National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Today marks the 15th National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD).
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Category Archives: NEWS
PHOTOS: Ripped African Wrestlers Get Down And Dirty In The Sand
PHOTOS: Ripped African Wrestlers Get Down And Dirty In The Sand
“Wrestling is the number one sport in Senegal,” queer photographer Ernst Coppejans says. “Champions are worshiped and treated like movie stars.”
We first fell in love with Coppejans’ work when we saw his series Gay Escorts, featuring stunning images of male sex workers in Amsterdam.
Coppejans lives and works in Amsterdam, but his photography has taken him over the world, including to a small village in the West African country of Senegal, where he says young men spend hours each week training to be professional letteurs (wrestlers).
“Many Senegalese boys train fanatically to make their dream [of] becoming a famous lutteur come true,” Coppejans explains. “During a month I portrayed the boys from the small village Yene who gather on the beach, every day at the end of the afternoon, to train together.”
Scroll down to see images from Coppegans’ Lutteurs series, and see more of his award-winning work on his website.
Published for one-time use only with permission from Ernst Coppejans. Photographs may not be saved, copied or republished on any other website.
Related stories:
PHOTOS: An Intimate Glimpse At The Gay Male Escorts Of Amsterdam
Here’s What Goes On Inside The All-Male “Akharas” Of India
PHOTOS: The Secret Homoerotic Lives Of Cuban Men
Graham Gremore
Gay Teen Vlogger Austin Wallis Tells Houston TV Stations How He Was Threatened With Expulsion: VIDEO
Gay Teen Vlogger Austin Wallis Tells Houston TV Stations How He Was Threatened With Expulsion: VIDEO
Gay teen vlogger Austin Wallis — who was forced to leave his high school because he’s gay — may not have any legal recourse given that it’s a private, religious institution.
However, it’s safe to say the school — Houston’s Lutheran High North — has now gotten its share of bad PR. And at the very least, other parents of LGBT children — or even those who want their kids to learn in a diverse, real-world environment that’s accepting of all people — may be reluctant to enroll them at Lutheran High North.
Five days after posting the heartbreaking YouTube video recounting how he was threatened with expulsion for being gay, the 17-year-old Wallis went in front of Houston TV news cameras on Friday to discuss the ordeal.
Wallis didn’t identify his former school in the YouTube video, which was first reported by Towleroad and has been viewed almost 200,000 times. However, The Texas Observer revealed this week that it was Lutheran High North, prompting TV reporters to descend upon the school and Wallis, who still seems a little starstruck.
Wallis asked the TV stations not to use his last name, and for the most part he simply reiterated what he said in the video — that the school’s principal told him if he didn’t delete his YouTube channel, which he maintains with his boyfriend, he needed to find another school.
Although there’s not a lot of new information in the three TV news reports, we do learn that Wallis’ mom is supportive, with both she and her son saying they didn’t realize the school handbook had a “morals code” prohibiting homosexuality.
“They had a right to offer this ultimatum and I would stress to all parents read your handbooks,” Cheryl Wallis told KHOU-TV.
Not surprisingly, Lutheran High North officials opted not to go on camera to explain their bigotry. But on a side note, head of school Dallas Lusk contacted yours truly on Friday morning — the day after my report in The Texas Observer — and asked whether the magazine is affiliated with the hacker group Anonymous. Lusk said that since the story’s publication, other students were getting “attacked” with lewd images sent to them over social media. I assured Lusk there was no connection and pressed him more information, saying I’d be interested in reporting on the alleged attacks, but he declined and hung up.
The local TV stations attempted to speak with other students at Lutheran High North, but only one was successful in getting a comment.
“It’s a Lutheran school. What do you expect?” the student said.
Gee, I don’t know, perhaps some Christian love?
Watch reports from KHOU-TV, KPRC-TV and KTRK-TV, AFTER THE JUMP …
John Wright
Gay Dad Shares His Three Simple Rules For Easy Parenting
Gay Dad Shares His Three Simple Rules For Easy Parenting
PARENTS! (Yes, I am YELLING at YOU!) Parenthood is easy.
The nuts and bolts of parenting are simple. Below are the rules to avoid raising an emperor who ruins your life and annoys me at Starbucks. Get these basics down, and then you can deal with what makes parenthood enjoyable (as opposed to barely tolerable.)
- FOLLOW THROUGH (I had to yell this one, also.)
If you say, “Timmy, don’t do X, or we will have to do Y” you best be ready to follow through with plan Y.
If you don’t follow through with Plan Y, you’re setting yourself up to become a human treadmill for a tyrant.
It drives me nuts to hear open threats in public. “If you don’t stop throwing truffle cavatelli, Bunky, you won’t get to watch Real Housewives, on my iPhone.” (And two seconds later, Bunky is watching the iPhone. Because the parents gave up.) “Don’t puncture the heirloom tomatoes, Bordeaux, or you won’t get an heirloom cookie.” (And two stalls later at the farmer’s market, mischievous Bordeaux sports gluten-full crumbs all over his cashmere jumper. Because the parents gave up!)
PARENTS! (Yes, I’m yelling again) YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THROUGH!
Showing your kids you mean what you say will give them limits, make them respect your word and stop them from acting out (too much) in the future.
The one time you yank your horrendous progeny from library story-time draws the line.
The one time you leave a restaurant without receiving your mozzarella sticks gains you respect.
The one time you send your kid to bed hungry because they refused to eat Shake’n Bake and only wanted cookies will give you more time to watch Real Housewives and drink wine. Um, I mean teaches important lessons.
Prepare yourself to:
• Leave the full grocery cart in the middle aisle.
• Get your wine in a to-go cup.
• Turn the car around.
• Saw the wheels off the Thomas train.
• Get off at the next bus stop. (There’ll be another.)
• Waste the money you spent getting into the puppet show to save your sanity down the line.
• Drag a child throwing a tantrum down the street. (It’s OK. You’re the boss.)
• FOLLOW THROUGH! (stop yelling)
Usually you just need to step out of the library/restaurant/poetry-slam for five minutes to change their behavior.
And you can’t seriously be afraid that childish protests in public are worse than showing who’s boss. If they sense you’re embarrassed because you’re in public, your kid will steamroll all over you.
They’ve got to learn there are consequences to bad choices. And parents teach consequences, which prepare kids for good future behavior.
You might feel bad in the short-term. But parenthood ain’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
And they might say “I hate you.” Fine. You can just respond, “That’s OK. I love you. Now we’re going home because you spit on the banquette, threw a book at your brother and stuck a french fry in that Dowager Countess’ hairdo.”
Oh. And the other two rules?
- See above.
- See above.
I wrote “3 Rules” because “1 Rule” seemed misleading.
But this is the important one.
Gavin Lodge is a Broadway performer, father and blogger. This essay was first published on Daddy Coping In Style.
Jeremy Kinser
PHOTOS: L.A. Love Story by Matt Lambert
PHOTOS: L.A. Love Story by Matt Lambert
It’s February! That means it’s time for gratuitous romance (and a little sex).
Christopher Harrity
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/art/photography/2015/02/07/photos-la-love-story-matt-lambert
Make Sparkling Hill Resort Your Year-Round Vacation Destination
Make Sparkling Hill Resort Your Year-Round Vacation Destination
Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. Our friends at Sparkling Hill Resort and KurSpa offer guests a premier four season destination, with luxurious accommodations and exclusive LGBT offers year-round.
Located hilltop overlooking the blue waters of Lake Okanagan, it offers amenities fit for a king (or queen), including views of the water and wilderness, Swarovski crystal fireplaces, soaking tubs, king-sized beds, and a state-of-the-art spa and healing center.
With over 180 nearby wineries and restaurants, spring and fall offers wine festivals, tastings, and other culinary delights.
Summers at Lake Okanagan are hot and dry. It’s an ideal time to visit if you’re looking for a place to relax, read a book or twelve, and work your tan.
And wintertime offers no shortage of outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing.
It certainly makes sense why this place was recently named the best mountaintop resort in the world.
Visit Sparkling Hill Resort and KurSpa’s website for more information on year-round vacation getaway packages, discounts, and other offers.
Graham Gremore
Hot Sheet: February 6, 2015
Hot Sheet: February 6, 2015
Our top 10 entertainment and events highlights this week include Kelly Clarkson, Sam Smith’s video wedding, Kylie Minogue’s newest sound, and the Grammys.
Advocate.com Editors
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/hot-sheet/2015/02/06/hot-sheet-february-6-2015
How to Be a Lesbian: Our Burning Questions Answered
How to Be a Lesbian: Our Burning Questions Answered
I’ve been learning how to be a lesbian lately, because my boyfriend and I opened our relationship last year.
“Open relationship,” for us, means we’re still committed to each other but also date other people. So I get to be a lesbian sometimes, and he gets to be, um, the same. But with more sex.
Ten productive months into being a sometimes-lesbian, I still have a lot of questions. So I reached out to Natashia Mower, this lesbian I know personally,* to set me, well, gay, I guess.
Dana: Where can I find the best vests? Is there a special store online?
Natashia: You don’t actually find the best vests; the best vests find you. Be patient; it’ll happen. My favorite vest didn’t find me until I had been out of the closet for almost six years. (Things would’ve been so much easier if the vest had been in the closet I came out of.)
Dana: How short does my hair have to be before they’ll know I’m gay? What styles read “bicurious”?
Natashia: This is heavily debated in the gay community, so I can only give you my personal opinion. Sideburns are tricky and will most likely indicate “straight” or “bicurious.” Trust me; I’ve been side-burned too many times thinking a girl was gay just because she had short hair with sideburns. In my experience, the best method to ensure your hair clearly defines your sexuality is to find a photograph of your father from the late ’70s and go with whatever haircut he had at the time.
Dana: Can my dog be any kind of mutt, or does it have to be a purebred German shepherd?
Natashia: You won’t be kicked out of the lesbians if you have a mutt; we find any breed or mix of breeds acceptable. German shepherds are only so common amongst gay women because they’re like the lesbians of dogs: loyal, capable and they look great in vests. Again, German shepherds aren’t a requirement. It is preferred that you at least have a pet of some kind: dog, cat, gerbil, ant farm, algae, etc. For the record, ferrets are very in right now.
Dana: Is there a class I can take on “EDM for Introverts,” or is that something you just learn from the other lesbians?
Natashia: Well, I hope there’s a class, because I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about right now. I guess I’m just too busy being home alone, avoiding everyone and everything. By the way, can you recommend any good music?
Dana: What is the easiest way to locate my nearest Whole Foods?
Natashia: Get yourself a GPS (gay-positioning system) off of Amazon, $35. It will point you towards the nearest Whole Foods, Lady Foot Locker and the renovated garage where my ex-girlfriend Trinity grooms homeless dogs.
Dana: Is there a cheaper version of Birkenstocks? (How is a barista supposed to afford those?)
Natashia: Stirkenbocks, found at Payless, Shoe Carnival and some farmer’s markets. They are very uncomfortable. Stirkenbocks!
Dana: How long into a first date should I wait to give her a key to my apartment?
Natashia: Immediately, if not before the date. If that’s too fast for you, judge based on how the date is going. For example, if the date is going well, give her the key right before you order your food. You may have a love-at-first-sight scenario, in which case you will want to have come prepared with what’s referred to as a “bouquet of keys” (a key ring with a copy of every key you have), a romantic tradition started by lesbian janitors.
Dana: Tofu, tempei, seitan: Which really tastes like chicken?
Natashia: This is a common misconception wherein people confuse gay women with people who have money. I don’t have money. Is the answer chicken? Chicken tastes like chicken.
Dana: So that I’m not lost in a conversation, what are some of the must-know fanfic sites?
Natashia: FictionElle, FictionEllen and FictionL-Word are the three most popular and are currently part of various lawsuits against each other, for obvious reasons.
Dana: How many bumper stickers is too many — or too few?
Natashia: Quality over quantity, I say. If you pull up to a coffee shop or lesbian bar in a Subaru that is plastered in a variety of bumper stickers, the only thing it will say about you is that you couldn’t afford a new paint job. Think very carefully about your personal values, opinions and which secondhand bookstore you most want to advertise for.
Dana: Are there great trails for hiking anywhere in the U.S., or do I need to move west to be a lesbian?
Natashia: When you’re a lesbian, you can hike anywhere. As long as you’re a homosexual lady walking outside, it counts. It’s called dykeing.
Dana: Now that I’m a lesbian, will I still get into Heaven — sorry, Sheaven?
Natashia: As long as you never renounce your lesbianism and never murder anyone, you will most likely get into Sheaven. Heaven, on the other hand, isn’t a real place.
*No we’re not sleeping together. But you’re right; that would be hot.
Natashia Mower is a stand-up comedian from Salt Lake City. She was recently nominated for a Salt Lake City Weekly Arty Award for best local stand-up and moved into her parents’ garage around the same time. Follow her on Twitter @tashiamo.
Dana Sitar is still not sure how to dance to EDM. You can find more stories and resources from her at WritersBucketList.com.
Several Alabama Probate Judges Say They Won't Issue Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples
Several Alabama Probate Judges Say They Won't Issue Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples
Several probate judges in Alabama say they won’t issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Monday — when a stay expires on a federal district judge’s ruling striking down the state’s marriage ban.
MSNBC reports:
Of the 26 probate judges msnbc was able to contact Friday, 18 said they were planning on issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples next week. But Liberty Counsel, an anti-marriage equality litigation and policy organization, said it was already representing five Alabama judges who would not be issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Monday, and that more judges could soon be seeking the group’s representation.
Assuming the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t issue a stay over the weekend, same-sex couples can begin applying for marriage licenses Monday morning.
The Troy Messenger reports that Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen (above) plans to stop issuing marriage licenses altogether to avoid providing them to same-sex couples, which he says would violate his religious beliefs:
“The people of Pike County elected me to perform my duties and they also elected me because of who I am and the values I live by,” Allen said. “I am choosing to take the Pike County Probate Office out of the marriage licensing business altogether. That is completely within my rights under the laws of Alabama.”
Allen cited state law, specifically Alabama Code Section 30-1-9, which states “Marriage licenses may be issued by the judges of probate of the several counties.”
Allen said the word “may” in the statue shows that Alabama law does not mandate that he issue marriage licenses.
He also cited Alabama Law Code Section 30-1-7, which he said gives Probate Judges discretion regarding the performance of marriage ceremonies.
“The word ‘may’ implies that I have a choice,” Allen said. “At this time, I am exercising my right to choose not to issue any marriage licenses to anyone.”
Interestingly, Allen is also citing Alabama’s “license to discriminate” law — the Alabama Religious Freedom Amendment — which states that, “Governments should not burden religious exercise without compelling justification.” Alabama is the only state that has enshrined a Religious Freedom law — known as a RFRA — in its state Constitution. More from Allen:
“I believe that the Alabama Constitution and federal law protect my right to both live my life as a Christian and perform my elected duties,” Allen said. “The way that the law allows me to do that is by giving me the discretion to end the issuance of marriage licenses, and that is the legal course I am taking.”
Rogue Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore has advised probate judges they don’t have to issue same-sex marriage licenses, arguing the state isn’t bound by federal court rulings on the issue, which prompted an ethics complaint from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
According to The Troy Messenger, probate judges in Chilton, Elmore and Geneva counties have said they will stop performing marriages but may continue to issue marriage licenses.
The Demopolis Times reports that Marengo County Probate Judge Laurie Hall will still issue marriage licenses but will not sign them:
“I have been advised that licenses must still be made available through the Probate Office; thus, begrudgingly, licenses will remain available through the Probate Office until and unless I am notified and advised otherwise,” Hall said. “Marriage licenses are processed through the Vital Statistics division of the Alabama Department of Public Health, which has informed the Probate Judges Association that, despite the absence of the signature of the Probate Judge, licenses will still be accepted and processed. Based on that information, I will not be placing my signature on marriage licenses. I continue to pray for our county, state and country, and the leaders and citizens thereof, and ask for your prayers, as well.”
Despite the resistance from some probate judges, the Alabama Department of Public Health is preparing for the possible arrival of same-sex marriage on Monday — issuing new gender-neutral license forms that replace “bride” and “groom” with “first listed spouse and “second listed spouse.”
John Wright
