“I originally intended to intro my list with lots of statistics showing how more and more Americans are in favor of same-sex marriage and adoption. Or how same-sex couples will be counted as families by the U.S. Census for the first time. Or that gay dads have turned up in all manner of commercials and top-ranked TV shows...But instead let's just celebrate what makes gay dads unique, as well as what makes them as equally awesome as all the other active, engaged and loving fathers out there.” Read more in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]
LGBT Youth & Allies Summer Camps!
Camp Aranu’tiq, a summer camp for transgender and gender-variant youth. California Summer Leadership Camp: Tuesday, August 5 - Saturday, August 9, 2014 (Ages 16 - 18) California Summer Camp: Sunday, August 10 - Saturday, August 16, 2014 (Ages 8 - 15) Location: The Mountains of Southern California Cost to Attend: $600 per session, but financial assistance is available for students who qualify Visit camparanutiq.org for more information and registration Youth Empowered Action (YEA), Summer Camp is a unique and inspiring leadership … [Read more...]
The Transcending Gender Project
Artists Statement: “It is a series of black and white environmental portraits trans-identified and gender nonconforming humans that celebrate who they are as people. The media and society in general is starting to discuss trans issues more, and there is more awareness, but so often, the focus of discussion is about bodies and what is underneath our clothes, instead of who we are and what we have to offer the world.” To view the photographs and learn more about this project visit transcendinggender.org … [Read more...]
Bay Area 2014 Pride Festivals!
Did you have a blast at Santa Cruz Pride this year?! Here’s a list of pride events happening June 2014 to September 2014 across the bay area! 2014 SF Trans MarchWhen: Friday, June 27th 2014Where: Dolores Park, San Francisco, CAwww.transmarch.org “Dykepocalyplse: Our Feminist Awakening”- San Francisco Dyke MarchWhen: Saturday June 28th, 2014Where: Dolores Park & 18th Street, San Francisco, CAwww.thedykemarch.org “Color Our World with Pride” - San Francisco PrideWhen: Sunday June 29th, 2914Where: Market St., San Francisco, … [Read more...]
International LGBT News: Rainbow Crosswalks In Toronto For World Pride Are Here To Stay
“In advance of World Pride, taking place June 20 to 29 in Toronto, two rainbow-coloured crosswalks have been installed in the LGBTTIQQ2SA* village near Church and Wellesley Streets — and they're there to stay.” Read more in the Huffington Post … [Read more...]
LGBT News: High school principal comes out at school-wide Pride Day event
“A Washington D.C. high school principal surprised and inspired his students when he came out as gay at the school's Pride Day event. Pete Cahall, principal of Wilson High School, hid his sexuality for many years. During the school-wide Pride event, with more than twenty community organizations and government agencies that support LGBT youth in attendance, Cahall decided it was the right time to come out.” Visit GLAAD to view the full video and article … [Read more...]
Presidential Proclamation
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2014 “As progress spreads from State to State, as justice is delivered in the courtroom, and as more of our fellow Americans are treated with dignity and respect -- our Nation becomes not only more accepting, but more equal as well. During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, we celebrate victories that have affirmed freedom and fairness, and we recommit ourselves to completing the work that remains.” … [Read more...]
LGBT Local News: Inside Out
“The arrest of gay men entrapped by undercover Capitola police officers in 1980, and the subsequent publishing of the names and home addresses of those arrested in local newspapers, led to over 200 people protesting the actions at a Capitola City Council meeting. Santa Cruz County was the first in the nation to adopt a gay non-discrimination policy for its own employees in 1975, and the City of Santa Cruz and Metropolitan Transit District’s domestic partners benefits programs were among the first in the nation in the mid-1980s. In 1983, I had … [Read more...]
LGBT Local News: Santa Cruz Pride Celebrates 40 Years of Advocacy
“As socially progressive as Santa Cruz may seem now, it wasn't always the case, the couple said. ‘In those early years, people were yelling at us on Pacific Avenue, 'Fags, go home,’’ Friedman said. ‘It was not very welcoming’ and ‘to come from that where we are today’ is a major leap.” Read more in The Santa Cruz Sentinel … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Syphilis Cases Rising Sharply Among Young Gay Men
“Why are young MSMs [Males who have sex with males] at highest risk? There are a number of possible reasons. Some are similar to reasons that this same population is at higher risk for HIV infection. One is lack of knowledge. Men in these age groups may not have gotten much information on STIs through sex education classes, information available in the community, from health departments, etc. They may be unaware of how they are at risk and how to protect themselves.” Read More in AmericaBlog … [Read more...]