Is Kanye West Bisexual or Queer?

UPDATE: Apparently Kanye West is now denying this on his blog. In the age of the internet who knows what is true or not these days. Either way regardless of Kanye West's sexual orientation or questioning status he deserves props for being outspoken against homophobia in the rap community.

Off Kanye West's website in response to the AVN charge:

"YOOOO WHY WON'T YOU LET ME BE GREAT!!! I HAD THE TWO GREATEST DAYS OF MY LIFE AND WHEN I GET BACK FROM THE LOUIE SHOW I READ SOME SHIT CLAIMING I SAID I'M DOWN TO DO PORN AND SOME BISEXUAL PORN!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE AVN WOULD POST FIRST PEOPLE BELIEVED THE TWITTER/STEVEN COLBERT THING, ROLLING STONE EVEN PRINTED IT!!!! NOW SOMEBODY HAS BEEN HACKING INTO MY MYSPACE AND SOMEBODY'S ACTUALLY HACKED INTO MY PERSONAL GMAIL ACCOUNT AND HAS BEEN EMAILING PEOPLE FROM IT... HEY WORLD I NO LONGER HAVE A GMAIL! I FOUND OUT I HAD TWELVE UNAUTHORIZED SKYPE ACCOUNTS UNDER MY NAME!!! THIS ALL IN THE PAST FOUR DAYS. WELCOME TO KANYE WEST WORLD! .... IT'S NOT OFFICIAL. I JUST GAVE THE PERFORMANCE OF MY LIFETIME FOR OUR NEW PRESIDENT ... THEN I FLEW TO PARIS AND THEY DEBUTED MY NEW SHOES THAT I DESIGNED WITH LOUIE VUITTON WHICH WAS A DREAM COME TRUE. PLEASE I BEG YOU, GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!! PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LET ME BE GREAT!!! WHO HAVE I HURT SO BAD THAT THEY WANT TO DESTROY ME? WHO HAVE I EVER SPOKE ABOUT SO NEGATIVELY? I JUST WAS SPEAKING WITH OUR NEW PRESIDENT TWO DAYS AGO... AND NOW THIS.... SIDEBAR... NEVER TAKE A PICTURE FROM MY OBAMA PERFORMANCE AND PUT IT NEXT TO A BS QUOTE LIKE THAT! THAT'S IN POOR TASTE! THAT UNDERMINES WHAT MY CONTRIBUTION TO THAT EVENT WAS AND SLAPS EVERYBODY WHO FELT UPLIFTED BY THAT PERFORMANCE IN THE FACE! A PICTURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS... LOOK HOW FRESH MY SUIT IS... NUFF SAID!" (Kanye West Blog)

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The news is coming in that Kanye West may be bisexual or at least open to being in bisexual porn.

He is quoted as saying:

"I know people will find that as another thing to hate me on, but fuck it. I'm open to doing porn. Hell, I'll even do bisexual scenes - myself, another man and a woman, or just me and two women. I know people will find that as some weird shit, but I am who I am." (Post Chronicle)

This proves juicy gossip but also important as it once again brings media attention to the subject of bisexual and queer sexuality. Additionally, it sends a strong message to queer youth of color that even a famous masculine rap artist isn't freaked out by the notion of queer sexuality.

Web Spotlight: The Mautner Project

The Mautner Project improves the health of lesbians, bisexual, and transgender women who partner with women, and their families, through advocacy, education, research, and direct service. We envision a healthcare system that is guided by social justice and responsive to the needs of all people.

Bolivia to Vote on New Constitution With Protections for Women and Sexual Minorities

Bolivia will hold a nationwide referendum this Sunday for its constituents to decide whether to approve or reject a new version of the country's constitution.

The new constitution if enacted would create major changes with regards to women's rights, sexual/gender minorities, and religious liberties.

Article 66 of the new constitution says that, "Men and women are guaranteed the exercise of their sexual and reproductive rights."

Article 14, paragraph II, of the document states that: "The State prohibits and punishes all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

If enacted, Bolivia will declare through article 4 of the new constitution that the government adhere to no religion. The new constitution would ensure a protection of abortion rights, and extend protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It would be the first country in the world to include gender identity as part of their constitution.

The vote is this sunday, please urge the Bolivian President and Vice President to speak out in favor of the proposed constitution.

BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT
Sr. Evo Morales Ayma
email form - http://www.presidencia.gov.bo/presidente/cartas_presidente.asp

BOLIVIAN VICE PRESIDENT
Sr. Álvaro García
Pilot number: (591) (2) 2142000 - Fax: (591) (2) 2201211
Square: 7056 La Paz - Bolivia

Shared Differences Examines LGBT Students of Color Experiences in School

LGBT students of color face unique and diverse challenges regarding victimization at school, according to Shared Differences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students of Color in Our Nation's Schools, a report released today by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

Key Findings:

Across all groups, sexual orientation and gender expression were the most common reasons LGBT students of color reported feeling unsafe in school. More than four out of five students, within each racial/ethnic group, reported verbal harassment in school because of sexual orientation and about two-thirds because of gender expression. At least a third of each group reported physical violence in school because of sexual orientation.

More than half of African American/Black, Latino/a, Asian/Pacific Islander, and multiracial students also reported verbal harassment in school based on their race or ethnicity. Native American students (43%) were less likely than other students to report experiencing racially motivated verbal harassment.

About a quarter of African American/Black and Asian/Pacific Islander students had missed class or days of school in the past month because they felt unsafe. Latino/a, Native American, and multiracial students were even more likely to be absent for for safety reasons - about a third or more skipped class at least once or missed at least one day of school in the past month for safety reasons.

Native American students experienced particularly high levels of victimization because of their religion, with more than half reporting the highest levels of verbal harassment (54%), and a quarter experiencing physical violence (26%).

Less than half of students of color who had been harassed or assaulted in school in the past year said that they ever reported the incident to school staff. Furthermore, for those students who did report incidents to school staff, less than half believed that staff’s resulting response was effective.

Native American (57%) and multiracial (50%) students were more likely than other students of color in our survey to report incidents to a family member.

Performance at school also suffered when students experienced high levels of victimization. Students’ overall GPA dropped when they reported high severities of harassment based on sexual orientation and/or race/ethnicity. Students experiencing high severities of harassment also reported missing school more often.

The report also looks at differing experiences based on the racial/ethnic make-up of students’ schools. For all groups, LGBT students of color who were minorities in their school were much more likely to feel unsafe and experience harassment because of their race or ethnicity than those who were in the racial/ethnic majority.

To download the full report, click here.

Word of the Gay: "Facultative Homosexuality"

"Facultative Homosexuality" describes a man who lies more towards the heterosexual side of the sexual continuum who does have some same-sex desire and who engages in homosexual sex and behavior while in prison only. After he is released from jail he returns to a heterosexual lifestyle.

Get To Know Us First Has Released First PSA

The 'Get To Know Us First' campaign has released its first PSA featuring a diversity of families, with specific outreach to communities of color and spanish speaking populations.

Web Spotlight: Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association

GALHA provides a voice for the many non-religious in the lesbian and gay community in the United Kingdom and elsewhere and promotes a rational humanist approach to homosexuality and to lesbian, gay and bisexual rights as human rights.

Urge Curry County, NM Commissioners Not to Impede Domestic Partnership Bill

New Mexico is considering senate Bill 12 and House Bill 21, which would make domestic partnership legal in New Mexico.

Curry County commissioners are trying to draft a document to the legislature stating their counties opposition to a domestic partnership bill.

“I just think that we need to stay with the traditional family values that we have in Curry County,” Chandler said.

Other commissioners cited heavy community opposition to same-sex marriage as the reason for their position on the resolution. (CNJ Online)

Please click here to email all the county commissioners and urge them not to impede the domestic partnership bills advancement within the state of New Mexico.

Congratulate Obama and Remind Him to Act for LGBT Equality!

Barack Obama is now officially the president of the United States of America. The celebrations continue, and the excitement can still be felt throughout the nation. That being said, the president faces tough challenges ahead.

Please call and email to congratulate him on this historic election and to remind him that the LGBT community is counting on him to act quickly to advance our civil rights.

White House E-Contact Form

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Iowa Event: Let My Parents Marry!

Lambda Legal is looking for same-sex couples who want to marry and who are raising children to stand up with other families and be strong voices for marriage equality in Iowa. Coming together as a community of families for marriage equality will be instrumental in winning and keeping marriage equality in our state. If you are interested in learning how you can share your family’s story and joining a network of families for marriage equality, we hope that you will contact us at mfender@lambdalegal.org or 515.288.4019 (ext. 202). Please also consider passing this message along to others you think may be interested.

Let My Parents Marry

Iowa City
When: Wednesday, Feburary 18th @ 6:30pm
Where: Coralville Public Library (1401 5th St in Coralville)

Des Moines
When: Thursday, February 19th @ 6:30pm
Where: Middleton Center for Children’s Rights, Drake Law Clinic (24th & University Ave in Des Moines)

Crosposted via Daily Queer News.

Word of the Gay: "Troll"

A "troll" is a word used in the gay community to denote an older and unattractive gay male.

An Appeal to the Politically Skeptical

Many people who care deeply about political issues and social justice question the efficacy of activism and being politically involved. It is a legitimate question and concern. People ask why should they bother sending an email/letter, signing a petition, or going to a demonstration. Is it a waste of time and why would someone care that you disagree and hold an alternative point of view?

As someone who has been an activist for many years, I can assure you that I have seen activism to truly work wonders. Does it always work? No. You should not be discouraged when things don't go your way, and with regards to civil rights and equality it comes in strides and not in one shot. However, that being said think about how rewarding it is when you are part of the solution and you can directly affect millions of lives or stand for what is right.

This post is an appeal letter to those who are interested in social change but feel that their efforts are a waste of time. I urge you to be involved send those emails, make those calls, lobby your representatives. Sure you are just one voice, but together we are a collective of voices and we make a dent. If you don't speak up, who will?

Why activism does work...

Business:
Many times companies/organizations take positions on issues that we disagree with. The reason activism can be successful is from a business aspect. The bottom line is companies want profit $$$, if they see a group of activists demonstrating, calling for a boycott or creating negative publicity for them, it is in their best interest to either give in to the activist or try to assuage their concerns.

Government:
Technically speaking elected representatives are supposed to represent the people of their district and thus vote accordingly with the will of the population. There are some politicians who follow this rule of thumb but many others do not. Politicians need your votes, they need credibility and thus will want to do what a vocal lobbying group will tell them to do. If your voice is not heard on an issue, a politician will likely feel no reason to support or take on an issue of concern.

Public Opinion:
If you are a successful activist you are bringing attention to the issue you are concerned with. This will garner media attention, political advocacy, and the like to your issue, you might find more support from others who will join the bandwagon. Even if people do not directly support your efforts you are creating awareness on an issue of importance to you.

So to make a long story short GET INVOLVED! That being said I will leave you with my favorite quote regarding activism.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has". (Margaret Mead)

Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments on this topic.

Web Spotlight: Gay Trucker's Association

The Gay Trucker's Association (GTA) is an organization that was founded to meet the needs of those who work in the trucking industry and those who support and admire these professionals. Our organization welcomes everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or experience level.

'Refresh Everything' - Dear Mr. President...

PepsiCo (an LGBT affirming company) started a new site called 'Refresh Everything' where you can make your own video starting with Dear Mr. President and send any message you choose to be broadcast to the nation. You can choose to present singing, standing upside down, acting, tell a joke or express your message in whatever fashion you so choose. The best videos will get placed on the front page. Who knows, maybe someone important will get to see it, Obama has internet access too!

Here is a video of two guys for same-sex marriage...

Got something to say or want to check it out? Goto Refresh Everything.

'I've Got You' By Mélange Lavonne

In the spirit of hope and change, check out a true family values video by Mélange Lavonne.