Watch Actor Jesse Eisenberg Tell Off These Antigay Protesters
One unfortunate reality of Pride season is the bigotry side show.
www.advocate.com/pride/2016/6/26/watch-actor-jesse-eisenberg-tell-these-antigay-protesters
Daily Archives: June 26, 2016
Sit-In Organizers Call for 'Day of Action' on Gun Control Wednesday
Sit-In Organizers Call for 'Day of Action' on Gun Control Wednesday
Can the momentum built by the House sit-in travel outside of Washington?
www.advocate.com/politics/2016/6/26/sit-organizers-day-action-gun-control-wednesday
These 6 New Orleans Spots Are So Romantic You’ll Want To Get Hitched There
These 6 New Orleans Spots Are So Romantic You’ll Want To Get Hitched There
People spend their entire lives searching for that special someone. So when you finally find “the one,” you want to make sure the wedding proposal goes off without a hitch. The first order of business: Finding the right location to pop the question.
No other metropolis in America offers a wider variety of historic nooks and crannies than New Orleans, a place synonymous with romance. One of the oldest cities in America, its stunning European architecture, subtropical weather and rich culture offer the perfect backdrop for anything from a first date to a formal marriage proposal, no matter how creative you may want to be.
So as we celebrate one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing marriage equality, check out six unexpected places to pop the question in America’s most magical city…
1. City Park
If you’re looking for the epitome of lush Southern landscape, search no further. Whether it’s under the shade of the famed 800-year-old McDonogh Oak tree, on a cobblestone bridge over a bayou, amongst the exotic plants and flowers in the botanical gardens, or gliding through the lagoon on a gondola, this 1,300-acre public park offers no shortage of special spots to ask for your loved one’s hand in marriage.
2. Faulkner House Books
Who could turn down a wedding proposal whilst surrounded by some of the world’s greatest love stories? Located in Pirate’s Alley across the street from the iconic St. Louis Cathedral in the heart of the French Quarter, Faulkner House Books is a cozy shop that specializes in rare and first editions. Fun fact: The shop was once William Faulkner’s apartment. In fact, he wrote his debut novel “Soldiers’ Pay” there.
3. Ace Hotel
Located in the city’s swanky Warehouse District, the Ace Hotel’s newly-opened rooftop bar and pool not only provide a stunning panorama of New Orleans, it has plenty of private corners and cabanas where you can sneak off with your honey. Assuming the answer is “yes,” head downstairs to celebrate at Three Keys, the hotel’s intimate live music venue featuring a different band every night of the week.
4. The Sculpture Garden
The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden features over 60 thought-provoking sculptures set against a landscape of beautiful pines, fragrant magnolia trees and Spanish moss-laden live oaks. It’s a unique way to spend an afternoon, and queer artist Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE statue makes for the perfect backdrop to plight your troth and all those selfies you will be sure to snap.
5. Crescent Park
One of the cities newest public spaces, this chic, 20-acre linear park spans the riverfront, from the edge of the French Quarter, through the Marigny all the way to the Bywater. It offers unparalled views of downtown New Orleans, native landscaping, bike paths and multi-use pavilions for all to enjoy, making it the perfect setting to escape, to unwind and, of course, to become betrothed.
6. St. Charles Streetcar
The St. Charles Streetcar has been in operation since 1835, making it the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. It winds through some of New Orleans’ most enchanting enclaves, including the Carrollton neighborhood, Audubon Park, Uptown and the Garden District. What better place to pop the Big Q than whilst gliding past the historic homes and lush gardens along St. Charles Avenue?
Related: Here Are Six Reasons Gays Own Halloween In New Orleans
Jazz Jennings Is A Young Icon In the Making — Gay Iconography
Jazz Jennings Is A Young Icon In the Making — Gay Iconography
At just 15 years old, Jazz Jennings is no stranger to making history. She’s one of the youngest publicly documented trans kids, she’s the youngest person ever on Out’s Out 100, and this year she’ll make history as the youngest Grand Marshal of the 2016 NYC Pride Parade.
Since coming out in the national spotlight at the age of six, Jennings has been an authentic, honest and eloquent voice for trans youth. She’s spoken openly about her experience on talk shows, in magazines and on her own docuseries I Am Jazz. She also co-founded the TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation and sells silicone mermaid tails to raise money for trans kids.
The young activist and author is not only an icon for trans youth, but her confidence and positivity is an inspiration for the entire LGBTQ community.
“Being transgender is not just a medical transition,” she explained to The Advocate last year. “[It’s about] discovering who you are, living your life authentically, loving yourself, and spreading that love towards other people and accepting one another.”
Celebrate Jazz’s journey with a few of our favorite clips below.
Long before Time Magazine declared the transgender tipping point, Jazz Jennings first made headlines when she was six years old, appearing on an episode of 20/20. Barbara Walters spoke with Jazz and her parents about when they knew Jazz was trans and how they navigated preschool and kindergarten. One of the episode’s most memorable moments occurs when Jazz sings “In My Own Little Corner” from Cinderella, including the lyrics “In my own little corner in my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to be. On the wings of my fancy I can fly anywhere and the world will open its arms to me.”
Jazz connected with fans directly with her popular YouTube channel. In candid, lo-fi videos, Jazz answered questions and shared home footage. “Social media has created this space where people can share their experiences of what it means to be LGBTQIA+ and connect with one another more intimately,” she said in a conversation with Girl Meets World star Rowan Blanchard for Dazed. “You learn more about other people, but you can learn more about yourself as well, and that’s so important in giving you courage to move forward until things get better.”
Barbara Walters checked in with Jazz again in 2013, this time discussing Jennings’ battle with the United States Soccer Federation. The Jennings family successfully fought a legal battle spanning more than two years so Jazz and trans kids everywhere had the opportunity to play on the sport teams of the gender with which they identify.
In 2015, Jazz became a spokeswoman for Clean & Clear, but that’s hardly the only accolade she’s racked up since entering the spotlight. She’s also been named the Human Rights Campaign’s Youth Ambassador, won a Youth Trailblazer Award from Logo and was included in Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens.
Jazz and her family continue to tell their story in TLC’s reality series I Am Jazz, currently in its second season. The series is helping to reshape the typical trans youth narrative by showing a family that’s fully supportive of their trans child. ”I wouldn’t be able to share my story so proudly without their love and support,” Jazz recently told The Village Voice. “We all deserve to be loved by our families. We all deserve to love ourselves.”
Are you a fan of Jazz Jennings?
The post Jazz Jennings Is A Young Icon In the Making — Gay Iconography appeared first on Towleroad.
‘Bill Cunningham New York’ is a Tribute to the Life of a Legendary Photographer: WATCH
‘Bill Cunningham New York’ is a Tribute to the Life of a Legendary Photographer: WATCH
Yesterday, the fashion world and New York City lost Bill Cunningham, an icon who will never be replaced, after he suffered a stroke earlier in the week. The 2010 film Bill Cunningham New York captured him in his element. If you haven’t watched it, do.
RIP to a true legend.
The post ‘Bill Cunningham New York’ is a Tribute to the Life of a Legendary Photographer: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Gay Police Officer Proposes to Boyfriend During London Pride Parade: WATCH
Gay Police Officer Proposes to Boyfriend During London Pride Parade: WATCH
A gay police officer got down on one knee and proposed to his partner during yesterday’s London Pride parade and a bystander shot this incredible video of the moment.
The Daily Mail identified the boyfriend as Jonathan Sammons.
Watch:
The post Gay Police Officer Proposes to Boyfriend During London Pride Parade: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
#LoveWins: Celebrating One Year of Marriage Equality in America
#LoveWins: Celebrating One Year of Marriage Equality in America
In a historic 5-4 ruling exactly a year ago, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that bans on marriage for same-sex couples are unconstitutional, paving the way for nationwide marriage equality.
Two years prior, rulings in the historic Supreme Court cases United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act and brought marriage equality back to California, respectively, laying the groundwork for Obergefell v. Hodges to make marriage equality the law of the land in all 50 states.
Yet after these victories, in most states in this country, a couple who gets married at 10 a.m. remains at risk of being fired from their jobs by noon and evicted from their home by 2 p.m. simply for posting their wedding photos on Facebook. No one should be fired, evicted from their home, or denied services because of who they are or whom they love. All LGBTQ Americans deserve a fair chance to earn a living and provide for their families and this bill will help ensure that all employees are hired, fired or promoted based on their performances
As we celebrate one year of nationwide marriage equality, we must also reflect on how far we still have to go. In July, less than a month after the decision, HRC endorsed the Equality Act, a landmark federal non-discrimination bill that would ensure all LGBTQ Americans have the protections from discrimination in federal law they deserve.
In 2016 alone, more than 200 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in 34 states. HRC has been on the ground fighting back against these dangerous pieces of legislation. While most have been defeated, five of those hateful bills (one in North Carolina, Tennessee and Kansas and two in Mississippi) have become law.
Tragically, those who lost their lives in the Orlando attack two weeks ago demonstrate why our battle against hatred and violence is so important to the LGBTQ community.
As we honor and celebrate this historic day, we must recommit ourselves to ending discrimination against LGBTQ people and help realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Freak Flags A-Flying
London LGBT Pride Parade, 25 June 2016
The Bizarre Case Of Marriage Equality Foes Still Fighting A Lost Cause One Year Later
The Bizarre Case Of Marriage Equality Foes Still Fighting A Lost Cause One Year Later
We’ve had marriage equality across the United States for a year now this Sunday, and it really ought to be a done deal. Right? There is no going back, unless the Supreme Court suddenly gets taken over by ISIS.
And yet there are still antigay activists who think they can roll back the tide of progress and undo marriage. Right!
Who are these people and why do they persist in the face of reality? Well, like the best canister of mixed nuts, they’re a fairly varied lot with multiple motives. Some come from religious organizations that need to justify their ongoing existence to donors. (Hi, NOM!) Others are misguided activists who clearly haven’t put much thought into their stance. And some are politicians who still think that homophobia is a great way to endear themselves to voters. Then there’s the Pope. Oh, the Pope.
So as you celebrate the one-year anniversary of marriage equality and Pride this week, here are a few who fit the definition of insanity:
1. Judge Roy Moore
Oh Lord, this guy. He’s already been kicked out of office once for violating the establishment clause of the US Constitution. Back then, he was the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, and he insisted on government favoritism for the Ten Commandments. Because, you know, the Ten Commandments take precedent over the Constitution. You can’t do that, of course, and he was out of the job. But Alabama has a crazy system where you vote for justices, and soon he was back in office, telling clerks to discriminate against queer couples. He’s been suspended yet again, and may be out of a job once more very soon. That’s because in Alabama, there are no real judges — just politicians in robes who’ll say anything to get elected.
2. Justice Tom Parker
Who? You might not have heard of this basket case, but he’s one of Roy Moore’s colleagues. He didn’t go as far as Moore, and call for outright lawlessness. But he did say that if clerks refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, it “could start a revival of what we need in this country to return to our founding principles.” He didn’t say which founding principles those were, but it’s probably worth pointing out that slavery was among the principles on which this country was founded. So maybe let’s not go back to everything that the founders did.
3. Mormons
You thought they were adopting a low profile since Prop 8? Well, think again. Despite having been defeated in America, the Church of Latter-Day Saints is still taking an active role in Mexico. They’re mobilizing their members — all 1.4 million of them — to oppose the legalization of marriage equality in Mexico just like they did in California. And so far, they’ve been pretty successful. In recent elections, politicians who favored marriage equality fared poorly. Let’s put Mormonism on the ballot, and see how it fares at the polls.
4. Nebraska
It took an entire year for Nebraska to let same-sex parents appear on their own kids’ birth certificates. Crazy as it may sound, Kristin and Katie Collins-Henderson were told that only one of them could be listed; the other would have to be “friend.” This is crazy — whose “friend” is she? The wife’s? The baby’s? It’s nuts. The state kept stalling on updating its records, and it took an intervention from the ACLU to get officials to begrudgingly accept that both women were their kid’s moms.
5. Andy Pugno
Remember this muffin-faced twerp? Not only was he one of the jerks responsible for defending Prop 8, his anti-gay career goes all the way back to the late 90s, when he colluded with evil California Senator Pete Knight to ban marriage before it could be legalized. Pete Knight was one of the worst of the worst, rejecting his own family members when he found out they were gay, and Andy is still running for various offices on the pledge that “I’ll fight for religious freedoms so that business owners can determine what type of services they wish to offer, and to whom.” That’s not even trying to hide bigotry — it’s as if he’s copied verbatim from segregationist literature.
6. Malcom Turnbull
The cowardly Prime Minister of Australia says that he supports marriage equality — but he’s too scared to advance legislation to make it happen. Instead, he supports a nationwide vote on the matter. Never mind that the vote would be nonbinding, so it’s basically just a meaningless survey. And never mind that public support for marriage in Australia has reached the 70s. Nope, Malcom is hiding behind process rather than standing on the right side of history. With elections coming up in just a few days, he’ll hopefully be a distant memory soon enough.
7. The National Organization for Marriage
How does this punchline even exist anymore? Somehow, they’ve got enough money left to hold one last march on Washington, but don’t expect much — it’ll be just a few blocks long, and attendance will surely be its lowest in the few years NOM’s been holding these dumb rallies. By this time in 2017, we’ll be shocked if the group still exists. They’ve already started pivoting to complain about inclusive bathrooms and anti-bullying policies, but those things have nothing to do with marriage so their name kind of locks them into an automatic irrelevance. So long, Brian Brown! In a few years, your numerous kids will be old enough to come out of the closet, and hopefully they’ll be welcomed with open arms rather than spend another minute in the toxic environment you’ve created.
8. Canadian Conservatives
Canada’s had marriage equality for over a decade and it was only just a few weeks ago that the conservatives removed their opposition from the official party platform. Thanks guys, but too little, too late. It’s a harsh lesson for America, where conservatives will probably drag their heels on progress even longer. What did they those Canadian conservatives think they were going to be able to accomplish for all those years? All they managed to do was make LGBTs miserable.
9. The Pope
Remember when we thought the Pope was cool, because he talked to poor people, kissed the feet of prisoners, and was not as scary-looking as the last guy? Turns out, he’s a conniving High Sparrow just like all his predecessors. In a recent statement, the Pope essentially said that divorce isn’t so bad, but gay marriage is definitely not allowed. “There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and the family,” he intoned. Can you believe people try to claim that religion makes a person more moral?
10. Antonin Scalia
At least we don’t have to worry anymore about this particular roadblock to progress — it’s dead and buried. Remember the time he compared gay marriage to “flagpole sitting”? Or when he said, in a statement of pure propaganda, that “many Americans do not want persons who openly engage in homosexual conduct as partners in their business, as scoutmasters for their children, as teachers in their children’s schools, or as boarders in their homes,” and that all of that bigotry is perfectly reasonable? There was no way this guy’s mind was ever going to change, which is what makes it so insane that his job was to listen to evidence and formulate a judgement on the basis of legal reasoning. Sadly, a bevy of conservative legal scholars continue to subscribe to Scalia’s particular brand of ideological boloney.
