I developed physically and mentally to take such a big step in my life and in my profession, which is boxing, knowing that it would have pros and cons, highs and lows in this sport that is so macho. I kept this hidden for many, many years.Puerto Rican featherweight boxer Orlando Cruz • Revealing his homosexuality in an Associated Press interview — making him one of the first openly gay professional athletes still in active competition. The 31-year-old Cruz, who has a WBO Latino title match in two weeks, made the announcement with the full support of his family. Response has been positive so far, by the way — as it should be.
Pro-gay marriage ads using straight people to push message: This may sound like a contradiction, but apparently it’s not. “The moderate tough guys we need to flip to win a couple of these races are still the ones who say that gays are gross,” explains fundraising consultant Andy Szekeres (who, by the way, is gay). “Pushing people to an uncomfortable place, it’s something you can’t do in a TV ad.”
Today is a big day for hip-hop. It is a day that will define who we really are. How compassionate will we be? How loving can we be? How inclusive are we?Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons • Discussing R&B artist Frank Ocean’s decision to publicly reveal that his first love was a man. (He did so in a Tumblr post, posting an image that was initially intended for the record sleeve in his upcoming album, Channel Orange.) That makes him one of the few mainstream hip-hop musicians to openly discuss having a same-sex relationship. He was careful, however, not to describe himself as gay. While Simmons and fellow Odd Future cohort Tyler, the Creator (who has himself faced heat for using homophobic slurs) were quick to give Ocean credit, a quick Twitter search shows that not everyone agrees. But considering hip-hop culture once birthed the catchphrase “no homo,” this seems like a pretty big step.
Today in Anderson Cooper making people look stupid simply by asking questions: This lady. It may be the best entry in this subgenre of news since this video. (via pbump)
My friends, whether they be homosexual or not, know me, and they know that I’m not bigoted.Chris Christie • Regarding his recent veto of a bill that would have legalized gay marriage in New Jersey. Politicians who oppose marriage equality use this defense a lot, because hey, it’s easy to speak on behalf of your unnamed gay friends and say that they’re cool with your anti-gay marriage views. Any of Christie’s gay friends care to come forward and confirm this? source (via • follow)
A member of my cabinet was gay.Mitt Romney • Validating his gay-rights record. Rick Santorum got the question, too, in which he claimed that, if his son was gay, he’d love him just as much as he did the second before he said it.
Just when you thought Barack Obama couldn’t get any more out of touch with America’s values, AP reports his administration wants to make foreign aid decisions based on gay rights. …This administration’s war on traditional American values must stop.A statement by Rick Perry • Criticizing President Obama over a memorandum he issued today, which stated broad support for advancing LGBT rights and protecting them from violence. It explicitly mentions the efforts of foreign governments to criminalize LGBT persons (the state of affairs in Uganda the last few years being one such galling example), and states that foreign aid will be directed to promote LGBT human rights. Rick Perry (clearly attempting to spark some momentum for his flat-lined bid for the GOP presidential nomination), decided to pounce, saying further: “Investing tax dollars promoting a lifestyle many Americas of faith find so deeply objectionable is wrong. President Obama has again mistaken America’s tolerance for different lifestyles with an endorsement of those lifestyles. I will not make that mistake.” source (via • follow)
Rest In Peace Stuart Walker. A 28 year old, gay man who was beaten and tied to a lamp-post at the earlier hours of Saturday morning. He was then set on fire, and burnt to death. Homosexuality is found in over 400 species, homophobia is found in one. So, which is natural now?
This made me tear up. I don’t want to understand people anymore.
For those needing context, The Telegraph has more about this awful story.
When i found out that Jamey Rodemeyer killed himself — I felt deeply troubled. But when I found out that Jamey Rodemeyer had made an it gets better video only months before taking his own life — I felt indescribable despair. I also made an it gets better video last year—in the wake of the senseless and tragic gay teen suicides that were sweeping the nation at the time. But in light of Jamey’s death — it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it — is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.“Star Trek” and “Heroes” star Zachary Quinto, explaining why he chose to come out. To put it simply, 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer’s death really hit him hard. “Jamey Rodemeyer’s life changed mine,” he writes. “And while his death only makes me wish that i had done this sooner — I am eternally grateful to him for being the catalyst for change within me.” Coming out on its own is a brave move; but Quinto’s emotionally complex reasons for doing so only give the decision higher impact.
A couple hints: He took over an iconic role in a remake a couple years back. He’s also known for playing a villain.
EDIT: OK, OK, It’s Zachary Quinto. Read his reasons why. They’re pretty powerful.
In 2007, I was...
I started tumblr when I was at one of the lowest points of...
Exclusive: How the Syrian Electronic Army hacked the...
soon
Yahumblr.
Google found the...
There was no open support of gay marriage in tonight’s speech, but Obama did speak out in favor of more equality for gays. The president, fresh off his success with the full repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” continued pushing for his view on the Defense of Marriage Act — ”It should join ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in the history books,” he said — and emphasized the hard work that he’s done for the gay rights movement over the past three years. (He also, when bringing up his jobs bill, dropped a couple of government-related lines that will anger those on the right, such as “I believe in a big America”.) While Obama has yet to come out in support for gay marriage (perhaps his most puzzling view), he has done more for gay rights than any president, ever. Still, his view on gay marriage is one that was likely on the minds of many listening to Obama. Here’s how his views have changed on the still-controversial issue over the years:
(pic via Twitter user Johnny Lee)
Copyright 2009-2013 Ernie Smith • Ask us stuff! • E-mail us • Follow us on Twitter • Follow us on Facebook
