N.Y. Post Releases Insulting Column on Elton John & Partner

The N.Y. Post which is no stranger to homophobia has released a column titled "Elton & Wife Proud Dads" in a heterosexist attempt to diminish the news that singer Elton John and his partner David Furnish have adopted a child.

The piece written by David K. Li makes light of the joyous news for the Furnish-John family and also degrades all gay couples. The anti-gay language in the article fuels the misconception that one partner in a relationship is more masculine or feminine and assumes stereotypical gender roles.

Demand they change the headline and apologize for this disgusting article.

Customer Service:
1-800-940-7678

david.li@nypost.com

Word of the Gay: "Breeder Voyeur"

"Breeder Voyeur" is a disparaging term for a heterosexual who attends a gay bar or event in order to observe queer life and culture.

Word of the Gay: "Lance"

To "lance" someone is to force a celebrity to reveal that he or she is gay. The term originates from celebrity singer Lance Bass of N'Sync who came out as gay.

Word of the Gay: "Late-Breaking Gay"

A "late-breaking gay" is someone who either discovers or comes to term with their homosexual identity later in life.

Textbooks4Change - Buy Textbooks and Fund EQUALITY!

Textbooks4Change is a student-led organization enabling students to raise money for marriage equality in California. How does it work? Students click through a link at the Textbooks4Change website to buy textbooks on Textbooks.com and Barnes and Noble, and approximately 6% of their purchase goes towards repealing Prop 8. All of the money raised goes to the Courage Campaign's Marriage Equality Hub, a leader in California's battle for marriage equality.



http://www.textbooks4change.com/

Word of the Gay: "Menopause Mansion"

A "menopause mansion" is a derogatory and ageist term for old lesbians who congregate together.

Demand NJ Governor Sign Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has yet to sign or veto the anti-bullying bill which was passed in light of the recent suicides in the LGBT community. Christie an anti-gay politician is opposed to nearly all forms of gay rights legislation and promised to veto any marriage equality legislation under his leadership. He has yet to decide whether to sign the anti-bullying bill and maintains he is conflicted about the measure.

The bipartisan bill passed nearly unanimously in both chambers.

The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights would:

• Require training for educators on bullying prevention.

• Require school districts to have anti-bullying programs.

• Provide the Department of Education with the tools it needs to help districts combat bullying.

• Clarify investigation procedures and mandating investigation by school staff.

• Require educators to report all bullying they learn of, on or off school grounds.

• Require enhanced reporting to the public about how schools and districts are handling bullying and harassment. (Out In Jersey)

Governor Christie has had several weeks to review the legislation. It is time he protect the students of New Jersey and sign this bill into law.

Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-6000

Click here to email or tweet him at http://twitter.com/GovChristie

Word of the Gay: "Transbear"

A "transbear" is a female-to-male (FTM) transgender man who identifies himself as part of the bear subculture due to its embrace of body hair, masculinity and heavier set individuals.

Open Forum: Is It Wrong to Say 'Gay Marriage'?

Are marriage equality advocates unintentionally using self defeating terminology in the fight for broader civil rights for the LGBT community? The vast majority of the community consistently argues that civil unions are a separate and unequal institution from that of civil marriage. The argument is that queer people should have all of the same rights and responsibilities that come with government sanctioned recognition of our relationships and that includes the vocabulary used to describe that union.

The idea that heterosexuals should have sole access to marriage while LGBT people can have civil unions or some other form of contractual agreement feeds into the notion that somehow our relationships and bonds are not equal to that of a male/female couple. This serves to reinforce the idea that being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is somehow inferior to being a cisgender heterosexual.

Queer activists certainly do not subscribe to the heteronormative thinking that being LGBT is inferior or less than in any way. Is it possible that by virtue of our arguments in favor of equal protections that we are diminishing our chance and giving credence to the anti-gay oppositions notion that we are indeed so different that we cannot be treated the same?

When discussing the issue of marriage and how the institution should evolve moving forward we often speak of the term 'gay marriage.' If we are arguing that our love is the same and we are entitled to equal protection should we by default of our terminology be segregating ourselves by using 'gay marriage' as opposed to just saying marriage or marriage equality? 'Gay marriage' would just be regular marriage and perhaps the idea behind it scares people that somehow this institution is changing and expanding when it only would remain the same yet more inclusive.

What are your thoughts?

Happy Holidays & Season's Greetings

May you all have a joyous and healthy holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, New Years, none or all of the above it is my sincere hope that you live well and prosper in the year to come.

My New Years resolution for this website is to continue pumping out more activist alerts, fun and quirky queer facts and words, and sharing wonderful blogs and websites I come across. I also hope we have a few nice equality stocking stuffers to enjoy in 2011.

Be sure to comment letting us know what presents you got :)

Happy Holidays!

Word of the Gay: "Pronoun Dance"

A "pronoun dance" is when a person avoids using gender specific language in the event that they are unsure of the persons gender identity.

The American Institute of Bisexuality Launches Message of Hope: It Gets Better

The "It Get's Better" campaign has become a worldwide phenomenon with thousands uploading videos telling LGBT youth in crisis that life will get better. The campaign is in response to the alarming rate of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people.

The American Institute for Bisexuality has stepped up to the plate to release a new video showcasing some bisexuals who are joining the campaign to stop queer suicide.



H/T to BiNet USA

Country Singer LeAnn Rimes Sings for Struggling LGBT Youth

Country singer and actress LeAnn Rimes has dedicated the song "The Rose" to LGBTQ youth struggling to find their way. In a recent performance with the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles Rimes got very emotional when speaking of the recent rash of suicides and made a plea for gay teens to hang on and promised them that "it get's better."



Please join me in thanking LeAnn Rimes for her heartfelt words to gay youth:
http://twitter.com/LEANNRIMES

Word of the Gay: "Wrinkle Palaces"

"Wrinkle Palaces" is an ageist term used in the gay community to refer to a place where older gay men congregate.

Anti-gay Bias on Fox News Live Poll on DADT

Conservative media giant Fox News has released a new biased and anti-gay poll on their website regarding Don't Ask Don't Tell. During the legislative debate on repeal of the military's ban on openly gay, lesbian and bisexual servicemembers there were a number of ridiculous arguments about how lifting the ban will risk national security. Fox News reinforces those absurd notions in their latest "non-scientific" poll.

Fox News asks its website visitors:

"Will Ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Affect America's Ability to Defend Itself?"

1. No -- Being gay is about someone's sexual preference, not their patriotism, acceptance of duty and their love of country.

2. Undecided -- We're in a war in Afghanistan, and I'm not sure that this is the right time to undo something that will affect our men and women in combat.

3. Yes -- At the core of an effective military is trust, and allowing a lifestyle that might cause some members of our military to feel uncomfortable cuts to the heart of that trust.

4. Other (post a comment)

Each option is negative towards the LGBT community. Either gay, lesbian and bisexual identity is a preference, it affects troop morale, or it is a lifestyle that makes others uncomfortable.

Feel free to leave the "fair and balanced" news network your opinion...

yourcomments@foxnews.com
Phone Fox News: 1-888-369-4762

Word of the Gay: "Galimony"

"Galimony" is a new term for alimony in a high-powered gay couple where one has a big sum to pay the other if they break up.

Stay HIV Free - Always Use a Condom!

A graphic public service announcement on HIV/AIDS has been released by the New York City Department of Health. The ad features individuals with HIV suffering from not only HIV alone but other diseases that can accompany it due to higher risk.

HIV/AIDS has been spreading rapidly in the gay community and elsewhere, especially among those who are under 30 and were not around or old enough to witness the epidemic during the 1980's.



For a brochure on this campaign click here.

Be safe. Be smart. Be with a condom at all times.

Word of the Gay: "Bike Dyke"

A "Bike Dyke" is a butch lesbian woman who is obsessed with her motorcycle and biking culture.

Homophobe Tucker Carlson Strikes Again, This Time Mocking DADT Repeal

Fox News guest Tucker Carlson mocked the effort to repeal the anti-gay Don't Ask Don't Policy in the military. He called the issue a "waste of time" being run by a "politically aggressive interest group." When challenged by his left-wing commentator he jokes that "most translators are gay, and flamboyant."

This isn't the first time Carlson has had issues with the LGBT community. He proudly maintains that he bashed a gay guy who hit on him. He argued that efforts to educate children about gay families are "controversial" His website The Daily Called referred to political pundit Rachel Maddow as a man.



Tucker Carlson can be reached for comment via Twitter.

Organization Spotlight: LGBTI Legal Service

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex Legal Service Inc is a newly established non-profit and unfunded community-based legal service which began service provision on July 7th, 2010. The service seeks to assist Queensland LGBTI communities to gain access to justice through the provision of legal and social welfare services. They will also be offering community legal education activities in order to increase awareness of legal rights and responsibilities for LGBTI communities in Queensland and will be actively involved in advocating for law reform and human rights.

"Mission: Incomplete" Rally - Washington D.C. Friday Dec 10th

A coalition of 18 groups advocating for repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy will converge upon the U.S. Senate this Friday. They are demanding lawmakers stay in session until they reach compromise on the Defense Authorization Bill which includes repeal of DADT.

Join the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network at the Senate THIS Friday, December 10th, at noon, for the "Mission: Incomplete" Rally.

WHEN:
Friday, December 10th
12 p.m.

WHERE:
Constitution Ave. & Delaware Ave. at Upper Senate Park
(Near U.S. Capitol)
Washington, DC

Closest Metro: Union Station (Red Line). Nearby: Capitol South (Blue/Orange), Judiciary Square (Red).

The FCKH8 Campaign

A new campaign has been started to fight against marriage inequality and the overall lack of LGBT inclusion in society. The FCKH8 campaign isn't shy about letting you know what they really think about the status quo.

The campaign is dedicated to having their shocking and funny videos go viral in an attempt to raise awareness about LGBT rights and raise money for organizations fighting for marriage equality and LGBT youth suicide prevention.

Below is a censored version of the video suitable for work. The non-censored version is available on the website.


The FCKH8 campaign offers videos, t-shirts, buttons, stickers, wristbands and more at http://fckh8.com/

World AIDS Day 2010

December 1st is World AIDS Day and is an opportunity to educate and create awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The theme for this year is Universal Access and Human Rights in an effort to demand that all people have access to preventative resources and life saving medications.



HIV can be transmitted through anal, vaginal, and oral sex, and through the use of dirty and/or used needles. HIV can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, pre-ejaculate, and breast milk. Please always make sure to use protection, via condoms, female condoms, and dental dams for oral-genital contact.

Action tips for the day:

-Wear a red ribbon to support AIDS awareness.

-Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS.

-Get tested for HIV/AIDS and other STI's.

-Discuss HIV/AIDS with others, urge them to get tested and learn more.