SOUTHERN WITH A GAY TWIST
04.08.16 V7-07
Gay Social App Gets Political Positive additions
the bare essentials COVER BY JR WEST
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04.08.2016
Contents
the bare essentials
FENUXE
BY JR WEST
PG 28
07
CALENDAR: 8 GREAT THINGS TO DO
08
OUT & ABOUT PHOTOS
20
WHAT WENTWORTH MILLER’S DEPRESSION SAYS ABOUT ALL OF US
22
GAY SOCIAL APP GETS POLITICAL
24
POSITIVE ADDITIONS
28
THE BARE ESSENTIALS
36
HEY GIRL HEY
38
GAY NEWS AT A GLANCE Scan the QR Code with your smart phone to like us on
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COVER BY JR WEST
Edgerton Foundation New Play Award recipient
From Charles Randolph-Wright, director of Motown the Musical A neW A mericAn muSicAl
“We’re all born for a purpose. This musical celebrates the journey of finding it.” —Six-time Grammy Award winner BeBe Winans
April 13–May 15
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ATLANTA LEATHER PRIDE @ EAGLE Friday, April 8 Atlanta Leather Pride 2016 is at the Atlanta Eagle, featuring Hotlanta Rubber and Gear Club barnight and demos on Friday, a $5 BBQ and Beer Bust, Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle and Mr. Southeast Rubber contest and a SWEAT Victory party with DJ Neon the GloGoBear on Saturday, and a Victory Brunch at Roxx at 11:30 AM on Sunday, www.atlantaeagle.com
DREAMGIRLS Saturday, April 9 Atlanta Lyric Theatre opens their sexy version of “Dreamgirls,” directed by Ricardo Aponte, an out and proud gay man, running through April 24 with an 8 p.m. curtain. For more information visit www.atlantalyrictheatre.com
JOINING HEARTS PRESENTS CHANGE OF SEASONS Sunday, April 10 Joining Hearts presents the Change of Seasons, an incredibly fun retro themed ’90s tea dance, 4 – 8 p.m., The Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
FUN APR 11
APR 10
FUN
COMMUNITY
INDUSTRY NIGHT + GOGO DANCERS Monday, April 11 Join the Eagle Atlanta as they present Industry night with incredible drink discounts and sexy gogo dancers - it’s definately the funnest Monday Night in all of Gay Atlanta! Doors open at 7pm.
FUN APR 9
APR 9
APR 8
APR 9
THEATRE
CONNECTIONS - A GAY MAN’S WORKSHOP Saturday, April 9 Connecting to other gay men, nature and ourselves can help us feel more balanced and enhance our feelings of well-being. Connections, a workshop for gay men, is today from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Panola Mountain State Park, http://atlantapride.org/ event/connections-workshopgay-men-2/
HRC DJ BATTLE Saturday, April 9 Join Jungle & HRC for Her HRC battle of the DJs, a very special night of dancing, and 80s and 90s nostalgia featuring some of Atlanta’s hottest DJs. The DJ with the most cash tips at the end of the night wins! Butch, femme, trans, lesbian, gay, drag, straight, bisexual, ally — come as you are! 7 – 9:30 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
THEATER CHARITY APR 12 05.03.15
LEATHER
ETHEL Tuesday, April 12 Broadway “Dreamgirls” cast member Terry Burrell stars in “Ethel,” a one woman show about the legendary Ethel Waters, tonight at 7:30 p.m., running through April 17 at the Alliance Theatre, www.alliancetheatre.org
FUN APR 22
CALENDAR
2ND ANNUAL BEAR PRIDE Friday, April 22 Join the second annual Atlanta Bear Pride for a big weekend of events and entertainment, featuring bears, cubs, otters, chubs, chasers and friends from around the globe. The host hotel is the La Quinta Inn Atlanta. More details and schedule of events coming soon to www. AtlantaBearPride.com FENUXE.COM : 7
OUT & ABOUT
08: April 08, 2016
PHOTOS
EASTER DRAG RACES @ BURKHART’S PUB PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
OUT & ABOUT
12: April 8, 2016
PHOTOS
THE VICTORY FUND: BUBBLES & BISCUITS @ THE WIMBISH HOUSE PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
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OUT & ABOUT
12: April 8, 2016
PHOTOS
EASTER PARTY @ BLAKES PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
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FENUXE.COM : 19
OUT & ABOUT
14: April 8, 2016
PHOTOS
AV200 BEER BUST @ OSCARS PHOTOS BY: SHER PRUITT
Atlanta’s own Terry Burrell brings the wit of amazing performer Ethel Waters to life in this one woman play with music.
Terry Burrell in the Walnut Street Theatre production of Ethel.
Ticketass as low
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March 25–April 17
404.873.2664
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OUT & ABOUT
16: April 8, 2016
PHOTOS
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OUT & ABOUT
18: April 8, 2016
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FENUXE.COM : 21
COMMUNITY
BY DAVID CONNOR
What Wentworth Miller’s Depression Says About All of Us
Wentworth Miller first became widely known for his looks in a Mariah Carey video, and then through the starring role in the 2005-2009 Fox series “Prison Break.” But despite possessing just about everything that’s valued in American society today— fame, beauty, money—Miller’s life wasn’t easy. Perez Hilton and similar blog bullies posted photos of Miller strolling and riding in cars with gay actor Luke MacFarlane (who had a starring role as a gay character on ABC’s “Brothers and Sisters”). Along with these photos were, for lack of a better word, accusations that Miller was secretly gay. Miller responded by denying his rumored sexuality, which is always a lose-lose proposition for anyone in the public eye: doing so more often than not only fuels bloggers’ fixation on outing a celebrity, while also giving everyone permission to accuse the celebrity of being anti-gay. Miller eventually came out via an open letter published on the GLAAD website in 2013. For many LGBT people—and I am no exception—such apparent hypocrisy conjures mixed feelings. On one hand, it can feel like an offense to our nature to witness someone deny his or her sexuality, because doing so implies there is something shameful about it. On the other hand, all of us (or at least those of us of a certain age) understand how difficult it is to be honest about who we are when society overall condemns our natures, and the courage it takes to go against a culture has to be amplified exponentially for someone whose private life is fodder for tabloids. If a person has to do a mea culpa for denying his or her sexuality, Miller’s 2013 speech to the Human Rights Campaign is a strong template. Heartfelt, genuine, and so confessional that it’s hard to watch, Miller’s speech describes cultural pressures that made it difficult for him to accept his sexuality—but he came to terms with it eventually, and in the process struggled with severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
A central part of that speech deals with community: “I’ve had a complicated relationship with that word, ‘community.’ I’ve been slow to embrace it. I’ve been hesitant. I’ve been doubtful. For many years I could not or would not accept that there was anything in that word for someone like me. Like connection and support, strength, warmth.” Ultimately, Miller accepted that he is part of the LGBT community—which can be a warm and accepting place—it has to be said— especially for someone who is conventionally attractive. Gay or straight, many men are eager to accept a pretty package. But what happens when pretty turns... well, average? This morning on Twitter, I saw a story detailing Miller’s response to a fat-shaming blog post comparing side-byside photos of Miller shirtless in his “Prison Break” heyday and then in 2010 at his heaviest, burdened by the evident weight of depression. In his response, Miller discloses that he was suicidal at the time, having struggled with mental health challenges throughout his life. This is where, for me, community is everything. I’ve written about it before and I’ll write about it again as long as I have a platform, but gay men have to find a way to appreciate other gay men for more than appearances. Communities make their own monsters. Many of us were upset when we read last week that gay country singer and underwear model (whom I’d never previously heard of) Steve Grand claimed victimhood for being a “young, good-looking, white gay” man. The reason for offense isn’t jealousy; it’s because we know that conventionally pretty people are prized and treated as royalty by the gay culture, and just as it may be human nature to give preferential treatment to those who
are conventionally attractive, it may be human nature to resent Marie Antoinettish hypocrites who want to have their cake, eat it, too, and all while complaining about not having enough of it. We have to do better as a community. For every Wentworth Miller who is beautiful and strong enough to overcome deeply seated depression anchored in shame about sexuality and appearance, there are countless ordinary, plain, overweight, non-male-model types who are equally human and equally deserving of respect. It’s not politically correct to say so, but I’m far from the only gay man who feels that, as Lamar Dawson wrote yesterday, “some gay men [watched] Mean Girls and took it a little too seriously.” When we think about the disturbingly high rates of suicide among LGBT people, we tend to associate the depression that leads to it with bullying by straight people. This is its own form of gay denial. I know it and you probably know it, too, even if Steve Grand, Davey Wavey and the ghost of Marie Antoinette will remain eternally oblivious. We — gay men — need to be able to look at chubby Wentworth Miller and see through the packaging. We need to be able to look at hot Wentworth Miller and see through the packaging. We need to relearn what it means to be fully human, to look at Joe Average and understand that the skin and muscle are only the decorative containers for hearts and minds that contain deeper, more rewarding forms of beauty. People in other strata of society — albeit not those featured on the Bravo network — value these invisible aspects of what it means to be human. Maybe we should, too. ___________________ If you — or someone you know — need help, please call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
OP ED COMMUNITY
BY WILLIAM COOKE
Gay Social App Gets Political: DeRay Mckesson
“Binary: (adj.) consisting of, indicating, or involving two.” 22: April 08, 2016
of its “Change AsthepartGame” initiative,
Jack’d has pledged $6000.00, the maximum campaign contribution allowed, to DeRay Mckesson, a prominent #BlackLivesMatter activist who is openly gay, in his bid for Baltimore Mayor. The app is also rallying its 1.5 million members - 80% of who are under the age of thirty - to listen and engage in the conversation DeRay Mckesson has pushed forward. “DeRay Mckesson is a voice for this generation,” says Hector Camacho, CEO of Online Buddies, the parent company of Jack’d. “His passion, activism and relentless commitment for justice have forced the nation to reflect and respond. We applaud DeRay’s courage and dedication in the demand for equal rights, not only in Baltimore, but throughout the nation.” “The fight for justice is long,” explains DeRay Mckesson. “It is a fight to ensure equity within systems and structures that affect so many of us from communities that have traditionally been marginalized because of race and/or identity. As a proud Black gay man, I’m honored by the support of Jack’d to help mobilize the young, LGBTQ voters of Baltimore. Let’s use our platforms to continue to build community and honor the complexity of our identities.” While Maryland’s LGBTQ community has secured several wins in recent years, including the right to marry, and the right to be free from gender identity discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations, there are still issues needing desperate attention, especially with regard to LGBTQ youth. If elected, Jack’d hopes Mckesson will help lead efforts to address the community’s many
challenges. “Over 30,000 LGBTQ students attend Maryland’s public schools,” explains Phil Henricks, the VP of Strategy and Business Development at Jack’d. “A vast majority of them face harassment by students and faculty on a daily basis. A third report that they skip school due to fear. We need a leader who will be committed to implementing anti-bullying policies.” Jack’d is also voicing concern over Baltimore’s high rate of homelessness among LGBTQ youth and abuse in the juvenile justice system. “Nearly half of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ and they are 40% more likely to be arrested than straight youth,” Henricks continues. “It is important that we develop resources that meet their specific needs.” The app’s new “Change the Game” campaign is focused on facilitating conversations about LGBTQ progress and inclusion. It also celebrates bold and inspiring people and projects that are challenging the ways in which people live and identify. “It is shocking to see that even today, within a community all too familiar with prejudice and erasure, we still struggle with selfsegregation,” notes Kevin Letourneau, Director of Marketing for Jack’d. “Our campaign to ‘Change the Game’ will initiate constructive conversations about self-empowerment, stereotypes, body-shaming, transgender inclusion, and bisexual acceptance in order to facilitate a welcoming and fun space for more meaningful connections. By supporting DeRay’s mission and leadership, we hope others will join the conversation on Jack’d, and help us champion all those who set out to ‘Change the Game.’”
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often do you hear the phrase “Positive Addiction”? Not to often How because it’s quite a contradictory and oxymoron phrase. Normally when
we hear the word “addiction” we typically refer to it with a negative meaning. More common negative addictions range from overeating, gambling and Internet to sex, drugs and alcohol.
Positive addictions
Negative addictions are repeated behaviors and activities that provide temporary pleasure however have no positive impact to ones life! Positive addictions are just the opposite. They foster strength to elevate your mind, body and spirit so that you can endure a joyful and pleasurable life. Some example of positive addictions are jogging, reading, writing, dancing, exercising, praying and meditating. According to E. Roy John, author of “Brain Functioning” in Psychology Today, In order for one to achieve happiness you must first know the following: A.) What to do B.) How to do it C.) How to obtain the strength to complete it E.) Roy John also stated that the underlining reason for our behaviors are our emotions. We act according to our feelings. For instance if we are hungry we eat, if we are sad we cry. If we don’t get what we want we either find the strength to go at it again or we make and excuse and give up. Even worse we mask these issues with self pity and depression which leads to a behavior or action that gives us temporary relief like drugs, alcohol and eating. Therefore when we continue to keep giving up and making excuses, the behaviors are repeated over and over which become addictive.
24: April 8, 2016
Thats where Positive Addictions come in to play.
In his best selling book, “Positive Addictions”, William Glasser list 6 ways to find a positive addictions:
When practicing to a goes positive addiction you will reach a state of mind
1. It’s something non competitive that you choose to do for about 30 mins to an hour each day. 2. It’s something that you candy easily without much mental effort. 3. You can do it alone or with other but you are not dependent on others for it to be done 4. You believe that it brings value to your life (spiritual, mental, or physical)
He responded “trying doesn’t count, you either do it or you don’t”. That advise really registered with me and I know that I need to stop “TRYING”.
5. You believe that if you persist at it you will improve 6. The behavior or activity must have quality that you candy it without criticizing yourself . You also must completely accept yourself and like the action or it will not be addicting.
known as “euphoria”- a sense of floating; loss of ones self. When you are at this state you will build reserves of strength
to where your MIND IS AT ONE WITH YOUR BODY! Although Positive Addictions has not worked for everyone the National Institute of Mental Health reported in 2013 about 43% of Americans suffering from a mental illness or addictions saw major improvement in their lives. Let’s take a few negative addictions and replace them with positive addictions: OverEating--Exercising Drugs/Alcohol-Meditating/ Relaxation/Pray TV/Internet -- Writing/ Jogging Gambling-- Exercising/writing Depression-- Praying/ Meditation Personal note: As mention in previous articles of my life I have suffered from negative addictions as well. What I am able to contribute to anyone wanting to live a better life is my progress and knowledge from self suffering. I continue to practice Positive addiction everyday by Exercising, Dancing, Reading, Writing, Learning and most important Praying. A 78 year young friend of mine by the name of Richard Mansell came to visit me a couple of times at my gym. He is such an inspiration to me and the last time he visit me he ask how I was doing with everything. I told him that’s it’s a working progress and I am trying hard. He responded “ trying doesn’t count, you either do it or you don’t”. That advise really registered with me and I know that I need to stop “TRYING”. Is Positive addictions working for me? YES. Do I still feel low sometimes? YES. But do I have Faith? Yes! Will I ever give up or stop my Positive Addictions? Hell No! Remember there are no mistakes! You get as much from you failures as you do from your gains! Find a Positive Addiction and live the life you always wanted! If you need to talk to someone find a therapist near you at: Www.networktherapy.com Thank you and hope this helps! Joshuah Neal
Mental & Behavioral Coach GM/Partner Anytime Fitness-Midtown
joshuahdneal@gmail.com
24/7 Crisis Support Call 775-784-8090 Text “ANSWER” to 839863
COMMUNITY
BY MARK DAWSON
Mad Men Actor Marries Longtime Partner Actor and filmmaker Kit Williamson is
overjoyed to announce his wedding to longtime partner John Halbach, but has expressed disappointment in the antigay “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act” (also known as HB 1523) that passed the senate in his home state of Mississippi. House Bill 26: April 8, 2016
1523 would allow clerks to deny same-sex marriage licenses to gay couples because of their religious beliefs and not face any repercussions. It would also allow private businesses and faith-based organizations to refuse services based on those same beliefs without retribution.
“Planning the wedding, I was struck by just how vulnerable you are. You have to rely on so many vendors and government employees and you may not know any of them personally,” says Williamson. “I wouldn’t want to buy a cake from a bigot anyway, but I can think of nothing more traumatizing than having the happiest day
Visit www.mimiimfurst.com. of your life tainted with bigotry. It saddens me to think that it’s now legal to treat gay couples in Mississippi like second class citizens.” Kit Williamson is best known for playing the role of Ed Gifford on the final two seasons of Mad Men and for EastSiders, an LGBT web series he created and stars in that, just this Friday, received two Daytime Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Daytime Digital Drama Series, and is now available on Vimeo On Demand. On February 27, he married his longtime partner, actor John Halbach, in an intimate ceremony at Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park, overlooking the San Jacinto Mountains and the Salton Sea, followed by a reception at a private home in Palm Springs, California. It was attended by Constance Wu from the ABC comedy Fresh Off the Boat,
Stephen Guarino from the ABC comedy Happy Endings and the upcoming Showtime comedy I’m Dying Up Here, Brea Grant from the NBC series Heroes, young adult novelist Brittany Cavallaro, Out100 honoree actor Ben Baur and more. The couple wore green and blue herringbone suits from Ted Baker and exchanged platinum wedding brands from the sustainable jewelry company Brilliant Earth. “It is my sincere hope for any couple in Mississippi, gay or straight, that they will be treated with respect and kindness by everyone they encounter on the road to the altar,” Williamson says, “because a wedding should be a day filled with love, not hate.”
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the bare essentials
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Hey Girl Hey! Holler Poodles!
Since spring has sprung, its time to get the camping gear out and get ready for the woods. When the wilderness calls, it is important to have the tools we need to get the job done. Here is your quarterly report on new technologies for the wilderness. When you reach your campsite, it is critical to establish a safe zone to protect your party from wild animals, insects and snakes. With the You Go Girl Perimeter Alarm, ($29.95) a constant stream of sibilant sssssssss’s backed by an “Unch! Unch! Unch!” dance beat are guaranteed to keep you safe from wildlife predators. [Warning: Scientific studies have concluded some heterosexual men with a propensity for politics are attracted to this sound] Buyer beware. Available at bravotv.com and watchwhathappenslive.com As you start to set up your campsite in the wilds of Jonesboro, the novice gay man may face challenges unfamiliar to him--setting up his tent, getting wood making a campfire and connecting his speakers to the sound system. Don’t fret poodles! With “Ask A Lesbian” ($69.69/year automatically renewed because you don’t want to fuck with this bitch again!!!) you get 24 hour technical support for any of your How-To, Fix-It problems. With a guaranteed no-holds-barred, authoritative tone, your lesbian will be sure you get that shit done right the first time!! Damnit!! With the natural tendency for the gay camper to want to fit in, Ronco has developed its latest line of accessories for gay men and lesbians who blindly followed trends and were shaved within an inch of their life. No longer must the smooth gaybie feel uncomfortable in naturalistic surroundings. With Pop on Pubes, ($24.99) the well-groomed, manscaped urbanite can easily disguise themselves with a ‘70s inspired bush in the bush. (Warning: The manufacturer of Pop On Pubes has accidentally on purpose revealed the source of the hair used for its manufacturing to be from the balls and taint of hibernating grizzly bears. Shhhhh-Available at bushforbush.com and ronco.com For all males over the age of 21 who identify themselves as boi, official certification of that designation has been provided by the outreach unit of the Boi Scouts of Amerika. Primarily for gay men, this designation allows a man 50 years old to officially be called boi without fear of judgement. Boi Certification, ($25.00) is recognized throughout the United States in areas densely populated with leather clad individuals. Available at boiscoutsofamerika.com and Uhavegottobefuckingkiddingme.com Love and lashes,
Mary Edith Pitts Mary Edith Pitts
PS. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please email me at maryedith99@gmail.com or on twitter @maryedithpitts
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Gay News At A Glance NO DEAL: GOVERNOR VETOES RELIGIOUS ‘FREEDOM’ BILL Gov. Nathan Deal took a stand against his own party and averted threats by major corporations to boycott our state’s economy, announcing his veto of a religious ‘freedom’ bill passed exclusively by Republican lawmakers. “I do not think that we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia,” Deal said of House Bill 757. The bill enumerated a list of actions
that “people of faith” would not have to perform for other people. Clergy could refuse to perform gay marriages; churches could have invoked their faith as a reason to refuse to serve or hire someone. People claiming their religious freedoms have been burdened by state or local laws also could force governments to prove there’s a “compelling” state interest overriding their beliefs. All but 11 Republicans in the Georgia House and Senate voted in favor; all Democrats voted against it. The bill was approved 161-0 by the House Feb. 11 and 36-19 by the Senate Feb. 19 before being amended to include portions of SB 129, which would allow businesses such as bakeries or florists to refuse service to gay couples. Deal said he could “find no examples that any of the things this bill seeks to
CHARLIE SHEEN TOLD LOVER HIV DIAGNOSIS WAS ‘NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS’ Charlie Sheen allegedly told one of his former lovers that his HIV-positive diagnosis is ‘’none of your business’’, and she claims the ex-’Two and a Half Men’ star told her he was ‘’not infected’’. The 50-year-old actor revealed his status to the world last November, but according to a 35-minute audio recording provided to Radar Online, one the star’s ex-lovers has claimed the former ‘Two and a Half Men’ star initially told her he was ‘’not infected’’.
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protect us against have ever occurred. I do not respond very well to insults or to threats” from either side, the governor said. Now 74 and with no plans to run again for office in Georgia, he was blunt in his criticism, saying the Founding Fathers made it clear that religious liberties “were given by God and not by man’s government.” Republican state Sen. Mike Crane of Newnan, now running for Congress, did call for a special session to override the veto. Another supporter, Republican Sen. Josh McKoon of Columbus, said he’s disappointed, because “Gov. Deal ran for office as someone the faith community could rely on.” National gay-rights organizations immediately hailed Deal’s decision.
wanted to have sex without a condom ... it’s my right to know.’’ He then answered: ‘’You shouldn’t want to.’’ What’s more, he admits on the tape that they had ‘’sex without the condom’’ and after informing the woman about his diagnosis he says: ‘’I was noble enough to tell you.’’ However, these claims do not match up with some of what Sheen told the world when he revealed he was HIV-positive in an interview on the ‘Today’ show in November, and the tapes were reportedly recorded after that public TV revelation. During the interview with the NBC show’s host Matt Lauer, the journalist asked Charlie: ‘’Have you had unprotected sex on any occasion since your diagnosis?’’
On the tape, the woman who recorded the conversation says: ‘’Why did you tell me you were not infected?’’ The guy, who the publication claims is Sheen, then replies: ‘’Because it’s none of your f***ing business, OK.’’
Sheen replied: ‘’Yes, but the two people that I did that with were under the care of my doctor and they were completely warned ahead of time.’’ Matt then asked: ‘’Have you since the time of your diagnosis told every one of your sexual partners before you had a sexual encounter that you were HIV-positive?’’ Charlie replied: ‘’Yes, I have.’’ Matt said: ‘’No exception?’’
The woman then responds: ‘’But if I
Charlie added: ‘’No exceptions.’’
LGBTI initiative from Planting Peace, strives to combat the hatred and ignorance the ‘God Hates Fags’ church represents. And every year, for one week, the Equality House is transformed to the colors of the transgender flag.
MEET THE 8-YEAROLD TRANS GIRL TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR A TRANSGENDER HOUSE OPPOSITE THE WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH
Last year, trans child Avery Jackson visited the house both while it was painted rainbow and with transgender pride.
‘The murder was committed because of the victim’s sexual orientation and because of the defendant’s perception of that status and the victim’s
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To learn more go to www.crowdrise.com/ transgenderhouse
‘I loved the Rainbow House when it was painted like the transgender flag,’ she said. ‘I felt so happy and proud to be transgender.’
Opposite the Westboro Baptist Church HQ in Topeka, Kansas, is a house painted all the colors of the rainbow. The Equality House, a pro-
A 69-year-old man from Los Angeles was charged yesterday for shooting and killing his son, allegedly because he was gay. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced yesterday that Shehada Khalil Issa had been charged with willful, deliberate and premeditated murder of his 29-year-old gay son, Amir Issa. According to a statement by prosecutors the father fired a shotgun deliberately, which caused the death of his son. On previous occasions the father had also threatened to kill his son because he was gay.
Below: 8 year old Avery Jackson wants to raise money for Trangender House.
It was that day she decided to start showing her face in pictures because she knew she’d be safe and accepted.
This little kid has more sense than the entire Westboro Baptist Church
DAD KILLS GAY SON
been a positive, iconic landmark for LGBT people to visit,’ says Debi Jackson, Avery’s mother. ‘I would love to see a Transgender House embraced the same way–with enthusiasm, love and pride.’
And now, she’s joining forces with Planting Peace to raise funds to paint the vacant neighboring house the transgender flag – permanently. ‘The Equality House has always
association with a person and a group of that status,’ prosecutors said. The incident took place on 29 March outside the home of the family in North Hills in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. Police responded to an emergency call and found two bodies on the scene; the son who was shot outside the home and the victim’s mother inside the house Police said he claimed to have acted in self-defense. He said he found his wife’s body in the bathroom and that his son threatened him with a knife. The police did not find a knife on the scene. Issa is being held without bail. If found guilty as charged, he could face life in prison without parole. The case is still under investigation.
DISNEY ACCUSED OF DECLARING ‘PUBLIC WAR’ ON CHRISTIANITY Disney is being accused of declaring ‘war’ on Christianity for supporting gay rights. Texas Values has accused the family film company, but also Apple, Intel and NCAA, of being ‘corporate bullies’ for pressuring Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to veto a bill that would have allowed discrimination against LGBTI people. Multiple companies threatened to boycott the state if the bill became law. In response, Texas Values claimed companies had ‘declared war’ on religion. ‘It’s clear that corporate giants like Apple, Disney, NCAA, Intel
have finally come out of the closet and declared public war on the religious freedom of clergy and religious schools, as was the protection in Georgia’s very modest HB 757 that they worked to bring down,’ their statement read. ‘Will Disney now ban you from wearing a cross outside your shirt at their parks? Will a Catholic priest be forced to remove his white collar when he takes a picture with Mickey Mouse?’ Just an fyi to these bigots, Disney has numerous Christian events in their parks, including the annual event ‘Night Of Joy’ celebrating Christian music. Some people, unfortunately, have to find something to complain about all the time.
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