Oh wait — did we confuse 'em with feminists? "Virginia's largest women's prison rounded up inmates who had loose-fitting clothes, short hair or otherwise masculine looks and placed them in a separate cell block. That's according to prisoners and corrections officers who talked to The Associated Press about the practice. They say dozens were moved [...]
Bill O'Reilly wants to know how you can even tell penguins are gay. "Do they wear tight T-shirts?" he suggests. It begs the question: How do you identify bigots? Do they wear wingtips on their feet and extra skin around their necks? CONTINUED » Permalink | 1 comment | Add to del.icio.us Tagged: bigots, Bill O'Reilly, Dennis Miller, [...]
SOUNDBITES — "A march on Washington will not bring marriage equality to flyover country. It will help to prod conservatives to rally and focus energy and money into states like Maine (that could repeal marriage) or Indiana (where we've successfully fought off an amendment every year for almost a decade). In their zeal to bring [...]
It’s almost here, so sign up before all the seats are gone! All participants will be entered into a raffle to win Indigo Girls tickets, so don’t forget to sign up early, so we can match you up with your dream girls! Email kat@queerfresno.com before Friday, June 12th to reserve your spot! [...]
Last week was PACKED and I can’t believe how much fun I had! I mean, granted, I got caught trading tank tops in the parking lot with my best friend, but I had a freaking blast. I even got to bust a move with one of the most fabulous gay boys I know on stage. [...]
A great time was had by all this year at Fresno Pride with many in attendance at both the parade and festival. Kudos go to the organizers who work tirelessly every year to put it the event on and it was a success once again. It was great to see so many people and we enjoyed talking [...]
This is unbelievable. When we talk about eliminating discrimination based on gender expression this is EXACTLY what kind of bullsh*t we're talking about. This women's prison made the assumption that, regardless of orientation, there was a need to segregate women who don't look feminine enough to avoid sexual contact or relationships in lockup.
For more than a year, Virginia's largest women's prison rounded up inmates who had loose-fitting clothes, short hair or otherwise masculine looks, sending them to a unit officers derisively dubbed the "butch wing," prisoners and guards say.Let's see, so I suppose the lipstick lesbians among the incarcerated would remain in gen pop because these guards obviously couldn't ascertain whether sexual activity was going on between those gals, right? Good god, the ignorance of these "professionals" is astonishing.Dozens were moved in an attempt to split up relationships and curb illegal sexual activity at the 1,200-inmate Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, though some straight women were sent to the wing strictly because of their appearance, the inmates and corrections officers said.
Civil rights advocates called the moves unconstitutional punishment for "looking gay." The warden denied that any housing decisions were made based on looks or sexual orientation, and said doing so would be discriminatory. The practice was stopped recently after the Associated Press began questioning it, according to several inmates and one current employee.
Two current guards and one of their former co-workers said targeting masculine-looking inmates was a deliberate strategy by a building manager. Numerous inmates said in letters and interviews that they felt humiliated and stigmatized when guards took them to the separate wing - also referred to by prisoners and guards as the "little boys wing," "locker room wing" or "studs wing."
Triolo and Trina O'Neal were two of the first inmates sent to 5D in the fall of 2007."I have been gay all my life and never have I once felt as degraded, humiliated or questioned my own sexuality, the way I look, etc., until all of this happened," O'Neal, 33, who is serving time for forgery and drug charges, wrote to the AP.
I've gotten used to hate mail, both by traditional snail mail and email. It comes with the territory. Most of the time it's pretty amusing, like in my last post about getting bigotry delivered right to my inbox. 
I did, until recently, overlook a new platform for people to send out close-minded (and poorly-spelled) hate messages:
Twitter.
I'll admit to being an avid tweeter. I use my twitter to talk about my day, my family, or issues that I care about, including LGBT rights. It's a fun and effective way to talk to people all over the world in real time. Now, you would think that if someone doesn't want to hear about LGBT issues, they wouldn't follow someone like me and listen to my comments. You would think that if you were a logical person...
Which is why when I started getting some pretty nasty (and hard to decipher) twitter replies, I was a little surprised... Okay, maybe not too surprised.
Much more after the jump...
I got this lovely response from a seemingly irate Twitter user:
I was still trying to decipher the language (what the heck is a "quire"??) when it was followed quickly by:
Who knew posting pictures of my dogs would get such a hateful response? She was so angry she even tweeted the responses from two different accounts. That's dedication to angry bigotry! Whew!
Her public messages were then followed by a private direct message that read:
But the beauty of being part of a community, even when you're online, is that such insane comments don't go unnoticed or unchallenged.
The hate tweeter soon found herself deluged with replies from other LGBT people and allies. Some tried to reason with her, others teased about her bizarre insults, and others told stories about being parents.
She got some gay online overload.
Needless to say, there were lots of great "quire" (which we all assume was supposed to be "queer") jokes. People began to look at her listed jobs (she sends out "inspirational" greeting cards and sells "magic water") and comment to the companies about her actions under their names. All this happened within minutes of her comments.
It was new technology activism to combat bigotry 2.0.
The public trouncing of her comments led the tweeter to once again direct message me and say:
After some time again spent trying to decipher the comment (why can they never spell or create a complete sentence?), I replied to her that Ihat I had not sent her any hate. I had actually been very friendly and gentle with her both publicly and in private messages, hoping for a "teachable moment."
And not just teachable moments in spelling and grammar. I wanted to see if she could grasp why what she was saying was not well thought out, offensive, and downright bigoted and why it had provoked such a strong response from the LGBT Twitterverse.
I encouraged her to go back and read her unprovoked public comments. I cautioned her that if you put negativity out in the world, you just might get some back. A shocking lesson to learn for her, I'm sure.
Then the real reason for her anger was revealed:
So it all boiled down to me being too "out." By talking conversationally about my husband and family or talking about issues that matter to me, I was being "in her face." Of course, it was her choice (or "Twitter Preference", as I like to call it) to listen to my tweets, so in effect she was putting herself in my face. But again, that's just pesky logic...
So she doesn't hate gay people (or "quires", as she calls them), she just wants them to live in fear and shame.
And not have families. And not talk about their lives with friends. And not be confident in who they are. And let others call their lives "B.S."
Nothing hateful about that, right?
Who knows if she'll ever learn a lesson from the firestorm she set off. I do know that it taught me about the power of online communication.
It is rather amazing the things that technology lets us do. From blogging to Facebook and now Twitter, we are able to come together like never before. While it may open us up to more people and their small-minded views of our lives, it also connects us to whole new groups of friends and allies in the fight for equality. It also shines a light on the ignorance of others for all the world to see, which can be a powerful tool for change.
Plus, where else do you get to spread your "gayness", be "in ur face", and learn new fun words like "quire" while sitting in your pajamas on the couch.
I just love technology...
I did, until recently, overlook a new platform for people to send out close-minded (and poorly-spelled) hate messages:Twitter.
I'll admit to being an avid tweeter. I use my twitter to talk about my day, my family, or issues that I care about, including LGBT rights. It's a fun and effective way to talk to people all over the world in real time. Now, you would think that if someone doesn't want to hear about LGBT issues, they wouldn't follow someone like me and listen to my comments. You would think that if you were a logical person...
Which is why when I started getting some pretty nasty (and hard to decipher) twitter replies, I was a little surprised... Okay, maybe not too surprised.
Much more after the jump...
I got this lovely response from a seemingly irate Twitter user:
Laurel:
@waymonhudson Sorry, you can't be a DAD and be Gay, a MAN is a DAD, a gay dude is Quire & NOT a man. Get it? I'm not interested in Ur GAYnes
I was still trying to decipher the language (what the heck is a "quire"??) when it was followed quickly by:
Laurel:
@waymonhudson Glad to know you have Dogs and NOT children. First logical thing you've mentioned.
Who knew posting pictures of my dogs would get such a hateful response? She was so angry she even tweeted the responses from two different accounts. That's dedication to angry bigotry! Whew!
Her public messages were then followed by a private direct message that read:
seriously, do you have anything of importance to share with the twitter or world besides your B.S. twisted sexual preference, WE don't CARE!
But the beauty of being part of a community, even when you're online, is that such insane comments don't go unnoticed or unchallenged.
The hate tweeter soon found herself deluged with replies from other LGBT people and allies. Some tried to reason with her, others teased about her bizarre insults, and others told stories about being parents.
She got some gay online overload.
Needless to say, there were lots of great "quire" (which we all assume was supposed to be "queer") jokes. People began to look at her listed jobs (she sends out "inspirational" greeting cards and sells "magic water") and comment to the companies about her actions under their names. All this happened within minutes of her comments.
It was new technology activism to combat bigotry 2.0.
The public trouncing of her comments led the tweeter to once again direct message me and say:
Was NOT my intention to be 'Hateful' only to express my opinion. Ur obvious lack of confidence in Ur lifestyle as true nasty hate sent me
After some time again spent trying to decipher the comment (why can they never spell or create a complete sentence?), I replied to her that Ihat I had not sent her any hate. I had actually been very friendly and gentle with her both publicly and in private messages, hoping for a "teachable moment."
And not just teachable moments in spelling and grammar. I wanted to see if she could grasp why what she was saying was not well thought out, offensive, and downright bigoted and why it had provoked such a strong response from the LGBT Twitterverse.
I encouraged her to go back and read her unprovoked public comments. I cautioned her that if you put negativity out in the world, you just might get some back. A shocking lesson to learn for her, I'm sure.
Then the real reason for her anger was revealed:
I only disagree with the "In Ur Face" of your lifestyle
So it all boiled down to me being too "out." By talking conversationally about my husband and family or talking about issues that matter to me, I was being "in her face." Of course, it was her choice (or "Twitter Preference", as I like to call it) to listen to my tweets, so in effect she was putting herself in my face. But again, that's just pesky logic...
So she doesn't hate gay people (or "quires", as she calls them), she just wants them to live in fear and shame.
And not have families. And not talk about their lives with friends. And not be confident in who they are. And let others call their lives "B.S."
Nothing hateful about that, right?
Who knows if she'll ever learn a lesson from the firestorm she set off. I do know that it taught me about the power of online communication.
It is rather amazing the things that technology lets us do. From blogging to Facebook and now Twitter, we are able to come together like never before. While it may open us up to more people and their small-minded views of our lives, it also connects us to whole new groups of friends and allies in the fight for equality. It also shines a light on the ignorance of others for all the world to see, which can be a powerful tool for change.
Plus, where else do you get to spread your "gayness", be "in ur face", and learn new fun words like "quire" while sitting in your pajamas on the couch.
I just love technology...
Breaking news of non-earth-shaking proportions. Praise Jeebus, or some such nonsense. Village Voice:
Trump has cleared Prejean's firing by K2 Productions, which handles the Miss California USA franchise. "I told Carrie she needed to get back to work and honor her contract with the Miss California Organization and I gave her the opportunity to do so," Fox News quotes Trump. "Unfortunately it just doesn't look like it is going to happen and I offered Keith [Lewis, K2 executive producer] my full support in making this decision."Insert your joke in the comments. I guess she can go out and help Maggie raise Buxx for NOM."It has become abundantly clear that Carrie hrie has no desire to fulfill her obligations under our contract and work together," says Lewis.
U.S. Senator Merkley won the support of Basic Rights Oregon in his race last year because his a solid supporter of equality who has a record of delivering on his promises. As Speaker of the Oregon House, he played a critical role in winning domestic partnerships and nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender Oregonians. Now he's bringing his leadership to the U.S. Senate. Over at Blue Oregon, Kevin Kamberg did an interview he did with Senator Merkley. You can read the full text here. I've pasted excerpts below. Q & A with Senator Merkley - by Kevin Kamberg Q: You recently co-sponsored the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act which Benefits and Obligations Act which, as you put it, "is a step in the right direction to make sure that all Americans are compensated equally under the law." Would this extend to members of the military, or civilian employees of the DoD?
A: The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act will extend the same employee and health benefits that married couples have to all federal employees regardless of their sexual orientation and that includes employees at the DOD. However, the bill does not extend health and employment benefits to members of the military because it’s in conflict with Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. I believe it is long past time to get rid of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and allow members of the military to receive the same benefits married couples have as well as be able to serve openly in the military.Q: What are your thoughts on the recent California Supreme Court ruling on the state's Proposition 8? In light of this ruling, what do you feel is the future of marriage equality in Oregon?
A: As a supporter of gay marriage, I am very disappointed that Prop 8 was allowed to stand, but glad that the couples who married while gay marriage was allowed in California had their marriages upheld. But the court decision in California shouldn’t overshadow the tremendous gains that have been made in just the last few months. It was exciting to see Iowa become the first state in the heartland to end marriage discrimination. In addition, a number of states decided that the politics of division weren’t strong enough to prevent them from doing the right thing. Moreover, polls show an ever-increasing number of Americans support extending marriage rights to same sex couples. While Oregon’s constitutional amendment defining marriage is a significant obstacle to the establishment of equality in Oregon, I am hopeful that the conversation in Oregon will continue and that Oregon will eventually choose to support marriage equality as the only right course under our U.S. constitutional guarantee of equality under the law for all Americans.
On the eve of the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, come join us in celebrating the achievements of the LGBT equality movement:
gne-glasses-graphic.jpg">On the eve of the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, come join us in celebrating the achievements of the LGBT equality movement:I'll Toast to That
Thursday, June 25th, 2009 6:00pm Charles Froelick Gallery 714 NW Davis $40 beforehand, $50 at the door (tickets available here)
Attire: Pizazzulous
A special thank you to our sponsors: Organic Nation Spirits Devil's Food Catering Raptor Ridge
Music by: DJ Scotty D
Ticket price qualifies for the Oregon Political Tax Credit which means you can get every penny of your ticket price back at tax time! Click here for more information on the Oregon Political Tax Credit. Questions? Call 503/222.6151
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed legislation that will give the legal protections of marriage to gay and lesbian couples in New Hampshire. Acting swiftly and decisively, Governor Lynch signed the legislation only hours after the legislature took the final vote on the issue. “Today is a historic day for all Granite Staters,†said Mo Baxley, Executive Director vote on the issue. “Today is a historic day for all Granite Staters,†said Mo Baxley, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. “We applaud Governor Lynch, Speaker Norelli and President Larsen and the leadership of the General Court for making sure that all loving, committed couples have the freedom to marry. Today, our shared values of individual liberty, freedom, and fairness have been upheld.†New Hampshire is now the 6th state in the United States that extends the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples. This new law will go into effect on January 1, 2010.
Gay Republicans Cheer Party's New Chairman (http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/4378/173/) By Deb Price Shortly after voters dealt Republicans another devastating blow in November, Robert Kabel, openly gay chairman of the D.C. Republican Party, received a call from a longtime friend, Michael Steele. Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland credited with coining the chant Drill, baby, drill at the Republican National Convention, told Kabel he intended to run for chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Meowth is Dead. Long Live Meowth! (http://nationalgaynews.com/content/view/4377/175/) By Jacob Anderson-Minshall When Maddie Blaustein passed away suddenly this December few of her fans realized she’d gone. Like many voice actresses who disappear behind the scenes while their alter egos garner all the attention; Blaustein faced a certain level of obscurity, despite the fact that the characters she voiced are recognized on sight—especially a little beige cat named Meowth.
Support From Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle Help or Hurt Candidates? (http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2009/02/does_support_from_fort_lauderd.html) Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle - who leaves office next month because of term limits - remains a hero to some and villain to others, making him a factor in Tuesday’s primary for the next mayor and City Commission. Naugle is so controversial in the gay community that the Dolphin Democrats gay and lesbian political club is running advertisements targeted to gays and lesbians...
New online study shows gay and lesbian adults are more likely to be reading news and current issues blogs and also more likely to be members of Facebook and MySpace ROCHESTER, N.Y. & WASHINGTON, D.C. (BUSINESS WIRE) — According to a recent national survey conducted by Harris Interactive®, a small majority of gay and lesbian adults [...]
Wednesday’s news and opinions include the view from China; notes from Israel; A tale of caution about gay sheiks; an op-ed from a gay soldier’s husband; gay family matters and a political resume. Chinese Viewpoints: - From the China Daily: Shanghai hosts first gay pride festival - Also from the China Daily: Pride of tolerance - And movie gossip [...]
New Study Links Gay Marriage Bans to Rise in HIV Rate Atlanta, GA — Bans on same-sex marriage can be tied to a rise in the rate of HIV infection, a new study by two Emory economists has found. In the first study of the impact of social tolerance levels toward gays in the United States on [...]
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