Cuando una familia es incluyente con familiar LGBT
Video testimonial de Sandra que nos habla de qué ha sido para ella que su madre asista a Familias en la Diversidad Sexual en Guadalajara Jalisco y como ha influido en su vida esto. **En FADIS…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-UndJXMsg&feature=youtube_gdata

Queer Stories: I’m From Driftwood’s First Live Storytelling Event

I’m From Driftwood, which records true stories by LGBTQ people from all over the world, presented its first live event after developing stories with The Moth, a non-profit storytelling organization in New York City.Driftwood creator Nathan Manske presented the stories at Videology in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on October 19th. The archive aims to help LGBTQ people learn more about their community, straight, and cisgender people learn more about their neighbors and everyone learn more about themselves through the power of storytelling and story sharing. The organization has collected roughly 900 written and video stories from around the world. IFD has self-published a book, broadcast podcasts, completed a 50-State Story Collection Tour, and has been adapted for the stage. Eight storytellers came together to share stories of gender-queer animals, humiliating high school experiences, tales of cross-dressing in middle school, and embarrassing yet cherished memories from the early ’80s.

Photo Credit: Rafi Mittlefehldt

 

jjkeyes

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/-cX5yKZXFKo/queer-stories-im-from-driftwoods-first-live-storytelling-event-20141025

Let Annie Lennox Put Some Soul in Your Saturday Step With 'Georgia on My Mind' – VIDEO

Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2014/10/let-annie-lennox-put-some-soul-in-your-saturday-step-with-georgia-on-my-mind-video.html

Roberta Kaplan, DOMA Attorney, Discusses Challenging Mississippi Gay Marriage Ban
Attorney Roberta Kaplan, who represented Edie Windsor in the landmark case, United States v. Windsor, which struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013, filed suit this week in federal court in Jackson to overturn Mississippi’s ban on same-sex marriage on behalf of two lesbian couples: Rebecca “Becky” Bickett and Andrea Sanders of Harrison County; and Jocelynn “Jose” Pritchett and Carla Webb of Jackson, who married in Maine in 2013. Kaplan noted that Mississippi has the highest percentage of gay couples with children, and that was one of the reasons why she thought it was an important case to take.

”They said, ‘We need rights. We need to have our families protected the way other families are,’” she told me in an interview on SiriusXM Progress. “I agreed with them. I agreed it was the right time and we put a case together pretty quickly.”

The case has been fast-tracked by U.S. District Court Judge Carlton W. Reeves, an appointee of President Obama, who scheduled a hearing for November 12. The LGBT rights group Campaign for Southern Equality is also a plaintiff, and the plaintiffs are also represented by Mississippi attorney Robert McDuff of McDuff & Byrd, based in Jackson.

“We asked the court to kind of, on a very expedited schedule, decide that our clients were right and give them the right to marry at the very beginning of the case,” Kaplan explained. “And I have to say, writing the brief — I’m a bit of legal geek, so writing briefs for me is fun, which, already, I admit, is somewhat strange — but writing this brief was one of the best experiences of my life. [That’s] because the entire case just quotes case after post-Windsor case, just making the argument over and over and over again for why we’re right. Normally in a brief you have to analogize to other situations as to why you’re right. Here, we didn’t have to analogize. We have 40-plus decisions already deciding exactly the same thing.”

Kaplan also weighed in on the U.S. Supreme Court’s momentous decision nearly three weeks ago — what she called its “non-decision decision” — to let several circuit court decisions stand, bringing marriage equality to many more states but obviously not stepping in to rule on marriage equality for all 50 states as some had hoped and expected. She referred to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s statements of a few weeks before, in which Ginsburg said the court would likely wait until a circuit court ruled against gay marriage before it stepped in. The remarks seemed to reflect the take-it-slow approach Ginsburg has telegraphed on the issue in the past.

“Along with [the late Justice] Thurgood Marshall, Justice Ginsburg was one of the greatest strategic litigators of our country’s history,” Kaplan said.“When [Justice Ginsburg] says, ‘You know, you guys should take your victories, and let it happen,’ you know, call me crazy. But I listen very carefully to Justice Ginsburg, and I tend to take her advice.”

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/25/roberta-kaplan-mississippi-gay-marriage_n_6045636.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Crowds demand equality at pride march in Taiwan

Tens of thousands of people turned out at Taiwan’s LGBTI pride march today to push for same-sex marriage to be legalized

read more

liamj

www.gaystarnews.com/article/crowds-demand-equality-pride-march-taiwan251014

Dress You Up: 10 Amazingly Gay Halloween Costume Ideas

It’s that spooky time of year again… Halloween! Otherwise known as a “huge celebration in the LGBT world, especially for the gender-confused folks” of “Satanic origins.” (At least according Linda Harvey, that is.)

We love getting back to our Satanic roots by dressing up and engaging in all sorts of tomfoolery and debauchery while we celebrate what is truly the greatest — and gayest — holiday of them all. Of course, picking the perfect costume is always the hardest part.

Here are 10 amazingly gay costume ideas to consider this All Hallows Eve. Happy Halloweenie!

Jessica Lange as Elsa Mars

Or should we say Jessica Lange as Elsa Mars as David Bowie? All you’d need is a powder blue suit with matching blue eye shadow, some fierce red lipstick, and the world’s tiniest woman.

Twisty the Clown

While we’re on the subject of American Horror Story, Twisty the Clown is another great costume idea worth considering. Or, if you’re aiming for something slightly less terrifying, you could always go as one of Dusti Cunningham’s hot gay clowns instead.

Maggie Gallagher

Get one of these wigs and one of these fat suits and — ta-dah! — you’re Maggie Gallagher.

Kale

The leafy green vegetable caused a media frenzy in April when it was outed for being gay by none other than Madonna. What nicer way to welcome the proud superfood into the family than by dressing up as it for Halloween?

A Fart Demon

Pastor Bert Farias thoroughly embarrassed himself earlier this year when he claimed that gay people were possessed by “fart demons” so stinky they had the power to drive pigs to suicide. What exactly does a fart demon look like, you ask? Who the hell knows? The sky’s the limit on this one.

Conchita Wurst…

…otherwise known as “The Bearded Drag Queen of Austria” or, sometimes, “Kim Kardashian’s Less Trashy, Better-Looking Twin.” Seriously, Miss Wurst has no shortage of glamorous sparkly costumes that you could draw ideas from. And the fact that she’s bearded means you won’t have to shave, which is nice.

The Ghost of Fred Phelps

Then again, that might be too terrifying.

That girl from the Sia music video

Find yourself a blonde bob wig and a flesh-toned leotard and you’re good to go. Easiest costume ever.

Cher

When in doubt, go as Cher. It’s always a safe bet. The dance diva has provided inspiration for literally thousands of drag queens, costume party goers, and Halloween revelers over the decades. Need some specific outfit ideas? We’ve got it covered.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

All rise!

What better way to honor the first Supreme Court Justice in history to officiate a same-sex wedding than by slipping into a black judge’s robe, some turquoise clip-on earrings, and a pair of wire-rimmed glasses and being Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the night? Now that’s something to raise a gavel to.

Court is adjourned!

Related stories:

Shape Up! Get Hot For Halloween With This Killer Workout

Trick And Treat At The Ultimate Halloween Party

Honey, Boo! Boooooo!: The Gayest Halloween Costume Ideas For 2013

Graham Gremore

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/8XKwx2ZYUGs/dress-you-up-10-amazingly-gay-halloween-costume-ideas-20141025

Federal Judge Fast-tracks Challenge to South Carolina's Gay Marriage Ban, Could Rule By Nov. 3

Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2014/10/federal-judge-fast-tracks-challenge-to-south-carolinas-gay-marriage-ban-could-rule-by-nov-3.html

PHOTOS: U.S. Marine Now in Filipino Custody After Protests Over Trans Woman's Murder

After weeks of protests, the U.S. Marine charged with murdering Filipina trans woman Jennifer Laude is now being held on Philippine soil, while still being guarded by Americans.

read more

Thom Senzee

www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/10/25/photos-us-marine-now-filipino-custody-after-protests-over-trans-woma

Liberal, Well-Meaning Mom Blows It When Her Son Comes Out — But Then She Feels Blessed
On the first night of Hanukkah a few years back, I returned home from work to find my son Alec by the stove, flipping potato pancakes. “I wanted to make latkas,” my high-school senior announced. As the family sat down to eat, Alec walked to the table slowly, carrying a lopsided mound of the greasy treats. “I’ve been waiting till everyone was home to say something,” he explained, rubbing his eye uncomfortably. After a pause he said, “I’m gay.”

No one uttered a word. Another three or four or maybe 10 very long seconds passed in silence. My breath stopped, and my body started to tremble. It felt like my insides might explode. I wanted to say something, but words failed me. Then I got mad at myself.

This wasn’t a complete surprise. Over the years I’d suspected at times, but I’d hoped it wasn’t the case. Alec doesn’t look the part, I’d thought. Broad-shouldered and toned, with sun-bleached hair, he’d competed in Junior Lifeguards, played water polo and dated girls. Yet, on second though, he was gentle and reserved, certainly not an alpha male. As a young boy he’d gravitated toward female friends, and in high school he’d seemed bored with his romantic interests. Once, asked if he’d enjoyed a date, he’d replied, “It was tedious.” Most telling was the fact that, during the six months before he came out, two of his closest friends had come out themselves. Each time he’d shared this news with me, I’d asked how he felt about it, providing an inroad for him to declare his sexuality. “Weird,” he’d replied, closing the door on any further discussion. Secretly I’d been relieved: Maybe he is straight, I’d thought.

Why me? I thought now. Couldn’t someone else’s son be gay? I’d gladly help them learn to cope with it. My eyes filled with tears as I imagined how others might react. I thought about my friends, even close ones, gossiping behind my back. “That’s OK,” they’d say while patting my shoulder with a sense of pleased superiority. Or they might try to comfort me, but I didn’t want comfort. Alec wasn’t sick or impaired; he was gay. I hoped that my friends wouldn’t feel sorry for me, even though I felt sorry for myself.

I also didn’t want to give up my daydreams about Alec’s future wife. I had developed a real relationship with her. My mind enjoyed circling through the possibilities: Jewish with brown curls, Asian with long hair, probably not blond. Would she be an M.D., an engineer, an artist? I was just getting to know her. I hated to say goodbye.

Why him? I thought. Alec was the ultimate people pleaser. He’d do anything to make others happy. During the toddler years of “me” and “mine,” he’d give away his toy anytime someone wanted it. Throughout his childhood, my husband and I had continually pushed him toward competitive team sports, thinking they would help him develop more conventionally masculine traits. He’d been a reluctant athlete, but no matter how much he’d hated the rough play or squirmed around the pack of aggressive boys, Alec had never complained and had even excelled, probably to please us. Now I cringed inside thinking how hard it would be for him to live a life condemned by so many. What a cruel challenge fate had presented him.

Is this my fault? I wondered. Alec and I had always had an easy bond. Had I done him a disservice by being so close? Sigmund Freud would surely blame me for disrupting the resolution of the Oedipus complex. My parents would likely point fingers too, chiding, “Susan, we told you to toughen him up.” Alec’s non-aggressive nature had unsettled his grandparents. I’d wanted scream, “Let him be who he is!” But now I knew I wouldn’t tell my parents about this new development for a long time. When that day arrived, would they continue to love their gay grandson?

I had always strived to be the type of mom who completely accepts her kids, and I’d struggled through a Ph.D. in psychology in order to learn how. Wounded by my parents’ statement that I was a mediocre athlete, I’d vowed that I would always find something positive to say about my children’s performance. I’d learned to stick closely to politically correct vocabulary and removed the word “stupid” from my lexicon. When cultural-sensitivity training had come into vogue, I’d eaten up the concept, rushing to every seminar, joining each committee. “Tolerance” and “acceptance” were my mantras. I served on the diversity council at our neighborhood school and on the LGBT committee at work, and I’d posted a “No on 8” sign in front of my house.

So here was the ultimate test. Was I the real deal? At this crucial mom moment, probably the most important one of my life, my mind had shut down, and I’d lost my voice. I’d expected to perform much better. This had been a D-minus at best.

My husband finally broke the silence. “That’s OK, honey,” he said. “We love you for you. It doesn’t matter to us.”

His words slowly registered through my dark and draggy thoughts. Hey, I was supposed to say that, not him! I thought. Fathers are the ones who typically botch these things with “No, that can’t be!” or “Maybe it’s a phase?” or even “You just haven’t met the right girl yet”! My husband hadn’t even suspected that our son might be gay, yet he’d nailed it. By comparison, I’d dropped to an F.

“Yes, we love you and always will,” I finally stammered. “Thank you for sharing this with us.”

Was this all I could give my son at such an important time?! These empty words disappointed me. They were the kind of things you say when you don’t know what to say. Even a Hallmark greeting card would have been more personal than this.

I desperately wanted to pick Alec up, like when he was younger, and hold him. Unfortunately, he weighed 140 pounds and tended to stiffen when touched. I just couldn’t locate the adult equivalent of wiping away his tears. I searched but simply couldn’t find the following simple words — what I should have said: “I’m so glad that you told us this, and that you are true to yourself. You are so brave, Alec, and I’m proud of you. Let’s celebrate this important moment.”

My husband once again broke the silence. “I think it’s time to light the Hanukkah candles!” he said.

Determined to do something right, I quickly retrieved two brightly colored candles from a kitchen cabinet and placed them in the Yemenite menorah, its silver patterns dense and interconnected. We formed a tight circle, our arms intertwined, as we recited the Hanukkah blessings. The beauty and familiarity of the prayers helped calm me down and provided reassurance that, as a family, we would move forward together.

Afterwards we sang the Shehecheyanu, a blessing recited on the first night of a Jewish holiday or when something important happens for the first time: “Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who gave us life, sustained us and brought us to this moment.” I’d recited this prayer more than a hundred times over the course of my life, but that night it shook me awake. It dawned on me that even though the evening had been messy, imperfect and full of failed expectations, it was still holy and blessed. It was as if something Godlike had brought us to this moment in our lives and given its blessing. Then it finally hit me: Yes, this is something to celebrate.

I rushed over to Alec. We were both crying. “I know how hard this is for you, and I’m sorry that you have to see me struggling too,” I said. “I’ll get through this, and so will you, sweetheart. I love you so much.”

He smiled. Then we embraced each other and continued hugging for a very long time.

www.huffingtonpost.com/gay-voices/?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices