Tag Archives: NYC Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center

New York City’s Lesbian & Gay Community Center Stops Renting Space To Anti/Pro Israel Groups

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New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) since its opening in    has rented out rooms and space to various groups including AA, NA, The Lesbian Avengers, SAGE, Immigrant Support Groups and other various social, political, and LGBT related groups to supplement it’s income. But now, The Center has just announced that it will no longer rent  meeting spaces to to any groups that organize around Israeli-Palestinian issues.

Earlier this month The Center revoked a pro-Palestinian group called Siege Busters who arranged to rent meeting space for  a pro-Palestinian fundraiser. The Center’s explanation was that Siege Busters was “not LGBT-focused” and that the event “began to distract from our core mission.” The decision itself created controversy within the gay community.

Roughly 150 people turned out to protest and voiced angry criticism of The Center for its decision to cancel Siege Busters fundraiser. The event would have provided money for a new flotilla to challenge the Israeli navy’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Said the executive director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, Glennda Testone, on her blog on the center’s website this weekend

“The Center has faced growing criticism over its recent decision to rent space to a group called Queers Against Israeli Apartheid.  The heated rhetoric and passion surrounding this issue is echoing loudly through our corridors — and drowning out other voices within the community.  An increasing number of center users, staff members, community partners, and supporters have expressed deep concern about the tone and volume of the debate. They’ve also questioned the center’s perceived role or position in these issues. The fact that the center does not endorse the views of groups meeting in the building has been ignored or flatly dismissed.”

Michael Lucas, a gay pornography producer and pro-Israel activist, had called  for a boycott of

The Center before it’s decision.  “Everyone who believes in the state of Israel, please stop any support for the Center,” Lucas said in a statement. “Please stop your financial support, please stop meeting there. Do not ally yourself with evil.”

Degrassi Storyline Introduces Transgender Teen Character "Adam"

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Degrassi Junior High iwas a Canadian CBC Television teen drama series that  followed the lives of a group of students attending the titular fictional school. Many episodes have tackled difficult issues such as drug use, child abuse, teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, racism, and divorce, and the series has been acclaimed for its sensitive and realistic portrayal of the challenges of teenage life. 

This season iys current incarnation known as “Degrassi” has introduced the character of “Adam” a 15 year old Female to Male Transexual. 

Canadian site Xtra went to the set of Degrassi to interview the show’s writers about its first trans character and also provided a clip of an upcoming episode in which “Adam:” is assaulted.

Also this season Digrassi there is a closeted gay character and his out (on/off) boyfriend character, both football players.

Digrassi is on EVERY night in the United States on TeenNick. With  New episodes being shown @ 9 P.M. M-F.

The Human Rights Campaign To Hold "Talking Queer Politics" Town Hall Meeting……..IN A BAR!

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On Tuesday August 17th the Human Rights Campaign will be holding a Town Hall Meeting called “Talking Queer Politics with HRC’s National Field Director” in New York City. Now will this be held somewhere appropriate for an LGBT based political community meeting like, I don’t know perhaps New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center?  Oh no,  not the HRC!  They’re holding their political action meeting to get you ready toy all ready for the election season with Marty Rouse, HRC’s National Field Director in a BAR!  And a trendy West Side bar at that called “THERAPY” no less.

Now why in the world would they hold a political venue meeting in a Bar might you ask?  Who knows?  Perhaps the A Lister’s at the HRC get nervous without instant access to a cocktail considering how badly they’ve fucked up on political issues and have sold us down the river with the Obama adminstration and have proved they have no backbone.   Or maybe they get to use THERAPY for FREE and the owner, manager, or one of the staff is involved with THERAPY and its a business boost for them bringing in all the thirsty fags?  Or maybe, just maybe, HRC is too cheasp to part with any of its millions and actually rent a hall and equiptment at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and in tuen actually support a worthwile place with gay money.

Which answer is right?  We’ll never know.  But this s is just another example in a long line of inappropriate fuck-ups from the uberly screwed up HRC. 

Thanks to Mike Petrelis of the Petrelis Files for the heads up and to quote Mike: 

“HRC! Worst! Gay! Org! Ever!”

I’ll drink to that!