LezGetReal features two key LGBT events for the Month of September, the State of Balck Gay Summit and Out on The Hill:-

The 4th Annual STATE OF BLACK GAY AMERICA SUMMIT with SHARON LETTMAN Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition giving  the Keynote speech. This one day event  will include panelists Rep. Simone Bell, APD LGBT Liaison Patricia Powell, Sandra Lawson, Maurice Jamal  as well as others. It  will be held on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 11am-3pm, Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel, at the time when Atlanta enjoys a myriad of Pride events.

In October 2009, Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks became the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

Since 2003, NBJC has provided leadership at the intersection of mainstream civil rights groups and mainstream LGBT organizations, advocating for the unique challenges and needs of the African-American LGBT community that are often relegated to the sidelines.

NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully-empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation. In concert with NBJC’s mission to eradicate racism and homophobia, her personal goals are to make the Black family the focal point of NBJC; to tell compelling stories about the Black LGBT community; and to see Black LGBT people understood, embraced and respected for their valuable contributions to society.

The National Black Justice Coalition’s First OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit.

September 15-18th in D.C.  – A gathering of the Black LGBT leadership during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 40th annual Legislative Conference.

OUT on the Hill convenes the nation’s top Black LGBT thought leaders, faith leaders, philanthropists and activists to participate in social action that empowers our communities while educating our Congressional leaders, the Obama Administration and federal agencies about our public policy concerns. We plan to come together annually to let the powers that be know that we exist, we are organized and informed, and we have the ability to move the masses towards an America that is more inclusive of Black LGBT people.

OUT on the Hill, September 15-18, features a Lobby Day, which serves as an opportunity for Black LGBT leaders to discuss important policy issues with their Members of Congress and Congressional Leadership; a White House Briefing, which will include presentations from key White House Officials and representatives from the Departments of Justice, Labor, and Health & Human Services.

http://www.nbjc.org/outonthehill/NBJC-OUT-on-the-Hill-package_2010.pdf

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Melanie Nathan 8-01-10-

Jerusalem The Israeli LGBT community stood up to counter protesters and threats of Donkey parades as they took to the the streets of Jerusalem moving respectfully through the Holy City. Judaism is generally a tolerant and accepting religion. However right wing and politically motivated Jews in Israel, find opportunity to counter such protests, citing religion.

The Israeli Knesset is well able to distinguish between Torah and Civil law and is one of the few Countries that legally accept Gay and Lesbian couples, with full equality under the law.

In the meantime Orthodox rabbis in the US have come forward and resolved in a written declaration  (Lez Get Real Article) to support inclusion of LGBT Jews in the religious context, noting that acceptance is the way of the Torah and that love for some one of the same sex can indeed be separated from any ACTS that the Torah may hold unlawful.

Hebrew to English translation of chants at Parade :

“LGBT Rights Now” and “All of us will march for our Rights, together without fear!”

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Two of The Young Israeli Youth Impacted by Last Years Attack

Melanie Nathan – 7-27-2010 - A march will be held Saturday night in Tel Aviv  (July 31^st) to mark the one-year anniversary of a shooting attack in a Tel Aviv gay youth center that left two dead and 13 injured.

The march will start at the corner of Rothschild and Nahmani streets (near the youth center ) and end at Gan Meir, where a rally will be held with the families of the victims, Nir Katz 26, and Liz Trobishi, 16, the injured and members and counselors of the gay youth center.

Reposted from Haretz (Noah Kasharek)  - Ayala Katz, the mother of Nir Katz, who was a counselor at the center, and chairwoman of Tehila, a support group of parents of members of the gay and transgender community, will speak at the rally.

Next month a delegation of youth injured in the shooting will join Tel Aviv municipality officials and possibly Israeli police officials in Berlin to meet with representatives of Maneo, a group that provides support for gay and bisexual men who have been victims of violence, members of the Berlin police, German members of parliament and officials in the Berlin municipality.

The visit is sponsored by Maneo and is taking place in cooperation with the Tel Aviv municipality’s gay center.

Adir Steiner, Tel Aviv municipality’s coordinator of activities for the gay community, says the purpose of the trip is to learn the Berlin model for preventing and dealing with anti-gay violence.

The Berlin model has been adopted by other European cities, like Barcelona, Steiner told Haaretz. It is based on cooperation between Maneo and the authorities, particularly the police, which has two liaison officers to the gay community to deal with homophobic crimes, he said.

Steiner said if the model is adopted in Israel, Hoshen, a group working to change stereotypes about homosexuality and bisexuality and that trains professionals in matters pertaining to the LGBT community, would take the role of Maneo.

“Perhaps if we had started the project a few years ago, we would have documented manifestations of homophobia by the killer, who has not yet been caught, in cooperation with the police, and we might have identified him before the murder. Homophobia, like all hatred, begins small,” Steiner said.

The chief of the Berlin police has reportedly invited Israeli police officers to take part in the delegation, particularly the Tel Aviv district youth officer. The Israel Police said they have not yet received an official invitation.

Next Weekend I will Post my Exclusive Interview with the two Youth Above – to Honor the Victims of the Attack.   Please revisit LGR for this.  B’Shalom… Melanie Nathan

NOTE The Shooter has not been found by Israeli Authorities.

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Posted by Melanie Nathan  7-17-10

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in a landmark European gay rights rally in Poland’s capital Warsaw, the first time the annual EuroPride parade is being held in Central and Eastern Europe, according to a BBC report.

Several counter-demonstrations have been scheduled to coincide with the parade in the city as the event has caused much controversy in  Roman Catholic Poland.

Warsaw’s authorities have also received a petition with more than 50,000 signatures from anti-gay groups demanding the event be cancelled. The EuroPride parade’s organisers say they expect a minimum of 20,000 people from across Europe to take part in what should be a noisy and colourful event.

Gays and lesbians cannot be open about their sexuality and most do not come out. Perhaps the intended PRIDE event will bring more out in the brave endeavor of showing face regardless of being ostracized and abused.

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By Melanie Nathan
Toronto – June 7, 2010 – Keep Pride about Pride group praised the near unanimous support of Toronto City Council for passing a motion to hold back all funding for future Gay Pride Parades until after the parade is over, conditional on ensuring all participants comply with the city’s anti-discrimination policy.

Keep Pride about Pride is a group, started by Noah Gurza, whose mandate was to petition Pride Toronto Executive and City Council on the turnaround decision by Pride Toronto to ban and later allow the group Queers against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) to march in this year’s Pride Parade.

This group galvanized 1976 signatures in just over 5 days, and its petition was presented during council session on Wednesday July 7, 2010, by Councillor Cliff Jenkins.

“I am happy to announce we were successful in our battle, “Noah Gurza informed me today and made the following announcement through the organization “Keep Pride about Pride” which he founded:

“Keep Pride about Pride is very pleased with the widespread support among City councillors to ensure that the Pride Parade hold back funding until after each year’s parade, and release it only if the festival is deemed in compliance with the city’s anti-discrimination policies”, says Keep Pride about Pride founder Noah Gurza. “We feel that a group such as QuAIA which voices its message of hate has no place in a pride parade, whose very essence is to celebrate sexual preference, sexual diversity and inclusivity, and to fight discrimination. We would like to see Pride Toronto remain true to its mandate which is known across the world to be inclusive, respectful, fun and which above all showcases the city’s diversity both sexually and ethnically,” he added. “Public funds should go towards an organization and event that provides a welcoming environment, and allow Pride in Toronto to continue to be a positive addition to the city’s fabric.”

Gurza says: “The Keep Pride about Pride group would have liked Council to have addressed this year’s inclusion of QuAIA participation in the 2010 parade. After all the courageous struggles to overcome intolerance and achieve the mainstreaming of LGBTQ equality rights in Toronto, Ontario, and across the country, Pride Toronto should have taken a leadership position and recognized hatred when it was at its doorstep. Nonetheless, the group is positively optimistic that the motion passed today lays the groundwork for moving in a positive direction for future Pride Parades.”

Keep Pride about Pride group http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=132845070069329&ref=ts
Attached – Letter with 1976 signatories ;   Contact Noah for more information regarding the letter
Communications Coordinator; ngurza@hotmail.com

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda
FaceBook be my Friend.

THANK YOU TORONTO FOR SUPPORT….! Mel

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St. John Fernando & Greg at SF Pride 2010

Fans ecstatic as Radio Personalities attend SF Pride;

Little did famed radio personalities, St. John, and team Greg and Fernando know that  being outlawed from the 2010 Pride festivities, by complicit Clear Channel and Pride San Francisco (2010) would in fact turn out a ‘blessing in disguise.”

St John has been  a San Francisco Pride feature  celebrity  DJ each Pride for the past fourteen years,  Greg and Fernando have been bashing on doors trying to get a spot, year after year and to no  avail.   It seemed their unwelcome fate was sealed when they quit the airwaves of Pride sponsor  Clear Channel.

Joining CBS, the two sets of scorching talent  brought their magnetic pull to CBS, their new home, willing to shake fist in the face of  what may well have been the homophobic culture generated by Clear Channel home to the likes of mega –right wing stars Limbaugh and Beck.

St John, as host and creator of San Francisco’s longest running global dance radio show HouseNation  and  on air personality  for CBS Radio’s MOViN99.7… nominated at WMC for mix show of the year, has performed at SF Pride for the past fourteen years.  From the airwaves to the dance floors of the hottest clubs and undergrounds, St. John’s energetic style has made him a staple internationally from Brazil to Canada, and nation-wide from New York’s Limelight to San Francisco’s Ruby Skye. With multiple CD releases on major labels such as Thrive and UBL Recordings, St. John has sold over a quarter-million albums and in 2010 , contributed to HIV/AIDS funding and cast Pride on a community of teens confused by coming out.

In complimentary contrast, and with standing fan base as profound, is beloved duo, team “ Greg and Fernando” who shake the morning commuters with humor and rancor, so unique in its gay-straight blend that their own ‘bridge’ belies that of the reach of the very Golden Gate most commuters cross each of those blaring CBS mornings. Be assured that despite the hefty $6.00 toll (or is it $7 yet?) these fans are adding laughter and fun to the beauty of that extraordinary Bay Area commute.

In the week leading to 2010 San Francisco Pride, Lez Get Real published an article, exposing, exclusively, the impending ban excluding the iconic hosts from performing at the SF Gay Pride Festival.

Despite the article’s virility and the hullabaloo it caused, Pride did not change its stance and nor did it answer our specific e-mail questions calling for an explanation.

After the Pride Festivities, we spoke to St. John as well as Fernando, on behalf of illustrious duo Greg and Fernando.  Clearly the sentiment was unified – annual San Francisco LGBT festival and parade crossed the implicit boundary from Pride to corporate control, delivered through exclusionary terms and conditions in sponsorship contracts, that not only excluded these superb talents but the very saints of “gay is okay!”, and hence served to tacitly disparage them in the eyes of fans and populace alike.

When Lezgetreal.com broke the story in its exclusive article, St. John’s fans were shocked.  The internet and St. John’s Facebook site, spiraled into the world of viral and the comments came pouring in, via email, bloggers, and the usual fan channels.

Feeling the pulse and camaraderie, nothing could keep the famed verbally flamboyant duo, Greg and Fernando, nor the LGR featured and talented magic-mix-machine St. John, away from Pride San Francisco and so of course they showed up; after all they are family.  They  were about to find out, however, that they were there not for themselves but for Pride after all, because the FANS did not let them forget that! They were there- for the fans, who recognized and all but swarmed both sets of talent.

Sparked by the previous article, they were incensed and happy to see the guys!

St. John told us that together with Greg and Fernando, and keen CBS interns, the band of  buddies attended San Francisco Pride, as any ordinary members of the population would have the right to do. “We made our rainbow signs and went to Pride,” quipped St. John.

“Truthfully,” says St. John, “I had the best time in memory of any of the San Francisco Pride events that I have attended, always as performer.  In all my fourteen years attending I have been on a stage performing, but this time I was amongst my fans and able to connect on a personal basis.  It was an extraordinary experience. “

St. John told me that he spoke to a young fan coming out at this Pride for the first time. The youngster was so grateful for the help when St. spent time talking to the young person.  “If that was all I accomplished with just that one person, this year at Pride” said St. John, “it was humbling and made the ban worthwhile.”

But that was clearly not all that they accomplished.  “I really felt like I was there for the people this time.  It was a very personal Pride experience for me.  Fan after fan came up to me and ironically while I was having a great time, they were reminding me and commiserating about the ban on my performing at Pride; many were sad and angry with San Francisco Pride Organizers and Clear Channel.”  According to St. John.

When I spoke to Fernando, he echoed the same sentiment, both he and Greg had a fantastic time; invited to the mike as they passed almost every performer and stage.  It seems it will be hard to keep them off future gigs  especially as their fame is growing exponentially.

St John said that the Lezgetreal Article had generated huge publicity for him and CBS and that awareness and recognition had increased “a hundred times. The number of people who came up to me at Pride was incredible and I had no idea how much buzz the article had generated.”  But it is much more than that – all tree hosts are much beloved and have given so much to the gay community that their presence would undoubtedly have NOT gone unn

St. John Spinning Despite BAN

oticed, regardless of the controversy.

Then came the unexpected, a coup of sorts, as they passed the Clear Channel Group, who had been pivotal in the Ban, the buddies sensed a  tasteless discomfort as their fellow DJ’s who, while perfectly entitled to replace the ex- clear channel and now CBS icons, must surely have been uneasy about the out and out ban.

Passing the Toyota Stage, fans rallied around and the next thing St. knew he was behind the controls and spinning the reputable mix to the delight of fans and all around.  Unplanned, and impromptu he found himself, not only caught in a united throng of festivities but showcasing his formidable talent nonetheless. No he had the best of both worlds.

While, St. John, has been the mix spin of Pride gig for fourteen years, the refusal to comment by Pride organizers, has prompted an omission begging for its own spin, any spin;   “Hey SF Pride- pray tell – who is pushing the buttons – what is going on here?” This is the resounding common denominator- a roar from comments generated by my earlier Article. “Has Pride been bought to the extent that the People of San Francisco are compelled to celebrate without their heroes? Is Pride the San Francisco Pride or is it now the Corporate Who has More Money Pride.

I do not know about you fellow queers, but as for me I have marched and paraded and celebrated in the name of San Francisco pride for many years and when I see those who model excellence for our community I feel good about myself and proud that my maker made me the perfect lesbian.

With this all said, I will be featuring an article in the next few days that will bring more of the Fernando Interview (Greg and Fernando) interview. Please visit our FB Page and make sure you subscribe.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Article  by Melanie Nathan and Lezgetreal © -  Can be re-blogged with the following accredation:
Article  at www.lezgetreal.com, by Melanie Nathan. (Include direct Link)

©Photos. Copyright  N. Collins /Melanie Nathan.

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07/07/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Miss NYC Pride? Was it too hot or too crowded or do you live too far away? Well don’t worry, OURscene TV has you covered. The LGBT themed website is filled with videos that are geared to your interests. Below, you can watch the beginning of the parade as well as the hottest lesbian celebs! Enjoy!

For more videos head over to http://ourscenetv.com 

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Citing security concerns, earlier this month, police officials had denied permission for this year proposed route and recommended that the parade be held on the same route as last year.

In the past, The Jerusalem parade has been met with resistance from Orthodox Jews in the city and in 2005, a Haredi Jewish man attacked three marchers with a kitchen knife during that parade.

This year however, the Jerusalem pride parade will mark the one-year anniversary of a fatal shooting at the gay youth center in Tel Aviv and will be billed as Israel’s national gay pride parade. Parade organizers, the Jerusalem Open House, insisted that the parade conclude at the doorsteps of Israel’s legislature and had threaten to take the matter to court.

Said Jerusalem Open House Executive Director Yonatan Gher, “The parade route to the Knesset, on the anniversary of the murder, is the proper route to symbolize what the parade is demanding – full equal rights for the gay community in Israel and an end to the incitement, violence, and silencing that we experience everyday.”

Security for the march is expected to be heavy.

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Lez Get Real wrote a piece publishing a letter by a Canadian Gay man Noah Gurza.  The comments were diverse and interesting. The Article can be found here at http://lezgetreal.com/2010/06/toronto-pride-torrontonians-emotional-plea/

I have chosen to publish this one comment that appeared on Lezgetreal, together with its call for action as by  Bernie Farber, one of Canada’s leading experts on antisemitism and human rights.  Bernie M. Farber is the National Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) . Thanks for for drawing attention to the strengthening support for Pride by the Jewish community and other supporters of Israel.  This is a time to show up for what you believe and to show PRIDE for what is good, non-divisive and Positive.

Bernie M. Farber

Mr. Farber has spent more than 20 years with CJC, battling hatred and racism and strengthening relationships with police services, government and other ethnic and faith communities across the country.

The recipient of countless awards, Mr. Farber is an associate member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and was recently selected by the Ontario government to serve as a member of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group. He also serves with the city of Vaughan Mayor’s Task Force on Community Safety and Security and the York Regional Police Community Crime Prevention Advisory Council.

Mr. Farber is a published author and has contributed numerous articles on the Jewish political scene, human rights issues, the Holocaust, hate crime and white supremacy to newspapers and periodicals including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, the National Post, the Toronto Star, and many others.

Here is Mr. Farber’s comment on the earlier Piece:

“Noah: Thank you for your inspired thinking and articulate manner in which you have addressed this issue. There is however one important area where we respectfully differ. CJC will be joing Kulanu (the Jewish LGBTQ group) and other Jewish organizations including UJA, Canada Israel Committee, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal and many synagogues at the Pride parade . In my view,the vast majority of Pride goers have nothing to do with “Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA)”. Literally hundreds of thousands of people (some say up to 1 million) people watch the Pride parade, we have the support of fourToronto mayoralty candidates some of whom will join us under the Kulanu flag and many many more. Do you really want QuAIA to be the only voice on Israel in a parade that receives national attention? Imagine if you will a sea of Canadian and Israeli flags as we all march as proud Jews together “Kulanu” extolling the virtue of the only country in the Middle East that defends and protects its LGBTQ citizens.  I urge you and any others reading this message to join us onSunday. You can get all the details on our site http://www.cjc.ca Show no fear; Stand up and be counted.”

Toronto – Sunday, July 4th, please join Kulanu, Canadian Jewish Congress, UJA Federation, Canada Israel Committee and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal  to march in support of tolerance and Israel at the Toronto Pride Parade!  Show those who seek to harm our community that we will not be intimidated into silence!

1. 10:00am -12:00pm: Visit the Kulanu Toronto booth

(located just north of  Wellesley on the west side of Church Street) to purchase Pride T-shirts and water bottles.

2. 12:15pm: Line up for the march at the corner of Bloor and Jarvis, Section F9.

Look for the Israeli flags and Kulanu Toronto banner.

3. 2:00pm: The march begins

4. 4:00pm: The march ends

Bring hats, water bottles, sunscreen, and your Jewish pride and enthusiasm!
Come sing and dance to Hebrew music as we parade down Church Street!

By Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts.com

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Having been raised in South Africa I share the viewpoint that associating Israel with apartheid given the different nature and history of the struggles of each Country is tantamount to bashing those who indeed suffered apartheid. The association of that word with Israel is divisive at a time when we should all be seeking solutions and peace. Bringing it into any pride context is clearly contrary to the nature of Pride and its intent. There is nothing to be proud of when your organization banners the LGBT community together with divisiveness.

Noah Gurza is a Canadian Jewish gay male residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Currently serving as a consultant with the Ontario Provincial Government working on engaging youth in volunteerism and community activities, particularly youth from newcomer and diverse backgrounds. Noah is a proud and out gay male who has been very vocal over the years about legalizing same-sex marriage in Canada and wrote numerous letters to national and local papers on the subject.

Noah has asked for your support in his complaint to Toronto Pride which speaks for itself through his letter:
Dear Tracey Sandilands and the Pride Executive Committee:

We are proud gay and gay-friendly Torontonians. Proud to be living in a city, a province and a country that is a bastion of tolerance. We are proud that our gay rights are upheld both in law and in practice. We are also proud to promote, watch and march in a parade year after year that is known across the world to be inclusive, respectful, fun and which above all showcases our diversity both sexually and ethnically.

It is with outrage that we learned about your decision to overturn the ban on Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) This cowardly reversal to now allow this group to March in this year’s Parade, is in direct violation of your own core philosophy, thereby allowing the participation of group rooted in hate and demonization. Their mere presence undermines Pride’s claim that it stands for equality, dignity and tolerance.

As Justine Apple, executive director of Kulanu Toronto and Bernie M. Farber, CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress, state in their editorial in this weekend’s Toronto Star, “discrimination, intimidation and hatred must not be given license to hijack the parade and turn it into a propaganda tool for inflammatory vitriol”.

Is this a victory for Free Speech? Not in the least. No one is stopping QuAIA from voicing their vitriol – but how does this group belong in a Gay Pride parade, whose very essence is to celebrate sexual preference, sexual diversity and inclusiveness, and fighting discrimination?

It simply, without question, DOES NOT.

The affairs of the State of Israel and the Israel/Palestinian conflict are so far removed from a parade on sexuality and gay rights, that one wonders if the parade will become a vehicle for all human rights issues to be voiced. Why are we not seeing Gays for a Free Tibet? Gays for a Free Pays Basque? Or Gays for a Free Corsica march alongside drag queens and hot cops?

Let us remind the executive as to where gays in the Middle East are tortured and murdered for daring to express their sexual preference. The reality is that in the Middle East, Israel is to be admired for its gay rights and equality, amidst being surrounded by countries which condone violent and murderous homophobia.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in Israel are considered the most developed in the Middle East. Israel also has one of the highest percentages of support for same-sex marriage in the world, with 61% of Israelis supporting civil marriage for same-sex couples. Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Cyprus are the only countries in the Middle East where homosexuality between consenting adults in private is not illegal and homosexuals are not persecuted under the law.

In most other Middle Eastern countries homosexuality is illegal, often punishable by flogging and even hanging. Homosexuality is one of the biggest taboos in the Arab world. The words “Luti,” or “Shaz,” are the most commonly words used to describe gays. Those terms essentially translate as “pervert” or “deviant” in Arabic.

Homosexuals in the Middle East are ostracized almost everywhere in the Muslim world. Gay rights organizations estimate that more than 100,000 gay men and women are being discriminated against and threatened in Muslim countries. Thousands of them commit suicide, end up in prison, or go into hiding.

As a result of this, oftentimes state-sanctioned homophobia, should we not be seeing a group or inviting a group to take the defense of gays in the Arab world entitled “Gays against Homophobia in the Middle East”?

As Justine Apple and Bernie Farber argue in their editorial, “apartheid” is not a term to be thrown about lightly. Apartheid is a crime against humanity, a despicable, discriminatory and disgusting regime supported only by irredeemable racists. Thus, Israelis and the vast majority of Diaspora Zionist Jews are tarred by the brush of horrific racism, systemic oppression of human rights and visceral hatred. QuAIA targets Israel with this dangerous and invidious libel, positioning the world’s only Jewish state as the racist successor to white supremacist South Africa. International pressure brought down apartheid’s racist oppression. Now, anti-Semites use these same tactics to soften up international public opinion and pave the way for Israel’s destruction.

The term “Israeli apartheid” utterly disrespects and disgraces the memory of those – including large numbers of Jews – who risked their lives to topple South African apartheid.

It is hard to fathom how you, the organizers of the Pride Toronto parade have come to this decision with this despicable and cowardly reversal on QuAIA’s place in the upcoming Pride Parade this Sunday.

We would have hoped that after all your courageous struggles to overcome intolerance and achieve the mainstreaming of LGBTQ equality rights in Toronto, Ontario and across the country, you would be able to recognize hatred when it is at your doorstep and stares you squarely in the face.

We are gay and gay-friendly Torontonians, cognizant that there is still a lot of work to be done for gay rights, not only in other countries, but at home, right here as well.

Just like the “Black Bloc” criminals who hijacked the protesters’ important cries out to the world’s leaders at this weekend’s G20 gathering in Toronto, so too does QuAIA, threatening to take over with messages that are contrary to Pride’s essence.

What are we marching for? To sell beer and mortgages? To listen to hate mongerers? Or rather to bask in the freedom that this city and, indeed, this country, enshrines for us.

QuAIA’s place in the Pride march sends a disturbing message. A message with which we do not want to be associated. A message which will result in us staying as far away from this year’s Parade as possible.

Shame on you,

Noah Gurza

Support Noah and the Toronto letter by clicking here :-http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=132845070069329&ref=mf

UPDATED POST FOUND AT:

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About 30 gay rights activists gathered in a public courtyard within the city’s State Hermitage Museum and chanted “Same-sex marriages without compromise,’ ‘Equality for gays and lesbians,’ ‘Homophobia is a national shame,’ and ‘Homophobia is a disease,’” One of protest banner read “Peter the First was bisexual.”

Police quickly pounced and briefly detained six people, who offered little resistance.

The arrests came after St. Petersburg officials followed the lead of three other Russian cities; Moscow, Tambov and Ryazan in banning gay pride parades and rejected two applications by the St. Petersburg Gay Pride for the demonstration.
In the days of the Soviet Union, being gay was a crime that could net prison time, and while Russia has since decriminalized homosexuality, intolerance remains very widespread. Polls have shown more than 80 percent of Russians regard homosexuality as immoral.

Moscow’s Mayor Yury Luzhkov described gay rallies as satanic and vowed not to allow such rallies in his city. In May 2009, Russian gay activists were planning to hold the Russia’s first gay rights parade during the Eurovision Song Contest final in Moscow, but the Moscow city council refused to give official permission for the parade.

Notwithstanding, a group of activists staged the march anyway and 32 of the marchers were beaten and detained by police, including UK gay right activist Peter Tatchel and American activist Andy Thayer.

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Photo by K.T. Drasky

San Francisco – It has been a year since Shirley Tan gave evidence at the Senate Judiciary Committee for the hearing on Uniting American Families Act.   Although Shirley received Private Bill #867 as an introduction to Congress, she remains ‘deportable’ unless Senator Feinstein re-introduces the Private Bill each new Congress.

This is not the only compelling story- there are thousands more such stories.  I receive at least 100 emails per week from Binational couples in this reprehensible situation.

Thanks to Breakthrough and Restore Fairness this magnificent Video which was shot last year at the Home of the Tan-Mercado family is a bold statement for bi-national couples and speaks to the urgency as it presents itself, almost a year after the video was shot.

“As per family unification provisions in immigration law, American citizens are able to petition for residency for their spouses. Unlike countries like France, Germany and Canada, this does not apply to same-sex partners in the United States, so although Jay Mercado is an American citizen, she is unable to sponsor Shirley. Having come to the United States to escape a traumatic and violent familial situation in the Philippines, Shirley had applied for political asylum in 1995.”  http://restorefairness.org/2010/06/on-gay-pride-watch-two-moms-fight-to-stay-together/

Shirley’s lawyer had advised the couple that they should be patient while the application was being processed. News of the denial of Shirley’s application came in the form of a rude shock that disrupted the whole family.

Includes Excerpts from testimony at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing for UAFA

At 6:30 am on a winter morning last year, Jay was getting dressed to go to work and Shirley was getting ready to take the boys to school, when the doorbell rang. On opening it they were faced with two agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who showed them a 2002 letter ordering Shirley’s deportation (which she had never seen before). Minutes later she was handcuffed and taken away as Jay and her mother watched, frightened and helpless. Shirley was held in detention at the Sansome facility in San Francisco before being tagged with an electronic bracelet and returned to her family, awaiting deportation to the Philippines. Shirley describes her time in detention as one of the most traumatic ordeals of her life-

“My agonizing, humiliating and tragic experience started when I got in their SUV. My partner ran to the car and saw me being handcuffed and she broke down to tears… I thought it was the lowest point of my life…I was taken like a criminal… My heart was beating so hard, my whole body was shaking and I felt so nauseated with what was happening to me. (Jay Mercado)

Reporting to ICE three times a week and struggling to deal with the possibility of being separated from her wife and children, Shirley sought the support of LGBT advocates and the media to raise awareness about the case and seek justice that would prevent her family from being torn apart. As a result of this, in April 2009, California Sen. Diane Feinstien introduced a rare bill that granted Shirley a temporary reprieve from deportation, allowing her to stay in the U.S. till January 2011.

“All the while my family was first and foremost the center of everything on my mind.  How would Jay work and take care of the kids if I was not there?  Who would continue to take care of Jay’s ailing mother, the mother I had come to love, if I was not there?  Who would be there for my family if I was not there?  In an instant, my family, my American family, was being ripped away from me.  And when I did return home, I had an ankle monitoring bracelet. I went to great lengths to hide it from my children. I have a partner who is a U.S. citizen, and two beautiful children who are also U.S. citizens, but not one of them can petition for me to remain in the United States with them. Because my partner is not a man, she cannot do anything to help me. Nor can my children, who keep asking why this happened to us and what will ultimately happen to our family.”

“While the Tan-Mercado family are extremely grateful for the respite that Sen. Feinstein’s bill has provided them, they are worried about what will happen to them post-Janunary 2011. In a testimony that Shirley delivered to the United States Senate Committee, Shirley expressed her concerns for the future of her family-” (Breakthrough)

The only way for Shirley to stay in the United States with her family is if gay and lesbian couples to be able to sponsor their partners. It is important that we recognize families like the Tan-Mercado’s so that families can stay together, in Pride month and beyond.

June 28th, last year I joined Shirley and Jay and the twins at the SF Pride event where we accompanied the OUT4Immigration contingency.

On June 3rd 2009, Shirley gave testimony at Senate Judiciary Committee  at the request of Senator Patrick Leahy. Present was Sen. Chuck Schumer and Senator Specter.  Nothing has happened since that time to  further to bring Shirley nearer to the security she and her family deserves.

At the end of the Video above, hear the words of young Jorienne when he says “I cannot live without my mother…” and so the Tan Mercado’s  live with the  ’sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.’   Although there may be some positive moves such as the flip flop of Rep Luis Gutierrez  to sign UAFA up as part of Immigration reform in his House Bill.

But in fact UAFA is an equality Bill and remedial by nature; it is more than mere immigration reform.

Sources tell us, that immigration reform is on the back burner  and  may come on the political stage only into 2011.  There is a framework but no senate bill yet. There is no guarantee that the UAFA provisions will be included in the Senate Bill or that it pass to passage.

For this and many other reasons, such as the larger immigration community rejecting gays and lesbians right to be in an immigration reform bill,  UAFA should be re-considered as a stand alone Bill, especially that so many American Citizens and their children are suffering such discriminatory hardship.

Take action now to fix our immigration system and keep families together for all immigrant families and also Speak to the equality Legislation UAFA and the DREAM act as possible Stand-together Bills.

BY Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts.com

Thanks you Breakthrough for this Brilliant Video. It was a pleasure to work with you.

Breakthrough is an innovative, international human rights organization using the power of popular culture, media, and community mobilization to transform public attitudes and advance equality, justice, and dignity in India and the United States.

Two Moms Fight to Stay Together from Breakthrough on Vimeo.

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Clear Channel Communications Inc., which operates some 900 radio stations nationwide, is searching for a new chief executive following the resignation of Mark P. Mays, the company announced Wednesday, June 23.

Mays resigned as president and chief executive, but will continue to serve as chairman of the board, the company said. Mays will continue to lead the company until a new president and CEO is named. That’s expected to occur later this year, the company said.

Mays has spent 21 years at the San Antonio, Texas-based company, including the last six as president and chief executive.

Press release from their Clear Channel:

Mark P. Mays to Step Down as CEO of Clear Channel

Will Continue As Chairman; Search for New CEO UnderwaySAN ANTONIO, TX – June 23, 2010 – Clear Channel Communications, Inc. today announced that Mark P. Mays has decided to step down from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer and has asked the Board of Directors to initiate a search for his replacement. Mays will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors and will remain actively involved with the company in that capacity.
“After 21 wonderful years of building the industry leader that is Clear Channel, I have made a personal decision to step away from the chief executive role. Clear Channel is well-positioned to continue leading in the marketplace, and given the positive trends I am seeing, I am very optimistic about the future of the company,” said Mays. “As I’ve discussed with our Board, this is an opportune time for a new CEO to work with the management team in leading our terrific company forward, and I look forward to executing a seamless transition.”

“Mark Mays has made enormous contributions to Clear Channel as President and CEO over the past six years, as he has throughout his career with the company. We deeply appreciate his service to the company, his leadership, and the remarkable foundation he has built,” said Scott M. Sperling, of THL Partners, and John Connaughton, of Bain Capital, in a joint statement on behalf of the Board. “We are committed to identifying a world-class executive who will just as capably and successfully lead this great business into the future.”

Mays has served as Chairman of the Board of Clear Channel Communications since last year and as President and CEO since October 2004. Prior to that, Mays served in various roles at the company, including Vice President and Treasurer, Senior Vice President of Operations and later President and COO.

Mays will continue to lead the company as President and CEO until a replacement is named, which is expected to be later this year.

The Board has engaged Egon Zehnder International, a leading executive search firm, to lead the search for a new CEO.

Note: Picture is taken from Clear Channel Website – The one that touts diversity and Kinship:

“At Clear Channel, we are committed to recruiting and retaining diverse talent by creating an environment that integrates diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our business. Our company is enriched and made more effective through representation of diverse experience, backgrounds, ethnicity, education, sexual orientation and regional and cultural orientation. Clear Channel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where women and minorities are encouraged to apply.” I wonder if there are any gay hands in that pile!

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This month, Tel Aviv annual Gay Pride drew one of the biggest crowds in its history, in solidarity almost one year after an unidentified gunman opened fire at an LGBT youth counseling center in the city, killing two and wounding 11.

The march started with a minute of silence to honor the two people who died and the eleven injured at the LGBT community center shooting. The attack at the gay youth center in August 2009 is considered the most lethal homophobic assault in Israel’s history, reports IANS.

According to YNet News, speakers at the start of the march included Ayala Katz, mother of Nir Katz, a 26-year-old counselor killed in the attack.

Days after the Parade, Police announced the discovery of a clue at the scene, sent to the lab and the results indicated a pool of suspects, all of whom could be called in for questioning and investigation, reports Irsaeli News YNET,

The investigation of the attack was placed under a gag order since its occurrence. The lab tests uncovered an factor shared by thousands of Israelis. Although no one is saying what was discovered at the scene or what the element can be, possibilities besides specific illness, could include genetic links to the Kohan, a the most rare of the twelve Jewish tribes.

Police mapped out the population, filtering out one thousand people with whom they intend to speak personally and test.

In the meantime, the investigating team will continue probing all other leads.

While some Israelis have been skeptical about the police work in the case, Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen, who receives updates on all findings personally, said he would spare no resource to solve the case, which he defined as one of the worst attacks Israel had seen.

LGR will remain on top of developments as they emerge.

A few months ago we received a visit here in Marin County at Congregation Rodef Sholom from a group of teens who had been at the center at the time. The mayhem in the wake of the shootings and bloodied body of their dying friends and counselor will forever hurt these youg people featured in my picture (names witheheld) that so momentous that no one in the LGBT community will find peace until the murderer is caught and punished.

Picture taken at Rodef Sholom of two Tel Aviv Youth Center Participants witness to Mayhem, as part of Video Interview By Melanie Nathan © 2010.

Melanie Nathan

nathan@privatecourts.com

San Francisco: Breaking – For the past 15 years openly gay, renowned DJ, radio host, and creator of San Francisco’s longest running global dance radio show “House Nation, who goes by the name St John, has been a feature, honing his iconic talent and superstar ACT at the annual San Francisco LGBT Pride.

But this year something smells a little off.  Sources inform us, that the event which would usually pride itself on tradition has succumbed to the demands of one of its  corporate sponsors, CLEAR CHANNEL.   Clear Chanel (yes the very clear channel, air-wave home to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck,) and a major SF Pride 2010 sponsor has demanded the banning of ST. John and two other well known GAY Morning DJ’s; all three axed, shunned and rejected despite their years of entrenched relationship with the event.

St. John, described as  Superstar in the growing world of  mix was extremely popular at Clear Channel’s Wild 94.9 for 14 years, and then moved to CBS’s. Movin’ 99.7, KMVQ-FM.

St. John’s energetic style has made him a staple internationally from Brazil to Canada, and nation-wide from New York’s Limelight to San Francisco’s Ruby Skye. With multiple CD releases on major labels such as Thrive and UBL Recordings, St. John has sold over a quarter-million albums and in 2010 continues to work on exciting new projects.

The exclusion may be attributed to corporate wrangling and competitive venom between CBS and Clear Channel. Yet on wonders just how San Francisco pride fits into this mix of loyalty gone awry?

Since it was not only St John who made the move, but also other DJ’s and Michael Martin, once Program Director for Clear Channel and now Vice President of Programming for CBS RADIO San Francisco. The retribution could also be attributed to Martin who did not hide his excitement when St John left  Clear Channel to join CBS: “I am beyond excited to have him join MOViN!  His skill, passion, precision and drive to win are an inspiration to all who work with him and the detriment to those who try to compete against him,” said Martin.

Should we as a marginalized and discriminated against community stand behind our heroes? Or should we accept demanding sponsors who are giving SF Pride the profits off the  millions made and paid to the likes of homophobic and anti American  Limbaugh and Beck.

For St. John the feelings were mutual when he joined CBS; – “I’m thrilled to be reunited with programming legend Michael Martin. Together we’ve dominated ratings in both the Bay Area and Los Angeles and when St John moved asserted: “I can’t wait to work with him to do it again at my new home CBS RADIO San Francisco.”

Each year, Pride works with the event media partners, such as Clear Channel home to the likes of right wing lunatics – Limbaugh and Beck, to bring a televised and  radio broadcasts of the SF Pride Parade. SF Pride producers assert that they have been able to expand the coverage of the Parade to include a full-length, unedited online broadcast in addition to televised coverage the evening following the Parade’s conclusion.

Since St. John left clear channel, it is became apparent that punitive motives would follow the star, and that attempts would  be made to relegate his well earned reverence in the world of cool music and especially his vested platform at PRIDE.

St. John, clearly hurt by San Francisco Pride’s rejection of his talent, and his years of service was loathe to make any derogatory remarks at all either toward SF Pride or Clear Channel.

From my interview it was clear that not only is St John a good man, he is modest and is not willing to speak of  the enormous contributions he has made to fighting HIV/AIDS and helping those in need.

In furthering his career he is now being punished by his own community.  Not only is he a talent but he is an open voice to tens and thousands of a younger generation who hold him in the highest esteem, reaching across the gay- straight lines amongst the youngsters, where it really counts.

When asked for his comments  he told me: “Its been a long  journey with San Francisco Pride; I am proud  to have  been  apart of a great service to the community and hope that maybe I can find a way to continue to be so.”

I will say one thing and that is if Clear Channel tried to impose a ban on any gay performer of any kind with a history and credentials such as ST, John, I for one would rather risk their sponsorship!

The Organizers of San Francisco Pride were contacted for comment but no response was received.

Clear Channel Communications,  Inc.. (OTCBB:CCMO) is a global media and entertainment company specializing in mobile and on-demand entertainment and information services for local communities and premiere opportunities for advertisers. Based in San Antonio, Texas, the company’s businesses include radio and outdoor displays. More information is available at www.clearchannel.com.

By Melanie Nathan
Nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda
Get me on – FACE BOOK .

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Back in the 80’s, the first time I saw a Pride Parade- I had no ides what to expect and new at the liberty of being openly gay I recall an excitement barely describable; the thought of other lesbians holding hands and kissing in public.

However nothing had prepared me – nothing – for what was to come…. a noise – one that sounded like the HULK and KING KONG pounding their destructive paths through the City – BOOM BOOM BOOM KAHBOOM and as it got closer I realized the noise began with the letter “V” VOOMVOOOM oh and VRROOOM. OMG – Bike after Bike after never ending Bike – Dykes and Femmes – exposed boobs, lipstick lezzies, skirts, leathers, tattoos and screams from the crowd.  Nothing could have prepared e for what has now become synonymous with Gay Pride, “Dykes on Bikes.”

The official San Francisco Dykes on Bikes Pre-Pride Party traditionally takes place on Saturday from 1 until 5 pm at SoMa’s famed Eagle Tavern, which is at 398 12th Street. President of Dykes on Bikes Sandy Caughlan wrote regarding last year’s celebration that “Our Pre-Pride party includes live music, food, beer and soda. Featuring live music from Blair Hansen and burlesque with the Twilight Vixen Review and the Fella-Fem Drag Kings. Great food and fun!” Check the Dykes on Bikes website for more information on this legendary organization, and further details on the Pre-Pride Party and other events.

The San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration takes place over Saturday, June 26 (noon to 6 pm), and Sunday, June 27 (noon to 7 pm) at the San Francisco Civic Center, just east of San Francisco City Hall. Festivities include more than 300 vendors, artists, and other exhibitors; a slew of music and comedy acts playing on the Main Stage, and similar performances at Pride’s other stages, such as the Trans, Homo Hip Hop, Asian and Pacific Islander, Women’s, Soul of Pride African American, and Latin stages.

The final event is San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade, which begins at 10:30 am on Sunday, June 27, and proceeds along Market Street, beginning at Market and Beale streets (near California Street) and continues for about 10 blocks, ending at 8th Street. Here’s a map of the Parade Route.

Additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers, such as Bay Area Reporter and San Francisco Bay Times, for details. Also see the San Francisco CVB’s outstanding site on GLBT travel.

If you have yet to have the experience in the words of Black Eyed Peas “Do it Do it Do it” You gonna have a good good time…   go San Francisco You never let us down….

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6-15-10  Melanie Nathan

This past weekend at the Los Angeles Pride festival straight gay allies, Sharon and Kelly Osborne were quick to express their disgust when a small contingency of anti-gay protesters had the audacity to rear their bigoted heads!  “You should be ashamed of yourselves!” Sharon Osbourne yelled when she and her daughter Kelly, grand marshals at the Los Angeles Pride parade on Sunday, came face to face with anti-gay protesters, RadarOnline.com reports.

After Mrs. Osbourne had her say, Kelly Osbourne took the microphone and yelled, “My God loves gays.”

Tomorrow the LGBT community in California and all around the USA, are excited by the finality of the opportunity for justice.  Shock and upset still resonate as the ‘Yes on 8′ comes up tomorrow for final argument in the Perry Vs. Schwarzenegger case, as the US District Court tries its validity.

Judge Vaughn Walker recently issued a series of questions to both sides which speaks volumes about the balancing ACT facing the Judge, but yet has no telling on the arguments and how they will be received.

The unlikely legal team of conservative attorneys, David Boies and Ted Olson, representing the LGBT  Equality driven side if the argument, flanked throughout by amici attorneys from the City of San Francesco and National Center for Lesbian Rights.

According to John Culhane,  Professor of Law, Widener University, at  365 GAY,  the gap between February’s  trial and the June 16 summation   “is quite unusual, but this whole case has been unusual. It was brought not by any of the LGBT legal advocacy groups that have been tactically pressing for marriage equality in courts and legislatures, but by David Bois and Ted Olson, litigation megastars.  It’s the first case to challenge the denial of equality under the federal, as opposed to a state, constitution – increasing the likelihood that the matter won’t be resolved until the Supreme Court weighs in.”

However as a lesbian woman whose family has been irreversibly impacted by the YES vote that denied marriage for gay ‘people by the people,’ of California hand in hand with the money from the Mormon and Catholic Lobby, this day of argument is another momentous event – and the thought of defeat is simply unimaginable.

The YES Vote hurt my children. The story can be found at http://lezgetreal.com/2010/01/prop-8-plaintiff-testimony-how-prop-8-hurts-children-a-real-life-example/.  We have enormous trust though, in our system of law, that the Court will rule in our favor until the very end of the road.

A comment that appeared on 365GAY site to the story about the Parade says it all:

“If you have ever suffered shame at the hands of a heterosexual, you know you’ve grown when their words don’t hurt you. You know you have further grown when you have the courage to stand up to them. You know you’ve grown more when you defend other gays. But you know the world has grown when heterosexuals defend homosexuals. I thank my God for people like Sharon and Kelly who will stand up to those who shout out lies and shout out the truth. I don’t know or care what their motivation might be, however whenever someone excitedly shouts out an exclamation in public without time to consider how others might react to their statement, their statements are admitted into evidence as the truth to them. I chose to believe that they genuinely believe God loves gays and therefore love genuinely love Gays themselves.”

So to any of you who may feel the slightest of conscience about a Yes on 8 Vote, and I believe some of you may, it is too late to reverse your vote, but it is never too late to make amends.  Even though you cannot influence the Judge – Let your voices be heard.  Call your Reps and urge Equality Federal Legislation. Urge Congress to Amend the Civil Rights Act to include non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity – you will soon see an enormous amount of LGBT activism around Civil Rights legislation.

By Melanie Nathan, nathan@privatecourts.com

http://lezgetreal.com/?s=prop+8+hurt+my+child

Pride Photo: Permission for republication with accreditation:
By Melanie Nathan© 2009 -Lezgetreal.

Image via Wikipedia

6-7-10  Melanie Nathan

SAN FRANCISCO - Come and SING, DANCE, MARCH OR PERFORM with Marriage Equality USA at SF Pride

Marriage Equality USA is offering FUN opportunities for you to get engaged with us at SF Pride.

1. DANCE with a FLASH MOB

2. SING with the Joy Choir and Full Heart Band on the Main Stage

3. Lead the MARCH with Marriage Equality USA in the parade

4. PERFORM and Get ENGAGED at the Marriage Pavilion.

Get your Pride on early by jumping in on rehearsals and making this Pride, one you will always remember.

1. DANCE with a FLASH MOB

A Flash Mob is a form of direct action that spontaneously engages an unsuspecting crowd in a choreographed dance.  We are teaming up with a terrific group of Love Warriors to put together a Flash Mob at SF Pride on Sunday, June 27 around noon and in the Civic Center – if I say much more in advance – I am a spoil sport – so hopefully that is enough information for you to check your calendars and bring your honey or come alone and meet others committed to raising visibility and fun in support of the cause.  Go to the Facebook Page to RSVP and for details.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113877281987841

-You must be available June 27th. (We’ll give more details at rehearsals.)

-Please try to make a few rehearsals in June:

All rehearsals (except Sunday, June 20) will take place at Studio Gracia: 19 Heron Street, SF 94103

Here is the rehearsal schedule:
Thursday, June 10: 9:00 pm – 10:30pm
Sunday, June 13: 10:00 am – 12pm
Thursday, June 17: 9:00 pm – 10:30pm
Sunday, June 20: 11am – 1pm*** Rehearsal is at ODC, 351 Shotwell Street, Studio B, SF 94110 (very close to 16th Street BART Station)
Thursday, June 24: 9:00 pm – 10:30pm*** Mandatory rehearsal.

Video of the dance steps will be available, but PLEASE try to make a few rehearsals.

*ALL races, genders, ages, shapes and sizes encouraged!*

Contact sfprideflash@gmail.com or go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113877281987841.

Here is the best FLASH MOB ever!  This time the audience surprises Oprah

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Sao Paulo Pride Parade|Photo via APF

An estimated three million participants turned out to what is billed as the ‘world’s biggest’ gay parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil today, as LGBT’s and their supporters filled Paulista Avenue, that city’s main drag.

The Sao Paulo parade has become the biggest gay parade in the world, even outdoing celebrations in San Francisco and Sydney. The state government finances the parade with sponsorship from Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras.

Dancing to music provided by sound trucks the marchers condemned homophobia demanding equal rights for Brazils LGBT’s and an end to crimes committed against gays. Gay rights group’s say that although Brazil is a relatively open society in terms of it’s treatment of that country’s gay community, 198 Brazilian LGBT’s were killed last year in homophobic attacks.

The events organizers also used today’s march as an opportunity to promote a drive to place the gay rights issues in this years upcoming political campaigns for Brazilian presidential elections in October by promoting the theme “Vote against homophobia.”

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So far, Athena’s Cup has collected more than 20,000 bras, and are hoping to reach their goal by 1 October. This year, several Pride events will be hosting drop off points for Athena’s Cup, and everyone is encouraged to clear out their drawers of old bras to donate. Meaningful inscriptions or notes to loved ones on the donated bras are encouraged. The bra chain will be on display across the various events hosting it, and it will be judged by the Guinness World Records people Columbus Day weekend at the 2010 Autumnfest, an annual event held in Providence, RI every year. This year, the fest is on 9 October.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and thus they have set the goal of 1 October. Jennifer Jolicoeur, Mother Goddess and President of Athena’s Home Novelties, stated “We are so grateful for the support of the Pride community. With breast cancer affecting one out of every eight women in the United States, there are so few of us who don’t know someone affected by the disease. Each of us, men and women, need to take an active role in preserving our good health and through Athena’s Cup we are encouraging everyone to take the necessary steps for early detection and treatment.”

According to the article:

Pride organizers interested in setting up a collection point at their local events should contact Sharon Epstein at 1-877-ATHENAS ext. 14 or sharone@athenashn.com for more information. For anyone wishing to make a donation directly to Athena’s Cup, send one or more bras, with a $5.00 donation, to Athena’s Home Novelties, 640 Winter Street, Woonsocket, RI, 02895. For more information, or to make an online donation, visit www.athenascup.org.

Currently, these are the events planned:

* Connecticut PRIDE Hartford Rally and Festival: Bushnell Park, Harford, CT, June 5, 2010 from noon until 7:00 p.m.
* Boston Pride Festival: City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA, June 12 from noon until 6:00 p.m.
* 5th Annual Dyke March: Monument Square, Portland, ME, June 18 from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
* Southern Maine Pride Festival: Deering Oaks Park, Portland, ME, June 19 from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
* RI PrideFest: South Water Street/Providence River, Providence, RI, June 19 from noon until 8:30 p.m.
* St. Pete Pride Street Festival: Grand Central District, St. Petersburg, FL, June 26 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
* NYC PrideFest: Hudson Street between Abingdon Square and West 14th Street, June 27 from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
* Pride Vermont: Battery Park, 1 Battery Avenue, Burlington, VT, July 24, noon until 4:00 p.m.

I will be doing my part. I’ll be gathering a lot of my old bras and taking them up to Burlington this year. I certainly have plenty to bring out to donate. Over the years, I have been loathe to throw many away, but they do not fit me, so, off to Burlington they go.

I encourage women and men out there to donate if they have old bras they want to get rid of.

A quick note about Athena’s Home Novelties:

Founded in 1998 by Jennifer Jolicoeur, Athena’s Home Novelties is one of the country’s premier adult novelty companies with more than 1,400 active independent consultants, or “Goddesses,” operating in more 35 states nationwide. Athena’s seeks to empower women through sexual education in a safe and comfortable environment by offering only the highest quality products presented by a trained Athena’s Goddess or Adoni. Through its wide range of sensual home novelty and spa products, Athena’s in-home parties are designed to bring passion into the lives of everyday women. With its flexible business plans and training programs, Athena’s offers life-changing business opportunities for self-motivated, open-minded and energetic women and men. To book a party, become a Goddess or Adoni, or learn more about the company and its products please visit www.athenashn.com.

Los Angeles, CA –  After enjoying international fame with her Universal Record Top 10 worldwide radio hit “Kiss The Rain” from her certified gold album “Growing Pains,” produced by Desmond Child (Aerosmith, Ricky Martin, Cher), then hitting rock bottom & being diagnosed with depression, Myers is finally making an admirable comeback as an indie artist who with the help of the internet’s Social Media Networks  (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is using her music & public image as a platform for spreading information and raising awareness about a  cause and pressingly urgent issue that is close to home for the singer: Depression.

Furthering her already vocal support for the LGBT community, Myers, the openly bi-sexual British prodigious singer/songwriter, will show her PRIDE with a live performance at this year’s NYC Pride weekend. Gracing the stage of  Central Park Summer Stage in Manhattan on June 19, Myers will take this opportunity to premiere (as an exclusive)  in front of  fans, activists and supporters her new single from her recently released album dubbed “Tea & Sympathy”.

A humanitarian at heart and LGBT Activist,  Myers will also launch this September, as part of “Back to school” month, her Pepsi Refresh Challenge project as a spokesperson for the JED Foundation - the leading nonprofit organization addressing issues related to mental health and suicide in the college population. Myers joins other celebrities such as Pete Wentz and Mary J. Blige in JED’s ongoing fight against depression and suicide prevention.  JED’s first program, ULifeline, launched in 2000 and has become a widely used online resource for college mental health with campus-specific information for over 1,250 schools. www.jedfoundation.org

As a woman diagnosed with depression,  (and saved from suicidal thoughts with the help of friends) Myers is localizing her efforts more specifically on the LGBT community, encouraging everyone — gay, straight, transgender, lesbian, bisexual — to get informed about and involved with the JED Foundation to fight depression. With the Pepsi Refresh challenger, Myers is determined to educate people about what depression is, how to recognize the warning signs, how to overcome it, shed light on how to help people suffering from depression – and overall, promote suicide prevention among young people.

SOME BASIC STATICS ABOUT DEPRESSION & SUICIDE:

Statics show that Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the US with 31,204 deaths recorded in 1995. This approximates to around one death every seventeen minutes. There are more suicides than homicides each year in the US. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimated that “as many as 30% of completed youth suicides each year” are performed by gays and lesbians. Suicide risk is higher among homosexual youths not because of their inability to accept their sexual orientation but because of the risks attached to it and the lack of support.

“Better off dead than gay” is the general sentiment directly connected to the fact that more often than not they are bullied, discriminated against, and because they are not accepted and don’t find a way of life for their homosexuality in society.

These past few months have seen the lost of some high-profile figures to suicide, and we believe that the way the media cover these stories can potentially have a positive or negative impact on young people.  When sensationalized, coverage of suicide can potentially have a negative impact on a young person already struggling emotionally and/or contemplating suicide.  But we can also use these tragedies as a moment to talk about suicide in a productive way – to help people understand it better, learn the warning signs and think about what they can do to protect themselves or a friend.

Not only does music have the power to captivate us, it has the ability to shape our beliefs and enact social change. Musicians are no strangers to playing concerts and galas on behalf of charities around the world in an effort to raise social awareness. In a world connected by technology like never before, music can have an even greater impact on social awareness. While major musicians have always had the ability to reach millions to help raise public awareness for their causes, the rise of the Internet enables anybody to voice their concerns on issues they support.  And that is exactly what Billie Myers is doing – as  Margaret Mead wrote: ”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

ABOUT BILLIE MYERS:

After a seven-year hiatus, Myers is back! And by BACK we don’t just mean figuratively by cementing her musical genius with a new album “Tea & Sympathy, but as well literally by publicly, and for the first time, breaking her silence on depression – a silence that nearly cost her her life.

Myers’ life is nothing short of inspirational and puts a face to so many different social, ethnic and psychological issues that are still affecting millions of people nowadays. Her courage to now openly talk about her depression and determination to not give up her artistic passion and dream epitomizes the meaning of hope and the concept of believing in yourself; not to mention the success she is enjoying as an independent artist who is admiringly embracing the DIY approach.

Self-Funded and released on her own label, Fruit Loop, “Tea & Sympathy” in less than 24 hours of its online release, impressively scored a #15 spot on the iTunes Singer/songwriter chart. With “Tea & Sympathy”, Myers is breaking new ground musically. Fashioning a unique collage of sound that intertwines electronica, trip-hop beats, and bluesy guitars around her live acoustic/rock roots, the envelope pushing, lyrically driven, emotionally rich new CD features collaborations with such highly acclaimed songwriters as Kristen Hall (Sugarland), Peter Vale (Lemar, Beverly Knight) and Marcella Detroit (Shakespeare’s Sister, Eric Clapton).

Now, as an independent artist, Myers is becoming the perfect example of how modern technology can and should be utilized to not only secure online presence and public exposure but as well how the internet offers a new distribution platform allowing indie artists to bypass the support of the major record labels.  Her online fans have recently launched a Facebook PR Campaign lobbying to get Myers back on the stage of Lilith Fair!

MYERS’ VICTORY OVER DEPRESSION:

Beyond the success Myers is now enjoying on the road back up on the charts, it is really the behind the scene story that merits a closer look at – her numerous personal as well as professional victories have undeniably positioned her as a powerful creative voice to be reckoned with:

- She was abandoned by her mother at age four who dropped her off at an orphanage.

- Her father wanting her to have a better life requested that she lived in a Caucasian foster home. Unfortunately for Billie she suffered through seven years of emotional abuse until her stepmother took her back to live with her and Billie’s real father.

- Battled all her life against racism as well as reverse discrimination constantly being rejected for being the product of mixed race (coming from an English mother and Jamaican father).

- Shot to international fame then brutally fell into anonymity. Hit rock-bottom financially, professionally and personally – had it all and lost it all!

- Nearly on the brink of suicide, bravely survived the harrowing web of depression;

- And now comes back to the music scene successfully battling against the Goliath of corporate record label moguls.

A true success story, Myers is undeniably emerging as one of the most inspirational music heroines and humanitarian of our times!

Posted by Melanie Nathan
follow me @oblogdeeoblogda

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5-30-10 Senior Editor.

The 2010 Nashville Pride Festival presented by Tribe and Play Dance Bar will remain at Riverfront park on Saturday June 19th from 11:00 am-6:00 pm. After the recent flooding the location was questionable but the city has given the festival organizers the green light to continue planning.

Singer, songwriter, and pianist Vanessa Carlton will headline the Bridgestone Stage. She is best known for her singles “Ordinary Day” and “A Thousand Miles” from her debut album Be Not Nobody.

Other confirmed acts include Kaci Battaglia, Megan McCormick, Knowing Me, Knowing You (An Abba Tribute Band), and local favorites Space Capone. Other acts will be announced as they are confirmed.

The 22nd annual Nashville Pride Festival takes place at Riverfront park on Saturday June 19, 2010 from 11:00 am-6:00 pm and features two stages with local/national touring acts and over 100 vendors from around Nashville. The festival attracts over 18,000 people each year.

The purpose of the Nashville Pride is to maintain a sense of community and awareness of, about and for gay lesbian bisexual transgender people and culture throughout Middle Tennessee. Admission to the annual festival is $5.00, VIP tickets are $50 and includes all food and drink at the festival. For up to date information go to http://www.NashvillePride.org/

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They marched for 10 minutes, carrying a 20 metre long rainbow banner, from Belarusakaya train station on the road to St Petersburg. According to organisers, the route was symbolic of the unified Slavic Prides (Moscow, St Petersburg and Minsk).

To fool the police and protesters, organisers said the parade would take place at the Office of the European Commission. In a statement, they apologised to journalists who also missed the event, but asked that people understand why it had to be done.

“We are very sorry for the journalists who were waiting for the March at the Office of the European Commission and who missed the action which took place today but we hope you understand that given the very particular context we have to face here in Moscow where the police is watching gay activists and journalists and our will to avaoid any arrest and any beatings, the way w conducted the 5th Moscow Pride attempt was the most appropriate.”
from GayRussia.ru

You can see a video here.

In contrast, the 2007 Moscow Pride March ended in significant injuries and arrests when the Russian police allowed Neo-Nazi groups to assault protesters. UK activist Peter Tatchell sustained such severe injuries that he is left with brain damage. He attended today’s event.

I noticed that a few of my equality friends have checked “like” on the advertisements by Chris Kelley for California Attorney General.  While it is clear that he is supportive of LGBT equality, in what remains a climate of uncertain campaign promises by Democrats, I recommend supporting those who have already implemented measures beneficial to our quest for EQUALITY and all related issues of Justice.

Kamala Harris, San Francisco  District Attorney, has gone beyond our expectations as a Bay area community.  She has been a favorite of the San Francisco Pride Parade for years. She does not miss a parade.  I had the pleasure of meeting her at the 2009 Parade, when I was in a Guest vehicle with Shirley Tan and her family.  Ms. Harris’  popularity could not be more clear.  I met her again and again at events for our community where she is not just a photo op but a true friend, who enjoys the events and asserts her support.

Having Kamala, a proven asset in the Seat of California Attorney General is not an opportunity our Community should miss. So please Equality friends let us show support for Kamala Harris in every way we can. please spread the word.

To  not support Kamala would be a slap in the face, given her fearless and proven commitment to our LGBTQI interests.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating – Kamala is not just talk – she is all action:

Here are more Imp0ortant reasons why the LGBT Community should endorse Kamala Harris, evidencing her commitment to our community. She does not talk campaign talk, she has a proven r4ecord of doing the work.

District Attorney Kamala Harris: Standing up for the LGBT Community

 Committed to LGBT representation and breaking down stereotypes

o At least 10% of the SFDA staff is LGBT.

o Hired first openly-gay man to head a California DA child abuse unit.

o Created an LGBT Community Advisory Committee with direct access to the DA.

 LGBT Victim Advocacy Unit

o Established a dedicated team of Victim Advocates to provide swift, specialized assistance to

LGBT victims in the aftermath of a crime.

 LGBT Sexual Assault Awareness Campaign

o Sponsored a citywide, multi-language public education and intervention campaign to help

prevent sexual assault in the LGBT community.

 Hate Crime Prevention and Intervention Funding

o In partnership with County Supervisors, secured $110,000 in funding for non-profit group

CUAV to conduct hate violence prevention education and intervene in schools after an

LGBT hate incident.

 “Gay/Transgender Panic Strategies” Conference in San Francisco

o Organized to help expel prejudice from California’s courtrooms.

o Raised awareness of courtroom strategies that exploit negative stereotypes, such as the

“Gay/Trans Panic Defense.”

 The Gay/Trans Panic Defense is sometimes used by defendants to justify an attack

on an LGBT victim.

o Hosted 300 prosecutors, investigators and criminal justice advocates from all over the

country and of all political persuasions.

 Mobilized law enforcement officials from areas where violence against the LGBT

community is not part of the regular dialogue.

 Provided tools to combat prejudicial legal strategies.

 Announced that panic strategies would be vigorously combated in San Francisco

and encouraged other officials to do the same.

 Educated participants on the perspectives of LGBT victims and their families,

particularly those in the transgender community.

 Highlighted the common biases and violence that is experienced by LGBT people

every day.

 Helped pass legislation: AB 1160 “Justice for Victims Act”

o Seeks to expel bias and hate from California court proceedings.

o Empowers courts to instruct jurors not to let prejudice of another’s sexual orientation or

gender identity influence their decision.

o Status: Passed by legislature and signed into law

 Presence in the Community: Castro Merchant Walk at Halloween

o Educated community on hate-crime reporting and available services; provided direct access

to residents while listening to their concerns.

 Youth Anti-Hate Crime Program: Empowering Middle Schoolers

o Educated 30 middle-school students to serve as “ambassadors” and peer educators in

schools to prevent hate incidents and celebrate diversity.

Endorsements -Statewide and National Elected Leaders

• U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
• Senator Dianne Feinstein
• California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
• U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Congressman Norman Mineta (Ret.)
• Congresswoman Barbara Lee
• Congresswoman Diane Watson
• Congresswoman Maxine Waters
• Congressman, Lt. Gov., Senator and Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally (Ret.)
• Former California Attorney General John Van de Kamp
• Former California Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin
• State Board of Equalization Chair Betty Yee
• Former San Francisco Mayor and Assembly Speaker Willie Brown

Citywide Elected Officials

• Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
• San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom
• Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums

Media Endorsements

• Los Angeles Times
• Sacramento Bee
• San Francisco Chronicle
• Modesto Bee
• San Francisco Bay Guardian
• Bay Area Reporter
• Los Angeles Metropolitan News-Enterprise

Full List of Endorsements at  http://www.kamalaharris.org/endorsements

By MELANIE NATHAN
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

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Today, Cuba- The Associated Press is reporting a Gay Parade in Havana.  Hundreds of gay and lesbian activists, some dressed in drag and others sporting multicolored flags representing sexual diversity, marched and danced through the streets of Havana on Saturday along with the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro as part of a celebration aimed at eliminating homophobia around the world. Can you imagine- USA shares homophobia with the rest of the world for as long as LGBT people / sexual orientation and gender identity is excluded from the Civil Rights Act.

Some of the marchers played drums and others walked on stilts as they made their way down a wide avenue in the capital’s hip Vedado neighborhood, where they have held a series of debates and workshops ahead of the May 17 celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia, which participants say marks the day in 1990 when the World Health Organization stopped listing homosexuality as a mental illness.

“We have made progress, but we need to make more progress,” said Mariela Castro, a campaigner for gay rights on the island and the leader of Cuba’s National Sexual Education Center. She is also the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro.

Cuba has come a long way in accepting homosexuality. In the 1960s, shortly after the revolution, homosexuals were fired from state jobs and many were imprisoned or sent to work camps. Others fled into exile.

But that began to change in the 1980s, in large part to the work of Mariela Castro’s center. Recently, the government has even agreed to include sex change operations for transsexuals under its free national health system, another project championed by the center.

The workshops and debates held Saturday dealt with issues such as adoption by gay and lesbian couples and whether to legalize gay marriages, a step Mariela Castro has been pushing for years, so far without success. The week of celebrations culminates Monday.

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Look at our courageous rainbow soldiers. Disturbing video emerges. First hand witness to an attack by Police on peaceful Rainbow Flag Unfurling and LGBT rights activists chanting.

A peaceful unfurling of a rainbow flag with consequences yet to be revealed. These courageous activists at great risk.

Please let us all extend our prayers and thoughts for the safety of those taken by authorities to an unknown destination.

See earlier Article today:-  http://lezgetreal.com/?p=33570

The impact in watching this – it was as if the police were street sweepers – as if they had come to clean up the dirt – as if get this off the street and then the City will be perfect – like a facade, hiding the reality – the oppression.

Image via Wikipedia

5-7-10 – Melanie Nathan

Lithuania’s first gay pride parade went ahead as planned on Saturday, following an appeals court ruling.

Earlier this week, a lower court outlawed the parade after the chief prosecutor argued that anti-gay groups could cause violence.

But the appeals court ruled that the state must ensure the right to peaceful assembly. Correspondents say that homosexuality is seen as taboo by many in Lithuania, a majority Roman Catholic country.

The original ban was criticized by President Dalia Grybauskaite, some European governments, and the international rights watchdog Amnesty International.

Organizers of Saturday’s Baltic Pride 2010 march welcomed the ruling, and the Parade went ahead.

Opponents showed up with smoke bombs and tried to break through a barrier but were stopped by police firing tear gas. They threw rocks and street signs at security forces, and two Lithuanian lawmakers were detained after trying to climb the barrier, while others prayed atb a specially held mass in a Catholic Church close by.

About 400 people took part in the two-hour march – dubbed “For Equality” – in a sealed-off area in downtown Vilnius. Holding large rainbow flags and dancing to music blaring from loudspeakers, they walked along a road near the city’s Neris river.

Participants included many foreigners, diplomats and members of the European Parliament.

“We are here because we believe … in a just society. Labels are for filing, for clothing, not for people. And we are here today to remove labels from people,” said Birgitta Ohlsson, Sweden’s minister for European Union affairs.

Police officials said 19 people were detained and one officer slightly injured. The two lawmakers have been released.

Earlier Saturday, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the office of a human rights organization – Youth for Tolerance – that helped organize the event. The device failed to ignite, and no one was injured.

My Plan is to take this Petition to D.C. in July. Please support it- it will not hurt anyone and nor will it derogate from any future rights which we may have restored to us or which we may gain via long term legislation.  ALL LGBTQI support your bi-national brothers and sisters- you are a heartbeat away from being in the same heart wrenching situation.

While we wait for immigration equality under the US Immigration and Naturalization Act -to sponsor our foreign-born partners, we endure unconscionable and inhumane situations on a day to day, hour by hour basis.  Our partners are persecuted at our airports by the profiling of ICE officials and arbitrarily turned away, despite having visas; our relationships are denied through our inability to live together in the US, or we live in fear, hiding or exile.  We lose jobs, we lose homes, we lose our time with extended family, we give up our pensions.  We are detained and deported.

So at last holiday time,  when families were gathering together  in happiness and joy, I suggested a way to remember those Americans. their beloved and children who, because of  inequality caused by DOMA to the immigration law,  cannot share holidays-  and all our community can do at this time is beg and pray for something extraordinary, perhaps a miracle.

Our exiles and exiles-to-be cannot wait for the impending Immigration Reform battle or for UAFA to garnish more co-sponsors before accomplishing some rights under the immigration law.

Recently Immigration Equality posted this statement on their BLOG when referring to Immigration reform:  ”The Senate immigration reform bill will be followed by a House bill, too. In-between, there will be countless steps, challenges and opportunities that must be addressed. As we have seen in the current healthcare debate, legislation does not move easily, or without hard work. Immigration reform will be similar: It is imperative that we build grassroots support for our families, Congressional support for UAFA and broad public support for fair immigration policies.”

So just in case we become the public option of immigration reform, I believe that this makes the argument for a stop gap measure to help keep our families together in the USA. We want a SPECIAL VISA.

If you would like to read about the hardship suffered that necessitates such a VISa, please visit,  http://lezgetreal.com/?p=24121

Special Visa Process & Moratorium: Same-Sex Partner Sponsorship

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Image via Wikipedia

25/02/2010 by JR Russell

Brian Burke, general manager of both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the American Olympic hockey team has said he will march in Toronto Pride in 2010, because he promised his son he would.

Earlier this month, Brian’s openly gay son Brendan was killed in a car accident in Indiana. Brendan came out publicly in 2009 and had always had the support of his father since telling him in 2007. At 21 years old, Brendan hadn’t settled on a career. He had spent a year as an intern for Bill Delahunt (D-Mass), and at the time of his death was a student manager for the Miami University hockey team.

Brandan’s announcement was a major event in sports news, and he received widespread support for his decision to come out publicly. He used the attention to reach out to others who may not have felt as supported.

Imagine if I was in the opposite situation, with a family that wouldn’t accept me, working for a sports team where I knew I couldn’t come out because I’d be fired or ostracized … people in that situation deserve to know that they can feel safe, that sports isn’t all homophobic and that there are plenty of people in sports who accept people for who they are.
Brendan Burke, ESPN.com

Brian Burke has managed several teams, including Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Hartford Whalers and Toronto’s Maple Leafs. Known for his professional and personal dedication, Brian saw his team win in Vancouver only days after Brendan’s death. And while his work commitments haven’t changed, other things have:

Brendan’s causes are Brian’s now. He will do a public-service announcement aimed at eliminating the bullying of gay children. And he plans to march in the Toronto Pride Parade. “I’d promised him I would march with him,” says Burke, who briefly left the Olympics last Friday to attend a memorial service for Brendan at Miami of Ohio. “He won’t be there, but I will.”
from Sports Illustrated

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NYC Pride announced yesterday that  Judy Shepard will appear as one of its Grand Marshals for the 41st Annual LGBT Pride March, which will occur on June 27th, 2010. NYC said in a press release that when first approached about the request to be the NYC Grand Marshal, Ms. Shepard was excited and honored.   Ms. Shepard’s selection and acceptance of the honor of NYC LGBT Pride Grand Marshal marks her 3rd official appearance as an LGBT pride march
Grand Marshal. It will also be. Ms. Shepard’s last appearance as a Grand Marshal.

To get all the details on the event, read the full press release below:

Judy Shepard to make final Official pride appearance & serve as Grand Marshal of the 41^st ANNUAL NYC LGBT PRIDE MARCH

(New York – Monday, February 15, 2010) NYC Pride is honored to announce Judy Shepard as one of its Grand Marshals for the 41^st Annual LGBT Pride March, which will occur on June 27^th, 2010. When first approached about the request to be the NYC Grand Marshal, Ms. Shepard responded with excitement and a sense of honor.    Ms. Shepard’s selection and acceptance of the honor of NYC LGBT Pride Grand Marshal marks her 3^rd official and final appearance as an LGBT pride march Grand Marshal. 

In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Matthew’s death moved many thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in his memory. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew’s legacy. The Foundation is dedicated to working toward the causes championed by Matthew during his life: social justice, diversity awareness & education, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Judy Shepard is the founding president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors, and served as its first executive director as well, from 1999 to 2009. In her continuing role as board president, she travels across the nation speaking to audiences about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew,” exploring the family’s journey through the prosecution of Matthew’s assailants, the ensuing media coverage and their continuing work to advance civil rights.

Ms. Shepard’s selection as an NYC Pride Grand Marshal speaks volumes to struggle for equality among the LGBT community.  Since the taking of her son’s life in 1998, Ms. Shepard has been a relentless voice of equality and a reminder that LGBT community is not alone in its struggle for liberty and justice for all.  Maurice Michaane, NYC Pride March Director, stated that “Matthew’s story and his mother’s courageous crusade on behalf of the LGBT community is what gave me the strength to come out to my family so many years ago, and for that I will always be grateful to Judy Shepard, and I am grateful that she will be our Grand Marshal for the 2010 Pride March”.  It is a privileged honor that NYC Pride has Ms. Shepard as Grand Marshal to mark the inaugural year in which the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill was signed into law. 

New York City’s annual Pride March began in 1970 as a commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The March has since grown to become the oldest and one of the world’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) events.  This year’s Pride March will begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday June 27th. Step-off for more than 350 groups and 500,000 participants will take place on 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue. The March then follows the Lavender Line to its conclusion at the intersection of Christopher Street and Greenwich Street. Longer than St. Patrick’s green line by many blocks, the Line is an identifying symbol of New York City’s Pride March and will mark all four miles of the March’s route. The route moves south on Fifth Avenue and turns right (west) on 8th Street and proceeds to the top of Christopher Street by the Jefferson Market Library. From here, the March will pass down Stonewall Place and the Stonewall Inn, site of the riots in June of 1969.

For information regarding NYC Pride and Pride Week 2010 events, please visit their website at www.nycpride.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NYCPride or Twitter at http://twitter.com/NYC_Pride

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02/10/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Lt. Dan Choi will be one of the Grand Marshalls at the 2010 NYC Pride Parade. Lt. Choi has been in the media spotlight and has garnered attention regarding DADT. NYC Pride released a press statement explaining their choice:

Lt. Dan Choi graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 2003 with a degree in Arabic and Environmental Engineering. He served as an infantry officer and served an extended combat tour in Iraq (2006-2007). His fluency in Arabic and West Point degree became very useful to the Army’s mission in Iraq as he did not need to use an interpreter. He served as a combat leader, government liaison, and reconstruction officer, rehabilitating water infrastructure. When he returned home he began his first love relationship with his current boyfriend, despite the ban on gay military service. He decided he could not lie about love and so left active duty in 2008. He continued to serve in the Army National Guard.

As a founder of “Knights Out”, the West Point LGBT Alumni, he has been at the forefront of the repeal of the discriminatory Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) policy and reminds all soldiers that they are not alone and they should never be ashamed of being honest with themselves and others. He declared his sexual orientation publicly on national television, which resulted in a notification of discharge despite his desire to continue serving.  However, as of February 5th, it was announced that Lt. Choi was placed back on active service with Army National Guard.
  

Lt. Choi’s selection as the NYC Pride Grand Marshal speaks volumes to the struggle for equality among the LGBT community.  His presence as Grand Marshal for 2010 NYC Pride March will serve as a reminder that the struggle for equality continues. Michael Owen, an NYC Pride member, stated that “Lt. Choi’s presence as our Grand Marshal will send a strong message to Washington that the time has come to end the discrimination of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and create an environment where our service men and women can serve their country in an honorable manner without having to hide who they are.” 

Enacted under the Clinton administration in 1993, DADT has resulted in countless discharges of competent and much needed soldiers, many of whom like Lt. Choi speak fluent Arabic.  It was the lack of Arabic speakers in our intelligence/defense forces that caused a delay in the translation of terrorist communications by Al-Qaeda.  The paramount issue, in this writer’s view, is that DADT forces our honorable men and women in service to live a lie, which is contrary to the core values that are instilled within the Armed Forces. 

Those who criticize the repeal of DADT, like Sean Hanity and Oliver North, they should wake up and smell the coffee.  More than 2 dozen countries around the world (most of whom are our allies) allow LGBT people to serve openly in their armed forces, and the issue has not caused any disruption or problems.  If the Greeks and Romans allowed gays to serve openly, why can’t we?  By repealing the chains of DADT, we will free our soldiers from the stress of being in the closet while serving their country.  Lt. Choi serves as a perfect example that we need not live under such repressive conditions and that the march of equality MUST move forward.

If the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the Secretary of Defense can openly support the repeal of DADT, the hypocrites in Washington need to listen.  For years we have heard our lawmakers constantly defer to our military commanders on how best to run the Armed Forces, and the repeal of DADT is no different.

Justice and Liberty for all, no less no more. That is why we must repeal DADT. 

NYC Pridefest takes place Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. & West 14th St. – Sunday, June 27th, 2010, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Related articles by Zemanta

• NYC Pride Grand Marshall: Dan Choi (joemygod.blogspot.com)
• Sue Fulton of Knights Out Against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (lezgetreal.com)
• Lt. Dan Choi Reactivated For Deployment By New York National Guard (lezgetreal.com)

Students aged 14-17, their teachers and some school directors will join the Canal Parade.

In Amsterdam, the Parade happens down the city historic canals. Last year Tens of thousands of people watched 80 colorful boats parade through the city. Four days of festivities include street parties and the best club circuit parties, besides de main Parade.

Scholenboot is a positive effect of of a city wide project the Municipality of Amsterdam initiated two years ago, to promote safety towards LGBT people and sexual citizenship for all in Amsterdam secondary schools. Other boats will join Scholenboot at the head of the Parade, one of them hosted by Minister Plasterk of Education.

Amsterdam Gay Pride weekend this years will be organised from 31 July to 2 August, with the main Parade happening on Aug 1, Saturday.

For further information on the event, click here. Scholenboot has also made a website. If you’re fluent in Dutch and would like to see it, click here.

Lezzie is half-closeted Brazilian Philosophy High School teacher writing on everything she has the opportunity to read, listen to and see (as a good Gemini).You can find out more about here by checking her profile at http://lezgetreal.ning.com/profile/Boudecca.

]]> http://lezgetreal.com/2009/07/secondary-school-students-to-be-in-amsterdam-pride-parade-this-year/feed/ 1 http://lezgetreal.com/2009/06/pride-the-2009-way/ http://lezgetreal.com/2009/06/pride-the-2009-way/#comments Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:00:55 +0000 Mary Catherine Benge http://lezgetreal.com/?p=15108 As a newly out lesbian, this year was my first to attend the Pride Parade.

You all must remember what it was like to be surrounded by fellow gays for the first time in bulk because it is a memorable feeling. At least, this was for me. Please, don’t get me wrong. People are people regardless of their sexual preference; yet, being around a large group of people who understand you, even in the most mundane way, is reassuring – comforting in the least. I am a native Austinite, used to the “weirdness” of life, and as I walked through crowds of gays, transsexuals, bisexuals, femmes, butches, and straight supporters, I felt nervously at home.
You know the feeling when you first bring home a new (or old) love interest.

You have no idea how the family or desired will react to the other. Your nerves make you nauseated, but being back in the kitchen and cooking or sitting on the old sofa your parents have owned since you were five makes you content with the present, if nothing else.
This is how L.A. Pride 2009 made me feel.

The outcast of society – in some places, not my mind ☺ – gave me the feeling that I was home. Now, I am not a stereotypical lesbian, and I have been told by many that I am going through a phase because I “act and look too straight to be gay”. My point is that I do not get stared down when I eat out in small and conservative Texas towns, as some of my more masculine friends do, where there are no (yeah, right!) lesbians. I cannot say I have ever been victim of discrimination due to my sexuality based off of my looks.

Physically, I can blend in where I go. This feeling I experienced at Pride came not from past exclusion or lesbian insecurity, but I believe, from the joyful energy of the people at the parade.
I love how, as people, we can not only feed off of others unspoken emotions, but that they have the ability to ease our own at the same time. I saw no one upset about money, complaining about recent political events (although I may have joined in if I had), or fighting with one another about anything! All it took was a handful to create a joyous day, which had the potential to be a day of sadness, and envelop their energy on everyone else. The positive attitudes made me not only comfortable being myself, but proud.
I encourage everyone to spend their days with a positive attitude always because it may bring up another person during their day as well. Be happy and, as always, be proud.

Mary Catherine Benge is a writing student from Austin, Texas. You can find out more about her by finding her on facebook.

The 39th Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender pride parade is featured in this episode of “L.A. Happens” #103 hosted by John McQuilkin.

We had entered the festival and met up with friends at the various tents that were set up for music and dancing. We walked around and saw lots of familiar faces while we explored our shopping ops, food finds, and drink deals. The mojitos were rockin and we scoped some cute clothing at the Tung Gear clothing booth. We made some donations and signed up for some mailing lists, and listened to people talk about equality, substance abuse, legal aid, and other issues affecting LGBTs. The food booths offered a good variety and there was plenty of pride gear for sale all around.

Around 8pm we made our way over to the main stage to watch Jazmine Sullivan perform, who has an amazing voice and recently released the hit song “Bust Your Windows”, which is a must for your iPod.

She did an awesome job performing her songs and keeping the crowd pumped. She was very gay friendly and told the crowd not to let the haters get to us and kill our dreams. Closer to the end of her performance she fell on stage, and after standing up and removing her shoes she said she was happy that she had her first official stage fall in Long Beach because we are so supportive.

Just after her performance, we were waiting for Sara Bareilles to come on stage when we felt the bleachers start to sway from side to side.

Everyone who was sitting on the bleachers froze and held on until it stopped a few second later. The woman who was speaking on stage didn’t skip a beat, and the crowd below seemed not to notice anything. We walked down the bleachers to the ground and some of the people below were asking each other “Did you feel that?” “Was that an earthquake?” We could see that the street lights were still swaying and instantly knew that it was in fact an earthquake.

Most of the people went back to what they were doing un-phased and continued to walk around and shop, eat, etc.

My wife and I started to leave immediately, trying to get a hold of our babysitter at the same time. The cell phone lines were all tied up and we could only reach people who had land line numbers, and everyone in the family networked messages that everyone was okay.

On the drive home we listened to radio which told us that the earthquake was located southeast of Los Angeles and was felt as far away as San Diego.

The quake measured a 4.7 on the Richter scale and lasted about ten seconds. It was followed by a 3.1 magnitude aftershock and originated from the Newport-Inglewood Fault which is about 10 miles from our home in Carson. When we got home we had some broken dishes and and excited pets, but luckily no broken windows like some had been reporting in the area. The kids were a little scared and so we did our emergency preparedness talk and drill, and made sure everyone knew the plan if we had an aftershock. At the end of the day, we were all safe, and grateful that it all worked out.

If you live in California and are looking for information on what you can do to prepare for an earthquake, you can visit www.earthquakecountry.info.

Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her by visiting her page on MySpace.

Zeke Fread, spokesperson for Winter Pride, noted this year’s lack of vendor participation lead to axing the event.

Only half of the $25,000 needed to hold the event was raised. The announcement sparked many to contact WP and offer their assistance but the decision will stand.

The celebration was to be held at Lopez Park on February 28.

In 2006, Hillsborough County decided to not recognize gay pride events. The area’s gay community responded with the first Winter Pride Festival in 2006.

Though WP might be a bust for this year the event remains on the calendar for 2010.

Damn that economy.