“For decades, the Supreme Court has recognized the fundamental equality of LGBT people under the law. The Court’s landmark decisions in cases such as Romer, Lawrence, and Obergefell are deeply rooted in the Court’s jurisprudence and have been relied upon by millions of LGBT people and others. Any backtracking on those precedents would be unthinkable.”

“At the same time, the potential for decisions that cause lasting harm to LGBT people and their families is real as new issues and cases come before the Court. We urge the Senate to explore these issues carefully and to ensure that any person who sits on our nation’s highest court understands the realities facing LGBT communities and others for whom our Constitution’s promise of freedom and equality is not yet fully realized. To date, there is nothing in Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s record to indicate that he understands the real-world impact of discrimination on LGBT people or the importance of construing our nation’s laws to enable them to participate fully and equally in society. The Supreme Court must be a court for all, not just for the privileged few.”

“It is sobering that a president who has shown disregard for many of our nation’s most cherished rights and freedoms has an opportunity to appoint a second justice to the Supreme Court. This moment is a wake-up call to LGBT people and others about the critical importance of elections and the need to vote this November.”

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www.NCLRights.org.

The post NCLR: Trump’s Supreme Court nomination a wake up call to LGBT community first appeared on Lesbian.com.

OFFICIAL "PANTSUIT POWER" FLASH MOB FOR HILLARY from Celia & Mia for HRC on Vimeo.

On Sunday Oct 2, 2016 over 200 pantsuit wearing Hillary supporters gathered together to perform a dance founded in unity, love, and inclusivity.

Event Organized and Video Directed by Celia Rowlson-Hall and Mia Lidofsky. Co-choreographed by Celia and Crishon Landers. Produced by Jillian Schlesinger and Liz Sargent.

The post Power to the pantsuit first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, declared her support of same-sex marriage along with several other same-sex positions. Armed with a graphic Powerpoint presentation that included videos, Clinton explained exactly how her position had changed and how happy she was when she made it. Her delight was shared by the LGBT community who not only welcomed her support for same-sex marriage, but busted their collective butts to get home to try out the new positions.

The surprise announcement came despite Clinton’s avowed heterosexuality. At a news conference Clinton said, “Shifting my position felt natural and frankly, being on top of my subject makes me feel more comfortable. It was a long time in coming and I felt a great release.”

Responding to her statement, spokesperson Anita Muff from the lesbian PR firm Butch and Cassidy, remarked, “It’s understandable that Clinton prefers being on top. It’s a natural expression of her personality. After all, she’s a powerful woman. We would expect her to take charge.”

Years ago, Clinton’s detractors tried to discredit her by calling her a lesbian. Since then, this country has witnessed a sea change in attitudes, lesbian wannabes dominate the media, the USA soccer team accepted straight women, and with the exception of a few backwater hold-outs, a majority of states have passed legislation to further same-sex marriage and civil liberty protections.

Even in Indiana and much of the South, where stubborn attitudes cling like liars to falsehoods, closeted gays found reason to hope. “It’s a mystery to me why women continue to vote against their best interests,” said one woman who preferred to remain anonymous. “Perhaps this new revelation will free women to vote their conscious and stop being led like sheep to the slaughter. Also, I tried one of the positions she recommended and my partner and I loved it! Wow! Check out slide eleven on the PowerPoint. She’s got my vote.”

Interviewed at home, Florida republican Jeb Bush scoffed at the news. “This ploy is merely a political version of ‘Girls Gone Wild.’ She’s taken a page from her husband’s playbook to get publicity. Should I join the presidential race, I’m not worried about getting women voters. History has proven how much women like a Bush.”

While Clinton’s appeal for women is busting out front and center, millions of men find her an attractive candidate, too. Roland Tumble, director of the San Francisco-based LGBTQQIAXYZ Center said, “We cheered at her commitment to our community. Hillary is hot and ready to go. It’s times like this, I wish I were a lesbian.”

Upon hearing the news, another San Franciscan, Monica Lewinsky, also made an astounding admission. In a Twitter post that has since gone viral, Lewinsky tweeted: “Finally can tell rest of story. My only interest in Bill was to get to Hillary. So happy for her. Hillary, call me.”

A spokeswoman in the Clinton camp indicated there could be more startling announcements in the days to come, inferring that Clinton’s openness at trying new positions bodes well for other aspects of the leadership role she hopes to win in 2016.

Zoe Amos brings her lesbian point of view to articles and stories on diverse topics. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. Read her stories on Kindle and Nook. Check out her other life at www.janetfwilliams.com

The post From A to Zoe: Same-sex positions cause Clinton uproar first appeared on Lesbian.com.

The recent signing of The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, by Indiana Governor Mike Pence, is causing quite a stir. I’m not a political expert but, as far as I can tell, the law’s alleged intent was to keep people from having to receive rainbow colored communion wafers. Nobody wants a rainbow colored body of Christ. They’re supposed to be white — just like Jesus.

OK, actually, this is serious. Indiana’s new law allows people and public businesses to use the excuse that their religious beliefs have been “substantially burdened” by dealing with us heathen gays. So, they don’t have to. And, should they be sued, this law “restores their religious freedom.” Love the sinner, just don’t do business with them.

The governor, the lawmakers who drafted Indiana’s version of this bill and other Fox News-watching folk, all claim that this Act does not sanction discrimination. But, if Bubba, from Bubba’s Wedding Blossoms, doesn’t want to do the flowers at a gay wedding, he can use this new law to say no. And, technically, businesses can now put up a “No Gays Alowed” sign (I’m assuming they’d spell it wrong) to keep us out of their establishments. They’ll not have us substantially burdening their creed. Who knew we were so heavy?

In fact, one Indiana pizzeria, “Memories Pizza” has already said that, should gay couples want them to make pizzas for their homo nuptials, they would not. Because, it’s what Jesus wouldn’t do. Well, that is a blow. I guess poor Bruce and Michael will have to settle for caviar and champagne. A gay wedding without pizza? That’s like a think tank without a Kardashian in it.

The Federal Religious Freedom act (and those of most of the other states that also have this law), contains language that does not allow it being used to discriminate. Indiana’s does not. Indiana does have laws to protect against discrimination, but sexual orientation is not one of those classes protected.

So, how can this happen at a time when gay marriage is becoming legal all over the country and the LGBT community is seemingly making great strides toward equality?

It’s because of that really. This is a political tantrum. “Fine! Some of you are allowed to marry now — then we’re gonna do this! We’ll show our constituents we’re the same bigoted folks they elected.”

Fortunately, many of our allies as well as huge corporations have stepped up and spoken out. Indiana is being ridiculed on the late night shows. The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook (who is gay), wrote an opinion piece in The Washington Post, harshly criticizing the bill.

Marc Benioff the CEO of Salesforce (the largest tech employer in the state) cancelled all events planned in Indiana and told employees they would not be asked to travel there. The proposed $40 million expansion of the “Angie’s List” headquarters has been put on hold indefinitely. (And, hopefully, the governor’s office was given an “F” on their site.) My personal favorite response, although it may not pack the political punch of a tech company not bringing a $9 million convention to the state, came from Stephen King who tweeted: “Indiana’s Freedom Restoration Act is gay discrimination, pure and simple. You can frost a dog turd. But, it’s still a dog turd.”

Frosted feces aside, it’s great to see this support and the speed with which it came. But, it’s really a wake-up call for us. We need to remain diligent and aware in our path to equality. Those that hate us will use any tactic they can think of to keep us from getting the rights to which we are entitled. And, if they can throw God into it, that’s even better. It’s not hate if it’s done in the name of God.
So, should we get the federal right to marry this summer, remember: it’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings a Melissa Etheridge tune in a rainbow dress at a gay wedding in Indiana catered by Memories Pizza. Wait, check that. Let’s nix the pizza and go with the caviar and champagne. And, we’ll let Bruce and Michael plan it. I mean, seriously, who does weddings better than gays? Well, maybe Jesus. That “water into wine” trick makes him the ultimate wedding planner.

Jennie McNulty was named one of Curve magazine’s Top 10 lesbian comedians. She can be heard weekly as co-host of LA Talk Radio‘s “Cathy Is In: The Cathy DeBuono Show.”

The post Indiana law offers wake-up call after LGBT gains first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CANDY PARKER

What did you miss this week in the world of LGBT news? Check out our Lesbian.com round-up and you’ll be ready to gather ’round the rainbow-colored water cooler to talk about five of the biggest, best and most interesting stories for July 20 – July 26.

Indiegogo campaign launched to bring lesbian bar back to Philadelphia

Almost exactly one year ago, the oldest lesbian bar in Philadelphia, Sisters, closed its doors leaving lesbians in the City of Brotherly Love without a place to call their own. Now Sisters’ former manager, Denise Cohen, is hoping to change that.

“Every event I run or attend, I am asked over and over, when will we get a new place?” Cohen told PhillyGayCalendar.com. “For nearly a year now I have been trying every option I could think of to make that happen and now there is a plan in place and with the help of our community, friends and family it is time to bring a new LGBT space to Philly.”

Having identified both a potential new venue and investors for the new bar, Cohen has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise at least $50,000 of the $250,000 necessary to provide lesbians in Philly a full-time gathering place.

Details on the venue are confidential at this point, but Cohen did reveal “it will feature several bar areas, private bottle service vip room, dancing and entertainment along with an amazing kitchen to produce a fantastic menu.” She’s also optimistic about the employment opportunities the new space would open up for those in the community.

To read more about the fundraising campaign and/or make a contribution, visit Indiegogo.

Ft. Worth police department video targets LGBT recruits

The Fort Worth, Texas, police department is hoping to diversify it’s department, launching a YouTube campaign targeting LGBT, female, Hispanic and African-American candidates.

The first video surfaced this week and stars officer Chris Gorrie.

“What does a 30-year-old White guy have to do with diversity? Well, the short answer — I’m gay,” says Gorrie in the intentionally humorous video.

Gorrie goes on to share his motivation for joining the force, as well as his personal experience since doing so. You can check out the full video below.

Supermodel comes out as transgender woman

Bosnian-born Super model Andreja Pejic has come out as transgender.

Pejic, formerly known as Andrej Pejic, shared the news exclusively with Entertainment Tonight, People.com and Style.com. She also worked closely with GLAAD during the week leading up to her announcement.

Pejic, who has been modeling both men’s and women’s wear since 2007, is known for her androgynous look. In an email statement received by The Huffington Post, GLAAD notes that Pejic “will only be modeling women’s clothing going forward.”

The acclaimed model has appeared on covers of Elle and French Vogue and notes that her agency has been supportive of the transition.

“As a transgender woman I hope to show that after transition (a life-saving process) one can be happy and successful in their new chapter,” Pejic said in a Facebook post.

Pejic is set to appear in Sophia Coppola’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”

“The Bridge” star Emily Rios comes out

Emily Rios, star of the RX series “The Bridge,” came out as a lesbian during an interview published Monday on AfterEllen.com.

Rios, who portrays a lesbian character on the show, told the Logo-affiliated website, “I’m gay, personally, so being Mexican and a lesbian — this is why I love the character because I deal with the same type of things with my own family,” Emily said.

Rios, 25, told AfterEllen that she’s had more support from her family than has her character on “The Bridge.” “Adrianna’s story on “The Bridge” is a little different because her mom is ashamed and embarrassed, but I dealt with that as well,” she said. “But it just took a year for ‘Hey it’s not a phase, this is really happening.’ And then they get comfortable with it. So it was a little bit more extreme, but the Mexicans are very family-oriented. It’s all about the love so they’re very supportive.”

Rios is perhaps best known for her role as recovering drug addict and mother, Andrea Cantillo, on “Breaking Bad” in which she played Jesse Pinkman’s on-again-off-again love interest.

Michigan water park denies entry to lesbian in men’s swim trunks

A story surfaced this week about a July 9 incident in which an Indiana lesbian was kicked out of a Michigan water park during her bachelorette party celebration for wearing men’s swim trunks.

Jill Sweeney told a Michigan news station that she was kicked out of Muskegon’s WildWater Adventure while attempting to join her sister-in-law on the water slide. Sweeney was wearing swim trunks, a sports bra and tank top.

“I’d already been in the lazy river and the wave pool and then my sister in law went up to go down the slide. And that’s when I was stopped,” said Sweeney. “A supervisor had come up and she said, ‘Ma’am, you have to wear a women’s bathing suit. You’re not allowed to wear men’s.’”

The park’s general manager told the news station that Sweeney was in violation of park rules.

“A sports bra would not be a swim suit. We require our patrons to wear swim suits and street clothes of any kind would not be allowed,” said WildWater Adventure general manager Camille Mark.

The park denies Sweeney’s claim that she was targeted because she’s a lesbian.

When asked about Sweeney saying she felt singled out because she’s gay, Mark said, “I couldn’t possibly comment on that. How would anyone be aware of [Sweeney’s] sexuality?”

Sweeney produced a number of photos showing other park patrons who appear to be in violation of WildWater’s dress code policy and is seeking legal representation, though she said that she’s not in it for the money; she just wants an apology for the way she was treated.

The post LGBT week in review: New lesbian bar for Philly; ‘The Bridge’ star comes out first appeared on Lesbian.com.

What did you miss this week in the world of LGBT news? Check out our Lesbian.com round-up and you’ll be ready to gather ’round the rainbow-colored water cooler to talk about five of the biggest, best and most interesting stories for July 6 – July 12.

Lesbian college student expelled for marrying partner

On Wednesday, Christian Minard, 22, received written notice from Southwestern Christian University that she was being expelled. The reason? She married her same-sex partner.

“I was informed that you recently married someone of the same sex and saw a few pictures from Facebook,” Brad Davis, the school’s vice president of student life, wrote. “Of course, this is opposing to our view as an International Pentecostal Holiness denominational university as well as the Lifestyle Covenant that all students must agree and sign.”

Minard, who married her partner March 17, is just one semester shy of earning her degree in sports management from the the International Pentecostal Holiness Church affiliated university. She claims that other students violate the cited Lifestyle Covenant regularly without repercussion and believes she was singled out for being a lesbian.

The expulsion leaves the would-be senior with an uncertain future.

“I’m trying to figure out how and where I can graduate,” Minard told CNN, noting that she’ll have to start paying off her loans at the end of next year unless things change. “… It’s going to be hard to get into classes that may be full, because they gave me very little notice before the fall semester starts.”

Italian mayor wants to ban same-sex PDA

If Mayor Gianluca Buonanno of Borgosesia, an Italian municipality, gets his way same-sex couples who kiss in public could be fined up to 500 euros ($680 USD) for the affectionate display.

Per a Huffington Post translation, Mayor Buonanno told Italian newspaper La Repubblica, “Kissing in public between homosexuals? No thanks… It’s a matter of respect. And I am convinced that is morally harmful for children.”

Buonanno is regarded as an eccentric, having previously engaged in behavior uncharacteristic of someone in position, including shredding the European Union flag to use as a handkerchief, waving a sea bass around during a session of Parliament and now announcing his intention to add a photo of anti-gay Russian President Vladimir Putin to his office decor.

According to Pink News, European Parliament member Daniele Viotti said the “new decree is just the latest, pathetic publicity stunt by a narrow-minded man who desperately wants to be in the spotlight.”

Colorado marriage ban struck down

On Wednesday, District Court Judge C. Scott Crabtree ruled that Colorado’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Crabtree found that Amendment 43 of the state constitution, approved by voters in 2006 and defining marriage as being between one man and one woman, “bears no rational relationship to any conceivable government interest.”

In his 49-page decision, the judge also stated that, “confining same-sex couples to civil unions is further evidence of discrimination against same-sex couples and does not ameliorate the discriminatory effect of the Marriage Bans.”

Crabtree immediately put his ruling on hold pending an appeal and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers issued a statement on his website indicating his intention to do just that.

“Judge Crabtree provides additional clarity that until the high court rules on the issue of same-sex marriage, Colorado’s current laws remain in place,” said Suthers.

2014 Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame inductees

Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner and Olympic swimmer Diana Nyad were among those honored Friday as inductees into the LGBT Sports Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization launched in 2013 and headquartered in Chicago, was established to honor individuals and organizations whose achievements and efforts have enhanced the fields of sports and athletics for the gay and lesbian community.

Other notables joining Griner and Nyad in the 2014 class were Billy Bean (MLB), Wade Davis (NFL), Mayor George Moscone (straight ally, deceased), Tom Daley (Olympic diver) and Nike.

The inaugural 2013 class of inductees included tennis legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, and LPGA Tour champion Patty Sheehan.

Lesbian moms denied family pool pass

An outdated ordinance in Galion, Ohio, which defines a family as a “mother, father and up to three children” came under fire this week when Melody Mohn and her partner, Hela Young, attempted to buy a family pool pass at Galion’s Heise Park.

Mohn, a mother of three, had purchased a family pass for herself and her three children for the past nine years, but when she inquired about adding her partner under the “family” rate, she was denied based on the city’s definition of family.

Members of the city council agree that the ordinance language needs to be changed.

“We certainly don’t want to do anything to prevent children and parents to go swimming in our pool,” Carl Watt, Galion City Council president, told a local news station, adding about the current definition of family, “I mean, 20 years ago, it probably fit the scene, but not today. Not today’s lifestyle.”

Mohn is glad the City Council will be updating the ordinance and has no regrets about pushing for the change.

“We’re not the only same-sex couple, and we’re not the only non-traditional family, either,” said Mohn.

Given that the pool is set to close next month, it is unlikely that the Mohn/Young household will enjoy a family rate at the pool until 2015.

The post LGBT week in review: Lesbian student expelled, Griner inducted, lesbian moms denied first appeared on Lesbian.com.

The United Kingdom was named the friendliest LGBT country in Europe by Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people in Europe for 2014.

This is the second time that the UK has taken the top ranking.

Rounding out the top five LGBT-friendly European countries: Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and Norway.

The biennial Rainbow Report examines LGBT rights based on trends and an overview of key political and social developments country-by-country along with various legal benchmarks of LGBT equality, according to a May 13 news release from the organization. More >

The post UK reigns as most friendly LGBT country first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CANDY PARKER

I’m not terribly happy right now. In fact, one might be able to classify me as bordering on furious at the present moment, a rare state for this easygoing Libra.

Why am I on the verge of spitting nails? Well, I’ll tell you – I’ve about had it up to here (insert mental image of me with my right hand, palm down, extended just above my head) with middle-aged straight guys, in the form of sports radio talk show hosts and bloggers, whining about “thought police” and the “LGBT mafia” and “bullying” in the context of discussing Michael Sam, the reaction to his being selected in the NFL draft and the resulting disciplinary actions taken against high-profile sports figures who spoke out against the move via social media.

I just ran out to get lunch and heard yet another sports radio talk show host bantering with his guest, a FOX sports blogger, carping about how the world has become so politically correct that people can’t even say what they think anymore. What a terrible world it is we live in when people can be fined, fired or publicly taken to task for merely voicing their opinion! Shouldn’t we all be scared to live in a world where corporations and monopolized organizations like the NFL and NBA can squelch the personal beliefs of their employees?

The not-good-enough-to-play-so-I-write-and-talk-about-sports twins went on to compare the Miami Dolphins’ Don Jones’ tweets following Sam’s on-screen kiss with his boyfriend (“OMG” and “Horrible” – that Jones is an eloquent and loquacious fellow, after all) to someone voicing an opinion about gun ownership or the legalization of marijuana. If Jones doesn’t want to see two dudes kissing on television shouldn’t he be able to say that? Shouldn’t people be able to speak up if they believe drugs should be legal or that the right to bear automatic weapons in Chipotle is inalienable? (Don’t even get me started on the yahoos who did that over the weekend!)

The always-picked-last-for-kickball duo went on to extoll the virtues of free speech and the importance of open discourse in society. Isn’t that how we solve our problems? Shouldn’t we be discussing our differences in order to reach agreement? For a brief moment, I think I may have even heard American flags gently flapping in the wind as it swept over amber waves of grain.

Of course, the guest made a point of mentioning that he was Libertarian in his views on gay rights or, more specifically, gay marriage. Hey, if those gay people want to get married, then we should go ahead and let ‘em. The ol’ “Hey, I’m not prejudiced; I have black friends”-like disclaimer. (I personally find these types maddening as they’re typically the ones claiming they’re “fine with the gays,” but don’t think we need any “special rights,” having failed to actually familiarize themselves with the actual issues at hand.)

But what these guys don’t get is that talking about my basic rights to be treated like a human being isn’t the same as talking about whether or not someone should be able to spark up on the street corner or own a grenade launcher (solely for hunting purposes, of course).

Yes, there should be public discourse and sharing of opinions regarding matters such as legalized marijuana, gun ownership, abortion, taxes, religion and any countless number of other controversial topics. If an NFL player wants to hop on Twitter and tweet “Taxes suck” then by all means let him. (He certainly won’t get any argument from me on that one.)

But what all the middle-aged straight guys on sports radio don’t understand is that when someone like Jones tweets “Horrible” or when former Ole Miss hoopster Marshall Henderson tweets “Boycotting sportscenter til this michael sam nasty ass s—t is off…My brothers are 7 and 11 and saw that!!! #sickening” what is really being said is “I hate gay people.”

And when people say that they hate gay people, what they’re really saying is that they don’t think gays should have the right to marry; that it’s OK for people to be fired from their job simply for being gay; that they’re all for allowing businesses to discriminate against gays; and, in some of the more extreme cases, that they don’t believe gays have the right to live. And none of that is OK.

If you’re among those bashing us “thought police” types, try substituting the word “black” for the word “gay” in the prior paragraph and see how offensive it sounds. Ooooh, so that’s what we’re all upset about! (If only it were that simple to persuade them, huh?)

If a white NFL player had commented on an image of African-American NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III kissing his white wife by saying, “I don’t want to see that nasty ass n—-r kissing a white woman on ESPN!!! #hanghimhigh” I’d venture a guess that the NFL would have acted swiftly in fining, suspending and/or sending said ignorant white player to “sensitivity training.” So why is it so unreasonable to expect the same in the instances of anti-gay remarks? Answer me that, Mr. middle-aged straight guy sports radio talk show host and blogger!

What it comes down to quite simply is one word – discrimination.

Just because marijuana isn’t legal everywhere doesn’t mean it’s being discriminated against. And just because every gun hasn’t yet found a home doesn’t mean it’s being discriminated against either. It’s OK to voice your opinions “for” or “against” such things. Heck, you can even be for some types of guns and against others; I don’t care. And you can be pro-medical marijuana, but anti-recreational marijuana – tweet away about such things and be as self-contradictory or irrational as you choose. We in the “LGBT mafia” won’t care.

But note that we are not “things;” we are people. And it absolutely isn’t OK to discriminate against people or to be “for” some and “against” others simply because their DNA differs from yours.

You know what’s most remarkable about all of this is that while we’ve made it illegal in this country to discriminate against items that are simply “beliefs” (e.g., religion), we have yet to make it illegal from coast to coast to discriminate against people for simply being born with a given genetic composition. Sure, we took care of it in regard to skin pigmentation (at least from a legal standpoint), but we have yet to do the same for those born with the gay gene.

So middle-aged straight guy sports radio talk show hosts and bloggers, I’m sorry. The world it is a-changin’. It’s not OK to use the “n-word” anymore, wives aren’t the only ones cooking dinner and taking care of the kids these days and it’s not alright to discriminate against the LGBT community either. We’re here, we’re queer and we’re demanding our inalienable rights as human beings. If that makes us “bullies,” so be it. (Actually, we know it doesn’t make us bullies and we’re amused by your attempts to misappropriate the word in an effort to bolster your feeble argument.)

We’re not trying to squash anyone’s right to free speech or stifle open discourse. But our rights are not subject to debate, and, yeah, we’re going to be a little sensitive about the whole thing until it is no longer legal to discriminate against gays and lesbians (and all the other initials in LGBTQIA) in regard to employment, housing, marriage, business services or in any other fashion.

You have to understand that we’re not trying to change minds, we’re trying to change laws and, as I’m sure the African-American community can tell you, the former is far more difficult to affect than the latter. So the small-minded can hate us all they want; we realize that’s not changing any time soon. But just know that we’ll likely be much more tolerant of bigoted rants and social media posts once our rights are fully protected under the law.

So, middle-aged straight guy sports radio talk show hosts and bloggers, do you get it now?

The post Thought police, the LGBT mafia, bullying in the wake of Michael Sam first appeared on Lesbian.com.

The United Nations Free & Equal campaign presents the first-ever Bollywood music video for gay rights, featuring Bollywood star and Miss India winner Celina Jaitly.

The post Bollywood comes out for LGBT rights first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY CINDY ZELMAN

If you’d asked me twenty years ago about LGBTI people in Uganda, I would have said, “Where is Uganda?” Today, I count some Ugandans as good friends, and my friends are in big trouble.

On a recent Sunday, I texted with Bryan, a 32-year old gay man from Uganda, who said, “I feel great today, not stressed at all. I ate a good meal.”

Bryan does not always feel so good. Often he cannot fall asleep and is up in the middle of the night worrying about what will become of his life. He does not get to eat a good meal every day. Some days he has no food at all. He said, “I’m embarrassed to admit to people that I don’t eat because I don’t have money to buy food.”

Where once he had a home, Bryan now lives in this slum of Uganda, in a one-room shack.

Bryan was chased out of his job when his co-workers discovered he was gay. He now lives in the slums of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Often Bryan is starving and scared because being gay in Uganda is dangerous, especially with the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that punishes gays with up to a life-sentence in prison. The bill also punishes anyone who knowingly rents apartments to them or hires them for a job, so the LBGTI population is essentially left poor and homeless.

Many gays are now in hiding in Uganda, or trying to escape the country altogether, since passage of the bill late in 2013.

Bryan once held a solid job as a secretary for an organization in Uganda that helped people in need. He played soccer. He had a home and a lover and a regular life. Today, the best he can hope for is a good meal. “It’s because of you, Sis,” he said to me, about his full belly because I am the one who wired him money so he could afford food.

Although the money helps him to eat, it isn’t yet giving Bryan a better life, and it is not a long-term solution.

I have come to know several gay and lesbian Ugandans via Facebook (Facebook has to be good for something) and I have grown very fond of them. I got to know them well before the Anti Homosexuality Bill was passed, and for a long time, they tried to fight for their rights in an extremely homophobic society.

Gay Ugandans supporting gay rights for Russians. But who is supporting the gay Ugandans?

Harold, the other man I am trying to help, was once a gay activist in Uganda. He took part in pride parades and various events to improve the lives of the LGBTI people of his land. I have heard from his peers that he tried to do everything he could to help gay people in his country. He was jailed and beaten more than once for his efforts. The last time I was in touch with Harold, he was borrowing someone’s phone so he could email me. He was homeless, near-starved, and wandering the streets of a small city in Uganda. “It’s 3 a.m. here,” he wrote. “It’s freezing in the streets. I will get pneumonia.”

He had no shelter. “I don’t know where to go. I’m not asking for money, just asking if I can share food with Bryan.”

I wired Harold money to get him to Kampala where he has a friend to stay with, to buy some food, and to get healthy. The plan is for Bryan and Harold to meet up and escape Uganda for South Africa once funds are raised. There are other Ugandans waiting for them in South Africa, offering their new home as a place to stay. Although the Ugandans who fled to South Africa are refugees, they have successfully found work and apartments. The only country in Africa I know of that is offering asylum and refugee status to the LBGTI people of Uganda is South Africa, a country that protects gays by law, thanks in large part to the legacy of human rights activist Nelson Mandela.

Uganda is among the worst of the worst countries in which to be queer. How did things get so out of control? As is usually the case, white colonialism in the past, and current misguided American religious fundamentalist missionaries, have had a hand in making life miserable for these people.

At the prompting of such American missionaries, the Uganda Parliament had been trying for several years to pass a “Kill the Gays,” bill. They toned down the punishment due to international pressure, but the Ugandan Parliament passed the Anti Homosexuality Law instead, calling for severe prison sentences (up to life in prison) for being gay.

The speaker of the Parliament, a woman named Rebecca Kadaga, said passage of the bill was a “Christmas gift” to the people of Uganda. The President, after failing to get scientific “proof” that homosexuality is a defect at birth, signed the bill. The national tabloids in Uganda published photos of the “Top 200” suspected gay and lesbians in Uganda (which included Harold and Bryan) so they could be identified, punished, arrested, beaten etc. At the end of March this year Uganda had a “pride” celebration, which meant they had a parade to celebrate the passing of this heinous law.

Bryan said the atmosphere during the parade was terrifying, as the media and the authorities encouraged a mentality of animosity and hatred, and encouraged the beating and torture of the gay population, even of those just suspected of being gay.

Recently, I had a chapbook published, “What’s in a Butch’s Purse and Other Humorous Essays.” For the most part, this is a book about my special talent for having dysfunctional romantic relationships, told in a wry and light tone. It didn’t occur to me as I was writing the essays, or when the book was accepted, that someday, I would connect it to the atrocities being thrust upon the LGBTI population of Uganda. But I am using the book as a “perk” to raise money for Harold and Bryan – and others after I can get these two friends safely out of the country. There are two ways to give – on the Indigogo Campaign where I am looking for just $5-$10 contributions from numerous people to raise enough money to get these men to South Africa. Or for a $12 contribution, you can get a copy of my chapbook as a perk.

Although it is a slower way to raise funds, I am also donating all the proceeds from “What’s in a Butch’s Purse and Other Humorous Essays” to help the persecuted LBGTI population of Uganda by feeding those left in poverty until they can find a way out or until I can raise Indigogo funds to get them out. You can pre-order a print book or download the eBook by ordering here.

Either way you decide to help will be deeply appreciated more than you know. The gay Ugandans I have met are some of the kindest and most grateful people on earth.

Note: Bryan and Harold are real people, as I’ve described them, although I have changed their first names to protect their identity while they are still in hiding in Uganda.

The post Helping to save my troubled gay Ugandan friends first appeared on Lesbian.com.