Petition to get APA to Review Stance on Asexuality

The American Psychiatric Association is meeting to review their definition, standards and practices with regards to many topics. The two we are most interested in is Gender Identity and Sexuality. The following is a petition I created to get the APA to review their stance on Asexuality and not consider it a mental disorder. Asexual people are fully capable of living healthy and normal lives and should not be pathologized.

Asexual people and Allies please spread the word about the petition...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/87/petition-for-apa-to-review-stance-on-asexuality

American Airlines Endorses Inclusive ENDA

American Airlines officially endorses an Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that is inclusive of sexual orientation & gender identity. Please show them your appreciation by supporting the company and sending a thank you letter!

"(We are) proud to express our strong support of federal workplace non-discrimination legislation that would extend basic job protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. We are proud to have been the first major airline to implement same-sex domestic partner benefits, first to implement both sexual orientation and gender identity in our workplace non-discrimination policies, and first to have a recognized LGBT employee resource group –GLEAM,"

American Airlines is a corporate leader in the resurgent effort to remind Congress of the will of the American people by writing a letter in support of a fully inclusive ENDA. Please show your appreciation by emailing American Airlines customer relations and to fly American!"

Crossposted via our friends at Planet Transgender

U.K. Demonstration Against Kenneth Zucker

Demonstration against Ken Zucker (the man who proposes reparative therapy for gender variant kids)

October 1st, 8.30am, The Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE

The demo is organized in cooperation with the Police and will take place outside the Royal Society of Medicine.

(Just behind Debenhams/House of Fraser, Nearest tubes are Bond Street and Oxford Circus)

Web Spotlight: Ace-Book

Ace-Book is a free dating site for asexuals, including integrated forums and chat software.

Ace-Book

Republicans Against 8 Video

http://www.republicansagainst8.com

Word of the Gay: "Swyer Syndrome"

"Swyer Syndrome" is an intersex condition where an otherwise fully functioning female has XY chromosomes and cannot reach puberty because they do not have functional sex glands present. The individual can opt for hormones to help induce puberty.

Trans for Obama Day

I had no clue, but glad I didn't miss this. Today is officially "Trans for Obama" day where the trans community and allies are getting together to financially support Barack Obama/Joe Biden for the Presidential ticket.

"While transgender workplace diversity issues are not inherently tied to any political ideology, it is clear that Barack Obama is supportive of transgender workplace rights and that John McCain is not supportive of transgender workplace rights. The transgender community and its allies have a voice and political influence, and today the blogging community is working on exercising these with "Trans for Obama" blog day. We are asking people to donate $5 or more to Barack Obama's campaign for president via a fund set up for transgender people and their allies at https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/trans?refcode=therometer

I ask you to donate also to show that the transgender community is alive and well, and that there are many of us out there who are willing to stand up and be counted. It is easy to read this and do nothing, feeling that nothing will make a difference. I know that what I am asking takes courage and willingness to go beyond the feelings of helplessness that have been drummed into us by our national leaders. Please join me in standing up and being counted."

H/T Trans Work Place for the story.

Activist Tip: Update Your Picture With a No On Prop 8 Sign

Got a facebook?, myspace? or some other social networking site? Why not update your default picture with a picture of your beautiful face holding a "No on Prop 8" sign! Whether you are in the heat of the storm in California or somewhere else in the world, show support for preserving real family values, vote NO on proposition 8 and keep same-sex marriage legal in California!




http://www.stop8.org/

We're Here, We're Queer, We're Penguins - Get Used To It!

"A German zoo has scrapped plans to break up homosexual penguin couples following protests from gay rights groups.

The Bremerhaven Zoo had earlier flown in four female Humboldt penguins in an attempt to encourage three couples discovered to be all male to reproduce.

The zoo originally defended the experiment, claiming that the birds were an endangered species, but following protests from gay rights groups, director Heike Kueck has said that the zoo is abandoning the plan.

She said: “Everyone can live here as they please.”

Kueck said that it was neither her intention nor possible to separate the gay couples by force and interest them in their new female companions.

She added that the penguins had shown little interest in their new female companions but said that the programme could have been started too late in the year.

Gay groups had earlier protested against “the organised and forced harassment through female seductresses” in an open letter to Bremerhaven’s Mayor Joerg Schulz."

On this cute & happy note, don't forget to demand your taxpayer money stop going to fund gay sheep "sexual re-orientation" and murder.

Crossposted Via NC Gay Activist

HRC Survey - Campaigning for LGBT Equality

The Human Rights Campaign is asking people to fill out their online survey so that they can get a better sense of what we want them to be fighting for. If you are upset about lack of transgender inclusion within HRC this is a good opportunity to speak up.

Click here for the survey

Web Spotlight: Lez Get Real

"Lez Get Real’s intention is to present some very hard-hitting commentary on issues and topics of interest to those of us in the LGBT community.

Lez Get Real will be covering politics, gay rights issues and events"

Please check out my friend Paula's new blog at...

http://lezgetreal.blogspot.com/

Word of the Gay: "Homomonument"

The "homomonument" is a memorial in the Netherlands that commemorates all gay men and lesbians who have been persecuted because of their homosexuality. The pink triangle set up is symbolic as the Nazi's forced homosexuals to wear a pink badge to identify them.

We Have The Right To Vote!

Word of the Gay: "Omnisexual"

An "omnisexual" is someone attracted to all genders, it is distinct from bisexuals who are attracted to two genders (male & female) and monosexuals who are attracted to one gender.

Shameless Self Promotion Sunday

Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.

Open Forum: A Drag for Trans Liberation?

Drag shows are becoming increasingly popular throughout the country especially on college campuses. Gays and straights alike are getting involved by participating in the shows or coming to watch as part of the audience. Many Gay-Straight Alliances throughout the country are hosting drag shows at their schools which are being celebrated as a fun time to kick back and have a good time.

What are the political ramifications of drag shows? Are they a positive or negative step in the fight for transgender liberation?

On one hand drag shows are an opportunity for someone who is transgender and closeted to feel safe and affirmed with the opportunity to express their true gender identity in a setting where it is accepted (atleast for the day). It is also an opportunity for gay and straight folks alike to see that gender expression is varied and cross dressing is not as taboo as society has made us think it is. Drag shows help break down barriers of gender dichotomy, and celebrate the exploration and experimentation with toying with our respective gender identities.

On the other hand drag shows are also looked at by many as simply freak shows. They attend such celebrations much like they attend Halloween and Mardis Gras as an attempt to have a good time and laugh at their friends. Or dress up themselves for the fun of it. These people are not viewing drag shows as an opportunity to break down the barriers of gender or to promote acceptance of gender variance but more as an attempt to make fun of the opposite gender from which they identify.

Thoughts? Do you feel drag shows help or hurt the movement for transgender lib?

Soulforce's Equality Ride is Desperate for Donations!

Soulforce an organization dedicated to "freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance" sends numbers of students yearly to conservative religious academies and seminaries that bar or are hostile towards queer people. The mission is to create dialogue and inform them of the misinterpretations of scripture. Some campuses allow these activists to come and communicate and others call the police on the riders, which in turn the activists are prepared to get arrested and physically removed from the property in a demonstration of nonviolent resistance. The Equality Ride as it has come to be called has been influential in changing the hearts and minds of students, faculty, and clergy on many of the respective campuses

"The Equality Ride is the signature program of the Soulforce young adults. It saves lives and opens minds. Of the 55 colleges and universities already visited, we've seen significant progress made in the official policies of several schools.

Nearly twenty schools have formed Gay-Straight Alliances and created "Safe Zones" for LGBT students. LGBT students have begun to come out of their closets to their friends, professors and families in order to live whole and complete lives."

Soulforce's Equality Ride is set to launch Oct 1st, 2008. The Equality Ride is in dire need of contributions in light of the fact that a large donation has fallen through. The organization must raise $70,000 to meet the costs of transportation, lodging, food, and expenses for training, as well as bale money.

Please help out the equality ride by donating to Soulforce or sponsoring an individual rider. Please click here to help support the Equality Ride!

Word of the Gay: "Green Carnation"

The "green carnation" in a suit pocket was used as a way for gay men to identify one another in a time when speaking of ones sexuality was taboo and dangerous.

Gender Variant Youth Subject to School Makeover

"13 year old Ohio boy, Matt Alsup was forced to wash the make-up off of his face when school administrators said it was a distraction and against the dress code.

"When I spoke to the principal," his mother said, "She told me it was distracting because of the black makeup and I said, 'Well, I'll get him pink,' and she said no, because he's a male, he's not allowed to wear it, the public don't accept males wearing make-up."

Ball and her son point out that every student is required to wear a character badge – and one of the qualities it pledges is acceptance. "It says, 'do you value the uniqueness of all students?' and they're not letting me be unique," says the young man, Matt Allsup. "I don't see why we have to wear them if we're not able to express who we are."

Matt's mother, Mindy Ball: "They're gender stereo-typing. He's being sexually discriminated against. Nowhere in the rules does it say that males can't wear make-up".

Matt and his mother plan to hire and attorney and take the issue to court."

---

Contact the Hamilton City Schools District which is responsible for Garfield Middle School and others.

Email the superintendent, human resources, and the director of pupil personnel, as well as the principle of the middle school all in one email click here to express your outrage.

Garfield Middle School
250 Fair Ave, Hamilton, OH 45011
Office: 513-887-5035

Hamilton City Schools District
533 Dayton Street
P.O. Box 627
Hamilton, OH 45012
(513) 887-5000

Crossposted via our friends at Lesbiatopia

Video on Anti-Gay McCain and His Gay Chief of Staff

Web Spotlight: TJobBank

TJobBank is a new and innovative site to bring together professionals from the transgender community and employers. All too often well qualified gender variant people are not hired or promoted within their respective fields. TJobBank seeks to help transgender people link up with LGBT friendly employers.

Check them out at http://www.tjobbank.com

Word of the Gay: "Fairy"

A "fairy" is an offensive term to describe effeminate and/or sensitive homosexual men.

The Daily Show Makes Inappropriate Reference to "Trannys"

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart typically defends and portrays LGBT people in a positive light. The recent segment on Sept 17th was an inappropriate way to refer to transgender people. The clip can be seen here and John Stewarts says "tranny" 2:30 seconds into the program.

QueerToday is urging us to contact The Daily Show. They point out that "Jon Stewart makes a really gross statement to the effect that trans people are ridiculous hilarious and, most of all, deceptive".

E-Contact Form for Comedy Central

Queering Up History: Sept 25th

Queer Events On This Day In History...

1791 As part of the French Revolution, France adopts a new law code which decriminalized sodomy by making no mention of sex between consenting adults.

1969 Six teens in London beat a gay man to death with clubs. A London newspaper published a statement by "fag basher" who stated that beating up queers is safe because they can't go to the police.

1983 Paul Jacobs, a pianist with the New York Philharmonic, dies of complications from AIDS at age 53.

1989 Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor says she is afraid of going to jail because "they are all lesbians in jail, and I'm so scared of lesbians." She also implies that the officer who arrested her did so only because he was gay and jealous of her beauty.

1993 Twenty-two members of Lesbian Avengers protests at the dedication of Focus on the Family's $30 million headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Three are arrested. Convicted Watergate figure Charles Colson, a featured speaker at the dedication, said that the battle to defeat the "gay agenda" "makes Watergate look like child's play."

1997 In the San Francisco Examiner, aging evangelist Billy Graham is quoted as saying "Their lifestyle, I'm going to quote from the Bible, is a sin. But why jump on that sin? There are worse sins."

2005 Allison Brewer becomes the first out lesbian to lead a political party in North America as she is elected to lead the left-leaning New Democratic Party in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Brought to your by our friends at Wicked Gay Blog

Word of the Gay: "Bambi-sexuality"

"Bambi-sexuality" is a term used to describe two people who focus on kissing, cuddling, and caressing as opposed to genital stimulation.

Queering Up History: Sept 24th

Queer Events On This Day In History...

1731 In Amsterdam, 22 men are executed for sodomy.

1951 Christine Jorgensen entered the hospital for the first sex change surgery.

1981 A Toronto judge acquits a gay school teacher of a charge of keeping common bawdyhouse in own home.

1981 A report at Toronto city council calls for a permanent police/gay dialogue committee. It takes many years for police to grudgingly agree.

1984 Conspiracy charges laid against three gay bath owners in connection with the Feb 5, 1981 Toronto police raids, were settled by plea-bargained fines, without trial.

1984 A New York psychiatrist announces his belief that AIDS is caused by depression.

1985 Right-wing opponents of a law to lower the age of gay sexual consent to 16 in New Zealand stage a "Nuremberg Rally" on the steps of New Zealand's parliament in Wellington. The present a petition claiming 810,000 signatures to oppose the proposed legislation (in a country of about 3,000,000 people), but it later comes out only 350,000 of the signatures were valid.

1992 The US House of Representatives passes a resolution by a vote of 235-173 to allow a Washington DC ordinance which extends spousal health insurance benefits to same sex partners of district employees to remain on the books, but prohibited money to be spent on its enforcement. The US Senate had already approved the measure.

1992 The Twin Cities chapter of Dignity, an organization for gay and lesbian Roman Catholics, is evicted from its meeting space at St. Stephens Church in Minneapolis. Archbishop John Roach ordered that the organization could not use church space unless it publicly said it agrees with church teaching that homosexuality is an intrinsic moral evil.

1992 The Kentucky supreme court overturns the state's sodomy law with a vote of 4-3 in the case of Wasson v. Kentucky. In the majority decision justice Charles Leibson wrote "We need not sympathize, agree with, or even understand the sexual preference of homosexuals in order to recognize their right to equal treatment." Dissenting judges claimed that the ruling would increase homosexuality, incest, and prostitution.

1993 The University of Michigan's school board votes 7-1 to adopt a ban on anti-gay discrimination.

1994 OutRage, a London direct-action group, stages a zap against The Courage Trust's Open Day and Chorleywood, an event aimed at parents of lesbians and gays to persuade them that their children could be cured through conversion to Christianity.

1994 The Exhibition "Becoming Visible: The Legacy of Stonewall" closes at the New York Public Library. It had been there just over three months.

2004 Nova Scotia became the sixth Canadian province or territory to allow gay marriages as the provincial Supreme Court rules that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

2005 A general election in New Zealand results in a record number of openly gay parliamentarians getting elected, five LGBT MPs in a national Parliament of 122 seats.

Brought to you by our friends at Wicked Gay Blog

Iranian President Ahmadinejad on Gays

Iranian President Ahmadinejad on CNN's Larry King show, compares homosexuals to traffic "violators" and says "law must be enforced".



Take Action, Help the Iranian Queer Organization

"Hands Off Our Constitution" Rally in Hartford Connecticut

Theatre, Singing, Speeches Calling All People to:

Vote NO on the Constitutional Convention Question November 4th

Background:

The Rights of Women, African-Americans, Latinos, Immigrants, People Living in Poverty, Public Employees, Ex-Offenders, Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay people would likely All be Under Attack if Ballot Initiatives come to Connecticut.

A Partial List of What’s At Stake Under Ballot Initiatives:

* Abortion Rights
* Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims
* Affirmative Action
* Anti-Poverty Programs
* Judicial Discretion in Sentencing
* Public Education Funding
* Comprehensive Sex Education
* Human Rights to Housing & Employment for Transgender people
* Healthcare, Social Services, & College Assistance for Immigrants
* Healthcare & Retirement Benefits of Public Servants
* Same-Sex Marriage and Civil Unions
* Euthanasia

September 28, 2008

South Side of State Capitol overlooking Capitol Avenue
Sunday, September 28, 2008
1:30 PM Gather
2:00 PM Kick-off
(please allow 30 minutes to park and walk from side streets)

Word of the Gay: "Banjee"

"Banjee" is a term that describes masculine latino, black, or multi-racial men who have sex with men.

Donate to the HRC California Marriage PAC

"GLBT couples in California can now legally marry – giving affirmation to their love and full validation to their relationships for the first time. Meanwhile, our right-wing opponents are building a $20 million war chest for a constitutional amendment to ban marriage for gay and lesbian couples in California.

HRC has set up a special fund – the HRC California Marriage PAC – to direct 100% of your contribution today to the fight against the anti-marriage ballot initiative in California. HRC is a member of Equality for All, the coalition working to defeat the marriage ban, and these funds will support the coalition's efforts."

Click Here to Make a Financial Contribution to the HRC California Marriage PAC

In Defense of Outing

The following is a snippet of a long paper I wrote for a Queer studies class, I figured no time like the present to defend my position on outing.

Outing is the act of someone disclosing someone else’s alleged sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent and making it public. The act of outing has been used as a form of revenge, and as a political, social, and emotional tactic to expose truth, and institute awareness and change. The people who are usually targets of outing are generally in a position of power or hold some form of prestige within their respective communities or within the society at large. The tactic of outing has largely been a controversial topic within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community. There are different schools of thought that take on the issue with varying degrees of fervor that are in favor, in opposition to outing, or a middle ground choice. People in favor of outing often cite hypocrisy, revenge, and exposure as their main motivation for engaging in the act. People who oppose outing generally feel that the act is unfair, reflects negatively on the queer community and is an insincere motive because it disregards a person’s right to explore and determine their own identity. Opponents of outing feel that it is an unnecessary tactic that does not yield positive results.

As with all political issues, there lies a continuum of opinions on outing within the gay community. I personally believe outing to be a strong and persuasive technique that has and can further be used to foster awareness and create social and political change. I support efforts to out those whom I deem as hypocrites, and by that I mean someone who preaches or votes in opposition to LGBTQ equality and civil rights legislation. On the other hand I am not in favor of outing people who wish to remain private about their own sexuality, while not actively campaigning against or in favor of gay rights. I feel we must work to expose the truth of those who work against us, while keeping silent on those who we suspect to be queer, but do not hold prejudices against us. We must remember the closet where we came from and where others may very well still be struggling with their own individual identities.

I feel that while outing may be controversial for a variety of reasons, it is still an important and useful social and political tactic. I think the positions completely for or against outing are both “radical” and unreasonable. I believe the stance that I take is more of a middle ground and reasonable approach based in logic, as well as sincerity and compassion. I think outing as a general rule needs to be used objectively and subjectively. Individual scenarios and consequences need to be taken into account before action is taken, because every situation is different. I believe in outing hypocrites who speak prejudice, and advocate for discriminatory legislation against the LGBTQ community, while they themselves hide or reject their own homo or transsexuality. I agree whole heartedly with a well known gay African-American activist, Keith Boykin when he says “it doesn’t matter if you’re a preacher, a performer or a politician. Your right to privacy ends when you violate my right to liberty” (Boykin). The people who seek to hurt queer people in my opinion lose their right to privacy. I feel that after one seeks to destroy the rights of others, they effectively should be taken down by using political power and social capital as a weapon of attack.

First Official No On Prop 8 Commercial

Word of the Gay: "Neutrois"

"Neutrois" refers to an individual who has no gender and does not identify as male or female.

Happy Bisexual Pride Day!

Sept 23rd is Bisexual Pride Day! Whether a bisexual or an ally, Happy Bi Pride, be out, proud, and loud!


Today you can come out to your friends, family, co-workers as bisexual.

Learn more about the bisexual orientation.

Make a contribution to one of the bisexual organizations such as BiNetUSA, Bialogue, the Bisexual Resource Center,
or the American Institute for Bisexuality.

Join a bisexual social, political, or support group in your area or local LGBT center.

Steven Spielberg Donates 100K to Fight Marriage Ban

Icon film maker Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw have donated $100,000 to the campaign to defeat a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in California.

"Spielberg and Capshaw said in a statement, "By writing discrimination into our state constitution, Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate the right of each and every citizen in our state to marry regardless of sexual orientation. Such discrimination has NO place in California's constitution, or any other." (Wilshire & Washington)

Below is the address if you wish to thank him for his contribution to the No on Prop 8 movement.

Steven Spielberg
DreamWorks SKG 100 Universal Plaza,
#601 Universal City,
CA 91608 telephone:

Breaking News: John McCain's Chief of Staff Being Outed Today!

A reliable source and friend has told Queers United that Mike Rogers of Blog Active, in 30 minutes will present video of the Roy Cohn Award being delivered to Mark Buse, Senator John McCain's Chief of Staff and lobbyist on Capitol Hill who is a closeted gay person.

To hear the outing LIVE tune into The Michelangelo Signorile Show on Sirus Satellite Radio at 2:15 PM EST.

Video below of Mike Rogers delivering the award:




Home video footage of Mark Buse and his former partner:


Thanks to the hard work of Mike Rogers and Michelangelo Signorile for exposing this closeted gay man who is critical in helping anti-gay John McCain rise to power.

Get DADT on the Debate Platform

Soon the presidential debates between Barack Obama and John McCain will ensue. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network an organization devoted to overturning the military ban on gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers is asking for us to send in requests to moderator Jim Lehrer for Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) to be one of the questions asked of them at the forum.

http://www.sldn.org/page/speakout/debate

Queering Up History: Sept 22nd

Queer Events On This Day In History...

1975 Doug Wilson, graduate student in education at University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon (Canada), is prevented from practice teaching because he was publicly active in the gay movement. The university president calls it a "managerial decision."

1975 Oliver "Billy" Sipple, a Vietnam veteran, saves the life of president Gerald Ford in San Francisco by lunging for a revolver held by Sara Jane Moore. Harvey Milk (who had not yet been elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors) outed him to the press, which destroyed Sipple's relationship with his family.

1984 For the first time on Polish television a discussion on homosexuality is broadcast.

1987 Sir Elton JohnElton John appears on the US television show, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." In response to the suggestion that he star in his own sitcom, he turned to fellow guest Tim Allen and said, "I could do Homo Improvement with you."

1990 The Black Lesbian and Gay Group of London, England, and other gay groups picket the Brixton Police Station protesting police discrimination.

1990 British gays in London deliver a protest letter to gay pub Brief Encounter over their ban on same sex kissing in the bar.

1991 Film director Derek Jarman is canonised by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as St. Derek of Dungeness of the Order of Celluloid Knights.

1992 The Advocate, a US magazine, runs a story about US Rep. Jim McCrery whose voting record on gay issues had taken a sharp downturn. The article included statements from several men who had sex with McCrery.

1993 British gays demonstrate against advertising by Benetton HQ, resulting in the arrest of 'The Benetton 9', who are all subsequently acquitted. But the court case implied that one gay group, OutRage, had been under surveillance by the British secret services.

1995 Eigel Axgil dies in Copenhagen at age 71. He and his partner, Axel Axgil, formed the National Homosexual Association in 1948, which was among Europe's earliest post-war gay rights groups. In 1989 the two were the first to register their relationship when a Danish law went into effect allowing same sex couples to do so.

1999 Richard Socarides, US President Bill Clinton's liaison to the gay and lesbian community, announces that he would leave his position for a media job.

2005 Amnesty International releases a damning report accusing American police nationwide of being "criminals" in their abusive treatment of LGBT Americans.

Courtesy of our friends at Wicked Gay Blog

Word of the Gay: "Gay Bomb"

The term "Gay Bomb" refers to a theoretical idea the U.S. Air Force had about creating a bomb that would turn enemy combatants into homosexuals. This was a real plan back in 1994 and efforts only suspended when the Department of Defense rejected the proposal.

Tell Governor to Sign AB 2567 Harvey Milk Bill

ACTION ALERT: Call Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Tell him to sign the Harvey Milk Bill.

The right wing has turned up the heat, flooding Gov. Schwarzenegger's office with an overwhelming number of calls opposing our bill that would honor LGBT hero Harvey Milk with a special day of remembrance.

We need to match their calls NOW if we want the bill to be signed.

916.445.2841

Press 1 for English
(or 2 for Spanish)
Press 2
Press 1 for AB 2567
Press 1 again to voice support.

AB 2567 would have no fiscal impact to the state and would honor an important figure in the civil rights movement, in the same way that we honor other great leaders with state days of special significance. CALL NOW!

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger E-Contact Form

Resources for Coming Out of the Closet!

"Why are people afraid to come out?

Answer: There can be many reasons people are afraid to come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. It depends on the culture you were brought up in, your religion and the point of view of your family and friends. People coming out now, don’t necessarily realize the stigma associated with being gay as little as ten years ago. Forty years ago, people were thrown in jail for dancing with same-sex partners in gay and lesbian bars. It was only in 2003 that the Texas sodomy law was overturned, finally making sex between two same-sex consenting adults legal. In 33 states you can still be fired for being gay.

Read more at lesbianlife.about.com.

HRC's Coming Out Project helps GLBT, as well as straight-supportive people live openly and talk about their support for equality at home, at work and in their communities each and every day.

Bisexual

Learn more about the specific issues around coming out as bisexual.

In Communities of Color

Learn more about the specific issues around coming out in communities of color.

Straight Supporters

Learn more about the specific issues around coming out as a straight supporter.

Transgender

Learn more about the specific issues around coming out as transgender.

Crossposted via Wicked Gay Blog

Transgender Human Rights Activists Arrested in Uganda

"Please take action to protest the detention and intimidation by police of Oundo George and Kiiza Brendah, transgender human rights activists in Uganda who were arrested at home for allegedly attempting to "recruit people to homosexuality." This is a spurious charge that does not exist in Uganda's Civil Code, though homosexuality is illegal and freedom of gender identity is not recognized. Oundo George and Kiiza Brendah were held without cause for seven days and upon release were ordered to return to the police station on September 24."

Lt-Gen (retd) Yoweri Musevini,
Office of the President,
Parliament Building,
PO Box 7168,
Kampala,
Uganda

Contact President & Minister of Justice by Email

H/T to Trans News for the story

Shameless Self Promotion Sunday

Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.

Queering Up History: Sept 20th

Queer Events On This Day In History...

1958 Barbara Gittings founds the East Coast chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis (an early lesbian organization in the US) in New York City. Less than a dozen women attended the first meeting which was held at the offices of the local Mattachine Society.

1973 Lesbian tennis star Billie Jean King defeats misogynist Bobby Riggs in "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match.

1978 Ronald Reagan publicly states his opposition to California's Proposition 6, also known as the Briggs Amendment. It would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools, as well as anyone who openly supported civil rights for gays and lesbians.

1994 Houston assistant police chief Art Contreras admits that police officers violated policy by wearing ski masks during a series of raids on gay bars.

1995 Human Welfare and Community Action Commission in Berkeley votes to include transgendered people in its anti-discrimination policy.

1996 US President Bill Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act which defines marriage in the United States as a union between a man and a woman.

1996 Twenty-four Filipinos in Saudi Arabia receive the first fifty lashes of a 200 lash sentence for homosexual behavior. After the sentence was completed they were deported.

Brought to you by our friends at Wicked Gay Blog

Demonstration Against Bolthouse Farms in Hollywood, California

We reported a few months ago that William Bolthouse donated $100,000 to proposition 8 to amend California's state constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Now Californian's Against Hate is asking activists to join in protesting and calling for a boycott against Bolthouse Farms.

Contact Bolthouse and let them know you will boycott them:
http://www.bolthouse.com/ContactUs.aspx

Open Forum: Is the Community Comprised of Hypocrites?

We claim to pride ourselves on diversity and promote the notion of acceptance of others. Are we really hypocrites in disguise behind the banner of a rainbow?

We dispel myths and claim to hate labels but we also embrace all these things we so often argue against. The community claims that we don't need to follow heteronormative thinking and that we don't define ourselves by our genders. Among lesbians you see butch and femme, and among gay men there are tops and bottoms. Doesn't this follow the heternormative philosophy of a dominant "man" and a more passive "woman" role. If we claim to despise categorization and labels why do so many gay men and lesbians label themselves?

Bisexuals claim they can see the stigmatization of not being gay nor straight but somewhere in between. Do they lose this sense of empathy with sexual minorities if they partner with someone of the opposite sex? Do they gain a sense of heterosexual privilege?

Transgender people are fighting for recognition of diversity among gender identities. You hear that its not about the genitals but about the mind and spirit of the person that makes the gender. Is there hypocrisy among the gender variant folks as well? There are different labels such as pre-op, post-op, and non-op. You have terms such as "passable" to imply that the person transitioned so well that they could pass for the other gender. If the genitals and look don't matter, why are there these categories to identify others?

Intersexuals want acceptance of their biological make-up which is not male or female, and want more sensitivity towards gender variance. But, do some go out of their way to make a distinction between their "biological" condition and what many claim is a "psychological" condition for transgender people?

Asexuals don't like the fact that everything in society is labeled and thought of in a sexual context, when in their world sexuality does not play a vital role. But when they discuss asexuality in regards to an orientation aren't they just as much playing into the notion that sexuality is a driving force of life?

This post is controversial, and forgive me if anyone gets offended by it. I am knit-picking a little bit at everyone in order to engage in a healthy conversation that I think is boiling within the topic of queer theory lately.

Word of the Gay: "Sissyphobia"

"Sissyphobia" is a term used to describe people who fear or hate effeminate men AKA sissies. The term is similar to homophobia but is instead focused on a fear of the gender identity as opposed to the sexual orientation of the individual.

Gay Artist in U.K. Faces Deportation - Action Needed!

UPDATE: Originally scheduled to be deported on Azerbaiajan Airlines, we asked activists to email and call the company not to deport him, they caved in and Azerbaijan Airlines will not be deporting Babi.

He will now be deported from Heathrow Airport at 15:15 today on flight BD929 British Midlands Airways (BMI) to Baku.

Please contact BMI and let them know in no uncertain terms of the huge level of damage this deportation will do to their company.
Telephone: 0870 6070 555 or 08712240224 or +44 (0)1332 64 8181 (callers outside UK)
Also you can call the BMI switchboard (ask for a senior manager): 01332854000
Fax: 01709 314993

It appears the most effective number to call is 01332854687 extension 2 and speak to press officer Rob Coveney.

Customer Relations: 01332854321 extension 2

E-Contact Form for BMI

Please say:
- Babi is medically unfit to travel, and is under threat in Azerbaijan.
- That Azerbaijan Airlines were orginally meant to deport later on today, but they refused for ethical reasons.
- Threaten a boycott of the company and serious finacial consquences that that will cause.
- Highlight the damage it will cause the BMI brand from the large amount of press coverage this will get (point out that there has been a large amount of press coverage of Babi’s case alredy)

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Online Petition: Click Here

Write to the home office and refer to ref. number: B1234623

Send to: Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department,
Mail: 3rd Floor Peel Buildings, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
Fax: 020 8760 3132 (00 44 20 8760 3132 if you are faxing from outside UK)

E-mail: jacqui.smith@homeoffice.gov.uk

H/T to Unzipped: Gay Armenia for the story.

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"Babakhan Badalov (Babi) is an openly gay, internationally renowned radical artist and poet from Azerbaijan. His art and poetry have been explicitly critical of the government and present/past presidents. These factors have led Babi to become a target of repression and persecution over many years. He has recently been described by the government and prominent public figures as being a traitor to Azerbaijan.

Because of his sexuality and the radical nature of his creative activities, he has endured government-led suppression from the Ministry of National Security (MNS – Azerbaijan’s modern-day version of the KGB), together with physical and mental abuse from other sectors of society. All this has taken place in a Muslim country, where homosexuality remains an extremely taboo subject. This led one of Babi’s brothers to threaten to kill him because of the shame which he has brought on the family.

As a result of beatings and bullying over the years Babi has only eight teeth remaining and suffers from a number of mental health problems – such as anxiety and panic-attacks, suicidal tendencies, together with insomnia and a general feeling of depression."

Queering Up History: Sept 19th

"Queer Events On This Day In History...

1963 The first gay rights demonstration in the USA took place at the Whitehall Induction Center in New York City, protesting against discrimination in the military.

1964 The Homosexual League of New York and the League for Sexual Freedom demonstrated in front of the US Army Whitehall Induction Center in New York City to protest the military's exclusion of gays and lesbians.

1975 A three-member US Air Force panel recommended that Sgt. Leonard Matlovich be given a general discharge for being openly gay.

1985 Aids makes the A-List in Hollywood as $1.3 million is raised at a benefit sponsored by Los Angeles AIDS Project. It was organized by Elizabeth Taylor, and among those attending were Betty Ford, Burt Lancaster, Shirley MacLaine, Sammy Davis Jr, Linda Evans, and Burt Reynolds.

1992 Frederick Combs, who played Donald in the 1970 film version of "The Boys in the Band," dies of complications from AIDS at age 57.

2003 California passes a law giving gay couples many of the same rights as straight couples, but not marriage.

2005 Less than a week after the Vatican announced a witch hunt to identify homosexuals in the US Catholic priesthood, Pope Benedict XVI, a former Nazi, approves a new policy document which says men with homosexual tendencies should not be ordained as Catholic priests anywhere."

Brought to you by our friends at Wicked Gay Blog

Bisexual Pride Day!

Celebrate Bisexuality Day held on Sept 23rd is vastly approaching us. It is a day to highlight the accomplishments of bisexual people, increase bi visibility, and embrace bisexual history and culture. Whether you are a bisexual or an ally you can make a difference on behalf of the B in LGBT. Bisexual Pride Day was conceived as a way to seperate from general LGBT pride because of the bisexual erasure that often takes place.

Do you plan on doing anything for Celebrate Bisexuality Day? Come out, speak out, be out and proud!

Out & Greek Conference 2008

"Never has there been a leadership conference to share, network and learn strategies to create safer, more LGBT inclusive fraternity and sorority communities. The Out & Greek National Leadership Conference is the first of its kind for undergraduate fraternity and sorority leaders and is sponsored by the landmark Lambda 10 Project, an educational initiative of Campus Pride. The Lambda 10 Project founded in 1995 works to heighten the visibility of LGBT members of the college fraternity and sorority by serving as a clearinghouse for educational resources and materials related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression."

November 14-16 at DePaul University, Chicago, IL, register now!

Word of the Gay: "A-List Gay"

An "A-list gay" is a well connected popular celebrity icon sort of person within the gay world. The term can also be used as an adjective to describe a person or place that is popular.

Intersex People - The Missing Vagina Monologue

The Vagina Monologues is a hugely successful account of women's lives and advocates for gender equality. Eve Ensler the creator of the play went on to found V-Day an organization committed to ending violence against women.

The organization has made a tremendous impact on women's lives including lesbian and trans-women but has failed to accurately include Intersex people in their accounts.

Please politely contact V-Day and ask them to include Intersex people in their awareness campaigns. In addition please tell them that childhood genital mutilation of intersex babies is wrong and must be considered an unethical and violent choice by the medical establishment.

Contact V-Day!

In the meantime check out this clip from Gendervision.

Queering Up History: Sept 18th

"Queer Events On This Day In History...

1977 A 4-hour unprecedented benefit for gay and lesbian rights was held at the Hollywood Bowl.

1980 The US National News Conference convened a panel to investigate claims of deceitful, distorted and biased reporting by CBS for "Gay Power, Gay Politics." The panel voted 9-2 in agreement with the complaint, which claimed that focusing on sexual extremes such as S & M, glory holes, and sex in parks was unfair and reinforced stereotypes. It would result in a public apology on CBS Reports.

1980 The Toronto Board of Education amends its policy to ban discrimination on basis of sexual orientation, but adds clause forbidding "proselytizing of homosexuality in the schools."

1985 A class action suit is filed by Steve Horn of Arizona to overturn the state's sodomy law. He was fired from his job with the Mesa Arizona police department after he came out despite a perfect service record. Police Chief Joe Quigley cited the sodomy law as the reason.

1988 During a speech by US Rep. Bob Dornan (Republican), his wife Sallie Dornan screams "Shut up, Fag!" at a heckler.

1989 The Corcoran Gallery issues an apology for canceling an exhibit of Robert Mapplethorpe photography.

1992 In an interview published in the San Francisco Examiner, attorney John Schlafly, son of conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, says that he is gay but he supports his mother's right wing politics. He also says it is not hypocritical of her to fight against equality for gays and lesbians while knowing he is gay.

1995 The Canadian House of Commons votes 124-52 to reject a measure introduced by openly gay Real Menard which would have extended legal recognition to same-sex marriages. But times changed quickly. Five years later the House of Commons voted to recognize same-sex spousal rights in common-law relationships.

2003 Canada's Parliament passes a law making it illegal to promote hatred of gays and lesbians in speeches, publication,s radio, or TV. The day before the same House of Commons narrowly defeated an opposition motion to declare marriage was only between a man and a woman.

2003 Britain's notorious Section 28 law, which forbade "the promotion of homosexuality" in schools and was passed by Margaret Thatcher in 1988, is officially repealed.

2003 The United States denies entry to the US to Canada's first legally married gay couple, whose marriage was made legal by a landmark court case three months earlier, because the two men had filled out a single customs form as a family."

Brought to you by our friends at Wicked Gay Blog

Word of the Gay: "Drag King"

A "drag king" is a biological female who impersonates a male. Drag is usually done for entertainment purposes and does not necessarily reflect the persons desire to live as a male or female.

No On Prop 8 Needs Fundraising Help!

Urgent: Marriage equality supporters in California lag in fundraising. "According to the most recent campaign contribution reports from the California Secretary of State, supporters of the anti-gay marriage November ballot measure have raised $16.2 million in their effort to pass Proposition 8. Opponents have brought in $10.8 million, which is still a sizable chunk of money. But Dale Kelly Bankhead, who signed the email as campaign manager of 'No On 8,' writes, 'We must match what is raised dollar for dollar with the right wing; if we do not, we are at serious risk of losing this November.'" No on Prop 8. (Via Wicked Gay Blog)

Lets Make Marriage History in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States and home to many senators and congressional members who espouse anti-queer views. However, the District of Columbia is heavily democratic and now it looks like marriage equality may be in the locales near future.

According to the Washington Blade:

"If Democrats expand their majority in Congress and California voters uphold same-sex marriage, a gay marriage bill is likely to be approved by the D.C. City Council as early as April 2009, according to activists and City Hall insiders.

With Mayor Adrian Fenty and at least 10 of the Council’s 13 members committed to passing a same-sex marriage bill, local activists and city officials have long said the only factor holding back such a bill has been the fear that Congress would invoke its powers to overturn it."

Right now we need to work very hard to ensure the election of democrats to both houses, we must win the battle against proposition 8 in California.

We also can start preparing for the fight in D.C. although legislation is not yet on the table we must contact the three council members who are still up in the air as to their vote on same-sex marriage. These members are not anti-gay and are debating whether to vote for marriage, so please politely urge them that when the bill comes up for a vote that they should vote in favor of equality.

Below are the 3 council members who we need to urge to vote in favor of marriage equality in Washington D.C.

E-Contact for council member Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7)

Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) mbarry@dccouncil.us

Councilmember Carol Schwartz (R) At-Large carol.schwartz@dc.gov

Web Spotlight: Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

Today's Web Spotlight and shout goes to Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) an organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of GLBT elders and senior citizens. SAGE offers support groups, advocacy, social groups, drop in centers, education, conferences and more. GLBT seniors are often isolated, without children, are left widowed and without the inheritance of their partner. They are faced with having to go back into the closet about who they are when they enter nursing homes that are not LGBT sensitive. SAGE USA is working to correct societal ills towards GLBT elders.

Word of the Gay: "Lipstick Lesbian"

The term "Lipstick Lesbian" is used to refer to lesbian or bisexual women who exhibit feminine traits. These women typically enjoy make-up, fashion, and other stereotypically femme behaviors.

Lehman Fails, But Gay Love Succeeds

We focus on many serious violations that occur against LGBTQIA people and work towards making the world a better place. Sometimes, we just need to laugh, on a lighter note here is a CNN report on the failing Lehman Bro's co. and two guys who decided to make a prank make-out on live TV!

Queering Up History: Sept 16th

Queer Events On This Day In History...

1730 In Amsterdam, Lourens Hosponjon is executed for sodomy.

1992 Robert Sawyer of Brattleboro Vermont pleads not guilty to charges that he murdered his ex-girlfriend, Judith Hart Fournier, after she left him for a woman. She had a restraining order, but Sawyer violated it repeatedly. The case sparked a demand for anti-stalking legislation.

1992 Fifty-eight year old Roy Downs files a complaint of brutality against the Ft Worth Police Department. He was arrested during a series of raids on gay bars, and officers beat and verbally abused him.

1994 Richard Hongisto, a former San Francisco police chief, is convicted of civil rights violations. He had ordered the removal of an issue of Bay Times, a gay newspaper, from the stands.

1997 Alberta singer K.D. Lang is invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada, a high official Canadian government award recognizing national achievement.

2004 Manitoba becomes the fourth province in Canada to allow gay marriage as the Court of Queen's Bench rules in favour of same-sex weddings in the western province.

Brought to you by our friends at Wicked Gay Blog

Is the Meat Industry Homophobic?

You don't have to look far to see how the meat/dairy industry perpetrate sexist and misogynist attitudes throughout their marketing campaigns as illustrated by the brilliant author of the Sexual Politics of Meat Carol J. Adams. Click here to see the slideshow she created of sexist and outright offensive ads against women.

It got me thinking that if the meat industry is sexist are they possibly homophobic as well? There have definitely been subtle hints throughout society that meat is somehow associated with masculinity, and to abstain from meat means you become a "vegetable". Vegetables are healthy, how did the pro-meat advocates turn that around on us into something negative? Recently Hummer came out with a commercial showing a man buying some tofu products, the man next to him gives him a strange look, piles up tons of meat on the counter. The man buying the tofu feels odd and has to "restore the balance" according to Hummer and reclaim his masculinity by purchasing a Hummer. What is this clip really trying to show? To me the commercial is implying the man buying the tofu is a sissy and that real men eat meat and buy Hummers (a man's car). The video clip is below.



Burger King recently launched their "Eat Like a Man" campaign. Below is a video of one of their commercials. Where this man gets sick of eating "chick food" ie: vegetarian. In a show of masculinity he bursts out of the restaurant into a parade of men who are reclaiming their masculinity by eating meat. This implies men who choose not to eat meat or eat less meat are somehow sissies or less of a man.



I find this topic really interesting and there are many more examples of it, if you are all interested in the connection between gay & animal liberation, please read my earlier post here entitled Intersection Between Animal Liberation & Queer Liberation.

So what do you think, is the meat industry the culprit of these homophobic and gender stereotyping ads from Hummer, Burger King and others?

Word of the Gay: "Romantic Friendship"

A "romantic friendship" is a term used to describe a romantic relationship between two friends that is non-sexual in nature. It goes beyond standard friendship to include close intimacy, hand holding, cuddling, and kissing, and sharing a bed.

Help Ugandan Gay Man Gain Asylum

UPDATE: Mr. Nyombi was scheduled for deportation this past Sunday and refused to board a plane to Uganda. Officials allowed him to refuse boarding the plane. Currently he is being held in the airport, which gives us activists and legal groups more time to demand justice for him. Please continue to urge for his asylum to be granted.

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We have two asylum granting cases in the U.K. dealing with a gay man (John Bosco) and a lesbian (Prossy Kakooza) who face a return to Uganda where they will likely be killed due to their sexual orientation. The U.K. has decided not to grant asylum to these two individuals, posing a serious threat to their security. Please ensure their asylum in the U.K. Please immediately contact the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration within the Home Office about granting asylum to both John Bosco Nyombi and to Prossy Kakooza.

Write to Liam Byrne, the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration within the Home Office Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk (Please ensure you put FAO Liam Byrne, Minister in the subject line)

Petition to stop deportation:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/john-bosco-nyombi

Web Spotlight: Obama PRIDE

Today's web spotlight and shout goes to Obama PRIDE. The sub-section of Barack Obama's website which details his commitment to LGBT Americans. Click the graphic to access this site.

Senator Feinstein Against Prop 8

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California has come out against proposition 8 which would eliminate marriage equality in the state.

"As a state, I believe we should uphold the ability of our friends, neighbors and co-workers who are gay and lesbian to enter into the contract of marriage," she said." (Sign-On San Diego)

Please join me in thanking the senator for her position against prop 8 and for supporting marriage equality.

E-Contact Form

Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
TTY/TDD: (202) 224-2501

Boycott and Contact Anti-Gay Bahrain!

Bahrain has begun a new campaign targeting gay/lesbian citizens in a bid to cleanse them from the country. The government is working to ban all foreign homosexuals from being able to obtain residence. The government is also conducting a study to see how widespread homosexuality is in the country and what can be done to counter it. The government also advises teachers to look out for signs of homosexuality amongst students and to take appropriate disciplinary action.

This is outrageous and our voices must be heard!

Click here to email the Economic Development Board


(The EDB is responsible for business and tourism within the country)

Queering Up History: Sept 15th

"Queer Events On This Day In History...

1954 The Wolfenden Committee meets for the first time to study homosexual offenses in Britain and the treatment of those convicted. They would meet several times over a three-year period. Twelve of the 13 who served the full three years recommended that private, consensual homosexual behavior no longer be considered a crime. They suggested that the age of consent be set at 21, and stated that homosexuality cannot be legitimately considered a disease.

1967 The first issue of the monthly US gay magazine The Advocate premiered.

1969 In the backwash of the the Stonewall riots earlier in the year, the first issue of Gay Power is published in New York.

1983 After four years of legal wrangling, Toronto's gay newspaper, The Body Politic, finally wins its appeal against the Crown's attempt to try it in court for sending indecent material through the mail.

1986 Former US Air Force Sgt. Leonard Matlovich, whom the US military turfed out for being gay, is diagnosed with AIDS.

1989 Maud's in San Francisco, described as the world's oldest lesbian bar, closes after 23 years.

1994 Colorado attorney general Gale Norton confirms that Dr Paul Cameron had been paid to testify in defense of Amendment 2. The testimony was never used. She refused to disclose the amount, but Denver gay newspaper OutFront said the fee was $10,125. Cameron was expelled from the American Psychological Association in 1983 for falsifying research data about gays and lesbians, and was barred from practicing in Nebraska, the only state in which he had been licensed.

1996 The European Parliament approves a resolution urging an end to discrimination and unequal treatment directed toward homosexuals in every country in the European Union.

1997 US Vice President Al Gore gives a speech at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's annual gala. Among those honored at the event were Coretta Scott King, AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, and the Mautner Project, a service organization for lesbians with cancer.

2000 Five male Toronto police officers raid a lesbian bathhouse filled with 300 female patrons. The constables toured the facility for an hour but no charges were laid, although the names and addresses of about 10 women were recorded. It was the first police raid of a bathhouse in Toronto since the infamous 1981 raids in which more than 200 men were arrested and subsequently acquitted."

Brought to you by our friends at Wicked Gay Blog

Word of the Gay: "Micropenis"

"Micropenis" is a medical term used to describe a considerably smaller than average penis size. The term is used in describing some intersex people.