Posted by Melanie Nathan; September 01, 2010

On MONDAY, October 4th, the NOH8 Campaign will set up studio at Texas University in Rudder Theater in College Station, TX opening up the opportunity to join the campaign to Texas area supporters!

…The photo shoot is scheduled to begin at 4 PM and end at 7 PM.

Anyone that would like to join the NOH8 Campaign is asked to wear a plain white shirt to match the look of the signature NOH8 photos.

Solo NOH8 photos will require a minimum donation of $40 per person while any group or couple photos will require a $25 donation per person in the photo.

Adam Bouska will be working around the clock to photograph 5-10 frames for each person that comes through. The final selection he chooses will be retouched and made available to you through the www.NOH8Campaign.com website!

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

ARRIVE BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7 PM @

Texas A&M University
Rudder Theater
200 Discovery Drive
College Station, TX 77845-7546

~ COME CAMERA READY ~

~ WEAR WHITE ~

~ POSE & MAKE A STATEMENT! ~

**The NOH8 Campaign will apply the NOH8 temporary tattoo to your face upon arrival, and we will also supply you with the silver duct tape for the photo.**

***Due to the generosity of Texas A&M we will be able to offer a $10 Discount to ALL solo photos for anyone who presents a Student ID. (ANY student ID not just A&M) So anyone who presents a student ID at check out will only be charged $30 for their solo***

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

Posted by Melanie Nathan; September 01, 2010

Senator Mark Leno has lent his support to LGBT issues in the State of California’s legislature; what many outside California may not realize is the importance and impact of  local leadership on the rest of the Country.

It is when one’s State Senator takes the time to fight for Resolutions pronouncing upon Federal legislation (e.g. Kevin de Leon CA State Assemblyman and Leno for Resolution AJR 15  that passed in California  calling for the enactment of the Federal legislation by Congress of the  Uniting American Families Act (UAFA)) – and now this Article sent out today by Senator Mark Leno, that  we realize – we may well underestimate the importance of the influence that local representatives can have on the National arena. After all when reading this all I could think about was the absurdity of the” Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) and the fact of its continued impact during this Congress consisting of a Democratic  President and a Democratic majority in both houses.

Senator Mark Leno: “Nearly two years after the passage of Proposition 8 in California, a U.S. District Court judge has ruled that the divisive measure denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry is unconstitutional, violating both due process and equal protection rights. In a landmark decision, the first ever on this issue in federal court, Judge Vaughn Walker upheld justice and equality, concluding there is no rational basis for preventing marriage between same-sex couples.

In his 136-page decision, Judge Walker eloquently dispels the myths promoted by Prop 8, including that heterosexual couples are somehow better than same-sex couples and more deserving of the universal recognition of marriage and that families led by two parents of the same gender are inadequate. Walker’s decision echoes the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s 2004 findings when it ruled that there is no constitutional basis for denying same-sex couples marriage licenses and stated that by doing so we perpetuate a “destructive stereotype that same-sex relationships are inherently unstable and inferior to opposite-sex relationships and are not worthy of respect.” Do we really want our government determining that some people love better than others?

Based on overwhelming evidence presented at trial, Walker concluded that Prop 8 likely passed due to a “desire to advance the belief that opposite-sex couples are morally superior to same-sex couples” and that the proposition “enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples.”

While public opinion in California and across the nation continues to shift more in support of marriage equality, the moral opinions of the masses should not dictate such important issues, especially when it involves fundamental rights. In 1948, California became the first state in the nation to end the ban on interracial marriage, although about 90 percent of Americans at that time opposed these unions. As with marriage for same-sex couples, the California Supreme Court’s 1948 decision was controversial at that time, even though that ban clearly trampled on the rights of targeted minority groups and violated equal protection laws.

In 2004, I had the distinct honor of marrying Marvin Burrows and his lifelong partner Bill Swenor during the short time period when San Francisco granted marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Marvin and Bill had met as teenagers in the 1950s, fell in love, and spent 51 years together as a couple.

One year after Marvin and Bill were married, Bill unexpectedly died of a heart attack. While the men were domestic partners, their marriage license from San Francisco had been invalidated. Because they were not legally married, Marvin was denied Bill’s pension, veteran and social security benefits and his health insurance suddenly ended. As a result of Bill and Marvin’s inability to have their half century relationship honored and validated with a marriage license, in the midst of grieving Bill’s death Marvin was now homeless. Why would we want to kick senior citizens to the curb for the crime of loving someone of the same gender? While Marvin turned his despair into action and became an outspoken advocate for marriage equality, Marvin and Bill’s tragic story demonstrates the cruel and unfair consequences of inequality.

While it’s likely that the legal challenge to Prop 8 will continue to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the current stay preventing same-sex couples from marrying is justice delayed and denied, Judge Walker’s ruling is a giant leap forward for marriage equality. It deflates the prejudiced stereotypes that have long demonized gay men and lesbians and relationships between same-sex couples and their families. It attacks the blatant lies and fears that were fostered by the supporters of Prop 8 during the 2008 campaign. It upholds the U.S. Constitution’s promise of equal protection under law and restates that this fundamental right cannot be denied to any one group of people, regardless of the electorate’s majority opinion.

Finally, the August 4 U.S. District Court decision reiterates a fact that opponents of Prop 8 and supporters of marriage equality have long asserted. Denying loving same-sex couples the freedom to marry unfairly promotes inequality and the perception of inferiority. In the words of Judge Walker, “opposite sex-couples are not better than their same-sex counterparts; instead, as partners, parents and citizens, opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples are equal.”

By Senator Mark Leno who represents the Third Senate District of California, which includes portions of San Francisco and Sonoma Counties and all of Marin County. He can be reached via the web at www.sen.ca.gov/Leno Senator.Leno@senate.ca.gov.

by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

“Lets have kids  dear!”

Posted by Melanie Nathan

Choosing Children

08.26.10

A letter from Kate Kendell:-

Twenty-five years ago, I was 25 years old and just starting law school at the University of Utah. I was parenting my daughter Emily, who was 4 years old with her mom, and my former partner, Lori. While it was uncommon for LGBT friends in our circle to be planning for parenthood, it did not occur to Lori or me that we were at the forefront of what would be termed the “gayby boom.”

Lori had been a single parent raising the then 1-year-old Emily when we met. We were just living our lives unaware of a sea-change that was just beginning when it came to issues of parenting and our community. While we were living that life, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Deborah “Chas” Chasnoff and her then life and work partner, Kim Klausner, were in the midst of writing, producing, and directing their groundbreaking film documenting this burgeoning movement. Choosing Children captured on celluloid the choice a growing number of lesbians and gay men were making, a choice that seemed both counter-intuitive and revolutionary: to become parents.

Up until this generation, most LGBT folks were parents because they had been in earlier heterosexual marriages or relationships and then divorced and come out, or vice-versa. In doing so many of them faced hostility from family and former spouses and countless numbers lost or gave up any hope for custody of their children.

Beginning in the early 1980s, a new kind of parenting began emerging. Led by lesbians, often in biological partnership with gay men, women began choosing to have children as lesbian-identified parents. Now, 25 short years later, the groundbreaking idea that lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender folks can also be parents seems, well, not so groundbreaking. In fact, it is now so commonplace that doing so is viewed by some in our community as assimilationist and pedestrian. Gotta love the march of progress.

But of course, what the fight for the right to be both LGBT and a parent is really about is the right to live a fulfilled and authentic life according to what gives joy and satisfaction to each of us. And in 1985 becoming a parent often meant rejection from both one’s family of origin and one’s chosen family in the lesbian or gay community. It also meant maintaining a pretense of heterosexuality or absolute legal vulnerability because almost every state prohibited openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from adopting, and few if any states provided any parental protections. It was a time of very little community or institutional support for you as a parent or for your child as the son or daughter of a queer parent.

Emily will be 30 next year. She is smart, lovely, creative, open-hearted, and generous. I can hardly believe I have a daughter who is near 30 years old. But then I also can hardly believe the progress we have made in the short time my oldest has been alive. Seeing Choosing Children again was inspiring for many reasons but most of all, it made me really stop and appreciate how far we have come and how much we owe those who blazed this trail uncertain of the terrain ahead of them. Filmmakers Chas and Kim, the parents featured in the film, our own founder Donna Hitchens—who provided legal expertise and commentary—did not intend to be pioneers, but they were, and we are all much better off because of the choices they made.

So please join us for the upcoming Choosing Children 25th Anniversary Screening and Reception, a film that is now a crucial and transformative story of our movement. Our evening together promises to be a celebration of how far we have come and a promise to not end our quest until every family is valued and safe.

Sincerely,

Kate Kendell

Choosing Children 25th Anniversary Screening and Reception

Groundbreaking Film Exploring the First Generation of LGBT Parents Celebrates 25th Anniversary

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South Africa is known as the ‘Rape Capital’ of the world, with mind blowing statistics of around 500,000 rapes per year.   This is a human rights catastrophe  of untold proportion- with the HIV/AIDS ramification serving as the lethal weapon of mass destruction.

Especially sinister is the flagrant finger flip to each and every victim, as the  entire world cheered metaphorically on,  aiding and abetting the somnolent  South African Government, akin to perpetrators, like an Oudtshoorn ostrich with its head deeply embedded in the sand, while women continued to be raped day after day, each hour.

Through the games and festivities of Soccer World Cup 2010, the host Country and the world, cavorted with these criminals, dancing to goals and singing with each ring of  cash registers ‘cachinging’  the sound of desperate cash, while the screams of  our sisters faded with the romance of the stampede to win.

Since March of 2009, Lez Get Real has reported extensively on the insidious  and endemic hate crime – in particular the calculated rape of lesbians, specifically in South African Townships,   which has become known as “corrective rape.”

Lesbian Corrective Rape is a slogan attached to what is truthfully a brutal hate crime; the slogan is incongruous, yet reflects an abhorrent trend.

Drawing attention to oneself is an act of courage and one that cannot be emphasized enough, especially if the victim is one whose rape is termed  “corrective rape” where the odds are that the victim could be re-victimized again and again.

Years ago, Lesbians would never have come forward to tell their stories, but now with the unrelenting support and tender care of an extraordinary human being, Ndumie Funda, a lesbian woman living in a South African Township, near Cape Town, women and lesbians are telling their stories, willing to be named, photographed and to stand up on our pages to say:- “This is what happened to me!”

I personally have developed a close relationship with this hero, who is unlike anyone I have ever met.  An  unrelenting tireless warrior, who despite the worst of odds has not given up, even through her own tragedies along the way – as she houses and cares for lesbian victims of corrective rape. ” They just keep coming in,” say Ndumie Funda co-founder of Lulekwe Sizwe,  “It never stops.”

Ndumie  touched me deeply when she helped  Milicent Gaika, whose shocking  photos were published by us,  in the hope of drawing attention to this human rights travesty.  More stories flooded in, of other victims, as well as the continued bravery of Funda, who formed a support organization, named for lovers and victims, who were murdered by these rapists.

Ndumie Funda, at one time housed 15 victims in a tiny two roomed shack in a Township near Cape Town.  No running water – no amenities at all. The shack, flooded by heavy rains, housed the injured lesbian victims, who huddled together, trying to make doctors visits, police reports, bail hearings, with little bedding, no medication, no money for rent, food or transportation.

Here at Lez Get real, we publicized the stories and begged you to send a few dollars. I cannot say the money poured in, it was scarce.  A few good people did send money. Wake Up America hosted a Radio Podcast sharing the plight and My cousin Judith, a struggling single mom in South Africa went at my request to visit Ndumie in the cabin.

Judy reported back saying, “Melanie it is very bad; they are desperate, its dire! “  She gave what she could and I am sure it was more than she could afford.   I too sent my month’s mortgage – albeit a looming foreclosure in this awful economy.  This is not something anyone of you can turn your back on any longer.

I became despondent, even with my power of publicity.  Until I was contacted by a French reporter who wrote a story for a European Magazine.   But still the group continued to suffer. I had nothing to send. I could only write.

Now there is another victim. Do we want to hear her story too? or Can we simply send our few dollars?

This week I received word of yet another victim and another shocking picture too horrible to publish – but yet we must! Because they have asked us to. 

Luleke Sizwe is desperate for help as Ndumie Funda  goes it alone again – with her note to me on Face Book as she now proudly displays her own campaign to raise money for our sisters :- at http://lulekisizwe.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/the-r10-campaign/ They are asking for R10.00 (a little over $3.00 US per donation)

Ndumie has found a way to get a website going. She once told me she would never give up and tonight she sent me this link to an article which has now appeared in mainstream  press:-

Ndumie can be friended via Face Book  at facebook.com/ndumie.funda

READERS AND FB UPDATE: Thanks for all the inquiries about where to send money…

DONATION DETAILS: TO DONATE – We need $3,000 per month and we could fully support this Group.  If you can make a donation directly or send same c/o Melanie Nathan made out to PRIVATE COURTS INC.  P.O. Box 1108 Woodacre, CA 94973, USA . The Latter would save on expensive bank transfer fees as I would send it all as one.

OR DIRECTLY to

Please make a direct transfer into Luleki Sizwe’s Bank Account:

Account Name: Luleki Sizwe LBT Women’s Project
Business transaction account 071362940
Branch code 024909
Swift code SBZA ZA JJ
STANDARD BANK

Please quote “R10 Campaign” on the deposit

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Egyptian authorities stopped two people suspected in the theft of a painting, “Poppy Flowers” by Vincent Van Gogh,   moments before they were to board a plane and flee the country, according to Egypt’s official news agency, MENA.

Two Italians — a man and a woman — suspected of stealing the painting were preparing to board a plane to Italy when they were stopped at Cairo International Airport.

The painting stolen earlier Satturday, from Cairo’s Mohammed Mahmoud Khalil Museum, has an estimated value of $50 million.

It also had been stolen in 1978 and returned under unknown circumstances, causing some to think that the piece was copied in the process, according to MENA.

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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On August 21, 2010, Fifty Master Level Swimmers will plunge into the Great South Bay to swim from Sayville to Fire Island Pines,   to raise funds to benefit the Stonewall Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Those sponsoring the swimmers and friends from all walks of life will be on hand to cheer them on as they make their way through the 5 K open water route, and to congratulate them as they emerge at the Swim’s endpoint in The Pines in the 2^nd Annual Stonewall Swim.

“The inspiration for many of us lies in combining our passion for swimming and sport with our desire to benefit a group like Stonewall that provides grants to so many LGBT community organizations,” said Bradley Matthews, a Stonewall Swim participant and donor.

Last year, the Stonewall Swim raised $100,000 for the Foundation’s vital work.  This year, the swimmers and organizers hope to double their fundraising effort.

“The Stonewall Community Foundation is  committed first and foremost to building community and giving all who care about strengthening the LGBT community a chance to contribute to that goal,” said Paula Ettelbrick, Stonewall’s Executive Director.

The Swim will start at 9:00 am, with the first swimmers reaching The Pines around noon.

About the Stonewall Community Foundation

Since inception in 1990, the Foundation has awarded more than $15 million in grants to more than 400 organizations.

Stonewall Community Foundation develops leadership in the NYC LGBTQ community and works with like-minded donors to fund and incubate emerging organizations serving an evolving set of issues.  The Foundation’s Stonewall Institute formally trains organizations and key individuals on mission critical skills for running and growing their organizations and offers programs to inspire community members to personal and financial commitments to organizations.  Our Stonewall Quarter Share engages and develops the largest young donor group training them on community needs and helping them learn about grantmaking and leadership development and Stonewall Out in Front will annually develop 40 next generation board leaders for the movement.

The following individuals are available for interviews about The Stonewall Community Foundation, Stonewall Swim 2010 and the LGBTQ community.

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SAN FRANCISCO – Alameda County is home to a former Roman Catholic priest Patrick Joseph McCabe, 74, from Ireland,  who is now in jail  in Dublin California’s Santa Rita Jail, awaiting possible extradition to Ireland to face charges of sexually abusing six boys, in proceedings in Federal Court in San Francisco.

The extradition stems from nine counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted indecent assault with six boys between 10 and 14 years old, allegedly occurring in Ireland between 1973 and 1981.

The extradition bid was filed on behalf of the Republic of Ireland and McCabe voluntarily surrendered to U.S. Magistrate Maria-Elena James in San Francisco on July 30.

He was placed on house arrest until Aug. 4, when James ordered he be held in custody while awaiting extradition hearings. Ironically he is in a Jail in Dublin,  California.

According to the extradition papers McCabe, forced to leave the priesthood, was accused of abuse by Irish police in 1988.

Interpol tracked him and in 2003 reported that he was living in Alameda.

No date has been set for hearings on the extradition request, but McCabe is due to return to court on Sept. 2 for a status conference.

McCabe’s lawyers are appealing to allow him to be released on bail on grounds of ill health, including diabetes and heart problems, in a hearing on tentatively scheduled before the U.S. District Judge   in San Francisco at 3 p.m. Friday.

Federal attorneys opposing his bail say that he can be sufficiently cared for in custody.

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San Francisco- Pushed into a corner by a bunch of self confounding dumb idiots who purport to represent us from LGBT groups to Congress and back again.  I AM mad as hell. I am sick of story after story while these people treat us as if we are the space junk. I am screaming in this piece and a letter to Obama,

Please read and help me get the unangry ANGRY because that is what it is going to take.

“When it comes to immigration reform, the people who count first on this topic, to my way of thinking, are those who under current law are not treated equally. Yet President Obama has seemingly provided the visual for the year long covert alliance-making between the various religious groups and the Administration, the Politicians/ Senators such as Chuck Schumer, Congressional Flip-Flop Gutierrez, all which reflect a myriad of alliances, which in my estimation points to an attack, not only on the LGBT quest for equality, under current immigration law, but also on our factual existence as couples with a right to happily call our American Country, home!” …http://lezgetreal.com/2010/07/scream-president-obama-act-now-for-binational-same-sex-couples/

FEATURED COMMENT – “Bottom line, the greater majority of the GLBT community does not know about us or the difficulties we face. Or worse, if they do know, they don’t care. Were a minority within a minority. I hear ‘youre too small to worry about now’ all the time. As Jennifer White stated earlier, we are very divided and nothing will happen until were absolutely united on ALL discrimination. Even groups like GetEqual, they protest DADT and ENDA but I have yet to hear them utter one word about the UAFA bill. I’ve e-mailed them about it, asked why and I hear nothing. Earlier this year I believe, Michaelangelo Signorille of OutQ on Sirius Radio was having a GLBT summit in DC with various other bloggers and orgs. Pam Spaulding of ‘Pam’s House Blend’(love her), was also there. I was one of the first callers since I wanted to ask the HRC and everyone else there about the UAFA and why no one was puching it. The response from the screener left me speechless. She didn’t know what this ‘uniting families bill’ was and didn’t I know we would be talking about GAY issues! When I replied that how can this NOT be a gay issue she simply said they weren’t talking about it and hung up. THIS is the place were in and I am out of idea’s on how to get out and more visible. When I hear the lack of understanding or empathy by the great GLBT community, it always sends me into a rage. They simply do not care about how hard our lives are and that is a disgrace.

I hate living in fear of never seeing my partner again. I have such anxiety and frustration every day, I can’t sleep much, my mood for the most part is just down and defeated. Quite honestly, I feel like a bit of cow manure under someone’s shoe.

This may be unpopular and I could be wrong(I hope I am), but I don’t think the UAFA bill has a chance until the CIR bill passes and at least a year goes by before it’s ammended to incluse binationals. Maybe I’m just too jaded but I don’t see the Dems sticking their necks out for us. I REALLY don’t see the GOP doing anything for us anytime soon so as ususal were stuck between a rock and and an impossible situation.

Thank you Melanie for your SCREAM. We all scream with you!”

GO HERE TO SCREAM

Melanie Nathan 7-14-10

Secretary Hilary Clinton PLEASE Help!

Early July, an Iranian court ruled that a teenager, Ebrahim Hamidi, should face the death penalty for charges that he engaged in “homosexual relations” with others. Hamidi was charged with three other teenagers, all of whom have had their charges dismissed. These teenagers have said that the charges were bogus; yet Iran still plans to move forward with executing Hamidi.

Last month, Secretary Clinton gave an historic speech where shesaid that gay rights were indeed human rights. That speech reverberated throughout the world, giving hope to millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people struggling for equal rights in the face of oppression.

Now there is a Petition asking Secretary Clinton  to take those words, and organize the international community to condemn gay executions in Iran, as well as the planned execution of Hamidi.

Here is a teenager being sentenced to die, solely because of his perceived sexual orientation. We can’t let this happen in silence.

Offer Asylum instead of death – Heck I bet Israel would help him!

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Barbara Boxer for Senate Vs. Carly Fiorina for LGBT  Hell; Senator  Barbara Boxer and Fiorina Tie

Now while many of you feel “over the democrats” the Boxer v Fiorina race will be the most important in November’s general election.  Barbara Boxer incumbent Democratic Senator for California and one of the very few reliable and progressive allies for LGBT legislation in the Senate is facing her first ever terrifying (for us)  challenge, by Fiorina, ex CEO of Hewlett Packard, who, in my opinion is either Homophobic or a panderer  of the worst kind.

The latest Field Poll shows Barbara Boxer in a statistical tie with Carly Fiorina. “Now, we have further confirmation of just what a serious challenge we are facing. Although this is within the margin of error, there’s no question that we are in the toughest Boxer campaign ever. ” says Rose Kapolczynski
Campaign Manager for the Boxer Campaign.

Yesterday, Survey USA released their latest California Senate poll — and it is more confirmation that the race is now too close to call. Fiorina is actually ahead of Barbara by two points, 47% – 45%.

The campaign blasted out an email and is asking for support. I encourage all my readers here at LGR to send at least $5.00  – PLEASE let us support a true friend and at the same time ask for more profound and overt leadership on our issues in the Senate.  The gay community has always supported the Senator and we  MUST continue to do so, regardless of our disappointment with the Democrats and President Obama.

Without Boxer in the Senate forget about equality!

Send the Senator Boxer’s campaign your $5.00, no matter where you are – if we wait on the sideline in essence the gay community will be defeated again by the millions of dollars that corporate anti-gay right wing motivators will pour into this campaign, not to mention the millions that

Fiorina will use of her own money in her power hungry quest – which WILL harm us all directly.

http://www.barbaraboxer.com

Photo Shirley Tan © Senator Barbara Boxer with Tan Mercado Family

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

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Soccer World Cup 2010, South Africa; The Road from Pretoria to Durban will never see such a sight again and neither will the group of Dutch Fans, traveling between cities to play to play Japan – and it was worth the schlep because Netherlands beat Japan by 1-0.

Led by an Orange double-decker the Dutch Supporters en route from their camp site in Pretoria to their next game against Japan in Durban.  Their convoy traveled the 636  (400 miles) km route comprising of 175 campers, trucks, buses and jeeps – their convoy was 6 kms (3 miles) long.

Now off to Sunday final between Spain and Netherlands -  and as described by LA Times:

“For one of the few times in its 80-year history, the World Cup has produced a final worthy of the sport itself.

The Dutch and the Spanish play soccer the way it was intended to be played — a passing game, a possession game, a game of the intellect and not simply a contest of physical skill, strength, speed and endurance.

It might be slower-paced than some would like, but it should be far more interesting to watch as it unfolds. Chess, not checkers, that’s the difference.”

Guess Which is the English Convoy?

Melanie Nathan 7-8-10

Jerusalem – Thousands of Israelis have rallied in Jerusalem following a 12-day march aimed at securing the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.  They are calling on the government to agree a prisoner swap with the Palestinian militant movement Hamas.

Sgt Shalit, now 23, has been held in Gaza since June 2006, when he was captured by Palestinian militants.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, but differences remain.

Traffic was brought to a near standstill as an estimated 15,000 marchers made their way along the main road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

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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Today, I was doing the Running Man from Union Square to the midtown Library, singing my favorite early 90’s tunes in my head; like I do every Monday. It was a worse idea than usual because of the 90-something degree heat. I decided to take much needed shopping break and headed over to one of my favorite stores, Benetton. Where I saw the picture that accompanies this article. If you are having trouble reading it, it says:

CLOSETS ARE FOR CLOTHES! HAPPY PRIDE FROM BENETTON 

It warmed my already overheated heart! Thanks for the support Benetton! I knew I loved that store for a reason.

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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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Today, together with Amos Lim of Out4Immigration and at the behest of Assembly member Kevin de Leon and under sponsorship of EQCA,  I had the great honor of testifying to the California State Senate Judiciary Committee  for AJR 15, a Resolution in support of Uniting American Families Act, which made it out with 3 votes in favor and at least one opposition vote. The second Republican member was not present but may have shown up later to cast his vote; regardless a 3:2 victory sends the resolution to an almost certain passage in the California Senate.  State Resolutions in California do not require the signature of a Governor.

This was my 2.5 minute testimony:

Madam Chair and Honorable Members of this Committee, Assembly member De Leon, thank you for this opportunity to tell my story, personifying that of tens of thousands of other binational same-sex permanent partners, many of whom are from California, either living in undocumented fear, exiled to a foreign country or in detention awaiting deportation.

Nine years ago I fell in love with Dorit Israel who came to the USA as a student.  We married in July 2008, during California’s window of opportunity. We have a daughter born of this relationship and I have 13 year old  daughter from a previous relationship, in a shared custody arrangement.

Because lesbian and gay partners are excluded by Federal law, I was unable to sponsor Dorit for a green card. We faced untold hardship; and on 4 occasions during our process, I was faced with a choice that no American or Mother should ever have to bear; – leaving my home, my country, my mortgage and my business to go to a foreign country where I do not speak the language or have any viable prospects of survival, paled in comparison to having to choose between my two beloved daughters.  If I were to leave my country, I would have been forced to choose between my spouse and our child, ahead of my first born. If I chose to stay with my 13 year old,   I would be separated from my spouse and my little one.  Worse yet, these young American Citizen Sisters would also be torn apart.

I was not able to make the choice – there WAS no plan B.

To explain what we went through would take too much time, save to say that with the help of Senator Feinstein, we were lucky and finally able to rely on an R1 Visa, after hurdles such as the sunset of the very process upon which we relied.

Had we been a different gender couple our $72,000 five year nightmare would have been over in mere months costing no more than $1500.00.

While our case ended with a remedy, many do not. It is for them that I am here. Through my advocacy for other couples I am privy to many cases of hardship, the brain drain of California doctors, lawyers, Professors, PhD’s and entrepreneurs; the waste of resources and the unconscionable injustice.

The State of California recognizes gay and lesbian couples through equality legislation, yet this great anomaly exists, where but for the passage of The Uniting American Families Act, the equality laws in California are useless to bi-national couples.

I believe that passage of AJR 15, will send an imperative message to Washington D.C. – California cares about its families and that this situation is simple intolerable.

Before the vote, Senator Mark Leno made  a very moving and supportive statement about the hardship and the lack of immigration equality for binational same-sex couples.  He ended his remarks by saying that after what he heard, he could not fathom anyone single person VOTING NO to the passage of the Resolution which supports laws keeping California families together.

The Republican  Tom Harmon (California’s 35th District) when asked his vote  bellowed a resolute “NO.”

Of course I expected no thing different, but surely he may have had an excuse a reason?  So when he walked out of the Chamber, I ran after him. I told him I was curious about why he had voted no.  He looked at me and snapped loudly “I don’t have time for that now.”  I then asked him if I could make an appointment to see him so he could explain at a later date or time. Again he snapped, viciously, “I will NOT do that.”

So there you have it California, Republicans truly do not care about Californian  families and their children.

Based on this, I deduce that if  Harmon and the other lockstep Republicans purport at anytime on the future to be concerned about California Families, then such solicitude is tantamount to saying “I hate Gays.”

That said, Republican Meg Whitman now in the race for Governor and Carly Fiorina, in the race for incumbent Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer’s Senate seat, have all openly subscribed to this ant-gay equality stance.  To my way of thinking, mere campaign statement by these candidates are tantamount to the offensive and upsetting Bullhorn “NO” VOTE we heard today.

Note: Senator Boxer is a Co-Sponsor of UAFA, The Uniting American Families Act.

Thank you to Assembly member Kevin De Leon,  Senator Mark Leno for co sponsoring the UAFA Resolution in California as well as our host EQCA with Mario Guerrero at the helm.

The Hypocrisy of  “NO”

6/1/2010 – California Senate urges the federal government to quit ignoring the immigration problem.

Harman’s Floor Speech for Immigration Resolution, SCR 108 from CA Senate Republican Caucus on Vimeo.

Senator Harman’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 108 (SCR 108), a bi-partisan measure urging the federal government to act immediately on federal immigration law cleared the Senate today. In a landmark display of unity, Senator Gil Cedillo, a leading immigrant rights activist in the Senate, spoke in strong support of the legislation, agreeing with Senator Harman on the importance of immediate federal action. The measure passed 31 to 1.

“We don’t agree on much here in the legislature, but I am glad we can agree that the federal government should, at a minimum, enforce existing immigration law,” said Harman. “With California facing a $20 billion dollar budget deficit, the legislature would be remiss to not demand action on a federal problem that costs California taxpayers upwards of $10 billion a year.”

Money Is above People..Money Money Money!!!

After today’s vote, Clearly Tom Harmon does not support UAFA ’s inclusion in Federal Immigration Reform  Law

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda
Http://visualcv.com/melnathan

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So I’ve been thinking…what better topic for Lezgetreal than “the many faces of shame?” Shame that hidden force that saps us of our strength; shame, the force that drives us into hiding. So let us get real here, bring it out, get curious about what we are ashamed of; how afraid we are to shame others, and all varieties thereof.

I grew up in an intensely shame-based culture – Japan; a place where one is expected to kill oneself, when shamed.  And not so long ago, when a lezzie was outed, it was the expected outcome, wasn’t it,? It was the acceptable outcome; so that when the heroine of the novelette “Olivia” did NOT kill herself, it was a radical departure from what was expected!

The women of Olivia Records took the name, by the way, from this novel —-adopting the radical idea that being a lesbian didn’t mean you had to kill yourself and not only that, it led the way to Singing it Loud and Clear. If you are too young to remember Meg Christian’s playful and soft musings about woman on woman love listen up – it is not too late… Of course there was Cris Williamson but she was a little more cryptic about the lezzie thing, even though she was all about that.

And women listened and came out in droves in the mid seventies.

Even rockers like me, went to the concerts (despite my undying devotion to Mick Jagger and rock and roll) I knew something big was happening. Lesbian Feminism was the tune of the day. We came out in droves, proud and sexy and I married the lone survivor of the Olivia Records collective who took over the business.

After Olivia Records morphed into Olivia Cruises and Travel, with this incarnation the label was clear: A fantasy vacation for lesbians (who also happen to be women). The challenges were formidable however: how do you reach out to lesbians who are not so sure they want to be out? Lesbians were still committing suicide in the movies weren’t they?

I remember one of the early trips —watching the women come on board, some 600, freaking out because the crew was of the male species! How “safe” would that be?

Very safe,  in fact with the love fest between the crew and the cruisers in full swing by day two. The crew never felt so appreciated and so seen— and the women, well —they loved the service, the respect, and the mutual validation.

And so goes the history of Olivia Travel, taking off from 600 per trip to 1200 and more and more…and every single time the crew and the women bonded. This was my favorite part of the trip. There is no shame in mutuality.

However –getting back to THE SHAME: and we can’t be real can we, without bringing that up. It takes guts to be on an Olivia trip and not everyone can walk the walk. Here’s the thing: on the ship, safe- SAFE- safe….mirrored beyond belief, and breathing in relief, like never before for many who live less ‘out’ lives and even those living very out lives in San Francisco, and the other relatively gay friendly cities.

Empowering, definitely; I could not have imagined any problem until I invited two very sophisticated, seasoned world travelers, longtime partners, on their first (and last) lesbian vacation—What happened? The “problem” was not on the ship.  They made friends with several other couples , and  they told me of their excitement and the high of dancing romantically with each other  for the first time IN PUBLIC on a Cruise Ship — the smiles on their faces so big they could eclipse the moon.

And then: the problem SHAME, the shadow took over when we reached a port. The freedom, the joy, the smiles stayed behind on the ship. Walking off the ship into town together amongst many, many other lesbians – well simply put, they were OUTED.

I didn’t expect this response – I was used to seeing most of our guests happily liberated, surrounded by critical mass, more so than ever before. But this couple was caught off guard. They were used to going on fancy cruise ships, as “sisters” or “good friends” or even “special” friends, dancing with gay men who they would find on the ship and would go into town feeling sheltered by the inconsequence of disembarking off a straight cruise.

They have spent their lives working overtime to avoid being seen as “other.” But on the good ship Olivia, they freaked, they were no longer coddled with their financial status to serve as their comforter—suddenly they were cast off, as just another one of the many labeled lesbians headed for shore; their fears of being seen as “them” clouding what they experienced on the dance floor the night before.

Shame took hold. They imagined being seen as second class citizens coming off ‘that Lesbian Ship-in port.’  Unprotected by the various covers they were so accustomed to, on this first and last lesbian cruise they failed to advance their freedom; instead blinded by SHAME.

This experience is lost on the ones who cannot bear the exposure. Who cannot bear to be cast as different, as “other.”

Although this doesn’t happen too often the fact that it does at all in the 21^st century is in itself a shame. This couple talked of having “the best time of (their) lives” but never came back; they had felt “exposed” to the judgment of the outside world which was more than they were willing to bear.

Their internalized shame crystallized into something too powerful to work with.  As with any phobia, it requires is exposure over and over and over again to cure. There is no shortcut.

Fortunately we live in times where most of us do get to come out, whether only for a week on a lesbian holiday or every day of our lives. But the question has stayed with me —How come so many lesbians are changed by the experience of being visible and go home brighter and more empowered, yet a few go back to the familiarity of the closet and choose to dance with found gay men doing the same? Do they not remember dancing together for an entire week sharing their love for everyone to see?

What has ‘been killed’ in the name of Shame?

Coming up next Article-Keep your eye on the site or join the Lezgetreal Face Book Fan Page; something to think about: The Side Effects of ‘being out loud.’ Through

being out, have you made others uncomfortable? Have you inadvertently OUTED your parents? Your children? And what do you do when you pick up a Valentine’s day card “to my wife” to hear the salesperson laugh and ask “oh! Are you picking this out for your husband to give to you?”

IN SAN FRANCISCO. Yes, true. Did I, the intrepid lesbian, therapist and co-founder of Olivia Cruises, comfortably out in every arena of my life,  from home to office to synagogue – did I choose to correct her?

Stay tuned and lezgetreal girls. No one’s perfect!

http://lezgetreal.com/?p=32244 Rachel Featured  Lesbian of the Week

Photo by Rachel Wahba © 2009-2010 All rights reserved

By Rachel Wahba.

Rachel Wahba, Co-founder of Olivia Cruises and Resorts, is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco. She grew up stateless, an Egyptian -Iraqi Jew, born in India, and raised in Japan, before arriving in the United States.  Navigating diverse cultures and complicated emotions are her forte.

4/5/10-by Melanie Nathan and Paula Brooks

This is the face of South African lesbian who was beaten and raped for five hours by a man who told her he wanted to “turn her into a woman”.

According to the Cape Argus, Millicent Gaika of Gugulethu Township alleged her attacker “acted like an animal who wanted to kill” and said “I thought he was going to kill me; he was like an animal. And he kept saying: ‘I know you are a lesbian. You are not a man, you think you are, but I am going to show you, you are a woman. I am going to make you pregnant. I am going to kill you.’”

Gaika said the assault began after she and some friends were walking home after spending the evening at another friend’s residence. As she approached her home, they met her alleged attacker and he asked Gaika for a cigarette. Gaika then said she gave him one and stayed to smoke with him while her friends walked on. A few minutes later, the man refused to pass the cigarette to Gaika and walked into his room.

When Gaika attempted to recover her cigarette, the man locked the door and it was then he began raping her.

Said Gaika, “He started hitting me and I fought back. Then he started doing what he did to me. He pulled off my clothes and pushed me down on the bed. He did it more than once. He was holding me down, strangling me and pushing his hands hard on to my neck.”

Ms. Gaika also said her alleged attacker had never objected to her sexuality before. “He was very nice to me – I’d known him for years.”

The attack on Gaika continued for nearly 5 hours, and only ended after neighbors finally heard her screams, broke down the assailant’s door and found Gaika naked from the waist down on a bed and bleeding. They then held the assailant until police arrived.

A Gugulethu police spokesman said Gaika’s attacker has been arrested and will remain in custody until his court appearance on Tuesday. Gugulethu is located about 10 miles north of Capetown.

According to a report by international group ActionAid, 10 new cases of lesbians being raped are reported every week in Cape Town alone and this attack was not the first one on Gaika.

In 2002 she was raped by four men who were originally sentenced to between 10 and 15 years each for the crime, but who were later released early from prison.

These rapes are going largely unrecognized by the state and unpunished by the legal system.

ActionAid has called on South Africa’s criminal justice system to recognize these corrective rapes, as a separate crime category. It argues this will force police to take action over the rising violence and ensure the resources and support is provided to those trying to bring perpetrators to justice.

Ndumi Funda, the founder and director of Lulekisiswe Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Women’s Project in Nyanga, was at Gaika’s house yesterday and said she was “deeply hurt and traumatized”.

“This needs to be stopped. We know of so many that this happens to and nothing is done about it. How many more young lesbian women must die?”

When LGR received these pictures from South Africa today we had to make a tough call. Publishing these pictures was a tough decision because they are so awful; however we must force ourselves to look at these and then demand action!!!!!

In South Africa one of out 4 people are HIV positive or have aids, and many lesbians have contracted HIV/AIDS because of these rapes and have died.

A statement released by South Africa’s national prosecuting authority said: “While hate crimes – especially of a sexual nature – are rife, it is not something that the South African government has prioritized as a specific project.”
We demand that South African President Zuma change that and do something!

UPDATED 4-6-10 Melanie Nathan
Wynberg Magistate’s Court on Tuesday.  A handful of demonstrators gathered outside the court calling for the alleged attacker not to be granted bail. The victim’s cousin said the incident has shocked the Gaika family. She told Eyewitness News she found it difficult to comprehend why her cousin was raped as a result of her sexual preference. It is alleged the 40-year-old male accused strangled Gaika with a wire and brutally beat her before raping her.

• South African Lesbian Brutally Attacked In Corrective Rape (lezgetreal.com)

1. Michele Ortiz. EQCA
Deputy Dir Development

2. Helen Zia, Author/Activist
3. Melanie Nathan. Advocate
4. Therese Stewart, Deputy City Attorney for SF

Justice Moreno Received EQCA AwardShannon Minter- Prop 8 Star from NCLR

Kathy Spillar,Executive Editor MS Magazine; Helen Zia

Rebecca Kaplan , First lesbian on City Council of Oakland

California State Senator Mark Leno

Albert Ogle - EQCA Major Gift Officer; Sue Gao

This Grand Prix of Lesbian action gets the checkered flag, yet again.  Mariah Hanson has succeed in  another exclusive –line up,  adding today’s  announcement today of  one time reunion  Salt-n-Peppa  and Spinerella.

Twenty years ago, I was one lipstick-lesbian who gratefully swirled to the ecstatic innovations of Mariah, a  pioneer in the development of the Dinah Shore Golf Classic Party-side event.  Now with an absolute “hail Mariah,” I look back and note the consistency and tireless dedication to our community for years of ‘right-on-ness, ‘ earning Mariah the coveted title of  “THE Dinah!”

Mariah and I spoke last month and I was amazed at how her energetic passion has maintained its proactive state of creativity.

With that said, see the update about Salt-n Pepa and Spinerella at….

More Articles about the Dinah weekend: http://lezgetreal.com/?p=24549

Melanie Nathan LGBT ADvocate /Activist

Melanie Nathan, reporting from Marin County – North - across the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge:-
www.privatecourts.com; www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com

Our comment here at LGR is- One papal kiss, hold the tongue.

Permission was given to use this photo by Joe My God.

ride me like a wave | Woolf & Wilde.

women in love: a mendicant who craves your bounty | Woolf & Wilde.

Senator Dianne Feinstein permits Joriene to sit at her desk.

If you are able, and if you want your rights. Take your kids to D.C.   Show up at the doorstep of your Senator and Congressional representatives.  Take your children and let them speak.   Our Representatives want to hear our stories.   If you have a Republican Senator or Congress rep, go and see them and allow them to see who you are. Take photo album, children’s report cards, team participation, letters from your congregation denoting the acceptance of your family and your participation in your American Life..  You do not need an issue- you can show up and say- I want equality.  If you want to promote a particular issue. Search the web and see what grabs you.  Marriage Equality, Immigration, EMployment, Social Security, Hate Crime, Dont Ask Dont Tell.   Make sure you are polite – no MATTER what and make sure you  represent our community as best you can.   You can also push your State legislation for resolutions that represent your interests.  

This summer Shirley Tan and Jay Mercado took their twin boys to DC to plead their cause – our cause. Until we have 100% equality we all own each other’s causes. Posted by Melanie Nathan

We do it the instant we open our eyes: take a chance. Taking a chance with every word, action, beat of our heart. Life is full of chances… its much like gambling. I almost understand a gambler – sometimes the unknown result can be exhilarating. And there are so many things that are under the heading “unknown.”

The feeling of inertia with the possibility of new love.. maybe the feeling of inertia is actually, impatience. Impatient if one has been single for most of their life. Its a tumbling, tipsy-turvy, feeling in the pit of your stomach – love. Its the idea/concept that is built up every Valentines. Sometimes the idea that leaves one feeling utterly disappointed with life if one lacks in this. Its scary and exciting all at once. Someone feeling something for you! Someone thinking of you in off moments and daring to express it to the universe and YOU!<

Its all a gamble. A chance. Sometimes that’s really f’n scary.

Photo by Quirky Tanya

Part of a set of photos taken at the Brighton Pride (LGBT – Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transexual) Parade which took place on 1st August 2009.

Brighton Pride is a registered charity from Brighton and Hove in the UK that promotes equality, diversity, and advances education to eliminate discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Brighton Pride’s key objective is to develop an environment of LGBT equality by providing information, advice and support both inside and those outside the LGBT community.

Brighton Pride also raises awareness of LGBT issues by promoting and staging a series of events including Winter Pride, the annual free summer festival pictured here and by making grants to other charitable and voluntary organizations.

This year theme was ‘Pride Beside The Seaside’ which was suggested by Saskia Jackson from Brighton.

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• Summer in the city: Brighton’s best events (telegraph.co.uk)

As she passed me by, I noticed that she was representing with a Human Rights Campaign sticker; it was a perfect photo opportunity.

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**Full Story Here

]]> http://lezgetreal.com/2009/04/lez-post-photos-the-giant-gay-repellent-umbrella/feed/ 4 http://lezgetreal.com/2009/04/lez-post-photos-woman-2009/ http://lezgetreal.com/2009/04/lez-post-photos-woman-2009/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:00:23 +0000 ~Julie Phineas~ http://lezgetreal.com/?p=9319 Brought to Us By: Superfluous Designa

Lesbians… which one is your fave??

]]> http://lezgetreal.com/2009/03/lez-post-photos-happy-young-couple/feed/ 2 http://lezgetreal.com/2009/03/lez-post-photos-hmm/ http://lezgetreal.com/2009/03/lez-post-photos-hmm/#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:00:39 +0000 ~Julie Phineas~ http://lezgetreal.com/?p=5044

]]> http://lezgetreal.com/2009/03/lez-post-photos-protest-prop-8-again/feed/ 1 http://lezgetreal.com/2009/02/lez-post-photos-reese-and-bianca/ http://lezgetreal.com/2009/02/lez-post-photos-reese-and-bianca/#comments Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:28:32 +0000 ~Julie Phineas~ http://lezgetreal.com/?p=1938