Tag Archives: straight allies

Henry Rollins on the Obergefell v. Hodges Ruling: “The skies have not darkened with locusts.”

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Henry Rollins naked

 

Ex-Black Flag lead singer and musician, writer, journalist, and activist Henry Rollins, took to the pages of  LA Weekly to make a statement about the SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriage and that the haters should just chill the f#@k out.  And so should everyone else.

“I am hoping that, in time, Obergefell v. Hodges will be seen in the same way asLoving v. Virginia – inevitable and a sign of social evolution in America. I bet two people of the same sex who want to get married don’t think they are going to have a ‘gay wedding.’ By wanting to get married in the first place, they show their dedication both to each other and to tradition. Wanting to get married is a freakin’ billboard for normality and inclusion. I wish the ‘You lost! Deal with it!’ talk would stop. I can understand where it comes from but it doesn’t make anything better. There were no losers, in my opinion. To those who disagree with same-sex marriage because it offends their faith, I would say your beliefs are still yours to have. The wisdom, peace and clarity that faith has allowed you to have are still intact. No word of any religious text has been changed or its power reduced. There is a lot of room in America; it allows all to move freely. All the wedding photographs popping up on the Internet should be enough to convince anyone that this was a great decision. Take Jack Evans and George Harris, for example — together for 54 years, in Texas of all places, finally able to get hitched. I am looking at them now. The skies have not darkened with locusts and tomorrow there will be traffic. I do believe we will be OK.” 

And while I do love me some Henry Rollins and he is right on may points in his piece I do think he’s giving the anti-marriage crowd too much credit. And we do deserve a bit of a gloat after a long and hard fought battle.

Chris Kluwe To Sochi Olympic Athletes: If You Say Nothing In Russia The World Will Remember

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Chris KluweHOT

Phenomenal LGBT Straight ally Chris Kluwe is calling on Olympic athletes to speak up on the human rights abuses administered by the Russian government against its LGBT citizens.

Said Kluwe in the article he wrote for the Guardian:

“What is the true price of fame? The price of fame is what you risk when you have the platform. As an athlete, a role model for society, people listen to you. As an athlete, when you make a statement, that statement is heard, no matter what that statement is. Speak up for LBGTQ rights, for human rights, for empathy? The world will pay attention, and take notice. Stay silent, keep your head down, count the money and endorsements? The world will pay attention, and take notice. Either way, you’re the one who has to live with what you did or didn’t do. I hope that athletes speak out at Sochi on LBGTQ issues, even knowing the possible risks that await them.

“I know that it could cost them their livelihoods, their careers, everything they’ve worked towards. I know that it can lead to recriminations, harsh words from a public who just wants their entertainment, no matter how much blood it’s packaged in. I know that it’s one of the hardest steps a person can take, and that there is no guarantee of a reward at the end, other than knowing you did the right thing at the right time with nothing to show for it but angry tweets and emails tempered by the messages of support and affection from those in whose lives you made a difference, those currently being abused by the oppressive and ignorant.” 

In the opening of the piece, Kluwe never for a loss of words slammed Sochi’s corporate sponsors suggesting certain replacement marketing slogans: “Today’s refreshing anti-gay beating brought to you by Coca-Cola!”

You gotta love this man.

Vikings Coach “Nuke Gays Till They Glow” Mike Priefer: I Deny The Charges Made By Chris Kluwe

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Mike Priefer

“I vehemently deny today’s allegations made by Chris Kluwe. I want to be clear that I do not tolerate discrimination of any type and am respectful of all individuals. I personally have gay family members who I love and support just as I do any family member. The primary reason I entered coaching was to affect people in a positive way. As a coach, I have always created an accepting environment for my players, including Chris, and have looked to support them both on and off the field. The comments today have not only attacked my character and insulted my professionalism, but they have also impacted my family. While my career focus is to be a great professional football coach, my number one priority has always been to be a protective husband and father to my wife and children. I will continue to work hard for the Minnesota Vikings, the Wilf family and all of our loyal fans.” – Vikings special teams coach Mike Preifer, in a statement published by NBC Sports.

When a bigot says he “loves” and “supports” a gay family member, he means he “ministers the truth of Jesus to” (i.e. viciously condemns) that gay family member and tries to force the gay family member into an “ex gay” conversion program.   That’s what Christian bigots mean by “love” and “support.”

In other news it its been discovered that Mike Preifer’s “gay family member” is also Sarah Palin’s “gay best friend”.  Harvey Preifer is reported to be 6 feet tall and a rabbit.

LGBT Ally Chris Kluwe: “I Got Fired From The Vikings Because Of My Gay Marriage Activism”

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Chris Kluwe OMG

“Hello. My name is Chris Kluwe, and for eight years I was the punter for the Minnesota Vikings. In May 2013, the Vikings released me from the team. At the time, quite a few people asked me if I thought it was because of my recent activism for same-sex marriage rights, and I was very careful in how I answered the question. My answer, verbatim, was always, ‘I honestly don’t know, because I’m not in those meetings with the coaches and administrative people.’ This is a true answer. I honestly don’t know if my activism was the reason I got fired. However, I’m pretty confident it was. [snip]

“It’s my belief, based on everything that happened over the course of 2012, that I was fired by Mike Priefer, a bigot who didn’t agree with the cause I was working for, and two cowards, Leslie Frazier and Rick Spielman, both of whom knew I was a good punter and would remain a good punter for the foreseeable future, as my numbers over my eight-year career had shown, but who lacked the fortitude to disagree with Mike Priefer on a touchy subject matter. (Frazier was fired on Monday, at the conclusion of a 5-10-1 season.) [snip]

[One time] As we sat down in our chairs, Mike Priefer, in one of the meanest voices I can ever recall hearing, said: “We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows.” The room grew intensely quiet, and none of the players said a word for the rest of the meeting. The atmosphere was decidedly tense. I had never had an interaction that hostile with any of my teammates on this issue—some didn’t agree with me, but our conversations were always civil and respectful. Afterward, several told me that what Mike Priefer had said was “messed up.”

One of the main coaching points I’ve heard throughout my entire life is, ‘How you respond to difficult situations defines your character,’ and I think it’s a good saying. I also think it applies to more than just the players.” – Chris Kluwe, (Do yourself a favor and read the whole posting over at Deadspin

Knuckle-dragging bigotry in the NFL?  Now there’s a shocker.

I absolutely believe Chris.  He’s handled this whole thing with class and grace. No malice, despite everything they were putting him through with the Vikings.  He’s a good man and an excellent ally to have on your side and I thank him.

As for the Minnesota Vikings….. FUCK YOU!

 

WATCH: Shirtless Ben Cohen Does The Paso Doble on Strictly Come Dancing – Video

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Big, buff and beefy Ben Cohen and whats-her-name (Kristina Rihanoff) danced the Paso Doble to ‘Supermassive Black Hole’ in a Strictly Come Dancing Halloween special.

Oh yeah and as a Halloween TREAT Ben did it without a shirt.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ben Cohen caused quite a stir on the Strictly dance floor after he shed his shirt to perform the Paso Doble. The rugby ace had previously made an impact when he stripped to a vest to perform the salsa with partner Kristina Rihanoff – but took thinks one step further with Saturday’s semi-clad performance. And unsurprisingly viewers flocked to Twitter to give the performance a resounding thumbs-up. ‘Ben Cohen becoming my fav #strictly contestant! Nothing to go with being topless…..much!’ tweeted one viewer, while another said: ‘Ben Cohen 10/10 for just existing.’ Another added: ‘In my humble opinion, Ben Cohen’s dance tonight just wasn’t long enough’, while a fellow fan tweeted: ‘Ben Cohen with no top on is all Strictly needs.’

I’ve watched it three times and my eyes can’t make it to the bottom of the screen to judge his footwork.

U.S. Runner Nick Symmonds Speaks Out Against Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws While On Russian Soil

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Nick Symmonds naked

U.S. Runner Nick Symmonds made headlines yesterday by winning the silver medal of the Men’s 800-meter at the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championship in Moscow and defying Russian law by dedicating his silver medal to all of his gay friends and publically speaking out against Russia’s draconian anti-gay laws

Symmonds told RiaNovosti:

“As much as I can speak out about it, I believe that all humans deserve equality as however God made them. Whether you’re gay, straight, black, white, we all deserve the same rights. If there’s anything I can do to champion the cause and further it, I will, shy of getting arrested.”

RiaNovosti is also reporting that Symmonds is the first athlete to publicly criticize Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay propaganda laws while on Russian soil. Several news outlets are speculating whether Symmonds words, as careful as they were,  put him at risk of being arrested.

Creator Of Spartacus: Blood And Sand Steven DeKnight Wards Off Homophobia On Twitter

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DeKnight_Inked

I always try to find people that stand out and exemplify what an advocate for the LGBT community that don’t get enough recognition. And creator, writer of the STARZ hit Spartacus series Steven DeKnight is one of those people. He doesn’t do it as some in thing to do. He supports LGBT rights because like us, he knows that they are human rights. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel writer does an incredible job as a straight man illustrating gay men and women because he understands that we the same as everyone else.

DeKnight has dealt with relentless homophobia from so called fans of the series because of the fearless approach he takes in developing LGBT characters and their love lives. Most notably the homophobia comes as a result of the story of Agron And Nassir, two men that are high ranking generals in Spartacus’ rebellion against Rome. Some fans have been bold (or ignorant or both) to criticize how authentic the relationship is because of their love scenes as well as day to day interactions that every couple have each day.

DeKnight is quick to call out homophobia on twitter. Usually with a quick quip or flat out blunt honesty, he gets across that he is not a fan of bigotry or hate in any form. Even today he commented on an asinine tweet asking him to diminish the gay soldiers’ role on the hit tv drama. Here’s a few examples you can see on his twitter page:

deknight2

deknight1

 

He even takes the naysayers to task on Facebook, setting boisterous derelicts with nothing better to do than to disparage how two people should be able to express love to each other in whatever way they so choose:

It’s not hard to find examples of DeKnight’s honesty and compassion for equal rights. And that is what makes him an advocate and an ally to our community.  Thanks again Steven for all that you do. Gratitude.

..plus he’s worked with Joss Whedon so that makes him extra cool.

Straight French Members of Parliament Kiss To Show Solidarity For Gay Marriage

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Straight French MPs kiss

With the French National Assembly beginning its debate on same-sex marriage equality today wo straight French members of parliament took matters into their own hands and lips to show that they are strongly behind gay marriage.

From Gay Star News:

Two straight French members of parliament decided to show their solidarity with gay rights advocates in their own way – they kissed. Socialist MPs Yann Galut and Nicolas Bays joined the ‘Marriage for All’ protests on Sunday (27 January), where a reported quarter of a million people marched across the country.  Galut said: ‘We’re both straight, we’re both married with children. But today with the kiss of solidarity, it meant we, as parliamentary members who start fighting for same-sex marriage legislation in two days, we stand in solidarity with homosexuals. ‘We stand in solidarity with their demands.’

Sometimes, it is the simplest of acts that symbolize the most.
 Chris Kluwe really needs to start doing this and I volunteer to help him.   Pretty please.