2nd New Mexico County Makes History

It took one couple to ignite the change for marriage equality within a New Mexico county, and that couple is Jen and Angelique Neuman! 

This couple devoted 20 years of their lives together and now that Jen (seen-r) is faced with life-threatening brain cancer, forcing the couple into precaution mode they sought marriage justice for the sake of their family.

This couple is amazing to me and I thank NCLR, for helping this family attain not only protection for their family, but also for the many others who will come after. This is one of those bittersweet moments, when there's triumph and sadness at the same time. Where something good comes from the bad. 

To this loving couple of 20 years, words probably can't express completely the grief that is now upon you, but I am truly grateful for your contribution to our American society. Thank you for making your bad/good. Congrats!

#Humbly #Sadly #SendingPrayers

2013 LA

The Supreme Court Overturns The Defense Of Marriage Act

Today the U.S. Supreme Court made history yet again, overturning the "Defense of Marriage Act" and rejecting anti-gay activists' call for California's Proposition 8. 

It is now law of the land that all married couples share the same rights, benefits, and treatment under federal law. All 13 states that currently allow same-sex marriage, are now required under federal law to recognize all marriages as equivalent.

It has been a long time coming but change finally came, oh yes it did; only 37 more states to go! Sheesh.

2013 LA

Brittney Griner: 100% Lesbian and Unapologetic

All American women's basketball player Brittney Griner, who was the number one pick to play professional basketball for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA (Woman's Basketball Association), is 100% lesbian and unapologetic about it. 

Although Griner publicly came out this past April, her heroism is still a hot topic just as NBA player Jason Collins still is. 

Brittney told her heroic story of having to keep her sexuality to herself while attending Baylor University, a decision her coach said would "protect her". The 6 foot 8 athlete simply says, "Don't worry about what other people are going to say, because they're always going to say something, but, if you're just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don't hide who you really are." 

When asked was it hard for her to come out Griner stated, "It really wasn't too difficult," she said. "I wouldn't say I was hiding or anything like that. I've always been open about who I am and my sexuality. So, it wasn't hard at all. If I can show that I'm out and I'm fine and everything's OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way. Just being bigger, my sexuality, everything," she told the AP. 

"I overcame it and got over it. Definitely something that I am very passionate about. I want to work with kids and bring recognition to the problem, especially with the LGBT community."

Griner finished her four-year Baylor career as the second all-time scorer in women's NCAA history with 3,283 points. 

She is the top shot-blocker ever, shattering both the men's and women's college marks with 748. She also had a record 18 dunks -- including 11 this season.

This young activist is poised to change the game of women's basketball, and no doubt will be a strong voice for the LGBT community.

Two enthusiastically thumbs up from me Brittney!

2013 LA

Jason Collins Advances LGBTQ Progress

HUGE props to Jason Collins the Washington Wizards Center, who showed the enormity of his bravery and courage by proclaiming to the world that he no longer chooses anxiety over aptitude, and chose to be completely honest about his sexual orientation.

April 29, 2013, Collins unlocked the closet door that contained his deep-rooted secret of homosexuality, while waiting patiently for the world to react. 

The world reacted better than he had hoped and illuminated the positive progression of LGBTQ rights, not only in America but all around the world! 

This is a new day and people are becoming more tolerant of those that differ from them, and refuse to allow the fear of the unknown to mimic their lives.

Although Jason Collins isn't the first black gay athlete to be out and proud, he is the first in our generation and that alone carries tremendous weight with a great deal of heroism.

Some question whether Collins' NBA days are numbered due to his recent confession, but the man's talent and humility obviously speaks for itself.

2013 LA

NBA Star Kenneth Faried Introduces His Two Moms

Denver Nuggets basketball player Kenneth Faried, took a stand for marriage equality while introducing his two mother's Mahasen and birth mother Waudda, to the world in support of same-sex loving couples.

This is a BIG deal and I appreciate this family being brave enough to open up their lives to the world. Kenneth Faried said it best when he said, "No one can tell me I can't have two mothers, because I really do."

2013 LA

Music Mogul Clive Davis Talks Bisexuality

American record producer and music industry executive Clive Davis (seen above), made an appearance on the day time talk show 'The View', sharing some of his fondest memories within the industry. 

Then something unexpectedly happened. Mr. Davis, proceeded to answer a question regarding his intimate relationships with both women and men. He went on to proclaim his sexuality as "bi-sexual", not gay or straight.

Co-host Sherri Shepherd asks Clive Davis: "At this point in your career, why come out now?

Clive Davis' reply: "First of all, if you do your autobiography, you're not going to omit an important part of your life. My life was open. I've got 4 children, and I've got 6 grandchildren."

[....]

"When after my second marriage failed, and I've only been with women, and I'm still attracted to women -- it's a state that the public, they always say "You're either gay or straight or you're lying", that's not true. I am attracted to women, but only with the failure of my second marriage, only then did I say could I have a loving relationship with a man? And I opened myself up to it. So for a while I saw women, I saw a man, until I got into a relationship with a man. So if anything positive can come at this age that we're living in, bi-sexuality is real and I'm experiencing it."

It's commendable that the record label veteran is giving insight to who he "really" is. With so many stigma's plaguing the LGBT community, it's understandable that it can be difficult to live freely amongst those who may differ in opinion. 

Mr. Davis being the big time celebrity that he is, was unapologetic when using his new autobiography 'The Soundtrack of my Life', as a way to kick down another door of inequality. 

His stance on sexuality being fluid while admitting that bi-sexuality in fact does exist, creates a forum for intriguing discussion.

I use to secretly wish that more well known public figures who were in the closet would come out, simply because of the message it would send to so many LGBT youth that their lives are worth living. 

Often times small town heroes aren't recognized but the well known and well connected, usually sustains a bigger platform to reach millions of people within a few minutes. Ultimately, making their messages of choice way more effective then let's say, mine. 

I always say, if your well known and praised for your talents, but your same-sex loving identity hinders you from being fully yourself, in the long run it's better to just be who you are. Being who you are, frees you from the extra stress you would have incurred by not being who you are. 

If you feel you'll lose loyalty status from your fans should you decide to come out, then they weren't true fans to begin with but at least give the fans a chance.

Mr. Davis, thank you for your honesty and for discovering amazing artist's, who have given us years of wonderful music coupled with long lasting memories. I look forward to reading your autobiography sir.

2013 LA

President Obama's Infamous "Peace Quote" To The People

#PROGRESS

2013 LA

God Wants Segregation

Reverend Dr. Phil Snider (seen above), of Brentwood Christian Church in Springfield, Mo., cited a speech regarding a pending gay rights ordinance.

During Mr. Snider's speech he apologized when he seemed to veer off track while trying to make his point on gay rights, but instead admitted that his speech on the biblical justifications against gay rights ordinances, were actually taken from speeches written over the course of multiple decades about civil rights for African-Americans.

Mr. Snider's exact words during his moment of correction were,

1:28 - "When you run into conflict with God's established order you have trouble. You do not produce harmony, you produce destruction and trouble and our city is in the greatest danger that it has ever been and it's history. The reason is we have gotten away from the bible of our four father's. You see the right of segregation - - I'm sorry, hold on. The right of segregation is clearly established by the holy scriptures, both by precept and example."

2:00 - (Interruption by authority) "One minute."

2:01 - "I'm sorry, I've brought the wrong notes with me this evening. Ah, I've borrowed my argument from the wrong century. It turns out what I've been reading to you this whole time, are direct quotes from white preachers from the 1950's and the 1960's, all in support of racial segregation. All I have done is simply take out the phrase "racial integration", and substituted it with the phrase "gay rights". 

I guess the arguments I've been hearing around Springfield lately sounded so similar to these, that I got them confused. I hope you will not make the same mistake. I hope you will stand on the right side of history. Thank you."

This speech took place August 13, 2012, at the Springfield City Council, in regards to sexual orientation and gender identity. 

Apparently, Mr. Snider felt he needed to go before the council and make a case of why gay and lesbians shouldn't have their personal rights and to seal the deal, he decided to incorporate scripture from the holy Bible to prove his point.

However, because Mr. Snider was so caught off guard by his own notes he had to quickly explain his position. So he told the truth of his scripture notes coming from the 1950's and 1960's, racist white preachers. Wow!

Did the Reverend not read the entire scripture all the way through before deciding to use it? How could he not know what the scripture cited? 

It sounds as if Mr. Snider read the first few sentences and immediately equated it to homosexuality. The crazy part is, he actually uses racist scriptures/notes from racist white pastors to teach his congregation. And we wonder why so much hate exists. It exists because we'll always have people teaching it. 

The social stigma for gays is so reminiscent of civil rights for blacks, that many people often use the phrase "gay is the new black", which is how this blog received it's title. Some people are offended by this phrase because they feel being black shouldn't be a sin, but that being gay is due to what it says in the Bible. 

It was interesting to discover that Mr. Snider's scripture tools for teaching, actually hid centuries ago secrets of how racist white pastors taught their churchgoers that the separation of races is what God commanded.

Where are these Bibles coming from, and how is it that white preachers were able to interject their ideas so easily? Who centuries ago, placed and continues to place these oppressive supposed "rules of law" within the Bible? 

This latest piece of revelation will call into question, what is really written in all Bibles? And why do writings in the Bible change so much?  

Who has had in the past and who currently has the authority, to make revisions to the Bible?  

Why is it that white men and/or Republicans seem to always generate racism throughout history? 

Are all the social stigma's that currently plague the future of our country, brought upon us by hypocritical and deceitful lies used by man to cause division among the races, or did God truly feel that segregation and racism were key components to forming a civil society?

Common sense really; but I'm still looking to get my questions answered.

2012 LA