Word of the Gay: "Gay Shame"

A counter culture movement within the LGBT community that is a radical alternative to the mainstream commercialized and assimilation seeking gay community. "Gay Shame" was created and named in opposition to its counterpart Gay Pride.

Word of the Gay: "Bent"

"Bent" - A term used within the U.K. as a slang for homosexuals. It also means predisposition, abnormal or unorthodox behavior. Of late the term has been reclaimed and many groups and publications proudly use the term "Bent" as a source of gay pride.

New York's Working Families Party Gives Green Light to Marriage

The ever growing Working Families Party in New York has come out in support of Marriage Equality as a basic civil right. The WFP is primarily concerned with labor issues and has used their political clout to get the Democrats to focus more on issues of importance to them. This endorsement of marriage equality is another sign that New Yorkers are ready for equal marriage rights for LGBT people. More on the story here...

Contact the WFP and thank them for coming out in support of Marriage Equality for LGBT people.
http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/contactus.php

Open Forum: Does the Media Ignore Us?

Right wing thinktanks and commentators so often talk about the "homosexual agenda" and the liberal media's love of all things gay. You would think there was some queer conspiracy with regards to the media with the way they talk.

Upon closer examination it appears the media is anything but gay friendly. Where was the coverage of the marriages in California? Sure, there was some but the story in my opinion was barely covered. I often hear reporters reference homosexuality by talking about the "gay lifestyle" or seem very uncomfortable or almost mocking and joking about gay lives. Is this the media that supposedly loves and is infatuated with gay people?

Does the media have a bias when it comes to reporting on Queer issues? Are we loved or ignored or treated just like everyone else?

Thoughts?

Petition to Heinz to Re-Instate TV Ad

We reported on the Heinz controversy a few days ago. Now there is a petition circulating to ask Heinz to re-instate the ad.

"We petition Heinz to reinstate its Deli Mayo TV advertisement following complaints from 200 people as to its 'offensive' and 'inappropriate' content.

We feel that the decision to withdraw the advert is wrong in the face of a small number of narrow-minded individuals.

By doing so, Heinz have given the impression that they would prefer to cater for the homophobic than the free-thinking, and the decision has provoked upset, brand distrust and outrage among the LGBT community and outside of it.

Do not bow down to these homophobic individuals."

Click below to sign the petition...
http://www.petitiononline.com/heinz/petition.html

Stonewall Democrats: John McCain's PRIDE Message

New video by Stonewall Democrats showcasing John McCain's anti-LGBT voting record. Please pass this video around and let's get the truth out about Senator John McCain and his homophobic agenda.

ACTION ALERT: Arizona Residents Contact Your Senator to Oppose Marriage Amendment - SCR 1042

SCR 1042, a bill that would place another amendment to constitutionally define marriage on the ballot, is pending in the Arizona Senate. The bill was voted down on a forced floor vote, but a motion to reconsider the bill was approved.

SCR 1042 is scheduled to be re-voted on again this Friday, when Republicans who previously were unavailable to vote will be on the floor to cast their support for this discriminatory legislation. They are two votes shy of making this happen.

Here are some talking points you can use to help write your letter. We encourage you to write a letter in your own words and call your senators.

* This issue has already been decided by Arizona voters when they became the first in the nation to defeat an anti-equality marriage amendment in 2006.
* Arizonans have said over and over again that this issue is not a priority. It's time for the Senate to take care of the business that matters to the people of Arizona, like the budget.
* This amendment is not necessary. State law already prohibits gays and lesbians from marrying in this state, and the Arizona courts have already upheld this law. Stop wasting time and taxpayer money on this issue.
* Stop this divisive and desperate action by a handful of legislators who are pandering to the like of Cathi Herrod and the Center for Arizona Policy, a subdivision of national extremist political groups.

Click Here to Contact Your Rep Through Equality Arizona's Website

Queering Up History: "Lawrence v. Texas"

Happy five year anniversary to the major decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on Lawrence v. Texas. On June 26th 2003 the high court struck down the anti-sodomy law by a 6-3 vote officially decriminalizing homosexual sex within the United States.

Word of the Gay: "Purple Rhino"

Use of the Purple Rhino dates back to the 1970's as a symbol for Gay power. The symbol never picked up steam but was chosen because the Rhino is usually a docile and often misunderstood creature but can put up a good fight if attacked. It was analogous to the fact that Gays and Lesbians are peaceful and loving but will fight back if bashed.

Vote NO on Florida "Amendment 2"

"The "Florida Marriage Protection Amendment" is slated to be voted on this November. If passed, the amendment will ban all recognition and benefits for unmarried couples, straight and gay. It will block civil unions, domestic partnership and repeal existing protections and family benefits relied upon by millions of Floridians."

Click below for a variety of ways you can help out, Florida resident or not. Such as (volunteering, donating, talking to friends & family, registering to vote, and pledging to vote no)

http://www.votenoflorida.org/template.aspx?id=3

"Buying for Equality"

Please check out the Human Rights Campaign's recently released "Buying for Equality" guide. Whether you pass Exxon-Mobile and don't get gas because they lack a domestic partnership policy, or you make sure to stop at the ATM at Citibank an HRC corporate sponsor. You can make a difference, money talks, and where there is money LGBT equality will follow. Support the companies who support you, and boycott those who seek to oppress the Queer community.

http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide/

GLAAD Urges Action to Condemn FX Networks Over Anti-Gay Activist

"The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today urged community members to contact FX Networks to express their concerns about a defamatory claim by an anti-gay activist that will appear, unchallenged, in the June 24 episode of 30 Days.

During the June 24 episode, entitled "Same Sex Parenting," Kati, a woman who opposes gay and lesbian parents and their families, lives for 30 days with gay parents Dennis and Thomas and their four adopted sons. The episode includes the personal stories of kids raised by lesbian and gay parents.

Regrettably, the episode also features a defamatory statement by Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, an anti-gay activist organization, who claims: "Homosexuality is associated with higher rates of sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and child sexual abuse, and those are all reasons for us to be concerned about placing children into that kind of setting." While there is no credible scientific research that backs Sprigg’s claim - and much that disputes it - the episode presents his assertion as if it were fact and offers no credible social science experts or child health authorities to challenge Sprigg’s assertion. Indeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, the Child Welfare League of America, and many other child health and social services authorities who support parenting by qualified lesbian and gay parents dispute Sprigg’s claim."

TAKE ACTION:
FX Networks:
Nick Grad
Executive Vice President of Original Programming
(310) 369-0949
ngrad@fxnetworks.com

Chuck Saftler
Executive Vice President of Programming
(310) 369-0949
csaftler@fxnetworks.com

Scott Seomin
Vice President of Public Relations
(310) 369-0938
scott.seomin@fxnetwork.com

For more on the press release and action alert, head on over to GLAAD.

We Will Have Nunn of That!

"Noted gays are urging the Obama campaign to back away from any consideration of former Sen. Sam Nunn as a potential running mate, pointing to his "No" vote in the 1996 ENDA battle (which lost by only one vote) and his 1993 orchestration of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Call & email the Obama campaign and tell him Queers say NO to Nunn! http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2

*H/T to JoeMyGod for the story.

What Does Transphobia Look Like?

1. Assuming that everyone is either male or female.

2. Continuing to use inappropriate gender pronouns after being corrected or calling someone "it".

3. Continuing to call someone by a name which they no longer identify.

4. Believing that Transgender people cannot be "real" men or "real" women.

5. Assuming that there are appropriate for ways for men and women to look.

6. Considering transsexuality to be a mental illness or a disorder.

7. Thinking that cross dressing is a sexual fetish or perversion.

8. Expecting all Transgender people to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

9. Believing that Transgender people will automatically feel included by adding "T" to the label "LGB."

10. Feeling uncomfortable around someone who is androgynous or who challenges traditional gender boundaries.

11. Expecting all Transgender people to be transsexual and want to transition completely or at all.

12. Believing that women cannot be cross dressers.

13. Thinking that people identify as Transgender because it is trendy.

14. Assuming that Genderqueer individuals are confused or undecided.

15. Believing that Transgender youths cannot be trusted to make decisions about their gender identities.

16. Thinking that transsexual women are really gay men who are so afraid to admit that they are gay that they would rather consider themselves heterosexual women.

17. Belieiving that someone is using the wrong bathroom because they dont appear gender typical.

18. Treating hormones therapies and gender re-assignment surgeries as elective medical procedures, rather than basic health care for transsexual individuals.

19. Asking someone what their genitals look like.

20. Failing to rent an apartment, give a job or promotion, or to provide a service to a person because the person is assumed to be transgender.

21. Excluding a Transgender person from activities, discussions, or decisions because that person "doesn't fit in."

*Courtesy of the UMass Amherst Stonewall Center

Heinz Pulls Ad With Two Men Kissing

Heinz Mayonaise has been airing the commercial below within Britain, and it is meant to be comical in nature. Anti-gay activists have raised a storm with Heinz which has decided to pull the ad from TV stating: “It is our policy to listen to consumers. We recognize that some consumers raised concerns over the content of the ad and this prompted our decision to withdraw it,” said Nigel Dickie, Director of Corporate Affairs for Heinz UK.

“The advertisement, part of a short-run campaign, was intended to be humorous and we apologize to anyone who felt offended,” said Dickie.



If you are so inclined to tell Heinz that their decision to bow to anti-gay activists is shameful click here for their e-contact form.