Trans Lives Matters and Black Lives Matters Join Forces for Justice

At the same time that the conservative backlash against the Black Lives Matter movement unfolds, new voices within BLM are attempting to rebut critics by showing that BLM is a thoughtful, peaceful protest movement that empowers transgender people, women, and all marginalized Americans. 

Fox News Channel commentator Bill O’Reily campaigned throughout the summer against the movement, charging it with “Gestapo tactics,” as he alleged in a July 29 broadcast, and insisting that BLM is antipolice. O’Reilly was joined in his attacks by Republican presidential candidates like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who allege that BLM enables crime, as Jamelle Bouie observed in Slate magazine.

But on August 29, a black queer arts and activism collective called the Each-Other Project hosted a panel discussion at the Brooklyn Ethical Society Center to discuss strategies to better highlight the experiences of transgender people and women within BLM. The panel is part of a developing documentary video project. Two black gay partners, Donja R. Love, a playwright and screenwriter, and Brandon Nick, a filmmaker, head the Each-Other Project

Reached by phone on September 1, Love and Nick described the Each-Other Project as a “community-building project” that seeks to “uplift black queer people” by bringing visibility to under-discussed issues through online storytelling and a video series featured on itswebsite and on YouTube. The recent Exploring Black Queer/Trans Lives panel is the second installment of the EOP’s “Exploring” video series. The panel was moderated by the black gay author Alex Hardy, and the panelists included Samantha Master, a member of Washington, D.C.’s Black Youth Project 100; Bryanna A. Jenkins, cofounder and director of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance; Larry Fellows III, a St. Louis native and community activist in Ferguson, Mo.; and Hari Ziyad, the editor in chief of RaceBaitR.com, an online digest devoted to antiracism work. 

The linking of Trans Lives Matters and BLM comes at a pivotal time of rising fatal violence against transgender people in the United States. Of the 20 estimated murders of transgender Americans across the country this year, 17 of the victims were transgender women of color, as The Advocate reported.

BLM began in July 2013 after George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin to death in Florida. The protest movement gained momentum after police-involved deaths of unarmed African-Americans like Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo.

In a phone interview September 2, Master, one of the panelists, described the Exploring Black Queer/Trans Lives panel as a “powerful example of intersectional framework in action. Centering women and trans lives have always been a focus of the BLM movement and our most important protest strategy is to always work within an intersectional framework.”

Master explained that the term “intersectionality” was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a University of California, Los Angeles, law professor, in a 1989 paper for the University of Chicago Legal Forum as a way to show how multiple identities like sexuality, gender, race, and class interact with each other in everyday life and in the struggle for justice. Sometimes, as Master suggested, multiple identities become multiple jeopardies. For example, while a few black trans spokespeople like Janet Mock and Laverne Cox have gained national recognition, most low-income black transgender people suffer from compounded discrimination that make it multiply difficult to obtain vital, everyday resources like employment, health care, and housing, as Master noted. 

“If we do our advocacy within an intersectional framework we ensure that people who are most at the margins are lifted up. Then we all get free,” Master said, adding, “It is the lack of an intersectional analysis that has created strong rifts within justice movements because the movement focuses on people who are most privileged and then works its way out instead of focusing on those who are most vulnerable and working our way inward.”

Of conservative commentators’ backlash against the Black Lives Matter movement, Master said, “Whenever the inviolability of human rights is asserted, there is always pushback that declares the very humanity of oppressed people, our very existence, be it black, women, queer, or trans, as attacking dominant people.”  

“The most important strategy that we have as black trans people is to stop being afraid of entering cisgender spaces and calling attention to our struggles,” said Jenkins, another Exploring Black Queer/Trans Lives panelist, in a phone interview September 2. “Too often transgender people in general and black trans people in particular are isolated. We are thought not to relate to larger ways of life, and this is not true,” Jenkins added. “We are everywhere and our ideas and lives matter.” 

Jenkins was recently featured in Baltimore Style magazine’s “Say My Name” photo essay featuring five transgender Baltimoreans who are making a difference. As part of the Baltimore Transgender Alliance, Jenkins helped organize a groundbreaking community meeting June 9 with Baltimore City State’s Attorney, Marilyn Mosby, to discuss better strategies for law enforcement to deal with transgender people. 

Jenkins noted that the Exploring Black Queer/Trans Lives panel helps combat persistent myths about BLM, including the myth that the movement does not focus on women’s lives. In an article for Cosmopolitan magazine, published online Tuesday, Brittney Cooper debunked the belief that BLM is a leaderless movement that does not center women’s lives. On the contrary, BLM’s three cofounders, Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi are black women, and women’s lives  and, indeed all multiply disadvantaged lives  ave always been the movement’s focus, something highlighted in a Fortune magazine report on a #BlogHer15 confab July 16 that featured Cullers and Tometi.

Cleis Abeni

www.advocate.com/2015/9/10/trans-lives-matters-and-black-lives-matters-join-forces-justice

'Drop Dead Perfect' Is the Perfect Twisted Homage To Classic Film and Televison

Jason Cruz and Everett Quinton star in Drop Dead Perfect. Photo: John Quilty

When Joe Brancato was growing up in the Bronx, he was the kid in the neighborhood who said, “Let’s put on a show!” So, inspired by the Hollywood classics and the golden days of television, he and his friends would stage mash-up plays on the streets that were a potpourri of whatever came to mind. There might be a dark film noir scene mixed with the latest episode of Playhouse 90 with a little Imogene Coca just to give it a twist.

When his family and neighbors applauded his work, he knew he wanted to be a director and set out for the big time in Manhattan to realize his dream. As a young director he became inspired by two distinctly diverse legendary theatres — Circle Repertory Company helmed by Marshall Mason and the Ridiculous Theatrical Company headed by Charles Ludlam. Only two blocks apart from each other in Greenwich Village, they couldn’t have been more distant in their artistic sensibilities. One celebrated lyric realism and the other iconic films, theater and opera in an outrageous over-the-top manner. He loved them both equally and their productions and vision came to influence his entire career.

And what a career it has been. His credits include work that has starred Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Madeline Kahn, Marisa Tomei, John Turturro, Laura Linney, Gina Gershon and Jane Alexander. His productions have appeared at Primary Stages, Hartford Stage Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Naked Angels and dozens more.

As a young director, he decided he wanted his own permanent theater and founded Penguin Rep Theatre in a barn in Stony Point, New York in 1977. Now in its 38th season, the theatre, which he runs with his partner Andrew M. Horn, is now one of the most influential cultural institutions in the Hudson Valley where mostly original works entertain thousands in the area and new playwrights are given their first shot at developing new work.

Right now, Brancato is directing the revival of Drop Dead Perfect written by Erasmus Fenn, also from the Bronx, a former stage magician turned playwright. The unknown writer, who only speaks to and through Brancato, came up with a work that was so uncannily reminiscent of Brancato’s early days in Greenwich Village, that he felt it deserved to be seen on stage. The play hit every note that spoke to Brancato — a darkly hilarious, madcap mystery with irreverent (and just plain filthy) double entendres, witty cultural references and risky, politically-incorrect dialogue that few theaters or directors would dare present. In other words, a true piece of work that would only have been tackled by Charles Ludlam.

The only challenge was who would play the lead character of Idris Seabright, the wealthy, murderous, broken anti-heroine with a passion to paint her subjects only if they’re perfectly still — as in dead. Drop Dead Perfect also has a twisted homage to I Love Lucy woven throughout its gothic plot and he knew only one person could play Idris, the legendary Everett Quinton. Quinton, was Ludlam’s partner and perfected the grandiose roles known as “diesel women” in Ridiculous productions which brought him international recognition, awards and is credited with as the master of the “ridiculous” style of acting. Brancato sent Fenn’s script to Quinton and the result has been rave reviews including words like “absolute rapture” and “genius” from the New York Times.

I had the honor of visiting Everett in his charming art-nouveau apartment in Greenwich Village recently to talk about the Drop Dead Perfect, now playing for a limited run at the Theatre at St. Clement’s and he explained what the appeal of these characters are and what makes them so endearing, no matter how evil they may be.

TR: How does one approach a role “ridiculously”?

EQ: You have to have a point of truth — an emotional center. Without it won’t work and it’s just over the top nonsense. It has to be broad, over the top and real. It’s high style comedy. A lot of people try to do it but they don’t quite get there. This type of role could be played by the right actress but she’d have to understand where it comes from. It’s a fun role but you’d need to know the references.  Somebody my age could do it but someone younger would need to just spend a weekend watching old movies from genre.

TR: Of all your iconic roles, where does Idris rank among them?

EQ: She is near or at the top. She’s everything I’ve ever played and then some. It is a delicious, deep and layered character. I was born to play her but as I said earlier, a wise actress should be able to step into it but it could be played by a man or women. They would need to know their history and be able to share themselves with the audience. And thank god this is an age appropriate role for me. I’m 63 years old and doing my best, juiciest role yet. I’m so grateful I was chosen for it.

TR: What do you think the audience sees in Idris that makes them sympathize with her — or do they?

EQ: I think we all just wish we could get away with murder.

TR: How is it working with this ensemble?

EQ: It’s such pure joy. My role is a stroke of good luck for me and it seems like everyone else feels that way about their character. There’s no fussing or fighting or jealousy. Everyone gives 100% and I love them all. They’re all hysterical and sometimes it’s really difficult not to laugh out loud onstage.

TR: You’ve got an international reputation for playing a certain glamorously rotten role — what’s that about?

EQ: The audience likes me in these grand, devilish roles that can be either male or female. When I was at the Ridiculous Theatrical Company, I played Lyla Balskin in Georg Osterman’s Brother Truckers and she was even more murderous than Idris and Carmen’s entire role in life is to destroy other people’s lives. She’s a destroyer. And as Mr. Hyde, also by Georg Osterman, he raped, attempted murder and was generally a bad seed. There is evil in the world and I like to play it for laughs.

TR: What do you like to do when not playing evil characters.

EQ: I go to the opera, walk Raindrop (his adorable rescue dog) and my favorite thing is to go for tea with my friends.

TR: What do you see your legacy as being?

EQ: I hope I’m just remembered as good actor and as someone who gave it a good shot.  I love the theater and grateful I got to be part of it.  I just request that people bring plastic flowers to my niche in my columbarium in Greenwood Cemetery.

Drop Dead Perfect
Playing now through October 11th
Theater at St. Clements
423 West 46th Street
New York, NY
845-786-2873
Written by Erasmus Fenn; Directed by Joe Brancato
Starring Everett Quinton, Jason Edward Cook, Jason Cruz and Timothy C. Goodwin

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Sam Champion loses morning show AMHQ on The Weather Channel

When Sam Champion left his high-profile gig on ABC’s Good Morning America at the end of 2013, he did it to become the face of The Weather Channel.

But viewers will no longer be seeing that face hosting the three-hour morning show AMHQ each weekday morning. It has been canceled in a major channel shake-up and goes off the air 30 October.

‘I still have a lot of TV work to do!! So please stay tuned,’ Champion tweeted to a concerned fan earlier today.

Champion will lead expanded weather coverage during the evening’s prime time hours and will create editorial content and host on-screen segments for the launch of a digital product called Local Now, according to Variety.

The cancelation of Champion’s show comes as the channel reduces its reality and documentary show production in favor of more live weather coverage. Fifty employees are being let go as part of the changes.

When Champion left his job as GMA weather anchor less than two years ago he wrote on Twitter: Only an amazing opportunity like this at @weatherchannel cld take me away from my @ABC family of 25 yrs and @GMA #blessedlife

Champion had joined New York’s powerhouse station WABC in 1988 and GMA in 2006 where he broadcast more than 1,800 weather forecasts.

He came out publicly in October 2012 in a New York Times article about the wedding of MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts and Patrick Abner. A few months later, Champion married photographer Rubem Robierb.

The post Sam Champion loses morning show AMHQ on The Weather Channel appeared first on Gay Star News.

Greg Hernandez

www.gaystarnews.com/article/sam-champion-loses-morning-show-amhq-on-the-weather-channel/

“Pro-Family” Crackpot Wants Gay Marriage Referred To As “Garriage”

Pat Fagan, the director of The Family Research Council‘s Marriage and Religious Research Institute, feels that opponents of marriage equality should refer to gay men’s marriage as “garriage,” and lesbian’s marriage as “larriage.” Right Wing Watch reports he proposed this in answer to Ryan T. Anderson, a marriage equality opponent who presented his new book Truth Overruled at FRC‘s office, saying:

A proposal, something along this line, that we in the pro-family movement start using related terms, but keep “marriage” for what it always was. So we might call — and this is to be worked out — but something like, if you’re talking about gay marriage you call it “garriage.” If it’s lesbian, you call it “larriage.” If you want a generic homosexual marriage, it’s “harriage.” But getting these words into use I think is key. And that will take time, but whomever holds the language ultimately holds the whole game.

Watch his ridiculous speech below.

H/t: LGBTQNation

Jeremy Kinser

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/oXMCGxDJB34/pro-family-crackpot-wants-gay-marriage-referred-to-as-garriage-20150910

News: Kim Davis, Ceres, Caitlyn Jenner, James Franco, Winds of Winter

> Hillary Clinton shares her thoughts on Kanye West’s 2020 presidential ambitions. “I would only ask him, if I were to be running for reelection, just wait.”

> Check out One Direction’s Liam Payne on the cover of Attitude.

> LISTEN: Demi Lovato’s breathtaking cover of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church”

> Captain Underpants creator nonchalantly reveals one of the children’s book series’s main characters is gay.

> Meet the self-described “straight bear” behind the hilarious Sitnexto Kim Davis parody Twitter account.

> How Kim Davis’s anti-gay crusade is upending Rowan County. “In the eastern Kentucky town at the center of the national conflict over same-sex marriage, screaming has too often replaced quiet conversation – or, more often, silence – on a subject that’s deeply personal to both sides. But a lot of people who will be here after the television trucks go away wonder what will happen once the furor fades…Until two months ago, people in this small Appalachian town had an unspoken agreement to tiptoe around each other’s sexual identities and religious beliefs.”

> The UK Labour Party will support calls for a referendum on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

> Right Wing Watch takes a look at Tony Perkins’ “breathtakingly bad” defense of Kim Davis.

> Nate Berkus and hubby Jeremiah Brent show off their beautiful Manhattan home.

> The Washington Post looks at how Google searches show America’s shifting attitude towards gay marriage.

> NASA releases new image of mysterious “bright spots” on dwarf planet Ceres.

> Gay rugby league star Keegan Hirst’s wife speaks out on why she’s proud of her husband.

> Philadelphia archdiocese makes students’ parents sign “moral integrity” pledge before Pope’s visit later this month.

> Britney Spears announces a 2-year extension of her Las Vegas show Piece of Me.

> Caitlyn Jenner expresses concerns she’ll have to go to a men’s county jail for manslaughter.

> Justin Timberlake shows off some daddy photos.

> James Franco dresses up as Carrie Bradshaw and Walter White and proceeds to have sex with himself in a bizarre mash-up video Breaking Sex.

> Anne Hathaway says she’s “impressed” with how supportive Kim Kardashian has been of Caitlyn Jenner.

> Star Wars: Episode VIII to begin filming in Ireland later this month.

> Ben Carson attacks Donald Trump’s faith and the billionaire blowhard fires back.

> On last night’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk floated the idea of nuking Mars to make the red planet more hospitable. But would it actually work?

> There are rumors that the next Game of Thrones book The Winds of Winter may be published next year.

> Shares of Krispy Kreme plummet.

The post News: Kim Davis, Ceres, Caitlyn Jenner, James Franco, Winds of Winter appeared first on Towleroad.

Kyler Geoffroy

News: Kim Davis, Ceres, Caitlyn Jenner, James Franco, Winds of Winter

Freed Trans Woman Ashley Diamond On Life Behind Bars In Men's Prison

Ashley Diamond, a transgender woman who served over three years in a Georgia men’s prison, was released in late August after years of reported mistreatment, including alleged sexual assaults and being denied hormone therapy. She spoke with HuffPost Live’s Nancy Redd on Thursday alongside Chinyere Ezie, a lead attorney on her case and staff attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center, to discuss the trauma she faced behind bars and why she wasn’t expecting her release so soon. Check it out in the video above. 

Click here to watch the full segment with Diamond here. 

Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live’s new morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!

Also on HuffPost:

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One Direction star Liam Payne poses for two separate Attitude covers

One Direction star Liam Payne’s Attitude covers have been released.

The Drag Me Down Singer poses in two separate cover shots for the publication, revealing them himself on Twitter.

The 22-year-old – who earlier this month was forced to deny that he is anti-gay – looks set to discuss ‘why homophobia should be a thing of the past’, judging by the magazine’s cover line.

The star has also appeared in a YouTube teaser video to promote his appearance on the cover, which you can watch below.

The issue will be available to buy from September 16.

For more information about Attitude, visit the official website by clicking here.

Check out my covers for @AttitudeMag pic.twitter.com/etysoDIlV0

— Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) September 10, 2015

The post One Direction star Liam Payne poses for two separate Attitude covers appeared first on Gay Star News.

Jamie Tabberer

www.gaystarnews.com/article/one-direction-star-liam-payne-poses-for-two-separate-attitude-covers/

Jim Obergefell Featured on Politico 50

Longtime HRC member Jim Obergefell was featured on the annual Politico 50 today.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/jim-obergefell-featured-on-politico-50?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Absolutely, Positively DO NOT Ask Antigay Sen. David Vitter About His Prostitution Past!

It’s not easy running for office on an antigay “family values” platform when you have a history of patronizing expensive prostitutes. Just ask Louisiana senator/gubernatorial candidate David Vitter.

In 2007, Vitter admitted to spending thousands and thousands of dollars on hookers, who he reportedly paid to dress him up in diapers and spank him like a little baby. Now, as he mounts his campaign for the Louisiana governor’s office, his pervy past is coming back to haunt him yet again.

On Tuesday, WVLA-TV reporter Derek Myers caught up with Vitter, who, by the way, opposes anything having to do with equal rights for gay people, to ask whether the senator still enjoys roleplaying with prostitutes.

The exchange happened in the parking lot of the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office. Vitter declined to answer his question on record and instead got on the phone with WVLA-TV and allegedly threatened to pull $250,000 worth of advertising if Myers wasn’t immediately fired.

Related: Antigay Senator/Prostitute Patron David Vitter Gets Trolled On Twitter

The station apparently caved to Vitter’s demand because, hours later, Myers got a call saying he was being terminated from his job. No clear explanation was given.

Jim Baronet, the station’s general manager, said the rumors that Myers was fired at Vitter’s request simply aren’t true.

“Nobody from the senator’s office called and asked for anything or demanded anything whatsoever,” Baronet said. “Not at all. I’m surprised to even hear that.”

But that doesn’t quite jive with what Vitter’s campaign is saying. Luke Bolar, a spokesperson for the senator, said they did call the station. But it was only to alert them that Myers had violently assaulted one of the campaign’s volunteers, a claim Myers denies.

“Vitter’s people had accused us of assault, which obviously is not true,” he told Gawker.

According to Myers, he has the video of the confrontation that would completely exonerate him of any assault allegations, but that the station immediately issued him “an unofficial cease-and-desist letter” demanding he not to publicize it.

Something tells us there’s more to this story. We’re patiently waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Related: Prostitute Lover Sen. David Vitter Doesn’t Go to Work When Hookers Are Discussed

Graham Gremore

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The OXD Mirror: New Music For The Final Weeks of Summer

By JOSH APPELBAUM

Little Boots (Victoria Hesaketh) released her third studio album, Working Girl, earlier this summer on her new record label, On Repeat Records. Hesketh retains her unique, dreamy electronic sound heard on her previous albums and EPs, but takes a different approach on lyrical topics, with the album acting partly as her own version of a feminist manifesto and personal biopic. The album often references “lean in” feminism in the workplace, mirroring some of Little Boots’ experiences working in a male-dominated music industry (which also lead to her opening her own label). ‘No Pressure’ is one of the lighter pop/house moments from Working Girl, all while tackling the topic of crippling self doubt.  Vicetone has taken the song and added some dramatic pianos, synths and handclaps for drama; it’s a perfect dance track to send off the summer properly.

• The cleverly-named Edit Murphy contributes his beautiful deep house track ‘Maybe One Day We Can Be Friends’ to Dirt Crew’s Deep Love 15 Compilation.  The 16 track compilation comes curiously packaged as a vinyl and cd combo, perhaps as a testament to the proliferation of both formats amongst today’s DJs.
• Toronto’s Kill Them With Colour (producer Wesley Marsh) has officially dropped his newest track, ‘Get High,’ which was first heard on BBC Radio 1 as well as on the Magician’s Magic Tape mixtape.  The thumping track throws in some distorted flute riffs and a powerful female vocal for the perfect dose of house goodness.
• Once a darling of the UK’s Northern Soul movement, Syreeta Wright wrote and a sang a number of mid-chart hits throughout the 70’s and 80’s.  Her Grammy-nominated fifth studio album Set My Love in Motion featured the track ‘Move It, Do It,’ which has been made into re-edit by the master of R&B re-edits, 80’s Child.
• Clothing designers and musicians Millionhands have put out a limited press vinyl, Tribute #2, an EP containing two tracks built off of samples (hence the title).  ‘Need Your Love’ loops simple vocal cuts against a deep synth line, creating a sexy, summery vibe.

Night Fever

THIS WEEKEND IN NYC: After a summer hiatus spending some time in Fire Island, the boys of Occupy The Disco return to the city to deliver more deep house, techno and late night disco tunes (many of which you hear here first on Towleroad) at the303 in SoHo, NYC. Come join us in our favorite dance den, where we’ll keep you moving all night long. No cover and no fuss – just great music and fun people all night.

OCCUPY THE DISCO (OXD) curates and recommends music events to the gay community in NYC—in an effort to move the focus of the nightlife scene beyond the promoter and venue and to the music itself. OXD’s goal is to educate, entertain, engage and empower the gay audience to reclaim their ability to question and experience the unknown. The OXD Mirror will serve to showcase tunes that are definitely off-the-beaten-path but rightfully deserve the attention of the gay ear.

Follow us on Spotify!  Subscribe to our ‘As Seen on Towleroad Playlist to listen to tracks posted from past weeks. For more information on OXD, check out our website and accompanying blog at www.occupythedisco.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter: @OccupyTheDisco.

The post The OXD Mirror: New Music For The Final Weeks of Summer appeared first on Towleroad.

Occupy the Disco

The OXD Mirror: New Music For The Final Weeks of Summer