Rainbow Flag 101 with Creator Gilbert Baker!
Friday, June 25, 2010 1:50PM
For 32 years, the rainbow flag has become a world-wide gay symbol. I went to Gilbert Baker's NYC apartment to chat about creating it.
One point that Gilbert brought up that's not in this short segment is the bittersweet aspect of the flag; there are many places in the world -- 80 countries -- where it's still a crime to be gay, and raising the rainbow could result in prison or death.
For more on which countries still have laws against homosexuality, check out this wikipedia page.
We've still got a long way to go before this flag can be flown with pride around the world.
HAPPY PRIDE!
Sunday, June 13, 2010 6:55PM
What is pride?
I looked up the definition in multiple dictionaries and couldn't find anything about public intoxication, underwear parties or ecstasy. Instead I found words like "self-respect," "dignity," and "satisfaction in achievement."
I mean, most of the people at the first parade were fully clothed. And that was in 1970, when everyone was running around naked. But that's because it wasn't a parade, or celebration; it was a march, a political action to draw attention to the inequities of being gay in America. Gay Liberation.
We may not be getting arrested for flirting anymore, but we certainly can't afford to forget how much ground we still have to gain until equality is a real thing.
That's not to say we haven't achieved much since the first pride march. In 40 years, we've made a lot of progress:
Same-sex marriage is legal in 5 states and several foreign countries. Even Laura Bush and Cindy McCain have signed on.
Just last fall, hate crimes were expanded to include sexual orientation. The law named after Matthew Shepard was the FIRST major federal legislation that PROTECTS our rights.
Over 40 years, we're coming out in greater numbers. Ellen Degeneres. Rosie O'Donnell. Neil Patrick Harris. Rupert Everett. Ricky Martin. George Michael. Melissa Etheridge. Elton John. Lance Bass. Sir Ian McKellen. Lily Tomlin. And so many others.
We're also coming out younger, standing up for ourselves and forging early allies. The 10 year old who wouldn't say the pledge of allegiance since his gay friends don't have liberty or justice. The 18 year old who sued to bring her girlfriend to prom and sparked a national conversation.
We're getting elected. We're slowly changing laws. We're acting up, devoting time, money, and at times, our personal freedom, to achieve a common goal.
But if there's one event, or one group of people you should think of this month, it's the men and women at the Stonewall Inn the night of June 27, 1969. After decades of oppression, they stood up, fought the police, and sparked the gay rights movement in six nights of rioting. Without these courageous veterans, where would our battle for equality be today?
We've still got a lot of work to do until we can truly be satisfied with our achievements. So this month, whether you're in a speedo or business suit; swigging vodka or water; celebrating sex or chastity; don't forget what pride truly is: a celebration of where we came from, where we have to go, and who we are.
Pride is June 27th in New York. But I'm gay every day of the year. And fucking proud of it.
Frustrating Report on Uganda's "Kill the Gays" Bill
Saturday, May 29, 2010 11:26AM
A brilliant -- yet frustrating -- report from Current on the bill in Uganda that aims to increase punishments for being gay.
For further reading: NY Times
Meryl Streep's Daughter: First Film, Romancing Kellan Lutz!
Monday, May 10, 2010 5:29PM
I hit the red carpet during the Tribeca Film Festival to chat with Grace Gummer (Meryl Streep's daughter) making her feature film debut in Meskada.
Grace and her co-stars sum up the film -- and what it was like working with hottie Kellan Lutz!
Hawaii Close to Passing Civil Unions Law
Monday, May 3, 2010 1:28PM
State lawmakers in Hawaii voted 31-20 in support of a Civil Unions bill that grants same-sex couples the same rights as straight couples. Next it moves to the (Republican) governor's desk. She has until July 6 to make a decision.
It's still not marriage, but it's a step.
Hawaii was the first state in the US to legalize same-sex marriage, though it was overturned within a day. Here's a story I did for the Advocate getting reaction from Hawaii after Maine's vote to overturn same-sex marriage in Nov. 2009.
Open Letter to NM School that Suspended Students on "Day of Silence"
Monday, April 19, 2010 3:28PM
Dear Administrators at Clovis High,
I was incredibly disappointed to hear that two students were suspended for participating in the Day of Silence on Friday. I read your school district's mission statement, and I believe you have failed.
"Diverse cultural heritage enriches and strengthens our community." How are you supporting diversity by suspending students who are promoting acceptance?
"Each student will develop and consistently demonstrate the character traits of respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship." Two students respectfully demonstrated great courage, conviction, and character in standing against anti-gay bullying and name-calling. They were standing for fairness; caring for the LGBT community; and exercising their First Amendment rights as citizens.
If you truly stand for diversity and uniqueness you should be APPLAUDING these students, not suspending them.
When approximately 90% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered students report being harassed in the past year, it is your responsibility to denounce anti-gay bullying. These students who were suspended are doing what you, as administrators, should be doing every day: drawing attention to issues that need to be addressed; and spreading acceptance and solidarity against anti-gay words and actions. And yet these students were punished.
I urge you to end their suspensions, strike them from their school record, and begin working to create programs and attitudes that promote acceptance; not ignorance and discrimination.
GLSEN -- the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network has a lot of great materials that can help your district. I hope you'll work with them.
You are shaping the minds of the future. You have already made a dangerous step in the wrong direction. I hope you will correct it as soon as possible.
Blake Hayes
Open Letter to Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Monday, April 19, 2010 2:59PM
Dear Sonoma County Board of Supervisors,
I was absolutely appalled to read about Clay and Harold, a gay couple living in your county whose lives were tragically disrespected under your watch.
According to a Seattle Online Newspaper, the elderly gay couple was separated when Harold, 88, was hospitalized after a fall. Clay, his 77 year-old partner of 20 years, was denied visitation despite legal documents that should have permitted him to see Harold. Clay was then allegedly committed to a nursing home -- against his will -- and as Harold's life slipped away, they both were kept apart.
Even more despicably, their apartment and belongings were surrendered and auctioned off. Harold died. And what was left of their life together is gone.
I understand there is a lawsuit headed for court this July. Despite the legal issues here -- of which there are many -- this is about simple human compassion. The fact that not ONE of you had the courage to step in and stop this from happening is disgusting. Imagine your parents being ripped apart in their final moments of life. Imagine being separated from your husband or wife as they slipped away. Imagine sharing your life with someone in a healthy, loving relationship for twenty years, only to be told your love simply doesn't count in Sonoma County.
Unfortunately, the damage is done. Nothing can give Clay and Harold their final moments together. Nothing can return their precious possessions, or make up for the simple human dignity they should have been shown by your office. But you can make sure this never happens again by creating non-discrimination policies in your county, and becoming an advocate for your Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender constituents.
I urge you to work with organizations like HRC or NCLR to help form these policies and spread acceptance, tolerance, and compassion for ALL of your neighbors.
We're not asking for privileged treatment. Just equal human dignity.
Thank you for your time,
Blake Hayes
New York, NY
Kellan Lutz Lovin' on Meryl Streep's Daughter
Monday, April 19, 2010 11:56AM
Check out some steamy pics of Twilight hottie (and CK model) Kellan Lutz from the new film Meskada. He plays opposite Grace Gummer, Meryl Streep's daughter, in her big screen debut!
Meskada follows a small-town detective named Noah Cordin as he struggles to solve the brutal murder of a boy in the peaceful, affluent town of Hilliard. The killers left behind no clues at the crime scene, with the exception of a scrap of paper leading Cordin back to his hometown of Caswell. Here, Cordin and county detective Leslie Spencer consult with Cordin's old friends, all of whom are suffering from the economic troubles that have plunged Caswell into near-destitution. As their search fails to turn up a suspect, feverish tensions rise between the towns of Hilliard and Caswell, until the film reaches its shocking climax.
Meskada premieres at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival this month!
Brooklyn Celebrates New LGBT Center!
Friday, April 9, 2010 1:17AM
Brooklyn is the last borough of NYC to get its own LGBT center... and the founders celebrated with the community at the Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo! http://lgbtbrooklyn.org
Kissing in the Street to Protest Anti-gay Violence in Brooklyn!
Monday, April 5, 2010 11:34AM
Two weeks after a brutal anti-gay attack on a 22 year-old in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn, LGBT New Yorkers staged a public "kiss-out" and rally in support of the victim.