When national media outlets reported the news earlier this year that there are far fewer lesbians and gay men in the United States than many of us believed, I was disappointed.
I had often heard and assumed to be factual that gay people were 10 percent of the entire population. It turns out that lesbians and gay men are 3.5 percent of adults in the States, while transgender Americans are another 0.3 percent, according to research by the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy at UCLA School of Law.
Instead of more than 30 million of us, there are about 9 million lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents, the research shows.
My first thought while reading the news story was, "OK, so how are the bigots and anti-gay groups going to use this against us?"
I got my answer within 24 hours as the recipient of a mass email from an individual who seizes every opportunity to cast aspersions on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans and their fight for equal rights.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
THE LIFE: Here comes the bachelorette party
If you venture out after dark any time in June and hear a high-pitched humming, don't be alarmed. In many places it's only the harmless cicadas singing their mating song.
With only six weeks to live, the red-eyed insects take advantage of the warmer temps of spring to get busy and lay their eggs.Some cicadas are expected to be hooking up until the start of summer on June 21.
But if you're in a gayborhood and hear the same sound, take cover. You may be under attack.
Swarms of buzzing, often shrieking, bachelorette parties are known to descend in June and July. Determined to celebrate the last nights of freedom (if you're the glass-half-empty type) of their veiled leader, the groups alight in gay bars to drink, laugh, dance, flirt, whoop it up and be photographed in drunken circus contortions with male strippers.
It's all good clean fun, right? As my friend Michael J. pointed out, the women are comfortable with gay men and isn't it wonderful we all get along and hang out together?
With only six weeks to live, the red-eyed insects take advantage of the warmer temps of spring to get busy and lay their eggs.Some cicadas are expected to be hooking up until the start of summer on June 21.
But if you're in a gayborhood and hear the same sound, take cover. You may be under attack.
Swarms of buzzing, often shrieking, bachelorette parties are known to descend in June and July. Determined to celebrate the last nights of freedom (if you're the glass-half-empty type) of their veiled leader, the groups alight in gay bars to drink, laugh, dance, flirt, whoop it up and be photographed in drunken circus contortions with male strippers.
It's all good clean fun, right? As my friend Michael J. pointed out, the women are comfortable with gay men and isn't it wonderful we all get along and hang out together?
Friday, June 10, 2011
POLITICS: The power of green
Green is only one of the colors in the gay rainbow flag, but it's often the most influential color for bringing about change.
Right or wrong, good or bad, green (money) talks and gets people moving.
Orbitz, the online travel company, announced on June 9 it is reviewing its policy about advertising on Fox News Channel and other networks known for anti-LGBT content. The decision comes after news that Orbitz advertised on Fox sparked a public outcry among gay rights groups.
A conversation between The Courage Campaign and Orbitz was also instrumental in the decision, according to a written statement from Brian Hoyt, an Orbitz executive.
"Orbitz has a longstanding record within the LGBT and allies community who recognize us as a company which embraces tolerance, nondiscrimination and equality not only with our words but with our actions," Hoyt said. "That is best shown by our policies and our longstanding partnerships with many national LGBT leaders."
It's a noble statement -- one I appreciate. Of course there's a financial component as well.
Right or wrong, good or bad, green (money) talks and gets people moving.
Orbitz, the online travel company, announced on June 9 it is reviewing its policy about advertising on Fox News Channel and other networks known for anti-LGBT content. The decision comes after news that Orbitz advertised on Fox sparked a public outcry among gay rights groups.
A conversation between The Courage Campaign and Orbitz was also instrumental in the decision, according to a written statement from Brian Hoyt, an Orbitz executive.
"Orbitz has a longstanding record within the LGBT and allies community who recognize us as a company which embraces tolerance, nondiscrimination and equality not only with our words but with our actions," Hoyt said. "That is best shown by our policies and our longstanding partnerships with many national LGBT leaders."
It's a noble statement -- one I appreciate. Of course there's a financial component as well.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
THE LIFE: A decade of Manhunt
For 10 years Jonathan Crutchley has equipped and supported gay men in their favorite sport -- the hunt.
As a part owner of Manhunt.net, Crutchley, his co-founding partner Larry Basile, and 100 employees based in Cambridge, Mass., provide an outlet for men to connect and possibly meet one another. The hookup site, which is how Jonathan describes it, marked its first decade of operation in April.
During the past six years, the Manhunt team has traveled and worked to extend its reach globally. It's been translated into about eight languages and can be used in 100 countries. With nearly 2 million active accounts, it's one of the leading social networking sites for gay men, but growing the company beyond the U.S. hasn't been all fun and games.
The first attempt to expand into a foreign country in 2005 "bombed," Jonathan said.
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| Jonathan Crutchley, co-founder of Manhunt.net, poses with New York City bartenders and Manhunt models. |
As a part owner of Manhunt.net, Crutchley, his co-founding partner Larry Basile, and 100 employees based in Cambridge, Mass., provide an outlet for men to connect and possibly meet one another. The hookup site, which is how Jonathan describes it, marked its first decade of operation in April.
During the past six years, the Manhunt team has traveled and worked to extend its reach globally. It's been translated into about eight languages and can be used in 100 countries. With nearly 2 million active accounts, it's one of the leading social networking sites for gay men, but growing the company beyond the U.S. hasn't been all fun and games.
The first attempt to expand into a foreign country in 2005 "bombed," Jonathan said.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
POLITICS: 'No More Mr. Nice Gay!'
Two reactions were palpable in the days, weeks and months following California voters' approval of a same-sex marriage ban in 2008.
Disappointment, then anger.
A phrase scrawled on signs and often shouted at demonstrations for marriage equality was "No More Mr. Nice Gay!"
Many gay men were, and still are, angry that once again they were denied a right because of their sexual orientation. With that single phrase, they sent a message to supporters of Proposition 8 that the ban would not be tolerated without a fight.
It was more than a threat against an opponent; it was a rallying cry for lesbians and gay men to express their anger in a constructive way.
Anger became passionate activism for some. It's the kind of activism screenwriter and producer Del Shores explores in his art and practices in his life.
Disappointment, then anger.
A phrase scrawled on signs and often shouted at demonstrations for marriage equality was "No More Mr. Nice Gay!"
Many gay men were, and still are, angry that once again they were denied a right because of their sexual orientation. With that single phrase, they sent a message to supporters of Proposition 8 that the ban would not be tolerated without a fight.
It was more than a threat against an opponent; it was a rallying cry for lesbians and gay men to express their anger in a constructive way.
Anger became passionate activism for some. It's the kind of activism screenwriter and producer Del Shores explores in his art and practices in his life.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
THE MOVIES: 'Eating Out' serves up two new courses
The other night I walked into the middle of what I imagine to be many gay men's fantasy.
I'm standing poolside as the sun is going down and a group of young men and a girl stands chatting at the other end. They look to be in their 20s.
Then the tall, tan, beautiful brunette boy in the black Speedo trips and stumbles into the waifish blond boy wearing a T-shirt and shorts. He smiles, pretending to be drunk. I know where a smile like that leads.
On the other side of the pool two guys in tiny swimsuits stand mere inches apart as they caress one another and look into each other's eyes. The photographer recording the encounter must've snapped the money shot, because the boys part and head for the warmth of a hotel room.
A woman approaches the first group from a nearby room and drapes a towel over the brunette's shoulders.
The spell is broken as the scene rehearsal and the photo shoot end. The cast of the fifth "Eating Out" film takes a break while the crew sets up for a night shoot at the Triangle Inn in Palm Springs, Ca.
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| The cast of "Eating Out" on location at the Triangle Inn in Palm Springs, Ca. (photographer Michael Green) |
I'm standing poolside as the sun is going down and a group of young men and a girl stands chatting at the other end. They look to be in their 20s.
Then the tall, tan, beautiful brunette boy in the black Speedo trips and stumbles into the waifish blond boy wearing a T-shirt and shorts. He smiles, pretending to be drunk. I know where a smile like that leads.
On the other side of the pool two guys in tiny swimsuits stand mere inches apart as they caress one another and look into each other's eyes. The photographer recording the encounter must've snapped the money shot, because the boys part and head for the warmth of a hotel room.
A woman approaches the first group from a nearby room and drapes a towel over the brunette's shoulders.
The spell is broken as the scene rehearsal and the photo shoot end. The cast of the fifth "Eating Out" film takes a break while the crew sets up for a night shoot at the Triangle Inn in Palm Springs, Ca.
Monday, March 21, 2011
HEALTH: Are you at risk for anal cancer?
You've stepped on the scale, had your blood pressure checked, maybe even had some blood drawn for a medical test.
But for sexually active gay men, the exam isn't complete until the doctor is asked one important question:
"Am I at risk for anal dysplasia?"
The pre-cancerous condition known as anal dysplasia (pronounced dis-pley-zhuh) is present in 56 percent of men who have sex with men, according to the AIDS Education and Training Centers National Resource Center. The origin of the disease is unprotected anal intercourse with someone who has human papillomavirus (HPV), which is present in 93 percent of men who have sex with men, according to resource center data.
The HPV infection prevents cells from making the proteins that protect the anus from dysplasia and cancer.
Similar to cervical dysplasia found in women, anal dysplasia is the clustering of infected cells in the lining of the anal canal. These cells form lesions which can lead to anal cancer if left undetected and untreated.
But for sexually active gay men, the exam isn't complete until the doctor is asked one important question:
"Am I at risk for anal dysplasia?"
The pre-cancerous condition known as anal dysplasia (pronounced dis-pley-zhuh) is present in 56 percent of men who have sex with men, according to the AIDS Education and Training Centers National Resource Center. The origin of the disease is unprotected anal intercourse with someone who has human papillomavirus (HPV), which is present in 93 percent of men who have sex with men, according to resource center data.
The HPV infection prevents cells from making the proteins that protect the anus from dysplasia and cancer.
Similar to cervical dysplasia found in women, anal dysplasia is the clustering of infected cells in the lining of the anal canal. These cells form lesions which can lead to anal cancer if left undetected and untreated.
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