Olbermann comment, Boom x4 & Questions Answered - Nov. 12.08

Hey all. We've got a few things floating around for today. 

Keith Olbermann Comments on Prop. 8

First off, we have a video of Keith Olbermann (a well-known commentator and host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC) spending a few minutes talking about Prop 8.  Prop 8 has been in the news for a few days now, and living in New York we might find ourselves displaced from the action. But Olbermann has something to say about the issue, and has said it with a sincerity that I haven't seen in many people opposing the Proposition. Watch it for yourself below.

Yes, it may seem a bit angry and angsty, but I feel like the message coming from a straight man shows that it isn't just a fight for only the LGBT community over legality or religion or ideas, but a fight that should concern many more people. I think that he expresses the frustration felt by thousands of people across the nation who aren't in California and can't take direct action against the Proposition. And I think he helps say what many people I personally know would like to say, but can't because it would seem out of place or exaggerated or would even make them seem gay for caring. But I can tell you myself that it wouldn't be, it isn't, and it shouldn't.

Venga Boys - Boom Boom Boom Boom

Now, to lighten the mood a little bit, we have the Venga Boys' UK hit single Boom Boom Boom Boom. This has to be one of the most (stereotypically) gay-loving songs out there. But gay or not, you have to admit that this is a pretty great and fun song. And again, yes, the video is terrible, but how can you not have fun with this? Venga Boys were popular in the late 1990's (remember those times?) from the good ol' Netherlands. 

Question for the GSA

Q. What does GLBTQQAA etc. Stand for? 

A. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, and Allies. This acronym is ever-expanding, and not standardized. Sometimes, Transgender or Intersexual people are represented with an I or a T, and P and O (for pansexual, polyamorous, or omnisexual) can also be added in.

I guess that's all for today! 

Remember, if you have any questions you'd like to ask the GSA, click Here to ask! All questions are anonymous :D!

Feel free to comment on this post as well!

Utah & Mormons, Basshunter, and the Gay Market - November 11.08

Utah Leaders Push Forward on LGBT Rights Legislation

In the wake of Proposition 8, pro-gay Equality Utah is taking the comments of Mormon Church elders as a signal to move forward with legislation that will expand the rights of gays and lesbians in the state, reports The New York Times. Defending their members' estimated $20 million contribution to the passage of California's gay marriage ban, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said they are not antigay and wouldn't deny certain legal protections to gays and lesbians.

Read more of "Utah Leaders Push Forward..." on Advocate.com! (Click!)

Basshunter - DotA

If you haven't heard a song by Basshunter by now, you've got to be living under a rock. Or just have no taste in music. His songs have been topping UK charts for now, with songs like DotA and Boten Anna. And, of course, the gays love it, since the songs exhibit a particularly nice dance beat. Sure, I can't understand a word he's saying and the video is pretty cheesy, but it's good to dance to and, well, it doesn't hurt that he's pretty attractive too. Check out the alternate version of DotA below. (And for the hetero guys/lesbians out there, don't worry, there's a pretty attractive girl on there too.)

For the original DotA video, click Here!

Questions for the GSA:

Q: Are there any products that are aimed especially for the LGBT community?

A: Yep. In business and advertising there is actually the use of the term "Gay Market" to aim products and advertisements targeted specifically for the LGBT community. 

Aside from the products you find in gay-centered media (I.E OUT magazine or the LOGO channel) which include things from apparel to legal services and gay-friendly hotel resorts, you'll find things on occasion Levi's Jeans commercials showing same-sex flirting, or music collections called things like "Pride Hits".  For example, the site LoveandPride creates jewelry specifically for the LGBT community.

If you walk into (almost) any Barnes & Noble, you'll also find the Gay section, which includes a bunch of gay literature. Sometimes, artists also use the gay community as a target audience (some notable diva's include Madonna and Janet Jackson). 

 

Remember, if you have any questions you'd like to ask the GSA, click Here to ask! All questions are anonymous :D!

Feel free to comment on this post as well!

Books, Music, Incoherance - November 10, 08

Hey guys. Trying my hand at the new blogging thing. I don't have many news items to post, seeing as Kevin just did that a few hours ago, so I'll start things off with some books and some movies that everyone should look into.

Annie on My Mind, by Nancy Gardner

This is one of the classics of lesbian literature. Published in 1982, Annie on My Mind is a really sweet story about... well, about two girls in love. (As you get to know my taste in books, this will come as less and less of a surprise.) I'm not going to call it a masterpiece of literature, but it's well-done, if a little cliche. It's a happy, happy book (not a huge downer like Keeping You a Secret--to be discussed later) that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside and wishing there were more of it. The characters and the relationships are really excellently described. You should read this.

More gay music! St. Peter's Bones, by Girlyman

So, this is the first (and not the last) time you'll hear me mentioning Girlyman. Girlyman is an awesome awesome group, perhaps one of the queerest groups in existance. They're made up of Doris, Ty, and Nate, each of whom plays like three instruments each, and they sing in gorgeous lush multipart harmony. Also, Nate is so adorably gay, Doris is gorgeous with a freaking wonderful voice, and Ty is sex on legs. I saw them live the other day, and while they were tuning Nate made up (on the spot, mind you) a song about shooting a wolf from a helicopter. And Doris grabbed her tamborine and she and Ty started singing backup. Long story short, Girlyman is wonderful.

Also, remember, if you have any questions you would like answered, we have the previous posts comments open for anonymous questions (which will not be published until answered!)

You can click Here to automatically ask a question.

Feel free to comment on this post as well!

That's all for tonight. Sleep is a good thing, you all should try it some time. Cheers!

-Maia.Publish Post

Top LGBT News Stories- November 9. 08

Hey all. Here are some interesting LGBT news stories for your interest. 

-Op-Ed from Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese on Approval of Proposition 8

"You can’t take this away from me: Proposition 8 broke our hearts, but it did not end our fight.

Like many in our movement, I found myself in Southern California last weekend.  There, I had the opportunity to speak with a man who said that Proposition 8 completely changed the way he saw his own neighborhood.  Every “Yes on 8” sign was a slap. For this man, for me, for the 18,000 couples who married in California, to LGBT people and the people who love us, its passage was worse than a slap in the face.  It was nothing short of heartbreaking. "

Read more of "Op-Ed from HRC President..." on HRC.org (click!)

-48 Hours of Action in the Wake of Prop. 8

When Californians took to the polls on Tuesday, November 4, 52.5% cast a vote against equal rights, saying same-sex marriage has no place in the Golden State. But in the wake of California’s LGBT population lamenting yet another blow to their rights, something magical happened. LGBT Californians stood up, brushed themselves off, and prepared for the fight of a generation.

Read More of "48 Hours of Action..." on Advocate.com (click!)

-Old (but Good!) Queer Music

The Rejection - Dangerous Muse: The buzzworthy ambisexual duo's first single boasts a video with boys chasing girls who chase girls who chase boys who chase boys. And singer Mike Furey jumps around and pouts a lot! Hurrah!

Watch & Listen to "the Rejection" by Dangerous Muse on LogoOnline(Click)

Also, remember, if you have any questions you would like answered, we have the previous posts comments open for anonymous questions (which will not be published until answered!)

You can click Here to automatically ask a question.

Feel free to comment on this post as well!

-That's all, Kevin :D

Ask Questions! 11/09/08-11/16/08

Hey all! If you have a question concerning LGBT issues, be it personal, social, political, whatever, leave it as a comment below. All comments are anonymous and private, and will not appear!

This is for 11/09/08-11/16/08! We'll answer questions on the 17th, and they should be up by the 19th. 

Also, if you have anything else you want to see up here (an anonymous poem, picture, story, shout-out, whatever) feel free to send that in as well (anonymously as well!)

New Site!

Hey all! 

Welcome to the new Hunter College High School Gay-Straight Alliance website! It's still under construction, but this should work for now. 

There are three purposes for this blog/website, and that's the following:

-To receive and answer questions about LGBT issues and topics in an anonymous fashion that combats ignorance while also presenting personal and real answers to common (and not so common) questions. 

-To update whoever is interested on Gay-Straight Alliance happenings, events, discussions, and whatever else. 

-To update whoever is interested in LGBT happenings, news events, social events, activities, and whatever else. 

There are also a few other ideas floating around for what this site'll be used for, but for now, this is it :).