Love, Simon’s Joey Pollari: Every Love Story Is a Coming Out Story
The former Disney star discusses his role in the groundbreaking gay teen movie, as well as his own journey of self-discovery.
www.advocate.com/film/2018/3/13/love-simons-joey-pollari-every-love-story-coming-out-story
Dying man’s family told his blood and tissues are too gay for donation
“She told me they couldn’t take Corey’s heart valves or corneas because of his lifestyle.”
My Wild Weekend Uncovering the Simple Splendor of Key West: Gay Travel Diary
On Sundays in Key West, there’s nowhere better to be than the pool at Island House. Photo courtesy Island House
Tennessee Williams once described Key West as “a haven for those who choose to drop out of conventional society.” A favorite destination for writers like Williams, Ernest Hemingway and Elizabeth Bishop, Key West has long drawn creative spirits to enjoy the relaxed “come as you are” mentality against its beautiful backdrop.
It’s an unshakable ethos that’s been distilled down to the island town’s slick marketing tagline, “Close to perfect, far from normal,” but having spent a long weekend in Key West recently, that irresistible creative energy truly permeates the entire area.
Escaping the most recent bomb cyclone, I arrived at Key West International Airport after a mere 20 minute flight from Miami. Greeted by a sign welcoming me to the “Conch Republic” — a tongue in cheek reference to Key West’s brief secession in the early 1980s — it’s the first indication travelers are about to enter an utterly unique environment.
At the center of the island’s gay community is Island House, an all-male, clothing-optional resort around which it seems the city’s daily social activities revolve. Happy hour, offering complimentary top-shelf drinks to guests from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., draws lodgers as well as locals to mix and mingle in Speedos or less. The friendly (and, sure, at times frisky) atmosphere guarantees plenty of eye candy, and, once the vodka really gets going, enough buff bodies to render Island House’s complimentary in-room porn channels a bit redundant.
This would be my home base for a wild four days.
In the event of an emergency, your cocktail can’t be used a flotation device, but it’s still worth bringing in the pool. Photo courtesy Island House
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous at first. I’m typically not one to disrobe in such a public manner. I wouldn’t even put a shirtless picture on Instagram normally. Plus, I was traveling alone. Or, I should say, I was arriving alone, because the first thing you notice about Key West is just how easy it is to make friends.
Maybe it’s the gorgeous weather, or maybe it’s the magic of that many gay men together, but whatever the impetus, this is the kind of place where all those maddening subcategories and Grindr tribes feel like they’re falling away. From the moment of my arrival at Island House, I was striking up conversations with men of all ages, shapes and backgrounds. There was a testicular cancer survivor who has turned his struggle into a fascinating photography project, a symphony clarinetist, a retired school teacher, lawyers, dancers, all laughing and chatting, sharing coming out stories or just thoughts on the latest RuPaul’s Drag Race twist.
By my second day on the island, I couldn’t walk down the street without someone shouting my name to greet me.
At night, the gay bars down the town’s main thoroughfare, Duval Street, come alive. Nestled between shops selling tacky tourist T-shirts, drag queens and go-go boys hustle up business on the sidewalks, mingling with gay and straight visitors without anyone batting an eye. The bars fill with familiar faces, now wearing only slightly more clothes than poolside hours earlier, and yet, the vibe is more Cheers than Cruising.
Not that sex is hard to come by, either. If you’re looking, you’ll easily find it late nights at the Island House. However, if that’s not your thing, you can just as easily enjoy a nightcap at the 24-hour poolside bar and café, or hit the hay on the cloud-like beds. Like most everything in Key West, you’re free to do what you want with little fuss or judgment.
Ernest Hemingway’s writing room is a small space above the carriage house, but a worthy stop while touring the Hemingway Home.
It’s tempting to spend the days lounging in the sun, but there’s plenty to see. A trip to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, a staggeringly beautiful house once occupied by the author of A Farewell to Arms, The Old Man and the Sea and more. A tour of the property takes less than hour, and it features several sightings of the famous polydactyl (extra-toed) cats, descendants of Hemingway’s own pet.
Tear yourself away from soaking up the sun just long enough to peruse the easily-digestible Tennessee Williams Exhibit.
It’s also worth venturing to the Tennessee Williams Key West Exhibit, a small, but expertly curated space not far from the Hemingway House. The self-guided tour features lots of memorabilia, replicas and video clips. It’s the kind of cultural outing that’s easily digestible, without the stress of elbowing through hordes of tourists.
Between boys, booze and brunch, it’s worth making room in your schedule for the butterflies at the Butterfly Conservatory’s enchanting garden path.
I was a bit surprised to find my favorite attraction was the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. As a grizzled New Yorker, I tend to prefer my paradises paved, so I had come into the space assuming it would be, at best, a fun spot for travelers with kids, perhaps. How wrong I was. The gorgeous gardens are home to the most striking creatures. Massive, saucer-sized blue morpho butterflies swoop through the air. A pair of flamingos, Rhett and Scarlett, preen and pose. Tiny quail scurry across the path. One begins to feel like a Disney princess.
The only thing more charming than the blissful stroll through the Conservatory garden is chatting with one of its founders, George Fernandez. As the owner of one of the city’s many gay owned and operated businesses, the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is just one example of the way the gay community is woven so deeply into the character of Key West.
Need a Key West hangover cure? Order the lobster benedict and two mimosas at Banana Café, and call me in the morning.
If you’re planning a weekend trip, I recommend extending your stay through at least Monday, because Sundays are special on the island. First off, you’re a fool if you miss brunch. The city boasts a bevy of stellar restaurants that could comfortably serve beside the best other cities have to offer. There’s always some delicious seafood on the menu, whether it’s the lobster benedict at Banana Café or the can’t-miss, house-cured smoked salmon benedict at Azur. You won’t have to worry about drinking alone, either. Even as I often booked tables for one, it was only a matter of time before I had befriended folks at the tables to either side. Brunch is always better with friends, after all.
At no point during my stay at Island House did I worry about tan lines.
Sunday afternoons get started at Island House with a killer pool party. Music plays, free (deadly delicious) shots make their way around the pool and a raffle commences. Again, it’s a healthy mix of not just the resort guests, but local guys as well. It’s high-energy, but, like most things in Key West, very casual. No shirt, no shoes, (no shorts, no swimsuit), no problem.
Dancing shoes are a must for La Te Da’s Sunday tea dance.
The party appears to move en masse between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to La Te Da for the weekly afternoon tea dance. A DJ spins classic disco tunes while patrons, spanning generations, shake their booties with reckless abandon. It’s all the fun of the dancefloor without an ounce of attitude. Folks are breaking it down in swimsuits and cargo shorts, and everyone is throwing arms around one another, shouting every lyric.
The relaxed atmosphere makes packing for a trip to Key West super easy. (If you’re staying at Island House, you barely have to pack clothing.) However, the one thing to be sure to leave at home is pretense. Whether you’re traveling from a small town or big city, Key West is the place to bring your friends and partners for a chance to leave societal pressures behind and connect with a friendly swath of the gay community.
But rest assured, even if, like me, you’re traveling alone, you can always depend on the kindness of strangers.
The post My Wild Weekend Uncovering the Simple Splendor of Key West: Gay Travel Diary appeared first on Towleroad.
My Wild Weekend Uncovering the Simple Splendor of Key West: Gay Travel Diary
Trump Replaces Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with Anti-LGBTQ Mike Pompeo
Today, HRC released the following statement condemning Trump’s decision to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with anti-LGBTQ Mike Pompeo.
“Mike Pompeo’s longstanding opposition to LGBTQ equality makes him a reckless choice to lead our nation’s diplomatic efforts,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The decision to nominate anti-LGBTQ Mike Pompeo could have serious consequences for the United States and LGBTQ people around the globe. The State Department has a crucial role to play in advancing human rights — a role which was already rapidly declining under Tillerson. This decision has the potential to make a dire situation even worse. Pompeo does not deserve to be confirmed.”
Pompeo’s attacks on LGBTQ equality are long and well-documented: he opposes marriage equality, and, as a member of Congress, co-sponsored legislation to allow states to not recognize same-sex marriage and to allow businesses and organizations using taxpayer dollars a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people. Equally as troubling, his political career has been funded by anti-LGBTQ hate groups, including the Family Research Council.
Care provider uses Skype to foster sense of belonging and wellbeing
Award-winning not-for-profit Somerset Care recognizes that people have basic needs: to feel safe, accepted, loved, and a sense of belonging. They also see that the use of technology in care can help support these needs—as well as improve health and wellbeing. With a vision to enhance care with technology, the organization has been using Skype in their care homes for over 10 years.
Somerset Care provides residential, nursing, and specialist dementia care—as well as support for adults with complex needs—in homes across England’s Somerset county and the Isle of Wight. They understand how to assist with basic needs—and beyond.
So, in 2013, Somerset Care sought even more insight into the use of technology in care. They took part in a social experiment to learn how to bolster social inclusion and wellbeing in older people. One-hundred-twenty people over the age of 65 took part in this project, which brought social media platforms—including Skype, email, and Facebook—to participants who had never before used social media or a computer. “Skype was the most used and enjoyed platform, closely followed by Facebook and then email,” says Jason Shaw of Somerset Care. Sixty of the participants continued with no use of technology, but the other participants were ready to incorporate social media and computers into their lives.
“Each of our care homes has computers for the residents to use as they please, and we’ve since invested in hand-held tablets. Our residents use these in a variety of ways, including Skype, playing games, and emailing relatives,” says Jason. “Two of our care homes have recently started to make Skype calls with each other, meaning that residents from the care homes can chat together and form new friendships.”
And Somerset Care is fully on board with this enterprise. Thanks to the findings of that 2013 social experiment and research project, they have since employed a full-time “Care Technologist,” a role that provides support to their care homes and residents using a variety of technologies. Technology in Care Workshops have been crafted, too, and rolled out to the homes, including one dedicated specifically to the use of Skype in care.
Residents especially enjoy the ability to contact their friends and family members. “It’s particularly useful when a resident has first moved into a care home,” says Jason, “as this can be unsettling for the resident and their family.” Many of the success stories speak for themselves.
“We encourage our residents to experiment with technology to find out what works best for them,” Jason continues. “One of our residents wanted to use Skype to connect with her daughter on a more regular basis. She’s hard of hearing and relies on lip reading and body language. … The issue was solved using the instant message function. During Skype video calls, her daughter will type instead of talking, and the resident then verbally responds.”
We love hearing how you use Skype to enhance the experiences of those around you. To share your story, just tag us @Skype on social media, and we might feature you.
*Images courtesy of Somerset Care.
The post Care provider uses Skype to foster sense of belonging and wellbeing appeared first on Skype Blogs.
#AM_Equality Tipsheet: March 13, 2018
REXIT: TRUMP FIRES SEC OF STATE TILLERSON, REPLACES WITH ANTI-LGBTQ MIKE POMPEO: In the latest firing of a top member of his administration, Donald Trump has ousted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and named anti-LGBTQ CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Pompeo’s attacks on LGBTQ equality is long and well-documented: he opposes marriage equality, and, as a member of Congress, co-sponsored efforts to allow states to not recognize same-sex marriage and to allow nonprofit businesses and organizations using taxpayer dollars a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people. Equally as troubling, his political career has been funded by anti-LGBTQ hate groups, including the Family Research Council. More from The Washington Post.
BREAKING: Trump fires Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, replaces him with anti-LGBTQ Mike Pompeo. t.co/V4Mchh7PF5
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 13, 2018
BETSY DEVOS’S DISTURBING COMMENTS ON CAMPUS SEXUAL VIOLENCE: In a baffling interview with “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl (@LesleyRStahl), U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Sunday exhibited a blatant misunderstanding of instances of sexual assault on campus, dangerously and inaccurately suggesting that false accusations are similar in number to instances of sexual assault. This is just the latest in DeVos’s specious attacks on the rights of sexual assault survivors: last September, she rescinded Obama administration guidelines underscoring key Title IX protections for sexual assault survivors. More from HuffPost and Vox.
TUESDAY TAKEDOWN: WE HAVE THE RECEIPTS — HERE’S WHY DAN LIPINSKI IS SO VERY, VERY WRONG FOR IL’S 3RD DISTRICT: HRC lays bare U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski’s anti-equality record as we head into the Democratic primary on Tuesday, March 20. Check out four reasons why Lipinski is a rubber stamp for the despicable Trump-Pence administration, and why the people of Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District deserve a true leader — HRC-endorsed Marie Newman. Read all about it at HRC.
HRC TO CT LEGISLATORS — DON’T POLITICIZE CONFIRMATION OF OPENLY GAY CONNECTICUT JUDGE: “Connecticut is on the verge of making history with the potential confirmation of Andrew McDonald as Chief Justice, who would be the first openly LGBTQ chief justice of a state Supreme Court,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “Connecticut’s leading legal voices all agree that McDonald is highly qualified and should be judged on his qualifications, acumen, experience and character.” More from HRC.
TO-DO LIST — CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS AND VOICE YOUR SUPPORT FOR EQUALITY: As legislative sessions get underway in state capitols across the country, HRC is tracking more than 110 anti-LGBTQ bills and more than 159 pro-equality bills introduced in state legislatures. Check out these major updates from Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Washington from HRC.
GOOD NEWS — CITIES & STATES CREATING MORE INCLUSIVE PAID FAMILY LEAVE POLICY: The AP’s Jennifer Peltz (@jennpeltz) reports on the encouraging trend. Recently, HRC released a major national survey of LGBTQ people’s experiences with taking both paid and unpaid leave from work. The U.S. is the only industrialized country without government mandated paid leave and only a few states guarantee paid leave, forcing too many to risk losing their job to care for themselves or a loved one. More from The Associated Press.
FOR 75,000 LGBTQ DREAMERS, LIVING OPENLY MEANS HAVING TO COME OUT TWICE: More from Detroit Free Press.
GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS
COLOMBIA ELECTS FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ SENATOR: Openly bisexual Angélica Lozano of the Green Alliance was elected to the senate, after serving as a congresswoman and member of the Bogotá City Council. More from Washington Blade.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR — ONE YEAR OF ANTI-LGBTQ MURDERS IN CHECHNYA: April 1 will mark one year since the purge of LGBTQ people in Chechnya was first reported by Novaya Gazeta. Question to ask: why hasn’t the Trump-Pence administration done more to end this violence? More from EU Observer.
IN INTERVIEW, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO GHANA EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE: More from Peace FM.
READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
HRC talks to HRC HIV 360° Fellows Ashley Young and Erika Usui about their work for National Women and Girls HIV and AIDS Awareness Day; Advocate reflects on the life of Donald Zarda, the subject of a court case challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation; Out & About Nashville takes a behind-the-scene look at the Mexican LGBTQ web series, ‘Con Lugar’; Middle East Eye highlights a pro-equality mural in Iraq
www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-march-13-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Twinkles
Julie Bracken posted a photo:
Twinkle twinkle little pie,
You squash my willpower like a fly.
You look so innocent and so sweet,
Convince my lips that we should meet.
You are a relentless flirt,
Oh no, we had indecent dessert.
~Michael Hack
Makeup and styling by the talented Kelayla of www.transvista.co.uk/
DSC05059
9 Feb 18
Seth Meyers Destroys Betsy DeVos: ‘Trump Knows High I.Q. Individuals!’ – WATCH
Seth Meyers examined the latest goings-on in Trumpland last night, starting with a look at Trump’s unhinged Pennsylvania rally, where he went ostensibly to support Republican Rick Saccone, but ended up hardly mentioning him.
“Trump’s like the friend that you invite to your karaoke birthday party who shows up late, doesn’t bring a gift, and then sings ‘Stairway To Heaven’ ten times in a row.”
At the rally, Trump implied he’s got dirt on Oprah (“he talks about Oprah the way Lex Luther talks about Superman”), called Chuck Todd a “sleeping son of a bitch,” and accused Maxine Waters of being “a very low IQ individual.”
“And Trump knows high IQ individuals,” Meyers added, “like his Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.”
Meyers then played DeVos’s disastrous 60 Minutes interview.
Quipped Meyers: “F minus. F minus. She’s the highest ranking education official in the country and she acts like the substitute teacher who’s just realizing her U.S. history isn’t up to speed.”
Meyers then headed back to Trump’s behavior at the rally.
“Trump is, of course, so obsessed with earning the praise and validation of the media, that at one point during his rant on North Korea, he literally just started rambling nonsensically about President Obama, claiming Obama would not have been able to arrange a meeting with Kim Jong-un.”
Added Meyers: “Just mumbling Obama’s name — like ‘Obama’ was the name of his childhood sled. His presidential diaries are going to look like the manuscript from The Shining. Of course, one major difference between Obama and Trump is that for Trump the presidency isn’t actually a job, it’s just a performance. And on Saturday, he defended his performance by playing make believe on stage and acting out what it would be like if he were less unhinged and more subdued as president.”
Meyers then played a clip of Trump mocking a real president by acting presidential.
“I have to say, he might be the only white comedian who does a white guy voice…But Trump’s ranting about North Korea and being presidential tells us a lot about his shock announcement last week that he had agreed to a summit meeting with Kim Jong-un. Now it’s undeniably better to be on a path toward peace than a ramp-up to war. And if Trump somehow manages to fall ass-backwards into a peaceful resolution with North Korea, then that is absolutely a good thing. And if that happens, I will be the first to admit, okay, he wasn’t Darth Vader, he was Mr. Bean.”
Watch:
The post Seth Meyers Destroys Betsy DeVos: ‘Trump Knows High I.Q. Individuals!’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Seth Meyers Destroys Betsy DeVos: ‘Trump Knows High I.Q. Individuals!’ – WATCH
Leather Leopard
jessicajane9 posted a photo:
Leather skirt, jacket, boots and gloves with leopard print accessories ♥
Florida Gun Control Bill Gets Mixed Response From LGBT Activists
Still reeling from Pulse, some queer gun control advocates say the measures don’t go far enough; others are grateful for any movement.
www.advocate.com/crime/2018/3/13/florida-gun-control-bill-gets-mixed-response-lgbt-activists
