Daily Archives: June 23, 2015
WATCH: Far-Right Pundits Call for Taking Down LGBT Pride Flag
WATCH: Far-Right Pundits Call for Taking Down LGBT Pride Flag
If the Confederate battle flag is a symbol of racism, the rainbow flag is a symbol of anti-Christian bigotry, some commentators claim.
Trudy Ring
www.advocate.com/politics/2015/06/23/watch-far-right-pundits-call-taking-down-lgbt-pride-flag
Pro Wrestler Matt Cage Comes Out, Says He’d Feared Rejection
Pro Wrestler Matt Cage Comes Out, Says He’d Feared Rejection
One of the biggest fears in my life has been rejection. I’m not sure why. I was never the most popular kid in school or in my neighborhood, but I always had a plethora of friends in many different cliques. I was never really rejected by anyone that I hung out with in one clique for hanging out with people in another, yet I always feared being rejected. But as I’ve grown older and continued down the road of adulthood, I have discovered that I truly don’t care as much about rejection anymore. And I why should I? My friends will like me for me, flaws and all. My family will love me for me. My peers will respect me for my work. And complete strangers can think whatever they want, because they’re strangers and they don’t know me.
That being said, it makes it much easier to post here publicly that I’m gay.
For the longest time, I claimed that I was bisexual. When I privately came out to people that already know, I told them that this was the case. And it was. However, I have no real intentions of pursuing females at this stage of my life. I still find beautiful women beautiful. I don’t think that’ll ever change. But I think that to continue to claim something that’s not true is just continuing a streak dishonesty and I don’t want that. Sorry, ladies. I’m officially pulling myself off of the market. Don’t hate me too bad.
To many of my closest friends, they’ve known since the tail end of 2013 when I began the process of telling the people who I felt should know. Some of them “knew” for much longer due to their own assumptions or beliefs. My parents know and they support me. That should be enough, honestly. But still, the speculation that comes from one’s private life always seems to make it’s way into the professional atmosphere and that’s unfair to me. I truly have nothing to hide anymore. I spent the majority of my life lying, hiding and depressed because I felt like I couldn’t truly be who I wanted to be and live freely as I saw fit. I had to act and that’s not me. I, nor anyone else, should have to do that.
Originally, I never intended to make a public post about my private life. I feel that private matters should stay just that. However, with the constant speculation and discussion behind my back about a matter that could easily be brought to my face, I felt that it would just be best if I silence everyone and told the truth publicly. Now, nobody has to suspect or assume what I do behind closed doors. And to a large extent, do it for myself to get rid of unneeded stress.
Professionally, I am exactly what the root of the word says: a professional. The last thing I’ve ever wanted was to make anyone feel uncomfortable or uneasy. I don’t believe that I’ve done that thus far and nothing is going to change now. Professional wrestling is the thing I love the most and all I wanna do is entertain the fans, do what I love and continue the excellent camaraderie I have with so many of the great people I’ve met over the years. Hopefully nothing changes, but if any relationships change from this post, I’ll know that I didn’t need those people in my life anyway.
I hope that the fans, the promoters and everyone else don’t change their opinions of me. I was the same person yesterday as I am right now, just now, I have a bit more weight lifted off of my shoulders. The stress, depression & worrying that has always come from this is something nobody should have to deal with. Depression is a very real thing, and some people don’t understand that. People often times cannot empathize. But know this: we are all human beings. We all have our own way, traits, personalities & things that make us our own person. Keep that in mind.
To those who already knew and have supported me this far, thank you. To those who have my back, thank you. Apologies to anyone I lied to or had to keep this secret from. I shouldn’t have had to do so, and if you’re my friend, I shouldn’t have felt the need to keep it from you. Friends are friends not because of who they’re attracted to, but because friendship is real. To anyone who has ever been scared of just being real and telling the truth, you shouldn’t be. Yes, I was. But if the people you care about, or even those you don’t, are good people, it won’t matter…the way it SHOULD be.”
—Pro wrestler “Money” Matt Cage telling the world his truth with a note posted on his Facebook page
Jeremy Kinser
Amanda R. Simpson, first openly trans Presidential appointee
California Judge: 'Death to Gays' Ballot Measure 'Patently Unconstitutional'
California Judge: 'Death to Gays' Ballot Measure 'Patently Unconstitutional'
This means Attorney General Kamala Harris won’t have to let the measure’s sponsor try to gather signatures to put it before voters.
Trudy Ring
California Judge Throws Out Ballot Initiative Calling For Execution Of Gay People
California Judge Throws Out Ballot Initiative Calling For Execution Of Gay People
A California judge has ruled against a proposed ballot initiative authorizing the execution of gay and lesbian people, calling the suggested measure “unconstitutional on its face.”
The proposed Sodomite Suppression Act calls for “any person who willingly touches another person of the same gender for purposes of sexual gratification be put to death by bullets to the head or by any other convenient method.” The measure also would outlaw advocating gay rights to minors, punishable by 10 years in prison and permanent expulsion from California.
While the measure was publicly ridiculed and stood little chance of collecting more than 365,000 signatures necessary to appear on the 2016 ballot, California Attorney General Kamala Harris was required by state law to circulate the proposed initiative because its backer, attorney Matt McLaughlin, paid a $200 filing fee ahead of the February deadline. In March, Harris asked for legal permission to toss out the initiative.
“As Attorney General of California, it is my sworn duty to uphold the California and United States Constitutions and to protect the rights of all Californians,” Harris said in a statement after filing the request for declaratory relief. “This proposal not only threatens public safety, it is patently unconstitutional, utterly reprehensible, and has no place in a civil society.”
Superior Judge Raymond M. Cadei on Monday sided with Harris, ruling that the attorney general has no obligation to issue a title and summary for the measure.
“The proposed initiative … is patently unconstitutional on its face,” Cadei wrote. “Any preparation and official issuance of a circulating title and summary for the Act by the Attorney General would be inappropriate, waste public resources, generate unnecessary divisions among the public, and tend to mislead the electorate.”
Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin praised the order in a statement on Tuesday.
“Lest there was any doubt, a heinous California ballot initiative seeking to put gay people to death has been found unconstitutional,” Griffin said. “HRC thanks Attorney General Kamala Harris for her continued leadership in standing up for the rights and dignity of LGBT Californians, and Superior Court Judge Raymond Cadei for recognizing that this barbaric initiative has no place on a ballot in California or anywhere else.”
McLaughlin did not immediately return a call requesting comment.
Read the order below:
Order on Sodomite Suppression Act
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OPM Announces Federal Employee Health Plans Cannot Have Blanket Exclusion On Transition-Related Care
OPM Announces Federal Employee Health Plans Cannot Have Blanket Exclusion On Transition-Related Care
Today, the Office of Personnel Management announced that Federal Health Benefit Plan providers will no longer be permitted to have blanket exclusions on all transition-related services in their federal employee healthcare plans.
HRC.org
Five Tips On Dating With Pride
Five Tips On Dating With Pride
Pride season is a great reminder (as if we needed reminding) that now is an incredible time to be out and proud in the United States and other welcoming parts of the world.
As many of the world’s major cities — and even many of the not-so-major ones — gear up for their annual rainbow-bedazzled events, there’s a natural desire to connect not just with our community but with that special someone.
Pride is just as much a triumphant celebration of the ability to love openly and freely without fear. As we await the Supreme Court’s ruling on the freedom to marry, this year could even hold significant cause to celebrate (fingers crossed).
Here are five tips on dating with Pride that we developed along with our friends at Compatible Partners:
1. You’re here, you’re queer, get used to it
The first step to entering a healthy relationship with another person is to foster one with yourself. We get it — years of conditioning that there is something wrong with being gay can cause deep ripples of shame and self doubt. Take a look around Pride this year. See the couples embracing, the joy on the faces of people dancing, and the (perhaps quite revealing) outfits that scream “I am who I am, what of it?!” These people are all family and have a well of acceptance to offer if you’re willing to receive it.
2. Date smart
To say that eye candy is a factor during pride is putting it mildly. But perhaps you’ve already done the “eye-lock with a stranger and make out 2 minutes later” thing. Or maybe you haven’t but you’re looking for something deeper. Get wise about what it is you want, and know there are tools at your disposal to help get you there. Online dating services are one way to go, and you can bet that during pride month they’ll be buzzing with added traffic. You aren’t the only one who wants to find love — trust us.
3. First impressions matter
If you’re messaging that sexy someone on a dating site, how you craft your note communicates your level of interest. “Hey” is that dreaded three-letter word that says “I thought you looked sort of cute in your profile picture so I decided to go fishing. Want to take the bait?” Instead, take the 45 seconds needed to read someone’s profile. Do they like reading? Tell them the last book you read and ask them to tell you what their’s was. Theater? Why not say what your favorite Tony’s performance was? This works in the 3-D world, too, you just have to be a little more clever about it. Context and compatibility are everything, after all.
4. Acknowledge your fears
Anyone who says dating is easy is either lying or delusional. Opening your heart to new possibilities by definition makes you a more vulnerable person. And vulnerability isn’t always valued in our culture. If your butterflies feel like humming birds, just say so. Chances are he’s feeling something similar, and putting it out in the open gets you both on the same page. Trying to cover it up and act like there’s no pressure only puts more distance between you, and the idea is to begin to come together.
5. Take action!
If you’ve made it to the end of this post, it must mean you have interest in taking on the risks associated with expanding your circle and potentially finding romance. So what are you waiting for? There are others like you actively seeking a proper fit, and pride is the perfect time.
Compatible Partners is running a special for the month of June to give Cupid’s arrow a little help finding its target. Check it out by the end of June to cash in on the special Pride discount.
Chris Bull
feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/RDIORpYOxL0/five-tips-on-dating-with-pride-20150623
Chicago’s Henry Gerber House Becomes Second Gay-Related National Historic Landmark
Chicago’s Henry Gerber House Becomes Second Gay-Related National Historic Landmark
The Henry Gerber House in Chicago has been designated a National Historic Landmark, becoming the nation’s second LGBT related property to achieve such recognition, the U.S. Department of Interior has announced.
Said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell:
“The National Park Service is America’s storyteller, and it is important that we tell a complete story of the people and events responsible for building this great nation,” said Secretary Jewell. “As we honor the pioneering work of Henry Gerber and the pivotal role this home played in expanding and fighting for equality for all Americans, we help ensure that the quest for LGBT civil rights will be told and remembered for generations to come.”
The house…served as the headquarters and meeting place for the Society for Human Rights. The Society’s members held lectures, published a newsletter that was the earliest-documented gay-oriented periodical in the country, and worked to change the minds of legal and political authorities. They hoped to challenge, through educational programs and community outreach, the contemporary discourse that discriminated against LGBT people.
The Society’s chartered status and newsletter were unprecedented in the history of the gay rights movement in the U.S. and preceded better-known efforts by more than two decades. Although the house was the site of the earliest documented efforts toward LGBT emancipation, the social and political climate led to the swift dissolution of the Society in 1925 after police arrested Henry Gerber and several other members. Although no warrant was produced, Mr. Gerber was taken into custody and his belongings confiscated. The organization’s collapse illustrates substantial obstacles in the struggle for civil rights.
The first LGBT-related National Historic Landmark is the Stonewall Inn, which today just achieved designation from New York City’s landmarks division.
The post Chicago’s Henry Gerber House Becomes Second Gay-Related National Historic Landmark appeared first on Towleroad.
Andy Towle
Chicago’s Henry Gerber House Becomes Second Gay-Related National Historic Landmark
'Do I Sound Gay?' Doc Continues to Echo
'Do I Sound Gay?' Doc Continues to Echo
Many are taking notice of director David Thorpe’s film on ‘gay voice.’
Neal Broverman
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/film/2015/06/23/do-i-sound-gay-doc-continues-echo