Cake In the Face

The temperature in the upcoming national election in Sweden in September, was raised several degrees yesterday when Göran Hägglund, Minister for Health and Social Affairs and leader of the Christian Democrats of Sweden, got a cake shoved into his face when he was in Gothenburg, Sweden, to give a campaign speech.

Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

The cake-attacker was a 20 y.o. spectator who was apprehended by the police immediately after the incident.

The Fag Army insignia

Today a group called Fag Army (who have a presence on F*c*book) accepted responsibility for the cake-attack, saying they are a group of men who identify as LGBTQ and that they are tired of homophobia and the liberal mass-hysteria "that too often hijacks our struggle against it".

In it's statement on F*c*book, the group also stated that the group "caked" Mr. Hägglund as he represents a homophobic and transphobic party which over the years has done everything it could to thwart  the rights of LGBTQ people and that the Christian Democrats is the party in the present government that represent and normalize "the oppression that stalks, abuses and kills (LGBTQ people)" 

The statement ends with a laconic postscript that says, "Given what religious extremists have done to us LGBTQ people throughout history, isn't a cake in the face quite innocent?"
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Although I do agree with Fag Army that a cake in the face is quite innocent and that the Christian Democrats of Sweden is a party for organized homophobia and transphobia, I believe that there are better ways to handle our opponents. This, however, doesn't mean that I don't think this was a hilarious action and that it probably helped to put focus on the Christian Democratic parties deplorable stance on LGBTQ issues.

Fantasy Gay Pride - September 19-28, 2014

I got this press release through Garth Raleigh, who is one of my most prolific sources, and I am very happy to share it with you all well in advance so you can get your outfits together in time.

Garth also told me the LGBT fae community is one of the happiest and most drama-free he has encountered in SecondLife.

"Every year a small group of creators get together to create a week long celebration of everything GLBT.  Our aim is to promote acceptance of all positive sexual orientations of all genders. All sexualities are very welcome to our festival to raise awareness of these issues worldwide - all on a unique and intriguing land with creations and magic never seen before from our very talented fantasy and fae designers.

When they were first told, fairy tales were not innocent stories for children. They often dealt with themes that were definitely adult in nature. This year's presentations will cover the erotic, twisted or hidden side of the tales we've all grown up with. These are not your grandmother's fairy tales!

 

The Press Book will be published soon with lots more information and photos. Details of live music performances to be announced. 

Whinge & Pluckett - Karalia Halostar & Greville Oh, will be presenting a completely new show this year, a sequel to "The Fairy Who Loses His Wings" called "The Fascination of Cemanus". 

Come and immerse yourselves in legend and wonder, ancient archetypes we all hold deep in our psyches... the curious, the strange..the challenging...the erotic! Our fae nature resonates to these strong and subtle primal earth energies; these ancient powers.

Creators this year are:

Aznana Shieldmaiden

Corkie Houston

Donn Canis

Greville Oh

Hakuin Clarity

Karalia Halostar

Qrystver Khandr

Shay Sunnyside

Aznana Shieldmaiden - Publicity Assistant

Blackdog Ashbourne  -  Technical Consultant

Greville Oh - Chief Goffer. Publicity & Performer/Singer in Whinge & Pluckett

Karalia Halostar - Musician Extraordinaire in Whinge & Pluckett

Shay Sunnyside & Aznana Shieldmaiden - Performances Organisers

Our phenomenal DJs are:

Astoria Luminos - Smokin'Hot Elven DJ,

Lysana McMillan our Sounds Siren,

Shay Sunnyside - Fae DJ of Farhaven. 

and Starhawk Starostin - The Music Master

Chiaroscuro Guardians will be Greeters as well as Security for this wonderful week.

Our Sponsors are an important element in our event. We welcome support from any group or organization that wishes to help promote understanding and acceptance of GLBT lifestyles. The celebration site will prominently display sponsor logos and contact information .

We fight for global GLBT rights - there are still countries where gays are attacked and tortured and where being gay is punishable by imprisonment or death. We are glad the movement for marriage equality is growing as more and more countries embrace and champion it. We will get there, GLBT people will be accepted everywhere - we will demand it as a fundamental human right and have a fabulous time doing just that.!

GRATEFUL THANKS TO ALL!

Greville Oh"

Kiss-In Against Putin in Argentina

Putin is visiting Argentina this week. LGBT rights orgs are staging a kiss-in tomorrow outside the Russian embassy… pic.twitter.com/jtWmjfS7AW
— Andrés Duque (@Blabbeando) July 10, 2014

(via J.M.G.)

"Little Father" is visiting Argentina and will be met by men kissing men and women kissing women outside the Russian embassy.

"Oh my!", as George Takei would say.

Additional Feedback

I already filed my response to the survey a while back, but today I sent in an addition to my previous responses, as I had come to the conclusion that I had not been specific enough in my earlier response. So today I filed the following addition.

What did you like best about the festival?

1. The lesbians were back - and I love it!
2. The parade is back - and I love it!
3. The wonderful serene Chapel
4. The beautiful builds
5. The event was extremely well organized with little or no confusion, the board members and their assisting teams did a splendid job.
6. Three sims worked great! The smaller area kept the space close and increased the chances of running into old friends and acquaintances.
7. The sims were restarted every day which mostly kept lag at a reasonable level.

What suggestions do you have for the 2015 Second Pride Festival?

1. I would like to see a new beginning for the Names Project, i.e. the so called AIDS Quilts. It is not acceptable that whether or not donated quilts are displayed or not is dependent on an individuals whims or requirements. This is something that Second Pride can and should do for the LGBT community.
2. Try to get a few more live acts, I know there are singers and musician who would love to take part.
3. I always loved the plays that Marcus Steeplechase and his buddies enacted during Pride, it would be wonderful if we could get something like it back.
4. Poetry readings perhaps?

Please don't get me wrong, I love the DJ's and the parties but options should be provided to a greater extent, the community is diverse in it's needs.

Darn! I forgot to mention that I missed the combats between Gay Gor and Romanum from last years Pride. The people participating in that were a fun crowd and I had a great time watching and chatting there last year.

Overall, the Festival of 2014 was the best ever!

If you haven'r taken the survey yet, please do so here 2014 Second Pride Festival Feedback

Re-Post: Remember Stonewall (2014)

This is essentially a re-post of a post I have run the last few years, with some minor changes.

 

Let us always be proud and thankful to the trannies who finally had enough of the harassment and fought back 45 years ago on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn. We owe you, guys and girls!

Read more on Wikipedia Stonewall riots.
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Before Stonewall

• a person with homosexual inclinations was considered to be mentally ill, 
• a person taking part in homosexual sexual activity was considered to be a criminal, 
• a person suspected of being homosexual could be abused or harassed without risk of penalty - except in the most extreme cases, 
• a homosexual parent was considered unfit to take care of his/her own children, 
• Civil unions or same-sex marriages were unthinkable. etc., etc. 

All of us should always remember the gratitude we owe the trannies.

We must also remember that many of our brothers and sisters worldwide still live with the very real risk of

• being murdered, incarcerated or hospitalized, abused, raped and harassed
• losing custody of their children 
• losing their employment 

simply for being homosexual.

Another Try...

Dear @ebbealtberg (@SecondLife @LindenLab) can we expect a visit from you at the ongoing largest #LGBT #Pride celebration on the #Grid?
— Bock McMillan (@BockMcMillan) June 26, 2014

Please help getting the message across by retweeting if you are on Twitter.

Second Pride Festival Starts on Saturday

If you are considering being a vendor or sponsor at the Second Pride Festival, there is still time to get in on one of the largest LGBTQ events on the grid. Don't be left out!

Sponsor and vendor packages begin at just L$1500. More information can be found here:

2014 Festival Packages. Packages can be purchased here: Luxury transportation to the vendors for your convenience (SLurl).

#GAYSAREHERE

(via J.M.G.)

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Second Pride Festival 2014 - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DETAILS OF THE NINTH ANNUAL SECOND PRIDE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED

CELEBRATION SET FOR JUNE 20- JUNE 29 2014

LARGEST EVENT OF ITS KIND IN SECOND LIFE AND VIRTUAL REALITY

Second Pride Headquarters, Second Life – May 20, 2014

Contact: Petr Vanbeeck, 2014 Second Pride Chair
Email: petr.vanbeeck@gmail.com

Second Pride, promoting and supporting the LGBT community in Second Life since 2006, is pleased to announce the ninth annual Second Pride Festival, set for June 20 -29 2014. The festival will showcase LGBT merchants, artists, entertainers and their friends and allies. Festival details and registration information can be found at www.second-pride.com.

Second Pride is the first and largest event of its kind in Second Life and virtual reality. The event, to be held at 3 sims including the Second Pride regions, is eagerly awaited by the Second Life LGBT Community and other Second Life residents who wish to celebrate diversity in all its aspects. Nine days of dance events and other parties will feature Second Life’s top DJ’s and other entertainers.

Petr Vanbeeck, Second Pride Chair, is confident that the 2014 event will be the best Second Pride ever. “The festival will feature a custom designed parade complete with interactive floats and balloons which will be open on a 24 x 7 basis throughout the celebration” says Vanbeeck, “and will include such a major exhibit of virtual art in several formats and in several themes, including Gay Gor”.

Second Pride is pleased to be working with Patron Sponsors: Fire Island, Vanbeeck’s, Twink Nation; Platinum Sponsors: Celebration of Male, Bock in Second Life, Gay Gor Hub; and Gold Sponsor: Starbuck’s Lair Gay BDSM Dungeon. We would like to extend a special thank you to: Fire Island Lifestyle, who are sponsoring the vendor/entertainment sims and our media partner for this event is SL Live Radio (http://black.neostreams.info:8167).

For more information:

Web Site: second-pride.com

Facebook: facebook.com/SecondPride

Twitter: twitter.com/SecondPrideSL

###

The Power of Sharing

(via my friend Benja Aquila's blog)

This is a powerful message by The United Nations Free & Equal campaign which was presented on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).

Three wonderful quotes from this short video, "Share your story and change hearts and minds", "...we are all the foundation for this movement for equality." and "Change your world, and inspire someone else to do the same"

Fred Phelps is Dead

Fred Phelps, the founder and head of the Westboro Baptist Church until his excommunication in 2013, died shortly after midnight today.

Fred and his church are mostly known for hating "fags" and picketing funerals of soldiers and LGBT men and women. They first rose to notoriety for picketing the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a young American man who was tortured and murdered in October 1998, simply for being gay.

I will neither grieve this vicious and hateful man's death, nor will I picket his funeral. Fred will very soon be forgotten while the memory of Matthew will shine on.

The Best Gay Possible

(via J.M.G.)

Irishman Rory O'Neill is a drag queen and gay rights activist. His drag persona Panti Bliss is an institution in Ireland.

In January 2014 O'Neill appeared on an Irish television program where homophobia was being discussed. O'Neill alleged that some individuals involved in Irish journalism were homophobic. The persons mentioned by O'Neill were the journalists John Waters and Breda O'Brien of the Irish Times, David Quinn, head of the Iona Institute, and three other members of that same institute. The homophobes later threatened the television company and O'Neill with legal action.

The television company gave in to the pressure and forthwith removed that section of the interview from their online archive and issued a public apology to the homophobes. The company also paid a hefty settlement of €85,000 to the six homophobes.

On February 1, 2014, O'Neill (as Panti) gave a speech at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in response to the events surrounding the controversy. This speech has now been set to music by the Pet Shop Boys.

When the Games End

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, are coming to an end tomorrow. I am proud to say that I have been able to avoid it almost completely, the exception being listening to my co-workers discussions at lunches.

The reason for my personal boycott of these games are the state sanctioned heinous treatment of the LGBT community in Russia and the homophobic so called "Gay Propaganda" laws that the country has adopted with the full support of President Vladimir "Little Father" Putin.

"Stop the Hate" Photography by Tomais Ashdene

The eyes of the world have been focused on Russia during the months leading up to and during the games, which may very well have put a lid on some of the violence and outrages that would otherwise have occurred. Once the games have ended things may very well change to the worse. I am extremely worried for my LGBT brothers and sisters in Russia and for what may come in the near future.

Russia has a sad tradition of state sanctioned persecution against marginalized groups throughout it's history with pogroms, bullying and violence against Jews, Cossacks, Chechens to mention a few. Now the LGBT community is being used in the same way, to deflect anger and unrest in the population from rising against the regime and instead supplying the malcontents with an easy scapegoat to persecute without legal sanctions.

Of course I am aware that Russia is by no means the worst of the countries that are persecuting it's LGBT citizens, but I (wrongly) had higher expectations of Russia than for Uganda, Saudi Arabia and some other nations.

Climax - A 12 Hour Celebration

"Reach your climax as we celebrate out athletes and victories within the LGBT community from 12pm to 10pm SLT on February 22nd. We'll have plenty of music and dancing as we honor LGBT athletes who have overcome all odds and wowed us with their athletic talents.

Schedule:
DJ Jynxx 10am – 12pm
DJ Regi Yifu 12pm – 2pm
DJ LLedge 2pm – 4pm
DJ Gingersnap 4pm – 6pm
DJ Hotboy 6pm – 8pm
DJ Abi Bracken 8pm – 10pm

We look forward to seeing you at the Second Pride sim for this exciting event."

Wentworth Miller Talks About "Community"

"Prison Break" star Wentworth Miller talks about his coming out and about "community". The speech was held at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Seattle in September 2013.

This is worth listening to, you guys!

The GA Retirement & Induction Party

I have, almost since I first rezzed into SecondLife, been a member and supporter of the Second Pride group. As such I admit to once having viewed the formation of The Gay Archipelago as a new LGBT community in-world with much scepticism and even suspicion, "Why would we want or need two or more groups with such a relatively small LGBT community?". 

Over the years - through my friendly relations with first Fabrice Snook (the founder of the GA-group) and later with also with Garth Raleigh and Othon Weiland (the outgoing Leads) - and having seen all the good work that has been done in the Gay Archipelago over the years I have completely revised my position on this matter. Today I (as a Swedish saying goes) stand "with one foot in each camp", although perhaps still leaning a little towards Second Pride. I now view the two groups as necessary and complementary and I also understand that both are working for the LGBT community in SecondLife as a whole. My only hope is that we may in the future see some more collaborative efforts and unified activities. 

The following message comes to us via a press release from The Gay Archipelago, kindly supplied to me by the outgoing GA-Lead Garth. (I really must have a talk with Rico and Xcept (formerly also known as Parvin) soon, so that this excellent service and tradition is continued under the new leadership, it is sometimes difficult for a poor blogger to keep up with everything that goes on in two lives without a few kind prods.)

I hope to see you all at the retirement and induction party at Gay Fun World tonight!

"In 2007, The Gay Archipelago was founded to be a place where the LGBT community could live, create, and share dreams together.  A diverse group of visionaries, leaders, and their assistants committed themselves to the idea that we are stronger together.  In those seven years we have grown and labored to become what we are today, an international community of over 100 member estates and well in excess of two thousand Second Life residents. This progress did not happen overnight, nor did it happen without embracing change. 

Today marks another change for our Community, one in leadership. Garth Raleigh and Othon Weiland have retired from their positions, but not from their active lives in the GA.  They will take their well earned places in history as one of the most successful teams of leaders our community has ever seen. They have set the standard upon which we, the incoming leadership team, will be measured. The bar has been set high.

Ricogenu, your new GA Lead, and Xcept Atlas, your new PR Lead, stand at the ready to continue to provide service to you, our member regions, and your residents. We are committed to listening to your feedback, answering your questions, identifying and fixing any challenges we encounter, and sharing our skill sets, so that we may continue to meet the needs of our community.

We also want you to know that during this time of change, we greatly value you and the significant work you do every day to sustain the Gay Archipelago's position as a leader of Second Life's LGBT Community - a place of welcome, orientation, community and help. 

Finally, we thank you for the opportunity to lead this great association. Together we will grow our future, and plan for the years ahead. 

We invite you to join us in celebration on Sunday, February 16th at 1pm SLT at Gay Fun World (SLurl) for Garth's and Othon's retirement party and the induction of Ricogenu and Xcept. Like yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Our Journey Continues Together. 

Sincerely,Ricogenu Resident and Xcept Atlas"

#liveandletlove

(via J.M.G.)

About the clip

2,000 people of the city of Stockholm gathered at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium to show their support to the LGBT people of Russia and to sing the most beautiful national anthem in the world.

You can do the same, make your own rainbow version of the song and upload under the hashtag #liveandletlove. You'll find sheet music and lyrics on www.liveandletlove.se.
...

Watch, like on YouTube and share! Show Little Father Putin, the Olympic Committee that we will not forget their homophobia and the Russian LGBT community that we support them in their struggles against the horrendous and discriminating "Gay Propaganda" laws. Gay Rights are Human Rights!

The Olympic Games, Russia & Putin

I was tipped about this post by John Aravosis on the AMERICAblog by the longtime Bock in SecondLife reader, my dear brother, Dejerrity Mycron.

Despite Dej's present sufferings in an old Manhattan building with a malfunctioning boiler and a worthless managing company in the midst of the coldest winter in New York for ages, my lovely and loving brother takes the time and makes the effort to send me tips. Isn't it clear from that fact alone, that the man is completely loveable?

Oh guys, he is single too at the moment so if you would want to meet this gruff diamond in disguise just drop a notecard on my profile and I may set you up for an introduction.

Send your notecards to The McMillan Matchmaking Agency (a part of the BMcM Corporation), c/o Bock McMillan.

If you pass my scrutiny, I may introduce you! First come, first served! 
---

The AMERICAblog; "How Vladimir Putin sent 'Brand Russia'  into the toilet". The post starts like this:

"Russian President Vladimir Putin has done more to harm the image of Russia internationally than anyone in a generation.

Putin’s baby, the 2014 Winter Olympics being held in Sochi, Russia in just under two weeks, was meant to demonstrate to the world that Russia had entered the modern age.

Then a funny thing happened. The world actually paid attention to Russia, and found it to be a third-world cesspool run by a despot.

If Brand Russia had already been bruised by Putin’s reign, in the past 12 months it’s been utterly destroyed."

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I hope "Little Father" Putin reads it and takes notice, but that may be a vain wish.

Mr. Gay 2014

Through GW News comes information of an exciting event today. 

"A very mixed assortment on the buffet today… 12 of the HOTTEST guys! (Sample them all? On a Sunday? (gasp! clutch pearls)

WHAT TO EXPECT?

*bodies of strangers pressed up against you

*3 Regions of Dancing, Music

*Mega Fireworks

*People’s Choice Contest

*MR GAY 2014 IS CHOSEN!

*2014 Calendar

HEY! You gonna know this GUY….have you DONE this guy? 

Sunday January 19, 11AM-1PM, the Gay Archipelago hosts this exciting traditional event for the LGBT Community! 

JOIN US and see… if HE is YOUR guy?"

TAKE THIS VIP RIDE TO BE A PART
HERE’S ANOTHER VIP RIDE FOR THE DISCRIMINATING GENT

India: Government Asks For Court Review

Through Joe Jervis at J.M.G. I see that the BBC News website (url to full article)  today has this encouraging news.

"The Indian government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court asking it to review its decision to reinstate a 153-year-old law that criminalises homosexuality.

The government asked the court to review its order saying it believed it "violated the principle of equality".  There has been outrage over the ruling seen as a huge blow to gay rights. There have been street protests and many activists and even government ministers have criticised it. The Supreme Court order on 11 December overturned a landmark 2009 Delhi High Court ruling which had decriminalised gay sex.

In its ruling, the Delhi High Court had described Section 377 - the colonial-era law which says a same-sex relationship is an "unnatural offence" and punishable by a 10-year jail term - as discriminatory and said gay sex between consenting adults should not be treated as a crime.
But the Supreme Court said it was up to parliament to change the law and the courts did not have the mandate to rule on it.

"The government has filed the review petition on Section 377 in the Supreme Court today. Let's hope the right to personal choices is preserved," Law Minister Kapil Sibal tweeted on Friday.

In its petition filed in the Supreme Court, the government says "the position of the central government on this issue has been that the Delhi High Court verdict... is correct".

The Supreme Court's earlier order was widely criticised in India. The president of the ruling Congress party Sonia Gandhi described it as "an archaic, unjust law" and Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the ruling had taken India "back to 1860".

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Let's maintain our support for our Indian brothers and sisters up and keep hoping that something good comes out of this.