SamPoses Eternal Kiss
FreyaCromwellSL posted a photo:
SamPoses is at The Avenue with the Eternal Kiss pose. This pose is EXCLUSIVE so swing by and pick it up!
Taxi: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whispering%20Winds/60/207/22
Blog Post: cromwellcastle.tumblr.com/post/157945915352/featured-prod…
95-year-old comes out as gay in powerful must-see video
Roman’s story is very complex. On one hand, it’s the triumphant story of a 95 year old man coming out of the closet – and shedding the weight of a nine-decade secret. That is certainly something worth celebrating!
On the other hand, Roman’s story is also deeply emotional and, at times, quite difficult. At some level, it’s the story of lost opportunities. You can’t help but wonder, had the circumstances been different, how Roman’s story could have ended differently. And you also feel for Roman’s wife. While they undoubtedly loved each other in a deep way, both Roman and his wife deserve passion and sexual intimacy. Did they have that despite Roman being gay? I don’t know.
But despite the story’s complexity, Roman’s desire to feel the heartbeat of someone who loves him is fundamentally human. It’s a simple yearning that drives all of us. In it, we see Roman’s humanity. And we see ourselves.
I think there’s a lot to take from this video.
There’s a sense of history in understanding how far we’ve come, and the struggles that this man must have experienced.
There’s gratitude for the LGBT people who marched and rallied and bleed and sweat so that today’s world is different – and that fewer people feel compelled to live in the shadows or closets.
But there’s also raw humanity. Whether you are queer or not, listening to Roman stirs something in all of us. And at a time when the world often feels divisive and divided, it’s good to be reminded of our common humanity.
New Orleans LGBTQ Citizens’ Backwards Parade Sends Powerful Message About Having Rights Reversed : WATCH
New Orleans Tourism launched its “Always Open” campaign in tandem with its marquee Mardi Gras celebration this week to welcome the LGBTQ community in particular to the city.
Proclaiming NOLA a home for diversity and equality, the city held a first-ever “Reverse Parade” on February 12 in order to proclaim its commitment to the hard-won rights LGBTQ activists have achieved, especially in the face of potential rollbacks under Trump:
Through word of mouth, some four hundred citizens gathered and volunteered their time to create a message of diversity and equality. Donning full make-up, Mardi Gras garb, beads, or just plain clothes, the New Orleans community and its supporters marched backwards in a symbolic gesture shedding colorful clothing and masks along the way. Everything stopped, quiet ensued, then a flag appeared stating “We Are Never Going Back.” Music filled the streets as participants marched forward in celebration.
Volunteers offered their enthusiasm for the event and the city in a behind-the-scenes video. “It’s a great place to celebrate—you don’t have to be afraid of who you are,” said one, while another proclaimed the Big Easy an “[LGBTQ] hub since the time of Tennessee Williams.”
New Orleans Tourism, in conjunction with agency 360i, released a highlights video of the event, directed by Trent Jaklitsch and accompanied by the following message:
After years of positive advancement for LGBTQ rights in this country, the New Orleans tourism community wants to send a message of hospitality to all visitors. We will always be welcoming and continue to move forward.
The post New Orleans LGBTQ Citizens’ Backwards Parade Sends Powerful Message About Having Rights Reversed : WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
New Orleans LGBTQ Backwards Parade Sends Powerful Message About Having Rights Reversed : WATCH
Bisexual Daughter of Conservative Radio Host: LGBTQ Southerners Must Tell Our Stories
Brandi Burgess is the bisexual daughter of the popular syndicated radio show co-host Rick Burgess, of the Rick & Bubba show. Earlier this year, Brandi wrote a column for AL.com that caused a minor media frenzy in Alabama where her dad’s show tapes and where he is a morning radio fixture. In the column, Brandi came out as bisexual, and a very public rift grew between her and her father.
This rift was not always there — growing up, Brandi was often featured as a “character” on her father’s radio show. She was known by his wide audience throughout her life, but now, Brandi and her father hardly speak.
Following the column, Rick spoke negatively about Brandi on his radio show. Now, Brandi is speaking out again. She believes that the best way to fight stigma and intolerance in the South is to wholeheartedly embrace who you are, and use that self-assurance to educate others on what it means to be LGBTQ.
Brandi spoke to HRC about her childhood, growing up as an LGBTQ southerner and the rejection she received from her father for fully embracing herself.
Brandi’s story is shockingly common throughout the South, and especially among religious families — when LGBTQ people come out, they can face rejection from their families who claim to be more worried about their “salvation” than their happiness in this life. But, Brandi says, open communication can help change this reality. So, that’s where she’s starting.
Watch Brandi’s compelling story:
Daughter of Conservative Radio Host Talks LGBTQ Acceptance in the South
Brandi Burgess is the daughter of Rick Burgess, the co-host of the Rick & Bubba show, a popular, syndicated morning radio show. Throughout her life, Brandi was a “character” on the show, as part of Rick’s family — until she came out as bisexual. Now, Brandi and Rick are at an impasse in their relationship, which has played out over the media and in detail on Rick’s show. Brandi felt it was important to share her story, both as a bisexual daughter of a conservative father and as an LGBTQ southerner.
Fashion Friday: Gruff Pup Puts On the Dog
www.advocate.com/photography/2017/3/03/fashion-friday-gruff-pup-puts-dog
WATCH: Sandra Oh and Anne Heche caught in a bloody Catfight!
Leading this edition of our biweekly What To Watch column – featuring highlights you can see in movie theaters, on VOD/DVD, and via TV, cable and streaming services – Sandra Oh and Anne Heche whip out their claws and get dirty in the aptly named Catfight.
Now for the trailers, clips, and details!
In Theaters
(Opens March 3)
Stars Sandra Oh and Anne Heche help writer/director Onur Tukel’s revenge-y black comedy live up to its title. Heche plays Ashley, a lesbian artist whose lack of success is beginning to wear thin on her girlfriend (Alicia Silverstone), while Oh portrays Veronica, a SoHo trophy wife. Once friends at college, the long separated – by years and now social standing – pair reunite while Ashley is playing cater waiter at Veronica’s party, which opens up old wounds, a violent fight and coma for one of the women, and a She Devil-level feud with two more deliciously epic catfight sequences that are alone worth the price of admission. Also available on VOD same day.
(Opens March 3 at NYC’s Village East Cinema)
Openly gay Singaporean director Boo Junfeng has truly come of artistic age with this twisty yet subdued, beautifully shot feature. Screened at Cannes last year, Apprentice tells the story of a young prison guard, Aiman, who is drafted as apprentice to the seasoned resident executioner, Rahim. While he literally learns the ropes – death by hanging entails Singapore’s form of capital punishment – and Aiman grows closer to Rahim, we learn that the pair share a personal and complicated secret connection which could lead to serious consequences if and when it comes out…
(Opens March 3 at Village East NYC; March 10 at Laemmle Monica, L.A.)
Director Eddie Rosenstein gets intimate with some of the movers and shakers in the landmark SCOTUS case that finally brought us marriage equality including Evan Wolfson of Freedom To Marry, civil right attorney Mary Bonauto, and her plaintiffs, April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse (one of the three cases ultimately consolidated into Obergefell v. Hodges). Considering how GOP members are already starting to look into multi-pronged strategy to take away this equality – via conservative SCOTUS appointments and a new case to challenge the decision, and even a constitutional amendment – this documentary is still timely and, when we need it, inspiring
DVD/VOD
($26.95 DVD; Wolfe)
The debut feature from director Andrew Steggall, this British import sees a 15-year-old boy come of age… and queerness. The drama begins when teenager Elliott (newcomer Alex Lawther) and his mother Beatrice (amazing Juliet Stevenson) journey to the South of France, where they have a rural home that, in the wake of Beatrice’s divorce, must be emptied and sold. It’s a melancholy, even despairing affair until a handsome French lad, Clement, enters the picture, dividing his attentions between the mother and yearning son, which actually sparks off a bit of jealousy… Serious family drama, with a little eye candy of course! Extras include interviews.
($39.99 Blu-ray, $29.98 DVD; 20th Century Fox)
Natalie Portman earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of America’s most iconic first wife – and, tragically, widow – in Chilean director Pablo Larrain’s character-driven chamber piece. Told largely through a flashback framed by an interview with a reporter (Billy Crudup), the film focuses on the immediate aftermath of JFK’s 1963 assassination, from personal minutiae to the political machinery. A deep, beautiful, moving and gorgeously mounted work. Extras include a featurette and commentary.
($32.99 Blu-ray, $27.99 DVD; Strand Releasing)
André Téchiné’s best films revolve around young gay men – evidence Wild Reeds (1994), The Witnesses (2007), and his latest, Being 17, which charts the uneasy relationship between two high school students, Damien and Thomas, in a French mountainside town. Routinely getting into scraps at school, the pair is nonetheless forced together when Thomas’ mother gets sick and Damien’s mother, a doctor, takes in the young man. Now Damien is forced to not only confront but reveal the source of his tension – a massive, lusty crush – with the other boy. Is the feeling mutual? Not your typical gay coming-of-age yarn, this is an engrossing, authentic (the script was co-written by Tomboy‘s Celine Sciamma) work indeed.
(VOD)
The progressive, very queer city of Columbus, Ohio is home to a wealth of vibrant drag and transgender talents, eight of which are subject of this documentary by Gabrielle Burton. The performers profiled include drag king troupe leader Becky, aka The Rev; West Family drag queen mother Chris, aka Virginia West; and label-defying Sile Singleton, a founder of Columbus’ International Drag King Extravaganza conference. Make this the Midwestern half of a double-feature with NYC-set Kiki!
($39.99 Blu-ray, $29.99 DVD; Criterion)
The latest feature by director Andrew Haigh, of HBO’s Looking and gay modern classic Weekend, represents a major change in subject matter – a heterosexual relationship – yet resonates and lingers just as deeply. Based on a David Constantine story, “In Another Country,” Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay star as Kate and Geoff Mercer, a 70-something childless couple about to celebrate their 45th anniversary. When a letter arrives, informing Geoff that the body of his previous lover, Katya, has been found in Switzerland after her disappearance decades earlier, he becomes possessed by her memory, while Kate makes a discovery or two that threaten to undermine their relationship. Extras for this Criterion Collection edition include a documentary, an interview with Constantine, an audio commentary and more.
TV/Cable/Streaming
(CBS All Access)
While it’s downright scummy that CBS is trying to have it both ways as both broadcast network that make money from ads and fanchise fees, and streaming service you must pay for in order to watch some of their new shows (Star Trek is next), this spin-off of The Good Wife is certifiably awesome. Continuing the story of Christine Baranski’s power lawyer, Dianne Lockhart, whose planned retirement is cancelled when she loses everything in a Bernie Madoff-esque ponzi scheme, it also stars Rose Leslie as young lesbian attorney Maia, who happens to be daughter of the Madoff-esque character. Must see TV… but c’mon, CBS.
ALSO OUT:
Passengers
Ludwig
Aria: 30th Anniversary Edition
95-Year-Old Comes Out as Gay, and He’s Looking for Love: WATCH
Davey Wavey spoke with Roman Blank, a 95-year-old Holocaust survivor who is the subject of a forthcoming documentary, On My Way Out. Roman lived his entire life as a married, closeted gay man, and decided to begin living that truth last year.
Roman tells Davey that he’s looking for the right companion:
“Yes…I don’t care [what he looks like]. I don’t look at the face. I look at the heart. Somebody to lean against, somebody who feels the heart ticking…and nobody can do that unless you love them.”
Writes Davey:
Roman’s story is very complex. On one hand, it’s the triumphant story of a 95 year old man coming out of the closet – and shedding the weight of a nine-decade secret. That is certainly something worth celebrating!
On the other hand, Roman’s story is also deeply emotional and, at times, quite difficult. At some level, it’s the story of lost opportunities. You can’t help but wonder, had the circumstances been different, how Roman’s story could have ended differently. And you also feel for Roman’s wife. While they undoubtedly loved each other in a deep way, both Roman and his wife deserve passion and sexual intimacy. Did they have that despite Roman being gay? I don’t know.
But despite the story’s complexity, Roman’s desire to feel the heartbeat of someone who loves him is fundamentally human. It’s a simple yearning that drives all of us. In it, we see Roman’s humanity. And we see ourselves.
I think there’s a lot to take from this video.
There’s a sense of history in understanding how far we’ve come, and the struggles that this man must have experienced.
There’s gratitude for the LGBT people who marched and rallied and bleed and sweat so that today’s world is different – and that fewer people feel compelled to live in the shadows or closets.
But there’s also raw humanity. Whether you are queer or not, listening to Roman stirs something in all of us. And at a time when the world often feels divisive and divided, it’s good to be reminded of our common humanity.
Watch:
The post 95-Year-Old Comes Out as Gay, and He’s Looking for Love: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
95-Year-Old Comes Out as Gay, and He’s Looking for Love: WATCH
This 96-Year-Old Great Grandfather Proves It's Never Too Late To Come Out
At 96 years old, Roman Blank has lived through it all: he escaped the Holocaust during World War II and moved to America with his wife Ruth, who he st…
Read more: LGBT Living, Gay News, Gay Life, Coming Out, UK Lifestyle News
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: March 3, 2017
HRC CALLS ON JEFF SESSIONS TO RESIGN FOR FALSE SENATE TESTIMONY, VIOLATING PUBLIC TRUST: Following reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions gave false testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding conversations he had with Russia’s U.S. ambassador during the Trump presidential campaign, HRC yesterday called for him to resign. Sessions’ announcement that he would recuse himself from any existing or future investigations related to presidential campaigns — he didn’t even mention Russia in his recusal statement — is not enough. “The Attorney General bears a sacred responsibility for enforcing our laws, upholding the Constitution and protecting civil rights that are crucial to our community. We must be able to trust that our nation’s top law enforcement official will respect and abide by the rule of law,” said HRC President Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin). “It is now clear that Jeff Sessions gave false testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing that was misleading at best, and perjury at worst. Given that he has violated both the public trust and the law, we believe he should resign.” More from HRC. Top Democrats join call for Sessions to resign. More from The Washington Post.
Given that he has violated both the public trust and the law, @HRC believes that Jeff Sessions should resign. t.co/XDeGHCTI24
— HumanRightsCampaign (@HRC) March 2, 2017
LGBT EQUALITY CAUCUS RELAUNCHES TRANS EQUALITY TASK FORCE: Yesterday, the LGBT Equality Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives relaunched the Trans Equality Task Force at a Capitol Hill event featuring members of the caucus, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), HRC President Chad Griffin and HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride). The Task Force is chaired by Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA). Watch the launch event here. More from Metro Weekly and The Washington Blade.
Relaunch of Transgender Equality Task Force couldn’t come at more crucial time. Thanks to all our allies in Congress fighting for equality. pic.twitter.com/DkntospkUw
— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) March 2, 2017
53 MAJOR COMPANIES JOIN HRC’S AMICUS BRIEF TO #StandWithGavin AND #ProtectTransKids: Yesterday, HRC announced that 53 major U.S. companies have joined a “friend of the court” brief supporting transgender student Gavin Grimm in G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board. Grimm, a transgender boy, filed suit against the school board alleging it violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by denying him use of the boy’s restroom. The Supreme Court’s decision in this case could have far-reaching consequences for transgender students across the nation. More from USA Today and NBC.
FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: In HRC’s post-election youth survey, 57 percent of teens said that since Election Day, they more frequently feel motivated to help people in their community. Across the country, we have seen stories illustrating this point. A wonderful example is Rebekah, a 10-year-old trans girl who has been sharing her story at rallies, and calling out the Trump Administration’s unconscionable decision to rescind critical federal guidance protecting transgender students. Rebekah’s brave story and her creative protest sign have captivated the Internet. More from The Huffington Post.
10-year-old busts myth about trans people with powerful sign t.co/rmIq9cl2W7 pic.twitter.com/cl9B6uLNDs
— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) March 1, 2017
VETO THAT ANTI-LGBTQ BILL, GOV. DAUGAARD — IT HARMS KIDS: HRC and the ACLU of South Dakota are urging South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard to veto discriminatory legislation targeting LGBTQ people and other minorities. SB 149 would enshrine taxpayer-funded discrimination into state law by allowing state-funded adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ youth in their care and to reject qualified prospective LGBTQ adoptive or foster parents based on the agency’s purported religious beliefs. “We implore Governor Daugaard to veto this legislation,” said HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “Last year, when Governor Daugaard vetoed HB 1008, he stood on the right side of history and protected transgender children. He must do the same now. This legislation puts discrimination ahead of the best interests of more than a thousand children in South Dakota waiting for a loving home.” More from HRC.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA’S DISCRIMINATORY HB186 BILL– a/k/a HB2.0:
More from HRC.
IF YOU STAND WITH THE TRANS COMMUNITY, YOU MUST #StandWithPP: In addition to providing vital medical services to many in the LGBTQ community — from routinee exams and HIV and STI testing, to reproductive health services — Planned Parenthood is one of the largest providers in the U.S. of hormone replacement therapy for transgender people. Any attack on Planned Parenthood is an attack on the transgender community. More from The Guardian.
MARCH IS BISEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH: The Bisexual Resource Center announced that this year’s focus will be identifying social health disparities within the bisexual community, and taking steps to build social support and resiliency. A study conducted by the Williams Institute found that the bisexual population is the single largest group within the LGBTQ community, with about half identifying as bisexual. The Williams Institute also found that bisexual people are far less likely than their gay and lesbian counterparts to disclose their sexual orientation to their medical providers, leaving them at risk of failing to have access to a full range of medically-necessary care. More from HRC.
LITTLE TOWN, IT’S A QUIET VILLAGE, NOW HAS A GAY CHARACTER, UNLIKE THE ONE BEFORE: Disney’s live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast will feature an openly gay character — a first for Disney. More from The Hollywood Reporter.
HRC GLOBAL PARTNERS WITH LGBTQ ADVOCATES IN NICARAGUA: For the past year, HRC Global has been working shoulder to shoulder with Grupo Consultivo, an alliance of LGBTQ advocates in Nicaragua. More on this partnership from HRC.
READING RAINBOW
The New York Times reviews ‘Kiki,’ a new documentary exploring the voguing scene as a refuge for LGBTQ youth… ABC 7 interviews a local trans teen about his fears under a Trump administration…
Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!
www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-march-3-2017?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
