Tag Archives: Stand Up

It’s Time For LGBT+ & Allies To Get Serious and OFFICIALLY BOYCOTT FLORIDA

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, Gay News From Around The Globe, Of Interest, , , , , , ,

THIS IS SERIOUS! – If you aren’t boycotting Florida you are only helping DeSantis.

It has been over one year since Florida Governor Ron Desantis and his GOP-controlled Government set the original “Don’t Say Gay” law into motion. In that one year, it has been expanded to the point that surpasses the damage done by Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children Campaign” in the 1970s and is more in line with Vladimir Putin’s “LGBT propaganda laws” in Russia.

So two questions: Why is the LGBT+ community in Florida not fighting back? And why is there not a full-blown boycott of Florida by the LGBT+ community and our Allies? No companies have moved. No conventions were canceled. No pressure is put on the state whatsoever.

Excuses have run the gambit of “Oh it doesn’t affect me personally” (It does) and “Boycotts and protests don’t work.”(Some do.) to “What about all the LGBT businesses won’t they will be hurt?”(LGBT+ and Allies who live in Florida should only shop LGBT+ and Ally businesses and support them during a boycott.)

Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law has surpassed Anita Bryant’s heinous “Save our Children” campaign against us in the 1970s because those issues were electoral decisions. So we had the power to vote. But now Florida is under an anti-LGBT dictatorship and we have no other recourse at this point but to cut it off.  Cutting off money is the best card we hold in a very weak hand right now. And it must be played.

The LGBTQ+A community MUST stand up and fight within the state also. But protests have been few and blowback within the state minimal. Case in point. Over the year Wilton Manors in Fort Lauderdale which has the largest community in the state has had only one “High Heel” protest march and has caved to DeSantis and has signed onto mot allowing drag queens “not performing” at PRIDE.

That IS NOT PRIDE.

Even the state group Equality Florida and the Florida Immigrant Coalition made a call for action and a boycott over a month ago. It has largely been ignored.

“As an organization that has spent decades working to improve Florida’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place to live work and visit, it is with great sadness that we must respond to those asking if it is safe to travel to Florida or remain in the state as the laws strip away basic rights and freedoms,” Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith said in a statement.

Florida makes over 40 billion dollars each year on tourism alone. Let’s take our LGBTQ+ and ally money away. Any loss to the state is a win for us.

So sorry Flori-gays. You have dropped the ball. You don’t seem to understand that your inaction and passiveness have paved the way and emboldened 16 other red states to establish “Don’t Say Gay” laws because there is no major pushback in Florida. The Human Rights Campaign won’t save you and they have once again proven their uselessness also.

It is time for the rest of us to take over and organized.

It’s time to get serious and fight back.

WE ARE OFFICIALLY CALLING FOR A LGBTQ+ and ALLY BOYCOTT OF FLORIDA TOURISM AND PRODUCTS.

Florida companies apart from Disney who now stand in solidarity (even though they helped start it all) need to stand up, events and conventions need to be canceled and we all need to fight back. Regardless if we live in the state or not.

In the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s some of us have fought till bloody. In Fort Lauderdale and Miami, the majority are sipping Bloody Marys at Sunday brunch doing nothing.

We have lost over 40 years of progress in Florida and it’s well past time we fight back.

To quote the unknown lesbian who was arrested at the Stonewall riots and when shoved into the paddy -wagon shouted: “Why don’t you guys do something?”

Please sign onto this Boycott of Florida and share it widely.

Thank you:

Will Kohler – Editor and Activist

Pride Organizers Are Cancelling Drag Queens Ahead of Festivals. Cowards.

COWARDS – Pride Organizers Are Cancelling Drag Queens Ahead of Festivals.

Gay News From Around The Globe, , , , , , ,

PRIDE was born out of activism and to show everyone who we are. Excluding Drag Queens goes against everything PRIDE stands for.

Organizers of Pride festivals and parades in mostly conservative states where there’s been a broader push targeting LGBTQ+ rights have been under increasing pressure to censor or cancel their events.  They’re taking steps like editing acts and canceling drag shows in order to still hold their annual celebrations . But should they?

Most Pride organizations are busy “doing their homework” and investigating how legislation popping up around the country may impact their events, said Ron deHarte, co-president for the U.S. Association of Prides.  (Who knew?)

This year, the Pride Alliance of the Treasure Coast in Port St. Lucie, Florida has reacted to possible legislation, canceling a planned gay pride parade and restricting other events to people 21 years and older.

Meanwhile, organizers in the Nashville, Tennessee, suburb of Franklin, opted not to include drag performances in their Pride celebrations so they can work with local officials to get other events permitted.

But the question is should they change or cancel these PRIDES or should they stand up against these fascist rules and opinions and include drag queens and let the chips falls where they may.

The founders of Pride meant for the events to include everyone and take our power by showring everyone how proud we are to be where we are and how we will fight for our rights,

Rolling over and excluding drag queens does not do that.

PRIDE was born out of activism. Not by being lily-livered fraidy cats who have no clue what real activism is and are causing our past LGBT+ heroes to spin in their graves.

December 10, 2022 – Today Is World Human Rights Day.

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, Gay News From Around The Globe, , , , ,

Human Rights Day is observed every year on the 10th of December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.

As the world marks 74 years of the adoption of the UDHR, the UN’s year long campaign #StandUp4HumanRights draws to a close. By this campaign, the UN aimed to “call on people to take action for greater freedoms, stronger respect and more compassion for the rights of others”.

We must reaffirm our common humanity. Wherever we are, we can make a real difference. In the street, in school, at work, in public transport; in the voting booth, on social media.

The time for this is now. “We the peoples” can take a stand for rights. And together, we can take a stand for more humanity.

It starts with each of us. Step forward and defend the rights of a refugee or migrant, a person with disabilities, an LGBT person, a woman, a child, indigenous peoples, a minority group, or anyone else at risk of discrimination or violence.

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. […] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

NHL Stars Henrik Zetterberg and Victor Hedman Blast Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws

Entertainment, Featured, , , , ,

Hot Hockey Players

Two (very humpy) National Hockey League stars Henrik Zetterberg (above left) of the Detroit Red Wings and Victor Hedman (above right) of the Tampa Bay Lightning have gone on record blasting Russia’s anti-gay law and its impact on the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics, Detroit Free Press reports:

The Detroit Free Press reports:

Zetterberg, the Detroit Red Wings captain who will likely represent Sweden in the Olympics, reportedly told Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet that the law is ‘awful, just awful’

“I think that everyone should be able to be themselves,” Zetterberg said. “It’s unbelievable that it can be this way in this time, especially in a big country like Russia.”

Fellow Swedish player Victor Hedman, who plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning, also had strong things to say about the law: “That’s completely wrong, we’re all humans. No one should have a say in what way you’re sexually oriented.”

Thank you guys for being real men and speaking up!

This is just one more reason why hockey players are HOT.

PRIDE Is Everywhere! – Boise, Idaho Pride Draws Thousands, Gets Back To The Roots Of PRIDE

Events, Featured, Gay News From Around The Globe, , , , ,

Everyone knows about the “fabulously famous” Pride Parades.  New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Los Angeles.  But rarely you hear about the smaller Pride Parades and events of smaller Midwestern and Southern cities which are just as important.  They may not have the grandiose floats, baton twirling gay marching bands or speedo clad go-go boys grinding away.  But they do get back to the roots of Pride.   Visibility, politics, and standing up for who you are.

Yesterday to culminate Boise Pride Week a massive rally took place on the Idaho State Capitol steps where hundreds gathered to hear from speakers on the importance of staying vigilant in the face of discrimination for gender identity of sexual orientation.

Congressional candidate Nicole LeFavour asked the audience if they voted and encouraged them to register and get out early and often.  The crowd cheered the openly gay lawmaker and then began the  Pride March which along its route to Ann Morrison park across the river drew thousands of marchers and spectators.

The event came off peaceably with no visible protests but that doesn’t mean that all in Boise, Idaho were happy about it.

But that didn’t stop negative comments on Boise Weekly online:

I happened by Ann Morrison Park in downtown Boise yesterday ( I don’t live far from there, and pass by frequently)…

There was a quite large (noisy, exuberant) celebration going on. What they were celebrating (which I found out as I approached the general area) was the existence and promulgation of a list of various human perversities and interpersonal moral degeneracies. Musical bands and singers on stage, many food booths, “security” police, all the usual for a large gathering in the public park… It was being conducted under the aegis of “rainbow” this, and “diversity” that, but what it was really about was some kind of public extolling of a wide range of sexual perversities and abnormal human degeneracies.

Is THIS what you want happening in our (YOUR) city??? What you want celebrated here? What you want your parks used for?

But our voices and PRIDE were heard even online as Kay Wyman, replied:

As I walked in the Parade in downtown Boise on Saturday I felt an immense sense of PRIDE in my little city.  Finally, the LGBTQ community could openly celebrate without a sense of threat and discrimination.  There were no (obvious) protesters as were present in many of the past parades.  I thought, “Wow”, times really are changing for us, even in Boise, Idaho.”  People we passed waved and shouted support.  Some seemed a little surprised by our flamboyance, for sure, but I didn’t hear any ugly comments from the crowd.  If anything, they seemed mostly entertained. 

As for the comments above, I am really sorry that these people feel threatened by our lifestyle.  Perhaps if we hadn’t been locked up in the closet for so long we wouldn’t feel the need to come busting out quite so loudly.  I hope they noticed that we were fenced in at the park, as much to protect the community from us, I think, as to protect us from the community at large. And yes, there was security.  For the most part we are a gentle people, happy and gay, but sometimes an outsider will enter our midst and stir up trouble.  We are not the people who steal your childrens bikes, or break into your houses,  rape your women, or shoot your sons.  But we are citizens, we do pay taxes, we do contribute to this community as much as anyone else, and we do have a RIGHT to use Ann Morrison park for our celebration.  So, if you are worried about your children seeing us, or about losing your close-minded, white breaded little bubble of bigoted, backwards Utopia, then STAY AWAY from our fence, because we ARE NOT going back in the closet. 

Oh, and by the way, I am a 4th generation Idahoan, and I am not proud of people like you who have given Boise and Idaho a reputation for being bigoted.

Major props to Boise, Idaho and to all Midwestern and Southern Pride events everywhere.

The same sex marriage fight and LGBT acceptance in the easy states of the upper eastern seaboard and California is almost done.

Pennsylvania, Midwest and the South is where the hardest and final push LGBT equality is going to take place and we must get ready for the fight, and we must start now.

REDDIT To Go Dark in Protest Of SOPA On 1/18, Wikipedia And Others May Follow Suit

Entertainment, Events, Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, Gay News From Around The Globe, , , , , ,

Reddit, the popular social news website has announced that it will go dark for 12 hours to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, on Jan. 18 for 12 hours, starting at 8 a.m. E.T. During that time, the site’s content will be replaced with “a simple message about how the PIPA/SOPA legislation would shut down sites like reddit, link to resources to learn more, and suggest ways to take action.”

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales has said that he hopes to coordinate with the site so that Wikipedia does the same Google, Twitter and Facebook have all been rumored to be participating because of comments made by NetCoalition’s Markham Erickson but may also be seeking alternative ways of protesting in thier own right.

Source

Bullied Teen Luke Herbert Demands and Gets Public Apology From Teacher Who Harassed Him

Uncategorized, , , , ,

15 year old Flagler Palm Coast High School student  Luke Herbert (pictured left) who was harassed  and bullied for being gay by both students and one of his teachers Floyd Binkley who told other students that by storing their soda in the same refidgerator as Lukes would turn them gay with the help of the ACLU has demanded and won public apologies from both the school and teacher involved. 

“I reported the bullying to the administration but it never seemed to change anything. I felt alone and it made me stop wanting to go to school,” said Luke. “My breaking point came when one of my teachers started telling anti-gay jokes and mocking me in front of the entire class.”
Via FlagerLive

After attempting unsuccessfully to change classes, Luke quit going to school two months ago. In the meantime, Luke’s mother hired Phil Chanfrau, an attorney, the American Civil Liberties Union got involved, the school investigated, and earlier today, the ACLU and School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin said a settlement was reached: Binkley will publicly apologize, though Luke is not returning to FPC this year. He’ll continue his work through Florida Virtual School, and will have the option of either returning to FPC next fall, transferring to Matanzas or continuing with virtual school.

School officials, according to the ACLU, acknowledged that Luke’s harassment had not been handled as swiftly as it should have been and several missteps had occurred: a conference between him and a guidance counselor was also misinterpreted as a confidential conversation, rather than a call to action, which caused a delay in the school’s response.

The district officially reprimanded the teacher who harassed Luke in class, in writing—but no suspension—and agreed to a series of actions to make amends for the impact the bullying had on Luke and prevent any further bullying and harassment of Flagler County School District students. The district agreed to recommend that the school board add protections for “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to the Student Code of Conduct and the school district’s bullying and harassment policy

Binkley, a 21-year veteran, has apologized privately to Luke. But the student asked that the apology, like the offense, be made publicly. That will take place by way of a video public service announcement featuring Binkley

Bravo to Luke and the ACLU for making an example out of the teacher and the pushing the Flagler Palm Coast High School towork on this problem and with Luke.

Where I personally would like to see the teacher Floyd Binkley fired (and punlically flogged) for the harassment he heaped on this poor kid.  Public shaming is good start.  Maybe when the ugliness of these people on the inside is held up for all the world to see in the light of day then and only then wil all this insanity stop.

MORE examples like this need to be made. 

Palm Spings Man Richard Noble Makes A Statement Of Protest Over Teen Bullying and Suicides – We Must ALL Do Something

Uncategorized, , , ,

We are in the midst of a horrible epidemic.  An epidemic of LGBT teen suicide and violence. And while Gay Inc, and those in Government both gay and straight remain eerily silent about it bloggers and individuals have begun to up the torch to try to do something, anything to raise awareness and try to stop what is happening to LGBT youth.  Most notable has been Dan Savage’s “It Gets Better” program  which has LGBT adults posting messages on YouTube to give teens hope that it will indeed get better with time.

In Palm Springs, CA  Richard Noble is also doing his part to raise awareness. Richard is protesting the bullying of gay teens and plans to sit at a city corner of at Tahquitz Canyon Way and North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs to protest bullying every day for the foreseeable future besides him was a sign saying “homophobia and bullies kill” and a photo of Asher Brown, a 13-year-old Houston boy who shot himself Sept. 23 after he was bullied by classmates who thought he was gay.

I applaud Ricahrd Nobel and I applaud Dan Savage.  This is something that we allneed to step up for and fight against.  We must all start to raise awareness, and fight back for our little brothers and sisters who cannot defend themselves.  And while “Fuckwits of the Family” and others pretend that this is not an issue and that it will destroy American Family  “values” to protect gay children.  (Just how evil are they, I mean really think about it)  We must stand up for the youth.  We have to stand up to their bullies and our bullies like FOTF and others. 

We must not only give the message of hope to the young and raise awareness but we must also FIGHT BACK.  For the kids and for us.  Because as far as bullies go.  Weather they be jocks in High School, or sanctimonious hateful bigot right wing “Christomaniacs” it’s also important to stand up to them and fight. It’s old advice, but it’s true. Pick the ringleaders and give back as good as you get.

We ALL must do something about this.  (And believe me when I say it would give me GREAT PLEASURE to kick Tony Perkins; redheaded ass.