The Trevor Project presents...

Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Porterville

In Cooperation With

Tulare County Suicide Prevention Task Force

Presents:

Dave Reynolds, MPH, CPH

With

Thursday March 25

7:00 pm

135 E. Harrison Ave. Porterville, CA 93257

(Corner of Harrison Ave. And Fourth Street)

History of Trevor Project

The Trevor Project was founded by writer James Lecesne, director/producer Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, creators of the 1994 Academy Award®-winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life.

When Trevor was scheduled to air on HBO® in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program’s teen viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor, and began to search for an appropriate support line to broadcast during the airing. They discovered that no such helpline existed, and decided to dedicate themselves to forming what was, in their view, a much-needed resource: an organization to promote acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group. Thus, The Trevor Project was born, and with seed funding provided by The Colin Higgins Foundation, The Trevor Helpline was established and became the first and only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

Today, in addition to operating the crisis and suicide prevention helpline, The Trevor Project provides online support to young people through the organization’s Web site, and also provides lifesaving guidance and vital resources to educators and parents.

Dave Reynolds, MPH, CPH

Advocacy and Education Manager

Dave Reynolds is a Pittsburgh native with a B.A. from Occidental College in Los Angeles and an M.P.H. from Columbia University in New York. He is also certified by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dave’s graduate work at Columbia in the department of Sociomedical Sciences focused on education and program design as well as policy, research, and evaluation. During his undergraduate career, Dave served as the Special Projects Intern at The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) where he helped construct the “HIV and AIDS @ 25″ Media Resource Guide which was released in June 2006 to recognize 25 years of the pandemic. He also spent four months living in South Africa researching HIV and AIDS prevention education in public schools in townships. A former summer camp counselor, and manager for anti-gang and academic enrichment programs in under-served East Los Angeles high schools, Dave is no stranger to working with young people. Most recently as part of his graduate-level work, Dave joined a research team to look at antiretroviral therapy adherence and how it relates to the communication styles of the prescribing physician. Before joining us as the Advocacy and Education Manager, Dave served as our East Coast Call Center Manager from the Randy Stone East Coast Call Center’s opening in August, 2007 through May, 2009. During his time at that post, he worked with our Program Director to grow and train The Trevor Helpline’s base of volunteers in suicide prevention and crisis intervention. Today, he enjoys furthering our knowledge of health issues impacting LGBT communities and loves his work with The Trevor Project’s advocacy, education and research initiatives.

[Via http://queervisalia.com]

MBLGTACC: queers in the media

This post is the fifth post in a series of coverage from the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference 2010, that took place Feb. 19 to Feb. 21, 2010, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

I’ve heard the argument time and time again about the detrimental effects of  negative portrayals of queers in the media, and the workshop titled “Media’s Marginality: TV’s Effects on LGBT Student Self-Perception” fell into that same trap.

Stereotypes exist because there are people who actually act like that who have that identity.  For example, there are flamboyant gay men out there; they do exist. And while not every portrayal of gay men should be the same, by calling a stereotypical portrayal negative, people who act in the stereotypical manner are being told they are negative and we don’t want to be associated with you.

Yes, I know, the media influences people’s perceptions and can hurt our chance at equality and all of that typical rhetoric, but what would equality be if our most flamboyant, outrageous, atypical members aren’t allowed to partake in it?

[Via http://stuffqueerpeopleneedtoknow.wordpress.com]

Martini Monday's in the Tower District

Well it’s Monday, your first day back to the JOB after a very nice weekend.  I am guessing it’s time to have a nice relaxing drink and some awesome food right about now! Well all you have to do is come down to the Laughing Buddha Bar & Grill for Martini Monday’s!  This great event starts at 6pm and goes until 11pm. See you all there!!!!

[Via http://queerfresno.com]

Our Big Gay Dream Wedding!!!

Ok Everyone…If you don’t know by now we’re getting married in Las Vegas and the big day is August 25th!!!! We are trying to win our dream wedding at Crate and Barrel and need you help…

Go to the link below and vote for us!!! We don’t even need 100,000 so we would be more than willing to host a huge party when we get back for everyone that votes and supports us!!! So get everyone to vote…we only need about 5000 votes to catch up!!!

Vote Here for Peter and Alex’s Dream Wedding!!!

Eyes Open, We’re Watching!!!

[Via http://thoughtsfromthecouch.wordpress.com]

And lo, their plots were revealed

Whenever I see the acronym LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transsexual), I think of BLTs, which, as everyone knows, are very tasty.

And thus we can see how the insidious militant gay agenda attempts to convince Americans that their corrupting lifestyle is okay because they sound similar to tasty sandwiches made of bacon, lettuce, and/or tomato.

Now, apparently, they’ve attached another letter to the acronym: Q for queer. Now their acronym is LGBTQ, which, let’s be honest, reminds all of us about BBQ, another tasty All-American past-time.

But their foul plans have been brought to light! No one can deny that the militant gay agenda exists. Right?

[Via http://cohabitationchronicles.wordpress.com]

EVERYTHING IS RENT - Rent: The Broadway Tour Closing - Pictures/Videos/Words

Rent Broadway Tour Closing Pictures Part One - Click to View!

Rent Broadway Tour Closing Pictures Part 2 - Click to View

—-

STAGE DOOR AND CAST INTERVIEWS:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nealb-tv

—–

From WillingtoBeLucky.net:

It’s been an emotional weekend as we said Goodbye Love to the Rent Broadway Tour at its last stop in Sacramento. We’ve made friends from all across the world; Japan, Australia, Holland, France and of course, America.

We had a chance to thank the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show for its run. If you were able to tune in to our live stream from the stage door on Sat. (we had an impromptu session) and Sun., you saw some of the casts farewell messages to the fans.  I’ll be working on the final video over the next couple of days as I make my way North to Portland.

We (Neal B and I) felt that we should share our experiences from this weekend with all of you dedicated fans who couldn’t make the trip to NoCal to say farewell! We hope you enjoy our coverage and stay tuned for some great videos!

Thank you all for your support and again, hope you enjoy what we have in store!

Measure in Love.

[Via http://nealbinnyc.wordpress.com]

Final Injection

Now Greg, I think it’s only fitting

that your final injection is

administered by that slut of a

girlfriend of yours. This is the first

time she’s seen you since I had you

both worked on. I hope she likes

the new you.

This injection contains the last of

your hormone shots. They’ve done

such a wonderful job to your body

haven’t they?

You’re now ready for the training

programme. I’m looking forward to

breaking you both in. I’ve always

wanted my own pair of rubber maids

around the house. It’s going to be

fantastic watching you both

humiliated like that. Now, here comes

that needle….

[Via http://tgcaptions.wordpress.com]

"The Runaways" Review: Men, you can't Stomach this Kind of Gore

Check out the trailer for “The Runaways” starring Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning.

Anyway, while you’re in a video watching mood, check out baby Cherie Currie and baby Joan Jett performing “Cherry Bomb” in Japan circa 1977. Rock on ladies!

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS, WAIT UNTIL FUCKING MARCH 19 AND PAY $12.50, OR A FEW BUCKS LESS IF YOU LIVE IN NOT NYC (WHICH I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU’D BE READING THIS IF YOU DIDN’T, OR EVEN IF YOU DID FOR THAT MATTER.)

Nothing says chick flick like blood… menstrual blood that is. “The Runaways” opens with a single drop of Scorsese Red blood dropping onto the pavement, as the camera moves up a mature Dakota Fanning’s leg to reveal the source. Blood streams down her leg from under her mini skirt as she and her sister run to a nearby public restroom, exchange panties, and do the old pad made out of napkins song and dance. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about, men, I’m sorry I ruined the fantasy. Women bleed!

The Runaways, starring Kristen Stewart, of Twilight fame, and Dakota Fanning, of War of the Worlds, is a biopic based on frontwoman, Cherie Currie’s book Neon Angel. They were an all girl, teenage rock band who’s life spanned 1975-1979. Their hits include “Cherry Bomb”, “Queens of Noise”, “Rock n Roll”, “Neon Angels (On the Road to Ruin)”, and “Born to Be Bad.”

The film, The Runaways, could have been more appropriately titled The Runaways: Breaking the Fuck out of the Hollywood Darling Mold. While Fanning, who plays frontwoman and good girl gone very, very naughty Cherie Currie, has spent most of her career picking roles of substance and sometimes controversy, ie Hounddog, in which she plays a rape victim, Fanning remains to be seen as a child actor. Well nothing says growing up better than menstruation, girl on girl action, drinking/popping/snorting anything and everything, lingerie and rock ‘n roll! Fanning, giving a solid performance, certainly smashes any preconceived notions with her latest role. The film, certainly is, all about Currie, although Stewart gets top billing. From her meager beginnings as a 15 year old lip synching David Bowie in her school’s talent show, donning metallic red disco pants to her downfall and dismembering from the band. Fanning does a great job of portraying Currie as naive, fame hungry and addictive without seeming like a diva. If Fanning doesn’t supply enough sympathy for her character her family life certainly supplies the rest. From her fairweather mother, who decides to move to Indonesia at the top of the film to her alcoholic father… excuse me, he’s not an alcoholic, he just like to drink as Fanning explains, that’s the difference.

Showing the opposite end of the rocker chick spectrum, Stewart, who plays Joan Jett, gives yet again, another shy, monotone, angsty portrayal of a character. However, unlike her Bella portrayal, she might just be spot on in Jett. At the screening I attended, the real life Joan Jett was there for a Q&A and seemed to be not too far off from Stewart’s portrayal, save for her gravely yet sultry voice. Yeah, I said “gravely yet sultry!” Stewart certainly had her mannerisms down and got Jett’s famous shag-do almost perfectly. It might just be my aversion to everything Kristen Stewart but I didn’t totally dig her, I didn’t totally undig her either for that matter. She was just so-so, which is much more than I was expecting out of her. So good job K-Stew! It’s quite clear, however, that Stewart’s choice in Jett might have been somewhat motivated by her aversion to everything Twilight. Like Fanning, Stewart is clearly trying to break out of the child/teen/twee/whatever the fuck they’re calling it these days actor mold by choosing more adult roles, or in this case, more lesbian roles.

While I think it’s fair to say Fanning and Stewart both delivered in this film, Michael Shannon’s, Oscar nominated for his role in Revolutionary Road, portrayal of rogue record producer Kim Fowley stole the show. Clearly the most experienced actor of the lot, Shannon’s larger than life presence in every scene he was in left me wanting more. He had some of the best lines in the film, repeatedly telling the girls that rock ‘n roll is about sex and “this is not women’s lib, this is women’s libido!” Screaming at Currie to “orgasm” her songs. When asked by an audience member if Fowley was accurately portrayed in the film, Jett replied that that was Kim and “so much more.”

Penned by first time screenwriter, Floria Sigismondi, the script was richly visual, not heavy with dialogue, but rightfully funny and poignant. Sigismondi also directed this film and did a fairly okay job. If you ask me she used a little too much red light, which, let’s face it, everything looks awesome in red light. Her choices were solid, mostly safe and expected, but unlike many other director’s, Tarentino I’m looking at you, she didn’t draw attention away from the story with her outlandish style, which in my opinion, the focus of the story should be… well, the story. I love period pieces, especially those set in the 1970s, and this film was definitely authentic. Kudos to top notch work by the large art department.

Overall, I’d say the movie was good, it’s certainly no masterpiece of cinema but definitely a great movie to make you feel empowered, rockin’ and also kind of bad about doing the “dirty sink,” a reference to, drummer Sandy West, skimming off the top of each and every bottle in her parents’ liquor cabinet to create an iced tea colored concoction in the baby shampoo bottle. We’ve all been there!

Since the gracious Joan Jett was in attendance at the screening she answered some questions from the audience and gave a little taste of what it was like being part of an all girl rock band in the 1970s. When asked if there were any similar “rules of the road” to an all male rock band, as in a different girl in every city, Jett replied, “I think it was pretty much the same for us!” She also told a fun anecdote about herself, Currie and West got arrested for stealing hotel keys. Since Jett was the only participant of age she was the only one behind actual bars. She said she sang and rattled her cage until they let her out, which they did! However, with all these great stories I think my favorite was when she revealed that Kenny Ortega, director of Newsies and the High School Musical trilogy, choreographed some of their stage moves! Now I’m not saying The Runaways didn’t have great moves, but I think they might have stayed together a little longer if their choreography had looked a little more like this.

Skip to 0:35 for 1899 style fist pumping.

And lastly, for your personal satisfaction, below is a small gallery containing a couple movie posters and a snap of the real Runaways and their doppelgangers!

[Via http://radioactivecookies.wordpress.com]

"All My Friends" in The New Gay

Hey readers – check out my new post on The New Gay, an original piece entitled “All My Friends” on secular and queer identity and interfaith cooperation. (Thank you to “all my friends” at The New Gay, and a warm welcome to any readers who were directed here from the article!) Be sure to check out The New Gay for a variety of engaging pieces on a wide spectrum of queer-related topics.

[Via http://nonprophetstatus.com]

Gay-related news, Miss Beverly Hills, coach ice hockey team U.S to become gay rights activist, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt

Miss Beverly Hills, Lauren Ashley, made quite the spectacle by giving an interview with Fox News. She says that if God says that having sex with someone of the same gender will ultimately kill that person. A hard verdict but God knows everything according to her. Se is quoting Leviticus.WTF??  Even if the bible would be true why do people always pick the gay stuff and never the things about not eating shellfish or having sex before marriage.The Beverly Hills mayor is really pissed and so are many others of course. She says she has many gay friends(there we go again) that respect her opinion. What self-respecting gay person would hang out with this. Side note, she is not even good-looking.

The coach of the american ice hockey team during the Olympics , Brian Burke, is going to be a gay rights activist in honor of his late son Brendan. Brendan came out in 2007 to his dad and died early this year in a car crash. He will do a public-service announcement aimed at eliminating bullying of gay kids and will march in Toronto’s Pride Parade. We need more people like him in sports.

I am disgusted by the comments at certain blogs people make about Shiloh’s short haircut and boyish clothes. Some people think Angelina and Brad make her wear those clothes/that haircut because they want a lesbian daughter. First of all, a 3-year old knows exactly what it wants and Brad/Angie have said before that Shiloh likes boyish things, she decided and they are open-minded enough to let her do that. Second you cannot even make anyone gay or lesbian by the way they dress. Third, wat is wrong with being gay. My sister loved to dress up as a boy when she was young, had short hair etc. Now she is one of the most feminine and elegant looking women I know and straight with kids. I loved playing with my little pony’s and wanted to be a princess and I turned gay. So who knows what will happen.

[Via http://gaydutchnyc.wordpress.com]

Girls Naked by the Pool

[Via http://yourpron.wordpress.com]

Tonight Pinky, We Try to Take Over the World!

I do awkward like a champion.  Phase I is celebrating its 40th birthday this weekend and kicked it off with a Hunter Valentine show.  What great fun.  I kicked it off by hooking the cash short crew (rowing) dyke up with a few bucks so she could pay for her beer.  I like to start the night off with good karma.  Hugged three random people re: Maryland.  Became bar buddies with an African American woman of almost 50 who was awesome enough to save my bar stool for me during each of my 15,000 trips to the bathroom.  Creeped out Hunter Valentine’s bassist not once but twice with my awesome lack of conversational filter and ability to say whatever cracked shit crosses my mind.  Danced my ass off during their set, grabbing girls and asking them to jump with me.  (I’m like 6 – I like to jump.  Movement is fun.  People should move more.)  Surprisingly (I’m always surprised, let’s face it) well received.  Cute chubby Asian girl was heartsore I didn’t dedicate myself to jumping with her exclusively. 

Hunter Valentine are wicked awesome live by the way.  I hate chicks voxs on the album, but live is a whole ‘nother thing.   The opening band was rad too, although their name currently escapes me.  I may update later.

Hit on a really cute pixie cut short girl who didn’t ennunciate well and either had a girlfriend she was trying to piss off or was just a bit flakey.  I saw her last time I was at Phase I.  She was part of a large group and I couldn’t figure out the dynamic then either. 

Drank way too many PBRs (@3$ a pop I left with zero cash.  Came in with 30.  Thank God it’s a cash only bar.  Let’s pretend i didn’t drive home).  Came into work 4 hours late and extra dehydrated.  

12am-130am-ish: chatted up, flirty touched, good vibed an extra cute Cuban (but American!) full on gay girl (she’s not bi!) who works for Greenpeace (status unknown, but hopeful she isn’t a hippie).  She rode her bike to the bar, so once we were kicked out due to the lateness of the hour she threw her bike in the back of my truck and I gave her a ride home.  Got a goodnight hug.  Made drunken plans to go out to see The Room with me tonight.   I promised I would mohawk it up.  She teased me for having pink nail polish in my truck.  Texted her about the movie this morning.  No news yet, but I’m hopeful.  Evil me is really hopefully since BRG and Fucking That Guy (FTG) are going to this event too.  My cousin is also coming, so either way I’m not there by myself, but I REALLY WANT BRG TO SEE ME MOVING ON 3 DAYS AFTER BEING DUMPED…with another extremely hot girl.  I fall hard, fast.  But once a door is closed, I don’t spent a lot of time fumbling around looking for the hide-a-key.  Seriously, I must have stumbled through a cloud of magic dust because hot girls keep digging me.  It is so good to be gay.

[Via http://untilthewheelsfalloff.wordpress.com]

Quote: Joy Behar on fauxbianism

Joy Behar, co-host of The View. | Google Images

“I didn’t know lesbians gave out learner’s permits.”

— Joy Behar on The View, reacting to Lindsay Lohan’s comment to The Sun: “If I wasn’t with Samantha [Ronson], I would probably be with a boy next. She’s the only woman I’ve been attracted to.”

[Via http://stuffqueerpeopleneedtoknow.wordpress.com]

Photobucket Girls

[Via http://yourpron.wordpress.com]

FRC's Tony Perkins Speaking Invitation Cancelled By Air Force For His Views Opposing Obama's Repeal Of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

CNSNews reports that Family Research Council President Tony Perkins’ speaking invitation at a prayer luncheon at Andrews Air Force Base was canceled by the chaplain’s office after the office became aware of Mr. Perkins’ opposition to Obama’s demand to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of the military.

Air Force Retracted Invitation for Conservative Leader to Speak at Prayer Luncheon After He Criticized Obama’s Position on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Friday, February 26, 2010

By Pete Winn, Senior Writer/Editor

(CNSNews.com) – The U.S. Air Force admits that the chaplain’s office at Andrews Air Force Base retracted an invitation to Family Research Council President Tony Perkins–a former Marine officer–to speak at a prayer luncheon held at the base on Thursday after the conservative leader criticized President Obama’s efforts to end “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”–the military policy on homosexuality.

“The Chaplain’s Office retracted Mr. Perkins’ invitation after his recent public comments made many who planned to attend the event uncomfortable,” the Andrews base public affairs office said in a statement issued late Thursday.

“This was a local decision made by the Chaplain’s Office who wanted the luncheon to be inclusive for the entire base community,” the statement said. “The Chaplain’s Office respects and defends Mr. Perkins right to express his opinions, and regrets any inconvenience to him. We thank and respect him for his prior military service.”

Perkins told CNSNews.com he was invited last October by the Chaplain’s Office to speak at the prayer luncheon, which focused this year on deployed personnel, families and prayer.

“The theme was back to basics – that is exactly what I was going to talk about, the basics – as Christ talks about the two greatest commandments, to love God and to love your neighbor,” he told CNSNews.com.

But Perkins said the comments that got him in trouble were published on the FRC Web site on Jan. 27, after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address.

Obama called on Congress to lift all restrictions on service in the military by open homosexuals, and Perkins admitted he had been very vocal in opposing Obama’s policy. Perkins said he took to the FRC Web site to oppose Obama’s policy proposal, and urged Congress to retain the current law which excludes homosexuals from openly serving in the military.

“Two days after the president’s State of the Union address, I received a letter from the chaplain rescinding the invitation, based upon statements that were on our Web site that were deemed to be ‘incompatible with men and women who serve in the military at the direction of the commander-in-chief,’” Perkins said.

A letter, dated Jan. 29, was sent from the chaplain’s office at Andrews AFB.

“Dear Mr. Perkins: I wish to thank you for accepting our initial invitation to speak at our national prayer luncheon on Feb. 25,” it stated. “(H)owever, we must rescind the invitation due to statements posted on the Family Research Council Web site which are incompatible in our role as military members who serve our elected officials and our commander-in-chief.

“As a former Marine officer, I’m sure you understand the situation in which we find ourselves. As military members, we are sworn to support our commander-in-chief, and are forbidden to make or support statements which run counter to our roles in the armed forces.”

Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told CNSNews.com he is “terribly disappointed” with the decision to rescind the invitation to the conservative leader–a move he condemned as “tragic” and “political correctness.”

“It is absolutely political correctness, if in the name of inclusiveness we throw out someone who is a Christian or has a view that might be a little bit different than Mr. Obama’s, then we’ve dishonored the very service that fights to uphold and defend the Constitution,” Franks said from the U.S. Capitol.

“It’s especially heartbreaking to me, knowing that the rank-and-file of the United States military is far more in line with the views of Tony Perkins than they will ever be of the views of President Barack Obama,” Franks told CNSNews.com.

Perkins, a conservative leader who is also a minister and former military officer, said he had no intention of being political, had he been allowed to speak.

“I would have never used this venue as a political venue to even mention the president, unless it was to pray for him,” Perkins told CNSNews.com. “This was to focus on the spiritual needs of the men and women in uniform.”

Congressman Franks, meanwhile, indicated he plans to further raise the issue in Congress and took aim at the Air Force’s notion of being “inclusive.”

“We can be ‘inclusive’–we could bring Al Qaeda in there and that’s ‘inclusive–but to suggest somehow that someone like Tony Perkins shouldn’t be welcome on a military base because he has some views that are antithetical to some of Barack Obama’s views, is just outrageous,” Franks said.

Perkins, meanwhile, said he’s unrepentant in opposing Obama’s pro-homosexual agenda.

“What he (the president) was essentially calling the military to do was to violate the law, without a change by Congress,” Perkins told CNSNews.com. “That change of policy would in fact affect national security and in fact affect the lives of men and women who serve in uniform. As a veteran of the Marine Corps, I know exactly the environment and what this could do to the men and women who serve. So it is very troubling.”

Dr. William Donahue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights in New York City condemned the action – and called for an investigation.

“The decision to silence Tony Perkins, an ordained minister and Marine veteran, represents political correctness at a dangerous level,” Donahue said. “There are legitimate reasons to accept and reject the current policy regarding gays in the military. No one, therefore, should be censored from speaking at any private or public forum — much less a military instillation — because of his or her views on this subject.”

Perkins, meanwhile, said the real issue isn’t that he was disinvited to an event – it’s about political correctness in the military on homosexuality.

“This is not about the chaplain, it’s not even about Andrews Air Force Base, it’s about the chilling effect that this policy would have upon Christians who operate from an understanding of what’s right and wrong according to Scripture,” Perkins told CNSNews.com.

Donahue agreed: “While the most immediate issue is the blacklisting of Perkins, the larger issue is the ‘chilling effect’ this decision will have on the free speech and religious liberty rights of all those who serve in the military, especially clergymen.”

CNSNews.com has formally requested an interview with a representative from the chaplain’s office.

[Via http://aphiemi.wordpress.com]

Sarah's article in VISTO magazine: the highligths

Sarah Nile’s interview in Visto (Italian magazine) as translated by sappivu on AfterEllen.com

Sarah: I thought I was ready to have Vero go out on Monday b/c I knew it almost for sure but when I heard Alessia saying “Veronica you have to leave the House” I felt my heart broken anyway. I’d love my Veronica to stay b/c this would have carried our Dream further. I’d be a winner too with her, but… (journalist: her voice breaks but after a while she reprises – talking about Mauro: it’s unfair blabla)…one thing is for sure: no voting will break our dream, mine and Veronica’s, it will be stronger than everything outside.  I’ll finally be able to live her, hug her and understand many things with her. In spite of my regret, this makes me very happy. 

Q : Your friendship with Veronica has been one of the most intense feeling we’ve seen in GF this year. Trustfulness, complicity but kisses, hugs, caresses as well that have nothing different from a couple in love. Your plans for the future as well.

Sarah: Unfortunately I haven’t seen Veronica not for a second after her eviction. I’d love having been able to tell her to hold just for another week b/c we have an entire life ahead. After all the nastiness she had to put up with in the last few weeks especially, I’d have wanted to hug her and whisper in her ear: “Don’t worry, You and me together will make every dream come true”. The first one is going to live together. I’m looking forward, if She still wants to, to go looking for our place. I know she’s not fond of Milan but, as she had said, “in the name of love one can do everything”. The “dream” changes you and you don’t even notice. I, for example, am very indipendent and I would have thought this to be too much a commitment, but now I can’t wait. The thought of sharing our spaces again 24/7, just the 2 of us, it’s not frightening, on the contrary I’m excited. I’m ready to face everyday life problems b/c we, together, ar something bigger.

(…..) about international fans, Sarah: it had all been involuntaray and spontaneous, we’ve hust transmitted what we were feeling and ppl got that (…) Life is loving and the one we represented has no sex or geography barriers.

Question: an American (?) commentator have started a campaign accusing Italian tv to have softened your relationoship b/c the love between 2 women it’s still a tabù in a catholinc country. You both have used the word “a form of love”. Would you mind explaining?

Sarah: Those who have followed us know it: admitting to be in love with a woman doesn’t scare me nor Veronica. But if we love each other as a couple, I’d rather have us to say it together. Maybe during a double chat on Visto’s blog.

[Via http://brookefraser.wordpress.com]

The Right Fit...

I was visiting FemmeFluff’s blog earlier this week, and she had a post about this documentary. I had never heard about it before, so I decided to click the Amazon link and the YouTube links to see what the documentary was about. While watching the clips that are on YouTube, I was totally drawn in. I absolutely love the intimacy between these two. They seem so comfortable, so connected to one another.

Part of the documentary deals with the sexual connection between the two. I haven’t seen the complete video, so I can’t talk on that aspect, but what I can say is that I want to see more of their kind of relationship. I hear a lot of lesbians talk about ‘the sex”! Sex is all good, but once you have that orgasm, you have to have a foundation to stand on. There has to be more to the relationship than the fact that she can make you scream!

I will come back and post my thoughts on the movie once I see it in its entirety. If you  have seen it, or plan to see it, please let me know your thoughts.

Peace and Blessings,

Michelle

[Via http://hersandhers.wordpress.com]

Queer Fresno goes Rogue!

Fresno’s very own fringe performance arts festival kicks off next week on March 4th. The Rogue festival is going into year eight and it promises to be the best yet, not the least of all because the Rogue and Queer Fresno are teaming up! They have a massive show list this year and the festival spans nine days, making it one of the biggest performance arts festivals in the western U.S.

So make sure to check out their schedule and plan accordingly. If you haven’t gotten your yearly dose of culture yet, this is your chance!

[Via http://queerfresno.com]

How to Raise a Lesbian Daughter, Part 1

Be a domineering mother and have a Homer Simpson of a husband.

Sage advice from Growing Up Straight: What Every Thoughtful Parent Should Know About Homosexuality by Peter and Barbara Wyden, copyright 1968

“Lesbian homosexuals are less interested in sex per se than their male counterparts.” (pg. 75)

“What then, does set off female homosexuality?…’Our basic contention is that homosexuality in women is a safety valve, the means of making an adjustment to intolerable conflicts engendered in childhood as the result of an interplay of powerful psychological forces within the family.” (pg. 75-76)

“Joan was sent to Bellvue hospital by a judge in a New York court who felt that she was a delinquent in need of treatment…  at 15, Joan refused to wear a dress…Joan’s mother was a cool, unloving, highly efficient accountant.” (pg. 76)

Joan’s story is elaborated on at length.  Needless to say, her domineering mother and hapless father were the cause of her homosexuality.

I do always try to not make light of the truths of the past that have since become falsities.  Some, though, are too juicy not to feel smug at.  , part

[Via http://chloeandolivia.wordpress.com]

MBLGTACC: queer women of size

This post is the third post in a series of coverage from the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference 2010, that took place Feb. 19 to Feb. 21, 2010, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

The first session I attended was “Big Girl, You Are Beautiful … And Small Girls, Too,” lead by Kimberly Schlenker, Heather Knapp, Hayley Imberian, Christy Koester and Elizabeth Van Winkle.

The session focused on queer women of size, what that means, resources for them and standing up for themselves. One presenter suggested refusing to be weighed at the doctor, indicating weighing-in isn’t necessary for medical history.

The presenters also highlighted the sexualization of size. Skinnier women are encouraged to show skin and most thinner women’s clothing options in stores include skimpier clothes; however, larger women are encouraged to cover up and their (limited) clothing options in stores usually reflect this norm.

Operation Beautiful was also highlighted as a body-positive form of activism. The group aims to end negative self talk, or (I’m so) fat talk, and encourages people to place notes in bathrooms that have a positive message like “You are beautiful.”

For more resources on size diversity check out:

Diaries of a Mad Fat Woman

FAT!SO?

The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life

National Organization for Lesbians of Size

Queer Fat Femme

Young, Fat and Fabulous

[Via http://stuffqueerpeopleneedtoknow.wordpress.com]

Audrey and Allister (Burning Angel)

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