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James Furnival Photography posted a photo:
Monthly Archives: June 2016
American Treasure Stacey Dash Kindly Invites Trans People To Pee “In The Bushes”
American Treasure Stacey Dash Kindly Invites Trans People To Pee “In The Bushes”
Jared Leto, Gayborhoods, Elon Musk, Henry Rollins, Mars, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Snapchat: NEWS
Jared Leto, Gayborhoods, Elon Musk, Henry Rollins, Mars, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Snapchat: NEWS
GAYBORHOODS. D.C. no longer has one: “Today, Lambda Rising’s final storefront, at 1625 Connecticut Ave. NW, is a Comfort One Shoes. Other LGBTQ spaces have vanished from Dupont, too, including Mr. P’s, the Fraternity House (later, Omega), Phase 1’s Northwest outpost, and the Last Hurrah (next called Badlands, and most recently, Apex)—watering holes that catered to gay men. D.C.’s queer quarter has diminished with the fading of such institutional anchors, places where LGBTQ individuals could play out their identities and lower their guard among birds of a feather.”
HENRY ROLLINS. The Black Flag frontman and LGBT ally on the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus ‘Anthem-gate’: “I felt for the men of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus. No matter what was the cause of this mishap, it must have been quite awful to endure such perfect situational humiliation. It reminds me of the scene in Carrie when she gets bucketed in pig’s blood. I always dug it that she destroyed the place.”
RUSSIA. Kremlin “experts” blame condoms for the HIV epidemic: “The contraceptive industry is interested in selling their products and encouraging under-aged people to engage in sex,” he said. Beloborodov said that the best form of protection against HIV was to “be in a heterosexual family where both partners are loyal to each other.”
MARS. Elon Musk plans to launch mission in 2024: “SpaceX and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk will send a mission to Mars — on the Flying Dragon version 2 rocket —starting in 2018 and launch a rocket headed there at every open opportunity — every 26 months. ‘It is intended to carry astronauts to the International Space Station,’ said Musk at the Code Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. on Wednesday night. ‘But we are going to send one to Mars in 2018.’ But that’s not the biggest ambition. If everything goes according to plan, the first rocket carrying human cargo will launch in 2024, he said.”
ZIKA. Baby with Zika-related birth defects born inside U.S.: “The baby girl is suffering from severe microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems, after she was delivered through cesarean section at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey, the news websiteNorthJersey.com reported.”
IN THE HEIGHTS. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2008 Broadway hit coming to the big screen? “Now, a film adaptation of the bodega-set project is in the works at The Weinstein Co. Miranda, who is producing, has parked the still-hot project with Harvey Weinstein and is hoping to make it for $15 million. Though Miranda will be heavily involved in the film, it’s unclear whether or not he will star, now that the 36-year-old is 10 years older than the character he first conceived.”
SNAPCHAT. The social network passes Twitter in daily usage: “Snapchat Inc. has 150 million people using the service each day, said people familiar with the matter. That makes the four-year-old messaging app more popular than Twitter Inc. by daily active users.”
ISRAEL. Court rejects ban on anti-LGBT individuals from Pride parade: “The orders, which would have barred the individuals from approaching the route of the parade in Tel Aviv, were issued against dozens of haredi and national religious activists. Police had called the individuals in question, requesting that they report to local police stations to sign the orders, agreeing to voluntary temporary restraining orders. While some assented to the request, many refused, prompting the police to seek mandatory restraining orders from the court on Wednesday.”
NERD EMOJI. Jared Leto’s got it down.
INTO THE FOREST. Ellen Page talks about her new end-of-days movie. “Forget the zombie attacks or fire and brimstone, this drama from writer-director Patricia Rozema looks at the psychological side of complete loss. Page joins Shad to discuss why she chose Jean Hegland’s novel as her first self-produced film.”
THIRSTY THURSDAY. Brazilian model Diiego Anthuny.
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Barney Frank and Sanders Campaign Manager Jeff Weaver Trade Blows on ‘Hardball’ – WATCH
Barney Frank and Sanders Campaign Manager Jeff Weaver Trade Blows on ‘Hardball’ – WATCH
Former Congressman Barney Frank and Sanders Campaign Manager Jeff Weaver faced off on Wednesday on Hardball with Chris Matthews.
The segment got off to a heated start in part because Sanders and his campaign have called for Frank’s removal as Chair of the DNC’s Rule Committee at this summer’s national convention.
Frank, the first sitting U.S. Congressman to come out as gay, has been an outspoken advocate for Hillary Clinton. Weaver said that it was the tenor of Frank’s support for Clinton that, in his eyes, disqualifies him from having a role on the rules committee.
Weaver called Frank “a very hostile and attack surrogate” for Secretary Clinton, adding that Frank has insulted Senator Sanders.
Frank fired back, “I am somewhat surprised to hear a Sanders representative complain about divisive rhetoric. It seems to me that both he and I have been very willing to speak out and be critical of other people.”
Frank also threw shade at (NB: not on) Sanders himself, remarking, “[Back in the early 2000s] I went to Burlington to have a fundraiser for [Sanders] and frankly, as the senior member of the banking committee, sometimes when I did fundraisers a bank or two showed up. So I hope for the sake of Senator Sanders’ purity, they can scrub that and maybe they need to give some money back.” That barb no doubt alluded to Sanders’ attacks on Clinton that she is in the pocket of Wall Street and big banks.
As for Sanders’ call to remove Frank from the rules committee, Frank underscored the committee’s insignificance: “The role of the rules committee is a very, very small one.” He added of why he was given the position, “One of my hobbies is parliamentary procedure.”
Matthews then hammered Weaver on whether Sanders plans to fight for superdelegates until they vote via roll call on the Wednesday of the convention, a day or two after Sanders would be slated to speak in prime time. Weaver confirmed that Sanders intends to fight for the nomination until that roll call vote.
Frank then criticized the Sanders campaign for not attacking Donald Trump enough and instead focusing its ire on Hillary Clinton. “I would hope that Senator Sanders could continue to make the case why he should be the nominee while not ignoring Donald Trump,” he said. “Things you’re saying now will have an impact later.”
While discussing Sanders’ focus or lack thereof on Trump, Weaver interrupted Frank, which prompted Frank to retort, “I’m sorry, I think you should not interrupt me. Let’s all be civil.” And Weaver shot back, “That could start with you, sir.” Matthews then intervened saying, “One at a time.” Frank was baffled by Weaver’s remark: “I haven’t interrupted you. Why the chip?” (As in ‘chip on your shoulder’).
Watch the caustic exchange, below.
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Americans Are Having More Gay Sex: Study
Americans Are Having More Gay Sex: Study
The Bisexual Pride Flag
Sorry haters, but America is getting gayer — and more accepting of same-sex activities.
And it looks like the “B” in LGBTQ has played a major role in the change, according to data from the General Social Survey, an annual survey of almost 34,000 American adults conducted by the NORC at the University of Chicago.
A team of social scientists from three different American universities analyzed the prevalence of men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women, as well as the acceptance of such behavior nationally, from 1972 to 2014. The change they noticed was dramatic: the percentage of adults who believed that same-sex activity was “not wrong at all” went from 11 percent in 1973, to 13 percent in 1990. By 2014, that number had jumped to 49 percent.
According to the study, called Changes in American Adults’ Reported Same-Sex Sexual Experiences and Attitudes, 1973–2014 and published Wednesday in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, “the number of U.S. adults who had at least one same-sex partner since age 18 doubled between the early 1990s and early 2010s (from 3.6 to 8.7 % for women and from 4.5 to 8.2 % for men). Bisexual behavior (having sex with both male and female partners) increased from 3.1 to 7.7 %, accounting for much of the rise, with little consistent change in those having sex exclusively with same-sex partners.”
The Washington Post reports:
“Millennials are markedly more accepting of same-sex behavior than Gen Xers were at the same age — but then, so are most adults,” co-author Ryne Sherman of Florida Atlantic University said in a statement. “The change is primarily one of time period, where all adults shifted in their attitudes.”
That increase in tolerance likely helped drive an increase in sexual behaviors (and willingness to report them). The percentage of men who have had sex with at least one man increased from 4.5 percent to 8.2 percent between 1990 and 2014. Women reporting at least one female sexual partner increased from 3.6 percent to 8.7 percent of the population during the same period. But Twenge and her colleagues say that bisexual behavior drove this change: The percentage of survey respondents who had all same-sex partners didn’t increase significantly during that time, but the percentage of adults with both male and female partners increased from 3.1 percent to 7.7 percent.
“That’s what I found surprising,” Twenge told The Post. “When we looked more closely at the change, it was mostly due to people having sex with partners of both genders.”
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Eric Fanning: “An Incredible Honor” to Serve as First Openly Gay Secretary of the U.S. Army
Eric Fanning: “An Incredible Honor” to Serve as First Openly Gay Secretary of the U.S. Army
In an exclusive interview with The Today Show this morning, Eric Fanning reflected on becoming the first openly-gay leader of a U.S. military service and the highest-ranking, Senate-confirmed openly-LGBT appointed official.
“I’ve gotten used to the fact that this is going to be a part of any time I get a new job or do something,” he told host Matt Lauer. “And when it first happened I was more bothered by it because I didn’t quite have the track record that people know now. And I wanted the focus on qualifications. Now I embrace it. It’s so important to so many people, I realize. And something I didn’t have 25 years ago.”
Fanning was nominated by President Barack Obama in September and was finally confirmed last month.
“I feel a responsibility as secretary of the Army, not just because of the historical nature of the appointment because I’m gay,” Fanning said. “And I take that responsibility very seriously. I grew up in a military family. I have two uncles that went to West Point. And it was absolutely something that I considered, but wasn’t allowed to serve and so chose another route.”
Fanning’s nomination comes just five years after the historic end of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law that prohibited qualified LGB Americans from serving in the U.S. armed forces. His confirmation comes as the military is preparing to move forward to lift the ban on transgender service in the military.
“It is the best job that I have ever had — and an incredible honor,” Fanning added.
Taking Action for Transgender Equality in Alabama
Taking Action for Transgender Equality in Alabama
Post submitted by Lane Galbraith, Galbraith Advocacy & Activism
As a transgender man in Alabama, I have watched in shock as more and more people across the Yellowhammer State openly discuss the transgender community.
Political leaders, such as Mobile County Alabama Commissioner Jerry Carl, have called transgender Alabamians “street freaks.” In April, suspended Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore continually transgender people “mentally ill” at a press conference. These leaders cultivate uneducated fear, failing to protect those they were elected to serve.
However, it is clear that these leaders are on the wrong side of history. While seven anti-LGBT bills were introduced in Alabama, not a single one passed the state legislature this year. Additionally, the Oxford, Alabama, City Council voted 3-2 to repeal a discriminatory new ordinance that would have prevented transgender residents and visitors from using public restroom facilities consistent with their gender identity.
While these bills could have harmed the trans community, it is time that political leaders, like those in Oxford, recognize the misinformation and harm they can do by passing these bills into law. It is time they promote tolerance, inclusion and diversity as it relates to transgender people.
As a Christian, I have heard many people speak against the rights of transgender people through their interpretations of the Bible. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I know that Christ would not harm or turn away people. He went to those who were hurting and encouraged love and hope.
Political leaders who claim to be acting from Christian-motivated perspectives need to pay attention to the greatest commandment, to “love your neighbor.” I know that through engagement with transgender people and LGBT advocates across the state, our political leaders can truly educate themselves on the lives of all of their constituents and bring people together despite their differences.
While the legislature did not pass any anti-LGBT legislation this year, I am proud to work with HRC to achieve full equality and advocate for statewide non-discrimination protections. Hate and fear only hurt the progress of who we are as a community. Together we can make a difference, making sure all citizens have equal protections under the law and are given the same opportunity to reach their God-given potential.
To learn more about HRC’s work on transgender equality visit hrc.org/transgender.
In 2014, HRC launched Project One America, an initiative geared towards advancing social, institutional and legal equality in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. HRC Alabama continues to work to advance equality for LGBT Alabamians who have no statewide protections in housing, workplace, or public accommodations; and legal state recognition for their relationships and families. Through HRC Alabama, we are working toward a future of fairness every day—changing hearts, minds and laws toward achieving full equality.
Author Lane Galbraith, Galbraith Advocacy & Activism
JNFA Pride Mission reception at the CMR June 01, 2016
JNFA Pride Mission reception at the CMR June 01, 2016
Ambassador Residence posted a photo:
JNFA Pride Mission event at the .S. Ambassador’s Residence in Herzelya. June 01, 2016
PHOTOS: The Beautiful Boys And Gorgeous Gurls Of Vallarta Pride
PHOTOS: The Beautiful Boys And Gorgeous Gurls Of Vallarta Pride
Vallarta Pride 2016, the fourth consecutive LGBT Pride in Puerto Vallarta, was organized by ACT LGBT A.C., formed by a group of business owners including Laura Gelezunas of Media Diva International, Tim Wilson of GayPV, Daniel Gomez of Mijo! Brands, Oscar Moran of RHOM Design, and Bill Hevener of BuenFlex Clothing. This year’s theme, “We Are One Family,” drew crowds of local and international guests and participants to the zesty hot spot, nestled between the lush Sierra Madre and the majestic Pacific Ocean. Grand Marshals Myriam Montemayor (the first winner of “The Academy”) and model/YouTube personality Idan Matalon joined filmmaker Shari Frilot in ringing in the fun.
Pride in Puerto Vallarta was especially special this year, same-sex marriage was approved in the state of Jalisco on January 27. “Puerto Vallarta has organically grown to be a leading LGBT destination because of the destination’s natural beauty, our local’s ability to embrace people from all walks of life and world-class infrastructure,” said Agustin Alvarez, Director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “As Pride season is upon us, the city’s ability to provide marriages licenses to same-sex couples, is especially historic for our country and we know will be another reason to celebrate and experience Puerto Vallarta.”
Mantamar Beach Club was the epicenter of this year’s Pride featuring the Wednesday night fashion show, t-dance, LAMBDA Art & Expo, and closing party in addition to a variety of pool parties and unique events throughout the celebration.
We bounced around town, walked in the parade, pool parties, and caught a glimpse of the annual drag derby – a unique competition where local drag queens compete in an outrageous obstacle course down a flight of stairs and through the crowd at the Pulpito and Olas Altas in heels.
The Wednesday night fashion show allowed a variety of local fashion designers to interpret and take liberties with the “one family” theme while dressing a lineup of models in unique creations. Almar Resort rolled out the red carpet for many of the notable and VIP guests in attendance at this year’s pride while The CasaManga Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa proved to cater and provide an extraordinary oasis for many to rejuvenate and recharge from excitement downtown. After the pride festivities groups of friends and couples headed up the shore to Riviera Nayaritt to Sayulita, Bucerias, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta de Mita, and San Francisco beach for more sunshine, sandy beaches, and relaxation.
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A Lonely Gay Man Sat Down at a Restaurant: WATCH
A Lonely Gay Man Sat Down at a Restaurant: WATCH
There are those times when you’d just like to eat alone in a restaurant, quietly, with a book, without drawing any attention to yourself.
Or maybe it’s just because you’re trying to distract yourself from the fact that you’re lonely.
In any case, there are often forces at work that will stop at nothing to foil your cause.
Watch:
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