Last year I highly recommended the
HBO Documentary, "MIDDLE SEXES - REDEFINING HE & SHE". The
film explores all forms of human sexuality and gender identity. Narrated by
Gore Vidal, it's forthright, honest and revelatory. These issues have become
commonplace in the media over the last few years, and although I'm constantly
doing research for pieces I write on Gay Fresno, I wasn't finding the answers I
needed on subjects such as being transgendered or on the topic of sexual
reassignment. I simply didn't understand the layers of complexity involved with
the human nature between heterosexuality and homosexuality.
This documentary, for me, was a
crash course in how it all works. When it was over I no longer felt confused by
these issues. While I'm not suggesting one film can answer all questions, this
one covers enough to bring these issues into focus.
Today I accidentally stumbled upon a
YouTube User channel which has uploaded this documentary in several short
videos. For those who've either been unable to see the film on HBO or find the
DVD, this is an easy, free opportunity to see this incredible work. Simply click
on the following link...YouTube
User - Middle Sexes Documentary
"Middle
Sexes" is also available on NETFLIX , or it can be purchased at the HBO STORE or at AMAZON
As
much as LGBT Americans have against them in 2009, it seems almost insignificant
compared to life in the 1960's. Social repression in the 1950's and before
resulted in a wave of rebellion in the 1960's. LGBT Americans migrated to
larger cities, and established a sizable population in Greenwich Village,
NY. The city had laws against homosexuality in public and private
business, but policing all places of business was a strain on authorities.
Since there were few places LGBT people could gather safely, bars were the
hangouts.
A
harsher crackdown on homosexuality began with the approach of the 1964 World's
Fair. Wanting the city to appear pristine, the mayor ordered authorities to
clean up the streets. Police worked to entrap homosexuals as often as possible,
posing undercover in parks and public places. Raids on gay bars were frequent.
Police seized alcohol, lined up customers and demanded IDs. Men dressed in full
drag were immediately arrested. Women not having at least 3 pieces of feminine
clothing on were arrested. Bars were so used to the procedure that they often
kept more alcohol hidden, sometimes in a car down the street, so they could
re-open. Homosexuals were arrested simply over a perception they could become
disorderly. Coming out in 1969 was virtually unthinkable.
Click on Read More below for the rest of this article...
Starring: Paul Preiss – Bart Fletcher – Amy Lindsay – Candy Clark
Review by: Leon Velasco
Rating of: One Thumb up
It wasn’t one of the greatest movies I’ve seen. It was ok, but if it’s between this and say getting my brows waxed…I’ll go for the waxing. It just seemed to drag, and you’re getting anxious to get to the end after 30-45 minutes. Who knows maybe someone else may like it, but for me, I had to keep replaying because it would put me to sleep.
Emotionally daring and bristling with powerful performances, Dog Tags explores the cost of self-discovery as two unlikely souls connect. Abandoned by his father and raised by his single mother (Candy Clark), handsome and sexually confused Nate (Paul Preiss) obligatorily joins the Marines to support his fiancée. On leave, the detached marine meets Andy (Bart Fletcher), a magnetic and seemingly free-spirited young man haunted by the mysteries of his past. Initially their bond is purely platonic, but the smoldering chemistry they share is undeniable as it sizzles into something sensual and intimate. Together they plunge headfirst into waters of vulnerability and desire, while the identity of Nate’s father finally rises to the surface.
“An effective and affecting drama…it sneaks up on you and hits you upside your heart” –Dallas Voice
“A visually stunning film…powerful performances.” –Courier Post
I am not very partial to mystery novels but this one was very good. The intricacies of each character mingling with others; the author doesn’t skip a beat. Very well thought out and the execution was great with a twisted ending. The attention to detail was kudos; it was like playing a movie in my head.
Its carnival time in New Orleans, and Scotty Bradley,ex go-go boy turned private eye, is looking forward to relaxing with his boyfriends, Frank and Colin, and partying it up right. But nothing ever seems to work out the way Scotty wants it. Not only is it cold and rainy, ruining his elaborate costume plans, but former FBI agent Frank has “issues” with dropping a hit (or two, or four) of ecstasy. Hello! Ecstasy at Mardi Gra is practically guaranteed in the Gay Bill of Rights! Fortunately, Frank get over himself, the weather clears up, Scotty’s dealer, Misha, delivers the goods, and the boys are off to the races. And that’s when all the fun begins. After a night of partying, they come home to find the cops waiting for them. Misha has apparently been murdered and guess who was the last to see him alive? Turns out his wheeling and dealing had gotten him in trouble with a lot of people-Including the Russian Mob. And those guys don’t play around.
Suddenly, Scotty’s missing not just one but two boyfriends. And as the streets of Nola come alive in a hot human frenzy of sequins, music, dancing, and the sweat of thousands of revelers ready to throw caution and clothing to the wind, Scotty is in a desperate race to save the men he sometimes loves and keep Fat Tuesday from being the last day any of them ever see…
“When Herren introduced young, well-muscled former New Orleans bar dancer Scotty Bradley, he gave crime fiction one of it’s most engaging gay heroes.”--Booklist
Kevin Jennings’ appointment as Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education for the Department’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools is a tribute to his many contributions to education and his commitment to the safety and well-being of all students. Since the appointment was announced on June 1, efforts have been made by the anti-gay industry to slander Kevin’s reputation and record as GLSEN’s Founder and former Executive Director to his new colleagues at the Department of Education.
Please join us in thanking US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for Kevin’s appointment and affirming this great step forward for real school safety by signing on to our letter. We also invite you to include your own personal message of support to Secretary Duncan. GLSEN will deliver these messages to Secretary Duncan as Kevin begins his new position at the US Department of Education.
Don't let the anti-gay industry derail such important progress. Raise your voice in support of a proven education pioneer.
Dan Choi, a native of California and an Army Lieutenant, asked us to share the news of the verdict from his military trial with the Courage Campaign community.
Your overwhelming response to Lt. Choi's requests for support has touched him deeply. In the last five days, 162,741 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to the Army. And, a few weeks ago, 141,262 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to President Obama. Combined, more than 300,000 signatures were collected and submitted to the Army by Lt. Choi as "Exhibit E: Courage Campaign."
After 10 years of service to our country -- including leading combat patrols, rebuilding schools and translating Arabic in Iraq for 15 months -- the Federal Recognition Board issued its recommendation on Tuesday that I be discharged from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
The board's decision to fire me is not the end. Now that this panel of four officers has recommended my discharge, it still must be approved by senior officials in the Army, a process that could take a few weeks to a year. Unless something unexpected happens, it may be just a matter of time before the Army officially fires me.
I will not give up, no matter the odds. Because I know that the only way we will win this fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is by facing it head on. And I need your help again to keep up the fight.
At West Point, I recited the Cadet Prayer every Sunday. It taught me to "choose the harder right over the easier wrong" and to "never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won." The Cadet Honor Code demanded truthfulness and honesty. It imposed a zero-tolerance policy against deception, or hiding behind comfort.
That's why I can't give up now. I've got to keep fighting. My fellow servicemembers -- and the 70 fellow West Point graduates who have also come out of the closet to join Knights Out, the organization I co-founded to push for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- would expect nothing less.
The only way we can win this fight for the truth is if the political cost of discrimination eventually becomes too great for the system to operate successfully. We need to raise the political cost in Congress so that Speaker Nancy Pelosi understands that, as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall once said, "justice too long delayed is justice denied."
As I said a few days ago, national security means many things, but the thing that makes us secure in our nation and homes is love. What makes me a better soldier, leader, Christian and human being is love. And I'm not going to hide my love.
Love is worth it.
Thank you for your support.
Daniel W. Choi
1LT, IN New York Army National Guard
Porterville is the only city in California who's City Council has passed a resolution praising Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage. Are you going to let a few city council members speak for you and all of Porterville? I dare you to do something about it. This is your chance to avoid sitting idly by while the powers that be put words in YOUR mouth and support laws that are divisive, un-equal, unjust and un-constitutional.
There will be a Town Hall Meeting at Los Robles Elementary School in Porterville on Wednesday, July 1st at 7pm.
We urge you, nay, implore you, to come down and say a few words to our city council members about how you feel about Proposition 8, their support of it, and anything else on your mind for that matter. You may think that your voice doesn't count. Don't fall for such an illusion. Emphatically, it does matter. Only YOU can speak for yourself. Don't let the bureaucratic fat-cats take that away from you. You don't even need to be from Porterville. If you have any association with it, friends, family, occasional visits, have shopped here or supported any cause or group here, you can come and talk. It doesn't have to be long, you don't have to sound professional. You can talk for 10 seconds or 2 hours, it doesn't matter. The fact is, they need to hear from YOU. Please come down and show your support. Tell everyone you know and ask them to tell everyone they know. The more people there, the stronger the message. Utilize all your contacts and get the word out!
Directions Updated by Barry:
- Rt 65 North or South to Henderson Avenue exit
- Take Henderson EAST to Plano Street (you will see a Foster Farms plant at the intersection of Plano and Henderson)
- Turn left at Plano
- At the first traffic light, turn right
- The school will be visible on your left
Joan Palmer of PFLAG has informed me that their temple, Congregation B'nai David, is selling fireworks. They of course are part of a reformed congregation and it is gay friendly in every aspect. Please visit their booth at the new Target location on the old Dinuba Highway out by Riggin Road. We truly need to be conscience of where our "gay" money is spent. So, spend it where it does some good and spend as much as you can. Thanks Joan!!
A woman and a man are involved in a car accident on a snowy, cold Monday morning; it's a bad one. Both of their cars are totally demolished, but amazingly neither of them is hurt. God works in mysterious ways. After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers. The woman says, 'So, you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days.' Flattered, the man replies, 'Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God! But you're still at fault...women shouldn't be allowed to drive.' The woman continues, 'And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune.' She hands the bottle to the man. The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman. The woman takes the bottle, puts the cap back on and hands it back to the man. The man asks, 'Aren't you having any?' The woman replies, 'No. I think I'll just wait for the police...'
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Women are clever, evil bitches.
Don't mess with them!
As the holiday approaches I would like to offer a reminder that most of the firework stands tend to be churches. I ask that you are mindful where you spend your money because you may be funding the very campaign that seeks to keep us without our rights.
I know there are some school booster clubs out there with stands. If you know of some non-church or gay friendly church booths or other "friendly" firework stands please contact me and I will list them here. Thank you and have a good holiday!
On Tuesday, I will face a panel of colonels who will decide whether or not to fire me -- to discharge me for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
On Tuesday, I will try to prove that it's not immoral to tell the truth.
As an infantry officer, an Iraq combat veteran and a West Point graduate with a degree in Arabic, I refuse to lie to my commanders. I refuse to lie to my peers. I refuse to lie to my subordinates.
My case requires that I provide personal testimony from people who can attest to my character. That's why several members of my military unit have written letters of support and offered to testify on my behalf.
I want to thank the 141,262 people who have signed the "Don't Fire Dan" letter launched a few weeks ago by the Courage Campaign and CREDO Mobile to President Obama, asking him to take leadership to bring this tragic policy to an end.
The momentum is building. This week, 77 members of Congress signed a letter to the President citing my service as an example of why DADT should be repealed. And a Gallup poll was recently released showing that 69 percent of Americans -- including 58 percent of Republicans - favor allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve their country .
As I learned at West Point, deception and lies poison a unit and cripple a fighting force. That's why more than 70 of my fellow West Point graduates have also come out of the closet to join Knights Out, the organization I co-founded to build support for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".
National security means many things, but the thing that makes us secure in our nation and homes is love. What makes me a better soldier, leader, Christian and human being is love. And I'm not going to hide my love.
Love is worth it.
Thank you for your support.
Daniel W. Choi
1LT, IN
New York Army National Guard
The FREE monthly issue GLBT publication - NEWS LINK is now available at Mid Town News (downtown Visalia), Borders, Wild Willy's in Goshen and you can pick one up at the June 21st meeting of PFLAG-Tulare/Kings Counties, the June 23 meeting of the Tuesday Evening Dining Group (Ted G), the June 24th phone bank meeting of Marriage Equality, June 24th GLAD night at Blitz or at the 1 year anniversary of the RAINBOWlers. This issue has news from our website as well as news from Stockton to Bakersfield. If you want this free GLBT publication to be continued to be delivered to our area, you need to pick up your free copy at the above locations. HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!.
I'm starting up what I've currently labeled "The Project", a history of LGBT life in Fresno going as far back as the 1950's to the present. I'm contacting as many people as I can about participating in any way they can, which is why you're receiving this email. This is the first email going out, as I collect more email addresses, more will be included.
I've attached an Introduction Letter which explains the project in detail, as well as a basic Information Form to be filled out by anyone interested in participating.
Completed forms can be returned to me by email (print the form, fill it out, scan it and email it), or they can be directly mailed to me at...
Chris Jarvis
1213 E Princeton Avenue
Fresno, CA 93704
OR they can be dropped off any day of the week, after 7pm, at The North Tower Circle at 2777 N Maroa Avenue (559) 229-4188. Just place the form in an envelope with my name on it and I can pick it up on my days of work there. I also keep hard copies of the letter and information form at the Circle if anyone isn't able to print it out they can pick copies up there.
If other arrangements need to be made (such as me mailing a hard copy to you) just let me know and I can do that as well. If there are any questions please email me, and if you know of anyone who you feel would be helpful with this project please let me know that as well and I can let you know if I've already contacted them.
I am ashamed to admit that I attended my first Tulare/Kings Co. PFLAG meeting this afternoon. I'm not ashamed that I attended, only that this was my first time. What a wonderful group of people! I am so proud of and thankful for Steven and Joan Palmer. They are a marvelous couple who saw a need here in our area and created a safe place for all to come and be themselves. Thank you to the whole PFLAGteam for your dedication, warmth and spirit!
I wasn't hesitant or nervous about attending. Those who know me can see I'm a pretty outgoing person. I honestly just didn't know what to expect or what I would walk away feeling. I'd like to answer that now. There was a great crowd full of diversity, young and not so young, many different local groups were represented, LGBT people, straight allies, parents of LGBT people, etc. There was lots of laughter and a fair share of tears. I heard some things from my mother that I had never heard before. I think they have always been implied but never spoken. It was touching for me and I learned for some others as well. I heard peoples outrage and disappointment over Prop 8. I listened to people who are afraid to be who they are. People who are struggling with family acceptance. I think these are all things everyone can relate to. I think for every person who shared today that there are so many more out there who feel the same, who have been through or are going through the same thing. PFLAG really is about supporting our community in a safe place where everyone can feel comfortable. Where you can share your struggles and take comfort in knowing that you are protected and loved. I urge everyone to come out to the next meeting and experience this for yourselves. You will not leave empty handed but instead with a full heart bursting with friendship, love, and true acceptance.
This meeting has helped fuel my already raging fire. For those parents who want equality and justice for their children, I am dedicated to you. For those people who "kick themselves in the behind" for waiting a bit too long for an event that shouldn't have had a time frame, you will be vindicated, you will get your day. For those people who don't feel 100% comfortable just being themselves, take comfort in knowing that you will always have a place to go with people who will not judge you but stand beside you and fight for the day we are no longer afraid to be ourselves. That place is PFLAG and I am one of the many people who will keep on fighting for you, no matter how long the battle may take. So, thank you PFLAG for the support you bring and the awareness you spread. Thank you everyone who shared today because being vulnerable is never easy. I applaud you, I support you but most of all, I am one of you.
I don't know why I waited so long, don't make the same mistake. Inquire today:
Last year I highly recommended the
HBO Documentary, "
As
much as LGBT Americans have against them in 2009, it seems almost insignificant
compared to life in the 1960's. Social repression in the 1950's and before
resulted in a wave of rebellion in the 1960's. LGBT Americans migrated to
larger cities, and established a sizable population in Greenwich Village,
NY. The city had laws against homosexuality in public and private
business, but policing all places of business was a strain on authorities.
Since there were few places LGBT people could gather safely, bars were the
hangouts. 
TCET Phone Bank
