Ky Peterson's Mom: My Son's Life Is in Danger
Marlene Peterson talks to The Advocate about her transgender son’s alleged suicide attempt in prison.
Mitch Kellaway
www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2015/06/19/ky-petersons-mom-my-sons-life-danger
Rick Santorum Takes Last Fruitless Jab At Marriage Freedom, Insists “We Must Protect The Children!”
The Southern Baptist Convention officially declared war on gay marriage this week. Now, failed 2012 presidential candidate and eternal 2016 hopeful Rick Santorum is joining the cause, despite the fact that marriage equality is most likely about to become the law of the land. What is this, some kind of rhetorical last stand?
During a conference call, Santorum was asked what he would do as president about the fact that “our children are being forced to accept lifestyles that are totally against our values.” The caller went on to ask why “our government allows people that hurt children by way of child molestation” to impose their beliefs on others.
Related: Rick Santorum Will Fight The Supreme Court Against Marriage Equality
Right Wing Watch has obtained a recording. In it, Santorum wastes no time answering the question: “That’s one of the reasons why I talk about the importance of focusing on the nuclear family.”
He then added that the next president should focus on fighting for the rights of innocent children and ensuring they are raised by two parents of the opposite sex. None of this two dads or two moms or single moms or single dads business.
The not-a-chance-in-hell-contender added that if the Supreme Court strikes down state bans on gay marriage later this month “that doesn’t mean we won’t fight and try to push back both as the Congress should and as the president should as a co-equal branch of the government.”
Because that wouldn’t be a complete waste of everyone’s time.
Related: Rick Santorum’s Wife On Her Husband’s View Of Gays: “He Loves Them”
Graham Gremore
Check Out This Woman’s Brilliant Response to Homophobic Neighbor Who Told Her to Tone Down Her ‘Relentlessly Gay’ Yard
One Baltimore woman’s “relentlessly gay” yard is about to become so much gayer after the owner decided to take to crowdfunding to respond to a homophobic neighbor’s complaint, USA Today reports.
“Put simply, I am a widow and the mother of four children, my youngest in high school and I WILL NOT Relent to Hatred,” wrote Julie Baker on her GoFundMe page. “Instead, I will battle it with whimsy and beauty and laughter and love, wrapped around my home, yard and family!!!”
Read the note left anonymously at her house:
Dear Resident of 4900 Kenwood Avenue,
Your yard is becoming Relentlessly Gay! Myself and Others in the neighborhood ask that you Tone It Down. This is a Christian area and there are Children. Keep it up and I will be Forced to call the Police on You! Your kind need to have Respect for God.
A Concerned Home Owner.
The “relentlessly gay” yard consists of a set of rainbow jar solar lights that spell out “Love” and “Ohana.”
Baker has already blown past her $5,000 goal and raised over $30,000 for “relentlessly gay” renovations. She has said she will attempt to get a “Rainbow Roof” if enough funds are raised.
[top photo via Facebook]
The post Check Out This Woman’s Brilliant Response to Homophobic Neighbor Who Told Her to Tone Down Her ‘Relentlessly Gay’ Yard appeared first on Towleroad.
Kyler Geoffroy
PHOTOS: High-Altitude Pride in Albuquerque
Thousands of people lined Central Avenue for the 39th annual Pride Parade. Starting with 25 people in 1976, it’s now the second-largest parade held in New Mexico.
Advocate.com Editors
www.advocate.com/pride/2015/06/19/photos-high-altitude-pride-albuquerque
Eat Your Heart Out Mark Twain: San Francisco Is Set For Another Glorious Summer
Sorry, Mark Twain, you were wrong. The city is actually blessed with year-round moderate climate that’s perfect for strolling and taking in the rays. Even better: Summer in San Francisco means Pride, festivals, and thousands of eager fellow travelers overflowing our borders.
There is so much to explore in the city’s 7×7 miles, and we’ve got some fun and funky tours to take you through the City By The Bay as a visitor or as a local.
Uncover San Francisco’s gay, gay history
Learn about the history gay culture in San Francisco from the Gold Rush times to the present. One of the more popular tours, Cruisin’ The Castro, takes you through all the ins and outs of America’s gayborhood. Another option for the strong of heart is Foot Tours. This is a “two-hour romp that winds its way through the city’s most famous district—mostly because it can’t go straight.” Wild SF Walking Tours takes you off the beat track for surprising and amazing discoveries.
Tourist your way through the city
See several of San Francisco’s iconic monuments and landmarks. From Wine Country to Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge, Extranomical Tours will take you on foot, bike, or bus to see anything “San Francisco” that your heart desires. It might be touristy, but all of these sites are popular for good reason.
See what’s behind the funky architecture with Rick Evans
Follow architectural historian Rick Evans into the secret gardens and hidden public spaces of the Financial District. You’ll learn about San Francisco’s most important architect, get a bird’s eye view of the city’s next great building boom, and discuss hidden treasures that most people miss. This designer’s dream tour can be found at Detour.
See Castro through the eyes of a Harvey Milk ally and Detour
Cleve Jones leads guests along the gorgeous side streets and up and down the Castro’s main drag, with its underwear shops and neighborhood bars. Along every twist and turn, Cleve will show how his own story as an activist is interwoven with a movement that changed the world. This unique historically Castro tour can be found at Detour.
Detour would like to offer Queerty and GayCities readers a chance to take the Cleve Jones tour for free.
1.) Download the app
2.) Once you create an account, get your Detour for free by using the promo code: SFPRIDE
Get a local take, or 50
Explore San Francisco offers over 50 personalized and unique tours, from culinary excursions to running tours to neighborhood walkabouts. These personalized expeditions are not just for visitors, but are also great for SF-dwellers who want to discover more about their own beloved place.
Blaze your own path
They’re always the old-fashioned methods of exploring, getting lost, or choosing what you want and just doing it. Use the GayCities San Francisco Guide to discover what users like you have to say about popular shops, restaurants, bars, public and notable places throughout the city.
Gabe Cooper
Op-ed: Living the (Gay) Life in North Carolina
Eight years ago, former Advocate editor in chief Bruce C. Steele moved from California to North Carolina. His adopted home still struggles with equality, but he’s adjusted to life among the “mushy middle.”
Bruce C Steele
www.advocate.com/commentary/2015/06/19/op-ed-living-gay-life-north-carolina
Anthony J. Fera Arrested For Allegedly Beating Gay Man Who Complained About His Driving
A Texas oil executive was arrested earlier this month for allegedly beating a gay man and calling him a “faggot” after the victim reportedly complained about his driving.
Anthony J. Fera, 51, got into a dispute with Andy Smith and his husband, Paul Von Wupperfield, who were walking down Austin’s Colorado Street in April when Fera pulled out of a parking lot in his pickup truck, according to the Dallas Voice.
(Note: The following contains explicit language.)
Smith, 47, said Fera’s truck “came barreling out of the parking lot on our left, almost hitting us,” according to a statement given to police that was cited by the Voice.
“I hollered out, ‘You nearly hit us.’ To which the driver replied, ‘Fuck you faggot,’” Smith said, per the Voice.
Fera allegedly stopped his truck in traffic and argued with Smith over the anti-gay slur. Then, Fera reportedly beat Smith, who was knocked unconscious for 30 to 45 seconds, and drove away.
Smith suffered a broken nose and cuts on his face, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
The Houston Business Journal says witnesses photographed the pickup truck and its license plate, which led police to Fera, who is president of Houston-based MidStar Energy, a company that provides oil and gas field services.
“I’m very grateful to the Austin Police Department and the many witnesses who stepped forward and offered help,” Smith told the Dallas News. “I’ve received a lot of support and love from my family and friends.”
Fera has been arrested several times in Texas and Pennsylvania. He’s now facing assault charges, and the Voice reports that it will be up to prosecutors to decide whether to pursue hate crime charges.
Fera declined to comment to local media and attempts by The Huffington Post to reach him through his company have not been successful. This story will be updated if Fera responds.
(h/t Raw Story)
— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Right-Wing Minister E.W. Jackson Calls Caitlyn Jenner 'Insane'
By praising Jenner for her courage in coming out, President Obama is betraying Christian values, claims the minister and former political candidate.
Trudy Ring
Michigan House Lawmakers Introduce Three Bills Intended to Hurt Gay People
Equality Michigan sent out an alert this week about three bills introduced “with the express intent to hurt LGBT Michiganders, their families and friends.”
House Bill 4731: Only opposite sex couples can marry in secret.
House Bill 4732: Marriages can only be performed by ministers of the “gospel”, clerics or religious officiants.
House Bill 4733: Marriage license must be issued and signed by clergy.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder recently signed three anti-gay adoption bills into law. The bills allowed adoption agencies to refuse to accommodate same-sex couples on religious grounds.
The post Michigan House Lawmakers Introduce Three Bills Intended to Hurt Gay People appeared first on Towleroad.
Andy Towle
Michigan House Lawmakers Introduce Three Bills Intended to Hurt Gay People
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