New York City Pride 2012
Many colourful characters graced the New York City pride Parade this year on June 24. Check it out!
Author: thequeerav
Los Angeles Pride 2012
The 2012 Los Angeles Pride Parade definitely didn’t fail to disappoint this year. There was something for everyone at the festivities in West Hollywood which ran from Friday June 8 – Sunday June 12. The stages were filled with music, comedy and dancing with many familiar faces such as Lil Kim, Belinda Carlisle and the cast of the Real L Word.
Jason Leaver Talks Out With Dad
By Stephanie Lane Though I’ve never met Toronto Director Jason Leaver, he was more than happy to talk with me about his web series ‘Out With Dad’. In his words it’s a quirky drama about a teenage girl and her single father, at a time when Rose is coming of age and coming out of the closet. Sound interesting? Well I thought it did, which explains why I’ve watched both seasons two or three times over already. Here Leaver talks about how the show came about, his busy schedule and the importance of LGBTQ media on the web. Check it Out. You’re a corporate video producer, you have a number of personal projects past and present and a number of awards. How do you fit the time in to do all the work you do? What’s your schedule like, it must be pretty crazy by the sounds of it? Life gets pretty crazy! I do my absolute best to juggle it all. However, it’s getting more and more challenging all the time. Last fall, for instance, I got …
Ellen vs. Jane – Battle of the Books
I had the pleasure over the last couple of weeks of actually having time on my hands to read a book or two. And so what did I decide to read? Two of the biggest gay books I could find, Jane Lynch’s memoir Happy Accidents, and Ellen Degeneres’ Seriously…I’m Kidding. Let me just start with the fact that both of these woman are very amazing and inspirational. From struggles in their past, to the positive influence they have in the media world and the LGBTQ community today, they are two very awesome people. Because of this, it’s very difficult for me to give either of their most recent books a bad review, however I’ll try my best to be a little critical (as much as it pains me). Happy Accidents is Awesome (oh, my attempt at being critical just went down the drain). I know I know, I love her as an actress so I’m being pretty bias, but I’m sure anyone who picked up the book not knowing who she is would enjoy it just as much, honestly. …
Obama, First to Come Out
President Obama is the first acting president to come out in support of marriage equality! He made his opinion known in an interview today, which he explained stemmed from his experience with gay staff in committed relationships and discrimination against gay service members. “I’ve stood on the side of broader equality I hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought civil unions would be sufficient. But I have to tell you that over the course of several years, as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead …
Miriam Margolyes’ Magical Masterpiece
‘Dickens’ Women’ was created for the 1989 Edinburgh Festival by Miriam Margolyes and Sonja Fraser. It has since traveled internationally throughout six countries and was nominated in 1992 for the prestigious Olivier Award. As part of a worldwide celebration of 100 years of Charles Dickens, Margolyes will continue the tour throughout this year sharing carefully chosen characters to honour the man himself. As I entered His Majesty’s Theatre on Hay Street in Perth, I felt like the youngest person in the room with the rest of the attendees averaging around an estimated 55-60 years old, and all dressed up to the nines! Everyone settled down for the show to start, just a few minutes after 8pm and a man entered from stage right to sit at the grand piano placed to the side of the stage. John Martin would be Margolyes’ sole accompaniment this evening as he played a few pieces in a build up to Margolyes’ entrance. She staggered on stage in a drunken stupor, in full character of her first portrayal. As she …
Bully – A Documentary with an R Rating
I think it’s safe to say everyone has experienced bullying in one way or another. Whether you were being bullied, you were the bully or you were someone on the sidelines. In the past and even in present times we’ve seen this being attributed to maturity, child’s play or that ‘boys will be boys’ sentiment, but why? Is it really ok for a kid/s to taunt, tease and bully another kid simply because of their age or their maturity level? And what about the effects of bullying? Does the name Tyler Clementi sound familiar to you? What about Seth Walsh or Rafael Morelos? The list could go on and on, and it’s a list of teens who have committed suicide because of bullying. The idea that bullying is just a part of life has to be stopped. It shouldn’t be the deaths of our youths that work as a wake up to us all. We should all be doing something before it gets to this stage. I was watching a clip from the Ellen Degeneres …
Gillard Says Gay Marriage is Inevitable
Three same-sex couples dined with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard at the Lodge last night to talk about same-sex marriage. Gillard spoke of the increasing pressure on politicians to legalize same-sex marriage world wide. Sandy Miller and Louise Bucke brought their sons Matthew Miller, 12, and Dylan Miller, 9, to the dinner, who expressed their concern as to why their mothers and other same-sex couples can’t get married. “I don’t know really why I am here,” Matthew said. “To me, it is simple and this argument should have been settled long ago. People should be allowed to marry the person they love and to be accepted by all society.” Dylan had previously written to the Prime Minister on the issue but was glad to be able to express his feelings in person. “I just want her to have a think how much it would hurt her if she couldn’t marry the person she loves most in the whole world,” he said Ms Miller added that although Gillard is still against same-sex marriage, the meeting itself was a positive …
Young Gay Man Wins WA Beginning Teacher of the Year Award
The LGBTI community has come a long way in recent years in terms of acceptance. Even so, we still hear stories of inequality worldwide which makes stories like this one all that more important to tell. Scott Sullivan is a young teacher originally from Perth, Western Australia. He’s passionate about his work, he’s committed to his students and because of this was awarded WA Beginning Teacher of the Year Award 2011. He also identifies as an openly gay man. I asked Scott some questions about his teaching career, his experiences and winning this award in the hope of inspiring not just LGBTI youth, but all youth worldwide. How do you identify yourself to the people around you in terms of your sexual orientation? I consider myself as gay. I came out to my family when I was 16 and have been quite comfortable in acknowledging my sexual orientation since then. In terms of school, I am out to all of my co-workers, however my students do not know. Are there any learning experiences you had …
Equal Marriage Rights in Washington: Senate Approves Bill
The Washington State Senate Passed a bill on Wednesday that will legalize same sex marriage. Gov. Chris Gregoire supports the measure and has agreed to sign it into law when it gets to the House. Applause broke out in the public galleries when the Senate passed the measure, a 28-21 vote. Democratic Sen. Ed Murray, a gay lawmaker from Seattle, and the bill’s sponsor believes those who vote against gay marriage should not be accused of bigotry nor should those who vote for it be accused of “undermining family life or religious freedom.” “Marriage is how society says you are a family” he said. Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester argued against same sex marriage saying it will change the definition of marriage and “will lead to the silencing of those who believe in traditional marriage.” A referendum clause has been rejected, meaning opponents will have to wait to file a challenge once the law is passed. If opponents aren’t able to gather enough signatures, same sex couples will be able to get married starting June. For further information click here.