved and honored that you trusted me enough to tell me you were just diagnosed HIV Positive.Read More
