If you want to be a writer, you have to have a thick skin. And if you want to write for the Web, you need a Kevlar bodysuit: people can get pretty nasty out there on the Internet. Anonymous readers have used various sites' commenting features to call me names I truly wouldn't call my worst enemy. My crimes? Things like offering etiquette advice, interviewing an artist, and writing a subjective (and positive!) review of a CD.
In light of last week’s California Supreme Court decision to uphold Prop 8, one grassroots and netroots organization launched a new campaign to target “middle American” values in the middle of California, Fresno. The event, Meet in the Middle, took place Saturday, May 30th at the City Hall in Fresno.
The forces of fear and oppression never win in the long run. Gay marriage is inevitable. The question before us is not if, but when? In the wake of the recent California Supreme Court ruling that upheld Prop 8, many in our community and our supporters are feeling angry and dejected. While these emotions are understandable, they will only eat away at us if we don’t turn that emotion into action.
Dr. Edwards --I have often wondered if it is possible that some people CHOOSE to be gay. I was recently in a relationship with a man who said he was gay but had a previous relationship with a woman. One night while we were dating, he revealed to me that he had been violently raped by his older brother when he was growing up. He said he was always gay and the traumatic event did not make him gay. Nonetheless the story disturbed me and left me questioning the idea that some people may become gay as a result of some kind of childhood trauma. -- Charles
"I have had three partners die as a result of the HIV virus since the mid 80’s and I am still negative. I was the bottom in all three relationships and did not use protection. I lived in a rural town in Idaho that didn’t have much knowledge of stuff back then.
I moved to LA with one of my partners and finally got him on AZT. The doctor wanted me on it even though I tested negative as he thought it was a false negative? So I was on it a year but made me so ill I stopped it. Even though I still test negative I have different conditions that are usually related to it, like Pneumocystis pneumonia, thrush and other.
My question is what I am to think about if I am really negative or positive? I was told about ten years ago in a clinic in Seattle that I can not be infected since I did not get it with all I have done, but to use protection anyway. Who and what am I to believe and what do I tell my partners?"
I have noticed a pattern among closeted gays and lesbians who post on the Hot Topic bulletin boards: So many of them angrily insist that they are in the closet because a) their personal life is no one's business, or b) they are so embarrassed by the gay community that they don't want to be associated with it.
I have to ask: Are these people for real? Or are these people making excuses?
Activists are getting younger and younger these days. Have you heard about Ethan? The Colorado third-grader recently organized a rally to promote marriage equality for gays and lesbians as well as equal protection under the law.
Yes, this little boy—with some help from his mom and a teacher—put together a rally for gay equality, getting the necessary permits, finding speakers and making the community aware of the event, which was held this past Saturday in Denver on the steps of Colorado's Capitol. Two hundred people attended. Not a bad turnout!
While Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper couldn't make it, he did issue a proclamation declaring May 16th "Marriage Equality and Equal Protection For All Day."
As for what inspired this little boy to speak out for gay rights, Ethan decided to hold the rally after he found out that a same-sex couple who lives in his neighborhood and has a child are not allowed to wed in Colorado.
You've got to love this kid. Check out this video of him speaking at the rally:
MSNBC's Keith Olbermann obtained major credibility with the gay community last November after defending same-sex marriage on his popular TV show. His on-air "lesson" to Miss California, Carrie Prejean, on last night's broadcast only reinforced his popularity in the gay community. In case you missed his new segment, you can watch it below.
Hold on to your tiaras: Miss California Carrie Prejean is keeping her crown. Donald Trump, who co-owns the Miss Universe Organization (parent of the Miss U.S.A. and Miss Universe pageants), made the announcement at a press conference in New York City this morning.
Prejean faced the possibility of losing her title after some sexy photos of her surfaced. The whole brouhaha over the pictures was ridiculous. In my opinion, they were no more scandalous than a Maxim magazine photo spread. Trump agreed.
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