New LGBT Minor at LSU
Louisiana State University introduced a new LGBT minor under the School of Social Work this semester. So far, students are enjoying the unique courses.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hRQ69x6Ls4&feature=youtube_gdata
Category Archives: MISC
Indiana's Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Officially Lifted
Indiana's Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Officially Lifted
After an order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, most county clerks have begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Daniel Reynolds
www.advocate.com/politics/2014/10/09/indianas-same-sex-marriage-ban-officially-lifted
Christopher Isherwood Returns to Berlin
Christopher Isherwood Returns to Berlin
This adventure began over dinner.
Don Bachardy, the artist and partner of the late Christopher Isherwood, was in Sacramento, California for a screening at the Crocker Art Museum of Chris and Don: A Love Story — the documentary by Tina Mascara and Guido Santi about Don’s 33-year relationship with the Anglo-American writer.
In a restaurant after the film, I turned to Don and asked, “Have you ever been to Berlin?”
His answer took me by surprise.
We know what Berlin was like in the early 1930s, when the German capital was the center of personal and artistic freedom for all of Europe, largely because of the keen observations and brilliant writing of one man: Christopher Isherwood. Yet Chris and Don had never visited Berlin together, and Don had never been to the city which launched his partner’s career as a giant in 20th century literature.
When I described the vibrant contemporary arts and cultural scene of Berlin, Don smiled and said, “It sounds like fun!”
I called Don a few weeks later at his home in Santa Monica and asked him if he had an interest in traveling, on his and Isherwood’s behalf, to the city of Sally Bowles, Christopher Bradshaw, Mr. Norris and the other characters of the musical Cabaret. It took him a few days to decide, and then Isherwood’s editor and biographer Katherine Bucknell called me with the news: Let’s go.
Next week, Don Bachardy arrives in Berlin.
His visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of the publication of Goodbye to Berlin, Isherwood’s novel about Berlin 1930-1933 as Hitler was rising to power, and the 50th anniversary of the publication of A Single Man, his novel about a middle-aged gay literature professor in 1960s California. Goodbye to Berlin provided the material for Cabaret, and A Single Man was made into a 2008 film directed by Tom Ford. German translations of both books are being published by Hoffman and Campe during the visit.
Contemporary Berlin is a vibrant, international city filled with artists, playwrights, dancers, musicians, authors and, increasingly, hundreds of technology entrepreneurs. The unofficial city motto is “Arm Aber Sexy” — Poor, But Sexy.
“Don is closing a circle with this visit,” says Katherine Bucknell. “Isherwood visited Berlin for the last time in 1952, the year before he met Don. Berlin today is much like the city that first drew him away from London, looking for sexual freedom and his ideal partner.”
Three communities in Berlin will welcome Don Bachardy and, through him, Christopher Isherwood.
The American ambassador to Berlin, John Emerson, and his wife Kimberly (both from Los Angeles, a sister city to Berlin), are convening the city’s political and cultural innovators to meet Don and commemorate Isherwood’s legacy.
The City of Berlin is hosting an evening of readings from Goodbye to Berlin and A Single Man and a conversation with Don. Among the talent on stage will be British actor Simon Callow, an old friend of Isherwood and Bachardy.
And the Schwules (Gay) Museum is hosting a reception to introduce Don to Berlin’s gay and lesbian community.
“It is exciting that Don is able to return to Berlin in person and celebrate today’s open culture on Isherwood’s behalf,” says Bucknell.
A year ago, it struck me that Berlin should embrace Isherwood and Bachardy. Somehow, Isherwood’s achievement — his writing, the life he shared with Bachardy, Bachardy’s own work — all needed to be reintroduced in a new and personal way to the people of Berlin.
And next week, Berliners are reaching out to Don Bachardy and extending an enthusiastic and genuine “Willkommen.”
HRC Continues the Call for Protection of Transgender Women
HRC Continues the Call for Protection of Transgender Women
In response to the brutal murder of a transgender woman in East Hollywood last week, HRC has called for increased action to protect transgender people, particularly transgender women of color.
HRC.org
Documentary 'To Russia With Love' Looks at LGBT Rights In Russia In The Lead Up To Sochi Olympics: VIDEO
Documentary 'To Russia With Love' Looks at LGBT Rights In Russia In The Lead Up To Sochi Olympics: VIDEO
To Russia With Love, a new documentary from EPIX narrated by Jane Lynch, takes a closer look at what life is like for LGBT people in Russia and at the convergence of sports, human rights and activism that took place during the Sochi Olympics earlier this year. As the film’s synopsis notes, “LGBT athletes and activists [had to] choose whether to risk their own safety by speaking out against Russia’s anti-gay laws.” The doc follows out figure skater and commentator Johnny Weir and official US Olympic delegate Billie Jean King as they come to Sochi and meet a 17-year-old gay Russian named Vlad who details the tragic truths of the hardships faced by LGBT people in one of the world’s most virulently anti-gay nations. The film also features Jason Collins, Stephen Fry, Greg Louganis, Blake Skjellerup and Mark Tewksbury.
Watch young Vlad talk about his experience of Russia’s hatred for the LGBT community, along with his meeting Weir and King along with a trailer for the documentary, AFTER THE JUMP…
The documentary will debut on EPIX on October 29 at 8 PM.
To Russia With Love: Clip 1 from EPIX PR on Vimeo.
To Russia With Love: Clip 2 from EPIX PR on Vimeo.
To Russia With Love: Clip 3 from EPIX PR on Vimeo.
Sean Mandell
Dates n Mates Hugh Torrance LGBT YOUTH Director on DNM PAST
Dates n Mates Hugh Torrance LGBT YOUTH Director on DNM PAST
#TBT: They Died in the Closet
#TBT: They Died in the Closet
The stories of these closeted notables range from bittersweet to tragic, and some are just plain outrageous. Times have changed, we can agree, heading into National Coming Out Day on Saturday.
Advocate.com Editors
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/people/2014/10/09/tbt-they-died-closet
Supreme Court's Gay Marriage Decisions Discussed On The Rubin Report
Supreme Court's Gay Marriage Decisions Discussed On The Rubin Report
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates have praised this week’s surprise sweep of same-sex marriage victories across the U.S. But does the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of same-sex marriage appeals from Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin really represent a win for the LGBT community, or a collective failure of American government?
Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report pointed to remarks made by CNN’s Jeffrey Toobin, who said that the Supreme Court’s decision was “outrageous” and an “abdication of duty,” while welcoming John Iadarola and Kim Horcher of The Young Turks to discuss the news on his show.
Horcher, who supports marriage equality, nonetheless seemed to side with Toobin’s comments, noting, “I stand by keeping our legal system legal and by the book, rather than just ‘Oh, my religion says this, and my feelings say that.'”
Meanwhile, Iadarola suggested that those states’ respective stances on same-sex marriage might not be “contentious enough judicially” to justify a Supreme Court intervention, and that a Roe vs. Wade-style ruling “could lead to long-standing resentment.”
“I would rather it was a popular decision,” he said.
For more on The Rubin Report, head here.
Join HRC in Celebrating National Coming Out Day
Join HRC in Celebrating National Coming Out Day
On Oct. 11, 2014, we mark the 26th anniversary of National Coming Out Day. How are you celebrating?
HRC.org
Jessica Lange Flawlessly Channels Bowie, Plus What To Expect From This Season’s AHS Covers
Jessica Lange Flawlessly Channels Bowie, Plus What To Expect From This Season’s AHS Covers
David Bowie has some pretty big, pretty extra-terrestrially bedazzled shoes to fill, but Jessica Lange did a pretty honorable job slipping into them on last night’s American Horror Story premiere.
Show creator Ryan Murphy has revealed that due to demand the , which Lange performs as freak show proprietor Elsa Mars, will soon be available to download on iTunes. He has a little bit of experience in this arena, as any Glee fan will tell you.
He also hinted at other musical numbers we have to look forward to on this season of AHS. He said Jessica’s Lana Del Rey cover is, “something to behold,” and Kurt Cobain will be featured in a musical homage. We’ve also got it on good authority that Sarah Pauley will give us a mean Fiona Apple performance next week.
Here’s Jessica getting glammy to Bowies “Life on Mars”:
Dan Tracer
