Oh (Toronto) Canada

Toronto goes all out to reinforce gay stereo types for their upcoming gay pride....but lets face it - it's good for a laugh.

To learn more about Toronto's Gay Pride click here.

NBA Player's anti-gay ways exposed

While the NBA wants the world to focus on the Finals, Bryan Safi isn't about to let the league forget another word that starts with "f." Yes, the word that ends in "t" -- with "aggot" in the middle. (Think about it.) Bryan goes one-on-one with the NBA in this "That's Gay" after two prominent players, including superstar Kobe Bryant, drew fines recently for dropping the "gay F-word" on the court.

Rupaul's Drag Race Tour pulls into Philly on Friday

Check out Rupaul's Drag Race Tour with Raja (this year's winner), Manila and Carmen on Friday night at Voyeur Nightclub - 1221 St. James Street.

Army launches DADT information website

The U.S. Army has launched a new website to provide troops information on the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Since 1993, the law and policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) has provided that homosexual conduct is a bar to service in the Armed Forces. On Dec. 22, 2010, the DADT Repeal Act of 2010 became law. It provides for the repeal of DADT to be effective 60 days after the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify to Congress that the Armed Forces are prepared to implement repeal. The Army began educating Army personnel on the process and policies associated with the repeal of DADT on Feb. 17, 2011, in order to prepare the force for implementation. Until 60 days after certification, the law commonly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" remains in effect, and the Department of Defense will continue to apply the law as it is obligated to do.

AARP Launches Gay Site

AARP launched of a new online web portal — www.aarp.org/pride — dedicated to serving older lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans. The organization's first online home base for the LGBT community reinforces the fact that pride comes in all ages for LGBT members, friends and loved ones. The site features articles on news, personal finance, relationships, travel and other topics of concern to older gay Americans, and their family and friends, as well as a community forum.

Raising funds for "Call Me Mr. K"

Local film makers Peter Patrikios and Michelle Pollino have a new project called "Call Me Mr. K" in which they are raising funds. Check out their little video on how you can help make it a reality.


To donate to the film click here.

Film Description:
Years after 9/11, hate crimes against muslims continue in this country. As a gay muslim, Abdul Hafiz Kandahar is in the line of fire yet again after his new position as a teacher at an urban school stirs the pot of racism, prejudice and fear in colleagues, parents and students. Against the wishes of his family Abdul risks all that he is for what he believes.

Alex Rasmussen and Giorgia Bronzini win Philly Cycling Championship

Alex Rasmussen (Danish) and Giorgia Bronzini (Italy) were the winners of yesterday's Philadelphia International Cycling Championships. Rasmussen became the third member of Team HTC-Highroad to win the race in three years.





Winner Alex Rasmussen

Asbury Park and New Jersey Gay Pride Video

Asbury Park was home of New Jersey's Gay Pride over the weekend. Below is a glimpse of the parade.

Rick Santorum Wants to be President

He doesn't have a chance in he_l but go for it Rick.

Miss Richfield Returns to Philly on Saturday

Miss Richfield 1981 is returning to Philadelphia for a one night performance at the Society Hill Playhouse on June 11 at 8PM. In her new show "30 Years On The Throne!", Miss R looks back at her storybook life celebrating three decades of beauty sovereignty as reigning queen of Richfield, Minnesota, "where butter is a spice and gravy is a beverage"

For more information and tickets visit MissRichfield.com.

Jade Starling on new music and Sunday's Triumphant Pride

Pink Pub Crawl Supports Triumphant Pride

The Summer Pink Pub Crawl will be providing everyone who attends Triumphant Pride with a $4 drink coupon!

Glendi hits Opa on Thursdays

Opa, Philly's hot new Greek restuarnt in Midtown Village, will premier GLENDI on Thursday, June 9, 2011, with a fabulous outdoor Fashion Show on Sansom Street. "Glendi," the Greek word for "Party,” is Opa's weekly Thursday event featuring fashion, art, music and photography exhibits in a social setting.

Opa will close down Sansom Street between 13th and Juniper from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. on the 9th for the event. The fashion show will feature collections from Philadelphia’s most renowned designers and boutiques including Carmelita Couture - showing Resort Collection; and Priscilla Costa - showing Summer 2012 Collection. Also on the Glendi runway: Commonwealth Proper, Matthew Izzo, Rock and Soul Apparel Company.

Opa is located at 1311 Sansom Street in Philadelphia.

Rugby Anyone?

Toronto's gay ruby team wants you and they've got a cute little video to entice you....check it out.

RIP Jack Kevorkian

Assisted suicide champion Jack Kevorkian passed away last night at the age of 83. He is best known for publicly championing a terminal patient's right to die via physician-assisted suicide; he claimed to have assisted at least 130 patients to that end. He famously said that "dying is not a crime."[4]

Philadelphia Releases Two Social Media Ads for Pride

Brittany Lynn about to Blow the Roof off iCandy

Tonight at iCandy (254 S. 12th St), "Candy Shop" co-hosts Salotta Tee and Shelita Buffet are proud to feature special performances by Brittany Lynn! "Candy Shop" is a relatively new Thursday night drag / variety show held on iCandy's second floor. Each week, Salotta and Shelita invite special guests to perform - and tonight, it's Brittany's turn!!

Brittany Lynn is one of the most talented and successful drag performers in the herstory of Gay Philadelphia. She's the rare drag queen who is equally gifted as a stand-up comedienne, vocalist, actress, and dancer. She can also lip sync with with the best of 'em. Brit has been dedicating more time and attention to her stage performance in recent months. It's certainly paying off as she gets more hilarious and engaging with each gig.

Whether she's in front of 500 fans at the U.S. Mr. Gay Competition, or rehearsing new material all by her lonesome - she goes for broke every single time. When you have a chance to see Brittany Lynn in an intimate venue like iCandy, you'd be foolish to stay home. DJ Reenie Kane will also spin before, during, and after the show! B there or B square!!

White House reveals new website for LGBT community

The White House launched a new LGBT website yesterday. The site will provide users with the most up to date information on LGBT issues. The following message is on the homepage:

President Obama is committed to working with all Americans to create the brightest future for our country through innovation, education and building new technologies and more connected communities.

Since taking office, the President has demonstrated that his vision for a brighter future includes greater equality for LGBT Americans. The President and his Administration are dedicated to eliminating barriers to equality, fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and engaging LGBT communities across the country.

This site is a tool for you to learn about how President Obama and his team are working to win the future for LGBT Americans.

Tornadoes roared through Massachusetts

Wow!

Obama Shows Support for Gay Teens

In April, the Obama administration released a lengthy memo that implored housing agencies around the country to develop interventions and safeguards for openly gay youth who are in foster homes, or face homelessness after being kicked out by their parents. The memo - though largely overshadowed by other political issues at the time of its release - is a huge step in the ongoing effort to support gay teens. While bullying took center stage in 2010, here's hoping that the overlapping & equally pervasive housing crisis facing gay youngsters will receive the attention it deserves.

Though estimates indicate that 10% of the U.S. population is gay (that seems awfully low by the way), somewhere between 30 and 40% of homeless teens are gay. LGBT youth are also far more likely to "age out" of the child welfare system without having been adopted. Problems at home - either due to homophobic birth parents or foster parents - are as responsible as bullying for the high rate of gay teen suicides. Simply put, it appears that many gay teens have no relief from homophobia and abuse - whether at home or at school. In far too many cases, gay teens escape by running away and end up living on the street.

President Obama recognizes that we are in desperate need of programs and funding dedicated to housing support for openly gay youth. Increased synergy between state & local elected officials, LGBT non-profit organizations, and housing / human services agencies is an absolute necessity if we hope to turn the tide. Many states and municipalities also need to ease any restrictions on gay couples who want to adopt. It stands to reason that if more gay couples are able to adopt as freely as our straight counterparts, the percentage of gay youth who "age out" of the child welfare system without being adopted will drop.

Thankfully, cities like Philadelphia have organizations, such as the Attic Youth Center, that help bridge the gap to gay youth who are homeless or "in the system." But this problem is present in every town, city, and village across the U.S. - and there is much work to be done. A big thank-you to President Obama for prioritizing an issue that has been under the radar for far too long!

Federal Judge Rules on Gay Softball Dispute

The wide world of gay sports has proven itself not immune from scandal and controversy. According to a new article by Mike Carter in the Seattle Times, a Federal judge refused to "dismiss a lawsuit filed by three men who claim they were disqualified from the 2008 Gay World Series near Seattle for not being gay enough."

What brought this on? Apparently, the 3 men - who are all openly bisexual - played for a team from San Francisco in the 2008 Gay World Series. During the tournament, they claim to have been questioned in front of several strangers about their sexual proclivities. The questioning was a result of a formal protest filed by a competing team's manager citing a rule that limits the number of "non-gay" players on a single team to 2. Once filed, organizers had to question each of the team's members to try to determine the number of gay and non-gay players.

The plaintiffs subsequently sued, alleging that they were the victims of discrimination. They argue that the inquiry into their sexual behavior was inappropriate and "intrusive." It's unclear what specific questions were asked, but I imagine something involving pitchers and catchers probably worked its way into the conversation.

Here's an interesting tidbit - the lawsuit was supported by the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco. They believe this is an important case in the struggle for equal treatment of bisexuals.

Despite attorneys for the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association (organizers of the 2008 Gay World Series) trying to get the suit thrown out, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour ruled that they need to change the association's regulations to specifically include bisexual and transgender players. Although the First Amendment gives them the right to limit membership to like-minded people, there needs to be an accommodation for the B & T in LGBT, according to Judge Coughenour.

What do you think of Judge Coughenour's decision?

Transgendered Video Art Installation at Eastern State

Eastern State Penitentiary has a new video art installation about transgendered prison inmates that is on display now through November 2011.

The piece uses the 1969 Stonewall Riots as a starting point to address issues facing gay and transgendered inmates.


The riots began after a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. Police arrested men dressed as women and transgendered patrons. Many of the patrons resisted the police raid, and the following day thousands of people marched in the streets, speaking out about unfair treatment under the law. It was the start of the modern gay rights movement.

Today, transgendered female prisoners (male to female) are incarcerated in male prisons, and transgendered male prisoners (female to male) are incarcerated in female prisons. They are often placed in “protective” or “administrative” custody. The resulting confinement, while safer for the inmates, is effectively a form of solitary confinement.

The artist has developed these monologues based on the experiences of real men and women.

Holly's Josh Strickland releases new single

Josh Strickland, currently starring in PEEPSHOW and “Holly’s World” on E!, is debuting his second single off his upcoming EP. The song, titled “Last Dance” was co-produced by Grammy Award winning producer Damon Elliott and by Norwegian pop/dance producer Axident.

"I really hope everyone enjoys this new single,” said Strickland. “We've been working really hard trying to make music that people can connect with. It’s a really fun summer dance song. I can't wait to hear it in the clubs."

Strickland met Grammy award winning producer Damon Elliott a year ago when Elliott was producing the theme song to “Holly’s World.” Strickland performed on that song and the two began collaborating in the studio shortly after that. Pairing Strickland’s sensational voice with that of some hit dance tracks prepared by Elliott and Axident exclusively for Strickland, together they have created music that makes people want to dance.

“Last Dance” is the second single from Strickland’s upcoming EP, which is due out the end of summer.

"Last Dance" now available on iTunes.

Out In America to air on PBS June 8th

Emmy award-winning director Andrew Goldberg and PBS announced a new national PBS
special called OUT in America. The one-hour film will make its national
premiere on Wednesday, June 8 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on PBS, in conjunction
with National Gay & Lesbian Pride Month.

OUT in America is a collection of unique, transformative
stories and inspiring personal narratives told through the lens of the
country’s most prominent LGBT figures and pioneers, as well as many
average, yet extraordinary, citizens from Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgender communities. The program weaves together diverse stories -
from urban and rural America, from the heartland to New England, from
San Francisco to Harlem. Deeply moving and often humorous, viewers
will get a glimpse of awakenings, first crushes, unlikely soul mates,
intimacy and liberation. While separated by circumstance and
upbringing, the film’s subjects are all united in their shared
experiences of self-discovery, coming out, pride and love as well as a
triumph over adversity and a true sense of belonging. Against the
backdrop of historical events, each also traces their own hopes,
struggles, influences and contributions towards advancements in
equality and broad social change.

Featured interviews include TV personality Andy Cohen (Bravo TV Host),
famed Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin, country music star
Chely Wright, humorist Kate Clinton, as well as legendary LGBT
activists James Hormel (philanthropist), Urvashi Vaid (former
Executive Director of the pre-eminent civil rights organization
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, recently cited in Out Magazine’s
list of most influential men and women in America) and Dr. Patricia
Hawkins (psychologist renowned for her early work with HIV patients).
Other influential lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people
in the film include: Reverend Peter Gomes, who came out on the steps
of Memorial Church at Harvard; PJ Serrano, Puerto Rico’s first openly
gay and HIV positive political candidate; a transgender police
lieutenant, who transitioned while on active duty; a Muslim lesbian
from the country of Mauritius; a gay rancher; the organizer of
Capital Queer Prom; a Latino rapper; a West Point graduate and former
Captain in the US Army; a drag queen; a great-grandmother; and “The
Harolds,” a giddy bi-racial couple in their 80s, who reminisce, in
unison, about their five decades together.