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WATCH: Washington's Newest Trans Prom Queen Celebrates Her 'True Self'
Brooklynn Buenventura has come a long way from the first time she was elected to homecoming court, when she ‘hid’ herself in a tuxedo.
Mitch Kellaway
www.advocate.com/youth/2015/06/08/watch-washingtons-newest-trans-prom-queen-celebrates-her-true-self
Obama Appoints Transgender Attorney Shannon Minter To White House Commission
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday appointed transgender attorney Shannon Price Minter to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.
Minter, who is the legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, has been lead counsel in a number of legal wins for the LGBT community. He gained national attention in 2001 when he represented the lesbian partner of Diane Whipple in a wrongful death case stemming from a dog mauling. That case resulted in a landmark decision in California that extended tort claims to same-sex domestic partners.
Minter was also the lead attorney arguing before the California Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, a state ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage in the state. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 ultimately upheld a lower court decision striking down the ban.
“I am confident that these experienced and hardworking individuals will help us tackle the important challenges facing America, and I am grateful for their service,” Obama said in a statement, of Minter and a handful of other new nominees. “I look forward to working with them.”
The Commission on White House Fellowships interviews and then recommends people to the president for appointment as White House Fellows, who typically spend a year as full-time, paid assistants to senior White House staff.
Minter is one of a number of transgender appointees in the Obama administration. Others include Amanda Simpson and Shawn Skelly at the Defense Department and Jay Davis at the Environmental Protection Agency.
— 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.
American Medical Association Says There Is No Valid Medical Reason for Transgender Military Ban
Today, the American Medical Association (AMA) approved a resolution saying there is “no medically valid reason to exclude transgender individuals from service in the U.S. military.
HRC.org
Here’s What Grindr Looked Like At Southern California’s Premiere Furry Convention
When we think of Irvine, California, a few things come to mind: suburbs, Republicans and a giant mall. Or in other words, not much (apologies to all the fabulous people flying under the radar in Irvine).
But once a year in early June, things get a little freaky.
Enter Califur, stage left.
Califur bills itself as “Southern California’s premiere furry and anthropomorphic convention,” bringing together furries of all shapes and sizes.
And while the furry community isn’t an offshoot of the gay community, you can pretty much assume that in any group that values creativity, playfulness and a bit of kooky sex appeal, you’re bound to find gays.
In fact, if you were to open Grindr outside (or inside, don’t be shy) the convention, this is what you’d find (we covered the profiles with human faces — you can check those out on your own time):
Woof, meow, oink. Welcome to Irvine.
Dan Tracer
Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1748
TRUE DETECTIVE: “Chaos” season 2 teaser
TAYLOR SWIFT: We Are Never Ever Getting Bad Blood (Mashup)
TEEN LINE: Understanding LGBTQ
BIG THINK: Marriage and other quantum entanglements
For more recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.
Kyler Geoffroy
www.towleroad.com/2015/06/towleroad-guide-to-the-tube–1.html
Here's What It Means To Be A Demi-Romantic Asexual Agender Teen
In honor of Pride Month, HuffPost Young Voices is highlighting the coming out stories of teens and those in their early 20s. Was it a life-changing moment? A bittersweet one? No big deal? Are you “out,” but only to certain people? What does being “out” mean to you? Email [email protected] to share your story.
By Tori, 17
I was 12 when we were all sitting at the table, each of us staring each other down in a way that made me inwardly feel guilty about something I didn’t even do. Was there anything left to say? Was there anything that could follow the fact that we were moving? Suddenly, all of their eyes were on me.
“Is there anything you would like to share with us?”
My mother’s words rung in my ears. I knew it would be OK, but I couldn’t help but still feel that pang of apprehension that would come with telling the family. Yes, I had a girlfriend. I had a girlfriend and she was the best thing that happened to me. I didn’t like guys, but how could I tell my mom that? How could I tell her that and not hear a “you’re too young to know exactly what you want” or “it’s just a phase” from her?
“I’m bisexual and I’m going out with my best friend.” The words made me flinch, as if expecting some other response. Instead I was greeted by silence and then a shrug.
“I know.”
Those words stung for some reason. She knew, yet didn’t try to tell me at all that it was going to be totally OK. I felt betrayed and more hurt, but at the same time, rather relieved. I wouldn’t become a statistic.
Fast-forward to age 17, now, I don’t identify as bisexual or lesbian. I identify as a demi-romantic asexual — something that my closest friends keep invalidating. They all know that I don’t feel sexual attraction, but is it just assumed that people only date their friends? This threw me off and made me want to stay quiet about who I am. When it came up in conversation with a friend, they laughed at me and asked me what kind of teenager doesn’t want to have sex. Was it just a fancy way of saying that I’m staying abstinent? Another asked me, although jokingly, if being asexual in orientation was like being a potato. These kinds of questions, these kinds of jokes enrage me, but at the same time make me want to speak out, talk about these kinds of things with people.
On top of that, I am agender, but I’m really not out at all. When I ask for people to refer to me as “they or them,” I get weird looks and incredulous questions. I can change my appearance as much as I want, but apparently, I can’t be who I want. Maybe this is more of a personal issue, where I just can’t open my mouth and say “HEY, I’M NOT A GIRL. I’M A PERSON WITH A VAGINA.”
Being out would make things more complicated, and at the moment, I am not prepared for that. Once I am able to work with any feedback I could possibly get, I will be able to actually stand up for myself. Once I am able to find the words to describe who I am, I will be unstoppable.
— 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.
Join HRC and Jonathan Adler for a Pride Event
Join HRC at Jonathan Adler in Georgetown for a pride event on Wednesday, June 10 for refreshments and conversation from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
HRC.org
Evangelist Franklin Graham Complains About Gay People Crammed Down His Throat
Have you ever asked yourself–how can we fight the tide of moral decay that is being crammed down our throats by big business, the media, and the gay & lesbian community? Every day it is something else! Tiffany’s started advertising wedding rings for gay couples. Wells Fargo bank is using a same-sex couple in their advertising. And there are more. But it has dawned on me that we don’t have to do business with them. At the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, we are moving our accounts from Wells Fargo to another bank. And guess what—we don’t have to shop at Tiffany & Co., there are plenty of other jewelry stores. This is one way we as Christians can speak out—we have the power of choice. Let’s just stop doing business with those who promote sin and stand against Almighty God’s laws and His standards. Maybe if enough of us do this, it will get their attention. Share this if you agree.”
— Franklin Graham, one of America’s finest Christians, using his Facebook page to rant about a recent Wells Fargo advertisement that uses a same-sex couple to promote sign language. We don’t agree, but we’ll share your message to alert the world to the message of ignorance and intolerance you’re preaching.
Watch the video Graham finds so subversive below.
Jeremy Kinser
News: LightSail, Nick Jonas, Terminator, Bernie Sanders, Brad Pitt
New CNN poll shows 63% of American public believes gay and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry.
Orange is the New Black’s Samira Wiley, Natasha Lyonne, and Uzo Aduba add their star power to Sau Paulo’s gay pride parade.
Bill Nye’s solar sail spacecraft spreads its wings (sails) in space for the first time.
Can Republicans win by losing the gay marriage fight at the Supreme Court? “They’d probably be better off losing the gay marriage issue, politically that is,” said Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report in Washington. “It would remove the issue from the debate, and the GOP is now on the wrong side, politically, of the debate.”
Terminator creator James Cameron gives his blessing to upcoming Terminator Genisys.
Mexico appears to have crossed a major hurdle in the fight for nationwide marriage equality.
Nick Jonas says he’s excited for people to see his return to his gay role in Kingdom. “It’s great writing, really honest and personal, and I’m just excited for people to see it and be able to tell the story in the way we’re telling it.”
12 mesmerizing animations showing how the logos of America’s favorite companies have evolved over the years.
Bernie Sanders scores strong second-place finish against Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin straw poll.
Former South Carolina police officer indicted in death of Walter Scott.
Colombia to allow transgender people to legally change their name and gender without surgery.
Brad Pitt to star in Netflix original movie War Machine.
Scottish Episcopal Church to hold vote on whether to allow clergy to marry gay couples.
Beyonce teases big announcement, reveals vegan diet.
Male model Monday: Sasha Knezevic.
20 photos of Instagram’s favorite gay dads’ perfect American family.
Australian man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly driving a stolen bulldozer into a house where a woman and her two children were sleeping.
First official portrait of baby Princess Charlotte and Prince George.
Garbage confirms they will ring their “20 Years of Queer” anniversary tour to the U.S.
Kyler Geoffroy
WATCH: North Carolina Set to Give Clerks 'License to Discriminate'
Despite the Governor’s veto, North Carolina lawmakers continue to advance a bill that would let judges and clerks refuse to perform same-sex marriages.
Matt Baume
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