My favorite winter song made adorbs by Mister Chase and Chris Salvatore. Plus if you download it you'll be donating money to charity!
Showing posts with label let's get drunk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label let's get drunk. Show all posts
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
NEVER AGAIN HAROLD
Unsure what drink to mix to commemorate Big Boi's arrest for possession of ecstasy and Viagra? Watch YouDeserveADrink, YouTube show dedicate to getting you drizzunk.
Wesley made me do it.
Wesley made me do it.
Friday, August 5, 2011
For Real, This Time? Please?
One of the great tragedies of gay nerddom is the complete and utter lack of gay characters in Star Trek's entire history. Sure, there was that lesbionic kiss between Dax and her former lover from a past (male) lifetime, and sure there was that transgender episode where Riker hit it with some androgynous husk-inseminating alien, but it's really about time one of the Red Shirts got rull gay up in the Enterprise.
New Star Trek franchise director J.J. Abrams is making vague promises, now, that he will rectify this situation:
"You know what’s funny? As someone who was never a huge Star Trek fan and I didn’t watch the shows. And my experiences with the movie was the first series and then watching and re-watching some of the movies that I’ve seen. I’m frankly shocked that in the history of Star Trek there have never been gay characters in all the series. In Deep Space Nine and all the Enterprises that that’s never come up."
New Star Trek franchise director J.J. Abrams is making vague promises, now, that he will rectify this situation:
"You know what’s funny? As someone who was never a huge Star Trek fan and I didn’t watch the shows. And my experiences with the movie was the first series and then watching and re-watching some of the movies that I’ve seen. I’m frankly shocked that in the history of Star Trek there have never been gay characters in all the series. In Deep Space Nine and all the Enterprises that that’s never come up."
Come on! Let's get some hot cottaging up in the turbolifts.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Debt Deal Passed, It's A Stinker
Gabrielle Giffords returned to the floor of the House today amid thunderous applause-- just in time to watch her colleagues capitulate to Republican demands and pass a stinker of a debt bill that includes cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
Great.
From over at the Daily Kos, a word cloud based on polls regarding American's view of the deal:
Ridiculous indeed.
Great.
From over at the Daily Kos, a word cloud based on polls regarding American's view of the deal:
Friday, July 22, 2011
Santorum Is Pissed About "Santorum"
Ten years ago, Dan Savage focused his ire on an anti-gay politician and started a phenomenon that just won't quit. In a stroke of genius, Savage forever associated the word "Santorum" with pooey lube, and the politician ignored it for a good decade.
Now, however, he's trailing in the polls and lacking funds, so what better time to suddenly be fed up? He went on TV and sent an e-mail to potential donors this week attempting ride the waaaaahmbulance all the way to the bank. From the Real Time:
"This man has gone out there and tried to destroy my integrity– I mean, you’ve heard about this Google issue, that’s Dan Savage. It’s the lowest debasement of public discourse. It’s offensive beyond anything that any public figure or anybody in America tolerate [sic], and the mainstream media laughs about it. They kid about it. They write about it. They say Santorum’s ‘Google problem,’ and when you see this kind of over the top– the Google thing is worse than what he said there– they laugh about that, too. Why? Because it’s a liberal beating up on a conservative, and that’s okay. And whether it’s Rick Santorum or Michele Bachmann, it’s the left making fun of someone who believes in the values that built America, that believes in traditional marriage. How outrageous! How bigoted! How hateful that you actually believe that raising children in families with mothers and fathers is something to be encouraged! Just because you hold those opinions you are subjected to the worst form of vulgarity on the internet, on television, on everything else… I wear it as a badge of honor that someone as vulgar and as disgusting and as hate-filled as Dan Savage sees me as Public Enemy #1. To me that tells me I’m doing something right."
"Savage and his perverted sense of humor is the reason why my children cannot Google their father’s name. I took the high road for nearly a decade by not dignifying these mindless attacks, then even defending his 1st Amendment right to spew this filth. And to this day, liberals like Rachel Maddow serve as Savage’s lackeys on national television, pushing his smut."
Now, however, he's trailing in the polls and lacking funds, so what better time to suddenly be fed up? He went on TV and sent an e-mail to potential donors this week attempting ride the waaaaahmbulance all the way to the bank. From the Real Time:
"This man has gone out there and tried to destroy my integrity– I mean, you’ve heard about this Google issue, that’s Dan Savage. It’s the lowest debasement of public discourse. It’s offensive beyond anything that any public figure or anybody in America tolerate [sic], and the mainstream media laughs about it. They kid about it. They write about it. They say Santorum’s ‘Google problem,’ and when you see this kind of over the top– the Google thing is worse than what he said there– they laugh about that, too. Why? Because it’s a liberal beating up on a conservative, and that’s okay. And whether it’s Rick Santorum or Michele Bachmann, it’s the left making fun of someone who believes in the values that built America, that believes in traditional marriage. How outrageous! How bigoted! How hateful that you actually believe that raising children in families with mothers and fathers is something to be encouraged! Just because you hold those opinions you are subjected to the worst form of vulgarity on the internet, on television, on everything else… I wear it as a badge of honor that someone as vulgar and as disgusting and as hate-filled as Dan Savage sees me as Public Enemy #1. To me that tells me I’m doing something right."
"Savage and his perverted sense of humor is the reason why my children cannot Google their father’s name. I took the high road for nearly a decade by not dignifying these mindless attacks, then even defending his 1st Amendment right to spew this filth. And to this day, liberals like Rachel Maddow serve as Savage’s lackeys on national television, pushing his smut."
Oh, Rick Santorum. You make me want to drink.
Hey guys! Let's play the Rick Santorum drinking game!
The rules! Take a drink every time he says:
1. Dan Savage.
2. Pervert.
3. "Santorum." Ha. It means poop.
4. Google.
Take two drinks every time he:
1. Brings up his children and how they're being victimized.
2. Blames liberals for his failures.
Today's total: 18. Michele Bachmann is a lot better at this game. No wonder she's leading in the polls.
Monday, July 18, 2011
In Which Ian Awesome Loses His Mind
Adam has been released from the hospital and is definitely on the mend. He's a little weak and shaky, and I suspect he's overwhelmed by the events which have taken place, but I am optimistic that everything is going to be ok.
Fuck that. Things are going to be more than just ok. Things are going to be awesome. Because, you see, Adam and I decided that life is too fucking short to beat around the bush and he asked me to marry him. I said yes.
Before you say that this is crazy: Adam and I have courted each other off and on for the past three years, and have even been roommates. We know each other better than many people who do get married, and I can't think of a better partner-in-crime for my various misadventures. It's not every day that one of my favorite people on the planet tells me he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, and you know what?
Just a few days ago I thought I was going to lose him and it tore my world in half. The instant he looked up at me from his hospital bed, I had already decided I needed to mend that world by having him in it. When he told me he wanted to marry me, I said, "You beat me to it."
It will take us many months to put this all together. Even though we came to this decision very quickly, we are not rushing gettin' hitched. He still has a lot of things he needs to do in Joplin, to include getting better, and I need time to get my situation in Seattle sorted out.
But motherfuckers, I'm getting married.
Er, who wants to chain themselves to something with me in Seattle to get a marriage license?
Fuck that. Things are going to be more than just ok. Things are going to be awesome. Because, you see, Adam and I decided that life is too fucking short to beat around the bush and he asked me to marry him. I said yes.
Before you say that this is crazy: Adam and I have courted each other off and on for the past three years, and have even been roommates. We know each other better than many people who do get married, and I can't think of a better partner-in-crime for my various misadventures. It's not every day that one of my favorite people on the planet tells me he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, and you know what?
Just a few days ago I thought I was going to lose him and it tore my world in half. The instant he looked up at me from his hospital bed, I had already decided I needed to mend that world by having him in it. When he told me he wanted to marry me, I said, "You beat me to it."
It will take us many months to put this all together. Even though we came to this decision very quickly, we are not rushing gettin' hitched. He still has a lot of things he needs to do in Joplin, to include getting better, and I need time to get my situation in Seattle sorted out.
But motherfuckers, I'm getting married.
Er, who wants to chain themselves to something with me in Seattle to get a marriage license?
Bachmann Trashes Whoopi, Begs For Money
Ok, I get the whole "political campaigns have to run on donor money" thing but this most recent solicitation for donations from Michele Bachmann screams "greedy and/or desperate."
"Concerned Fellow Conservative,
"Looks like the Democrats have sounded their alarms in Hollywood.
"The Hollywood elite have been on the attack this week, falsely berating our campaign for President and our supporters.
"On Tuesday, while on The View, Whoopi Goldberg spewed senseless accusations aimed at our campaign. Her comments were not only incorrect, but wrongly attacked my stance on single parents. As the daughter of a single parent, I learned firsthand the difficulties of growing up with one parent. However, it was from my strong and independent mother I learned when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
"In order to show Whoopi, we won’t stand for her attacks, I have set a goal to raise $40,000 in the next 24 hours. Please follow this link right away to chip in $25, $50 or even $100 to help me reach my goal of $40,000 by tomorrow.
"I am proud of my record and I refuse to allow liberals like Whoopi Goldberg to bully our campaign. This is yet another example of how the liberal Democrat establishment has put a target on my campaign for defeat. They'll say and do anything. The comments from Whoopi Goldberg have hit a new low and I must have the resources to defend myself and fight back.
"Liberals across the country believe if they defeat our campaign, the Tea Party movement will be eliminated. I need your support to defend myself and our shared constitutional values right away.
"I won't back down and today, I need to know you stand with me. To accomplish my goal of $40,000 in 24 hours, I'm relying on friends and supporters like you to step up to the plate to help me today. Please follow this secure link to make your donation of $25, $35, $50 or more.
"I'm reaching out to you for help because the liberal media credits me with being an undaunted conservative who routinely leads the opposition to President Obama. That's why the radical supporters of President Obama's agenda are so committed to defeating me.
"The Hollywood liberals believe if they attack my campaign, they have a shot at defeating me and dismantling the Tea Party movement. Your immediate donation will send a strong message to Hollywood, that we are not going anywhere. That's why any amount you can donate to my campaign today - up to the $2,500 legal limit - is appreciated.
"I look forward to your immediate response and I thank you once more for your friendship and support.
"Sincerely,
"Michele Bachmann
"P.S. As the big name liberals continue to come out of the woodwork to attack our campaign, I need your support. I ask that you make a generous donation of any amount you can afford to help me fight back against the millions of dollars liberals are flooding into Obama’s bank account. Can I count on your donation of $25, $50, $100 or even $250 today? Your support - no matter the size - makes a big difference. Please follow this link to make a donation today. Thank you."
Whoopi Goldberg recently derided Bachmann's decision to sign the Family Leader's marriage pledge while on The View, and the looneytoons presidential candidate used the opportunity to claim victimization at the hands of "Hollywood liberals," all in order to raise some cash for her campaign. Alvin from Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters posted the text of her letter to potential donors:
"Concerned Fellow Conservative,
"Looks like the Democrats have sounded their alarms in Hollywood.
"The Hollywood elite have been on the attack this week, falsely berating our campaign for President and our supporters.
"On Tuesday, while on The View, Whoopi Goldberg spewed senseless accusations aimed at our campaign. Her comments were not only incorrect, but wrongly attacked my stance on single parents. As the daughter of a single parent, I learned firsthand the difficulties of growing up with one parent. However, it was from my strong and independent mother I learned when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
"In order to show Whoopi, we won’t stand for her attacks, I have set a goal to raise $40,000 in the next 24 hours. Please follow this link right away to chip in $25, $50 or even $100 to help me reach my goal of $40,000 by tomorrow.
"I am proud of my record and I refuse to allow liberals like Whoopi Goldberg to bully our campaign. This is yet another example of how the liberal Democrat establishment has put a target on my campaign for defeat. They'll say and do anything. The comments from Whoopi Goldberg have hit a new low and I must have the resources to defend myself and fight back.
"Liberals across the country believe if they defeat our campaign, the Tea Party movement will be eliminated. I need your support to defend myself and our shared constitutional values right away.
"I won't back down and today, I need to know you stand with me. To accomplish my goal of $40,000 in 24 hours, I'm relying on friends and supporters like you to step up to the plate to help me today. Please follow this secure link to make your donation of $25, $35, $50 or more.
"I'm reaching out to you for help because the liberal media credits me with being an undaunted conservative who routinely leads the opposition to President Obama. That's why the radical supporters of President Obama's agenda are so committed to defeating me.
"The Hollywood liberals believe if they attack my campaign, they have a shot at defeating me and dismantling the Tea Party movement. Your immediate donation will send a strong message to Hollywood, that we are not going anywhere. That's why any amount you can donate to my campaign today - up to the $2,500 legal limit - is appreciated.
"I look forward to your immediate response and I thank you once more for your friendship and support.
"Sincerely,
"Michele Bachmann
"P.S. As the big name liberals continue to come out of the woodwork to attack our campaign, I need your support. I ask that you make a generous donation of any amount you can afford to help me fight back against the millions of dollars liberals are flooding into Obama’s bank account. Can I count on your donation of $25, $50, $100 or even $250 today? Your support - no matter the size - makes a big difference. Please follow this link to make a donation today. Thank you."
Let's play the Michele Bachmann Talking Points Drinking Game. It's simple! Take a drink every time she says the following words:
1. Liberal
2. Constitution
3. Any dollar amount
Take two drinks when:
1. Crazy eyes paints herself as a victim of the liberal elite.
2. She sounds desperate. I can't help but think she sounds like a panhandler begging for spare change to buy cheap hooch at the corner store.
The score this time: 36 drinks. Damn. This campaign is gonna be hard on my liver.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Adam Wagner: Still The Sassy Bitch I Love
I got in last night to Joplin's airport about 9pm local time. Congratulations, Joplin! You officially have the tiniest airport I've ever seen.
After the stress of the past few days, a pitcher of beer was definitely called for, so Denver and Heather (a brother/sister team who are good friends of Adam's) took me out for a couple hours. We visited one of the local divey joints, then I got taken to Joplin's gay bar, where the beer was light and the clientele... classy. Sidebar: you can still smoke in bars here! WTF? While many of you may be horrified, it was a novelty for a chimney like myself.
For once, I was in bed before midnight, being exhausted after my travels. By the way, Dallas/Fort Worth airport? I get that you might not believe in providing wireless access to freeloadin' hippies, but I think your capitalist sensibilities can possibly allow for people buying expensive plane tickets to be able to check their goddamn e-mail between flights.
This morning the trolley to the hospital wasn't running until 10am, but we didn't want to wait to see Adam, so we walked a few miles across Joplin to get there. We walked through the tornado zone. I couldn't help but compare the devastation to the kind of ruin I had seen in war-torn Iraq.
We got to the hospital and then went to the ICU, where I met Adam's parents, who had kindly arranged with the ICU staff to allow Denver and I to visit him.
I'm happy to report that although he is drugged, loopy, and does not yet quite understand what has happened to him, Adam is not only awake but is still the man that many of us love. For those readers of mine who don't know Adam, he is a stubborn, foulmouthed, trashtalking little man, and after we hugged he related to me that he had cussed out a nurse then told Denver some rather ribald stories of the time that Adam and I worked together in a Seattle bathhouse.
I. Am. So. Happy.
Adam is fighting off pneumonia and has some form of blood infection, but is pumped full of antibiotics and I'm incredibly hopeful. Even more amazing? He has zero impairment to his brain function, and it shows. He was lively, cheerful, and happy to see his friends.
So I'm going to breathe a sigh of relief and hopefully take the rest of the weekend off from blogging. I've spent the past four days on the phone updating everyone and their mother, it feels, and while I will continue to update his condition on the "Friends of Adam Wagner" fan page on Facebook, OAQ will once again start putting up news stories by Monday. There's fast and reliable wireless at the hospital, so I am looking forward to getting back to work in between visiting Adam. As far as he goes? No news is good news, so as long as you don't hear more about him on here, he is most likely still improving.
Thank you, all of you, for your support. You've helped me through a very dark time, and when Adam is in a condition to peruse the blog, I'm sure he will appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers for his condition. Please, feel free to leave a message of support in the "comments" section of this post, and I will ensure he gets them.
Kisses, and stay well.
Ian Awesome
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Adam Is Found, And He Is Alive
I don't have the complete story (though honestly, I could be standing by his hospital bed and still not have enough answers for my taste), but it looks like Adam might be okay.
For those of you who are not on my Facebook, Adam was found today on the brink of death. When he was brought into the hospital, he was unable to breathe without a respirator and had zero brain activity. As far as we know, either he or someone else injected him with a fatal dose of a narcotic and we had no hope left. We, his friends, began leaving goodbye messages on his Facebook and sent his family our condolences. Then we waited for him to die.
In part because he's a stubborn cuss and in part because of the many prayers that his friends, family, and many readers of mine offered, this evening Adam's brain became active. While he is still not breathing on his own due to a severe pneumonia infection filling one of his lungs with fluid, the nurses by his bedside stated that he has a very good chance of a great recovery.
Thank you, dear friends, for all your prayers. Thank you. We're not out of the woods yet. He took a turn for the better, and may yet take a turn for the worse. I have hope though. We all have hope.
Thank you, whoever is looking out for Adam. Thank you for giving us hope.
For those of you who are not on my Facebook, Adam was found today on the brink of death. When he was brought into the hospital, he was unable to breathe without a respirator and had zero brain activity. As far as we know, either he or someone else injected him with a fatal dose of a narcotic and we had no hope left. We, his friends, began leaving goodbye messages on his Facebook and sent his family our condolences. Then we waited for him to die.
In part because he's a stubborn cuss and in part because of the many prayers that his friends, family, and many readers of mine offered, this evening Adam's brain became active. While he is still not breathing on his own due to a severe pneumonia infection filling one of his lungs with fluid, the nurses by his bedside stated that he has a very good chance of a great recovery.
Thank you, dear friends, for all your prayers. Thank you. We're not out of the woods yet. He took a turn for the better, and may yet take a turn for the worse. I have hope though. We all have hope.
Thank you, whoever is looking out for Adam. Thank you for giving us hope.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Pentagon Orders Halt To DADT, Welcomes Gay Recruits
In light of Wednesday's court ruling declaring DADT discharges unconstitutional, the Pentagon has ordered a moratorium on discharges for gay and lesbian soldiers and officially opened the door to prospective recruits who identify as such:
"Meanwhile, defense officials will continue to prepare for the law’s formal repeal, which Congress approved in December. The law will be formally repealed 60 days after the defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs “certify” that it will not adversely impact military readiness.
"Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he expected certification to occur in late July or early August.
"It remains unclear whether the Pentagon will seek to appeal Wednesday’s court ruling, which would have to go to the Supreme Court, Pentagon spokesman Marine Col. David Lapan said Friday."
"Meanwhile, defense officials will continue to prepare for the law’s formal repeal, which Congress approved in December. The law will be formally repealed 60 days after the defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs “certify” that it will not adversely impact military readiness.
"Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he expected certification to occur in late July or early August.
"It remains unclear whether the Pentagon will seek to appeal Wednesday’s court ruling, which would have to go to the Supreme Court, Pentagon spokesman Marine Col. David Lapan said Friday."
I don't hardly expect DoD to appeal the ruling after this. Momentum to full repeal has gained traction to almost be unstoppable, in my mind.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
CT Governor Signs Gender Identity Protections Into Law
Governor Dan Malloy signed HB-6599-- "An Act Concerning Discrimination"-- into law today, making Connecticut the 15th state to protect its residents from discrimination on the basis of their gender identity.
The bill defines gender identity as follows:
Congrats, transfolk of Connecticut. Now if we could only get the other 35 states to fall into line...
The bill defines gender identity as follows:
"A person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose."
One of the key points on which lobbyists and advocates were able to pressure legislators is the disproportionately high rate of unemployment rate among trans Americans, which is twice the national rate (PDF).
One of the key points on which lobbyists and advocates were able to pressure legislators is the disproportionately high rate of unemployment rate among trans Americans, which is twice the national rate (PDF).
What's great about this piece of legislation is that it goes beyond employment discrimination. Any field regulated by the state's Commission on Human Rights must cease any and all discriminatory action against trans people living in the Constitution State. This includes employment, housing, public accomodations, and credit.
Congrats, transfolk of Connecticut. Now if we could only get the other 35 states to fall into line...
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Deportation Proceedings Dropped Against Binational Couple
In a piece of news that has immigration and marriage equality advocates alike cheering, immigration officials have dropped deportation proceedings against Henry Velandia, a Venezuelan man legally married to his partner, Josh Vandiver, in Connecticut in 2010.
The case has attracted a lot of attention over recent weeks as the salsa dancer and undocumented immigrant fought to remain in the country he had adopted with the husband he married. With the current administration's no-defend policy of DOMA and relaxed immigration guidelines, the couple were hopeful that Henry could remain and those hopes have been fulfilled.
From the NYT:
"Immigration lawyers and gay rights advocates said the decision represented a significant shift in policy and could open the door to the cancellation of deportations for other immigrants in same-sex marriages.
"'This action shows that the government has not only the power but the inclination to do the right thing when it comes to protecting certain vulnerable populations from deportation,' said the couple’s lawyer, Lavi Soloway."
The case has attracted a lot of attention over recent weeks as the salsa dancer and undocumented immigrant fought to remain in the country he had adopted with the husband he married. With the current administration's no-defend policy of DOMA and relaxed immigration guidelines, the couple were hopeful that Henry could remain and those hopes have been fulfilled.
From the NYT:
"Immigration lawyers and gay rights advocates said the decision represented a significant shift in policy and could open the door to the cancellation of deportations for other immigrants in same-sex marriages.
"'This action shows that the government has not only the power but the inclination to do the right thing when it comes to protecting certain vulnerable populations from deportation,' said the couple’s lawyer, Lavi Soloway."
Congrats to Henry and Josh! And btw-- aren't they the cutest couple ever?
Saturday, June 25, 2011
OneAngryTBoy Celebrating Marriage Equality
I'd like to introduce my dear friend Kyril, a transman that I met at Netroots Nation and my newest contributor. He's going to be commenting on trans issues on OAQ as OneAngryTboy, and I'm glad to have him.
The "party line" in the trans community whenever the LGB community wins something is that we were somehow thrown under the bus, ignored, failed by our allies. I'm sure the NY legislature's failure to pass GENDA has already been beaten to death by our self-appointed spokespeople.
But I won't actually be reading those spokespeople's blogs in the wake of this victory. Neither, I suspect, will a lot of other trans people. You see, a lot of us are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. And while the "party line" blogs might begrudgingly acknowledge this when it suits their purposes, they'll quickly forget it whenever the LGBT community actually wins something, because LGB trans people don't fit neatly into the "LGB vs. T" narrative.
I won't buy into that narrative. The truth is that not only is marriage equality a big fucking deal for my non-trans LGB brothers and sisters, it's also a huge fucking deal for LGB trans people. In fact, it just might be bigger for us.
Why, you ask? After all, thanks to the hodgepodge of marriage and gender-marker-change laws around the US, trans people can already arrange to be married in some state or other to someone of any gender and gender history at most phases of our transition, and since our marriages are usually legally "heterosexual," the federal government even recognizes them. I'm gay, and I've already been married. Legally, marriage equality is only a convenience at best - and under DOMA, we're better off finding a state that will "straight-marry" us anyway.
But just as marriage isn't just about legal rights for non-trans LGBs, it's also not just about legal rights for trans LGBs. Marriage is the government's recognition that our relationships have social value. And the State of New York now recognizes that a man can grow up to form a stable, healthy, loving relationship with another man, and that a woman can grow up to form a stable, healthy, loving relationship with another woman. In the eyes of new York, Massachussetts, and other marriage equality states, LGB people are normal men and women.
And for LGB trans people, that's important. For a long time, we weren't even allowed to transition unless we could pretend to be straight. We weren't taken seriously. People, including the medical establishment, believed that "real" men were attracted to women and "real" women were attracted to men. Homosexuality was seen as abnormal or dysfunctional long after it was delisted from the DSM. And medical professionals were loath to let people transition into what they saw as a dysfunctional, incomplete, gender-inappropriate lifestyle.
The availability of transition for LGB trans people has grown with the social normalization of homosexuality. And in New York today, gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals are legally fully "normal." Our relationships are valued just like everyone else's. And that means the world to me - not just as a gay man, but as a trans man. I'm celebrating with absolutely no reservations. Happy Pride and happy NY Equality day!
(obligatory postscript: if you're in NY, please push your congresspeople to support GENDA next session. And everyone call your federal congresspeople about ENDA. Non-discrimination is the next big piece of the equality puzzle.)
Crossposted at Daily Kos.
The "party line" in the trans community whenever the LGB community wins something is that we were somehow thrown under the bus, ignored, failed by our allies. I'm sure the NY legislature's failure to pass GENDA has already been beaten to death by our self-appointed spokespeople.
But I won't actually be reading those spokespeople's blogs in the wake of this victory. Neither, I suspect, will a lot of other trans people. You see, a lot of us are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. And while the "party line" blogs might begrudgingly acknowledge this when it suits their purposes, they'll quickly forget it whenever the LGBT community actually wins something, because LGB trans people don't fit neatly into the "LGB vs. T" narrative.
I won't buy into that narrative. The truth is that not only is marriage equality a big fucking deal for my non-trans LGB brothers and sisters, it's also a huge fucking deal for LGB trans people. In fact, it just might be bigger for us.
Why, you ask? After all, thanks to the hodgepodge of marriage and gender-marker-change laws around the US, trans people can already arrange to be married in some state or other to someone of any gender and gender history at most phases of our transition, and since our marriages are usually legally "heterosexual," the federal government even recognizes them. I'm gay, and I've already been married. Legally, marriage equality is only a convenience at best - and under DOMA, we're better off finding a state that will "straight-marry" us anyway.
But just as marriage isn't just about legal rights for non-trans LGBs, it's also not just about legal rights for trans LGBs. Marriage is the government's recognition that our relationships have social value. And the State of New York now recognizes that a man can grow up to form a stable, healthy, loving relationship with another man, and that a woman can grow up to form a stable, healthy, loving relationship with another woman. In the eyes of new York, Massachussetts, and other marriage equality states, LGB people are normal men and women.
And for LGB trans people, that's important. For a long time, we weren't even allowed to transition unless we could pretend to be straight. We weren't taken seriously. People, including the medical establishment, believed that "real" men were attracted to women and "real" women were attracted to men. Homosexuality was seen as abnormal or dysfunctional long after it was delisted from the DSM. And medical professionals were loath to let people transition into what they saw as a dysfunctional, incomplete, gender-inappropriate lifestyle.
The availability of transition for LGB trans people has grown with the social normalization of homosexuality. And in New York today, gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals are legally fully "normal." Our relationships are valued just like everyone else's. And that means the world to me - not just as a gay man, but as a trans man. I'm celebrating with absolutely no reservations. Happy Pride and happy NY Equality day!
(obligatory postscript: if you're in NY, please push your congresspeople to support GENDA next session. And everyone call your federal congresspeople about ENDA. Non-discrimination is the next big piece of the equality puzzle.)
Crossposted at Daily Kos.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Empire State Building Reflects Jubilant Mood In NYC
Just because I refuse to have my last post of the week be NOM's whining about the cause of equality being furthered in the United States, the Empire State Building is now lit up with the colors of gay Pride in a timely celebration of the LGBT residents of that state:
Sen. Saland Is The Winning 32nd Vote: Gay Marriage Has Been Passed In New York State
After a horribly boring speech by Senator Saland, he put himself on record as "yes," ensuring the passage of crucial amendments paving the way for same-sex marriage in New York State.
Then the bill was announced as passed, prompting cheers from the gallery. I can only imagine the jubilation in New York right now, and I wish I was there. The end vote was 36 votes.
New York, congratulations from Oregon. This is a major step for every New Yorker, and indeed every American.
I had a rough day today, having been turned down for a job. But I am now filled with a sense of elation over this historic vote, and I have no doubt that New York is going to be a very very happy state this weekend.
Sen. Ruben Diaz very bizarrely interrupted the proceedings in order to make his "no" vote known, but Saland refused to yield the floor until his vote was recorded properly and order was restored by the President of the Senate. Towleroad tweeted this:
Then the bill was announced as passed, prompting cheers from the gallery. I can only imagine the jubilation in New York right now, and I wish I was there. The end vote was 36 votes.
New York, congratulations from Oregon. This is a major step for every New Yorker, and indeed every American.
I had a rough day today, having been turned down for a job. But I am now filled with a sense of elation over this historic vote, and I have no doubt that New York is going to be a very very happy state this weekend.
Conservatives Pretty Sure They're Going To Lose New York
From the Weekly Standard:
"'I'm sorry to say that the bill's going to pass,' Long told me in a phone interview minutes ago. He said that the recently released religious liberty amendment would serve as an 'excuse for some Republican senators to hang their hat on.'
"'I know they've got the 32nd vote, and I think they've muscled two more people' to give the vote some cushion.
"'Hopefuly all of that blows up,' Long said. 'I don't see that happening.'"
"'I'm sorry to say that the bill's going to pass,' Long told me in a phone interview minutes ago. He said that the recently released religious liberty amendment would serve as an 'excuse for some Republican senators to hang their hat on.'
"'I know they've got the 32nd vote, and I think they've muscled two more people' to give the vote some cushion.
"'Hopefuly all of that blows up,' Long said. 'I don't see that happening.'"
I'm watching it live, and I'm getting very excited.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Michigan Court: "Gay Panic" Defense Unusable
Some sensibility came out of Michigan today with the appeals court ruling that the "gay panic" defense was no longer applicable in hate crime cases (PDF).
The term "gay panic" has come to be used in cases where someone violently assaults a gay person after that gay person has come onto them. The case related to this ruling involved an attacker coming home with a gay man and then violently choking him near to death.
"This case arises from the beating of Ryan Young. In the early morning hours of June 11, 2009, Young was celebrating his birthday with friends at a local bar. Defendant was also at the bar. Young did not know defendant, but defendant joined Young and his friends at their table and defendant and Young talked and became acquainted. At about 3:30 a.m., Young and defendant were dropped off at Young's apartment. Young testified that he went into his bedroom to change and asked defendant: 'did you want to do anything or did you just want to go to bed,' to which defendant responded: 'yeah, I'm going to do something you fucking faggot.'"
The term "gay panic" has come to be used in cases where someone violently assaults a gay person after that gay person has come onto them. The case related to this ruling involved an attacker coming home with a gay man and then violently choking him near to death.
"This case arises from the beating of Ryan Young. In the early morning hours of June 11, 2009, Young was celebrating his birthday with friends at a local bar. Defendant was also at the bar. Young did not know defendant, but defendant joined Young and his friends at their table and defendant and Young talked and became acquainted. At about 3:30 a.m., Young and defendant were dropped off at Young's apartment. Young testified that he went into his bedroom to change and asked defendant: 'did you want to do anything or did you just want to go to bed,' to which defendant responded: 'yeah, I'm going to do something you fucking faggot.'"
The gay panic defense has been used uncounted times in order to get shitbag homophobes off the hook for committing violent crimes against gay people for years. I'm glad to see the criminal justice system is starting to realize that me hitting on a straight person isn't an excuse for me get beaten or killed.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Netroots Nation Day 3
I slept in today, having attended the Netroots Nation LGBT Bar Crawl last night. It started at Dakota Jazz Club, continued on to Saloon, and somehow ended up in a hotel room where everybody shushed each other in order to avoid hotel security. While it was the strangest party I've ever attended, there was plenty of free booze and I made use of it. I'm regretting that a bit today.
Let's just say I don't really remember coming back to my own hotel-- though I have a vague recollection of yelling at Dan Choi in Arabic. Hmmmm.
Luckily, there's not many panels in the morning today, and I don't have any obligations. I can essentially stumble down to the convention center and then camp out in the DailyKos Lounge, a cushy area dominated by beat-up sofas and (yay!) power outlets.
xoxo from Minneapolis!
Let's just say I don't really remember coming back to my own hotel-- though I have a vague recollection of yelling at Dan Choi in Arabic. Hmmmm.
Luckily, there's not many panels in the morning today, and I don't have any obligations. I can essentially stumble down to the convention center and then camp out in the DailyKos Lounge, a cushy area dominated by beat-up sofas and (yay!) power outlets.
xoxo from Minneapolis!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
NY Governor Cuomo Submits Marriage Equality Bill, Gay New Yorkers Hopeful
The Governor of New York submitted a bill to that state's Senate today beginning the penultimate phase of a long struggle to bring marriage equality to the Empire State.
"'From the fight for women's suffrage to the struggle for civil rights, New Yorkers have been on the right side of history. But on the issue of marriage equality, our state has fallen behind,' Governor Cuomo said. 'For too long, same-sex couples have been denied the freedom to marry, as well as hundreds of rights that other New Yorkers take for granted. Marriage Equality is a matter of fairness and legal security for thousands of families in this state – not of religion or culture. When it comes to fighting for what's right, New Yorkers wrote the book, and Marriage Equality is the next chapter of our civil rights story.'"
The submission of this bill comes at the end of a long back-and-forth for gay New Yorkers, with a similar bill having been defeated in December of 2009. However, this version includes language exempting certain religious institutions, and this clause, it's hoped, will bring around Republican Senators who were holding out for their religious constituents.
One such GOP Senator, Mr. Alesi, predicts the passage of the bill with a vote of 35 for it. This is a momentous week for gay New York.
"'From the fight for women's suffrage to the struggle for civil rights, New Yorkers have been on the right side of history. But on the issue of marriage equality, our state has fallen behind,' Governor Cuomo said. 'For too long, same-sex couples have been denied the freedom to marry, as well as hundreds of rights that other New Yorkers take for granted. Marriage Equality is a matter of fairness and legal security for thousands of families in this state – not of religion or culture. When it comes to fighting for what's right, New Yorkers wrote the book, and Marriage Equality is the next chapter of our civil rights story.'"
The submission of this bill comes at the end of a long back-and-forth for gay New Yorkers, with a similar bill having been defeated in December of 2009. However, this version includes language exempting certain religious institutions, and this clause, it's hoped, will bring around Republican Senators who were holding out for their religious constituents.
One such GOP Senator, Mr. Alesi, predicts the passage of the bill with a vote of 35 for it. This is a momentous week for gay New York.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Nope, Still Here (Or, Today In Gay History)
Anyone raptured yet? Me neither.
Hopefully we can put this rapture nonsense behind us and think about more important things. For instance, did you know that today is the anniversary of the White Night Riots in San Francisco, CA?
In 1979, Dan White was convicted for the murder of Harvey Milk, the iconic gay politician that inspired the biopic Milk. His conviction? Voluntary manslaughter, a clear abuse of the justice system as it was the lightest possible conviction for his cowardly and hateful act of assassination.
Riots exploded in the streets of San Francisco on May 21st, 32 years ago, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of damage and countless arrests. The event culminated in a retaliatory raid on a gay bar after the riot, with lawsuits resulting. After all the dust settled, the gay community found themselves front and center on the political scene in the Californian city, and history had been made.
While the violence of the event is certainly to be abhorred, perhaps this is a historical footnote better given attention on this date than some old man's attempt to get publicity for his radio show by announcing the end of the world.
Thanks to Cameron for the reminder of today's date.
Hopefully we can put this rapture nonsense behind us and think about more important things. For instance, did you know that today is the anniversary of the White Night Riots in San Francisco, CA?
In 1979, Dan White was convicted for the murder of Harvey Milk, the iconic gay politician that inspired the biopic Milk. His conviction? Voluntary manslaughter, a clear abuse of the justice system as it was the lightest possible conviction for his cowardly and hateful act of assassination.
Riots exploded in the streets of San Francisco on May 21st, 32 years ago, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of damage and countless arrests. The event culminated in a retaliatory raid on a gay bar after the riot, with lawsuits resulting. After all the dust settled, the gay community found themselves front and center on the political scene in the Californian city, and history had been made.
While the violence of the event is certainly to be abhorred, perhaps this is a historical footnote better given attention on this date than some old man's attempt to get publicity for his radio show by announcing the end of the world.
Thanks to Cameron for the reminder of today's date.
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