New York Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

June 24, 2011, New York became the sixth largest state to legalize same-sex marriage. 

The New York Assembly passed same-sex marriage legislation twice before in 2007 and 2009, but in both cases it stalled in the state senate as it nearly did again last week. 

The bill passed after legislators agreed on language allowing religious organizations, to refuse to perform services or lend space for same-sex weddings.

New York is home to more than 42,000 same-sex couples according to an analysis of U.S. census data conducted by the Williams Institute. This means among other things, that the number of same-sex couples living in states allowing same-sex marriage has doubled overnight.

Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage in 2004, beginning a trend that will quickly submerge most states in a decade.

A report last month from New York's Senate Independent Democratic Conference, estimated the state would earn nearly $400 million dollars over the next three years from gay and lesbian couples getting married; including tourism, weddings, sales-tax revenue, and wedding license fees.

This moment means so much to gay and lesbian couples all over the country. But to all my gay and lesbian peeps out there, please do not be naive to the fact that things can change. This is a big accomplishment however, don't forget what happened in California when gay marriage passed and then was suddenly revoked. 

The big difference between the two states is that California passed a court ruling for gay marriage, and New York passed legislation which President Obama will sign into law. 

When California legalized same-sex marriage in 2008, I fully believed it was strictly for the purpose of increasing revenue within that state. This country was headed for a second Great Depression and ex-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, had run the state of California into the ground and so much so, that instead of Californians receiving their income taxes in the mail they received an I.O.U.!

A little advice: Don't have a ridiculously huge and expensive wedding until you know for sure that gay marriage is the law of the land. Should marriage equality be revoked for whatever reason all it leaves you with is debt up to your ears and a broken heart, and leaves New York with increased revenue.

2011 LA

Miss Lawrence 'Closet Freak' (2011)

Yeeesss Miss Lawrence! Work it!

If you're a regular viewer of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, then you couldn't have missed the public performance of Miss Lawrence. OMG! Talk about working it out! Now this is "real" talent -- hint Kim Zolciak.

Miss Lawrences' vocals are undeniably excellent! The deep, velvety, smoothness of her voice reminds me of a modern day, Donny Hathaway. 

The beat of the music knocks hard but gives strong bass, while Miss Lawrence's beautiful baritone voice compliments the track very well.

When listening to the song you feel intensity, energy, happy, and whatever was sleeping inside you immediately wakes up and forces your arms, shoulders, legs, and feet, to move in unison while your head rocks and fingers snap!

Kandi Burrus, you did an excellent job with production and I hope you take this young stunna all the way to the top!

Click below to hear song. So AmAzInG!

2011 LA

Movie Review On: The Kids Are Alright

Watching the much anticipated and celebrated lesbian flick The Kids Are Alright, the first thing evident was the average looking women in the film. 

It was only noticeable because I had grown accustomed to seeing very hot, very sexy, lipstick type lesbians on television. 

For example: The Real L-Word is a lesbian based series that airs seasonally on Showtime, and consists of mostly attractive females. I guess I was spoiled in thinking that all shows would keep up this trend -- but I digress.

The two actresses in the film were very plain Jane in appearance, but as you got to know the character's personalities -- little by little, you began to see the attractive qualities about them. These same qualities locked me into the film and I found myself thoroughly enjoying the film along with the great acting skills, until my enjoyment was killed due to a male counterpart that made his way into the film while ultimately, reaching his goal of sleeping with one of the moms -- and multiple times at that! 

I'm not against heterosexual sex at all, but when there aren't many lesbian flicks to begin with the last thing you want to see is a lesbian having sex with a man; it defeats the whole purpose of watching a "lesbian" film. 

In one scene, the children of the lesbian couple wanted to meet their sperm donor; this part was understandable because there's always a piece of you that desires to know who you are and where you came from. The children wanting to meet their donor gave way to the donor spending a lot of time with the family -- which resulted in a marital affair. 
 

Due to stigmas placed on the gay community, sex scenes in films are very limited. However, heterosexual sex in film is widely accepted and even more detailed; this is also true in The Kids Are Alright, where there are more heterosexual sex scenes then lesbian sex scenes.

In conclusion: the storyline and acting was great, I just wish the movie didn't make lesbians appear boring, sexless and deprived.

2011 LA

Lesbian Bridal Bliss

                        Aisha Mills and Danielle Moodie tie the knot!

Essence online magazine decided to shine light on beauty from another side of the tracks.

The first lesbian Bridal Bliss highlight! About time! Thanks Essence!

To view the brides' photos click here.

2010 LA

Fired For Being Gay Pass ENDA Now!

Kimya share her story

Dave shares his story

What are your thoughts?

Mourning LGBT Youth

Raymond Chase (seen above), was a nineteen year old sophomore that attended Johnson and Wales college in Rhode Island. 

On September 29, 2010, Raymond committed suicide by hanging himself in his dorm room. He was openly gay and while the cause of his suicide is not yet known, he is the fifth gay youth to commit suicide in the past four weeks.

September 9, 2010, Billy Lucas (seen-r), a high school student from Greensburg, Indiana, was taunted for being gay and as a result, Lucas hung himself in a barn at home where he kept his most beloved pet -- his horse. 

A memorial page for Lucas was created on Face book as a way of giving people the chance to say goodbye, but the tragic death of this young man wasn't enough as people still left homophobic and hateful comments on the wall.

To all gay youth out there with suicidal tendencies, if you're reading this right now please STOP! 

Know that you are loved and wanted and by hurting yourselves, you give the bad people all the power. Don't give them any more power than they need, because we don't need to make them stronger. 

Shame on school officials and staff members, that allowed this to happen underneath their noses. 

For those staff members with homophobic hearts, it may seem like water under the bridge and one less gay person to worry about, but what happens in the dark always comes to the light. Don't for a minute think that no one is watching your hateful actions because someone is watching you.

To those in need call: 866-488-7386. This number is the nation's leading organization for creating awareness about LGBT youth crisis and suicide prevention. They provide online support and maintain a 24 hour help line.

In remembrance of other LGBT youth who committed suicide these past weeks: Tyler Clementi of Rutgers University, teenagers Asher Brown and Seth Walsh. 

RIP

2010 LA

Woman Sues Church Over Gay Marriage Ceremonies

 
2010 LA

Adam Lambert's New CD Is HOT!

Former American Idol star Adam Lambert, has introduced his first album. 

Many people have been anticipating Lambert's album -- curious to know what it would look like. 

I had a feeling he would shock us and shock us he did! Personally, I became a fan of Lambert's as soon as he opened his mouth and extracted out what I felt was the most beautiful, powerful, and compelling voice I've heard in a long time. His image is awesome but to hear his voice mixed with his rocker dress style is a killer combination.

When Adam Lambert graced the stage of American Idol, his sexual orientation became more of a concern then his artistry, which many people felt was totally irrelevant. 

Lambert's sexual orientation became the focal point and rumors began to fly, with speculations about if he "could sell records." People commented it'd be embarrassing to walk in a store and openly purchase his album. Some even resorted to purchasing the music online out of fear.

Lambert's talent has nothing to do with his sexual orientation and once people purchase the album they'll see that what they end up with, is really great music by a really great artist.  

Have you ever picked up a CD and didn't purchase it, because you thought the artist might be gay? Of course not! No one stops to think about a person's sexual preference when you buy their product, you're only concerned about the value of the product.

If you're an Adam Lambert fan -- be a true fan. Adam is the first of many who stood up for himself as a gay man and stated, "this is me love me or hate me."

When he took that stand he took it for all gay people, and made a point that you must be who you are and love yourself. If you don't love yourself first then who will?

Great work Adam and I look forward to hearing your music for many years to come!

2009 LA