Todrick Hall Covers Taylor Swift, Warns of Social Media Perils In 'Alice In WeHoLand': VIDEO

Sean Mandell

www.towleroad.com/2014/10/todrick-hall-covers-taylor-swift-warns-of-social-media-perils-in-alice-in-weholand-video.html

Italy: 54% of LGBT people say they suffer discrimination
Italy: 54% of LGBT people say they suffer discrimination.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MR4Bbq1VW8&feature=youtube_gdata

WATCH: Fla. Reporter Blasts Governor's 'Appalling' Marriage Equality Opposition

In offering his ‘personal perspective about a politician who just refuses to take responsibility,’ Florida political reporter Michael Putney had some harsh words for Gov. Rick Scott.

read more

Sunnivie Brydum

www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2014/10/28/watch-fla-reporter-blasts-governors-appalling-marriage-equalit

21 Movies That Changed How We Felt About Ourselves As Women
There’s something magical about movies. Whether you’re watching one in a dark theater, on a couch with some popcorn, or under the comfort of a blanket in your own bed, movies allow us a very specific form of escape.

And women tend to be the most regular moviegoers out there. According to a 2012 MPAA report, women actually go to the movies more than men, making up 52 percent of in-theater audiences each year. It’s a wonder then that there aren’t more female-led blockbusters. (Hint hint, nudge nudge, Hollywood powers that be.)

Even though the characters are usually fictional, we’ve learned some pretty amazing lessons from the people that come alive in our favorite films.

We asked the HuffPost editors and our Facebook and Twitter audiences which movies shaped the way they thought about themselves as women. And while we couldn’t fit all of the wonderful films on this list, we’ve rounded up 21 that have made life-changing impressions on our community.

Here are 21 movies that changed how we felt about ourselves as women:

1. “A League Of Their Own”
“Although I was young when it came out it moved me more than any movie. I was a tomboy. It showed [me] that there have been tomboys throughout the years.” – Deirdre Zabawa, via Facebook

2. “Now And Then”
“The movie covers so many aspects of that ineffable period in a woman’s life: friendship, coming to terms with your changing body, mortality, and love, to name a few. The movie is set in the 70s/90s, but I think most women would agree the themes still resonate. Definitely a movie all young women should watch.” – Jenna Amatulli, Associate Editor HuffPost Crime/Weird News

“There really is no better movie about the importance of female friendship, and how that friendship can grow and change over time. The lives of the four (very different) BFFs are at the center of the story, and though male characters factor in, sometimes in a romantic way, the real love story is between the girls.” – Emma Gray, Senior Editor HuffPost Women

3. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
“Clementine Kruczynski (played by the incomparable Kate Winslet) in ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ is eccentric, impulsive and a little messed up, yet she’s unapologetic and completely self-aware. She was one of the first female characters who spoke to me as saying, ‘I’m flawed and I know it. Take me or leave me.'” – Taylor Trudon, Senior Editor HuffPost Teen

4. “When Harry Met Sally”
“‘I think what keeps me coming back to this movie is this strong female character that Nora Ephron wrote — Sally is strong, particular, knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to be herself. Harry says she’s the worst kind of woman — high maintenance but she thinks she’s low maintenance; Sally says she just ‘likes what I like’ and good for her! She doesn’t apologize for being herself and that’s important for every woman to know — to just be your true self, and don’t be afraid of it.” – Alexandra Rosario, Blog Editor HuffPost Lifestyle

5. “Juno”
“When I saw this movie in theaters in high school, I’d never encountered a young female character like Juno. She had such a clear sense of self — with every bump in the road, every decision she made was her own. It was an amazingly refreshing movie to see.” – Caroline Bologna, Editorial Fellow HuffPost Parents

6. “Working Girl”
“Melanie Griffith’s character may get the guy, but the REAL triumph is the corner office. ‘Working Girl’ taught me that professional success can feel damn good.” – Emma Gray, Senior Editor HuffPost Women

7. “Fried Green Tomatoes”
“I must’ve watched that a thousand times between the ages of 12 and 16. Idgie taught me that it was OK to have a soft side even if you were trying to be strong; Ruth taught me that it was OK to be strong and a lady at the same time. Evelyn showed me that it’s totally OK to ram some chick’s car repeatedly if they piss me off!” – Stephanie Berry, via Facebook

8. “Reality Bites”
“I hacked off my hair, took up smoking, and decided to give a smart ‘notashit’ for most of the 90’s. I loved that movie for both its promise of intelligent and committed slackerness and the ironic and graceful fallibility of the characters. Naturally, many years later, it does seem a little silly to be that committed to mediocrity while insisting on your greatness, but maybe that was the point that went over my teenage head like a rocket.” – Abby French Wheetley, via Facebook

9. “Thelma & Louise”
“[This movie] made me think really hard about how I had let men treat me.” – Madison Walker, via Facebook

10. “Stepmom”
“‘Stepmom’ taught me to be sympathetic to both sides of the divorce equation — and I was able to see the struggles both my mom and my stepmother have dealt with through years. It also taught me to cherish my time with family members (especially moms) because you never know when someone’s time is up. It reminds you of the impact someone can have on your life — even when they’re gone. And it also taught me how great a good cry during a movie can be.” – Hayley Miller, Editor HuffPost Blog

11. “Steel Magnolias”
“[It showed me that] mothers are the strongest people in the world.” – Allegra Perkins, via Facebook
“Steel Magnolias taught me that that traditionally ‘feminine’ things like beauty parlors and motherhood are anything but frivolous. Julia Roberts and Sally Field highlight the incredible strength and bravery of motherhood, and their bonds with the other women at Truvy’s Beauty Parlor run deeper than giggles and gossip. And I think that Sally Field’s monologue at the end of the movie is one of the most powerful moments in cinema.” – Caroline Bologna, Editorial Fellow HuffPost Parents

12. “Iron Jawed Angels”
“[This movie] made me appreciate the sacrifices those before me made in the name of being a woman.” – Sophie Elizabeth, via Facebook

“I show [this movie] every year in my Perspectives in Lit class. It resonates with boys and girls, but my hope is that every one of the girls will understand the importance of voting, and what it took for women to have that right.” – Jody Weger Andriano, via Facebook

“The scene where she is being force fed during her hunger strike in jail was so moving and heartbreaking and made me think about how far women have come, all the things they’ve fought for, and how important it is that we still continue the fight for women to be seen as equals in every way, everywhere. Women in media aren’t usually shown as being heroes at all but in that movie women were heroes to other women and it was amazing.” – Nicole Laverdlere, via Facebook

13. “Obvious Child”
“The movie is a hilarious love story (or maybe a ‘like’ story) set around an abortion. It’s the perfect antidote to all the movies afraid to show abortion for what it is: a normal part of life for a huge number of women. ‘Obvious Child’ was the proof I needed that any part of being a woman, no matter how sad or serious other people say it is, can be funny if I decide it’s funny.” – Amanda Gutterman, Associate Editor HuffPost Special Projects

14. “Ever After: A Cinderella Story”
“That movie sent my self confidence through the roof. It took me out of the world of Disney princess fairytales and threw me head first into real world feminism. When she rescues herself at the end? I will always love Drew Barrymore for that. Grace and power are a dynamite duo, and absolutely unbeatable.” – Jess Dickerson, Associate Editor HuffPost Black Voices

15. “Legally Blonde”
“When my ex broke up with me I was devastated, I laid on the couch, crying and watching TV. I saw ‘Legally Blonde’ and enrolled in college a couple months later.” – Della Hernandez, via Facebook

“What I took away from ‘Legally Blonde’ was that even if you’re a chihuahua-loving, pink-wearing, bubbly woman that nobody takes seriously, you can still seriously make things happen for you. You don’t have to sacrifice your pink power suits or your love of fashion to be a total boss, so long as you believe in yourself.” – Lauren Zupkus, Associate Editor HuffPost Entertainment

16. “Mulan”
“[This movie] made me realize I could be just as powerful as any man was. And I could conquer anything. I remember how I felt the first time I saw it when I was 8!” – Deanna Simpkiss, via Facebook

17. “Girl, Interrupted”
“This film showed me that getting a little lost in life isn’t always such a bad thing. The ‘crazy girl’ trope was finally fleshed out in a full narrative and it showed me that a woman can be sad and happy and have emotions and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s something to be proud of.” – Alanna Vagianos, Associate Editor HuffPost Women

18. “The Breakfast Club”
“Besides the fact that a young Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez are swoon-worthy, it taught me that the lines between cool kid and not-cool kid are very blurry. Loner girls and popular girls both have their own shit to deal with, and they just might bond if you lock them in a library together for a day.” -Emma Gray, Senior Editor HuffPost Women

19. “The Heat”
“This movie is simply amazing. Melissa McCarthy is basically my idol. Her character reminded me that you can be funny and don’t need to look pretty all the time. And that funny women are always the best.” – Alanna Vagianos, Associate Editor HuffPost Women

20. “Little Darlings”
“This film was the first time I was really exposed to female sexuality and its consequences for different women. Each character approaches her sex-pedition differently and largely based on how society expects certain types of women from certain types of backgrounds to exert their sexuality, but the ending throws these stereotypes into sharp relief. Equal parts sobering and exciting, ‘Little Darlings’ showed me that sexuality is fraught with social, political and economic factors, which all women experience and navigate differently.” – Amanda Duberman, News Editor HuffPost Women

21. “Zero Dark Thirty”
“‘Zero Dark Thirty’ was an empowering movie to watch as a woman. We so rarely get to watch movies with female heroes in general, but to see one that’s based on a true woman leading the CIA against terror was pretty badass. I thought it did a wonderful job of depicting the benefits and complications of a woman in charge and I left feeling stronger than when I entered the theater.” – Jessica Kane, Director of Millennial Outreach HuffPost Teen

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/21/movies-for-women-changed-the-way-you-felt-about-yourself_n_6021014.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Geaux Vote for Equality

Last week, President Bill Clinton headlined a rally to help reelect Sen. Landrieu, and reminded us that when you stay home on Election Day, you’re letting someone else’s vote speak for you.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/geaux-vote-for-equality?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Apple CEO Tim Cook Reads Alabama’s Anti-Gay Governor to Filth

Probably-gay Apple CEO Tim Cook popped by the Old House Chamber at the Alabama State Capitol this week, and took the opportunity to politely remind everyone that Alabama’s Governor, Robert Bentley, is part of the problem.

Cook was in town to receive an award from the Alabama Academy of Honor (he grew up in Alabama), and in his remarks, he criticized the state for its homophobia.

“As a state, we took too long to take steps toward equality,” he said. “We were too slow on equality for African-Americans. We were too slow on interracial marriage. And we are still too slow on equality for the LGBT community.”

Governor Bentley was standing nearby during the remarks. When he was campaigning for governor, Bentley said, “I will ensure that Alabama does not follow the trend of allowing gay marriages or civil unions, and I will protect our state’s right to define marriage as between one man and one woman.”

Bentley’s also done some pretty cowardly punting on the issue of marriage, saying, “The people of Alabama voted 81 percent to have the ban on same-sex marriage, and it’s in our constitution. Whatever the people vote on, I support. I believe in the people’s right to vote and this is how they feel, so I support the people.”

Oh, right, of course, it’s the people’s fault! Not the governor’s! Nothing he can do, hands are tied, has to defend a bigoted and unconstitutional law, oh well.

Cook has also pushed federal officials to pass workplace nondiscrimination laws, which should be happening aaaaaaany day now.

Bentley is currently running for re-election, and he’s pretty much guaranteed to win, so life is probably going to be continue to be difficult for Alabaman LGBTs. That is, unless some generous benefactor, someone with deep pockets and roots in the state, comes along and donates a ton of money to queer Alabama causes. But what magical fairy could possibly do that?

matt baume

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/fbc7bi8uGF8/apple-ceo-tim-cook-reads-alabamas-anti-gay-governor-to-filth-20141028

Suspect In Drunken Anti-Gay Assault In Dallas Will Not Face Hate Crimes Charges, Jail Time: READ

Sean Mandell

www.towleroad.com/2014/10/suspect-in-drunken-anti-gay-assault-in-dallas-will-not-face-hate-crimes-charges-jail-time-read.html

All Access: Tavi Gevinson talks LGBT content with GLAAD
GLAAD’s new online video series, "GLAAD: All Access," features interviews with newsmakers, hit-makers, and people making a difference. This week, host Claire Pires met editor-in-chief of Rookiemag.

No Masks Allowed: Dating When Your Teen Is Transgender
My first date, at age 16, told me he had a record. It was not an old vinyl record like our parents played on record players; it was a criminal record. He was 17 and Puerto Rican. His name was Milton, and he was sweet, but he had a secret he couldn’t keep in. He’d been with his friends in New York City when an older man had yelled at them and called them “spics,” which is a derogatory term for someone who is of Latin decent. It had infuriated them, so they’d beaten up this old man and his adult son, who’d been with him. But they hadn’t just beaten him up; they’d beaten him to death. Milton said the old man’s son had identified Milton, who was only 14 at the time. Milton had gone to juvenile detention for three years for manslaughter and had just gotten out. I must admit I thought about dating him still, because he had been honest with me, and he seemed so sweet, but I don’t believe in violence of any kind for any reason, so I just couldn’t get past it. This first date would foreshadow my dismal dating future.

We all wear masks every day. We smile at the boss we would prefer to frown at. We embellish our experience in job interviews. We say we are doing great to a passersby who ask how we are even though we may be feeling very sad. We take on that one favor for a friend and act as if it’s no bother even though we are bogged down at work. But we never wear masks more than we do in dating.

Bars are not my scene, so, for dating, I have resorted to the mask to match all masks: online dating. It is a strange experience. You will find a large dating pool, but what is real and what is fake? Everyone on an online dating site boasts about how ambitious they are and how accomplished they are. They claim to work out regularly. They claim have “little baggage” and to be carefree. They all enjoy long walks on the beach and traveling. They all post glamorous photos and seem to be perfect until you meet them. The thing is that no one is perfect, and we all have some baggage. I have a whole truckload myself, and I refuse to wear a mask in that regard.

My first dilemma in dating is when to tell someone online that I am physically disabled. My disability isn’t something I am ashamed of or something I could hide even if I wanted to. I am proud of all the obstacles I have faced and conquered, but potential dating partners don’t always see it that way. When first mentioning my disability in an email to a dating partner, I try to make a joke of it. I say something like, “I am physically disabled, and my disability is noticeable. I am proud of my disability and wouldn’t change it, but I am afraid running marathons are out of the question.” Some guys laugh at this and have no issue with it. Other guys take the marathon metaphor seriously and run far away in the opposite direction. One time I met up with a guy I hadn’t told ahead of time, and I quickly regretted it. We met at a restaurant, and when he saw how noticeable my disability is, he actually yelled, “Well, this isn’t going to work. I love physical activity like skiing.” Instead of crawling under my table and pretending not to know him (who am I kidding? I couldn’t physically get under the table if I wanted to!), I sat with him and ate dinner. I did make the best of it by slipping the hot waiter a note after dinner saying, “You were the best part of my date,” and leaving my phone number. I never heard from the hottie or the rude date, but I got a chuckle out of it nonetheless.

Now that I’ve somewhat conquered my disability when dating, how do I introduce the fact that my 16-year-old son is transgender? I don’t yet know a funny way to bring that up in conversation. When asked about my son, I can’t exactly say, “Well, I thought my child was a girl, but it turns out I was wrong and he’s a boy. Please pass the bread.” Then again, maybe I could. But the question is when. I mean, talk about removing all masks, right? I also have to consider my son’s privacy. What if this date goes no further? Should I wait until I am in a serious relationship and absolutely sure the guy is right for me and will be supportive of my son? If I do wait and find that I have developed feelings for this man only to discover that he won’t be supportive of my son, then I must end the relationship. So since I won’t know how supportive he’ll be and how open he is until I take off my mask and test the waters, that’s what I do. Everyone who is close to me and my son is aware that my son is trans. The fact that my son is trans is not my whole life or his, but it is a part of our lives, so there is no reason to hide it. I am an open-book type of person, and I believe keeping secrets makes you sick. So typically, when there’s a guy I wish to date, I tell him within a few emails that I am disabled and that my son is transgender. I then wait for his reply. If he is negative or ignorant, then I know he isn’t the guy for me. If he is supportive and open, then I’ll continue on to the first date and see where it goes.

Dating with no masks on doesn’t just apply to me; it applies to my son as well. I worried when he came out to me as trans at age 12: Would he be able to find someone to love him? Would girls want to date him? Would he be accepted? Would he be hurt? For transgender teens, dating is a whole different ball game; in fact, in can be downright scary. The statistics on violence against transgender people are starting. One study found that more than 50 percent of trans individuals have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives. So my 16-year-old son, my rule is that he must tell a potential date that he is transgender before they go on that first date. As you know, teens are not always great at following rules, but my son and I agree on this one. He is forced to remove his mask early on, and it’s served him well. As it turns out, dating is much less of an issue for my son than it’s ever been for me! He gets girlfriends left and right and sees me as an old spinster! It doesn’t matter, though: Seeing him happy makes up for the wise-cracking teenage remarks. My son is upfront about the fact that he’s transgender with every girl he dates. Some girls won’t date him because he is trans, but many are supportive and open. It helps that he’s darn cute and a great young man, but what really helps is his increased confidence. I truly think he’s been able to have so many girlfriends because, unlike the rest of us, his mask is off completely. He is able to be his true self 100-percent, and how many of us can truly say that? I’ve learned so much from my son, and to truly remove my mask is just one of the important lessons he’s taught me. The Trisha TV show did a brilliant special on transgender teens that highlights a teen couple dating that I’ve included below. I’m proud to say that Hannah, the lovely 12-year-old girl at the end, is a friend of my son (and a friend of mine).

Even with my series of horrific dates, I still truly believe in great love. Lately, one couple in particular has renewed my faith in the existence of true love with no masks allowed. Every morning, when I enter my office building, I see a cute elderly couple saying goodbye. One morning I noticed that the man was giving his wife a little bag of Bruegger’s bagels for breakfast. I asked her if he was bringing her breakfast. She told me that every morning her husband drops her off at work and comes back and brings her a bagel and her favorite French vanilla coffee. He then comes back later and takes her to lunch. She described to me how they met and fell in love 47 years ago on a blind date and how they are still in love. I asked her to tell me her secret, and she said, “I got lucky.” I said, “I think he’s pretty lucky too.” That, my friends, is real, movie-like true love.

I believe that whatever our differences may be, we all want the same thing: to love and be loved in return. I suggest that we all begin by taking off our mask; after all, as H. Jackson Brown Jr. says, “Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.” So the only mask I’ll be wearing from now on is on Halloween.

I’ll be myself, baggage and all, because I still believe and hope that I’ll be lucky enough to meet the man with my French vanilla coffee.

Mary J. Moss is a feisty single mom to a terrific, almost-16-year-old boy who just happens to be transgender. You can reach her by email at [email protected].

www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-j-moss/the-masks-we-wear-dating-_b_6047358.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

To Victory With Mark Udall
U.S. Senator Mark Udall’s Chief of Staff Mike Sozan on the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with HRC and the Senator on important issues that affect Coloradans.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/to-victory-with-mark-udall?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed