Hate On The Rise: Arkansas Gov ‘Will Sign’ Same Anti-LGBT ‘Religious Freedom’ Bill As Indiana
BoycottIndiana has been a top trending topic since Gov. Mike Pence signed the anti-LGBT Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) on Thursday. The Hoosier state and its bigoted governor are…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m98yoCPdZno&feature=youtube_gdata
Monthly Archives: March 2015
A Letter to Myself As a Trans Teenager
A Letter to Myself As a Trans Teenager
I knew from the age of about 4 that I was ‘different’. I had a wonderful family, and early childhood but went through a tremendous amount of bullying in middle and high school. I was suicidal throughout much of high school, and actually survived a suicide attempt at the age of 18. I began the process of transitioning when I was 28 years old, and I am now 45 and living a life I hadn’t thought possible. I wrote this letter to show other young people that it truly does get better, and for those who may be on the bully side of things, to see that their behavior affects real people — good people. I want to live to see an end to people being mistreated because of who they are, and for kids to be able to go to school and feel safe and accepted, and for diversity to be celebrated.
Dear Lori,
I know things are terribly rough right now. I feel so bad for you, that every weekday right now carries such an overwhelming feeling of dread and confusion for you. I know you’re afraid to go to school, I know you feel sick every morning and you think it’s hopeless, like it’s never going to stop hurting to face each new day. I know it seems like the taunts will never stop…the things other students, even teachers say to you; “amazon,” “dyke,” “freak,” “linebacker,” “lezzy,” “why do you look like a lezbo?”, “why can’t you just stop trying to be different, and try to fit in?”, “do you just like pissing people off?” It seems like it will never stop and that no one sees how sad you are all the time — or that they do and just don’t care.
That girl that just spit on you as you walked past the water fountains, the one who likes to slam your locker door against your head when she walks by you, the guy that walks behind you every time he sees you, yelling insults at you and making everyone else laugh, the girls that sneer at you when you walk into the bathroom and then laugh at you, the coach that asked you if you like to check out the other girls in the locker room, the teacher that told you when you reported a physical assault, to “work on fitting in and to stop going out of your way to be different” — none of them know how kind-hearted you are. None of them know how much your family loves you, and how much you love them. They don’t know that you’ve known you were different since you were a very small child. They don’t know that you want so badly to be normal. To have friends, to be like them. They don’t know how badly you want to be able to enjoy Friday night football games, and be invited to parties. To walk through the halls smiling and laughing with a group of friends. They don’t know that you skip lunch and go hungry most days because you’re afraid to sit in the lunchroom with them. Or maybe they do know, and are just that heartless. I don’t want to believe it’s that though. I want to believe that deep down they’re decent people, who just don’t get it.
These next few years, as hard as they might be for you, will pass quickly. I know you want to end it all right now; I know you feel like it’s the only thing that will stop the pain. But you have NO idea how wonderful the future is going to be! Not long after you graduate, you’ll move away and find a wonderful community of people who will accept you with open arms. You’ll fit in, you’ll be invited to parties, and you’ll have a big group of friends who’ll laugh with you, not at you. You will start to recognize yourself in the mirror and know who you are. Sure, you’re still going to go through some hard times, but you’re going to have so many more good times than bad. You’ll learn that you aren’t the only one like you in this world, and that there is a path to the person you’ve known you were since you were so little. You’ll meet other guys like yourself and you’ll travel all over the country meeting people like yourself and you’ll become who you were meant to be. And that little girl you dreamed of when you were little, the one you wished you could meet, and fall in love with… guess what? She’ll find you, a little later than you would have liked, but she’ll sweep you off your feet and you’ll swear you’re caught up in a real life fairy tale. And she’ll bring a whole family with her! You’ll have kids that love and adore you, and make you smile and laugh every day. You’ll be excited for the future, you’ll feel like a king, and you’ll look back on these years with a touch of sadness, but more than that, with pride. Pride in yourself for being a survivor, and for not giving up. You’ll realize that these things made you stronger, and that you’ll draw on it for inspiration to help others, and to educate other people, so that maybe someday, no one else ever needs to write this letter. You’re going to grow up to be a good man, a very happy man. You’re going to inspire others to keep fighting, and you’ll be strong enough to stand up and face your detractors and be a leader. You’re going to be so thankful that you didn’t allow hate to push you over the edge. So hang in there, keep your chin up and be proud that you’re being true to yourself and not trying to fit in. Be proud that you’re finding the strength to be you — the you no one else sees yet. Whatever you do — don’t let them win, don’t give up the fight. Because not only will it get better… it will be AMAZING!
Love,
Mike
Sean Hayes and His Husband Scott Knew You Were 'Trouble': VIDEO
Sean Hayes and His Husband Scott Knew You Were 'Trouble': VIDEO
Sean Hayes and his husband Scott Icenogle channeled their inner Iggy Azalea and Jennifer Hudson in a bit of lip-dubbing this week on Facebook.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP…
So, there’s this.
Posted by Sean Hayes on Thursday, March 26, 2015
Andy Towle
L.G.B.T. Love Stories film sa prevodom
L.G.B.T. Love Stories film sa prevodom
L.G.B.T. Love Stories film sa prevodom Choď na tento odkaz : x.co/8ch7Y L.G.B.T. Love Stories film sa prevodom.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqkHT_idrIg&feature=youtube_gdata
POLL: Even Republicans Say Marriage Equality Hasn't Affected Them
POLL: Even Republicans Say Marriage Equality Hasn't Affected Them
Despite doom-and-gloom predictions, most Floridians don’t mind having the freedom to marry.
Matt Baume
Angie's List Halts Expansion Over Indiana Law Seen Targeting Gays
Angie's List Halts Expansion Over Indiana Law Seen Targeting Gays
By Dan Whitcomb
March 28 (Reuters) – The company behind the Angie’s List business-rating website on Saturday put on hold a planned expansion of its Indianapolis headquarters over a new Indiana law that opponents say could allow companies to deny services to gay people.
The decision by Angie’s List Inc comes amid criticism of the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was passed overwhelmingly by both champers of the Republican led-state legislature and signed into law on Thursday by Indiana Governor Mike Pence.
Supporters say the legislation will keep the government from forcing business owners to act against strongly held religious beliefs. Opponents say it is discriminatory against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and broader than other states’ religious freedom laws.
“We are putting the ‘Ford Building Project’ on hold until we fully understand the implications of the Freedom Restoration Act on our employees, both current and future,” Angie’s List Chief Executive Bill Oesterle said in a statement.
“Angie’s List is open to all and discriminates against none and we are hugely disappointed in what this bill represents,” Oesterle said.
The project, which Oesterle said was due to break ground within days, would have expanded the company’s campus on the east side of Indianapolis by converting a 100-year-old Ford assembly plant into offices.
Oesterle said Angie’s List, which operates a website that allows users to review local businesses, would begin immediately to review alternatives for its planned expansion.
On Friday, Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook, one of the most prominent openly gay American CEOs, joined other executives, including Salesforce.com Inc’s Marc Benioff, in blasting the Indiana law, which could let business and individuals turn away customers by citing religious freedom.
A day after Indiana’s move, the Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly approved a similar bill, which Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, has said he would sign into law.
The world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc, which has its home office in Bentonville, Arkansas, criticized that measure. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Scott Malone and Tiffany Wu)
Could Repealing LGBT Protections Cost Houston The 2016 Final Four, 2017 Super Bowl?
Could Repealing LGBT Protections Cost Houston The 2016 Final Four, 2017 Super Bowl?
Since Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed an anti-LGBT religious freedom bill this week, the backlash has been enormous.
Celebrities, corporations, churches and even the White House have come out against the discriminatory law — with some announcing boycotts of the Hoosier State. They include the NCAA, which issued a statement saying it’s concerned about how the law will affect its student-athletes and employees during the men’s basketball Final Four in Indianapolis next weekend. There’s also a petition calling for the Big 10 Conference to move its football championship out of Indianapolis.
Meanwhile, in Houston — which is scheduled to host the 2016 Final Four and the 2017 Super Bowl — anti-LGBT groups continue their efforts repeal an Equal Rights Ordinance passed by the City Council last year.
After Houston became the last major city in the US to add LGBT protections in May, opponents launched a petition drive to repeal them. The city eventually rejected the petition, saying it didn’t have enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
Anti-LGBT groups filed a lawsuit, and last month a jury determined that among other things, the petition contains widespread forgery. Based on the jury’s determinations about which signatures should be considered valid, Judge Robert Schaffer began a final count. More than a month later, Schaffer revealed this week that opponents of the ordinance are roughly 3,000 signatures short of the 17,269 needed to qualify for the ballot. However, approximately 8,500 signatures remain in question because they appear on pages circulated by people whose names aren’t legible.
The Houston Chronicle reports:
The plaintiffs argue that legibility should not be a factor.
“We can’t empower the government with the right to be the judge, jury and executioner on whether somebody has a right to vote based on penmanship,” said Andy Taylor, attorney for the plaintiffs.
The city, however, contends that if they can’t determine who a circulator is based on their signature or printed name, all the other signatures collected on that page should be discarded, per city charter and the judge’s ruling.
“The plaintiffs are mounting every desperate challenge they possibly can to try to overcome the effect of the jury’s verdict and the effect of the judge’s post-verdict rulings,” said Geoffrey Harrison, lead attorney for the city. “The plaintiffs lost at trial. They lose on the law. They lose on the facts. But they are prolonging this process by refusing to accept reality.”
Judge Schaffer is expected to rule in early April on the final signature count. If he determines the petition has enough valid signatures, the ordinance likely would appear on the November ballot. If he determines the petition doesn’t have enough valid signatures, the plaintiffs are expected to appeal.
Either way, perhaps opponents of the ordinance and other citizens of Houston should take note of what’s happening in Indiana. If Houston repeals LGBT protections and again becomes the only major US city without them, it’s hard to imagine there wouldn’t be a push to get the NCAA to move the 2016 Final Four and to get the NFL to move the 2017 Super Bowl — among other things.
Texas lawmakers might also want to take note, as several measures similar to the Indiana bill have been introduced in the current session of the state Legislature.
Houston and Texas have a reputation as business-friendly places, but judging by what’s happened in Indiana, that could easily and very quickly change.
John Wright
David Perry weighs in on Indiana anti LGBT legislation
David Perry weighs in on Indiana anti LGBT legislation
David Perry, creator and host of "10 Percent" — California’s longest running LGBT television show — weighs in on Indiana Governor Mike Pence’s signing into law of a new anti gay piece of…
TONIGHTTTTTTT!!!!!! —- SATURDAYYYYYY = #4thSATURDAYs with #TMS & #MADMAXMEDIA!!!!! = Partying with the grown & sexy!!! —- SATURDAY 👯 SATURDAY WE ARE AT VITA LOUNGE FOR #RECESS HOSTED BY DMV's OWN PINKY▪KILLA▪CORN (@pinkykillacorn)…10-3am…O
Jonathan Groff And Russell Tovey’s Last Pic, Pablo Hernandez Is Furrier Than Ever, Ricky Martin Gets Chained Up
Jonathan Groff And Russell Tovey’s Last Pic, Pablo Hernandez Is Furrier Than Ever, Ricky Martin Gets Chained Up
This week, Looking was canceled by HBO, and Adam Lambert is an unapologetic bitch gay and Terry Miller and Colby Keller are getting together but not in the way you’re thinking. Here’s what happened recently on Instagram:
Max Joseph really knows how to blend in.
A photo posted by Max Joseph (@maxjoseph) on Mar 22, 2015 at 9:08am PDT
Gavin Creel is no longer an Instagram newbie.
testing….testing….I have ZERO idea how to do this. get ready for a instaS*#%show! #joespub #instaJP #TPAP #makesomenoise #mistakemakingfactory A photo posted by Joe’s Pub at The Public (@joespub) on Mar 25, 2015 at 8:08am PDT
Darryl Stephens helped launch the new HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for the San Diego LGBT Center.
The San Diego #LGBT Community Center has launched a new #HIVAIDS awareness and anti-stigma campaign. #BeTheGeneration: Live Out, Live Long, Live Healthy, Live Unafraid! Check out @lgbtcenter
A photo posted by Darryl Stephens (@darrylstephens) on Mar 25, 2015 at 12:52pm PDT
Ryan Lochte has never let a little snow deter from his workout routine.
What are you doing today to make yourself better? I know what I’m doing! No pain! #550lbs #tireflips #freezing #OTC A photo posted by @ryanlochte on Mar 25, 2015 at 12:43pm PDT
Ricky Martin is all chained up, just the way we like him.
M.A.S. Tour Video intro. Produced and Directed by @elasticpeople #freedom
A photo posted by Ricky (@ricky_martin) on Mar 25, 2015 at 6:38am PDT
That time on the Looking set when Frankie J. Alvarez wrapped his lips around the giant didgeridoo and Murray Bartlett came out as an Aussie.
#lookingflashbacks to that time while on a break on day one of shooting for season two, Agustín plays the didgeridoo for his best friends. This leads Dom to come out as Australian. ???? @lookinghbo #Lookinghbo A photo posted by Frankie J. Alvarez (@sexytosomeppl) on Mar 26, 2015 at 7:37am PDT
These two need to record a duet: Adam Lambert and Olly Alexander, powerhouse vocalist from Years & Years.
@ollyyears @yearsandyears great show tonight! Vocals for dayzzzzz
A photo posted by ADAMLAMBERT (@adamlambert) on Mar 25, 2015 at 11:40pm PDT
Joe Jonas has really gone to the dogs.
IDFWU A photo posted by Jøe Jønas (@joejonas) on Mar 25, 2015 at 7:14pm PDT
Pablo Hernandez wants you to look at his fur.
I’m the best the world has ever seen. I’m the best ever. I’m somebody you’ll never forget cause I work hard and sweat my tears. I can’t be stopped. I’m never falling again and if I do, I’ll come back. #Photography by @darrentieste @darrentieste #pablohernandez #pablohernandezofficial #model #life #follow #me #photooftheday #madonna #iconic
A photo posted by Pablo Hernandez Official Page (@pablohernandezofficial) on Mar 25, 2015 at 9:07am PDT
We knew it! Colton Haynes is Prince Bubblegum.
Lil Christian’s “Adventure Time” Bday party has begun! #FamilyTime #Kansas #PrinceBubblegum A photo posted by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on Mar 21, 2015 at 11:10am PDT
E.J. Johnson works it out in Pilates class.
Lines and poses @boobsandloubs_ @pilatesbycindy #rkobh #teamthis
A photo posted by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Mar 19, 2015 at 1:43pm PDT
Jonathan Groff and Russell Tovey: The final photo?
Tonight also on Sky Atlantic – the last ever episode of @lookinghbo #LookingHBO #patrick #kevin #happybirthdayJG
A photo posted by Russelltovey (@russelltovey) on Mar 26, 2015 at 9:39am PDT
Jeremy Kinser
