To Netroots and Beyond

I traveled to Detroit for Netroots Nation. This was my fourth one and it was very engaging and inspiring. During this conference, I realized a few things about myself and what I should do to make some type change in the world.

Right now, I am trying to figure out next steps in my life. I could get more involved in LGBT issues, or actually take lead of an organization. Blogging has been a great outlet for my creative voice, perhaps I should do more in that area as well.

In all, I need to do something.

So, I asked to be on the LGBT Connect committee. I think it's time for me to give back to the attendees and to Netroots. I mean, I've been going for free for the last four years, it is the least I can do. Also, I want to create a panel that address the issues that beset gay Black men. There's a panel for Black women and it's always engaging. Why not do the same for Black gay men, right? I believe it could be very informative to the audience and possibly therapeutic for the panelists.

Also, I need to write more. I finally have the time and I need to hone this crazy craft of mine. So, I will start publishing more articles on Bilerico Project and Mused. I got to get my work out there, got to do something to make a difference.

Funny... These last 5 days have snapped me back to work per se. I just have to stick to it.

Hold me accountable, y'all.

Sears' Campaign for Marriage Equality

Sears helped four couples get their lives started together during the Chicago Pride Parade. This is their ad for Sears Gift Registry

For more info, go to sears.com/registry or shopyourway.com/registry.

First Teaser Poster and Teaser Trailer for Fifty Shades of Grey

Yes, this is happening

And the teaser trailer

Marvel release 5 Dates for Mystery Movies

Marvel ain't playing.

Their studio has put out their cinematic release plan for 5 more movies through 2019.

The film titles remain a mystery, but here are the theaters dates:

July 28, 2017
Nov. 3, 2017
July 6, 2018
Nov. 2, 2018
May 3, 2019

Hot Trailer: Homeland season 4

Two Transwomen Murdered in Baltimore

Mia Henderson

Two transwomen were murdered in Baltimore last few weeks.

Here's the story:

Baltimore police are investigating whether the death of Mia Henderson, 26, is connected to the killing of Kandy, whose body was found June 3 in a field in Northeast Baltimore.

Both were found during the early morning, and police have no suspects in either case.

The death of Henderson, who was known previously as Kevin Long, drew a roomful of leaders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to a meeting with Police Commissioner Anthony W. Batts. Batts tried to assure them that detectives were working hard on both cases.

"We want to be strong partners with our LGBT community," he sad. "Not by talk but by action." 

The killings of Henderson and Kandy, who was known previously as Ricky Carlos Hall, have shaken many in the local transgender community. Advocates say some feel targeted by violence but are reluctant to cooperate with police because they're afraid of being profiled or investigated as prostitutes.

It's clear the community is concerned about the continued violence against transgender women, and we need to see action," said Keith Thirion, director of advocacy and programs for Equality Maryland.

source

SCOTUS: Utah Doesn't Have to Recognize Gay Marriages

The Supreme Court let us down yesterday. They said that Utah isn't required to recognize the marriages of roughly 1,000 same-sex couples there while the appeals are happening.

The NYT reports

The court’s order was two sentences long and said only that a lower court’s ruling “is stayed pending the final disposition of the appeal” by the federal appeals court in Denver.

The marriages took place between Dec. 20, when Judge Robert J. Shelby of Federal District Court in Salt Lake City struck down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage, and Jan. 6, when the Supreme Court issued a stay blocking that ruling while the decision was appealed.

On June 25, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, in Denver, upheld Judge Shelby’s ruling. Utah officials have announced that they will soon ask the Supreme Court to hear that case, which presents the separate and much larger question of whether there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

Friday’s order came in a different case, one concerning the status of what the state calls “interim marriages,” meaning those entered into during that period in December and January when same-sex marriage was briefly allowed.

Utah officials initially sent mixed messages about whether they would recognize the marriages but ultimately said they were “on hold.” Federal officials said they would recognize the marriages.

This too, shall pass

Creepy Movie Poster: ANNABELLE

Are White Gay Men Stealing Black Female Culture? WATCH the Huff Po Discussion

President Obama to Sign the LGBT Job Discrimination Executive Order

President Barack Obama is set to sign an executive order banning workplace discrimination against LGBT workers of federal contractors and the federal government.

The neat part is there are no additional religious exemptions in the executive order. And, sexual orientation and gender identity have been added to the executive order.

President Obama should sign the EO this coming Monday.

source