Gay Rodeo Enlightens Straight Filmmaker
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Courtesy The Advocate...
Filmmaker Matt Livadary set out to create a documentary on the "badass country folk and iron-clad American values" of the rodeo world. He wound up finding it with the International Gay Rodeo Association.
Livadary, who is straight, said his year on the gay rodeo circuit was eye-opening.
"My experience on this film has shown me that no matter how open-minded we might consider ourselves, we can all use more exposure to lifestyles and cultures that differ from our own," he wrote as part of a Kickstarter campaign to help raise the money needed to complete the documentary, which he's titled Queens & Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo.
So far more than 100 backers have pledged about $11,000 toward the $35,000 that Livadary needs to launch. That ought to be encouraging.
But no matter how it turns out, Livadary has a long list of favorite moments and images. In the following pages, the Los Angeles director shares his first-person account of what it was like to follow the gay rodeo and what made him conclude that IRGA is "one of those rare organizations that make you want to be a better person." — Lucas Grindley
EVENT: Family Fest Coming Back To Visalia!
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Family Fest, our local pride event, is just around the corner! We have something to offer everyone, including the kiddies. There is a special area designated just for them that includes: bounce house, craft stations, free prizes and a carnival area. We will also provide bread for them to feed the ducks in the nearby pond.
For us adults, the crowd favorite Waiting to Wed game will be returning this year. It’s our spin on the Newlywed Game where couples answer some pretty funny questions about each other in hopes of winning the grand prize. New this year is the first annual Pants & Pumps showdown. Teams of 4 (2 pants & 2 pumps) will compete in various challenges. The top 2 scoring teams will battle it out in a final competition for the cash prize and bragging rights of being “top” dogs! We are only accepting 5 teams, if you are interested be sure to sign up early by contacting me.
I hope you will come OUT and join us. Dessert will be provided so bring a picnic, your family and friends and come spend the day with us!
~Our event is always FREE but the park has a $6.00 entrance fee per car~
If you’d like to have a booth at the event, for more information or to sign up for the games, contact me! (559) 697-5GAY, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
VIDEO: Anderson Cooper Calls Out Bachmann Hypocrisy
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Another Conservative Scum Ball
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What do you know? Another Republican lawmaker, with a history of anti-gay voting and appearances, has been caught in a gay sex scandal.
Really? How many of these scum balls have to get caught before conservative hypocrites, who are legislating against honest homosexuals while getting some on the side, learn their lesson?
As it's turned out in the past, it's almost better that they are hypocritical scum balls and get caught because they tend to turn to our side once their head clears.
The Indianapolis Star reported that emails suggest Republican Rep. Phillip Hinkle arranged to pay Kameryn Gibson up to $140 for “for a really good time.” The paper published emails between Hinkle and Gibson detailing a plan for them to meet at a downtown Indianapolis hotel.
Hinkle, who is 64 and was first elected in 2000, voted this spring for a constitutional gay marriage ban. Several years ago he also was the House sponsor of the measure that created Indiana’s “In God We Trust” license plates.
Repeal of DADT Allows Gay Soldiers to Return to Duty
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We’re about a month and a half away from the actual repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the military’s long standing policy on keeping LGBT soldiers in the closet or face discharge.
With the pending repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, service members who’ve been discharged under that policy will be able to once again enter the military, free of the stigma of hiding their identities in order to serve their country.
On July 22, President Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen certified that the U.S. military is ready for open service in accordance with the repeal law signed in December, starting the 60-day period for when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will be a thing of the past on Sept. 20.
Gay service members discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will be able to re-enter the armed forces from that point forward. Some service members whose separations received media attention said their affinity for military service leaves no doubt in their mind that they’ll re-enter the military as soon as possible.
Same Sex Marriage in Court in CA Sept 6th
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We're officially less than a month away from the California Supreme Court hearing arguments as to whether Prop 8 sponsors have the authority to stand up in court to appeal Judge Walker's historic ruling overturning the measure.
The question is pivotal to the future of the 2008 ban, known as Proposition 8, because former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gov. Jerry Brown, in his previous role as attorney general, refused last year to challenge a federal court ruling that struck down the law as a violation of gay Californians' civil rights.
Should the court decide that the sponsors have standing, the case will continue to appeal. If they do not have standing the issue will end there, and same sex marriage will become legal in the state of California once and for all. There are pros and cons to both outcomes, as a decision stating the sponsors have standing could lead to a successful appeal, resulting in the case being taken to the Federal Supreme Court.
Class Action LGBT Lawsuit Seeks Couples
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The Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center would like to
immediately speak with gay and lesbian couples who are registered
domestic partners with the State of California (and who did not get
married duirng the 2008 marriage equality window for whatever
reason). The LAS-ELC is seeking a class representative to advance the
constitutional rights of such couples in a case about partner benefits
available to public employees in California.
In Dragovich v. CalPERS, a class action lawsuit, the Legal Aid Society–
Employment Law Center represents gay and lesbian employees of the
state of California and their legally recognized spouses and domestic
partners who have been excluded from equal access to the popular
CalPERS long-term care program. The couples are suing CalPERS and the
IRS to challenge the constitutionality of federal law that prohibits
the enrollment of legally recognized same-sex partners (whether
married or RDP).
The Dragovich plaintiffs are all couples in which one person is
eligible to apply for the plan and the other person is not eligible.
Any state, local, or regional public employee in California is
eligible to apply for the CalPERS long-term care plan.
CONTACT:
Claudia Center
The Legal Aid Society -- Employment Law Center
180 Montgomery Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94104
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(415) 864-8848 (voice)
(415) 593-0093 (fax)
(415) 593-0091 (TTY)
(415) 531-2874 (cell)
Welcome to the Family!
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I’m sure you have all seen that Gay Central Valley has expanded. We are very excited and proud to now be operating Gay Porterville. Already there have been articles posted, an up and running Facebook page and more things that you just don’t know about yet. You might be asking yourselves….who is this Gay Porterville? Well, I’d like to take this time to let you know about the woman behind the curtain, so to speak. It is my honor to introduce Melissa McMurrey, Division Leader of Gay Porterville. Melissa has only been with us for a short time but already has great ideas, great initiative and most importantly, a great passion for her community.
Melissa was raised as an Army brat. She and her family lived in various places throughout her childhood; Georgia, Washington, Germany, and New York, to name a few. She spent a lot of her adult life in Santa Barbara. Being out in the world and coming from a pretty liberal area as SB, you can imagine the culture shock she received moving back to Porterville. Lucky for you however, because that is one of her driving forces. Oh yeah, and to answer the burning question….. Yes, Melissa is gay. She currently lives with her partner of a year. She also has a dachshund named Sadie. She’s an Aquarius, likes long walks on the beach and her favorite color is teal. Did I just take that too far? :)
To give you a better perspective of her, we had a little Q&A session and here’s what she had to say:
What was your biggest adjustment moving back to the valley?
Biggest adjustment would have to be lack of cultured events and/or not having the option to do anything after 9pm locally that doesn’t include alcohol or strippers…although those things can be fun too. (Note to self: Take Melissa out for alcohol and strippers)
What was your motivation in starting up Gay Porterville?
Having been raised in various parts of the world I've had the opportunity to see full acceptance and tolerance of people outside of the traditional norm. Having Porterville to come back to on and off throughout my army brat upbringing made it easy to see how repressed the central valley is and saw what kind of advancements it could make. Porterville being off the beaten path sometimes contributes to the lack of resources we have here.
What do you think the hardest struggle for your area is?
Gosh, where to begin? Lack of LGBT community resources. Lack of understanding by the general population of LGBT issues. I feel that many LGBTQ people in the area think they are alone but don’t realize how many of us are actually here.
Did you find it difficult coming out to your friends and family?
I actually made a mountain out of a mole hill with this one. I had anticipated some resistance from my retired military gone correctional officer father but he actually was really open to the fact. My dad’s exact words were “I don’t care who you date as long as they treat you right and make you happy”…another favorite quotable from my dad when I first came out to him was in my asking him if he feared I wouldn’t be giving him grandchildren he said “What? Why? Women get inseminated all the time!! You better be giving me a grandkid!” With my mom…I was very fortunate to have the opportunity in coming out to her shortly before she passed away. My mom’s response was “I always knew something was up…especially with the effeminate men you used to date”. Friends… Again, I have been really fortunate in my coming out experience. Most of my friends stated they weren’t surprised and found it exciting. However, I do have one or two friends from high school that have struggled with it. They have voiced their more conservative opinions to me but I take it as a challenge to try and educate them rather than turn the other cheek.
What can the community do to help you in your efforts?
Voice their opinion. Pass any information or leads they may have to me. Voice any ideas they have or resources that I can try and harvest into a community resource or outlet.
What's the one goal that you, Gay Porterville, have for this year?
I have a couple of ideas still brewing that I still need to figure out a means and a plan of action for. I would like to get the LGBT community working on some volunteer projects and other types of community outreach where we are working side by side with other everyday people. I also am looking to get a general LGBT support group going to allow people of like mind to get together and chat.
Have you ever been discriminated against for identifying as an LGBT community member?
I've had a few comments and remarks made to me since I've been back in the area but nothing I really cared to hear. I imagine as I become more active in the community more people will recognize and associate me with the gay community possibly making me a target for discrimination. But I am ready and excited for that challenge.
Now that you have people's attention, what would you like to say to them?
That I would like for any member of the community to feel comfortable in approaching me at any time for any reason. I will never judge anyone for their feelings. I am a safe space. I will always do my best to help in any way I can...If I personally can't help I will find the appropriate resources.
I’m excited to have her with us and I’m really glad that the Porterville area has someone who can help continue the growth that has been started. Many of you have already done such great things there, together, you guys will be amazing. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity. Connect, share, engage and empower. Melissa is full of ambition and truly wants to bring everyone together for a stronger and better community.
Melissa: On behalf of myself and Gay Central Valley, welcome and thank you for coming aboard. The journey you are embarking upon is not an easy one at times, but I can’t think of a better person for the job.
Get involved Porterville, let her know what you need and how she can help!
Melissa McMurrey
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559-791-8699
VIDEO: CNN Covers McInerney Trial
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It's hard to listen to some of the testimony that's apparently been given in this case. Much of it has to do with Brandon McInerney, who murdered Lawrence King, feeling "harassed" by Lawrence's alleged flirtations...how many of us, and I'd venture to say ALL of us, as LGBT Americans, had to deal with the flirtations and advances of the opposite sex during our school years. We didn't want that either, but how many of became so angry that we murdered someone? I haven't researched the stats, but I'd fell comfortable saying NONE.
Until we can come to a point in society that we instill in our children that this is a country of an infinite number of human variations, and that none of them should be taken as offensive or dangerous to our own identity, this kind of tragedy will never stop.
Basically, as LGBT Americans, we're expected to kindly accept the advances of those we aren't inherently attracted to, while heterosexual Americans, who occasionally murder or violently attack those of the same sex due to flirtations, are afforded a jury to decide if it was verifiable.
Can anyone say TWINKIE?
NY Approves Legal Same Sex Marriage
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For the first time in US history, a Republican controlled legislature has passed the legalization of same sex marriage in the state of New York. After a religious amendment passed, two Senators announced their vote would be yes, which put the number of Senators voting yes over the required 32. The final vote was 33-29.
Mark Grisanti, who’s been previously opposed to legal same sex marriage, made a speech just prior to the vote about how his vote was now, after doing the research on the issue, a definite yes. He said he just can’t come up with a reason to deny other equal rights, while citing the religious exemption amendment as something that helped him change his mind on the issue.
New York becomes the sixth state, after Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa, Massachusetts and New Hampshire (plus Washington DC) in the US to legalize same sex marriage. Hopefully California will become the seventh.
GSA ACTIVIST CAMP - Register Now
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For youth ages 13-18. Takes place at the University of Southern California.
Cost: $0-$100 - Pay What You Can (Includes food, housing & training materials)
New deadline to register is July 1st
CONTACT
Victoria N. Benavides
Central Valley Program Coordinator
Gay-Straight Alliance Network
1295 N. Wishon Ave #6
Fresno, CA 93728
ph: 559.268.2780
fax: 559.268.2781
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