Becoming Chaz: Documentary Launches On OWN May 10

The world television premiere of the highly anticipated Chaz Bono documentary “Becoming Chaz,” the story of Chaz Bono’s transformation from a woman to a man, will launch the OWN Documentary Film Club on Tuesday, May 10 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Immediately following the film, OWN Documentary Film Club collaborator Rosie O’Donnell will host a one-hour primetime special event from 10–11 p.m. ET/PT. In the special, O’Donnell will talk with Chaz, his girlfriend Jennifer Elia, the filmmakers and other transgender people and their families about this life changing experience.

The Fabulous Beekman Boys Speak Out in HRC’s Latest “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign” Video

Upstate New York Residents and Reality TV Stars Raise Profile of Timely Fight for Equal Marriage

WASHINGTON – Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Planet Green’s Fabulous Beekman Boys, join the Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – in a new video in the “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality” campaign. The upstate New Yorkers are the first same-sex couple to appear in the campaign, which raises the public profile of marriage equality in the Empire State..

“The ‘Fabulous Beekman Boys’ gives a candid and entertaining look into the lives of a gay couple running a farm in upstate New York,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “In their video, they speak from their hearts about their neighbors treating their relationship with respect while the government continues to deny them the rights that are granted to opposite-sex couples. We are excited to have them join in the call for marriage equality in New York.”

Two recent New York polls show a strong majority of New Yorkers support marriage equality. A Siena Research Institute Poll found 57 percent of New Yorkers support marriage for same-sex couples and another recent poll by Quinnipiac University had support at 56 percent.

The New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign is centered on video testimonials from New Yorkers who support the right of same-sex couples to marry. To date, HRC has released videos from the Fabulous Beekman Boys, Former Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins, Ethan and Ryan Hawke, Russell Simmons, Mark and Sunrise Ruffalo, John Slattery, Joan Rivers, Barbara Bush, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, Fran Drescher, Moby, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Julianne Moore and Kenneth Cole.

Season two of The Fabulous Beekman Boys premieres on Planet Green Tuesday, March 22 at 10pm/ET. The paperback version of their book, "The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir" also hits stores on March 22.

GOProud Praises Action in Libya

Statement of Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director

“Today, a coalition of countries, including the United States, took action to protect the Libyan people. This military response, while long overdue in our estimation, is nonetheless the absolute right thing to do.

“Moammar Qaddafi is an international menace and a dictator who has violently brutalized his own people. Not only do we have a moral obligation to act, it is in the strategic best interest of the United States to see the Qaddafi regime replaced by a democratic one that will respect basic civil liberties and the rule of law.

“We believe that President Obama should go even further and recognize the rebel leadership as the legitimate government in Libya and, if need be, should authorize the use of surgical air strikes to remove the Qaddafi regime.

“Respect for basic human rights shouldn’t be determined by geography and freedom shouldn’t know borders.”

GOProud represents gay conservatives and their allies. GOProud is committed to a traditional conservative agenda that emphasizes limited government, individual liberty, free markets and a confident foreign policy. GOProud promotes our traditional conservative agenda by influencing politics and policy at the federal level. 426 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. For more information visit our website www.goproud.org

You Don't Need To Be Afraid: Gay Ad

Found this video on YouTube today and I don't know who produced it or where it came from but I found it to be really inspiring and brought back moments from my Gay past when I wished I had the courage that this man has.

UNION BANK AND KCET CELEBRATE LOCAL HEROES FOR LGBT PRIDE MONTH

WHAT:             As part of an ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and in celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, Union Bank and KCET have opened a call for nominations for outstanding men and women of the LGBT community  -- local heroes who are providing great leadership and making significant contributions to improve and enrich the lives of others.  Of the nominees, five will be chosen and honored during a celebratory event in June.                    

WHEN:             LGBT 2011 nominations will be accepted until midnight Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

(No late forms will be accepted)

WHERE:          Nomination forms are available via KCET’s Web site at www.kcet.org.

             Type “LGBT” into the KCET page search bar or visit the Local Heroes page at                        http://www.kcet.org/socal/local_heroes/

WHO:                LGBT community members in the Los Angeles area who have shown leadership and                  dedication to serving their community through participation in the arts, business,                           community activism, education, social services, health services or any other relevant                  field.  For further information, please refer to the 2011 Candidate Nomination                                    Guidelines available at http://www.kcet.org/socal/local_heroes/lgbt-pride-month.html.

WHY:               Partnering with public television stations throughout California, Union Bank designed the Local Heroes program to pay tribute to local heroes who are making a difference by improving their workplace, profession, neighborhood, community, region and the world.  The program has grown to reflect the very vibrant and diverse communities in which the bank conducts business.  Visit www.unionbank.com/heroes for more information.

Daniel Radcliffe On The Trevor Project

Katie Couric talks to Daniel Radcliffe about his work with the Trevor Project. He tells Couric, “It's something I'm incredibly proud to be involved with.  If I do nothing else, I'm proud to be involved with that.”

Couric’s interview with Radcliffe will air March 13 on CBS Sunday Morning (9:30 a.m.    ET) and their extended conversation will be available on Couric’s weekly webshow @katiecouric after 9:30 a.m. ET the same day at: www.cbsnews.com/katiecouricwebshow.
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Part 2

PASSPORT MAGAZINE LAUNCHES NEW BROADWAY BLOG

THE CURTAIN RISES TODAY ON theBROADWAYblog.com

NEW YORK, March 10, 2011 - PASSPORT magazine announced today the debut of their latest venture: The Broadway Blog. Dedicated to serving the insatiable desires of theatre lovers around the world, The Broadway Blog is devoted to being your insider's guide to all the exciting theatre people and productions in New York, London, and beyond. The Broadway Blog is a highly personal hot spot for the passionate theatregoer, as well as a great resource for out-of-towners planning a trip to the Great White Way. Weekly columns feature intimate interviews with stage personalities, review round-ups, and practical tips for getting seats to the best shows in town.

Your personal guide to the best of Broadway and beyond is Tom Mizer, an award-winning lyricist/librettist as well as host of PASSPORT TV's travel videos. With his insider knowledge and theatre-biz friends, The Broadway Blog promises to be a one-of-a-kind mixture of useful information and behind-the-scenes fun.

Be sure to checkout www.thebroadwayblog.com for the latest theatrical happenings, behind-the-scenes tours, up-close and intimate interviews, and more!

For additional information, to suggest stories for upcoming blogs, get the world out concerning your latest theatrical venture, or to book Tom for an interview: please contact Tom at: tom@thebroadwayblog.com.

4th Annual Gay & Lesbian Marketing Conference

http://nyc2011.eventbrite.com/

Community Marketing, Inc. and Pink Banana Media have announced a full-day educational and networking conference for business leaders interested in growing their LGBT market share. The 4th Annual Gay & Lesbian Marketing Conference follows successful national and regional programs held by the organizers throughout the country over the past several years. Participants from the New York City region, as well as across North America are invited to attend the conference.

"In a recovering economic market, the gay and lesbian segment presents an especially valid and viable opportunity for growth,” said David Paisley, the event organizer. “The Gay & Lesbian Marketing Conference offers a comprehensive research, advertising, marketing, and communications forum that will help attendees reach a broad spectrum of LGBT consumers."

A One-Day Gay MBA: Whether you are a long-time LGBT market expert or new to the segment, you will attain valuable insights and approaches into the LGBT marketplace. Dedicated to marketing, advertising and PR executives and agencies serving all industries, who want to successfully reach gay and lesbian consumers, and initiate or update effective strategies.

Advance registration is just $245, including all educational sessions, lunch and coffee breaks.  Conference registration is now open online: http://nyc2011.eventbrite.com/

Conference info: http://www.LGBTMarketingConference.com

Marriage Coalition Rolls Out Ad Campaign

The Rhode Island Marriage Coalition has unveiled a television ad advocating for the passage of marriage equality legislation in Rhode Island.  The ad begins airing today.

"Today's roll out is the next step in a broader strategic plan aimed at raising awareness and building the wave of support necessary to achieve a legislative victory this year," said Martha Holt, Marriage Equality Rhode Island board member. “The message of the commercial, 'It's Time,' reflects a belief shared by a majority of Rhode Islanders – it's time we live up to our founding principles and make marriage equality the law for all Rhode Islanders."

Karen Loewy is a board member of MERI and a staff attorney at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, which produced the ad for the Coalition.  She said, "It's time for every Rhode Islander to have access to the marriage protections they need and deserve."

The 60-second commercial features six Rhode Island couples from a variety of backgrounds discussing the meaning of marriage and why the time has come for the Rhode Island General Assembly to adopt marriage equality legislation.  The ad can be viewed online at either of the following links:

QueerTrip: Enter to win a weekend getaway in Las Vegas!

Every person who enters the Weekend Getaway Vegas Sweepstakes will automatically be entered to win the grand prize: a weekend in Las Vegas. The winner will receive 2 free round trip tickets (a value up to $200 per person, total value cannot exceed $400*) and a free 3 day (2 night) stay at the all-male (gay) Blue Moon Resort in Las Vegas.

There are other prizes as well.

The more friends you suggest to enter the sweepstakes, the more entries you get in the sweepstakes! So suggest it to all your friends and family!

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/qttravel?sk=app_28134323652


The Blue Moon Resort is located just three blocks west of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip! Offering 45 tastefully designed rooms and suites, the Blue Moon provides a private get away unlike any other gay resort.

The sweepstakes runs from March 1st - 31st. The winners will be drawn on April 6th, 2011.

Queertrip.com is an online LGBT travel agency. A portion of every booking made online will be donated to local LGBT charities in the Los Angeles community.

Perez Hilton Announces Fundraising Initiative For Gay Teens!

Three Highest Donors to GLSEN Will Be Invited to Perez Hilton’s 33rd Birthday Party This Month

Los Angeles, CA, March 1, 2011 — Give back and get back! Continuing his commitment to helping gay youth, Perez Hilton announces an innovative way he's raising money for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Three people will have the opportunity to attend the blogger's annual star-studded birthday bash this year, celebrating his 33rd. Participants must visit http://CrowdRise.com/PerezHilton make a donation towards Perez's birthday fundraising effort, benefitting GLSEN. The top three donors, plus their guests, will have the opportunity to attend Perez's big party on March 26th. Previous guests and performers have included: Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Liza Minnelli, Paula Abdul, the Pussy Cat Dolls, Mel B, Leona Lewis, Eve and more. Perez says, "The best gift anyone could give me this year is a donation to GLSEN. I was so moved last year by all the stories of bullying and gay suicides. This is one tangible way I can help make a big difference! Any donation, as small as one or two dollars, will help!" Do your part and give back for a chance to win a very special opportunity to party with Perez and the stars! For more information, visit http://CrowdRise.com/PerezHilton

California Attorney General Kamala Harris Asks U.S. Court of Appeals to Allow Marriages for Gay and Lesbian Couples to Resume

 Coalition of Support for Lifting Stay of District Court’s Decision in Prop. 8 Case Continues to Grow as Human Rights Campaign, Equality California, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Courage Campaign, City and County of San Francisco, Lambda Legal, and American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California File

Sacramento, CA — Today, Attorney General Kamala Harris, California’s chief law enforcement official, announced that her office has filed a brief on behalf of the state of California with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The filing asks that the stay on the U.S. District Court ruling in Perry v. Schwarzenegger—which more than six months ago declared Prop. 8 unconstitutional—be lifted immediately and that gay and lesbians couples in California be once again allowed to marry.

"For 846 days, Proposition 8 has denied equality under the law to gay and lesbian couples," Attorney General Harris writes. "Each and every one of those days, same-sex couples have been denied their right to convene loved ones and friends to celebrate marriages sanctioned and protected by California law. Each one of those days, loved ones have been lost, moments have been missed, and justice has been denied."

Last week, the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and its legal team – led by Theodore B. Olson and David Boies – filed a motion with the Ninth Circuit, asking that the Court immediately allow the U.S. District Court ruling to go into effect.

“Attorney General Harris makes it clear in her filing: marriages for gay and lesbian Californians must resume now,” said AFER Board President Chad Griffin. “Life is not eternal—sometimes it is tragically short—and courts should not act as if it were otherwise.  Allowing the U.S. District Court’s landmark decision to enter into effect will not harm anyone, but will alleviate the suffering of countless families and their children.   We’re grateful for the Attorney General’s forceful stand for civil rights.”

Read Attorney General Kamala Harris’ filing: Motion To Vacate Stay

Major equal rights organizations also announced today they have filed or will file briefs with the Ninth Circuit in support of AFER’s request, including Courage Campaign, Equality California, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU of Northern California, Lambda Legal, National Center for Lesbian Rights and the City and County of San Francisco.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times editorial board wrote a strongly worded editorial  calling on the Ninth Circuit to lift the stay on marriage for gay and lesbian couples in California.  Read the editorial here.

 BACKGROUND:

In August 2010, the U.S. District Court declared Proposition 8 – which eliminated marriage rights for same-sex couples – unconstitutional and “gravely harmful” and ordered the State to cease all enforcement of it. The Ninth Circuit, however, has stayed that injunction for the duration of the appeal before that Court, depriving tens of thousands of gay and lesbian Californians of their fundamental constitutional right to marry.

AFER’s most recent filing: Motion to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to Vacate Stay   

“We are respectfully asking the Court to lift its stay on marriage for gay and lesbian couples because it has become apparent that the legal process is taking considerably longer than could reasonably have been anticipated,” said Theodore B. Olson, co-lead counsel for AFER. “It’s important to remember that the stay was originally ordered with the understanding that the Ninth Circuit would rule swiftly on the case before it. Now that the issue of the Proponents’ standing to appeal has been referred for analysis by the California Supreme Court, substantial additional, indefinite and unanticipated delays lie ahead. It’s unreasonable and decidedly unjust to expect California’s gay and lesbian couples to put their lives on hold and suffer daily discrimination as second class citizens while their U.S. District Court victory is debated further.”

 About the American Foundation for Equal Rights

The American Foundation for Equal Rights is the sole sponsor of the Perry case. After bringing together Theodore B. Olson and David Boies to lead its legal team, AFER successfully advanced the Perry case through federal district court and is now leading it through the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals before the case is brought to the United States Supreme Court. The Foundation is committed to achieving full federal marriage equality.

  For more information visit www.afer.org