Florida Ends 38-Year-Old Ban on Adoption by Same-Sex Couples

Yesterday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill repealing a 38-year-old ban on adoption by same-sex couples.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/florida-ends-38-year-old-ban-on-adoption-by-same-sex-couples?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

WATCH: Rick Santorum Would Accept Caitlyn Jenner's Support, But Does He Accept Her?

The archconservative presidential hopeful tells CNN he’d welcome Jenner’s endorsement but hedges on general acceptance of transgender people.

read more

Trudy Ring

www.advocate.com/politics/politicians/2015/06/12/watch-rick-santorum-would-accept-caitlyn-jenners-support-does-he-acc

Adam Lambert On Turning Down Hedwig, Making Out To His Own Songs And Creating Music For His Gay Bros

It’s been six years since Adam Lambert riveted television audiences as a finalist on the eighth season of American Idol, where his electrifying vocal range and dynamic stage presence made him an instant fan favorite. Although his competitor Kris Allen was named the champ that year, Lambert has gone on to an enviable career with two acclaimed albums, a stint on Glee and a much-discussed tour as frontman for the classic rock band Queen. Now the 33-year-old entertainer is back with The Original High, a dazzling collection of new material and his first album for Warner Bros. Records (out June 16), which includes the hypnotic first single “Ghost Town.” Lambert chatted with Queerty about making music his gay fans can enjoy, why he turned down the chance to play Hedwig on Broadway and whether he’s ever had sex while listening to one of his own songs.

Queerty: There’s a ’90s house vibe to a lot of the songs on The Original High. Was this the kind of music you listened to as teenager? 

Adam Lambert: Definitely. I’ve always loved dance music, like C+C Music Factory and Soul II Soul. I don’t remember how I heard them, whether it was on MTV, but I was hearing them somehow. The dance throw back is definitely ‘90s house, for sure. I started noticing there was a revival for that music and got excited. I thought this is the kind of medium that I should definitely get into. It’s authentic to my experience.

Speaking of being authentic, how did your being a gay man inform the music on the new album?

One of the things that I found exciting — and it wasn’t a conscious thing — but once we’d finished some of the tracks that have more of a house vibe I realized how dance-oriented they sounded. Even more than my last two albums, I wanted this one to reflect my real life, not only lyrically and emotionally, but through the sound of the music I listen to with friends when we go out or when I’m on the treadmill or in my car. It sounds like music that I actually listen to as opposed to some persona of myself. I got excited because I thought my gay brothers and sisters would identify with this music more than what I’ve done in the past. It’s a sound that feels more like our scene.

Which song on the new album would you say is most likely to become an enduring gay anthem?

I definitely think “There I Said It” can be interpreted that way. It definitely has that kind of message that can be interpreted different statement that’s saying, “Hey I’m not making apologies anymore. I’m going to be who I’m going to be. I have opinions. I’m a fucking grownup. Don’t tell me who to be, what to say or how to live.”

Which would be the best make-out song?

There’s a bonus track called “After Hours” which would be a great make-out song.

You’re in the history books as the first openly gay artist to have a number one album. What expectations do you feel with the impending release of The Original High?

I have very high expectations for the album but, oddly, I’m more relaxed and calm than I’ve ever been while doing this. With the last two albums, I was very proud of them, but I was nervous and I was unsure. With this album, I don’t have that feeling. I feel really confident about the direction and what it is. I know that when it’s heard it will connect. That’s what I want more than anything.

Even in the six years since you became famous, the pop culture landscape has changed significantly for LGBT performers. What advice would you offer young artists who are debating whether to be open about their sexual orientation at the start of their careers?

I think there’s a difference between the music industry and the film and TV world for actors. It’s a different thing you’re trying to convey. For musicians who are debating whether to come out, I think it’s a lot easier to live your life as you are. I can only imagine what it’s like to be closeted and having to hide that with the way the celebrity machine works. People are prying into your business looking for anything that can be found out about you. I can’t imagine having to hide anything like that. For their own personal well-bring, I think it’s best to keep it real. More than that I think the more people are honest about, the less it will be a big deal. When I first came on to the scene six years ago there wasn’t a lot of mainstream presence in the music industry for gay or lesbian artists. Because of that the media was sensationalizing it and hyper focused on sexuality and unfortunately what that ends up doing is it makes the artist appear to be hyper-focused on sexuality. One of the things that I’ve found frustrating over the last few years is I’m all sorts of things. My sexuality is definitely a big part of my life but it’s not the defining thing. I’m more than that and it was hard being reduced to that in the public eye. The way it works between an artist and the media, a lot of things aren’t under your control. Quotes get taken out of context and headlines become this, that or the other thing. Ultimately, the more of us that are out in the mainstream, the less sensational it will agree.

You’re considered one of the truly nice guys in show business. How do you stay so grounded?

The big thing is keeping the right people around you. I’ve met a lot of people and my old friends from way back when are still my friends. Perspective is everything. I’m not afraid to make new friends. I like people and I’m open.

You’re very charismatic on camera and on stage. You’ve appeared in Wicked and on Glee. Do you have plans to do more acting or perhaps perform on Broadway?

I don’t know. I definitely want to try it, but there’s nothing on the radar right now.

I can’t believe you haven’t been approached to play Hedwig. You could sing the hell out of those songs. 

They offered. I’m flattered they asked me, but it’s not what I want to do right now. It’s an amazing role. Maybe one day. The thing about it is I don’t want to get in drag for eight shows a week. [Laughs]

We’re in the middle of Pride season. Are you planning to attend this year? 

I was actually bummed because I’d love to have performed at L.A. Pride, but I’ll be in London that week. Logistically, with releasing the album so many commitments came up to promote it that it didn’t work out. I think I’ll be involved with Pride up in Canada at some point and maybe New York, as well. It’s definitely something I want to be a part of. Ultimately, connecting with the community means a lot to me. It’s been important to me.

Your mother Leila is the epitome of the cool mom and she’s been honored by PFLAG and is a role model to a lot of parents. How has your relationship with her evolved since you’ve become famous?

She’s great. My mom and I have always had a great relationship. We’re besties. I tell her everything. I’ve always been super open with her. She gets a kick out of it. She’s open with me. It hasn’t evolved. It’s stayed just as it always was and that’s what I want from my mom. I don’t want her to change because my life has changed. I don’t want to be different with her, either. I think the continuity of our relationship gives me comfort.

Do your boyfriends have to meet with her approval?

[Laughs] With the two main relationships I’ve had, I’ve definitely been curious as to how they’d get along with my mother. Who wants to be dating someone who doesn’t get along with your family. What’s great is they always do. That’s a sign that I’m on the right path.

How close are you to Kris Allen these days?

We’re not close. [Laughs] I have the utmost respect for him. We were on a TV show together and a competition together. We got along really well. There was a lot of mutual respect. Our lives have taken us in different directions.

Let’s play fuck, marry, kill: Simon, Randy and Ryan.

Oh, lord! No! No! No! I can’t play that game with them. [Laughs] I don’t know. I guess you’d want to marry the rich one, but they’re all rich. This question will come back and bite me in the ass. Next question. [Laughs]

Have you ever had sex to your own music?

[Laughs] No, I have not. I’ve made out to my own music before, but then it gets weird so I turn it off.

You have some of the most passionate and devoted fans of any entertainer. I wonder if it ever gets to feel uncomfortable.

Boundaries are an interesting thing. Everyone has their own set of boundaries. Actually when I started getting into this, figuring out my boundaries was an interesting process because I didn’t really know what I was and wasn’t comfortable with. I’ve tried to sort on a personal life and private to an extent. I’ve nothing to hide and I’m not ashamed of anything but you want to keep certain things yours. There is a separation between your public persona and your personal life. I don’t just mean dating. I mean with friendships. If fans get too involved with elements of my personal life, I get a bit freaked out.

Would you say you’re happy right now? 

I think so. I don’t know what the ingredients are. It’s relative. I think I’m fine right now. As an artist I’m someone who’s never fully satisfied and I’m always searching. I am a pretty open book, I have to say. A lot of what the album is about is the pursuit of happiness and what makes you content in life and gives you pleasure and how that’s a journey no matter who you are, how old you are or where you’re at in life. It’s a trial-and-error journey. That’s what The Original High is about.

Watch the video for “Ghost Town” below.

Photo credit: David Roemer

Jeremy Kinser

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/ss7_TxmAtIM/adam-lambert-on-making-music-for-his-gay-bros-setting-boundaries-with-fans-and-making-out-to-his-own-songs-20150612

PHOTOS: Utah Pride Jumps for Joy

Christopher Harrity

www.advocate.com/pride/2015/06/09/photos-utah-pride-jumps-joy

I'm Deaf and Gay — And That's Totally Okay
Ever since I can remember, I have identified as gay.

No internal confusion, no coming-out horror story. My label as a gay male, while it came with understandable insecurities, never greatly interfered with my daily life. I might even call myself lucky in that sense. However, a deep part of me never felt truly comfortable among the large heterosexual population surrounding me. Strike one.

Now, throw another curveball that is widely but falsely seen as a debilitating condition: being Deaf. Strike two.

I grew up with the idea that I had two strikes against me. I have had to face discrimination from all directions: hearing, Deaf, straight, and gay. The straight and hearing worlds require no explanation. In the gay world, guys have shied away from me because of my immersion in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture, a concept so unfamiliar to most. In the Deaf community, I have sometimes felt unwelcome for not being “Deaf enough” because I wear a cochlear implant to hear.

While most people have interacted with members of a minority group, very few have insight into the challenges of being a “double-minority.” Many double-minority members have few places where they feel truly welcome. I spent most of my high school years in a vain search for friends and partners who shared my DNA. The gene pool of Deaf and gay individuals was a null set.

At the beginning of high school, my Deaf aunt, who I have always looked up to as a role model, sat me down and signed to me, “Connor, I don’t want to discourage you but the chances of you dating and marrying a hearing partner are incredibly slim. I went through it all, and I just want to warn you.”

I took what she said as gospel, and I saw the future that I had envisioned for myself crumble before my eyes. My aunt had crushed my hopes of finding the perfect guy. I calculated that my prospects of finding a Deaf, gay and overall compatible partner were limited to about 0.01 percent of the population.

Though I continued to hold my head up high, the burden of the labels that I wore grew heavier throughout my high school years. Every time I went out on a date, I feared the moments that I would have to hide behind a false nod and smile because I could not hear the guy. I worried about mumblers and guys who were impossible to lip-read because they did not move their mouths when they talked. And, worst of all, I agonized over the thought that my Deafness would prove to be a burden for others and push everyone away from me, one by one. It wasn’t until I hit college that I realized how wrong my aunt was.

I realized that my aunt was born in a time when very limited technology was available to empower her in a hearing world. Back then, ASL was stigmatized, and Deaf people were more isolated from mainstream society. She was not able to function in the hearing world nearly as well as I do. I realized that no two people, regardless of the minority groups they are a part of, have the same experiences — everyone can be “cool” and “unique” with high self-esteem.

I could have the best of both the hearing and Deaf worlds.

With this discovery came the realization that guys, regardless of their hearing ability, were also unique. Some do not bat an eye at other Deaf guys, while others are interested in Deaf culture and who I am as a person. I was on some quixotic quest to find the perfect match and the only person stopping me was, well, me.

Maybe attending such an open-minded university opened my eyes and made me realize this. Or the fact that I got lucky with such supportive people around me. At college, while I admit that not every guy I meet is open to my deafness and that it is still difficult to communicate with people at times, I feel much more accepted. In the gay world, many guys now embrace my Deafness. I have spread awareness of Deaf culture and ASL to many of my hearing friends, who actually think that I am “cool” and “unique.” On top of that, one of my best friends at college is Deaf.

Being a part of both the Deaf and LGBT communities has opened up my world immensely, affording me opportunities to meet a lot of amazing people I would not have otherwise met. People I know find this hard to believe when I tell them that, if I could hit the reset button and choose my sexual orientation and hearing ability, I cannot say that I would choose to be hearing and straight. My special experiences, which few other people have shared, have built my character and made me a stronger individual — one more able to empathize with others and value diversity. Those two strikes that I thought I had were really blessings in disguise.

So here is my message, and I realize it is easier said than done: Hang in there — no matter what minority groups you identify with and how alone you may sometimes feel. With patience and support, you will eventually find somewhere in the world, and nothing will be greater than feeling that sense of belonging — and trust me, it will be worth the wait.

— 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.

www.huffingtonpost.com/connor-mclaren/im-deaf-and-gay-and-thats-totally-okay_b_7498750.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices