PHOTOS: Queer and Trans Youth Speak Out
Rachelle Lee Smith’s new photo book puts young LGBT voices at the forefront in a unique way.
Mitch Kellaway
www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2015/02/19/photos-queer-and-trans-youth-speak-out
Daily Archives: February 19, 2015
21 Best Things To Do In The San Francisco Bay Area, As Explained By Locals
21 Best Things To Do In The San Francisco Bay Area, As Explained By Locals
New York was freezing, and I had to leave. Thanks to JetBlue and a $63 dollar round-trip ticket (yes, you read that right), I headed to the San Francisco Bay Area where the weather was better and the food, too, gave NYC a run for its money.
While there, I worked from various cafes, friends’ homes and random benches in parks. I decided to ask locals for their best non-touristy activities (and added some of my own input) for visitors to the city who don’t want to stick out like sore thumbs, but do want to see the city (and eat!) like the locals do.
So start learning to love Karl the Fog, train your stomach to handle mass amounts of delicious food and beer, and make sure you do everything on this list. (Some responses have been edited for clarity.)
1. Eat the best Indian food in a Travelodge Hotel.
707 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley
Totally off-the-beaten-path, the best Indian food in the county is called India Palace. College student Marley R. has gone there for her birthday almost every year: “I like the people there — they’re so friendly and have all worked there since before I was born. I love the chicken tikka kabob, and my dad loves the chicken tikka masala. Super inexpensive all-you-can-eat buffet lunch, beautifully decorated and just full of tradition for my family!”
2. Get to the top of Grizzly Peak.
50 Whitaker Avenue between Miller and Sterling Avenues in Northeast Berkeley
“I think either hiking to Grizzly Peak or just enjoying the lookout (you can drive up there) would be my number one. You can see the entire Bay Area from there.” — Lizzie C. 
3. Take in a drag show over Sunday brunch.
450 Powell Street, San Francisco
“Go to Harry Denton’s Starlight Room for the best Sunday Brunch and drag show you’ve ever seen.” — Amanda L.
4. Do drinks at the Redwood Room where the paintings have eyes.
Clift San Francisco, 495 Geary Street, San Francisco
Located within the Clift Hotel, the atmosphere (with real redwood paneling!) will make you feel like a high roller, even if you’re not. The paintings within the bar actually breathe and move, so while you’re sipping an expensive cocktail, all eyes could (literally) be on you.
5. Eat the best goddamn cinnamon roll you’ll ever have in your life.
2132 Oxford Street, Berkeley
Cinnaholic’s delectable cinnamon buns aren’t for the weak, but they are for vegans and anyone else with a major sweet tooth.
6. See a concert at an incredible San Francisco venue.
When you’re in town, you HAVE to check out a music venue like The Independent, The Fillmore, The Warfield, Hemlock Tavern, Thee Parkside or the Great American Music Hall. Doesn’t matter what you see.” — Brett N.
7. Walk through Clarion Alley and eat at The Sycamore.
Between Mission and Valencia Streets and 17th and 18th Streets, San Francisco
Affectionately called “San Francisco’s Hidden Mural Utopia,” this mix of political angst and incredible art has been around since 1992. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see an artist starting on their next project. To make more of a trip out of it, walk through the trendy shops in the Mission District, hit up a few thrift stores, and get lunch at The Sycamore and sit in the back area.
8. Get yourself to an underground wrestling match.
630 3rd Street, Oakland
“On the first Friday of every month, Oakland Metro Operahouse hosts Hoodslam, where wrestlers/performance artists ‘perform’ for fans. It’s insanely awesome, and on the first Thursday of every month there are also variety shows.” — Alan B.
9. Attend Audium.
1616 Bush Street, San Francisco
Straight from Huffington Post Deputy National Editor Carly Schwartz (who founded HP San Francisco), you have to visit Audium — a “sound-sculptured space” that’s also one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets. Composer Stan Shaff’s extraordinarily unique space envelops “listeners in sounds that move past, over, and under them” in a dark theater. You won’t find another one like it in the entire world, so add it to your bucket list now.
10. Stuff yourself at Burma Superstar.
309 Clement Street, San Francisco
Burma Superstar, that is what you are. If you don’t eat here, you didn’t visit San Francisco. With over 5,000 reviews on Yelp, it’s pretty clear that this take on traditional Burmese cuisine is doing everything right. Come prepared with an empty stomach to devour the coconut rice, indulge in the Rainbow Salad and try the Chili Lamb. Better strategy: bring friends so you can try every dish on the menu. 
11. Go to Cream.
Kinda touristy, but totally worth the hype. “Cream” translates to “Cookies Rule Everything Around Me,” an awesome venue where you make your own ice cream sandwich from freshly baked cookies and delicious ice cream. Cream is located all over the Bay Area, so just Google Map it and GO.
12. Schedule a visit to the Institute of Illegal Images.
20th Street, Mission District, San Francisco
“It’s this collection of psychedelic stuff — this old, wild house with awesome art,” says San Francisco-based Andrew Hart, front page editor at The Huffington Post. The owner of the Institute, Mark McCloud, has over 30,000 sheets and tabs of blotter paper in this acid art museum of sorts with free entry.
13. Do tea at the Palace Hotel.
2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco
This elegant hotel has high ceilings, beautiful chandeliers and an incredibly warm staff. Go for Afternoon Tea, and stay for the chocolate torte with gold leaf if you want to indulge in something fancy but not totally expensive.
14. Walk around Albany Bulb.
1 Buchanan Street, Albany
“The Bulb is definitely odd and some would say weird, but it’s also really, really beautiful. It’s a former landfill that has all this cool art you can walk around and explore. If you don’t want to do something mainstream and touristy, this is it.” — John K.
15. Eat oysters for $1.
655 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
“Go to Bar Crudo for happy hour every night of the week. There are dollar oysters and all-around fantastic food. Their best dishes are about $5 and their chowder with bacon — my God it’s smoky and so good.” — Dylan H.
16. And toast that will set you back $5 a piece.
736 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
“If you want to go to a place where all the baristas are listening to Joy Division and people are paying for expensive toast, go to The Mill. Yes, you’ll pay a price for the toast, but it’s delicious and it’s a meal.” — Dalton L.
17. Camp (or strip) at Stinson Beach.
Marin County
“For people who are visiting that aren’t ‘city people,’ I always take them to Stinson Beach for a few days to camp out, drink and grill. There’s also a nude beach if you’re into that sort of thing.” — Allison P.
18. Watch a f*****g glorious sunset.
Marin County
“Drive a car up to Bolinas Ridge to watch a fucking glorious sunset. Sometimes the sun looks like it’s setting above the fog layer, so it sets INTO the fog and just lights up everything. So amazing.” –Brendan A.
19. Do date night at the slides.
70 Corwin Street, San Francisco
“The slides at Seward Mini Park are really lovely. They’re great for dates and just really fun overall.” — Brennan M.
20. Rent bikes and head to Sausalito.
Head across the Golden Gate to explore Sausalito and all of its trippy houseboats. It’s touristy, but the houseboat docks are littered with gorgeous flowers, incredible artwork and neat names. Try to spot the houseboat replica of the Taj Mahal. 
21. Eat sausage, keep drinking.
545 Haight Street, San Francisco (multiple locations)
Head to Rosamunde Sausage Grill for the best wild boar sausage you’ll ever have. But get drinks at the Toronado first, and finish your meal by downing drinks at Noc Noc a few doors down. — Ralph P.
Will the US army finally accept trans soldiers?
Will the US army finally accept trans soldiers?
Caution urged after draft report details potential policy change
joem
www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-us-army-finally-accept-trans-soldiers190215
Don’t Miss These Unique, Off-The-Beaten-Path Gems of Los Angeles
Don’t Miss These Unique, Off-The-Beaten-Path Gems of Los Angeles
Home to beautiful beaches and mountains, not to mention major sightseeing attractions (Universal Studios, anyone?) and amazing shopping and eateries, there are plenty of things to do and see during your trip to Los Angeles. But if you’re looking to find some unique, off-the-beaten path sites, here are some cool things we recommend you check out.
You can’t tour this or anything (hello … it’s a real house; someone lives there), but you can drive by and gawk at the unmistakable exterior (the interiors were all filmed on a soundstage), which will surely stir fond memories of that great 1970s television show with the gay dad that you probably won’t admit to loving as much as you do. It’s located at 11217 Dilling Street in Studio City. Here’s the story …
Sure, Beverly Hills is lousy with luxury estates, but this stunning six-acre property, built in 1911 for the wife of Harry Robinson (of Robinson’s department store fame), was the first. It’s now on the National Register of Historic Places and features not only a breathtaking garden but a fancy mansion and a pool pavilion. It’s beautiful and serene, but can only be visited by appointment.
We all want a great view of L.A. when visiting, and if you walk up these stairs you will get many. These 230+ steps are located in the Echo Park neighborhood and start at 1501 Baxter Street. At the top you’ll find Elysian Park and many more walking trails. Wear comfortable shoes.
This American craftsman style house in Pasadena was built for David and Mary Gamble (of the gay-friendly Procter & Gamble company) and is now a National Historic Landmark. The exterior was used as Brown Mansion, the home of Dr. Emmet Brown in the original Back to the Future flick. You can explore this marvel on a variety of docent-led tours. However, opening times are sparse, so be sure to plan ahead.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Art Deco churches are not easy to find, which makes Our Lady of Lourdes Church in East Los Angeles all the more special. You needn’t be Catholic to appreciate the building’s unique mix of Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival, courtesy of local architect Lester G. Scherer and located at 3772 E. 3rd Street. It’s beautiful inside and out — just don’t go during mass or you’ll only get a look at the outside.
It’s not often that a museum inspires more questions than it answers (like, say, “What is the point of this museum?”), but this gem, located just outside Culver City, is not like any museum you’ve ever been to. Comprised of dimly lit and winding corridors, it’s filled with strange displays like a pair of decomposing antique dice once owned by magician Ricky Jay, a gallery of oil portraits of Soviet space dogs, and an exhibit devoted to pre-scientific remedies.
Every year, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to this spiritual sanctuary, which is located on ten acres that include gardens and a natural spring-fed lake. There’s also a wall-less temple in honor of Mahatma Gandhi here, where some of his ashes are housed. There’s a visitor center where you can get all the information you need for your visit. Relax, contemplate and enjoy.
These are not exactly hidden since they’re almost 100 feet tall, but they are a sight to behold. Comprised of nine towers built of steel and covered with mortar containing mosaic glass, seashells, pottery and tile, the exhibit was designed and built by Sabato Rodia from 1921 to 1954 and originally called Nuestro Pueblo. Spend the money to take the tour so you can enjoy all of the unusual beauty here up close. These are certainly not your typical art installations.
Winston Gieseke
Judge Rules Homophobic Washington Florist Broke the Law for Discriminating Against Gay Customer
Judge Rules Homophobic Washington Florist Broke the Law for Discriminating Against Gay Customer
A judge has ruled against Barronelle Stuzman, the Richland florist who in 2013 refused to provide flowers for a longtime customer’s wedding to his same-sex partner because of her “relationship with Jesus Christ,” the Associated Press reports:
Benton County Superior Court Judge Alex Ekstrom rejected arguments from the owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland that her actions were protected by her freedoms of speech and religion. While religious beliefs are protected by the First Amendment, actions based on those beliefs aren’t necessarily protected, he said.
“For over 135 years, the Supreme Court has held that laws may prohibit religiously motivated action, as opposed to belief,” Ekstrom wrote. “The Courts have confirmed the power of the Legislative Branch to prohibit conduct it deems discriminatory, even where the motivation for that conduct is grounded in religious belief.”
Ekstrom ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in two cases against Stuzman – the first being an ACLU case for customer Robert Ingersoll and his husband Curt Freed and a second case from Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who claimed Stuzman violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act.
The Washington Post adds:
The penalty against Stutzman and her business will be settled via summary judgment, or without a full trial. Ingersoll and Freed, who have since married, had sued for $7.91 (the cost of driving to find a new florist). Stutzman also faces a fine of up to $2,000 under Washington’s anti-discrimination law, as well as the cost of legal fees.
Stutzman’s attorney said that she’ll be appealing the order.
“The ruling basically said that if you dare to not celebrate same-sex marriage because it violates your religious convictions, that the government has a right to bring about your personal and professional ruin,” Kristen Waggoner, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom, told The Los Angeles Times. “Her home, her business … her life savings and retirement, these are all in jeopardy … all because of her deeply held religious views.”
Kyler Geoffroy
Marietje Schaake – Plenary speech on Uganda, the Bahati Bill and the LGBT population (16-12-2010)
Marietje Schaake – Plenary speech on Uganda, the Bahati Bill and the LGBT population (16-12-2010)
Where to Watch the Oscars
Where to Watch the Oscars
Gay-friendly Oscar events across the country roll out the red carpet for Hollywood’s biggest night.
Adam Sandel
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/film/2015/02/19/where-watch-oscars
Surrogacy options for gay singles and couples: Find out the facts
Surrogacy options for gay singles and couples: Find out the facts
A gay dad himself, Families Through Surrogacy founder Sam Everingham takes a look at current surrogacy options for gay men ahead of the organization’s London consumer conference this March
davidh
www.gaystarnews.com/article/surrogacy-options-gay-singles-and-couples-find-out-facts190215
British Hunk’s Big Screen Debut, Robbie Williams Has A Bad Hair Day And Andrew Rannells Talks B-Way Revival
British Hunk’s Big Screen Debut, Robbie Williams Has A Bad Hair Day And Andrew Rannells Talks B-Way Revival
A photo posted by Robbie Williams (@robbiewilliams) on Feb 18, 2015 at 3:59am PST
Robbie Williams shares his botched dye job, and doesn’t miss an opportunity to throw in a tasteless Bruce Jenner joke along the way.
The Walking Dead introduces a gay character named Aaron, but sorry fellas, he’s taken.
Andrew Rannells drops a hint to Pride Source that he might soon be taking the stage again in the role that launched his career — Elder Price in The Book of Mormon.
Gorgeous trans model Aydian Dowling recreates Adam Levine’s famous naked “hands” photo. Who wore it best?
Oxfords all-male acapella group Out of the Blue bares some skin for their rendition of Wham’s “Tropicana.”
Kingsman: The Secret Service opens in theaters, introducing the world to the incredibly sexy Taron Egerton. Look forward to more form this British import.
Just realized I never posted a good picture of this tattoo! #ItGetsBetter
A photo posted by Dalton Ray (@daltonlray) on Feb 12, 2015 at 3:53pm PST
It’s clearly gotten better for gay high school football player Dalton Leo, but will he ever regret this tattoo choice?
Dan Tracer
NiK Kacy Footwear Kickstarter Supports LA LGBT Youth Center
NiK Kacy Footwear Kickstarter Supports LA LGBT Youth Center
This video shares NiK Kacy’s passion for the LGBT community and how he plans on helping the LGBT Youth Center by donating shoes once he goes into production.
