Open Forum: Queer-Positive Role Models

Growing up and having a positive role model is very helpful and inspirational. Even throughout our adult lives having a mentor or someone we can look up to is important and healthy. It keeps us on our toes and makes us try to better ourselves.

Is there anyone in your life that is Queer-positive that has been a good role model for you? Whether they are famous people, eccentric rebels, or just your mom or dad, share with us who makes a difference in your life!

Word of the Gay: "Monosexism"

"Monosexism" is the belief that Homosexuality or Heterosexuality are superior or more valid than a Bisexual orientation. People who are "Monosexist" dismiss Bisexuality as confusion, hedonism, sinful, and/or people who are closeted about their Hetero or Homosexual orientation.

New GLBTQ Center Opens in El Paso Texas

Check out the new GLBTQ Center that has just opened in El Paso Texas! Sadly, with the good news comes bad news. With the grand opening of the center a homophobic attack and slur has already occurred in the lobby. A man came in and physically assaulted the center director and repeatedly used the term "faggot". The center director does not want the joy and celebration of the newly built center to be marred by the homophobia of one individual and hopes this just goes to show how desperate the community is for Queer centers.



http://www.elpasocenter.org/

S.F. Queer Activists Protest HRC Gala July 26th

According to Queer Today:

"On July 26 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, there will be a party and protest in front of the HRC Gala.

HRC has a long record of endorsing war-mongers and republicans like Joe Lieberman, weak and shameful support of transgender, genderqueer/gender variant communities, and focusing their attention and money on the needs and desires of the most well-off members of the LGBT community.

As queer activists it is our responsibility to let the donors to HRC know just what they are giving to. They are contributing to an organization that endorses pro-life, and anti-war candidates. And an organization that does not fully support the trans community.

There are thousands of good hearted contributors to HRC who simply need to be made aware.

Join us on July 26, to demonstrate in front of the Westin St. Francis, San Francisco."

Dallas, Texas Gay Bar Bans Drag Queens

"David Moore, co-owner of the Crews Inn, claims he can legally keep transgender people out of his gay bar on Fitzhugh Avenue in Dallas if their appearances don’t match their photo IDs.

A demonstration of solidarity from the community is planned for the 26th of July in front of Crews Inn at 10:00pm."

H/T to Planet Transgender for the story.

Same-Sex Couples Barred From The Newlywed Game

"As you may or may not know, the Game Show Network is relaunching "The Newlywed Game." And as you also may or may not know, same-sex couples are currently marrying in two of our nation's states, as well as obtaining civil unions in four more. So that of course means that newly-wedded gay and lesbian couples will be totally eligible for the revised version of the 70's era game show classic, right?

Well, not so fast, queer fans of televised compatibility tests. For if the "Newlywed Game" rules and requirements that were sent to us by a reader are to be believed, it seems that our unions might not make the cut:"



Contact the Game Show Network and tell them same-sex couples should be allowed to be contestants on the show! http://www.gsn.com/help/contact.php

H/T to Good As You for the story.

Wingnuts Protest at McDonald's Headquarters

The following is a video of a small protest by right wing fanatics in front of the McDonald's headquarters. Hate groups such as the American Family Association, and Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, gathered to hold a press conference because McDonald's donated $20,000 to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.



TAKE ACTION: Call McDonald’s to thank them for supporting LGBTQ organizations 1-800-244-6227 (or 630-623-3000)

or use their E-contact form - http://apps.mcdonalds.com/contactus/navigate.do?link=mcbiz

Blog Spotlight: "Coming Out 101"

Today's blogspotlight and shout goes to Sue's "Coming Out 101" blog, and here is a snippet about what the blog is about...

"The blog is going to be a hodgepodge of everything. Some political, some serious, some not so serious. I will try to start the day off with something fun for no reason other than my own need to chuckle. I will semi attempt to keep the blog to "gay" themes especially when I have guest writers, but I'm a multi faceted woman with many interests and curiosities. The blog will certainly reflect that.

On the other hand, the focal point of the forum and future chat rooms at comingout101.com is to provide a safe, social environment for those seeking information and support about coming out."

http://blog.comingout101.com/

"No Faggots Allowed!"

Activists in Maine created this flyer to highlight the discriminatory blood ban by the American Red Cross that prohibits men who have had sex with men since 1977 or women who have had sex with a man who has had sex with a man from donating blood.

Tell the Red Cross - Gay Blood Saves Lives!
http://www.redcross.org/contactus/

No Queers Allowed to Rent at Rybolt Reserve

"The tidy palm lined streets and affordable homes of the Rybolt Reserve subdivision in suburban Orlando have become popular with middle class homebuyers and speculators but if you are a gay or unmarried opposite-sex couple the Homeowners Association has a message - don't bother to try to rent here according to some property owners.

Several owners say they have been told by the Association they cannot rent their properties in the East Orange County subdivision to couples who are not legally married or to same-sex pairs.
"The Homeowner's Association is totally out of control," Suzane Musashe, who leases homes in the subdivision for investors, told WFTV.

"I feel like I am back in the 60's because there is such discrimination going on," Musashe told the station. The prohibitions are listed in a set of rules passed by the HOA, which describes Rybolt Reserve as a family oriented community. Musahse said the strict rules are so limiting they will send some homeowners into foreclosure. "You can only rent to a married couple, that's it. That eliminates more than half your market," she told WFTV.

The HOA restrictions are legal. Orlando has an ordinance protecting same-sex couples who purchase homes, but not renters. County Commissioner Bill Segal told the station that he may introduce an ordinance to protect gay and lesbian couples who rent." (365gay)

Contact the Rybolt Reserves and Tell Them to Engage in Fair Housing Practice!