Sexy Trans Model Aydian Dowling Recreates Naked Adam Levine Photo

Remember when Adam Levine stripped down to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer — or to raise awareness of his own hotness? Pretty sure it was one of those. Now, FTM Magazine, the all-in-one source for female to male culture, has recreated the shoot with sexy trans activist Aydian Dowling for the upcoming April issue.

“Some areas of my body used to remind me of everything I’m not,” said Dowling, founder of Point 5cc clothing. “Now they represent everything I am.”

Dowling originally started Point 5cc— a stealth clothing company highlighting transgender commonalities and creating a sense of pride — to fund his top surgery, but decided to keep it around to “give back to the community that had given so generously to him.”

In addition to a free binder exchange program, Point 5cc hosts an annual Transgender Surgery Fund.

You can find more on Aydian in the April 2015 issue of FTM (right).

Below, check out Aydian’s YouTube journal documenting his transition:

h/t: Buzzfeed

Les Fabian Brathwaite

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/Rc01J289yl4/sexy-trans-model-aydian-dowling-recreates-naked-adam-levine-photo-20150219

Anti-Gay Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran Files Discrimination Lawsuit: VIDEO

Jim Redmond

www.towleroad.com/2015/02/anti-gay-former-atlanta-fire-chief-kelvin-cochran-files-discrimination-lawsuit-video.html

Lady Gaga Was The Biggest Pop Star In The World. What Happened?
Middlebrow is a recap of the week in entertainment, celebrity and television news that provides a comprehensive look at the state of pop culture. From the rock bottom to highfalutin, Middlebrow is your accessible guidebook to the world of entertainment. Sign up to receive it in your inbox here.

Lady Gaga was the biggest pop star in the world. And not just circa 2010. In the post-tabloid, instant-access landscape of the manufactured celebrity figure, there has never been a more rapid rocketing to mega fame than Gaga’s rise about five years ago. She had six No. 1 hits over the course of a single year. She sold 1.1 million copies of “Born This Way” in its first week alone. Beyonce played her backup on “Telephone.” Now, her off-brand engagement to Taylor Kinney (he proposed with a heart-shaped ring on Valentine’s day!) is barely news. She’s duetting with Tony Bennett and it’s unclear who is benefitting more from the collaboration. What happened?

“Is it because she’s not good anymore?” HuffPost Entertainment managing editor Christopher Rosen asked in an email. If we’re talking about “good” meaning “fun to dance to while drinking flavored vodka,” then, no, she’s not. “Artpop” and that “Cheek To Cheek” cover are not as “good” as her past stuff. Although, really that distinction has always been more about Gaga’s persona than her hit singles. She reached a new level of complexity with “Bad Romance” and “The Fame Monster,” but her music was mostly fluff sprinkled with hooks. At its core, her discography has been catchy pop that didn’t even attempt to match the level of complexity purported by her sartorial choices, post-modern approach to the music video and aggressive name dropping of Andy Warhol. Gaga’s appeal was always in the packaging. She emerged as a true performer equipped with her own mythology and symbolism — the sort of figure that we hadn’t seen since Madonna. That’s where the fascination began, and also where it ended.

“Gaga’s presence introduces the formerly unthinkable idea that Madonna, another voracious Italian girl, may really, truly, finally be on her way out,” Vanessa Grigoriadis wrote for New York magazine in 2010. At the time, that made sense. The similarities were clear — both had the dark penciled brows, platinum hair and an uncanny ability to dance the fine line between art and consumerism. The creatively controversial stylings of both found a careful balance of capitalism and subversion by sheer virtue of being churned out in the form of radio hits. Madonna has stayed relevant by navigating the tenuous space between the two realms, while Gaga quickly pushed herself over the edge by force-feeding us her artistry in light of her pop stardom. And that’s why she’s already on her way out, while Madonna is still providing “controversy” to the masses.

Look at “Artpop.” The message of the album is the idea of Gaga as art. (Like, very literally: “Pop culture was in art, now art’s in pop culture in me.”) With “Applause,” Gaga’s avant gardism has become as hollow as one of Jeff Koons’ balloon animal sculptures. Being avant-garde, truly experimenting in any medium, has always been about breaking from the accepted milieu and refusing to compete. Yet, Gaga purported the avant-garde, while her purest motivation was competition for fame.

For a more recent comparison, we can look to Katy Perry. Back in 2010, that same Grigordias New York magazine piece likened Perry to one of the “rising talents unable to push through to superstardom.” In 2014, “Roar” beat out “Applause” as part of Perry’s ever-swelling collection of hits. Perry’s timeline and approach to stardom make her the ultimate foil for Gaga. Where Gaga steeped herself in meaning and pretension, Perry stands for nothing. Her songs are not anymore about her than they are about the 13-year-old girl in Tulsa who really does feel like a plastic bag. As Rich Juzwiak wrote after her Super Bowl performance, “[It’s unclear] Katy Perry has anything to say, any unique perspective, any capacity to challenge or surprise, any persona beyond vaguely goofy and occasionally sentimental.”

In looking at all three we see where Madonna and Perry have maintained their fame while Gaga has waned. Perry is a sort of a vessel for the pop-culture machine, where Madonna imbues artistry into the artifice of her persona, but both embrace the manufactured nature of their stardom. We know that these figures are created for us, almost as if in a “Josie And The Pussycats” lab. Gaga didn’t fail because she is inauthentic — all pop stars are — but because she refused to embrace the reality of her act. As an icon of the millennial pop, Gaga may never truly be “over,” but until she can channel the authentic inauthenticity we see in Perry and Madonna, let’s hope she has enough room for that meat dress in her freezer.

Follow Lauren Duca on Twitter: @laurenduca

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/18/middlebrow-lady-gaga_n_6708638.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Pope Francis compares trans people to nuclear weapons

Head of the Catholic Church claims those who transition are opposing ‘God’s order of creation’

read more

joem

www.gaystarnews.com/article/pope-francis-compares-trans-people-nuclear-weapons190215

Watch: Edie Windsor and Roberta Kaplan Highlight the Importance of “The People’s Brief”

More than 100,000 Americans, including dozens of high-profile supporters, have now signed on to The People’s Brief, which gives every American a chance to voice support for marriage equality to the U.S. Supreme Court. 
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/watch-edie-windsor-and-roberta-kaplan-highlight-the-importance-of-the-peopl?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Andrew “I Don’t Like Mens No More” Caldwell Says He Is The Victim Of A Hate Crime

Andrew Caldwell took the internet by storm last November when video of him testifying that he had been delivered from homosexuality before the Church of God in Christ emerged online.

“I’m not gay no more!” Caldwell hollered over a gospel choir. “I am delivered! I DON’T LIKE MENS NO MORE!”

After the video went viral, Caldwell followed it up by releasing a gospel remix of his testimony called “I’m Not Gay No More.” It didn’t take long, however, for the single to be yanked from iTunes after the Church of God in Christ threatened the 21-year-old with a lawsuit, accusing him of making a mockery of the service and saying they owned the audio, to which Caldwell responded by saying that it was his voice and only he–not the church, not even God–could claim ownership of it.

And that was the last we heard from Mr. Caldwell. Until now.

Earlier this week, the author of nearly a dozen self-published e-books and once aspiring fashion designer uploaded an image of himself with a bloody nose to his Facebook page.

According to Caldwell, he was walking to his car in a strip mall parking lot in Montana when two unidentified men approached and punched him in the face. Afterwards, they fled the scene in a black automobile shouting “I’m not gay no more!”

“Ever since I talked about my deliverance from the sin of homosexuality, I have been receiving threatening messages by email and social media,” Caldwell said after the attack. “I fear for my life. I have been physically and verbally attacked. I feel that I will have to do whatever it takes to protect myself.”

Love Caldwell or hate him (we love him), nobody deserves to be physically attacked like that.

The state of Montana’s hate crimes statute does not cover violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Here’s wishing him a speedy recovery.

h/t: Atlanta World Daily

Related stories:

“I Don’t Like Mens No More,” Vine Goes Viral For Too Many Reasons To Count

Andrew “I’m Not Gay No More” Caldwell’s Inevitable Album Drops, Church Threatens Lawsuit

Graham Gremore

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PHOTOS: Queer and Trans Youth Speak Out

Rachelle Lee Smith’s new photo book puts young LGBT voices at the forefront in a unique way.

read more

Mitch Kellaway

www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2015/02/19/photos-queer-and-trans-youth-speak-out

21 Best Things To Do In The San Francisco Bay Area, As Explained By Locals
New York was freezing, and I had to leave. Thanks to JetBlue and a $63 dollar round-trip ticket (yes, you read that right), I headed to the San Francisco Bay Area where the weather was better and the food, too, gave NYC a run for its money.

While there, I worked from various cafes, friends’ homes and random benches in parks. I decided to ask locals for their best non-touristy activities (and added some of my own input) for visitors to the city who don’t want to stick out like sore thumbs, but do want to see the city (and eat!) like the locals do.

So start learning to love Karl the Fog, train your stomach to handle mass amounts of delicious food and beer, and make sure you do everything on this list. (Some responses have been edited for clarity.)

1. Eat the best Indian food in a Travelodge Hotel.
707 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley
Totally off-the-beaten-path, the best Indian food in the county is called India Palace. College student Marley R. has gone there for her birthday almost every year: “I like the people there — they’re so friendly and have all worked there since before I was born. I love the chicken tikka kabob, and my dad loves the chicken tikka masala. Super inexpensive all-you-can-eat buffet lunch, beautifully decorated and just full of tradition for my family!”

2. Get to the top of Grizzly Peak.
50 Whitaker Avenue between Miller and Sterling Avenues in Northeast Berkeley
“I think either hiking to Grizzly Peak or just enjoying the lookout (you can drive up there) would be my number one. You can see the entire Bay Area from there.” — Lizzie C.

3. Take in a drag show over Sunday brunch.
450 Powell Street, San Francisco
“Go to Harry Denton’s Starlight Room for the best Sunday Brunch and drag show you’ve ever seen.” — Amanda L.

4. Do drinks at the Redwood Room where the paintings have eyes.
Clift San Francisco, 495 Geary Street, San Francisco
Located within the Clift Hotel, the atmosphere (with real redwood paneling!) will make you feel like a high roller, even if you’re not. The paintings within the bar actually breathe and move, so while you’re sipping an expensive cocktail, all eyes could (literally) be on you.

5. Eat the best goddamn cinnamon roll you’ll ever have in your life.
2132 Oxford Street, Berkeley
Cinnaholic’s delectable cinnamon buns aren’t for the weak, but they are for vegans and anyone else with a major sweet tooth.

6. See a concert at an incredible San Francisco venue.
When you’re in town, you HAVE to check out a music venue like The Independent, The Fillmore, The Warfield, Hemlock Tavern, Thee Parkside or the Great American Music Hall. Doesn’t matter what you see.” — Brett N.

7. Walk through Clarion Alley and eat at The Sycamore.
Between Mission and Valencia Streets and 17th and 18th Streets, San Francisco
Affectionately called “San Francisco’s Hidden Mural Utopia,” this mix of political angst and incredible art has been around since 1992. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see an artist starting on their next project. To make more of a trip out of it, walk through the trendy shops in the Mission District, hit up a few thrift stores, and get lunch at The Sycamore and sit in the back area.

8. Get yourself to an underground wrestling match.
630 3rd Street, Oakland
“On the first Friday of every month, Oakland Metro Operahouse hosts Hoodslam, where wrestlers/performance artists ‘perform’ for fans. It’s insanely awesome, and on the first Thursday of every month there are also variety shows.” — Alan B.

9. Attend Audium.
1616 Bush Street, San Francisco
Straight from Huffington Post Deputy National Editor Carly Schwartz (who founded HP San Francisco), you have to visit Audium — a “sound-sculptured space” that’s also one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets. Composer Stan Shaff’s extraordinarily unique space envelops “listeners in sounds that move past, over, and under them” in a dark theater. You won’t find another one like it in the entire world, so add it to your bucket list now.

10. Stuff yourself at Burma Superstar.
309 Clement Street, San Francisco
Burma Superstar, that is what you are. If you don’t eat here, you didn’t visit San Francisco. With over 5,000 reviews on Yelp, it’s pretty clear that this take on traditional Burmese cuisine is doing everything right. Come prepared with an empty stomach to devour the coconut rice, indulge in the Rainbow Salad and try the Chili Lamb. Better strategy: bring friends so you can try every dish on the menu.

11. Go to Cream.
Kinda touristy, but totally worth the hype. “Cream” translates to “Cookies Rule Everything Around Me,” an awesome venue where you make your own ice cream sandwich from freshly baked cookies and delicious ice cream. Cream is located all over the Bay Area, so just Google Map it and GO.

12. Schedule a visit to the Institute of Illegal Images.
20th Street, Mission District, San Francisco
“It’s this collection of psychedelic stuff — this old, wild house with awesome art,” says San Francisco-based Andrew Hart, front page editor at The Huffington Post. The owner of the Institute, Mark McCloud, has over 30,000 sheets and tabs of blotter paper in this acid art museum of sorts with free entry.

13. Do tea at the Palace Hotel.
2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco
This elegant hotel has high ceilings, beautiful chandeliers and an incredibly warm staff. Go for Afternoon Tea, and stay for the chocolate torte with gold leaf if you want to indulge in something fancy but not totally expensive.

14. Walk around Albany Bulb.
1 Buchanan Street, Albany
“The Bulb is definitely odd and some would say weird, but it’s also really, really beautiful. It’s a former landfill that has all this cool art you can walk around and explore. If you don’t want to do something mainstream and touristy, this is it.” — John K.

15. Eat oysters for $1.
655 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
“Go to Bar Crudo for happy hour every night of the week. There are dollar oysters and all-around fantastic food. Their best dishes are about $5 and their chowder with bacon — my God it’s smoky and so good.” — Dylan H.

16. And toast that will set you back $5 a piece.
736 Divisadero Street, San Francisco
“If you want to go to a place where all the baristas are listening to Joy Division and people are paying for expensive toast, go to The Mill. Yes, you’ll pay a price for the toast, but it’s delicious and it’s a meal.” — Dalton L.

17. Camp (or strip) at Stinson Beach.
Marin County
“For people who are visiting that aren’t ‘city people,’ I always take them to Stinson Beach for a few days to camp out, drink and grill. There’s also a nude beach if you’re into that sort of thing.” — Allison P.

18. Watch a f*****g glorious sunset.
Marin County
“Drive a car up to Bolinas Ridge to watch a fucking glorious sunset. Sometimes the sun looks like it’s setting above the fog layer, so it sets INTO the fog and just lights up everything. So amazing.” –Brendan A.

19. Do date night at the slides.
70 Corwin Street, San Francisco
“The slides at Seward Mini Park are really lovely. They’re great for dates and just really fun overall.” — Brennan M.

20. Rent bikes and head to Sausalito.
Head across the Golden Gate to explore Sausalito and all of its trippy houseboats. It’s touristy, but the houseboat docks are littered with gorgeous flowers, incredible artwork and neat names. Try to spot the houseboat replica of the Taj Mahal.

21. Eat sausage, keep drinking.
545 Haight Street, San Francisco (multiple locations)
Head to Rosamunde Sausage Grill for the best wild boar sausage you’ll ever have. But get drinks at the Toronado first, and finish your meal by downing drinks at Noc Noc a few doors down. — Ralph P.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/06/things-to-do-in-san-francisco_n_6633564.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Will the US army finally accept trans soldiers?

Caution urged after draft report details potential policy change

read more

joem

www.gaystarnews.com/article/will-us-army-finally-accept-trans-soldiers190215

Don’t Miss These Unique, Off-The-Beaten-Path Gems of Los Angeles

Home to beautiful beaches and mountains, not to mention major sightseeing attractions (Universal Studios, anyone?) and amazing shopping and eateries, there are plenty of things to do and see during your trip to Los Angeles. But if you’re looking to find some unique, off-the-beaten path sites, here are some cool things we recommend you check out.

The Brady Bunch House

You can’t tour this or anything (hello … it’s a real house; someone lives there), but you can drive by and gawk at the unmistakable exterior (the interiors were all filmed on a soundstage), which will surely stir fond memories of that great 1970s television show with the gay dad that you probably won’t admit to loving as much as you do. It’s located at 11217 Dilling Street in Studio City. Here’s the story …

Virginia Robinson Gardens

Sure, Beverly Hills is lousy with luxury estates, but this stunning six-acre property, built in 1911 for the wife of Harry Robinson (of Robinson’s department store fame), was the first. It’s now on the National Register of Historic Places and features not only a breathtaking garden but a fancy mansion and a pool pavilion. It’s beautiful and serene, but can only be visited by appointment.

Baxter Street Stairs

We all want a great view of L.A. when visiting, and if you walk up these stairs you will get many. These 230+ steps are located in the Echo Park neighborhood and start at 1501 Baxter Street. At the top you’ll find Elysian Park and many more walking trails. Wear comfortable shoes.

Gamble House

This American craftsman style house in Pasadena was built for David and Mary Gamble (of the gay-friendly Procter & Gamble company) and is now a National Historic Landmark. The exterior was used as Brown Mansion, the home of Dr. Emmet Brown in the original Back to the Future flick. You can explore this marvel on a variety of docent-led tours. However, opening times are sparse, so be sure to plan ahead.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church

Art Deco churches are not easy to find, which makes Our Lady of Lourdes Church in East Los Angeles all the more special. You needn’t be Catholic to appreciate the building’s unique mix of Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival, courtesy of local architect Lester G. Scherer and located at 3772 E. 3rd Street. It’s beautiful inside and out — just don’t go during mass or you’ll only get a look at the outside.

Museum of Jurassic Technology

It’s not often that a museum inspires more questions than it answers (like, say, “What is the point of this museum?”), but this gem, located just outside Culver City, is not like any museum you’ve ever been to. Comprised of dimly lit and winding corridors, it’s filled with strange displays like a pair of decomposing antique dice once owned by magician Ricky Jay, a gallery of oil portraits of Soviet space dogs, and an exhibit devoted to pre-scientific remedies.

Lake Shrine

Every year, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to this spiritual sanctuary, which is located on ten acres that include gardens and a natural spring-fed lake. There’s also a wall-less temple in honor of Mahatma Gandhi here, where some of his ashes are housed. There’s a visitor center where you can get all the information you need for your visit. Relax, contemplate and enjoy.

Watts Towers

These are not exactly hidden since they’re almost 100 feet tall, but they are a sight to behold. Comprised of nine towers built of steel and covered with mortar containing mosaic glass, seashells, pottery and tile, the exhibit was designed and built by Sabato Rodia from 1921 to 1954 and originally called Nuestro Pueblo. Spend the money to take the tour so you can enjoy all of the unusual beauty here up close. These are certainly not your typical art installations.

Winston Gieseke

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