Daily Archives: June 25, 2015
Meet the Married Gay Activist Who'll Talk to Pope Francis
Meet the Married Gay Activist Who'll Talk to Pope Francis
Simón Cazal of Paraguay will be the first married gay activist to have a public meeting with the pope — and he’s being hopeful but realistic about what may come of it.
Trudy Ring
www.advocate.com/politics/religion/2015/06/25/meet-married-gay-activist-wholl-talk-pope-francis
<em>Stonewalls</em>, an LGBTQI Civil Rights Anthem, Comes Out of the Closet
<em>Stonewalls</em>, an LGBTQI Civil Rights Anthem, Comes Out of the Closet
Sometimes things just come together in a rather uncanny way. In 1998 I performed Stonewalls, my original LGBTQI Civil Rights Anthem, for the first time as part of a concert I gave in Hollywood. At some point I wanted to record the song in a professional studio (which hasn’t happened yet). Well, this week i finally acquired the appropriate equipment to transfer videos to digital files, which allowed me to then bring the song out of the closet and onto YouTube and most worldwide music publishing platforms, all on the eve of the historic Marriage Equality rulings, and the weekend of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Here you go!
I feel a great sense of relief because I now know this song will live on long after I am gone. Should something have happened to me I doubt anyone would have found the tape and done something with it. Thanks for sharing the song with me.
Like the official Nicholas Snow Live Facebook page here.
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Texas AG Ken Paxton Begs County Clerks Not To Issue Marriage Licenses To Gay Couples
Texas AG Ken Paxton Begs County Clerks Not To Issue Marriage Licenses To Gay Couples
On Wednesday, we told you how wingnut Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton said he’ll do “anything we can” to fight a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.
Now, Paxton is desperately pleading with county clerks not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples if such a ruling should come down.
From the Associated Press:
Paxton, a Republican who opposes gay marriage, suggested they stand pat until hearing from his office.
“Whatever the ruling, I would recommend that all county clerks and justices of the peace wait for direction and clarity from this office about the meaning of the court’s opinion and the rights of Texans under the law,” Paxton said in a statement.
Unfortunately for Paxton, it’s a little late. Clerks in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio have already said they’ll consult with their own local county attorneys and begin issuing licenses as soon as possible after the high court’s ruling.
Paxton’s desperate plea mirrors letters to county clerks from Texas Values, an anti-gay hate group. In the letters, Texas Values threatens that county clerks who issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples will be guilty of a criminal offense for altering marriage license application forms from the state, which currently say “male” and “female.” But I spoke to Lambda Legal senior counsel Ken Upton about that, and he said the following:
“That problem is easily resolved. Let the applicant alter the form.
“Give it to them and let them cross through anything that is gender inappropriate.
“I’m not sure it is a criminal offense for him [them] to alter the form anyway. What WOULD BE a criminal offense would be refusing to issue the marriage license for reasons other than lack of proof of identity or age. The statute does cover that. But it is irrelevant. He can ask them to be sure before they sign it that everything on the application is true and correct.”
I also received this statement Thursday from Chuck Smith, executive director of Equality Texas, and Nick Hudson of Texas for Marriage:
“If the Supreme Court rules in favor of freedom and families, we know that many clerks across Texas will begin issuing licenses in accordance with their oath to uphold the United States Constitution — without delay and without consulting the Texas Attorney General’s press statements. Texas is ready for marriage.”
And this from Neel Lane, an attorney for same-sex couples challenging Texas’ same-sex marriage ban:
“The attorney general will have no standing to delay the issuance of marriage licenses if the Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is the law of the land. Attorney generals aren’t supposed to be in the business of praying but in the business of interpreting the law, and in this case the Supreme Court is going to be quite clear when it rules. Clerks should not delay any further.”
The post Texas AG Ken Paxton Begs County Clerks Not To Issue Marriage Licenses To Gay Couples appeared first on Towleroad.
John Wright
Texas AG Ken Paxton Begs County Clerks Not To Issue Marriage Licenses To Gay Couples
Hillcrest
Patrick Macnee Dies; 'Avengers' Star Was Son of Lesbian Mother
Patrick Macnee Dies; 'Avengers' Star Was Son of Lesbian Mother
Macnee was best known as the dapper spy John Steed in the gay-beloved 1960s series The Avengers.
Trudy Ring
www.advocate.com/obituaries/2015/06/25/patrick-macnee-dies-avengers-star-was-son-lesbian-mother
Gay Man Recalls Homophobic Nurse Trying to Sabotage Baby's Adoption by Him and His Partner (VIDEO)
Gay Man Recalls Homophobic Nurse Trying to Sabotage Baby's Adoption by Him and His Partner (VIDEO)
I’m From Driftwood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit archive for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer stories. New stories are posted on the site every Wednesday.
Andy Miller and his partner were having a dream come true: They were about to be parents, and sooner than they realized. Andy explains:
[W]e talked to [the birth mother] on Tuesday. On Wednesday we made a plan to drive down to San Antonio to meet her for dinner, meet her and her family. It went very well. By the time we got back to Austin, we were told that she had picked us, and then on Thursday we were invited to come back down, because she was having a sonogram to figure out the sex of the child.
Within just a week their baby boy was born. While the birth mother was resting with the baby, Andy and his partner took a break from the hospital to get some food. When they returned from eating, they had a flurry of phone messages from the mother, crying and urging them to get back soon. A nurse had been questioning her about her decision to let a gay couple adopt her baby. Andy recalls:
[The nurse] said, “I don’t know how you’re gonna do that. Aren’t you afraid he’s gonna hate you for doing that?”
And she said, “Well, that’s really not any of your business.”
And the nurse just kept going on and on, asking questions about, “Aren’t you afraid those boys are gonna hurt that baby? Aren’t you afraid that he’s not gonna grow up and be normal?”
Fortunately, the birth mother did not fall for the nurse’s fear mongering and still chose Andy and Brian as adoptive parents. From that point on, the day was full of tears — happy ones:
[W]e were sitting down there with my mother and being very calm, trying our best, and when our social worker came off the elevator and just kind of flashed us the [thumbs-up], all three of us just kind of broke down in tears at that point.
WATCH:
If you’re a gay or bisexual man interested in becoming a father, check out The Handsome Father for assistance in navigating whatever process you choose in becoming a dad.
For more stories, visit I’m From Driftwood, the LGBTQ Story Archive.
— 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.
State Department Report Documents LGBT Human Rights Violations
Jesse Metcalfe Sings Country, Aaron Taylor-Johnson Shows His Coin Slot, Plus Dancing Twins!
Jesse Metcalfe Sings Country, Aaron Taylor-Johnson Shows His Coin Slot, Plus Dancing Twins!
That brilliantly-talented John Cameron Mitchell, creator-star of boundary-pushing works of art such as Hedwig & the Angry Inch and Shortbus, will join the ranks of John Waters and John Schlesinger as recipient of the 19th annual Outfest Achievement Award next month.
Longtime friend of the community Russell Brand showed his LGBT support yet again.
Unlikely though it may seem, given my outfit – RTing this helps gays. Homeless charity gets a quid. #poweredbypride pic.twitter.com/XrDVDBHc2R
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) June 23, 2015
2014 Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst has landed the German cover of Rolling Stone. 
Amazon has renewed its zeitgeist-y series Transparent for a third season even before the second has aired.
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The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles showed entertainer Britney Spears how it’s done with their rendition of “Work Bitch.”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson let his trousers slip during a photo shoot for Flaunt mag. 
Actress Rose McGowan, who is just all kinds of awesome, got fired by her agent for complaining about a sexist casting notice for a stupid Adam Sandler movie. 
Here’s something to help you get through the rest of the work week: the footloose and fancy-free Brothers Rocha.
Jesse Metcalfe is more than just a pretty puss. He’s also a singer in Hallmark’s upcoming film A Country Wedding, in which he croons “Cowboy Rides Away.”
Jeremy Kinser
Grand, Wet, and Wild: Explore the Range of Great Outdoor Spots in Las Vegas
Grand, Wet, and Wild: Explore the Range of Great Outdoor Spots in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has plenty to offer LGBT travelers by way of nightlife, dining, luxe hotels, great events, and a host of places to tie the knot. But LGBT visitors also flock to Vegas for its many outdoor activities.
Whether you’re a nature-lover, a pool-goer, or a sight-seer, check out our guide to the best Vegas has to offer by way of the great outdoors below:
Hike and Explore
Start your outdoor adventure at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Just a few miles west of Las Vegas, this park has a whopping 195,819 acres of natural beauty situated within the Mojave Desert. Exploring the park’s extensive trail system, you’ll discover the park’s eponymous geological formations and beautiful wildlife. You can also take a scenic drive through Red Rock Canyon, allowing you to take in more sight-seeing in a single day.
Further north lies Valley of Fire State Park. It’s Nevada’s oldest state park, named for the rock formations that appear to catch fire when the light hits them just right. The natural wonders here date back 150 million years to the time when dinosaurs roamed free. You’ll want to check out the rock art left behind by the Anasazi who once came here to hunt, gather and hold religious ceremonies.
Grand Canyon Tours
Getting to the Grand Canyon is easy when staying in Vegas. Helicopters, planes, Hummers, VIP mini coaches, pontoon boats and ATVs are all at your disposal to tour one of nature’s most majestic sites. While the Grand Canyon’s south rim is open all year long the north rim is open only from mid-May to mid-October, making now the perfect time to go.
The Ultimate Pool Destination
Temptation Sundays at the Luxor (above), one of the biggest ongoing gay pool parties happening on the Strip, plays host to gay visitors and locals alike every Sunday from 1-7 PM now through September 27. Named Vegas’ best gay party last year, the Luxor Pool brings in resident and guest DJs and a full calendar of events to keep pool-goers entertained. If you’re looking for a more serene pool experience, check out the two outdoor pools at Four Seasons. With one pool dedicated as adults only, the Four Seasons guarantees tranquility and elegance. Meanwhile, the Palms Pool and Dayclub, a two acre pool complex with three bars, 27 cabanas, DJs, live music, a wading pool, capacity for up to 3,000 and ultra posh two-story bungalows each with its own private lawn, pool, fireplace and bedroom, embodies the maxim that “bigger is better.”
The Tank and Hideout Pools at Golden Nugget (above) in the city’s downtown neighborhood are perfect for ‘Shark Week’ lovers, with a giant shark tank in the middle of the pool. Guests can take a ride through the tank in a waterslide that descends three stories into the pool below. Head to the Flamingo GO Pool for a tropical oasis of pools connected by lagoons that surround a cascading waterfall. If, on the other hand, you’re feeling more in the mood for an Italian retreat, Bellagio’s five luxurious pools will make you feel as if you’re at a Roman villa. Hand-carved Italian-style stone fountains and Mediterranean-designed tile ornament the grounds. Misting systems will keep you cool at the whirlpools, cabanas, and Pool Café when the temperature spikes.
Outdoor Dining
Al fresco dining on the Strip feels like dining on the Champs Elysees when you’re at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas, a bistro en francais. Border Grill at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino meanwhile features bold and authentic Mexican flavor cuisine from Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger which you can enjoy under the palms on the restaurant’s patio for lunch or dinner. But if a view is what you’re looking for, look no further than The Country Club at Wynn Las Vegas. This contemporary take on the American steakhouse helmed by James Beard-nominated Chef Carlos Guía provides breathtaking views of the Wynn Golf Club’s fairways and 18th hole waterfall.
Attractions Galore
Vegas’ shows and attractions don’t only take place indoors. The famous Fountains of Bellagio offer a complimentary water show unlike any the world has ever seen. Taking place throughout the day and night, the fountains dance to a variety of music, including everything from Pavarotti to Tiësto to Sinatra. For outdoor shopping, head to the Downtown Container Park. Made completely of shopping containers stacked upon each other, this venue boasts boutiques, restaurants, and a kids play area within striking distance of vibrant Fremont Street. Cap off your Vegas experience with the Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Las Vegas. Ascend 450 feet into the air and take in the city’s landmarks on this half-sized replica of the Parisian original.
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Towleroad
Grand, Wet, and Wild: Explore the Range of Great Outdoor Spots in Las Vegas