Word of the Gay: "LGBTQphobia"

"LGBTQphobia" is a relatively unknown term to describe hatred and fear directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning people.

Virtual Lobby Day for LGBTQ Rights in Florida

Equality Florida is encouraging netroots activists to urge legislators to sponsor three LGBT equality bills. The bills would ensure fairness in the areas of employment, adoption, and spousal benefits.

• The Florida Competitive Workforce Act (HB 391 by Skidmore and SB 798 by Gelber) This bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state law that already protects people in employment and housing based on race, religion, sex, age and disability.

• Repeal of Florida's Adoption Ban (HB 3 by Brandenburg and SB 102 by Rich) Equality Florida continues to work with legislators to repeal the ban. With approximately 3,000 children waiting for adoption in Florida's foster care system, the state desperately needs to open up the pool to include qualified gay and lesbian parents.

• Domestic Partnerships (HB 477 by Steinberg SB 232 by Sobel) This bill would create a statewide domestic partnership policy in Florida. Dozens of cities and companies in Florida already offer some form of domestic partnership benefits, but right now there are no statewide protections for our families.

Take action by filling out this form to contact your representative and state senator.

Organization Spotlight: Queer Ally Coalition

The Queer Ally Coalition is a group of LGBTQ people and allies dedicated to grassroots organizing against homophobia and other issues affecting the LGBTQ community, both locally and nationally. The aim is to build a broad based coalition of progressive queers and their allies to fight for equal rights and social justice for all.

Open Forum: Do We Have a "Gay Lifestyle?"

LGBTQ people are quick to be on the defensive when someone invokes the word "lifestyle" with regards to LGBTQ lives. Sometimes the term "gay lifestyle" is used to disparage LGBTQ people and insinuate that our sexual orientations or gender identities are but a mere choice. Anyone with some common sense knows that nobody chooses to be gay. Nobody chooses to feel isolated for years, face discrimination, and live as a second class citizen in a society that does not regard you as an equal.

The notion that we choose to be queer is illogical. However, the question as to whether we live a "queer lifestyle" is legitimate debate in my opinion. Living in a gayborhood, reading queer-centric news/publications, being an LGBT activist, going to an LGBT church or house of worship, going to gay clubs, restaurants, inns/hotels, choosing queer books and films, and socializing with other queer folks. At some point one has got to wonder, does a huge chunk of my life revolve around queerness? If it does, wouldn't this constitute as being a practitioner of the "gay lifestyle?" Thoughts?

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.

Word of the Gay: "Coming Out"

"Coming Out" is a personal as well as sometimes political/symbolic action on the part of sexual and gender minorities. It is about the public expression of ones identity and the desire to live openly, honestly, and without fear. The coming out process is a difficult one and a life-long journey, it is about being true to yourself as well others.

The Gay Yellow Pages

The Gay Yellow Pages has been serving the LGBTQ community since 1973, offering a comprehensive listing of resources and services owned or operated for the community. Available are a online national book listing or one for your particular state.

http://www.glyp.com