Seems like only yesterday they were putting the Castro through a time warp with false fronts meant to recreate the neighborhoods 70’s era vibe. Well not the trailer for the movie they did all that retro work for has hit the net…
If you liked this, try these...I’ve come across a number of articles about homosexuality in comic books lately and have been saving them to post together. This first link is to a Newsarama interview with Hero author Perry Moore in which Moore discusses how Hulking was almost a butch female, the death of Freedom Ring, his favorite Legionnaire and whatever happened to that gay friend of Green Lantern (Kyle).
There are a few veteran LGBT characters around since the 80’s who are oft underused. I’m happy that Karma, Pied Piper, Northstar, Obsidian and the alien Starman, Mikaal Tomas either have been seen recently or have projects on the horizon.
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In the following four linked articles, CBR News spoke with “nine comics industry professionals about the portrayal of LGBT characters and themes in comics, past and present.”
Homosexuality in Comics - Part 1: introduces Marc Andreyko, Lillian Diaz-Przbyl, Devin Grayson, Terrance Griep and Mark Millar.
Homosexuality in Comics - Part 2: introduces Allan Heinberg, Scott Lobdell, Alan Moore and Greg Rucka.
Wiccan, Hulkling, Karolina Dean, Batwoman, the Question, Anole and Xavin are reflective of a new wave of LGBT characters that are cropping up all over.
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The images accompanying the article excerpts and links are of 20 LGBT characters from a number of publishers. Some have been out and proud for awhile and others are new characters or recently out of the CMYK closet.
Homosexuality in Comics - Part 3: The panelists discuss the Comics Code, the stigma of comics as a children’s medium, whether homosexuality is a lifestyle choice or a genetic predisposition, and the tendency for fictional GLBT characters to be defined by their sexuality.
Apollo, Midnighter and Rainmaker were part of a 2nd generation of gay characters that started to gain popularity in the 90’s.
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Homosexuality in Comics - Part 4: Topics include the “gay retcon,” the participants’ picks for well-informed portrayals of GLBT characters in comics, and the state of the union of homosexuality in comics
The outing of characters like Rawhide Kid, Colossus (Ultimate), Lightspeed and Living lightning was a surprise to many as most had recognized hetero history. Although Quasar (Phyla-vell’s) orientation was hinted early at it wasn’t revealed until later.
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One of my favorite youTubers and mySpacers… the Gay Comic Geek has posted his review of the Marvel Team-Up Freedom Ring trade paperback. For those who don’t know, until he was killed off, Freedom Ring was a new gay superhero with the ability to alter reality with a 25 foot radius.
I’d been considering buying the trade paperback, but the violent way they unnecessarily killed the character really makes me not want to read it. Also I’m pretty sure I got the gist of his story from Crusader’s flashback montage in Avengers: Initiative. The the Gay Comic Geek and I see eye to eye on this one. Introducing gay characters isn’t progressive if they just become victims (Ok so Northstar ISN’T dead in Ultimate X-Men - they still crippled the freaking speedster - talk about cruel). I’m sick of it. I’m still REALLY hoping that the new Stonewall will be gay and become a model for a strong, heroic gay man.
If you liked this, try these...Sadly, gay marriage pioneer Del Martin died on Wednesday August 27. Ms. Martin died at UCSF Hospice after a long period of declining health and is survived by Phyllis Lyon her wife and partner of 55 years. Longtime feminist and gay rights activists Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were the first same-sex gay couple married in California the first time it was legalized and Gavin Newsom married the couple himself on June 16th. Towelroad spoke to him about her death.
If you liked this, try these...Cyndi Lauper is joining the cast of As the World turns because Luke and Noah “need her help”. Tune in tomorrow (Thursday July 3rd) as Cyndi shows star-crossed lovers Luke and Noah their “True Colors”!
via Queerty
If you liked this, try these...Memphis Police Association President J.D. Sewell says Bridges McRae went into today’s administrative hearing thinking that he would be keeping his job. I’m so glad he was unpleasantly surprised. According to Sewell, McRae says he did nothing wrong. He beat a defenseless trannsexual in the face with his hand wrapped in handcuffs for not answering to hate epithets and he didn’t think he did anything wrong. They had already fired the guy who held her down (Swain). I have no idea how he could think his behavior was justified. That mindset makes it clear how large a problem this police force really has. Simply firing the perps isn’t enough. Officers still on duty need to see these 2 prosecuted and properly punished.
From the looks of them, I bet if she’d been on her own turf, Duanna Johnson would have kicked the crap out of both of them.
keep up writing and calling.
Mayor Willie W. Herenton
City Hall
125 N. Main St. Room 700
Memphis, Tn 38103
901-576-6007
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
201 Poplar Avenue, Third Floor
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
901-545-5900
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Jennifer Donnals, Communications Director
901-545-5988
jennifer.donnals@scdag.com
Detective Monique Y. Martin
Memphis Police Department
Office of Public Information/Media Relations
201 Poplar Avenue Room 12-08
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
901.545.3024 office
901.545.5740 fax
pio@memphistn.gov
www.memphispolice.org
The Honorable Governor Phil Bredesen
Governor’s office
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 31243-0001
Phone: 615-741-2001
Fax: 615-532-9711
phil.bredesen@state.tn.us
A list of elected government officials may be found at:
www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html
I like much of what Barack Obama has to say to the LGBT community.
John McCain, not so much.
Here is Barack Obama’s 2008 Gay Pride message…
I am proud to join with our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters in celebrating the accomplishments, the lives, and the families of all LGBT people during this Pride season. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans.
It’s time to live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. Let’s enact federal civil rights legislation to outlaw hate crimes and protect workers against discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Let’s repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and demonstrate that the most effective and professional military in the world is open to all Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country. Let’s treat the relationships and the families of LGBT Americans with full equality under the law.
We are ready to accomplish these goals because of the courage and persistence of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people who have are working every day to achieve equal rights. The gay couple who demand equal treatment in our family laws as they raise their children; the lesbian soldier who wants nothing more than to serve her country openly and honestly; the transgendered workers who asks for the simple dignity of being judged by the quality of their work. Generations of LGBT Americans, at once ordinary and extraordinary, have made possible this moment in our history. With leadership and hard work, we can fulfill the promise of equality for all.
via Queerty and WindyCityMedia
If you liked this, try these...More coverage of Memphis Police Officers Bridges McRae and James Swain beating of transsexual Duanna Johnson while she was in custody is hitting the net as we speak.
Also more details are surfacing. Apparently the ONLY reason this brutal assault was brought to the attention of Memphis Police Department’s Internal Affairs was because McRae has the gall to file a complaint against another officer who was present for not helping McRae “during the incident” (the incident in question would be the beating). These people have NO idea that what they did was wrong and we CANNOT trust this system to police itself.
Associate Press:
and Surprise Surprise FOX NEWS even covered it.
here are some great thoughts on the matter that were posted as comments at one of my favorite sites for gay news, Queerty.
I think the Memphis Police Department has some explaining to do and at the very least, owes the LGBT community an apology. I would strongly urge the writing of letters of protest, as is my intention to do, from the LGBT community to the governor of Tennessee and other state representatives demanding a full investigation into this matter.
The Honorable Governor Phil Bredesen
Governor’s office
Tennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 31243-0001Phone: 615-741-2001
Fax: 615-532-9711
phil.bredesen@state.tn.us
A list of elected government officials may be found at:
www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html
via Queerty and Lavender Newswire
If you liked this, try these...This video, taken February 12th 2008 clearly shows Memphis police Officer Bridges McRae, 28 walk over to Duanna Johnson - a transsexual suspect being held after a prostitution arrest - and hit her in the face several times while Officer James Swain, 25 holds her back.
The beating began after the bigoted officer got upset when she refused to answer to anti-gay slurs such as “faggot” and “he-she”. This is unacceptable behavior for a public servant. This is a violent assault proceeded by hate speech. Sounds like a hate crime to me. After the incident the Police dropped the prostitution arrest against Ms. Johnson (no doubt hoping that would be the end of it), but no charges have been filed against the officers in question.
I hope they throw the book at the officers, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Swain is no longer with the MPD, but McRae has only been placed on non-enforcement status pending an administrative hearing. I hope Duanna Johnson presses charges.
video wouldn’t embed - but here is a link.
If you’d like to know what is being done about this, ask the Mayor of Memphis or the District Attorney’s office… their contact info is after the video, and elected officials are always the best ones to deluge with complaints. The DA’s office has the discretion to prosecute who they want and I spoke to their media rep Jennifer Donnals who says they have NO PLANS to prosecute these officers. Lets see if we can change that.
Mayor Willie W. Herenton
City Hall
125 N. Main St. Room 700
Memphis, Tn 38103
901-576-6007
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
201 Poplar Avenue, Third Floor
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
901-545-5900
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Jennifer Donnals, Communications Director
901-545-5988
jennifer.donnals@scdag.com
A request for a comment from the Memphis Police Department resulted in them sending the following prepared statement…
If you liked this, try these...The Memphis Police Department does not condone any misconduct of a police officer that will compromise official law enforcement duties or the rights or safety of our citizens.
As it relates to the February incident that occurred at the jail facility, the police department has been conducting a thorough internal investigation. The details surrounding the complainant, witnesses and law enforcement officials’ statements are part of an ongoing investigation and can not be released at this time.
As a standard departmental policy, a full, impartial hearing will be held with the accused officer.
Memphis Police can confirm the work status of the two primary officers involved in this complaint. Officer J. Swain was a probationary officer and has been separated from the Memphis Police Department. Officer B. McRae has been placed on non-enforcement status pending an administrative hearing.
Memphis Police can also confirm the Federal Bureau of Investigation had been notified and requested to look into the complaint further.
Regards,
Detective Monique Y. Martin
Memphis Police Department
Office of Public Information/Media Relations
201 Poplar Avenue Room 12-08
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
901.545.3024 office
901.545.5740 fax
pio@memphistn.gov
www.memphispolice.org
The first marriage occurred June 16th when octogenarian and longtime feminist and gay rights activists Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were AGAIN the first couple married in San Francisco (they were also the first in 2004), in fact the only couple married that day by mayor Gavin Newsom. They’ve lived together in San Francisco since 1953. Congratulations ladies!
Starting at 9:00 am, there were more gay weddings today at City Hall. The hellspawn bigots of the Westboro Baptist church threatened to show. If they did come to San Francisco, maybe someone gave them a bogus address. I was at City Hall this morning to add my own to a sea of friendly faces between the couples and the inbred Phelps clan (you just know there are some first cousins marrying in that bunch), and I didn’t see them. I didn’t go looking, but their signs are usually hard to miss. So they weren’t directly in the line of sight of the City Hall entrance where all the marital action was unless they showed up late.
It was a lovely day and there were a surprising number of religious groups of multiple denominations who were there there in solidarity. In addition to guests, press and gay supporters there were also a number of hetero-fabulous there to cheer us on. If only we had more like them and fewer bible-thumping hate mongers.
Although I am happy their venom didn’t spoil the occasion, I was kinda looking forward to spitting on a Phelps.
I’m not usually one to go all Joan Rivers fashion police on someone publicly, BUT… If it is your wedding day you don’t HAVE to wear a jacket and tie, but buy a shirt with buttons at least? C’mon we are supposed to know fashion. Don’t get married in your favorite old t-shirt. It may be alternative, but its still an occasion, especially on an historic day with press outside. I’d like to sic Carson Kressley on the two grooms I saw in mom jeans and an old t-shirts. Some of us need Queer Eye for the Queer Guy.
Also George Takei discusses his impending nuptials.
I just read an update saying that the Phelps clan were coming from 4-6, so I might still get to spit on one of them. You should too!
If you liked this, try these...Happy Pride Month boys… just finished this character for a ACTIVATE! ad in GLOSS magazine. ACTIVATE is a Friday event premiering Friday June 27th (Stonewall Day) at the Lookout in San Francisco.
Cyndie Lauper and Rosie O’Donnell kick of the True Colors tour May 31 in Boston, MA.
via WoW.tv
If you liked this, try these...Refresh my memory. Have we ever had a gay member of the JLA? (not just an ally or guest star, or someone whose sexuality is hinted at or sensationalized but a out proud card carrying member who dates). If so, please refresh my memory. But regardless, I bet there was never a team of 8 with TWO gay members! And we’ve got a lesbian in Batwoman and a bisexual with blue alien Starman, Mikaal Thomas. That 25% much better than that measly Kinsey 10% we’re usually given. Too bad they left that tidbit out of the CBR article… I wonder why? It seems significant detail to me.
While talking with CBR, James Dale Robinson let slip a few details about plans for his “Justice League” series: Green Lantern will “slip out from under the shadow of the Trinity” to lead the team (about time, even Aquaman had his own lineup - and he just talks to fish), the disparate lineup will all come together naturally due to a course of events, not by some super powered triumvirate sorting through dossiers, and finally that this team will have a “purpose that was different from the Justice League of America.”
James Dale Robinson’s Justice League Lineup includes: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Green Arrow, The Atom (Ray Palmer), Shazam (Freddy Freeman), Supergirl, Batwoman, Starman (Mikaal Thomas, former ally of Starmen Jack and Ted Knight) and last and least… Congorilla??? (A.K.A. ongo Bill - a seven-foot tall, 90 year old, magical golden gorilla with the intelligence and the sophistication of a big game hunter).
“Justice League” #1 will feature artwork by Mauro Cascioli (“The Trials of Shazam”), but has yet to be solicited. “I think we are waiting for Mauro to finish some more, so probably the end of the summer,” said Robinson. “But what’s he done so far, especially with his colors, is beautiful.”
I’m really curious what kind of event will bring these 8 due to a natural confluence of events…
If you liked this, try these...
Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi aren’t the only gay celebrities to jump on the marriage bandwagon since last weeks California Supreme Court overturn of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. On Friday, George Takei announced through his website (georgetakei.com) that he and his partner of 21 years, Brad Altman would be wed in the state of California.
If you are think about wedding presents, I’d strongly suggest avoiding Tribbles.
via GayWired, Queerty, and georgetakei.com
If you liked this, try these...
LOGO will be hosting the first-ever NewNowNext Awards on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.
Hosted by Candis Cayne (of ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money) Unlike other awards shows, the New Now Next Awards will be highlighting the best of LGBT pop culture across all mediums, including the web, film, television and music.
Don’t get LOGO? Watch the show at LogoOnline
Nominated for “Most Guiltiest Pleasure”
Some random nominated material after the jump…
(more…)
3 Islanders from the Greek Isle of Lesbos are suing a gay rights organization named the “Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece” for use of the term lesbian because it “insults the identity” of the people of Lesbos, who are have also historically known as Lesbians.
I’m not REALLY sure that even if they win (which I doubt) suing this one small group in Greece will make homosexual women stop calling themselves lesbians. It doesn’t strike me as a realistic expectation and I don’t understand what they hope to gain aside from free publicity. Maybe Lesbos is just bucking for more tourism?
Plaintiff Dimitris Lambrou said they targeted the group because it is the only officially registered gay group in Greece to use the word lesbian in its name. The case will be heard in an Athens court on June 10.
Full Article at Associated Press
If you liked this, try these...Join Margaret Cho and friends at San Francisco City Hall, as Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaims Wednesday, April 30th 2008, Margaret Cho Day!
The live event will be taped for use in her new show, “The Cho Show,” which will air on Vh1 this summer. The proclamation is open to the public welcoming family, friends and fans of all ages.
All attendees will be required to sign a release allowing the use of their image on television. Below please find important information regarding location and time for Margaret’s big day:
When: Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Please arrive promptly at 4:00pm
Where: San Francisco City Hall
The South Light Court
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett PL.
photos by Austin Young
If you liked this, try these...Openly gay comic book artist Phil Jimenez has been a favorite of mine since I first saw his work. I would put him on a short list of genius level comic book master artists including George Perez, Alex Ross and Bryan Hitch. Plus a favorite adult film actor once told me that Phil drew him Superman. That is so hot (in a gay geek way).
Part 2 and some more links after the jump…
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More Day of Silence videos after the jump…
(more…)
If you know ANYONE who works in elementary education, PLEASE make sure they know about Day of Silence. (see links below PSA)
Day of Silence Homepage
Day of Silence Explained
Steps Schools Can Take to Address Anti-LGBT Behavior
Remembering Lawrence
Remembering Larry
