Queers United

Rockstar Energy Makes Nice With The Gays

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:07:00 +0000

Rockstar Energy Drinks was coming under increasing pressure by LGBT activists and others who were concerned about the alleged connection between the company and racist, homophobic, right-wing radio personality Michael Savage.

The company has reached out to the LGBT community to improve it's image and prove that they are not connected with nor subscribe to his anti-gay views.

In a press release it was announced that:

"It has recently come to ROCKSTAR’s attention that there might be a misconception about our company’s policy and my personal support for LGBT rights,” said Weiner. “We apologize for that misunderstanding, and want to make clear today that our company fully supports our LGBT employees and our LGBT customers.”

"Some have erroneously associated our company with offensive language directed at LGBT people, specifically statements coming from Michael Savage, who is not and has never been a shareholder or officer of ROCKSTAR Energy Drink. On behalf of our company and directors, including myself and CFO Janet Weiner, I would like to take this opportunity to disavow any offensive statements directed toward LGBT people, including statements from Michael Savage. ROCKSTAR assures our customers and the general public that our brand will never be associated with any language that does not affirm the essential dignity of every person in our diverse national community"(Change).

The company will contribute $100,000 to several prominent queer organizations including the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and The Trevor Project, and ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will also financially sponsor the National LGBT Bloggers Initiative.

Rockstar will institute protections for employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. They also are including these issues in their diversity training, and will offer support and resources to those interested in starting an LGBT group for employees.

We applaud this move by Rockstar to support their LGBT employees and customers and encourage people to contact them to show support for this decision.

Tony Guilfoyle
Director of Corporate Relations, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink
tony.g@rockstar69.com
415-269-2064

Word of the Gay: "DINKY"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000

"DINKY" is an acronym that stands for dual income no kids yet, and is often applied as a marketing term to childless gay and lesbian couples who are suspected to have a higher income because they don't have child expenses.

Organization Spotlight: MCCNY Homeless Youth Services

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Homeless Youth Services is a program by the Metropolitan Community Church of New York that provides services and shelter to runaway and homeless LGBT youth in New York. It is estimated that up to 40% of homeless youth are LGBT, and MCCNY helps them by providing food, shelter, clothing, and by taking care of their mental and physical health care needs.

Midwesterners to Protest Exodus "Ex-gay" Ideology in Illinois

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:32:00 +0000

The Gay Liberation Network is organizing a protest against the opening of Exodus International’s annual “Freedom Conference” which promotes "ex-gay" therapy and it invites you to join them in protest:

Tuesday, July 14
6:30 PM
Wheaton College
500 College Avenue
Wheaton, Illinois

GLN is organizing transportation from Chicago to the protest, and may be able to offer it from some suburban locations. If you need transportation or are willing to offer it, please email LGBTliberation@aol.com.

Crossposted via Truth Wins Out.

Word of the Gay: "Intersex Surgery"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000

"Intersex Surgery" is a medical procedure to correct so called birth defects of people with ambiguous genitalia by the medical establishment.

Gay Men Face Discrimination Over Kiss in El Paso

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:11:00 +0000

A group of gay men are claiming they were subject to unfair treatment at the Chico's Taco's restaurant chain in El Paso, Texas. Two of the men were kissing, and were told to leave by security guards.

The men reported this to local media:

"We went, sat down to eat our food and security guards came and said that if they kept doing that, they were going to throw us all out of the restaurant."

Carlos said he then asked them why? Their response, according to Carlos: "They said 'we didn't allow that gay stuff to go on here.'" (KVIA)

The restaurant has responded to the media with "no comment" and the All American International Security team stands by their two guards, claiming the men were loud.

The two men proceeded to seek help from the police department who responded that:

"It was against the law for two males and two females to kiss in public, that they could cite us for homosexual activity." (KVIA)

While the anti-gay law does remain on the books, it has been struck down in 2003 and no longer enforced. The police department maintains that the new officer misinterepreted the law.

Demand that Chico's Taco's and the AAIS apologize for this incident and implement a program to train their employees to respect diversity training inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Chico's Taco's
4230 Alameda Ave
El Paso, TX 79905
(915) 533-0975

All American International Security
915-778-9880
P.O. Box 27109; El Paso, Texas 79926-7109
info@bradfordsecurity.com

Governor O'Malley of Maryland Hints at Out of State Marriage Recognition

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:40:00 +0000

Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland who has previously stated his opposition to same-sex marriage, has spoken in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages that took place out of state. This would ensure that LGBTQ people in Maryland are able to receive the same rights and benefits in their state, even though they must be inconvenienced to travel out of state to officially be recognized.

Equality Maryland is urging us to contact the Governor and thank him for his positive remarks about recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere in the state of Maryland.

Word of the Gay: "Not Interested Model"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:16:00 +0000

The "not interested model" is a simplistic way to explain asexuality to people who have no background understanding lack of sexual attraction and that asexuals are not interested in sex.

Web Spotlight: A Call for Bisexual Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:10:00 +0000

Bisexual Artists is seeking artists who identify as Bisexual (or with a label inclusive of bisexuality, such as Pansexual, Omnisexual, Ambisexual or Queer), to submit paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, or sculptures relating to their experiences of living as a bisexual person. Artists selected for the exhibition will have their work on display in the San Francisco art gallery of Good Vibrations on Polk Street from October 8 to November 26, 2009

Tell Speaker Pelosi to Make Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal a Priority

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:42:00 +0000

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283) which would allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers to serve openly has the backing of the majority of citizens and Democrats in power. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has the power to make this issue of ending discrimination in our military a priority.

Join SLDN and the Courage Campaign in urging Speaker Pelosi to act to end DADT.

Standing on the Side of Love

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:14:00 +0000

Standing on the Side of Love is a new campaign by the Unitarian Universalist Church which respects the dignity and self worth of every human being regardless of their creed. The campaign aims to lift religious voices in the public square to proclaim love and inclusion of all of God's children.

Check out the UU website to learn more, receive updates and participate in this progressive religious campaign for inclusion and human dignity.

http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/

Word of the Gay: "Chin"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:32:00 +0000

"Chin" is a Mayan God of the 16th century said to have introduced homoerotic relationships to the Mayan people. Under the law relationships between men were considered legal marriages.

End the HIV Travel Ban!

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:54:00 +0000

The last step to ending our nation's discriminatory ban on HIV-positive visitors and immigrants is finally here but we're not done yet.

Now it's in the hands of President Obama's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take the last step and eliminate this harsh policy.

The Department of HHS has finally proposed lifting the ban, and the proposal is now open for public comment. We need your help to ensure that we get this effort across the finish line.

Contact the Department of Health and Human Services and urge them to end the ban.

Shameless Self Promotion

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Please feel free to share any links to queer or queer related topics of interest. You can post a blog entry you made, a website you found interesting. Anything goes as long as it is queer in nature.

*Shameless Self Promotion is usually on Sundays but blogger is having some issues, so happy Monday, promote away!

Word of the Gay: "Fagulous"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:56:00 +0000

"Fagulous" is a combination of the words fag and fabulous. It is a person who is so fabulous when it comes to fashion or talent that they are presumed to be gay.

Word of the Gay: "Political Lesbianism"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000

"Political lesbianism" holds the idea that sexual orientation is a choice, and advocates for women to choose lesbianism as a positive feminist ideal.

Steps to Take to Protect Marriage in Maine

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:18:00 +0000

Just a few months ago the state of Maine made history by legalizing same-sex marriage, but right wing opponents are ready to bring the issue to a vote on the ballot come November. Mainers are equally split similarly to how the voting turned out in California's proposition 8 on whether same-sex couples should have the right to marry.

Please join the Maine Freedom to Marry campaign to ensure that we keep marriage equality as the law of the land.

Steps to take:

Take the pledge to support marriage fairness.

Donate money to the campaign.

Volunteer to help out the campaign (Maine & out of state residents)

Start a cyber campaign to fund raise for MFTM.

Make your voice heard by blogging for equality.

Store Spotlight: Lambda Rising Bookstore

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Lambda Rising is a leading bookstore offering literary, political & social world, offering the finest in GLBTQ literature & entertainment. They also support non-profits, performers, authors, and youth, encourage communication & fight discrimination.

Stop the Anti-Gay Slander Against Kevin Jennings

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Kevin Jennings the founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has been tapped by the Obama administration to be the new Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education for the Department’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. Mr. Jennings is will qualified having worked nearly all of his career as a teacher and then as a safety advocate to ensure a respectful and safe environment for all of America's students.

The anti-gay right is seizing on the opportunity to defame Mr. Jennings because he is an openly gay man in a position of power. They are using fear tactics and misquoting Jennings to suggest that he is an ardent atheist, militant sex activist, and a drug addict. They are waging a campaign to ensure he does not receive this post within the Obama administration.

Mr. Jennings is a hero not a threat to the nations youth. Please use GLSEN's form to contact the US Dept of Education and urge them to approve his appointment.

Open Forum: Thank Our Allies

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Our straight allies are our friends, support system and a source of inspiration as we struggle for true understanding and equality. Today's open forum is an opportunity to publicly thank our LGBTQIA allies who make a difference in our lives. If you are a straight ally, feel free to post about what drives you to be an agent of change for the queer community. If you are queer let us know how straight allies have made a difference in your life, and how important they are to you!

Word of the Gay: "Vanity Smurf"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000

A "vanity smurf" is someone who is obsessed with their self image and is constantly checking themselves out.

Organization Spotlight: Pink Mennonites

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:00:00 +0000

The Pink Mennonites are a group of LGBTQ Mennonites and allies who are on a mission to bring about inclusivity and understanding within their church.

Rep. Sally Kern: “Same Sex Marriage Is Debauchery”

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:40:00 +0000

Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern who once suggested "gays are worse than terrorism" is back to demonizing gays again. In an unusually public ceremony, Rep. Kern signed a “Proclamation for Morality,” which blames the U.S.’s current economic crisis on, among other acts of “debauchery,” same-sex marriage.

Part of her proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and

WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and

WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and

WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused
to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and

WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior.

Yesterday at the State House Sally Kern read and signed the proclamation, protesters and supporters chanted and sang:

Sally Kern is suggesting our economic troubles are due to same-sex marriage and Obama recognizing June as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride month? Maybe, if she spent less time obsessing about gays and more time doing her job we wouldn't have an economic crisis!

Contact Rep. Kern and voice your disapproval!

Crossposted via Unite The Fight.

Hungary Legalizes Gay Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:29:00 +0000

The nation of Hungary has taken a step forward granting marriage rights to same-sex couples. While this is historic there still is a gap of inequality that must be changed.

"These life partnerships will be guaranteed the same tax, employment, social and immigration benefits as heterosexual marriages. Gay couples will be barred from adopting children and taking their spouse's name"" (Caboodle).

Hungarian LGBT organizations Hatter and Labrisz will continue to strive for full equality under the law.

Word of the Gay: "See Tarzan, Hear Jane"

noreply@blogger.com (Queers United) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0000

"See Tarzan, hear Jane" is an expression in the gay community for when a masculine man with a great body is spotted but turns out to have an effeminate voice.