#TakeTheHighRoad When It Comes to Anti-Gay Days

As I read about the “Anti-Gay Day” organizing at McGuffey High School in Claysville, Pennsylvania in Washington County, I was disappointed but not shocked. Claysville is about 30 minutes south of Pittsburgh, where I live. My partner grew up in a similar rural community north of Pittsburgh.

As I wrote on my blog, the organization of the tactics suggests adults were involved.

But on a very serious note, this is a troubling turn of events. These kids didn’t just spontaneously pull a homophobic move. They have a plan. They have coordinated outfits. They live and attend school in a county with no discrimination protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. I bet they have parents who share these hateful little views.

Claysville is in Washington County, about 30 minutes away from Downtown Pittsburgh. Washington County has a member of council who used a gay slur on municipal email. Washington County was targeted by the Pennsylvania Family Research Council for an anti-transgender attack during a recent election (and their guy won.)

When I read that a pastor had met with 20 youth involved in the homophobic plotting, I was convinced that all of these youth were being used for a larger agenda. Mind you, that doesn’t absolve them of culpability for their participation. It simply reminds us that this is not an isolated incident or a youthful indiscretion, especially for the LGBTQA youth who attend McGuffey.

The Washington County Gay Straight Alliance has been on the ground to build safer learning environments for 10 years. They’ve been regularly attending McGuffey School Board meetings prior to the Day of Silence. I spoke with adult organizers about the best way for the LGBTQA community to respond and the answer was very simple — show our support to the LGBTQA youth at McGuffey and throughout the county.

Let me make a note here that while I typically use LGBTQ when I blog, the GSA organizers specifically asked me to include “A” because they never require students to come out and always welcome allies. So I am honoring their request.

How can we support the LGBTQA youth at McGuffey High School and through Washington County and other rural Pennsylvania towns? Here’s what we came up with on the ground in Southwestern Pennsylvania. We invite you to join us.

1. Take a photo — in a flannel shirt if you like — with a sign that shows your support for the LGBTQA students at McGuffey. I suggest something like “I support LGBTQ students at McGuffey High School.”

3. Make a donation of $10.00 (or whatever amount is good for you) to support the Gay Straight Alliance of Washington County which is working on the front lines at McGuffey High.

You can also join the Facebook group to share your photos and learn more about how to support these brave youth.

Why ‪#‎TakeTheHighRoad‬? That came from a brainstorming session with Rayden Sorock of the Initiative for Transgender Leadership. The mascot of McGuffey School is the Highlander and the school is known as “McG” — so Ray suggested a play on the Highlander theme. It also happens to be wise counsel for those tempted to read the comments on any of the media sites covering this story. The high road is the road that supports our young people and their families. It looks a little different for each of us, but what’s important is that the students hear us coming. They are not alone.

Taking the high road is about being strategic, supportive of our youth and standing firm in our requirement that LGBTQ people are full participants in this nation.

If you are fired about the desecration of the flannel shirt meme, take a picture. If you want to reach through the interwebs and give those brave kids a big hug, take a picture. If you can help ensure they all have the resources to attend the Queer Prom in Pittsburgh or other LGBTQA events, take a picture (and make a donation please).

There are many ways to interpret the song ‘Loch Lomond’ — we suggest this version.

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

www.huffingtonpost.com/sue-kerr/takethehighroad-when-it-comes_b_7117298.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

One Month Until Ireland’s Marriage Equality Referendum

One month from today, Ireland will become the first country to hold a national referendum for marriage equality.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/one-month-until-irelands-marriage-equality-referendum?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

This Cute Doctor Wants To Rock Your World With His New Wonder Condom

“Imagine if we could make a condom that you couldn’t wait to put on,” Dr. Robert Gorkin (pictured) tells PSFK.com. “Or what if you could make a condom that actually improves sex — how fantastic would that be!?”

Gorkin and a team of researchers at the University of Wollongong are currently working to develop a new type of pleasure-enhancing condom that he claims could revolutionize sexual health the whole world over.

“Lack of sensation is a well documented attribute that condoms have been associated with them and one we are trying to overcome,” says Gorkin. “I have not met anyone that says, ‘oh yeah condoms feel perfect!’”

He hopes to change all that.

Related: Don’t Be A Fool, Wrap Your Tool: Queerty’s Top 10 Condom Picks

Gorkin received a $100,000 grant last summer from none other than Bill Gates to jumpstart his research. The new wonder condoms are made out of hydrogels, the same things used to make contact lenses, and will be self-lubricating, biodegradable, and “skin-like.”

He and his team are now testing to see how the new material compares with traditional latex condoms, mainly whether they offer the same protections and level of safety.

But it doesn’t stop there. Gorkin says he also wants to find ways the wonder condoms absolutely irresistible. His solution? Pleasuring-enhancing pharmaceuticals built into the material that would have magical effects on the penis.

“We can potentially load certain molecules into the condom itself,” says Gorkin, but did not elaborate further.

No word yet on when the wonder condoms may become available.

Related: Which Lube Is Best For You? Astroglide’s Seven Ways To Go Around The Bases And Back Again

Graham Gremore

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/YA6o_myThgo/this-cute-doctor-has-invented-a-new-wonder-condom-guaranteed-to-rock-your-world-20150422

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1728

Andy Towle

www.towleroad.com/2015/04/towleroad-guide-to-the-tube-1728.html

Report: Pope Rejects France's Gay Ambassadorial Nominee

One French paper said the pontiff turned away the candidate but said it was “nothing personal.”

read more

Trudy Ring

www.advocate.com/world/2015/04/22/report-pope-rejects-frances-gay-ambassadorial-nominee

Lesbian Asylum Couple Marry at San Francisco City Hall

History was made Friday as a lesbian couple, seeking asylum in the United States, celebrated their marriage at San Francisco City Hall.

After years of persecution in Angola, Mari and Cara, whose real names have been withheld to protect family members in Africa, made their way to the Bay Area, San Francisco, where they hope to receive asylum and start a new life, safely together.

There was not a dry eye amongst the guests who witnessed the moving nuptials, as the couple exchanged vows under the coveted majestic arch window on the fourth floor of City Hall.

The marriage was officiated by renowned LGBT activist Anne Kronenberg, a political administrator, well known for her work as Harvey Milk’s campaign manager, who also posed for photos with the couple next to the famed Harvey Milk bust in the rotunda.

Kronenberg, who offered her services after hearing the couple’s story of courage and triumph, expressed: “It was an honor to be a part of this joyous day for these two beautiful young woman. The discrimination, hatred and homophobia they faced in their own country not only from society, but from their own families was unthinkable in this day and age. They now have the opportunity to live their lives together and to be true to themselves – to be who they are, two individuals who are in love. Cara and Mari no longer have to pretend to be something or someone else. Thank you for letting me take part in this glorious day. I have had a smile on my face since they each said “I do”.”

The celebration, followed by a reception in the Castro at Destino, sponsored by Michele Meow of KOFY TV, was attended by members of the LGBT community, two families from West Marin County who have provided host housing, a film crew led by director Tom Shepard, shooting a PBS documentary about asylum seekers and refugees from Africa, and members of the African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) which has been providing advocacy and referral services to the couple.

Asylum seekers cannot work for six months from the date of filing of the asylum application and so AHRC established a crowd source fund for the couple on Indiegogo.

Members of the community have donated cash toward living expenses, as well as a wedding cake, rings, and the gorgeous outfits worn by the brides. Kimpton Hotels came forward with a generous show of support, providing a honeymoon package at the luxury Palomar Hotel, which included dinner at the fabulous restaurant, Dirty Habits.

Speaking after the weekend the couple expressed their gratitude: “Our wedding was magical. It was a day we will never forget. Thank you to everyone who came to our special day and thank you to everyone who helped put our ceremony together.”

The women are receiving pro bono legal representation for their asylum application by attorneys from The Cooley Law Firm.

Executive Director of African HRC, Melanie Nathan, expressed hope that the community would continue to contribute to the critical support needed: “Mari and Cara have lost everything – their home, their family, their country and livelihood. Their arrival in San Francisco, while life saving, is fraught with daunting challenges. We urge our community to come forward with donations, however small, and we also need more volunteers to offer host housing in the East Bay or San Francisco.”

LGBTI people are criminalized and suffer state sanctioned persecution in 38 African countries, a result of draconian Colonial Penal Codes, heightened anti-homosexuality laws, with dangerous homophobic provocation by American fundamentalist religious extremists.

“There are few viable mechanisms in place to help targeted LGBT people into exile and no financial or housing resources available once they reach the U.S.A. It is a miracle that Mari and Cara made it here. I believe we have a duty to take care of members of our own community – we are their family and so I am hoping many more people will step forward to help,” Nathan notes.

More about the Story of Mari and Cara and their harrowing journey HERE

The Fundraiser HERE

About African HRC.
Photo credit: Kristina Lapinski, Marin Photographer

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

www.huffingtonpost.com/melanie-nathan/lesbian-asylum-couple-mar_b_7109896.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Michigan Senate Poised To Consider Three Dangerously Extreme Anti-LGBT Adoption Bills

Already passed by the House, these extreme anti-LGBT bills will enshrine dangerously broad taxpayer-funded discrimination if signed into law
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/michigan-senate-poised-to-consider-three-dangerously-extreme-anti-lgbt-adop?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Out Singer Aiden Leslie’s New Song Explores Using A Relationship To Numb The Pain

— Singer Aiden Leslie discussing the inspiration for his song “I Just Go” in an interview with HuffPo

Watch his video for the song below.

Jeremy Kinser

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/9XBE77ip6dE/out-singer-aiden-leslies-new-song-explores-using-a-relationship-to-numb-the-pain-20150422

Alabama's Gay 'Prancing Elites' Dance Troop Kicks Off Reality Series Tonight on Oxygen: VIDEOS

Andy Towle

www.towleroad.com/2015/04/prancing.html