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.
Harold Ford, Jr. speaks, met with protests at NY LGBT Center
Monday, April 5, 2010 11:26AM
He's announced he will NOT run against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in the NY Democratic Primary, and perhaps this event was part of that decision.
Former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. was met with protests and called a liar when he visited the LGBT Center in Manhattan, NY.
My Story on "I'm From Driftwood"
Saturday, April 3, 2010 2:16PM
"I'm From Driftwood" is a very cool site that started as a book idea: telling true gay stories from voices across the country. The book has yet to be published, but there are new stories posted constantly in written an video form on ImFromDriftwood.com
Here's my story...
Let the blogging begin... and Brooklyn Pride!
Friday, April 2, 2010 1:41PM
So I've made a decision to stop being lazy and post SOMETHING here at least once a day. Also look for a weekly video segment wrapping up 7 days of big gay news stories.
Last night I attended the Founder's Ball for the new Brooklyn Community Pride Center. Believe it or not, Brooklyn is the last burrough of New York City to get its own LGBT home-base. It's temporarily being housed in an office at Brooklyn's Burrough Hall, but will hopefully will land in Downtown Brooklyn once they secure some real estate.
Video from the founder's ball is coming soon! For now, you can get more info at their website.
Out Music Awards
Saturday, March 20, 2010 9:13AM
At the Out Music Awards... which honors LGBT performers annually.
Sgt Ford's Apology for Anti-Gay Attack
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 9:59AM
After the US Air Force handed down its punishment -- including docked pay and lowering of rank -- Sgt. Benjamin Ford, who physically assaulted us and used anti-gay slurs, wrote this unsolicited letter:
Dear Mr. Hayes,
First, let me thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I realize that I am one of your least favorite people and you could have easily ripped up the letter and not given it another thought, but you didn't. I can only hope that you will continue to read and allow me to express my sincerest apologies for the pain and suffering that I caused you and your friends.
On the night of September 25th, I went to the bar on 9th Avenue with the intention of having a good time. I had a few drinks and was enjoying the atmosphere just as you and your friends were. Unfortunately, I continued to drink beyond what was reasonable and began to experience the negative effects of alcohol. Some people say they grow ten feet tall and become bulletproof when drinking; I must admit I was feeling similarly. I was also feeling quite belligerent.
When I walked outside that night, you could easily say that I had a large chip on my shoulder. Call it macho, call it showing off, call it being an imbecile, call it what you like. I admit that I was being an overbearing, callous bully who was looking for someone to fight with. At that time, you three gentlemen came into range and I let my anger get the best of me.
For that display of anger and the horrible names I spewed, I will be forever embarrassed and ashamed. Not only did I embarrass myself, I embarrassed the good name of the military branch I serve and the ideals that we so justly protect, namely, "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." I hurled vile condemnations at you and threw punches and kicks. I attempted to inflict a great deal of pain, both physical and emotional. It was an egregious offense that none of you deserved and one that I am utterly disgusted at committing.
I do not know your opinion of the military, but I am sure that I have tarnished it immeasurably. Please let me tell you that the military does not condone such behavior and has enacted strict measures to negatively reinforce my actions of that evening. The biggest blow was being demoted in grade. Although that may sound trivial, it has a huge impact upon a once spotless career. The loss of prestige has been humbling as personnel who once worked for me are now in charge. The demotion also reduces my pay by hundreds of dollars each month. I was once eligible for promotion to the next higher grade... no longer. Now I will have to meet eligibility requirements for my previous grade before building toward any higher grade. For a few minutes of thoughtless, insensitive action, I will have to make up approximately three years of my life and forego tens of thousands of dollars that I could have earned, in addition to the considerable amount of pay withheld from me as an initial fine. This incident will be a permanent mark in my record and forever in my mind.
In addition to negative reinforcement, the military has instituted preventative measures to positively reinforce correct social behavior. Professionals have helped me to understand why I behaved the way I did and they have educated me on ways to avoid it. First, I attended alcohol abuse classes. The amount of alcohol that I drank was beyond prudent and brought on conditions that I was once unaware of. That does not excuse my behavior, but prevention starts with education. I also attended anger management classes which helped me to interact with people and events rationally and to handle my own anger issues in a constructive way. As a personal measure, I'm preparing to speak in front of groups of new personnel in the military. I can only hope my story will stop someone else from offending the way I did.
I've written about what happened that evening and I've written about how the military dealt with my actions. I would like to close with writing I'm sorry to you and each of your friends. My behavior and language were completely unacceptable and I am ashamed of the things I did and said. What I did caused you pain and suffering; I apologize for my words and my actions. You did not deserve to be treated that way, no one does. I have embarrassed myself, my family, and my country. Whether you are able to forgive me is certainly your prerogative, but please know that I will never repeat this behavior in the future. I am truly sorry for my heartless actions.
Lastly, thank you for taking the time to read this letter. You've shown me far more consideration than I showed you.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Ford
Sgt. Ford photo credit: Easterling/US Air Force
New Group "Queer Rising" Marriage Demonstration Ends in Arrests
Monday, February 22, 2010 6:08PM
Queer Rising's message is quickly spreading: Equal Rights for LGBT Americans NOW. The group, which was born in New York City just a few months ago has already inspired others in nearby cities like Boston to rise up and demand equality.
Founded with the help of ACT UP vets and fueled by the civil disobedience tactics of the Civil Rights Movement, Queer Rising is becoming an important piece of the fight for equality.
Find Queer Rising on Facebook.
Joining the NoH8 Campaign
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 3:48PM
Along with two fellow hosts from OurSceneTV, I got tattooed and photographed for the NoH8 Campaign. They've picked up a whole bunch of celebrity endorsements -- including Cindy and Meghan McCain!!!
More about the campaign and how you can get involved at NoH8campaign.com
Update: Decorated Air Force Sergeant Was Our Attacker
Sunday, January 24, 2010 1:42PM
"Go ahead, try telling the cops, they won't do anything... you can't touch me." That's what US Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Ford told us after physically attacking us on 9th Avenue. He threw punches and anti-gay slurs. "Faggots." "Homos." "Get AIDS and die you f***ing queers."
One dented car, two eyewitnesses, and at least 5 cops later we expected him to be punished. But that night, he was right. He walked away without a report even being filed.
But this past week, we moved a step closer to justice. Under pressure from city officials, the NYPD stepped up shortly after the incident and have done a stellar job of identifying this guy and building a case against him.
He's currently based in London. He defuses bombs. He's done tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. To America, he is a hero. But that night, he was the farthest thing from it.
And he's finally being forced to answer for his violent outburst of ignorance.
Due to the difficulty of getting him back in time to face trial before a 90-day limit passes, the DA and the three of us have agreed to hand the case over to the military to dole out punishment.
This is a risk; can we depend on the US Air Force to punish one of their own for an anti-gay attack? Especially when the entire US Military has anti-gay rhetoric on the books with laws like Don't Ask, Don't Tell? We hope so, and have been reassured they intend to make an example of Sgt. Ford.
This case, more than anything, has highlighted the importance of repealing anti-gay laws like Don't Ask, Don't Tell. How can we open the minds of our brave military heroes until we open the laws to include gay and lesbian servicemen and women?
Now we wait for word from London on Sgt. Ford's punishment. We're also waiting for the NYPD to announce disciplinary action for the officers who gave Sgt. Ford a free pass on the scene. Luckily, surveillance camera footage captured Sgt. Ford showing the officers what we assume was a military ID.
We'll keep ya posted.