Artist Spotlight: Julian Hsiung

Hsiung’s take on the beautiful men he sees in Western culture has a ripe, about-to-burst quality.

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Christopher Harrity

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/art/artist-spotlight/2015/03/28/artist-spotlight-julian-hsiung

What's It Like to Be Deaf and Gay? (VIDEO)

I’m From Driftwood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit archive for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer stories. New stories are posted on the site every Wednesday.

What’s it like to navigate the gay world when you’re deaf? Richard Mesich shares his story, beginning with his coming-out experience. Richard recalls talking to his mom on AOL Instant Messenger:

We were talking, and my mom asked me, “Are you gay? Are you interested in boys?” I was thinking and realized it is time for me to open up, so I told my mom, “Yes, I am gay.” She said, “OK, that’s good. I am happy to hear that from you. I knew you were gay since you were a little kid.”

When Richard turned 21, his gay uncles took him to his first gay club in West Hollywood. While the experience was a little uncomfortable, it introduced him to the dating world:

I dated a few guys on and off. It was good and enjoyable. But I was very nervous dating a guy for the first time. I met this one person, and he was hearing. We went out for dinner, and we could communicate a little, but sometimes it’s hard with a hearing person. Mostly I would text on my phone to communicate.

Now, years later, Richard is able to reflect on how comfortable he’s become as an out gay, deaf man:

Comparing high school to where I am now, I used to feel lost and isolated. I didn’t know who I was. Now I feel confident, happy and know who I am. I’m comfortable with hearing and deaf people; it doesn’t matter to me. Now I know who I am, but I am not in a rush to look for love.

WATCH:

For more stories, visit I’m From Driftwood, the LGBTQ Story Archive.

www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-manske/whats-it-like-to-be-deaf-and-gay_b_6951264.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Arkansas Senate Passes Religion Bill Called Anti-Gay

(Adds comment from Wal-Mart Stores)
By Jon Herskovitz
March 27 (Reuters) – The Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly approved on Friday a Republican-backed bill whose authors say is intended to protect religious freedoms but critics contend could allow businesses to refuse service to gay people.
The Republican governor of Indiana signed into law a similar “religious freedom” bill on Thursday, prompting protests from human rights groups and criticism from some business leaders.
The bill advancing in the Republican-led Arkansas legislature says “governments should not substantially burden the free exercise of religion without compelling justification.”
Supporters say a business should not be forced to, for example, cater a same-sex wedding if doing so would violate the religious beliefs of the owner.
Two of the most powerful companies in the United States, retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc, which has its home office in Arkansas, and technology giant Apple Inc came out against the measure.
“We feel this legislation is counter to this core basic belief and sends the wrong message about Arkansas, as well as the diverse environment which exists in the state,” a Walmart spokesman said in a statement.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, referring to the measures in the two states, said in a tweet: “Apple is open for everyone. We are deeply disappointed in Indiana’s new law and calling on Arkansas Gov. to veto the similar HB1228.”
The measure passed the Arkansas House in February by a comfortable margin and now goes back to it for consideration of amendments in the Senate version. Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, has said he would sign the measure into law.
A U.S. judge last year struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage but the decision has been put on hold pending appeals. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz and Steve Barnes; Editing by Sandra Maler)

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/27/arkansas-senate-passes-religion-gays_n_6959104.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Dallas Mayoral Candidate, Anti-LGBT Activist Arrested For Spray-Painting '666' On Gay Landmarks: VIDEO

John Wright

www.towleroad.com/2015/03/dallas-mayoral-candidate-anti-lgbt-activist-arrested-for-spray-painting-666-on-gay-landmarks.html