Take Action for Freedom of Expression in Lithuania

LGBT people of the Baltic states are in jeopardy of having their first ever "March for Tolerance" stopped. The court suspended the march which was scheduled for May 8th on "public security grounds" even though police have promised they can ensure the safety of participants. The City Council is also considering reversing their initial decision giving a green light for the event to take place.

LGBT people in Lithuania are subject to discrimination and violence for being who they are. This is the closest they have ever come to holding a public event demanding equal rights.

Demand the Lithuanian President allow the March for Tolerance to continue in a safe and respectful manner.

Photo Campaign to "End Hate"

Mike Gets Real the website of reality TV star gone bisexual activist Mike Manning has started a new photo campaign to create awareness and raise money for equal rights. The premise of the campaign is that people will pose with a sign that says why they are committed to ending hate. Manning encourages people to post those photos in public media such as Facebook and Twitter to draw attention to the campaign.

Manning defends photo campaigning as an effective advocacy tool by saying:

"Photo campaigns are easy and effective because you don't have to be an expert on the issues, or to speak in front of hundreds of people to make a difference" (MGR).

How you can get involved:

1. Individual End Hate Shoots around the country (by anyone)

2. Pictures sent in from Actors, Politicians, Public Figures, anyone that wants to get involved. Collected on Facebook group “People 2 End Hate” and/or sent to endhatecolorado@gmail.com.

3. All photos and stories compiled into a viral YouTube video campaign and distributed all over

Word of the Gay: "Bearded Lady"

A "bearded lady" is a drag queen with facial hair.

Ensure Sexual Orientation is NOT a Factor in Vetting Supreme Court Nominee

President Obama is tasked with choosing his second Supreme Court nominee, this time replacing Justice John Stevens. The court pick is always contentious because both sides of the political spectrum worry about the ideological positions of the nominee. The far right is pressuring Obama not to choose any potential judge who may be LGBT, they believe that queer sexual orientation should disqualify a potential candidate.

Sign the petition urging Obama to make sure sexual orientation is not a factor in his decision pick for the Supreme Court.

Web Spotlight: Mike Gets Real

Mike Gets Real is the new website of Mike Manning a cast member on the MTV hit show Real World D.C. Mike is an openly bisexual christian man who embraced his identity and became active on behalf of LGBT civil rights on the show. His website links to his blog, important issues, events, and features his 'End the Hate' campaign.

Word of the Gay: "Bear Code"

"Bear Code" allows a man to determine the looks and manners of another by reading the internet self classification codes. This was used primarily in the late 80's and early 90's among this sub-culture who were more tech savvy.

Word of the Gay: "Bats for the Other Team"

"Bats for the other team" is a phrase that indicates whether one is gay or straight.

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.

Request VH1 Continue Trans Affirming Makeover Show

TRANSform Me was a six season show that recently premiered on VH1. The show was a spin off of Queer Eye for The Straight Guy, whereby women get made over by three beautiful and confident trans women. The show had a diverse cast with Laverne Cox an African-American woman who offered emotional support and directed the makeover, Nina Poon an Asian-American who helped with the wardrobe, and Jamie Clayton who worked the makeup aspect.

All three women are beautiful, intelligent, and self-confident and are great role models for the transgender community. The show was groundbreaking because it showed cisgender people interacting with trans people, and always included personal experiences and information and resources about trans issues.

The entire season and bonus clips can be viewed online at TRANSform Me's website.

Please encourage VH1 to continue showing these episodes, and to create a season two for those of us fans, and people who feel the work is so important!

VH1 can be contacted at their parent company Viacom or on Twitter

Open Forum: Intersex Experiences

People who are intersex, having been born with male and female sexual characteristics and/or organs face many challenges in their lives. From birth many are operated on in an effort to make their ambiguous genitalia fit the binary system of male or female. Some intersex people struggle with transitioning gender, while others find acceptance difficult in a society that doesn't understand or accept people who are born in between the sexes.

Intersex perspectives range from those who consider themselves having been born into a third sex, to others who consider it a medical condition that needs treatment. Some see an intersection between intersexuality and the queer/transgender movement while others feel their identity has nothing to do with the LGBT movement and resent being lumped in to this struggle.

What are your experiences as an intersex person, or someone who knows or loves someone who is intersex? What goes through your mind when choosing a dressing room, bathroom, or any other facility that is segregated by gender? Do you identify with one gender or embrace a dual-gender as part of your intersex identity?

Word of the Gay: "Auntie"

An "auntie" can mean either a caring gay male, or could be used as a derogatory term for an older gay man who gossips.

Pittsburgh Rally Tonight Over Gender Expression Hate Crime

There will be a rally tonight in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, where a well-known drag performer was beaten by 3 drunk men outside of the Pleasure Bar on Liberty Ave. The performer, Veruca has two black eyes, but is otherwise now said to be fine. Participants in the "Stop the Hate Rally" are being asked to come with at least one black eye (make up, face paint, duct tape) to show support.

Stop the Hate Rally!
729 LIBERTY AVE
PLEASURE BAR, 9PM
Friday, April 30, 2010

*Image courtesy of Prashanthns of Wikimedia.

Great Global Kiss-In Scheduled for International Day Against Homophobia

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Add Gender Identity/Expression to Canadian Human Rights Act

The Canadian parliament will deliberate on bill C-389 which would amend the Human Rights Act to include protections based on gender identity/expression. The bill would essentially offer employment and housing protections as well include transgender people in hate crimes protections.

Please contact your member of Parliament and urge them to schedule a vote and pass this historic piece of legislation.

H/T to Dented Blue Mercedes.

Word of the Gay: "Alternative Lifestyle"

"Alternative Lifestyle" is a term used predominantly by those who don't affirm LGBT identity to suggest that being LGBT is non-typical, and in some instances chosen or sinful.