HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!

In Louisville for the day and going to see Lion King in Indianapolis tomorrow, but I'll be back on Saturday... in time for Stupid Joke Saturday (and for a night out at the Dirty Dirty Dock :-)).

But, for now, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!



MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!

(and watch out for your bikini lines!)

Guest Blogger @ Rainbow Cincinnati

Jason Boeckman of Miami University provides us with the first guest blog at QueerCincinnati's column over at Rainbow Cincinnati. Your preview:

I am one student voice. And you don’t have to agree with me. But all I ask, Miami, is that you please listen to me and hear me out.

Despite the rain, I stood at the steps of Cincinnati City Hall Saturday afternoon as part of a nationwide movement in protest of California’s Proposition 8. No doubt you’ve heard of it. Aside from the presidential contest, it became the highest-funded campaign on any ballot in our nation Nov. 4, the campaigns for and against the proposition raising a combined $73.4 million dollars. That’s a lot of money. Money that isn’t feeding our nation’s homeless and hungry, or supporting our schools, or combating crime like drug trafficking.

This must be pretty important, to neglect such extremely pressing social issues, you might ask? You bet this is important. Because what’s at the heart of all this is exactly that: the human heart. And for many Americans, the human heart is aching. And the human heart cannot believe, cannot understand: How could this have happened?

But the human heart is strong. And the human heart is taking action.
(click here for full article)

And don't forget to check out all the wonderful stuff on QueerCincinnati's column over yonder (by clicking here), and the fabulous stuff at Rainbow Cincinnati (by clicking on the image below).

FLORIDA GAY ADOPTION BAN OVERTURNED!

From the AP:

Florida's strict law banning adoption of children by gay people was found unconstitutional Tuesday by a state judge who declared there was no legal or scientific reason for sexual orientation alone to prohibit anyone from adopting.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman said the 31-year-old law violates equal protection rights for the children and their prospective gay parents, rejecting the state's arguments that there is "a supposed dark cloud hovering over homes of homosexuals and their children." She also noted that gay people are allowed to be foster parents in Florida.

Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union, who represent gay foster parent Martin Gill, said the case was the first in the nation in which numerous experts in child psychology, social work and other fields testified that there is no science to justify a gay adoption ban.

"There is no 'morality' interest with regard to one group of individuals permitted to form the visage of a family in one context but prohibited in another," Lederman wrote in a 53-page decision. "There is no rational basis to prohibit gay parents from adopting."

This is, of course, step one. However, this is a great step in the right direction. But no comes the national response, and the money pouring in, and the lobbying, and the pundits, etc. etc. etc.

But let's be happy for right now.

Updated Battle of the Blogs Link!!!

So the fabulous Lauren over at Freestore Foodbank has given me my own donation link here!!!

Please donate -- I got a few emails saying they did, but it looks like it kicked it over for Kate.

C'est ca... I don't mind helping her out.

After all, I'll still kick her behind :-).

A note about my "weekly" column...

You remember, the one I wrote over at RainbowCincinnati every week?

Right. Well, it's been three months since I've done anything with it. I just posted this on the site.

Many Apologies...
...for not posting over here in a long time. School kinda came crashing down on me this semester as well as the 100s upon 100s of things that I get myself involved with.

Why do I know this is about to turn back around? I'm making lists of topics again.

See, part of my process for writing is simply writing down what I want to write in the future. It's stage one before I pick a topic and run with it. I actually had a moment this weekend and wrote down a list of six topics.

Does it mean it's going somewhere? Of course not, but at least I'm starting to re-engage my brain over here. I promise you all will hear from me the minute finals are over :-)

Much love to all of you.
Barry
QueerCincinnati.com

IE: You'll start hearing from me again soon over there.

In the meantime, head on over to that site, and make sure you read mine and Darren's columns.

AUSTRALIAN (hetero) SEX PARTY!!!

From Fox News... no, really... I'm not joking.

An Australian nude resort wants to bring back swingers and sex parties in a bid to boost sagging tourism figures.

The White Cockatoo resort in Mossman, north Queensland, is promoting an adults-only "anything goes" month of hedonism for March next year.

Owner of the White Cockatoo, Tony Fox, this week said it was time to lift a self-imposed swinger ban.

"Tough economic times call for stiff measures," Fox said. "We've taken the bull by the horns and it's going nuts; we're close to fully booked.

"It will be a hedonism resort, where anything goes for a month. We're not using the words sex or swingers, but it doesn't take rocket science to work out what it means."

I am LMAO at the double entendres in the quotes.

Fabulous Video about International Politics

Most fabulous YouTube video ever.



What does it mean to you?

Thanks to the Have Coffee Will Write blog

Cincinnati Women's Bloggers Holiday Social

Aight, gusy and gals. 'Tis the season -- HOHOHO (well, almost). But I wanted to call everyone's attention to an event I will be attending...
The Cincinnati Women Bloggers site is fabulous and fierce and written by strong, intelligent, independent women who have something to say. I have met, I think, all of the contributors and they are some of the most genuine and wonderful people you will ever come into contact with.

If you go to the link (by clicking the picture above, or here) you can vote (until 11/29) for the charity that the event will benefit. I won't tell you who is currently in the lead, though I have to say it's not the one I voted for :-(. But they are all three such great charities (Women Helping Women, the Interfaith Hospitality Network, and the Freestore Foodbank)that it's hard to be angry at them. 

This is me confirming my attendance and recommending that the rest of you do, too.

"Phenomenal Woman," Maya Angelou

Something about this poem rings true to me. 

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me. 

Fabulous, lovely, and amazing. I dedicate this post to all the phenomenal women I know, have known, and will come to know. 

So, to my mother, my grandmothers, my sisters, my aunts (Floores, Hoovers, and otherwise)... 

To all of my college friends (Miami and Christ)...

To all of my colleagues (at the clown, at the ED, at every place I've ever worked)...

To all of my blogger girls (Katy, Shannan, Amy, Liz, etc.)...

To all of the women in my community who work so hard to make it better and, every day, inspire me (JB, LL, KL, LM, etc.)...

To all the boys who might as well be women (coughcoughVivicacoughcough)...

And to every last one of the phenomenal women who make me a better person, a better man, and a stronger me.

Freestore Foodbank, Battle of the Blogs

After about ... well, three ... emails and comments that QueerCincinnati, the most prominent and prolific LGBT blog in the city (JB-- you're right, I'm such a self-promoter), was not participating in the Freestore Foodbanks' Battle of the Blogs to raise money and food...

...I had to relent. (Link to the Freestore Foodbank)

Mainly, though because I believe in the cause and am dramatically impressed with the outpouring of support that people have shown for this. And I think people comign together to do something good is an amazing and inspiring thing. 

The reason I haven't participated yet is that, though I have a lot of hits every day, I don't have an active readership base. That is, with a few exceptions (B

oy inthe Floppy Hat, the Seeker, Jere, Miss Chanak, my mom, etc.), I don't get a lot of interaction with people who read my blog, and I'm concerned that no one will do anything.

So, now I'm asking two things: 

TO THE OTHER GAY BLOGGERS IN TOWN: For each of you that blog the Battle of the Blogs in Cincinnati, I will donated $10 to the Freestore Foodbank (I'm poor, I don't have $200 on hand ready should I get a lot of response like Bearman, who is now blogrolled, I'm limiting it to $100). There must be two things: q) you MUST have me blogrolled :-) (I'm such a whore),  and 2) you must tell me that you've blogged it and link to the blog (and you have to be an LGBT or friendly blogger -- and you can be an out of towner). This is in the hopes that blogge

rs with more active readership, or who have a more extensive network of people who engage in discussion/etc. will help out.

TO ALL OF MY OTHER READERS IN TOWN AND ABROAD: Please please please donate by this easy online form. And all of you will be getting emails. If you do donate, make sure you post a comment and let me know. 

Oh, and I have a lot of canned vegetables. They are going. Oh, and I am putting the word out to school. So, um, yea.

UPDATE: I am inviting all of you to bring me canned and boxed goods. I will place boxes at work and at school. Hopefully it's not too late to start this little campaign. :-) The picture below is my personal donation from my own closet. Hey, I'm poor. I don't have a lot -- HA!

When is this shindig over and when are going to do the big delivery?

Movie Review: FLOORED BY LOVE

This is another bargain bin at Blockbuster purchase.

Apparently, I have a thing for gay movies about Asians. It's very strange, really, as the only other official LGBT movie review I did was about Ethan Mao, also about a gay Asian family accepting sexuality. Stranger and stranger. 

This movie is about two story lines that occur on two floors in an apartment building. On the top floor, we have a Canadian-Asian lesbian couple that is having trouble getting their families to accept them while being in love, and while discussing their own possible impending marriage in light of their brother's. The second story is about the return of a (freshly out) gay boy's gay dad, and the strain it puts on the relationship with his stepdad. 

It's adorable, but not really that interesting. Let's cover the basic points:

1) Script -- Weak. Weak. Weak. I mean, yea, it's charming and means well, but there is nothing funny or even remotely meaningful about it. The plot is typical and expected. (Is anyone surprised that the prodigal gay dad swoops into town after two years, makes extravagant promises to his newly out 14-year old gay son, only to then disappoint the son?) Nothing added to the world, really, in terms of fun one liners either. I don't get the addition of the whole makeover thing. It seemed plugged in. I feel like it needed a mashup and a theme song... 

2) Acting -- They are trying really hard. Or not trying hard at all. It's like the director said, "Act natural" and they got all self conscious and decided to get weird. It's very... strange. Feels like a high school play sometimes. And the fake Japanese accent on the mom-in-law is something awful.

3) Overall -- It's only 50 minutes long -- no really -- only 50 minutes. It's bearable for 50 minutes, but totally not worth it if you have to buy it full price. I got it for $4, so it's reasonable for that piece. But it doesn't leave you with anything special. You kinda just go "oh, it's over," and you move on with your life. Other people have praised it for its views of multiculturalism and sexual diversity. I say... skip it and watch something else.

Short review, but it was a short flick...

BOTTOM

Thanks to Trevor Hoppe for helping me say this loud and proud...

I'm a BOTTOM and I'm proud to admit it!!! :-)

And I'm saying that without the seemingly requisite "flaming" "nelly" or "queenie" (or "fag") that seems to permeate the rhetoric of anal sex. I'm a bottom and I am whatever I want to be.

Blogroll updates

It's been a long time since I've really written about updates to my blogroll, but I wanted to call out some new additions.

1. Cincinnati Beacon -- I got word today that we have been posted on the Cincinnati Beacon website! :-) That's really exciting, and, of course, I added the right back. 

2. Cory @ I'll Keep You Posted -- Local queer person of color. HA! I totally just subdivided you into your respective categories. LOL Do you feel marginalized? :-) He's fabulous and we met during the planning of the protest.

3. Expert in the Rough -- I don't know how I got this, but I like his little blog. It's very... inspirational.

4. GameLuv.com -- Met these kids at the OTRTweetUp. I love a good video game nerd, so, of course, I love them. Though I'm still stuck on my GameCube.

5. Mr. Guilt's Blog -- Met him at the OTRTweetUp. 

6. Cincinnati Women Bloggers -- Written by some of my favorite bloggers of all time, and they are hosting a fabulous soiree on the 15th of December. Fun... the Monday after classes end. Of course I will be there. Duh.

7. the gay revolution -- you know Mama loves a goodlooking queer revolutionary. :-)

8. JointheImpact.com -- Duh.

You'll also noticed I've rearranged the side bar so that the local queer bloggers come first (duh), and the Cincinnati bloggers second. The Cincy bloggers have been so fabulous and so wonderful, that I couldn't keep them on the bottom anymore.

As a nod to my dear friend TrevorHoppe ... not that there's anything wrong with being on the bottom.

And so it begins...

I wondered if our new Democratic president would let us down. This didn't take long.

From the Washington Post:

President-elect Barack Obama will not move for months, and perhaps not until 2010, to ask Congress to end the military's decades-old ban on open homosexuals in the ranks, two people who have advised the Obama transition team on this issue say.

Repealing the ban was an Obama campaign promise. However, Mr. Obama first wants to confer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his new political appointees at the Pentagon to reach a consensus and then present legislation to Congress, the advisers said.

"I think 2009 is about foundation building and reaching consensus," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. The group supports military personnel targeted under the ban.

Thanks, Obama. Change you can wait for.

Type-alyzer: ESFP

The latest thing make the blog rounds is the Typalyzer, which checks out your blog and, based on the words you use and a few other things they can generically check out via random computer code, this is what my blog says about me...

ESFP: The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves. 

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

Not so bad, actually.

I've looked up a few of you btw. It appears a lot of my blog friends are of the same variety. Makes sense, actually.

STUPID JOKE SATURDAY

It's about time... Anyone who knows me, knows that you put a little liquor in me and ask for a joke, these are what you'll get. And, now for Mary Jane jokes...

---

One day, Mary Jane was pushing her little brother in a stroller. At the end of the road, she pushed him down a hill. 

Everyone screamed, MARY JANE MARY JANE YOU CAN'T PUSH YOUR LITTLE BROTHER DOWN A HILL.

And Marry Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew there was a stop sign at the bottom of that hill.

---

One day, Mary Jane was sitting at home playing video games. All of a sudden, her mom came running up the stairs.

She screamed, MARY JANE MARY JANE YOU CAN'T BE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WATCHING YOUR LITTLE BROTHER!

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew her brother was still at the bottom of that hill.

---

Mary Jane was walking down the street and saw sign that said "Felt, $0.10."

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew she could get felt for free.

---

One day, Mary Jane burnt down the family barn. Her mother came running out of the house.

She screamed, MARY JANE MARY JANE YOU CAN'T BURN DOWN THE BARN. WHEN YOUR FATHER GETS HOME YOU'LL BE IN BIG TROUBLE.

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew her daddy was inside of the barn.

---

Mary Jane went to the doctor, and the doctor said, CONGRATULATIONS MARY JANE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TWINS.

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew she had only done it once.

---

Mary Jane was up in her room reading a dirty book. All of her sudden, her daddy came running up the stairs, grabbed the book, and threw it against the wall.

And Mary Jane.... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew what page she was on.

---

Mary Jane was walking a dark street when a man pulled her into an alley and started pulling off all of her clothes.

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew that those clothes would never fit him.

---

Mary Jane was driving through the mountains one day and drove off the cliff.

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew that car didn't have airbrakes.

---

Mary Jane was swinging on the swing set in a dress, going higher and higher. Her mother came running out of the house.

She yelled, MARY JANE MARY JANE YOU CAN'T DO THAT! THE BOYS WILL SEE YOUR UNDERWEAR!

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew she wasn't wearing any underwear.

---

Mary Jane was, appropriately, place in a mental health institution. One day, she saw a man fall into the pool and start to drown. She dove in and saved his life.

Later that day, she met with the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist said, WELL MARY JANE, I HAVE GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS FOR YOU. THE GOOD NEWS IS CLEARLY YOU AREN'T INSANE BECAUSE YOU PROVED THAT YOU CARE ABOUT HUMAN LIFE THIS MORNING. THE BAD NEWS, THE MAN WAS TRYING TO COMMIT SUICIDE AND HUNG HIMSELF LATER IN THE DAY.

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew she had just hung the man up to dry.

---

Mary Jane was crossing the street with her mother, when her mom bent down to pick up a quarter. All of a sudden, her mom was hit by a bus.

And Mary Jane... she just laughed and laughed.

She knew it was only a nickel.

OTRTweetUp

Our ladies (Kate the Great, RedKatBlonde, Julie, and Amy) with George from Metronation!

Many thanks to Kate the Great and AmyInOhio and the hundres of others who posted (and reposted and reposted...) the information about the #OTRTweetUp last night... It was a blast!!! Went to Lavomatic with everyone  afterwards for some food -- first time there! It wasn't bad...

Oh, ended up at the triple thread of homosexuality -- BronZ, Bullie's, and Serpent -- afterwards. I'm going to say this: I think I'm through with drunken college boys. 

I didn't say I was, I just think  I am. In short, shoulda gone with the ladies to the Fashion Show at Twist. 

PS If you added me on Twitter, I have probably added you on my blogroll. Just check it out! :-)

International Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today is International Transgender Day of Remembrance, in honor of all those who have died or injured due to anti-trans bias and hate.

TransOhio is planning a memorial ceremony in Columbus.

We honor you, my brothers and sisters.

From the Transgender Day of Remembrance Webcomics Project.

MILK by Gus Van Sant

I am so obscenely excited to see this movie. I have not been to see a movie in a theatre ... well, I want to say since the last Harry Potter movie. Really. I wait until it comes out on DVD.

This time, I'm going :-). Who's coming with me.



And if you ever wanted to hear the quote that's flying around the world from Milk... in his own voice... thanks to QueersUnited.



We honor you, Milk.

WEARING *WHAT* WEDNESDAY: Hugh Jackman

People just named Hugh Jackman as sexiest man alive... Meh... I don't really agree...

OK, maybe a little...

OK, maybe yea...

Yea, I wouldn't kick him out of bed.

Congratulations, Sen. Begich!

It's been a hard-won fight, but...



Congratulations Sen. Begich from Alaska!!!

The reason I find this interesting is because Mr. Begich will be the only sitting member of the Senate without a college degree.

Call to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Change is coming?

 More than 100 retired U.S. military leaders -- including the former head of the Naval Academy -- have signed a statement calling for an end to the military's "don't ask-don't tell" policy, according to a California-based think tank that supports the movement.

Retired Adm. Charles Larson, the former Naval Academy superintendent, tops the list of 104 retired general and admirals who want the government to repeal the policy, the Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, announced Monday...

The center points out that Larson, a four-star admiral who supported the measure in 1993, has changed his view on the policy. "There were a lot of witch hunts and a lot of people were turned out on that basis," he is quoted as saying in a Palm Center release....

Obama has said that as president, he would seek to repeal "don't ask-don't tell," but not by signing an executive order, as President Harry Truman did when he abolished segregation the armed services in 1948.

"I would not do it that way," he said in a September 16 interview with Philadelphia Gay News.

"The reason is because I want to make sure that when we reverse 'don't ask-don't tell,' it's gone through a process and we've built a consensus or at least a clarity of ... what my expectations are, so that it works."

"I believe that the way to do it is make sure that we are working through a process, getting the Joint Chiefs of Staff clear in terms of what our priorities are going to be. That's how we were able to integrate the armed services to get women more actively involved in the armed services.

"At some point, you've got to make a decision that that's the right thing to do, but you always want to make sure that you are doing it in a way that maintains our core mission in our military."

I don't know, we were let down the last time a Dem got into the White House. What will happen this time?

Kissing Family on SNL

Thanks to Andrew Wilson for this one this morning...



...ha. They're from Miami University. HA!

A little Thoreau...

The ways in which most men get their living, that is, live, are mere makeshifts, and a shirking of the real business of life– chiefly because they do not know, but partly because they do not mean, any better

STUPID JOKE...er... SATURDAY?

So a little late. I was otherwise occupied. But in honor, here's a great bunch of late-night comedian jokes about gay marriage:

"Some see the move as an attempt to preserve traditional values, while others see it as a cynical ploy to ensure that Vice President Dick Cheney will never have to pay for his gay daughter's wedding." --Jon Stewart

"Republicans say they plan to press for a constitution amendment to ban gay marriage. Because the founding fathers intended gay sex to be very casual. They didn't want it to be married." --Craig Ferguson

"Governor Schwarzenegger has come out against gay marriage and then he went back to slathering body oil all over his muscles in front of other guys." —Craig Kilborn

"Conservative groups are demanding that President Bush support a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. They feel that when the founding fathers were putting the Constitution together they made a mistake by not outlawing it. Have you ever seen the paintings of the founding fathers? The powdered wigs, the frilly collars, the pedal pushers — I think they were for it." —Jay Leno

"The Massachusetts court decision to allow gay marriages this week may prove to be a divisive issue in the upcoming presidential election. President Bush is likely torn because he has to protect what he sees as a sacred institution and yet he knows gay marriage would boost the economy because you know those gay guys would go all out. We're talking about designer wedding cakes, $20,000 sleeveless tuxedos, giant naked man ice sculptures that pee mojitos. They'd hire Pattie La Belle as the band, give out African parrots as party favors. It'd be ridiculous. Remember, whatever your political beliefs, a vote to allow gay marriage is a vote for a fabulous economy." --Tina Fey

"The California Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on gay marriage. Man, you thought it was bad for single women before. All the good ones are either gay or married. Now they're gay and married. ... In fact, in West Hollywood, man, guys are so happy, they were overturning each other." --Jay Leno

"A monumental victory for the gay rights movement. The California Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a ban on gay marriage. This is great news for the state's mesh tuxedo industry." --Amy Poehler

"Big vote in the Senate yesterday. They voted down the gay marriage ban. ... It was a very close vote. 43 voted 'yea.' 44 voted 'nay.' And 3 voted 'fabulous.'" --David Letterman

"The anti-gay marriage amendment: The president endorsed it. The Senate discussed it. I'm pretty sure Jerry Falwell masturbated to it." --Jon Stewart

"Ah, a constitutional process to ban gay marriage? And yet that was the only time he mentioned it until now. It's as though marriage in our country is only threatened during even numbered years. It's the cultural version of raising the terror alert. All I can say is, as election day gets closer, I would not be surprised to see a large suicide c*ck threatening Manhattan." --Jon Stewart

"Do we need a constitutional amendment? Is that the most important issue facing the country today -- gay marriage? We were off last week, so apparently, we must have caught bin Laden." --Jay Leno

And I'll leave you with my favorite...

"Do you notice gay marriage didn't become a big Republican priority until all their members started going to prison?" --Jay Leno

Media Round-up from the protest

This is going to be my half assed attempt at posting the press coverage we got for yesterday's protest. I'm not going to make commentary, because I think the news speaks for itself:

From a new blog buddy -- Corey @ I'll Keep You Posted -- who did not come but I think has a great commentary on it:

A few days before the rally, I asked a frustrated activist friend of mine about black participation, and he replied "Well Corey, there will be black LBGT attendance if you and I are there.......nothing changes until we change or nothingness".  Here in the 'Natti, I knew what to expect going in.  When the news cameras spanned the local crowd, I saw nobody that looked like me.  In all of the subsequent photos I've seen of the event, I only saw that one black face.  I spoke with a brotha who attended the New York rally, and while wonderfully attended, he lamented the fact that there was only a relative few other men of color in attendance - this in New York.  Go figure!  I'm not trying to be judgemental here, because this was to be the first time I went out to protest anything.  But I was excited about going.  I know it won't be my last opportunity, but I thought it was important because I have a most vested interest in this situation.

From JereKeys (complete with pictures!!!!, and one of the few places that has pictures of me):

So, I decided to dash over to City Hall on my lunch break and join the national day of queer rights protests. I couldn’t stay long enough to hear Margaret Cho (that’s right, bitches, we got the patron saint of queer radicals at our protest in Cinci-fucking-nnati) speak, but I did see several friends and I was amazed at the crowd. We had people filling the sidewalks on both sides of the street despite the very cold rain. I imagine if we’d had warmer weather, they would have been forced to close the street.

From Jason at Let's Say You're Right (complete with pictures! -- and a video of Margaret Cho's song!!!... I'll repost it .. well, I guess now)

All across America this afternoon, there were protests to California’s passing of Proposition 8. Here in Cincinnati, OH it was rainy, windy, and cold but we braved the elements to show our support for equal marriage rights. Comedian Margaret Cho was in town for a show tonight, and happened to stop by the rally and offered her take on the cause. I recorded some video below.

From PlayaMind (complete with pictures!!!!!)

Elliet and I got bundled up and braved the freezing rain to stand around downtown. We did it because "It's not fair that boys can only marry girls." That's Elliet's thought on the subject.

And the national round up over at BoxTurtle Bulletin that includes Cincinnati.

Now for the press....

Since most of these are source material from the AP, I'll just list most of them since they are essentially the same thing. However I'd like to point out that Cameron made the national AP release. Did you catch that? Anyways, there's Ohio.com, The Review,  Fox19,  Cincinnati.com, and MSNBC. 

Individual coverage that was actually written local includ WCPO (including video!), The Cincinnati Beacon, and, of course, Cincinnati.com (which quotes me!)

Local 12's video:
(here's the link if that doesn't work)

Channel 9's video:
(here's the link if that doesn't work)
Both the previous were repeatedly messing up and freezing my computer. I just sliced them off.

And thanks to Rainbow Cincinnati, we have a lot of pictures from Renecito and Ray Owens.

Despite the weather...

...the protest goes on.

What's a little cold and rain to a million voices?

130pm.

City Hall. 

Be there. 

Updates, Press Locations, and a Protest

Make sure you watch Fox19 tonight at 6:30pm for an interview with "fearless leader," Cameron Tolle!!!!!

WHO: LGBTQ People and their allies, Impact Cincinnati, JoinTheImpact.com, and Margaret Cho

WHAT: Protest for Equal Marriage and Against Proposition 8

WHERE: Cincinnati City Hall, 801 Plum Street (Parking is available on city streets, please do not park in the Lloyd Library or City Hall lots and read the meter and pay if you have to!)

WHEN: Saturday, November 15th, 1:30pm

WHY: Let the country hear our voices together. Let them see that we are a strong, adamant, and powerful community that deserves equal rights, and CAN’T BE DEFEATED!

We are going to get out, scream and shout, and chant, and RALLY for equal marriage, not just in California, but in Ohio, and in Kentucky, and in Indiana, and in Florida, and in Arizona, and in Arkansas, and in New York, and in South Carolina... and everywhere.

Bring signs, bring noisemakers, bring friends!!!! Margaret Cho will be joining local organizers and community members in protesting the passage of Proposition 8 in California, which, once again, banned equal marriage in that state. We are furious this passed because, for a few moments, the state of California had equality and then it was taken away.

We see that as unacceptable, and we are going to join over 100 other localities and nearly 10 other countries in demonstrating that THIS STOPS NOW.

Let's get out and turn the tide, folks!

Where have you heard about this?

QueerCincinnati.com (duh!)

Juliet & Juliette

Cincinnati Blog

Margaret Cho's Blog

WMUB

Rainbow Cincinnati

WNKU

WVXU (article only, no audio, still working on it!)

CityBeat Blog!

TransOhio Blog

Blogging Isn't Cool

Fox 19 -- Story from today

Playa Mind

JereKeys

Make sure you check out jointheimpact.com for more information if you aren't in Cincinnati!!!!!

Check out this site for the Mission Statement to jointheimpact.com!!!

Has the event made it to your blog??? Send us the link!!!! Also, following is the updated press release that came out today!!! Spread it around, kids!!!!

------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Award-Winning Actress and Comedienne, Margaret Cho, Joins Cincinnati Protest for Equal Marriage

Contact Info:

Cameron Tolle

E-mail: tollec@xavier.edu

www.queercincinnati.com

November 14, 2008

Cincinnati, OH -- Margaret Cho, award-winning actress and comedienne, will join Impact Cincinnati on November 15 protesting for equal marriage and against the passage of California's Proposition 8, which recently re-banned equal marriage in that state. The protest will occur at Cincinnati City Hall (801 Plum Street) at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Cho is scheduled to perform at the Taft Theater that evening and added the protest to her schedule. She has long been a proponent of rights for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, and queer) Americans and made several public statements against Proposition 8 during the campaign.

Impact Cincinnati is a coalition of local students, community members, and activists that responded to the call by the national initiative, JoinTheImpact.com, for a unified day of protests across the country for equal marriage. The national web site was created just days after the passage of Proposition 8, and, within hours, the site attracted tens of thousands of visitors an hour. Since its inception, the national site has been viewed by over a million visitors. Nearly 100 localities are holding events at the exact same time around the United States; activists in six countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, will also be holding demonstrations at American embassies in support of equal marriage. Other nearby protests include Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green (OH), Youngstown, and Athens.

Local organizers are clear that the intention of the protest is not to overturn Proposition 8. The goal, instead, is to create awareness and build a movement for equal marriage in all 50 states. "Saturday's protest will effectively unite the community in a grassroots effort to ignite the passion and commitment of a new generation of LGBTQ activism and justice," Tolle says. "Impact Cincinnati has been formed to create positive change towards equal marriage."

Saturday's event has received wide reception from individuals and the media to date, with the story appearing on the prominent Cincinnati Blog (http://www.cincinnati.blogspot.com) and CityBeat's web site. Tolle has been interviewed by three major radio stations in the area: WNKU, WMUB, and WVXU. Current projections suggest an estimated 1,000 participants at City Hall on Saturday afternoon; the addition of Cho to the event has spawned even greater interest

Impact Cincinnati is hopeful that the protest will spur discussion and movement towards positive change in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana region. Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana all currently have laws banning equal marriage rights; Ohio and Kentucky have constitutional amendments, passed by voters in 2004, to the same effect.

###

Cho in Cincinnati Protest!!!!

That's right, kids, it was made official this afternoon!

After an extensive effort to get ahold of her and get her hear before her show, Margaret Cho has agreed to participate in Cincinnat's protest for equal marriage and against Proposition 8!!!!

A lot going on right now regarding the protest. I've got to do a full update tonight so that everyone knows exactly what is going on.

And make sure you buy tickets for her show that night at the Taft Theatre!!!

And if you aren't in Cincinnati, make sure you check this site to see where your local protest is!

We are also hearing rumors about Cho's post-performance plans. If I hear anything definite, I'll be sure to let you know...

A moment for Harvey Milk

From Pam's House Blend...

"Somewhere in Des Moines or San Antonio there is a young gay person who all the sudden realizes that he or she is gay; knows that if their parents find out they will be tossed out of the house, their classmates will taunt the child, and the Anita Bryant's and John Briggs' are doing their part on TV. And that child has several options: staying in the closet, and suicide.

And then one day that child might open the paper that says "Homosexual elected in San Francisco" and there are two new options: the option is to go to California, or stay in San Antonio and fight. Two days after I was elected I got a phone call and the voice was quite young. It was from Altoona, Pennsylvania. And the person said "Thanks".

And you've got to elect gay people, so that thousand upon thousands like that child know that there is hope for a better world; there is hope for a better tomorrow. Without hope, not only gays, but those who are blacks, the Asians, the disabled, the seniors, the us's: without hope the us's give up. I know that you can't live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you, and you, and you, and you have got to give them hope." 

-Harvey Milk, 1978

Cameron on WNKU

Cameron on WNKU yesterday.'

Go, Cameron, go.

Still working on the WVXU audio.

Protest Interview on WMUB

Protesting Proposition 8

“Californians said "no" to same sex marriage when they passed Proposition 8 last week. Other measures affecting gay rights passed in Arizona, Arkansas and Florida. Protestors this weekend will gather at city halls across the county to speak out against these decisions. Cameron Tolle is Vice President of the Gay/Straight Alliance at Xavier University. He's helping organize a protest in Cincinnati. He tells WMUB's Gary Scott that it's hard not to be outraged.”

Check the audio of Cameron's interview at WMUB this week!!!!

This interview can also be heard at http://www.wmub.org/.

Dutch HIV-infectors found guilty

To follow up with this story about two Dutch men accused of inviting men over for a sex party, drugging them, raping them, and then injecting them with HIV+ blood...

...they were found guilty:

The Groningen District Court found the two guilty of severe assault for injecting semiconscious men with HIV-infected blood at sex parties between January 2006 and May 2007.

Peter M., 49, who was also convicted of rape, was sentenced to nine years in prison and Hans J., 39, received a five-year sentence. Under Dutch privacy laws, the surnames of convicted criminals are not released.

What's more interesting is the tag at the end of the story:

The suspects were not charged with attempted murder since Dutch courts have held
that HIV is a chronic illness rather than an inevitably fatal one.

Oh? Interesting. Thoughts?

Congratulations, Connecticut!!!

A little good news today :-). Congratulations, Connecticut couples, we're all waiting for the day to cheer our own on.

We love you, our brothers and sisters.

"We Need to Mobilize Now"

The national protest made the top of 365gay.com...

You know that book, The Tipping Point?” asks the young Internet maven, referring to Malcolm Gladwell’s 2000 work exploring cultural shifts and the small things that incite them. “Well, on Sunday night, I said to myself, “Holy crap. We’re at the tipping point!”

It's a great interview with our fearless (national) leader.

Lots of good news. Cameron's on WNKU right now; be sure to check out WMUB 88.5 at 5pm for the replay of the interview with Cameron from yesterday.

Media Materials Continue -- handbills for protest

Hand bills for the protest... please continue to check JoinTheImpact.com for more information.

This is the PDF for Handbills if you would like to print them out and hand them out.

Question appearing on facebook status

What does a 50-state strategy look like for LGBT rights???

My response: it would look more like this and less like this.

What is your response?

To my dear expatriate friends...

...and friends who live in other countries who have told me, "just come, it's better here."

I leave you with the words of Anna Akhmatova in 1922:

I am not one of those who left the land

to the mercy of its enemies.

Their flattery leaves me cold,

my songs are not for them to praise.

But I pity the exile's lot.

Like a felon, like a man half-dead,

dark is your path, wanderer;

wormwood infects your foreign bread.

But here, in the murk of conflagration,

where scarcely a friend is left to know,

we, the survivors, do not flinch

from anything, not from a single blow.

Surely the reckoning will be made

after the passing of this cloud.

We are the people without tears,

straighter than you... more proud.

Anyways. Protest meeting this evening.

Updates on the Protest

I thought it only fair to update all of you what's going on with this weekend's protest for Equal Marriage and against Proposition 8...

This is the email I sent out today to the Facebook group:

------

Ok, so I walk away from my computer last night to, you know, sleep, and then go to school...

On my lunch break today, I have emails coming out the wazoo, and text messages, and comments on our little event page, and on the blog... I almost can't believe it!

So, this is where Cameron Tolle (our fearless leader) has been and will be on the radio...

THIS MORNING... Cameron was on WMUB (www.wmub.org), the NPR station in Oxford. . . and the interview went SO WELL they are canceling their Friday morning (9a-10a) show to JUST feature him and our "ace in the hole" in Oxford, Lia Hazel, about the protest

TOMORROW... THE EDGE in New York City is interviewing Cameron as a feature (http://www.edgenewyork.com/)

Also, this is where we are popping up online and around town:

CITY BEAT (!!!!!): http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/blog-196-equal-marriage.html

CINCINNATI BLOG (biggest blog in the city): http://cincinnati.blogspot.com/

BLOGGING ISN'T COOL (local quasi-political blog): http://quimbob.blogspot.com/

ALSO, our press release -- Cincinnati's -- is being sent out to all the localities that are organizing as a model (for the original, check out my blog -- queercincinnati.com).

We are getting some insane coverage, and our very own Chris G. is getting it sent out through another set of sources so you better BELIEVE that you'll see the word get passed anymore.

Tell us if you have seen us anywhere else!!!

Please, keep inviting your friends, print off and post the protest flyer. Refer them back to the facebook page, the queercincinnati.com or julietandjuliette.com blogs (your local LGBT bloggers), or to any of the fabulous people you see organizing. . . Or, tell them that YOU are going because YOU believe in Equal Marriage.

If you are not a Cincinnatian, there are GREAT protests going on all over the country. Please check jointheimpact.com to see what's going on in YOUR hometown.

This is going to happen and it's going to be HUGE HUGE HUGE, rain or shine. Bring signs, bring noisemakers, wear supportive shirts and hats...

We will update you on what you need to be ready for that day and post-protest plans closer to Saturday.

I feel like we need a theme song :-). You guys are AMAZING.

Thank you!
Barry

Adipositivity Project!

From the Feministing Blog (see, told you I loved the site)...


The Adipositivity Project "aims to promote size acceptance, not by listing the merits of big people, or detailing examples of excellence (these things are easily seen all around us), but rather, through a visual display of fat physicality. The sort that's normally unseen.

The hope is to widen definitions of physical beauty. Literally."

It's a beautiful thing. I think there should be more sites like this.

You Can't Stop the Beat

I play my life out like a muscial.

Have I mentioned just how much I love this musical, and this song in particular?

Guess what I'm watching...

Rumors about the Old Universal Grille

Rumor has it (and it comes from a really reliable source)...

And investor group has purchased the old Universal Grille and will be turning it into a high end gay restaurant.

Details as they develop...

My relationship with Equality Ohio ends now

So with the protest planning under full swing, most of the country angry about the outcome of Proposition 8, it seems natural that certain organizations would be approached about assistance. Equality Ohio, the perennially slow and reactive organization purporting to represent LGBT people in the state of Ohio, posted this on their blog:

We recognize and appreciate the need for the pro-equality community to come together and express outrage and anger over the decision of California’s voters. We honor the grassroots drive to create an opportunity through which people can come together and publicly share their emotions about last week’s vote and its impact across the nation. We are certain that through local volunteer actions the planned protests will experience significant community involvement and meet their desired goals. The boards and staff of Equality Ohio have decided that this is an effort best lead by grassroots leadership across the state and Equality Ohio will continue its efforts to leverage the political progress that we also garnered Election Day to create an Ohio where everyone can feel at home.

To the Board and Staff of Equality Ohio: All things being equal, I am still waiting for you to be of use to anyone but yourself. 

You'll notice that the EHEA logo has been pulled off of this site, which was theirs. A new one will replace it soon. 

I think their decision is a pity and made perfectly clear their ability to represent anyone. Even if it is a failure, there clearly is an interest in something happening. I have yet to hear of much Equality Ohio is doing in thie state except raising money for themselves. 

J'accuse, Eq. OH.

Next Big Superhero Movie?

Amidst everything else this blog is doing these days, let's remember to keep it light occasionally.

In the last few years, there's been a dearth of new Superhero movies. Batman -- twice plus another sequel coming soon -- Superman -- another sequel to come -- Spiderman -- all three -- Iron Man -- sequel coming -- Fantastic Four -- why were there two? -- the Incredible Hulk -- a bad one and then a not so bad one -- X Men -- 3 of them -- etc... etc... etc...

What would you want to see as the next big superhero movie???

Not that I have a preference...


It would require some serious de-camping though...

A little more searching, we have two more coming out it seems for sure: Green Lantern with Ryan Gosling, Green Arrow dubbed "SuperMax" (no information released), and potentially a Justice League movie (with the intent of "testing" certain characters for their own movies).

Media Materials for This Weekend.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JoinTheImpact.com spurs local groups to protest for equal marriage

November 10, 2008

Cincinnati, Ohio -- A protest in favor of equal marriage will occur at Cincinnati's City Hall on Saturday, November 15 at 1:30 p.m. Local students, activists, and community members lead this event as part of a day of national protests in reaction to the passage of Proposition 8 in California, re-banning equal marriage in that state.

The local movement is being organized by Cameron Tolle, a junior at Xavier University and Vice President of the Xavier LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, queer/questioning) Alliance, with the assistance of students from the University of Cincinnati and Miami University, along with several community members. Organizers state that the goal is not to overturn Proposition 8, but to create a national movement and create awareness for the effects that anti-gay legislation has on the local community. The protest will occur in conjunction with other groups from around the country at the same time as part of an initiative launched by JoinTheImpact.com; local organizers are in contact with many of these other coalitions as a way of building unity. In the first two days of organization, almost 300 people have stated they will be in attendance; 500 people are expected to attend the event.

"Last week, voters in California, Florida, Arizona and Arkansas allowed hate to infiltrate into our political system and classified the LGBTQ community as second-class citizens," Tolle says. "We cannot sit back and watch this happen. We have to let our communities know that we oppose hatred under the law in all forms. In Ohio, we live in a state that has already declared inequality by banning equal marriage and failing to include crimes against LGBTQ individuals under state hate crime laws. We cannot let this hatred under the law perpetuate any further."

JoinTheImpact.com is a national initiative that was created in reaction to the anger felt by many who believe in equal marriage rights after the passage of California's Proposition 8. It is a loose coalition of activists and organizations who seek to bring positive change in the fight for equality. The movement, less than a week old, is drawing hundreds of thousands of hits a day to its web sites. Almost 40 localities have announced protests in correlation with the initiative. More are expected to join in the coming week.

According to the website, the goal is to "come together for debate, for public recognition, and for LOVE! ... [to] move as one full unit, on the same day, at the same hour, and...show the United States of America that we too are UNITED CITIZENS EQUAL [sic] IN MIND, BODY, SPIRIT AND DESERVING OF FULL EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW."

Local organizers are hopeful that the protest will spur discussion and movement towards positive change in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana region. Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana all currently have laws banning equal marriage rights; Ohio and Kentucky have constitutional amendments, passed by voters in 2004, to the same effect.

###

Miss Piggy in the Morning

"You don't sew with a fork, so I see no reason to eat with knitting needles." -- Miss Piggy, on eating Chinese Food

(Guess what we ordered at work last night)

Oh, and, of course, what seems to be the most famous Miss P quote of all...

"Never eat more than you can lift."

Sage advice, young lady, sage advice.

The pushback has all ready begun...

I'm going to start posting "hate" mail that we get about the upcoming protest -- this Saturday the 15th, 1:30pm, City Hall -- just so that you can see that there's a bit of pushback all ready. It's not really hate mail, but it shows a community still divided and questions still without answers (the following occured between our local organizer, Cameron, and a man on Facebook:

EMAIL-er:
Today at 7:48pm
Equality? Sounds like its a search for special rights. Article 12 was repealed, isn't that enough? I'd rather not be part of a protected class.

CAMERON
Today at 7:59pm
I'd rather my rights be protected and not be ignored by my government. I'd like to know that if someone harmed me because of my sexual orientation, that my government would protect me. Because right now, it wouldn't. It's not a matter of special rights. It's letting people know that hatred in politics is unacceptable. And I'm sorry to hear that you're complacent with being discriminated against on a daily basis.

EMAIL-er:
Today at 8:28pm
You know, its a crime to be harmed by someone else regardless as to why it happened. Harming another human being is punished by our legal system accordingly, "daily." I meet with over 200 current/potential customers each month. Never has my sexual orientation come up in conversation, nor should it. I and many of my friends and colleagues find Cincinnati and other major cities to be more pleasant each day. These arn't issues you can just force down peoples throats. Do you not agree that we've made huge strides considering it was only several years ago article 12 was in place? Isn't it possible that the progress of overcoming relevant issues is only pushed back by uniting in front of our city hall chanting with large colorful signs? Is that really going to change councils mind? Prepare for backlash. I would think tossing 1000 pages of signatures would convey the same point without all the drama. Worked for article 12. Wouldn't you want to be treated just like a normal Joe and not a medaling drama queen? Way to perpetuate a stereotype. To your indication that i'm discriminated against "daily," i cannot remember the last time I was discriminated against, honestly. I can't say its never happened, but its not happened to me within the past year. I think a congratulations is in order, not a complaint. Best of luck.

CAMERON
Today at 8:40pm
true. it is a crime to harm someone else. but if you look to incidents in which someone has been harmed because of their sexual orientation, judicial response has hardly been adequate. clearly, there is a need to specify minority groups under hate crimes legislation-- i dont think you can deny the necessity of hate crimes protecting racial or religious minorities. the interesting thing is, while hate crimes against racial and religious minorities are decreasing, hate crimes against the lgbtq community are on the rise.

i realize that not all of us experience overt discrimination on a daily basis. and thank god thats true. but the fact is, we live in a society in which the lgbtq community is seen as a deviation from normality and is often perceived to be a threat for no reason other than who we are sexually attracted to. people [maybe not you. but many, many other people] have lost their jobs because
they're gay.

certainly, i would like to be treated like a "normal joe" if i had the choice. however, when laws are being passed that specifically target the lgbtq community, there is no way i can be treated like that unless i work to change it.

the purpose of saturday is not to have gay marriage legalized in the morning. nor is it to "shove" our message down anyone's throat. it's merely to show the world that we don't accept messages of hate or discrimination under the law.

if this isn't something you support, thats fine. but please realize that for the majority of the lgbtq community, this is an issue that is of utmost importance.

Snarky moment: he said "shove it down people's throats" -- teehee

And one that came to me via Facebook:

EMAILER:
honestly, the people voted, and what's done is done... get a civil union and move on...

ME:
It ain't over until I say it's over.

EMAILER:
but the fat lady was done singing like last week sometime...

Not representative, a lot of positive responses... but, mainly, showing that we are no all of one mind. (And I don't like being referred to as the fat lady.)

As well we shouldn't be. That's kind of the point, though, isn't it?

Join the Facebook group for Cincinnati!!!!

The dream and the nightmare...

From the Feministing blog, which I love...

Don't forget to join us November 15th at 1:30pm to protest Proposition 8. Check out the national site -- JointheImpact.com -- and the Facebook group. I'll update you as we go!