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: Metrosexuality - The Unlikely Ally for Gay Liberation?

"Metrosexual" is a term given for straight men who are very concerned with their appearance and maintain stereotypes generally associated with gay men. This 21st century man cares about his look, feel, and scent and will go to extremes to make sure he meets his own standards. This can include grooming such as facials, pedicures, manicures, waxing, as well as high end fashion and cologne. Some men do it for themselves, because they just like to pamper themselves and others feel it will attract women.

The gay community has a varied stance on the subject matter. On one hand metrosexuals are being accused of appropriating from gay culture, on the other hand gays feel like they can't stand out and know who is one of them anymore. The possible upside to metrosexuality is that these stereotypes are falling wayside and there is no such thing as a "gay look" anymore. If so many people look "gay" or are perceived to be regardless of their actual sexual orientation, than real gay people who enjoy pampering themselves and who may be effeminate are no longer outcasts but just another large segment of the male population.

Also, in responding consider the impact on lesbian and bisexual women, as well as implications for the transgender community. While the term metrosexual really has traditionally applied to "straight men who act gay" there are many straight women who cut their hair short, act rugged and are blurring the lines between heterosexual women and stereotypical lesbian attributes.

What do you think? Yay or nay to metrosexuality, and what is the impact for queer culture?

Transgender Day of Rememberance 11/20/09

Today, November 20th marks the eleventh Transgender Day of Remembrance, a solemn time to think back and honor our transgender brothers and sisters who were murdered for being who they are. Sadly 2009 witnessed an alarming increase in trans attacks and deaths and many of these were horrific acts of brutality simply because a person has a different gender identity or expression than society expects of them.



Suggested actions for the day:
-Candlelight vigils / marches
-Visual representation of the number of deaths with:
-Cardboard tomb stones of remembered people
-Paper cutouts of remembered people
-Body outline chalkings of remembered people
-Art / photography displays
-Conversation & awareness about trans issues

For a complete listing of memorial events please visit International Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Nationwide Vigils Planned for Slain Gay Puerto Rican Teen

Vigils are being planned across the nation for this Sunday, November 22 to honor slain teen Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado who was brutally murdered for being gay. Activists are demanding that the alleged perpetrator be charged under the new U.S. federal hate crimes law which includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

Vigils scheduled:

In New York City a vigil will be held at Pier 45 followed by optional mass at 5:00 pm.

In Boston - 6PM, Trinity Church, Copley Plaza [Facebook link]

In Chicago - 4PM, Division and California, procession to Humboldt Park Boat House.]

In Dallas at 6:15 pm on Sunday.

In L.A. - 8PM, Santa Monica and San Vicente [Facebook link]

In Oakland - 3:30PM, MacArthur and Lakeshore/Grand Ave [Facebook link]

In San Francisco - 7PM, Castro and Market [Facebook link]

Vigils are also planned for Atlanta, Durham, New Orleans, and Philadelphia but information on location and times is not yet available.

H/T to Towleroad.

Oklahoma City Gays Boycott Flip's Restaurant

Flip's Wine Bar and Trattoria has found itself in a new battle after its owner Gail Vines a member of the Oklahoma City School Board voted twice to fire an openly gay teacher. The teacher Mr. Joe Quigley believes he wasn't fired for being gay, but for being an advocate on behalf of gay rights and supporting students efforts to start a gay-straight alliance.

A court order has demanded an immediate reinstatement of Quigley because it believes bias was involved in his firing and the court determined he was qualified to remain a teacher. The school district has gone against the courts decision and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.

Meanwhile gay activists are boycotting Flip's because they believe the owner has anti-gay bias.

Please respectfully let the owner know your thoughts and your decision to boycott her establishment:

Flip's Wine Bar and Trattoria
5801 N Western
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
405-843-1527

Queer the Census!

As it stands the 2010 census will not include a question about sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT people need to be heard and counted so that our community is accurately reflected and catered to with respect to government research and funding. The data collected is critical for issues such as health care, economic stability and even safety.

In addition to demanding that we have data on sexuality and gender, this is the first time the census will count married same-sex couples. Please ensure that you check off the "husband/wife" or "unmarried partner" box.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force will send you a FREE Queer The Census sticker to affix to your envelope when you fill out and send your census.

Word of the Gay: "HBB"

"HBB" is an acronym often used in chats and personals that stands for hot bi babe.

Transgender Awareness Week Nov 15-20th

Transgender Awareness Week takes place from November 15th up until November 20th which is the Day of Remembrance, a solemn day to remember lives lost in the transgender community. The week is an opportunity to educate, engage, and get active on behalf of equal rights and fair treatment for transgender and gender variant people and their families.

Educational resources on Trans community:

Diversity Lesson 101: Transgender

Diversity Lesson 101: Genderqueer/Intergender


Activist organizations for Trans community:

National Center for Transgender Equality

The Transgender Law & Policy Institute

FTM International

Gender Education and Advocacy


Get involved locally and find events at your LGBT resource center by checking the LGBT center directory.

Word of the Gay: "Lesbian Sheepitude"

"Lesbian Sheepitude" is a term used to describe when one woman is interested in another, the other may or may not be interested but neither makes the move. The colloquialism comes from the behavior of sheep; a female ewe indicates sexual interest and receptiveness by standing still.

Web Spotlight: SistersTalk Radio

SistersTalk Radio is the most diverse lesbian and gay online talk radio show. They interview musicians, actors, reality TV stars, comedians, authors, filmmakers, bloggers and video bloggers.

Dolly Parton Stands Up For Gay Fans

Country music star Dolly Parton has come out in favor of marriage equality and treating gays with dignity and respect. In an interview with HLN's Joy Behar when asked why she has so many gay fans and whether she supports gay marriage, she responds by saying:

"Sure, why can’t they get married? They should suffer like the rest of us do.”

She also goes on to address televangelist Joel Osteen's recent comments that "homosexuality is not God's best" and maintains that we shouldn't try to change anyone, and that "if God were a religious person he wouldn't judge others".



Our ally Dolly Parton can be reached on twitter, facebook, and myspace.

Word of the Gay: "Polysaturated"

"Polysaturated" is a term for a polyamorous individual not currently open to more partners either due to to the number of partners, or time constraints.

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: "Zie"

"Zie" is a gender neutral pronoun replacing he or she that is used within the genderqueer community.

Our Families Count - Fill Out the Census!

HRC has launched Our Families Count and is urging LGBT people to fill out the census so that the government can distribute funds and social services that are are needed for our community. Sexual orientation and gender identity will not be questions on the 2010 census, and will likely be included in future censuses. However, this is the first time the census will recognize and analyze the number of married same-sex couples.

• Same-sex couples are encouraged to check off the "husband/wife" or "unmarried partner" box.

• The census only provides two options with regards to gender, male or female. Transgender people are encouraged to check the box that most closely matches their gender identity.

Take action to contact the 2010 census and urge them to provide an accurate assessment of LGBT families, and to push to include questions based on sexual orientation and gender identity in upcoming versions.