This is for youth ages 14-24 to create a safe and fun space to get to know LGBTQ youth in their area and support each other. This is great for young people looking to get involved & find a loving community. Santa Rosa hosts their youth group on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month, while Sonoma Valley hosts their youth group on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month. Drop-Ins welcome.
#2 Youth Leadership Team Launch
This is for youth ages 14-24 to be on a 6 month intensive team to create an advocacy project they decide that creates a more welcoming community. This is great for young people who want to be on a team, learn leadership skills, & want to take leadership roles. Without giving too much away, YLT is a beautiful and transformative experience where youth do a lot of self-digging and self-discoveries in community. Community is the essence of all of this. Youth interested can fill out the interest form and attend the info session, also listed here: inyurl.com/YLTinterest. Groups meet weekly & attendance is required.
#3 LGBTQ Best Practice Training on Jan 22nd
After much interest, we are hosting another free LGBTQ Best Practice Training in English! In order to better serve more of Sonoma County, attendees will not only learn about what affects the LGBTQ community, but also what affects the marginalized communities within the LGBTQ community: trans people, Latinx people, low income people, etc. Jan 22 in Santa Rosa. Details here. RSVP required: tinyurl.com/ycvanqbg.
#4 Promotores de Amor Training in Jan 31st
The Promotores de Amor is geared for Spanish-speaking individuals that want to support families with youth who are LGBTQ. The goal is to promote love and acceptance in an accessible & impactful way to create healthier families. Jan 31st in Santa Rosa. RSVP encouraged but not required: tinyurl.com/y8lbdlpu.
Marvel has revealed its first ever drag queen superhero in an X-Men series.
Shade is a mutant who is also a drag queen, and she’s already a big hit with the fandom.
The superhero sashayed her way into the world with a single panel appearance in last month’s Iceman #4.
Fans are already creating fan art of Shade | Photo: Twitter
But many Marvel fans wondered whether it was just a drag queen posing as a mutant or not?
Writer Sina Grace, who’s out, has now revealed that Shade is a mutant and will be appearing in future issues of the comic.
‘I really wanted this series to push readers to new and better stories about the whole queer experience and how it applies to being both a mutant and a superhero,’ Grace told The Advocate.
‘There’s a million different queer perspectives and we’re only scratching the surface.’
Who wants a Shade action figure? | Photo: Twitter
Iceman is Marvel’s only solo series featuring a queer lead. Bobby Drake, the character, came out in 2015 and had his own solo series in 2017. However, this was canceled due to poor sales.
But due to fan demand, a new monthly comic was created in 2018.
‘My goal with this new Iceman series is for for everyone, myself, the readers, the characters involved in the comic book, to have fun,’ declares Grac
Shade’s mutant power is teleport. She can open pocked voids that allows her to step into and out of her handheld folding fan.
Students at Oxford University are calling for the firing of a law professor after he compared gay sex to bestiality.
More than 400 people have also signed a petition calling for John Finnis to be removed from teaching.
The 78-year-old is emeritus professor of law and legal philosophy at University College.
Finnis has said in 1994 homosexuality is ‘never a valid, humanly acceptable choice and form of life’.
He wrote in his collected essays, published in 2011, that it is ‘destructive of human character and relationships’.
He also added: ‘[Gay sex] treats human sexual capacities in a way which is deeply hostile to the self-understanding of those members who are willing to commit themselves to real marriage.’
Finnis, who converted to Catholicism in 1962, has previously advised the Vatican.
He has also called homosexuality ‘evil’, ‘destructive’ and similar to the abuse of children.
Finnis has also encouraged ‘gay cure’ therapy said approving of LGBTI rights is similar to approving terrorism.
Students signed a petition calling on Finnis to be removed from teaching compulsory lectures.
‘It puts a hugely prejudiced man in a position of responsibility and authority,’ they say.
‘It makes people who are affected by his discrimination question whether they should even attend these seminars…
‘University is a place to focus on education, not to be forced to campaign against or to be taught by professors who have promoted hatred towards students that they teach.’
Finnis told the Oxford Student: ‘I stand by all these writings. There is not a ‘phobic’ sentence in them.
‘The 1994 essay promotes a classical and strictly philosophical moral critique of all non-marital sex acts and has been republished many times.’
Alex Benn, one of the authors of the petition, said Finnis had ‘built a career on demonisation’.
Benn also told the Oxford Student: ‘Campaigns like this one often receive simplistic responses calling for tolerance or academic freedom. But law, employment and education already draw boundaries about what won’t be tolerated.
‘The humanity of disadvantaged people, including LGBTQ+ people, isn’t a debate …
‘I started this campaign not only to address the specific issue of Finnis’ role at Oxford, but to get Oxford to make up its mind – either it’s in support of equality or it’s not.”
A university spokesperson said: ‘Oxford University and the faculty of law promote an inclusive culture, which respects the rights and dignity of all staff and students.
‘We are clear we do not tolerate any form of harassment of individuals on any grounds, including sexual orientation.
‘Equally, the university’s harassment policy also protects academic freedom of speech and is clear that vigorous academic debate does not amount to harassment when conducted respectfully and without violating the dignity of others.
‘All of the university’s teaching activity, including that in the faculty of law, is conducted according to these principles.’
The Colorado courthouse that hosted the US’ first ever same-sex wedding has been recognized for its role in LGBTI history.
The federal government recognized the Colorado Boulder County Courthouse and added it to the National Register of Historic Places. The only other LGBTI venues included on the register include the Stonewall Inn in New York and the Dr. Franklin E. Kameny Residence in Washington, D.C.
In 1975, the courthouse gave a marriage licence to a gay couple who came in asking to get married. As news of that spread, more same-sex couples approached the courthouse to get a licence.
Clela Rorex was the Boulder county clerk at the time and issued a total of six marriage licences to same-sex couples. But the then state Attorney-General ordered her to stop giving them out. He told Rorex the licences were not valid, according to a report on NBC.
Rorex has sought the opinion of Boulder County district attorney in 1975 before granting the first licence. The DA at the time said Colorado’s laws did not explicitly bar giving marriage licences to same-sex couples.
On Friday (4 January) the courthouse unveiled a plaque to commemorate its addition to the National Register of Historic Places.
Speaking at the plaque unveiling ceremony, Rorex, 75, explained why she issued the marriage licences.
‘As a woman, I’m asking for my equal rights,’ Rorex said.
‘How can I deny someone else? It just felt like the right thing to do. I’ve never changed my mind. All these years, I never wished I hadn’t made that decision.’
Rorex also wanted the plaque to have meaning for today’s LGBTI people.
‘I want this plaque to symbolize … a notice that people who are in the LGBT community are safe here in Boulder County,’ she said.
On Tuesday (8 January), a federal grand jury in Texas returned an indictment against two men accused of using Grindr to assault and rob gay male victims. They charged the men with conspiracy to commit hate crimes.
The jury delivered a 15-count indictment against Daniel Jenkins, 19, and Michael Atkinson, 24.
According to the Texas state attorney’s office, Jenkins and Atkinson used the popular dating app to ‘lure’ men to an apartment complex. They allegedly targeted at least nine men between the ages of 19 and 57.
U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas also revealed that at least ‘five victims were physicaly assaulted, one was sexually assaulted with an object, and one was smeared with feces’.
Other reports state Jenkins and Atkinson allegedly wielded guns and threatened their victims with them.
The pair face numerous other charges beyond the conspiracy one. Other charges could include kidnapping and carjacking, with a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.
Last May, four men in Texas pled guilty to similar crimes. They all received between 10 and 20 years in federal prison.
These men posed as gay men on Grindr and then made plans to meet their victims in person. Once they met the gay men from the app, they assaulted them, tied them up, and robbed them.
At the time, attorney Joseph D. Brown for the Eastern District of Texas said the case ‘highlights the danger of the internet’ and specifically online apps.
Buck has not been charged with anything for either deaths. An investigation into the death is being led by Detective Q. Rodriguez of the department’s Homicide Bureau. The identity of the dead man has not been revealed. In July 2017, 26-year-old Gemmel Moore was found dead in Buck’s apartment due to an overdose on methamphetamine.
Buck’s lawyer, Seymour Amster, said that his client wasn’t responsible for either deaths and that both men were friends he was trying to help. Amster said that the man who died in Buck’s apartment this morning may have been using drugs before he arrived.
Amster said that the most recent victim “reached out for [Buck’s] help” Sunday night and began acting “in a bizarre way” after he arrived at Buck’s apartment, as reported by Fox News.
“As far as we’re concerned, this is an accidental death,” Amster said.
Last year, when the police ruled that there was insufficient evidence to charge Buck for anything regarding the Moore’s death, Gemmel’s mother LaTisha Nixon and family friends and supporters were upset. They pointed to evidence that included a diary in which Moore claimed Buck paid him to inject the drug.
In a December 2016 entry, Moore wrote: “I’ve become addicted to drugs and the worst one at that. Ed Buck is the one to thank. He gave me my first injection of crystal meth it was very painful, but after all the troubles, I became addicted…”
In his final entry, on Dec. 3, 2016, Moore wrote: “If it didn’t hurt so bad, I’d kill myself, but I’ll let Ed Buck do it for now.”
The LGBT Center of Los Angeles issue the following statement on Monday regarding the deaths in Ed Buck’s home:
“The Los Angeles LGBT Center calls upon Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and his department to fully investigate this tragedy and aggressively seek justice wherever the investigation might lead.
“Although the investigation is in its early stages, we urge Sheriff Villanueva to keep the public fully informed as LGBT people have a considerable and urgent interest in a case that is so clearly linked to the health and safety of our community. The reports we have heard provide more questions than answers. The fact is two black men have died at Mr. Buck’s home in less than two years.
“While much is still to be learned, it appears this tragedy is linked to substance use. LGBT people and other marginalized groups are at elevated risk for impacts that result from the current epidemic uses of opioids, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs. The Center provides free or low-cost, comprehensive, and judgment-free addiction recovery services and has a service to provide free fentanyl testing strips to those who request them. For help or more information, contact the Center’s Addiction Recovery Services at recovery@lalgbtcenter.org or 323-993-7448.”
A rally attendee chanting “arrest him now” with the crowd Monday night.
At the Monday night rally, Jasmyne Cannick, a communications and public affairs strategist who has worked on behalf of Moore’s mother, demanded action from the L.A. Sherrif’s dept. and District Attorney Jackie Lacey.
“We will leave and there will be another man going into his house tonight, another man coming in tomorrow,” Cannick said. “Now it’s time for the Sheriff’s Department and Jackie Lacey to sh-t or get off the pot.”
Cannick also said that she hoped that newly elected Sheriff Alex Villanueva would take a more aggressive approach to the investigation than former Sheriff Jim McDonnell did.
Cannick said in a Facebook post Monday night after the rally that there will be a protest outside Lacey’s office Wednesday, Jan. 9.
“@BLMLA will be holding their weekly protest in front of DA Jackie Lacey’s office on Wed. at 4P at 211 W. Temple. Join them in calling for the prosecution of Ed Buck.”
Jared Polis on Tuesday (8 January) was sworn in as governor of Colorado. With his inauguration, he became the state’s first Jewish governor and the country’s first openly gay governor.
He ran opposing Republican candidate Walker Stapleton, who took 44.9% of the votes, compared to Polis’ 52%.
Prior to becoming governor, Polis served as the representative from Colorado’s 2nd congressional district since 2009. He fought for numerous progressive causes, such as LGBTI rights, education access, and healthcare.
Civil Rights icon and House of Representatives member John Lewis endorsed Polis in his bid for governorship.
‘‘Jared and I have worked together for years to expand civil rights and to make healthcare more affordable to millions,’ he said.
Watch Polis’ inauguration and swearing-in below.
‘Right now, our nation is experiencing a period of growing divisiveness and rising tribalism,’ Polis said in his inaugural speech.
‘But we here in Colorado have chosen a different path. Here, we have come so far, climbed so high, and done so much not just to say, but to show that we reject that brand of politics.’
His speech continued with him praising Colorado’s diversity.
‘We have embraced the idea that no two people are exactly alike, and we have decided to celebrate our differences, Colorado for all.’
Diversity was a theme of the day, as well as hope for the future.
Numerous other speakers followed Polis’ speech. First was an invocation by the Reverend Dr. James D. Peters, Jr. of New Hope Baptist Church, followed by a Sikh blessing.
Then Anne Waldman gave a poetry reading and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Spiritual Leader Terry Knight delivered a Native American blessing.
Polis’ predecessor, John Hickenlooper, also spoke at the event.
‘We are connected to the very best of ourselves when we are connected to one another,’ he said. He added he was ‘honored’ to hand the baton to Polis.
Polis also took a selfie with the crowd.
At the inaugural ball following the event, Cyndi Lauper will perform.
Two women have been charged with assaulting a 29-year-old transgender person in a bathroom at a popular Glenwood South bar last month. According to investigators, the victim was inside the women’s bathroom at Milk Bar on Dec. 9 when she was sexually assaulted by two other women. Amber Harrell, 38, and Jessica Fowler, 31, are both charged with second-degree kidnapping and sexual battery in connection with the incident.
The victim called 911 the day after the incident. She told the dispatcher that the women started verbally abusing her in the bathroom, exposing themselves and touching her. The touching continued at the bar. “One of the girls is still touching all over me. She would not let go. I asked her numerous times. She (bartender) could see I was visibly uncomfortable,” the victim told the dispatcher.
A debut collection of linked short stories about love, loss, and intimacy, Oranges is a gentle look at what it means to come of age and grow older as a gay man in the Midwest. The slim collection of nine tales sketches the life of Michael Dolin, a civil lawyer who grew up closeted in Mason City, Iowa, before finding self-respect in Minneapolis as an adult. In spare prose, author Gary Eldon Peter portrays Michael’s lifelong journey toward inner peace with care and compassion.
The first story, “Blankets,” opens the collection with the protagonist at his most vulnerable. A recent college graduate, Michael struggles to balance his attempts to study for the LSAT with the demands of his job at a local hospital, where he cares for acutely depressed patients and dreams of finding stability. The aspiring lawyer also has just moved into the home of his partner, Kevin, who is living with HIV in the eighties. How the couple’s relationship will grow is by no means certain, but the intimate moments the two men share at their kitchen table are among the most memorable in the story, which, as with the other tales, unfolds in a series of succinct vignettes.
The rest of the collection focuses on either Michael’s adolescence or his mid life. In “The Bachelor” and “Donny,” Peter fully renders the confusion and turmoil that accompany Michael’s teenage realization that he’s gay. By contrast, in “Skating,” “Oranges,” and “Sun Country,” the author sympathizes with an adult Michael’s efforts to help care for Kevin, his mother, and his father, all of whom are ailing and nearing their deaths. Across stories Peter switches from first to third person and moves around in time, but his primary concern always is to flesh out Michael’s interiority.
“Wedding,” the final story, ends the collection on an uplifting note. The story explores Michael’s relationship with his new partner Stephen as the couple prepares for and attends the wedding of his nephew Jason. For much of the story, Michael frets over the idea that his sister Susan, Jason’s mother, will react negatively to his male partner’s appearance at her son’s wedding, but his worrying amounts to very little. Knowing how lonely Michael has been since Kevin’s death, Susan deals with the unfamiliar experience as best as she can, even if she doesn’t quite welcome Stephen into the family with open arms. The two men end the night dancing in their hotel room, optimistic about the future.
Warmhearted and thoughtful, Peter is at his best when he’s attending to the nuances of Michael’s close relationships. Whether charting Michael’s clumsy interactions with his father at a retirement home or detailing the sundry ways he tries to brighten Kevin’s last days, the author manages to make each relationship feel fresh and distinct from the rest. The best stories in the collection are those that show Michael successfully closing the distance between him and a loved one, after a period of emotional or physical separation.
As sweet as the stories are, they sometimes enter the realm of the saccharine. Conflict rarely erupts across these tales, often appearing only as a distant threat. The stories also tend to be a bit too well plotted, and the endings are uniformly forward looking and hopeful, even in the face of great loss. Time and time again, Michael finds himself in the difficult position of having to comfort his loved ones as they approach death, but the author rarely dwells in his protagonist’s pain or frustration. A little more anger would have heightened the realism of these slice-of-life stories
In spite of some blemishes, Oranges is still promising as a debut collection. Peter is talented at honing in on small moments that reveal character, and he sensitively captures the quietude of life in the Midwest. It’s not difficult to see why the collection won the Many Voices Project competition in Prose, hosted by Minnesota-based New Rivers Press. From his straightforward language to his penchant for precious endings, the author brushes aside cleverness and cynicism at every turn, and his stories earnestly depict an endless longing for human connection against the backdrop of a placid landscape.
A church in Weed, California put up a sign with homophobic and transphobic sentiments recently. Residents, however, did not take kindly to it.
Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church’s sign reads: ‘Bruce Jenner is still a man. Homosexuality is still a sin. The culture may change, the Bible does not.’
According to local CBS news station KTVL, who first reported the story, residents of Weed said the sign has been up since the start of the new year.
Community members gathered for the Shastina Love Rally over the weekend and protested the sign.
‘Just a community effort to show that we actually care about all members of our community, regardless of orientation gender or other aspects of identity that make them unique,’ said Robyn Vandiver, one of the many protesters.
Vandiver and other people also said they wanted to not only protest, but show the LGBTI community love and support.
Another protester, Sophia Bullington, commented words like these could be harmful to people.
‘You never know who might not be out and public about it and be willing to share because of things like this. They might be scared,’ she said.
Church’s pastor gets defensive
The church’s pastor, Justin Hoke, posted a photo of the sign on his own Facebook and defended it in a subsequent comment.
‘It is not possible to preach the gospel in short pithy statements,’ he wrote.
‘I have used this sign for 7 years now to provoke reflection or make a strong point about a single truth. Such as this one: the culture does not determine truth God does.’
Pastor Justin Hoke’s comment | Photo: Facebook/Justin Hoke
He went on to say that ‘the church has lost its saltiness’. He also expects ‘flack from the visible church’ for this sign as well.
Protesters acknowledged the church’s First Amendment right, but still disagreed.
Vandiver said this will have far-reaching consequences: ‘The way that people treat one another and the respect that they show or the hate that they show will have ramifications on individuals and families, throughout our community, as well as the world.’
