A Gathering in the Peace Garden State

This weekend, 100 people came together to celebrate the first annual Dakotas’ Equality Summit in Rapid City, South Dakota.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/a-gathering-in-the-peace-garden-state?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Lee Daniels Says Its Time For The Black Community To Fully Accept Gay People

“Homophobia is rampant in the African-American community, and men are on the DL. They don’t come out [and] they’re killing our women,” Lee Daniels told critics at the Television Critics Association winter previews on Saturday. “I wanted to blow the lid off of it, and of homophobia, in our community.”

Daniels was speaking about his new show Empire, which features a gay character named Jamal (played by Jussie Smollett) whose father Lucious Lyon (played by Terrence Howard) struggles with accepting his son’s sexuality.

Daniels says that the character of Lucious is partially based on his own father. When he was a boy, Daniels’ father beat him up after walking in on his young son dressed in a pair of his mother’s red pumps.

“What we’re doing is telling a little bit of the story of Lee growing up in that way,” Howard added during the panel discussion, “but it’s really a bigger part of what’s happening throughout the entire world.”

Bryshere Gray (left) and Jussie Smollett in Empire

He went on to say that the show aims to tackle the issue of homophobia in the black community by offering certain viewers “an opportunity to see what they’re doing is painful. It’s crushing someone that could be beautiful.”

“[Homophobia] is so real and it is happening to so many people, has happened to so many people,” Smollett said.

One of the scenes in the pilot episode is particularly disturbing. It shows Lucious take his 4-year-old son outside and throw him in a trash can after walking in on him wearing his mother’s underwear. The scene is inspired by the event from Daniels’ childhood.

“When Lee had me take that kid down the stairs and put him in the trash can, it was with no apologies associated with it, because that’s what happened to him,” Howard explained. “The fact that he survived that is a beautiful thing.”

Empire is the only prime-time drama the featured a nearly all-black cast and was just renewed for a second season. The cast and producers say they are hopeful the show will start a trend both in the depiction of gay stories and black stories on television.

“What it shows is that people want to see people that look like them on television,” Smollett said. “They also want to see people that do not look like them on television. They want to see a representation of our world on television, and our world is not one color.”

h/t: TV Guide

Related stories:

Lee Daniels Explains Why It’s Harder For Black Men To Come Out

This Guy’s Thoughts On Race And Dating May Surprise You

Kevin Hart Says He’s Too Insecure To Ever Play A Gay Character

Graham Gremore

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/p415q-AlKAk/lee-daniels-says-its-time-for-the-black-community-to-fully-accept-gay-people-20150120

NEW MUSIC: Sasha Siem, Sleater-Kinney, Waxahatchee, Shura, Gemma Hayes, Resistor

Jim Redmond

www.towleroad.com/2015/01/new-music-sasha-siem-sleater-kinney-waxahatchee-shura-gemma-hayes-resistor.html

Rare Play About Oscar Wilde Will Return to NYC

John Gay’s solo play Diversions & Delights will get its first professional New York staging since Vincent Price performed it on Broadway in 1978.

read more

Brandon Voss

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/theater/2015/01/20/rare-play-about-oscar-wilde-will-return-nyc

10 Annoying Chat Tactics to Avoid on Gay Apps
Adam Segel, CEO of Jack’d, offers his advice on how to make better first impressions when chatting with other guys online

People use gay apps like Jack’d for all kinds of reasons. Whether you’re looking for a relationship, a new friend or a hot encounter, location-based social apps are a great way to go. But as we all know, apps can bring out some real basic behavior too. Relative anonymity and the sheer number of guys available to chat with mean some dudes take shortcuts or seriously lack game. I’ve got 10 examples below — super annoying chat tactics that I think we can all agree have overstayed their welcome.

It’s 2015 guys — let’s resolve to avoid and ignore these too-common chat tactics:

1. The Infamous Headless Torso.

Those sexy, artful body shots are great for secondary pictures — but most guys want to see your eyes before meeting in person. I understand that not everyone has the luxury of being out and proud, but if you’re going to try to engage people in conversation, you should at least have the ability to reveal a face pic privately. And those pics of puppies and sunsets or the one of you as a tiny speck in the center of some unbelievable landscape? All those shots really just suggest that you’re hiding something.

2. Unwanted Junk Male.

We get it. “If you got it, flaunt it.” But there’s something to be said about building suspense. Would you walk into a bar and go up to some dude and whip your junk out before even saying hello? Okay, maybe you would, but try flirting and a little civil conservation first — save the good stuff for the grand finale.

3. Nude Behavior.

While we’re on the subject… try saying something clever or cordial before asking me to drop my drawers. In fact, don’t ask me to send you any nudes until we’ve established some sort of rapport. Guys are visual beings but not everyone wants to feel shaken down for dirty pics. We’re not here to feed your spank bank — that’s what Tumblr is for!

4. Racism and Homophobia.

Show some respect. Saying you’re not into “Blacks, Asians, Fats or Femmes” makes you look racist, internally homophobic and insensitive to minorities or anyone with a less-than-perfect body. Stay positive and try writing about how great you are and who your dream guy is.

5. Playing The Shame Game.

The gay community has come a long way — we don’t need to further wedge prejudices amongst ourselves. Shaming people for their sexual activities or HIV-status makes you look uneducated and insensitive. Period.

6. Attention Whores.

Sure, I was talking to you a minute ago but just because I stopped doesn’t mean all of a sudden I am ignoring you. Guys that go ballistic when they feel like they are being ignored look crazy. People have lives and get interrupted. It’s normal to prioritize real life over online chats. Deal with it.

7. Hollow Conversations.

Compliments and pleasantries like, “how’s it going,” “you’re hot” or “sexy chest” are nice (sometimes) but they don’t help to keep the conversation going. There are only so many ways to say “I’m fine, how are you?” Try looking at his profile and think of something original to open with. Find a mutual interest, ask him a question or comment on his tastes. You’ll be amazed by how they might open up to you.

8. Thirsty Games.

Don’t assume everyone is DTF. Ain’t nothing wrong with a little bump and grind but not everyone is here for the random, NSA fun. Immediately launching into questions about sexual positions, equipment size and the ‘if’s, when’s and where’s’ of a potential hookup come across as desperate. Let’s identify individual motives before going straight to Uber.

9. Stalker Mentality.

Remember: the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, then expecting different results. Sometimes guys need to take a step back and realize that maybe he just doesn’t want to chat right now — or ever. If you’ve messaged him twelve times with no response, you should probably reconsider message thirteen.

10. False Advertising.

Come on fellas, we’re not asking you to write a small novella, but enough to give your potential suitors something to work with. Use a recent (less than a year old), unaltered photo of you that clearly shows your face. Don’t lie about your age, height or weight. They’re going to find out eventually so the more up front you are, the less likely you’re going to be hurt when they figure out you’re not who you said you were.

***

We’ve all been guilty of at least one of these chat tactics at some point. It’s all good — totally understandable. Sometimes the line between our digital lives and real world can be fuzzy. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner, a hot hookup or a gym buddy, there are many ways to go about achieving your goal. The important thing to remember is to treat one another with respect. And to have fun.

In other words: Don’t be an #apphole.

www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-segel/10-annoying-chat-tactics-_b_6459414.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Boys in pants alert: the Gay Star Travel Expo in 10 pictures

Gratuitous nudity sent temperatures soaring at GSN’s one-stop travel shop

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jamiet

www.gaystarnews.com/article/boys-pants-alert-gay-star-travel-expo-10-pictures200115