Panti Bliss on Homophobia & Orlando

(via ILGA Europe, hat tip to J.M.G.)

The Queen of Ireland, Panti Bliss, rocking the European Equality Gala 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. 

LGBT Superheroes

(via J.M.G.)

Clip description
Iceman, Mystique, Catwoman & many others are LGBT in the comic books but appear as straight on screen.

It's time all superheroes were accurately portrayed. 

➵ Share the trailer: http://bit.ly/sharesuperheroes ➵ Tweet the trailer: http://bit.ly/tweetsuperheroes

So we imagined a story where LGBT characters could be accurately portrayed.

Tell the studios to stick to the script.
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Directed by Mike Buonaiuto (Twitter: @Videographer88)
Director of Photography: Leighton Cox
Produced by: Lauren Kay-Lambert
Featuring: Kane Surry, George Longworth and Conor Boru.

No Running

Just to be clear... 😎😍 pic.twitter.com/0yntZ4p7vR

— LGBT+ Proud! (@LGBTPlusProud) May 23, 2016

Pose Fair 2016

Yesterday my lover man and I visited Pose Fair 2016. As always in SecondLife 95% of the products were aimed at the ladies, 3% were unisex and 2% for us men. There were droves of couples poses for straight couples, not many man-man poses and definitely no gay poses.

I tried out a few of the poses and made my Tomais jump on a few too.

Want to take a look for yourself? Here's the teleport tp Pose Fair 2016!

A Social Experiment

(via J.M.G.)

In a social experiment two guys pretend to be homosexuals in Russia and walk the streets of Moscow holding hands.

The reactions are scary and shows how successful the President of Russia, Vladimir "Little Father" Putin, and his cohorts have been in their "Gay Propaganda"-efforts at focusing the Russian society on homophobia instead of their real problems, such as lack of democracy and criminal activities by the ruling nomenclatura.

After reading some of the violently hateful responses to the video on YouTube, I believe there is valid reason to fear for the two guys safety.

To Mr. Kahvy Smith: "You Are Already Old!"

Yesterday I had two discussions with my friend Kahvy.

The first one occurred when I logged into SecondLife and received a gesture from him. It seems we both suffer from being married to men with the same hoarding addiction, boats.

I tried it out on my sweet hubby immediately and this is the reaction I received:
[13:48] Bock McMillan shouts: "** You don't NEED another Boat!!!**"
[13:48] Tomais Ashdene shouts: "Dream on, Monkey Boy!"

I was not at all surprised by that response, and to be quite honest, I don't really mind Tomais buying every damn boat that is put up for sale in SecondLife. Kahvy confessed feeling the same way about Garrett's hoarding. We decided that both our husbands are wonderful men and this little flaw of theirs is not much to make a fuss about.

Later, about ten minutes before midnight CET, Kahvy and my local time, Kahvy got back to me and complained that he "in ten minutes would only have a year left as a young man" because today is his 34th birthday. It seems that he lives in the erroneous belief that the official age of becoming "old" is 35.

I feel the need to correct him and perhaps also sooth him, so my birthday present is this statement.

"Kahvy, my dear friend,

Age is but a number, but always remember that ageing is mandatory but growing old is optional. You need not worry about being 35 in less than a year, because you actually have six more years until you are "old" as the official age of becoming old in the straight culture is 40. 

However, on the other hand in the gay culture, you have already been old since you turned 30 as that is the official age for turning old among us gays. Enjoy the rest of your life as an old queer and get the f-u-c-k over it!

Many happy birthday wishes, my dear old friend!"

Faces - Can You See Beyond the Label?

(via J.M.G.)

Clip info

""Lesbian", "gay", "bisexual", "transgender", "intersex", "queer": can you see past the labels?

This video from the United Nations Free & Equal campaign celebrates the contributions that millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people make to families and local communities around the world. The cast features "real people" (not actors), filmed in their workplaces and homes -- among them, a firefighter, a police officer, a teacher, an electrician, a doctor and a volunteer, as well as prominent straight ally and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon."

My Unborn Children

The other night Tomais was fixing up his new hangar at New Horizons Airport while Kahvy helped him with door scripts and I stood around helping by merely being my beautiful self.

Somehow the conversation turned to parenting, which I of course am an expert in. Well, at least in theory even if not so much in practice. If you ask me, I actually do believe I could give even Supernanny some constructive criticism and a pointer or two or three on parenting skills...

The conversation has stuck with me afterwards and has made me remember how I, in my mid-teens, used to imagine being a father and having kids, but even then there was somehow never a mother around in my imaginary family. (This was of course before I realized I was a full-blown Kinsey type 6.) I had even decided on names for my kids, the son would be named Simon and the daughter Tekla.

Being childless is perhaps the only thing that frustrates me from time to time, especially now when I can see how my mother is helped and supported by her doting children and grandchildren. I imagine myself relying on the kindness of strangers when I get old and incapacitated and that doesn't feel very reassuring at times. Although I imagine my nieces and nephews and their kids in turn could possibly be guilted into taking turns to invite me over for Christmas dinner, with the promise of being written into my will.

At other times, I am completely comfortable with with being childless and relieved that I never took on that challenge as I believe I would have been an utterly horrible father, as evidenced by my miserable failure as a step father in the virtual world.

Nonetheless, it is to late now to do anything about it and I have resigned myself to the fact that there will be no issue from my loins or from a turkey baster. Instead I try to pass on "my names" to every pregnant mother or soon-to-be father who happen to cross my ways.

The Meaning of Relief

When I saw this picture I counted my blessings for being an occasional drinker of alcoholic beverages and gay to boot. 

Relief, the feeling you get when you realize that you're not doomed to eternal misery after all.

When Did You Decide To Be Gay?

Gay People Tell Us When They Chose To Be Gay from Dan Abramson

(Tipped by avid Bock in SecondLife reader Tomais Ashdene)

Clip description

"After Ben Carson announced that prison proved being gay was a choice, Funny Or Die News hit the streets to ask gay people when they decided to be gay"

To All LGBT or Straight Allies Who are U.S. Citizen's and/or Legal Permanent Residents

"When laws and constitutional amendments banning marriage equality were passed, many voters and legislators really were blinded by the times. They did not realize that they knew LGBT people personally. They did not recognize the contributions that LGBT people and their families make—as employees, as neighbors, as part of the social fabric in every community in America. Some saw the LGBT community as strangers, not as people with the same hopes and dreams as anyone else.

In many respects, those oppressive times are behind us. In poll after poll, the broad majority of Americans now support marriage equality. Many people who once opposed it are unafraid to admit their views have evolved. Why? They've simply met LGBT people in their own lives.

In other words, the laws challenged in this case are more than fundamentally unfair. They were also adopted in at a time that utterly failed to take into account LGBT Americans as individuals deserving of dignity. The Court has recognized that dignity throughout its history—most recently in U.S. v. Windsor. But recognizing that dignity isn’t enough. It’s time to leave the blindness of the past behind, and guarantee the equal protection our constitution promises to every American."

---

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization in the U.S., and Roberta Kaplan, the leading civil rights litigator who famously argued U.S. v. Windsor before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013, launched this unprecedented "People’s Brief" on marriage equality to the Court.

As the nine Justices prepare to hear oral arguments in four critical marriage equality cases this spring, The People’s Brief marks the first time that tens of thousands of fair-minded Americans will have the opportunity to have their voices formally heard in a civil rights case of this magnitude. Americans who are LGBT or have LGBT friends, family members, and colleagues can review the content of the brief, and affix their name to a document that will be considered by the highest court in the land.

---

As citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States you have the opportunity to sign this brief and have your voice heard!

Go here to read and sign The People's Brief.

To have your name submitted to the Court, all names must be signed by midnight March 1, 2015.

Gay App Dating

Recommended by my brother Dej on Twitter (from http://grabhim.net/) Seems bloody complicated and with less chance to win than in a national lottery. I think I'll stay away from Grindr, Scruff, Mister and Growlr...

The Place to Be Tonight

Celebrate 12 hours of New Years Eve with most of the gay population in SecondLife and our straight friends at Ty & Regi Yifu's Bashaversary Three.

The party starts at 12 PM (noon) SLT. Your extended limousine awaits, to take you to Times Sq, New York City, N.Y., SecondLife. 

Fabulous Denials

"Denial is a coping mechanism that gives you time to adjust to distressing situations — but staying in denial can interfere with treatment or your ability to tackle challenges. If you're in denial, you're trying to protect yourself by refusing to accept the truth about something that's happening in your life."

(via Joe.My.God.)
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I don't mind people putting whatever stamp on themselves that they feel suits them, but really...
ROFLMAOPIMP

I realize I shouldn't be laughing at these seven tremendously sad and messed up people, but the absurdity of the situation and the conflict of their feelings and religious beliefs take the better of me. Sorry!

"I'm Sorry..."

To the guy who punched me tonight for kissing my boyfriend pic.twitter.com/SMVmTpDCdL
— Cole Ledford (@ColeLedford11) November 7, 2014

This news reaches me via Wicked Gay Blog and Gay Star News:

"A US student, who was beaten up for being gay, tweeted a defiant message to his attacker and instantly became a viral sensation.

Ohio student Cole Ledford, who tweets at @ColeLedford11, was beaten up for kissing his boyfriend, and was left with a painful black eye.

Yesterday (November 7), he tweeted a picture of himself and his injuries alongside a text with the words: ‘To the guy who punched me tonight for kissing my boyfriend.’

‘I'm sorry that you called me fag,’ wrote Ledford.

‘I'm sorry you hit me for no reason. I'm sorry that whatever insecurities you have don't allow you to accept others for who they are. I'm sorry that I threaten you.’

‘I'm NOT sorry I'm gay. I'm proud to be this way. I'm proud to be confident enough to love who I love and to love me. I'm proud to have friends and family that love me regardless of me. Honestly, I'm not sorry.’

Since posting the image, Ledford has become somewhat of an overnight star. His tweet was retweeted more than 23,000 times.

He later posted a cute photo of him and his boyfriend with the caption: ‘Boyfriend wanted to say hi and thanks for the support! Off to Cleveland to see the fam! #loveislove #youallrock.’

He also tweeted: ‘overwhelmed by all the support. I have a nasty black eye but other than that, I'm fine. Thank you all so much! Love > Hate.’

He’s also been encouraging his new-found followers to support equality charities if they want to help.

‘If what happened to me makes you want to make a difference please consider donating to the @HRC and help their fight,’ he tweeted."

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Another everyday hero steps out of anonymity for a while to make us all proud. Proud to be humans, to be men and most of all to be gay men.

Wild Things Tea Party

GAWD, it really takes it's toll on a man to be gay!

We must always dress appropriately - and preferably look stunning - for every occasion. I guess it must be a burden placed on us to even out the privilege we have of being able to love the pinnacle of natures creations, the wonderful, delicious and adorable creatures that are the human males.

I got this invitation to the opening of a new exhibition at Holtwaye Gallery.

To help celebrate the opening of Wayne NZ's new exhibit "Art in a Box," we’re hosting a “Wild Things Tea Party” on Saturday October 4, 2014, at 2 PM.

This exhibit illustrates Wayne’s earthy and fantasy style, with references to woodland fantasy creatures, angels, faeries, hillside dwellings, the great outdoors, and of course, tea & cupcakes!

Calling your inner playful and wild-things side! Come in your woodsy outfits, your wild hair, your capes, your loincloths, your creative tea party outfits, or even just your pointy ears - and join our “wild things tea party.” Not sure what to wear? Check out the amazing Wild Things cards below…

Yours truly will be there - of course - with hubby and son. Tomais found me a great outfit, now I only need to find amazing accessories... 

Your gilded cage awaits you for a safe transport to Holtwaye Gallery (SLurl).

All Out 4 Uganda

If you think it could work, chip in any amount to get started: https://www.allout.org/All-Out-4-Uganda.

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"

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.

#GAYSAREHERE

(via J.M.G.)

I couldn't have said it better myself!