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HRC Foundation Youth Ambassador: Giovanni Blair MacKenzie
Giovanni spent the first 16 years of his life in Jamaica, before making the major change to move to Portland where he was able to talk about his sexuality honestly for the first time.
HRC.org
Alabama to Recall 'N0H0M0' License Plate
The “N0H0M0” Alabama license plate that made waves on social media earlier this week, will now be recalled by the state’s Department of Revenue, the Associated Press reports:
Revenue Department spokeswoman Amanda Collier says the license plate with the saying “NOHOMO” slipped past its three-member review panel. She says the state prohibits personalized tags with profane or vulgar messages.
Collier added taht the car owner can appeal the decision.
Kyler Geoffroy
www.towleroad.com/2014/12/alabama-to-recall-n0h0m0-license-plate.html
Chas Stevenson – Homosexuality and LGBT: Seasoned with Salt
Pastor Chas Stevenson shines some light and adds some salt to a conversation that we all must be prepared for: Homosexuality and LGBT. Get ready for an inspired spiritual explanation that will…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNEmoGpB5OI&feature=youtube_gdata
Seat Filler: Our New York Theater Guide for December 2014
Planning to see theater in NYC? Check out these five new LGBT-inclusive shows.
Brandon Voss
San Diego appeals for more ‘non-traditional’ families to adopt children
Ahead of the holiday season, county supervisors have said that adoption procedures are to be streamlined; and gay people and empty-nesters should consider taking in a child
davidh
“Comfyballs” Luxury Underpants Banned From The U.S. For Being Too “Vulgar”
Well, this sucks.
Scandinavian luxury underwear brand Comfyballs recently applied to release its products in the U.S., but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has refused to issue a trademark on grounds that the company’s name is too “vulgar,” the Daily Telegraph reports.
The company, which was established in Scandinavia in 2013, has extended into Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. What makes Comfyballs so comfy, you ask. Well, the luxury underpants incorporate a unique design called PackageFront™, which is supposed to increase comfort by “reducing heat transfer and restricting movement.”
Sounds divine.
The company was hoping to come to America next, but the folks at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office have put a halt to that, saying “in the context of the applicant’s goods… Comfyballs means only one thing–that a man’s testicles, or ‘balls,’ will be comfortable in the applicant’s undergarments.”
“The mark does not create a double entendre or other idiomatic expression,” the office continued. “When used in this way, the word, ‘balls’ has an offensive meaning.”
The ruling, it should be noted, comes after by One Million Moms lobbied against the brand for its “indecency.”
Anders Selvig, the brand’s founder, has called for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s guidelines to be reviewed.
“The trademarks ‘Nice Balls’ and ‘I love my balls’ have recently both been approved by the USPTO,” he noted. “Luckily, Europeans have a softer view on what is deemed to be vulgar and the EU allowed Comfyballs to trademark without hassle earlier this year.”
Here’s hoping this gets straightened out soon. We want some Comfyballs.
h/t: UPI
Related stories:
One Million Moms Wants You To Badger Kohl’s Into Not Advertising On Creepy TV
If You Need Help In The Underwear Department, Your Prayers Are Answered
Graham Gremore
Austin Takes Major Steps Forward On Transgender Rights
Austin on Thursday became the first city in Texas — and the 43rd in the nation — to add transgender-inclusive health benefits for employees.
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution adding trans-inclusive benefits — including primary care, hormone therapy, mental health care and surgical care — beginning in 2015.
The council also voted to require business owners to install signage indicating that single-stall restrooms are gender-neutral, and approved a resolution on pregnancy guidelines that specifically includes transmen.
Trans activist and HRC board member Meghan Stabler (above), who lives in Austin:
BREAKING: Today, the Austin City Council unanimously approved a resolution directing the City Manager to incorporate transgender-inclusive benefits as part of the City employee benefits package in the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 proposed budget. Specifically the City Council approved three trans* friendly items:
Ordinance — single occupancy gender neutral restroom signage now required.
Resolutions:
— Directs city manager to incorporate Trans-inclusive health benefits for city employees as part of Fiscal year 2015-16 proposed budget
— Directs city manager to examine workforce practices in other cities regarding personnel policies for **pregnancy-capable** employees & develop recommendations for implementation to council May 1st 2015. – note that the resolution specifically includes transmen.
Express thanks go out to CCM Mike Martinez and Chris Riley for steering this through for the vote. There were several local advocates involved in this for months, well done.
The trans-inclusive benefits were opposed by the Travis County Taxpayers Association, and gender-neutral restrooms faced opposition from the anti-LGBT group Texas Values and its President Jonathan Saenz, according to a recent report from KTBC-TV:
“Legally, politically and financially, this is not a smart move by the city of Austin,” Saenz said. “There are major privacy issues and safety issues when we deal with these type of transgender bathroom issues and we’ve seen them come up in Houston and San Antonio, where women are concerned about sharing or having to use a restroom where maybe a man’s gonna come in before or after them, you have small children and little girls.”
Jimmy Flannigan, an openly gay City Council candidate, has also come under attack from his opponent for supporting the gender-neutral restroom proposal.
But Thursday’s actions by the City Council only further solidify Austin’s reputation as the queerest city in Texas.
Next up? Rainbow crosswalks.
John Wright
www.towleroad.com/2014/12/austin-takes-major-step-forward-on-transgender-rights.html
Op-ed: The Scientific Study That Proves How to Advance LGBT Rights
Because after marriage, there will still be plenty to be done.
Lorri L. Jean
www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/12/12/op-ed-scientific-study-proves-how-advance-lgbt-rights
Watch Rosario Dawson and Jenny Slate share the perfect, romantic NYE kiss
It is adorable and amazing
joem
Last Day to Win a Date with Dustin Lance Black and Tom Daley
You must be 18 years old or older to chat
