Daily Archives: September 22, 2014



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Support For Gay Marriage Dips Below 50 Percent In Pew Research Center Study

Support For Gay Marriage Dips Below 50 Percent In Pew Research Center Study

Sept 22 (Reuters) – Support for gay marriage among Americans has dipped slightly below 50 percent, the Pew Research Center found in a survey released on Monday, even as bans on same-sex marriage have been ruled unconstitutional in a number of states this year.
The latest survey by Pew showed 49 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage, down from 54 percent when the organization conducted a similar poll in February.
But it remains too early to tell if the drop off is the beginning of a more significant reversal in public attitudes on gay marriage or only an anomaly, Pew researchers said in a summary of their results.
The survey of 2,002 adults was conducted from Sept. 2-9 as part of a larger poll of Americans’ view of religion in public life. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
The survey also found that 47 percent of Americans believe wedding-related businesses, such as caterers and florists, should be allowed to refuse service to same-sex couples for religious reasons.
Americans’ support for gay marriage has increased steadily in recent years, with the Gallup public research group in May finding support for gay marriage among Americans was at 55 percent, a new high. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage.
Same-sex couples this year have scored a nearly unbroken string of victories in U.S. courts, including a U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision striking down Utah’s same-sex marriage ban and a similar ruling by the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals against bans by Indiana and Wisconsin.
Those decisions have been stayed pending appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.
More than 30 courts overall have ruled in favor of gay marriage since the Supreme Court in June 2013 struck down a key part of the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act, which denied benefits to same-sex married couples. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Brendan O’Brien and Sandra Maler)

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/gay-marriage-pew-research-center_n_5865122.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

MISC

Drag legend Coco Peru tells hater who called her disgrace to male race: 'I have a great life!'

Drag legend Coco Peru tells hater who called her disgrace to male race: 'I have a great life!'

‘I can only hope that you are as lucky as I am someday because, if you are, I know there is no way you would ever send another human being a note of hate like you sent me’

read more

gregh

www.gaystarnews.com/article/drag-legend-coco-peru-tells-hater-i-have-great-life230914

MISC

Set Your DVR: Ten New Shows To Watch For This Fall

Set Your DVR: Ten New Shows To Watch For This Fall

Jonaskingdom

The fall TV season kicks into high gear this week. In addition to returning favorites, the networks are rolling out their most promising pilots in hopes of hooking audiences on the next big hit.

Through a completely unscientific method of assessing critical acclaim, teaser trailers, advanced buzz and good old gut feelings, we’ve put together our guide to ten new shows worth a look this fall. This season’s picks include a pregnant virgin, a transgender father of three, crime fighters, freaks and a shirtless, sweaty Nick Jonas.

Preview the trailers and share your own picks, AFTER THE JUMP …

 

Madam Secretary, Sundays at 8 p.m. on CBS
Téa Leoni is the best thing about this all-around solid drama, also starring Bebe Neuwirth and Tim Daly. As a CIA analyst turned professor turned Secretary of State, Leoni is, pardon the expression, a “maverick” in the White House; making tough calls while navigating the political boys club. Like The Good Wife, the personal relationships are just as important as the political ones. We’ll see if Leoni’s Elizabeth McCord can wrangle both.

 

Gotham, premieres tonight at 8 p.m. on Fox
Comic book fans should start clearing space on their DVRs now. The networks have a whole spate of new series joining the likes of Arrow and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The best of the bunch include Arrow-spinoff The Flash (starring Glee’s Grant Gustin) and Gotham. The latter focuses on a young Jim Gordon (played by Ben McKenzie, best known for his work on The O.C. and Southland). Viewers skeptical about a Batman show without Batman should find solace in the fascinating world of early Gotham City told in classic Bat stories, like The Long Halloween and Batman: Year One.

 

Black-ish, premieres Sept. 24 at 9:30 p.m. on ABC
This season’s dramas feel much stronger than the straight comedies, but Black-ish is one of the networks’ bolder swings. The Anthony Anderson-led family sitcom confronts questions about assimilation in our supposedly “post-racial” America. The key to the show’s success will lie in its ability to be truly provocative without alienating the audience from lead-in Modern Family.

 

How to Get Away With Murder, premieres Sept. 25 at 10 p.m. on ABC
By now, you know whether you’re into Shonda Rhimes schtick or not. Either you find the pulpy melodrama compulsively watchable or utterly insufferable. Rhimes serves as the executive producer of this soapy legal thriller, created by Peter Nowalk (who previously worked on Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal). The always captivating Viola Davis stars as law professor/defense attorney Annalise Keating. If you can’t get enough of the (increasingly improbable) twists and turns on Grey’s and Scandal, see how they play out in the classroom, courtroom and all the WTF moments we’ve come to expect from a Rhimes production.

 

Transparent, premieres Sept. 26 on Amazon
Move over, Netflix. With Transparent, Amazon asserts itself with its most compelling original offering and one of the most brilliant new series this season. Not only does the show feature a career-defining performance by Jeffrey Tambor as a transgender head of a Los Angeles family, but it explores gender identity and sexuality with expert care. That sensitivity never feels stifling (it’s neither overly academic, nor obtusely P.C.). Instead, the richness of each character’s individual storyline and their family dynamic deftly balances the show’s delicate blend of drama and comedy. (We’ll have a deeper look at Transparent later this week, including thoughts from Tambor, co-star Gaby Hoffmann, and creator Jill Soloway.)

 

American Horror Story: Freak Show, premieres Oct. 8 at 10 p.m. on FX
All eyes on Jessica Lange in the center of the ring, just like a circus. It may not technically be a new show, but the anthology is facing another refresh. The latest installment of American Horror Story, subtitled Freak Show, has got a bearded lady, a three-breasted woman, a two-headed gal and one extremely terrifying clown. In addition to Lange, AHS vets Sarah Paulson, Denis O’Hare, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Frances Conroy, Evan Peters, Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett return, joined by newcomers Patti LaBelle, Michael Chiklis and John Carroll Lynch. Like any Ryan Murphy project, expect to be delighted, frustrated and shocked (sometimes in the same episode). While we’ll miss the sleek style of last season’s Coven, we’re looking forward to being scared silly by killer clowns. (Check out our weekly American Horror Story recaps.)

 

Kingdom, premieres Oct. 8 at 9 p.m. on Audience (DirecTV)
The fact that Nick Jonas’ character is very shirtless (and possibly a little gay) is enough reason for a lot of folks to tune into DirecTV’s series Kingdom. Sign me up to watch the hunky JoBro roll around with dudes as he trains to become an MMA fighter. Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s Frank Grillo and Parenthood’s Matt Lauria also star.

 

The Affair, premieres Oct. 12 at 10 p.m. on Showtime
Noah’s (Dominic West) and Allison’s (Ruth Wilson) infidelity isn’t the most devastating thing to happen between these characters. The precise details of what unfolds aren’t revealed right away, but we get to hear the story recounted from each of the characters’ perspectives while revealing a larger mystery. Joshua Jackson and Maura Tierney round out the cast.

 

Jane The Virgin, premieres Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. on the CW
With a conceit ripped right from a telenovela, this series follows Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez), who finds herself pregnant — and a virgin. Yes, it sounds a little silly, and, in many ways, it is. But it’s also one of the new shows critics are most excited about, with a seriously awesome star and a lot of heart. Suspend your disbelief enough to get over the mistaken insemination angle to see the story of a family doing the best they can to overcome all the challenges put before them.

 

Marry Me, premieres Oct. 14 at 9 p.m. on NBC
On Happy Endings (and on Hulu’s hilarious Real Housewives parody, Hotwives of Orlando) Casey Wilson proved she could anchor strong ensembles. Paired with veteran comedian Ken Marino (The State, Party Down, Burning Love), she’ll tell a story inspired by her own marriage to Happy Endings creator David Caspe. Marry Me follows the longtime couple’s journey to the altar. Of all of this season’s rom-coms (including A To Z and Manhattan Love Story), this looks the most promising.

What new shows are you most excited for this season? 


Bobby Hankinson

www.towleroad.com/2014/09/set-your-dvr-ten-new-shows-to-watch-for-this-fall.html

MISC

This Ex-Marine Father’s Touching Response To His Son’s Coming Out Letter Will Make You Cry

This Ex-Marine Father’s Touching Response To His Son’s Coming Out Letter Will Make You Cry

JFNational Coming Out Day is just a few weeks away. One California man has decided to get the celebration going early by sharing his emotional coming out story.

“It is very difficult to accurately describe the terror, trepidation and insecurity that accompanies a ‘coming out’ moment,” Jack Freedman (pictured) writes in a new essay shared on his Facebook page.

Twenty-two years ago this month, Freedman came out to his tough, ex-Marine father in a letter. He’s decided to share the letter now in hopes of inspiring others to do the same.

“What is surprising to me, when I read this letter, 22 years later is that I remember the feelings and the fear almost like it was yesterday,” Freedman writes. “I have finally reached the age that I have been out of the closet longer than I was in. But the fear that accompanies coming out to parents often is built up over years and years. It is incredibly intense.”

“All I could think was, ‘Will everything else about me that my dad is grateful for suddenly be irrelevant once he knows I’m gay?’” he admits. “I told my father to read the letter and said that I would come back in an hour.”

Here’s Freedman’s emotional “coming out” letter in full:

September 1, 1992

Dear Dad,

I’ve tried to write this letter so many times over the last six months (in fact this is the third draft of this one).  It seems, however, that every time I do, the words just don’t come out or it’s not the right time for me or it’s not the right time for you…  I realize that I no longer have a clue as to when the “right” time would be.  Actually, I think I’m just waiting for it to be easy and I know that is not going to happen.

What I need to tell you is that I’m gay.  I think you may have already guessed.  You may have guessed a long time ago.  I don’t know.  There are tears running down my face as I write.  Why?  Relief?  Excitement?  Fear?  Probably a bit of each.  I’m so worried that this will change the way you see me.  I’m worried that you are jaded and influenced by society’s attitudes towards gay people.  I’m so scared that assumptions and stereotypes and fears will take over and nothing will be the same between us anymore.  What could possibly be going through your mind while you read this?  I’m so afraid that you will feel betrayed, hurt, embarrassed and angry.  You have a right to those feelings, to an extent, but you need to wipe out all the stereotypes you carry, erase all the rumors you’ve heard and realize that I’m the same person I’ve always been.

Mom has known since she surprised me by showing up at graduation in LA.  I had planned on telling you both at the same time when I was ready.  Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.  When she was here, she could tell I was happier and I guess I was talking about new friends and that I was more comfortable with myself, etc.  She asked me directly and I have come too far to lie.  We stayed up late in my apartment talking about it and she had many questions, but made it clear it did not change how she felt about me.  In the wee hours of the morning, though, I woke up and heard her crying.  I went to her and started to tell her, “Mom, it’s ok.  I’m happy to finally be honest.  You don’t have to cry.”  She said, “No, honey, you don’t understand.  I’m crying because of all those years you had to hide this while thinking I might not love you if I knew the truth.”

I hope you don’t feel resentful, although I guess I’d understand if you do.  Ironic that I pride myself on being so open and honest about how I think and feel and, yet, I’ve hidden this part of myself from you.  I hope you realize that the reason I’m telling you is so you can be a complete part of my life.  I don’t want to have to censor myself around you or not tell you about the people I care about or, more important, about the people who care about me.

So, where do I start?  In third grade, I sure as hell didn’t know what to call it, but I remember knowing I was different.  In junior high, I tried to deny it.  In high school, I made a conscious decision never to tell anybody as long as I lived.  Can you imagine the feelings a fifteen year old has deciding not to tell anyone something so intimate about oneself…because the world thinks it’s disgusting?  I knew the world thought that this part of me that I could not change was revolting to people.  All I wanted was to be accepted and all I saw was this huge part of me that would forever deny me that feeling.  I grew up knowing I was something the world, at best, mocked, and at worst, loathed.

Can you imagine the pain this caused me growing up?  The loneliness?  The constant worry that someone would “find me out?”  I don’t mean to sound self-pitying or melodramatic, but you need to know.  I always knew I was different and that this difference was, by society’s judgments, bad.  Imagine knowing something so intrinsic about yourself and having to hide it from everyone you love because you’re afraid they will stop loving you back.  Imagine having to put on a mask everyday and pretend to be someone you’re not.  Then, one day you realize that the effort it takes to pretend like that everyday has stopped you…me…from being who I really am.  I stopped knowing myself.  Imagine trying not to have feelings that come totally naturally to you.  It was so awful.  To have to hide half of who I am from everyone I love has hurt so much.  I’m so glad that I’ve finally come to accept it…to accept myself.  I’m who I am and whoever can’t handle it can fuck-off.

If someone told me I could take a pill tonight and wake up straight tomorrow morning, I wouldn’t do it.  I like who I’ve turned out to be and some of that is because of the things I’ve had to deal with in terms of being gay.  Please realize that one’s sexuality is not a choice.  You didn’t sit in sex education class in junior high thinking, “Gee, should I like guys or girls.  Time to decide.”  Ridiculous.  I was born this way.  It is no more simple or complex than that.  You were born straight.  I was born gay.  I did not choose to be gay.  I’m not sorry I am (anymore), but it wasn’t by choice.  Why would someone choose to be something that society can’t accept…something that makes life so much more difficult than it already is?

Dad, for me to be attracted to men is the same exact feeling and is as natural to me as for you to be attracted to women.  Look at it this way:  You can choose to sleep with a man or a woman.  You are physically and mentally able to make this choice.  You won’t, however, be physically attracted to the man.  Your sexual urges are for women.  The feeling is the same for me.  I can and have chosen to sleep with both men and women, but it is men to whom I am attracted sexually.  You can choose who you sleep with, but you can’t choose who you desire.

I hope you realize that gay men aren’t attracted to every man they see any more than straight men are attracted to every woman they see.  Gay men who are friends do not automatically sleep together.  Gay men are no more promiscuous, gross or deviant in their sexual behavior than straight men and women (we just get more press time about it).  Ignore all the stereotypes and rumors.  Most of it is bullshit.  And, contrary to popular belief, you can’t always tell when a man is gay.

I hope you understand what a huge effort it takes to tell you this.  I’m scared.  At the same time, I respect that it may be difficult for you to accept (if it’s difficult at all, which it may not be).  You may not care (ideally).  You may feel really uncomfortable with it.  Or, you may have guessed and dealt with it a long time ago.  I really have no clue.  Also, it’s not even that you “have” to know.  I want you to know.  See the difference?  Get it?

I’ve heard a zillion different stories about parental reactions.  One father cried, but said it didn’t matter.  One set of parents completely abandoned their son.  One mother wanted her son to be in therapy to heal this “disgusting disease.”  I don’t want you to accept it like some curse, however, that you must accept because I am your son and because you want to be a good dad.  I still need your support, Dad.  I have friends who say they’ll come out to everybody except their families.  That’s not what I want.  I don’t want to have to censor myself.  I don’t want to have to alter my stories so their “straight.”  I want you to be a complete part of my life.

So, I’ve spilled my guts and now it’s your turn.  You have to be absolutely and totally honest with me.  You have to tell me exactly how you feel about this.  It wouldn’t be fair to make me guess.  You’re entitled to every single feeling you have…unless you ask me to be straight (but I think…hope…that you’re a little more enlightened than that).  Actually, I really hope you’ll ask a lot of questions.  Anything!  I don’t want to hide any part of my life from you.  Ask about sexual history, relationships, friendships, the truth behind any rumors you’ve heard, anything…  You need to be totally open with me so that I feel comfortable.  That’s one way you can support my coming out to you.  If you’re angry, I want to hear it.  If you’re totally disgusted, I want to hear that, too.  If you are brave enough to ask the question, I will be brave enough to give you an honest answer.

Being gay doesn’t mean that I’m any different from who you’ve always known me to be.

Love,
Jack

An hour after giving his father the letter, Freedman returned.

“I stood there by the door and looked at him across the entryway,” he says. “He just stood there, motionless, his hands at his side. He held the letter, unfolded and dangling from the fingertips of one hand.”

“What did I do wrong that you don’t already know this?” his father said, “Jack. You’re my son. I love you no matter what.”

Related stories:

10 Great Coming Outs Of 2014 And It’s Only June

16 Of The Best And Worst Coming Out Stories From Anonymous Sharing App “Whisper”

12 Toothsome Cakes And Cards For Coming Out Of The Closet

Graham Gremore

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/AHksICGfLe4/this-ex-marine-fathers-touching-response-to-his-sons-coming-out-letter-will-make-you-cry-20140922

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