Let's talk about SEX

Source: Bottom Monologues Project

I am thrilled to read of yet another accomplishment of my blogpal and fellow A2ite, Trevor Hoppe. I would like to describe Trevor as a radical LGBT activist and researcher, working in the realm of gay men’s health and sexual behavior.

What's special is that his work has been featured in this month’s Guide Magazine. The story, entitled “The bottom monologues” introduces Trevor’s multi-work and discusses in particular his most recent online project by the same name - on stories about gay, bi-, or trans- bottoms, to be part of a future performance. “The stories included in The Bottom Monologues are about creating a method for discussion that’s fun and exciting and able to reach a number of people who might not otherwise be open to frank discussions of sexuality.” (Hoppe T. in Amico, M., Guide, March 09). At the bottom of it all, Trevor wants gays to talk honestly about their sex choices.

Congratulations, Trevor!
Trevor’s weblog is as interesting space for both intellectual and intoxicating encounters! Read this story and more at TrevorHoppe.com - Guide Magazine Feature of My Work!

Act Now!

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

This video, entitled "Fidelity" is created by Courage Campaign with the permission of musician Regina Spektor. It puts a face to those 18,000 couples and all loving, committed couples seeking full equality under the law.

On December 19, 2008, Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and seeking to nullify the marriages of 18,000 devoted same-sex couples solemnized before Prop 8 passed. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, with a decision expected within 90 days.

Kindly watch the video and join over 300,000 people who have signed a letter to the state Supreme Court, asking them to invalidate Prop 8 and reject Starr's case. The more people who see this video, the more people will understand the painful implications of this legal proceeding. To sign the letter, click here.

This message is coming via my friend Greg. Please help spread the word by sharing it with friends and family ASAP.

LGBT + International

Among the many developments on my front, this one deserves some attention. The office of LGBT affairs at my University has started a new initiative entitled "LGBT + International." I am proud to call it yet another feather in the cap of the offices’ outreach program.

Stemming from both student and staff discussions last semester and before, the office of LGBT affairs and the International Center are now collaborating to address the needs of international LGBT and questioning students. Led by IC Advisor EJ, LSA Senior and Spectrum Intern, JF and Spectrum Student Advisory Board Member, K, the goal of this initiative is to develop new resources and improve both offices' ability to serve the unique needs of this segment of the student population.

On my part, in the summer of 2007, I had worked with a volunteer group to particularly suggest changes in the application process that would make it better suited to applicants with same-sex parents. Based on our suggestions, the graduate application at my University with regards to familial background is now gender-neutral. In a different capacity and in the academic year 2007-08, I had mentored an International student on ways to adjust to life at the University and his new cultural surrounds. This experience made me realize that a large majority of incoming International graduate students are often overwhelmed when confronted with diversity in all its shades, particularly around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Building up on such eye-opening experiences, EJ and JF are now working together to coordinate the development of a new website, revamp international student orientation to include discussion of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, as well as coordinate a kind of staff training exchange. In fact, when the staff from the LGBT affairs and the International Center met to discuss ways in which the two could collaborate, I had identified the need to evaluate the experience of LGBT students coming from other cultures.

In the Director of LGBT Affairs, JS’ own words, "I'm very excited about this initiative; it's one of those things that should have been addressed a long time ago and I'm glad that everyone seems to be on the same page." I am sure with regular input from students, faculty and staff this initiative will go a long way in addressing the issue of sexuality across cultures, regions and borders (this story is via SC Newletter dated February 10, 2009).

Bravo!

A standing ovation to a legendary actor for a legendary performance. Sean Penn won the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) 2009 best-actor award for his touching portrayal of gay-rights leader Harvey Milk in "Milk." For more on the film, click here.

In his words, "As actors, we don't play gay, straight. We don't play any of these kinds of people. We play human beings, and this movie is something that we're, all of us involved, are so proud of (...) This is a story about equal rights for all human beings."

Bravo!

Hope Is Back In News!

Yes! Before this day comes to an end, I must record the historic moment that was today: the Presidential Inauguration. I witnessed it with many others in my School, all cheering and rejoicing. The new President and his speech were spectacular as always and so was the First Lady - absolutely beautiful in her gorgeous lemongrass-yellow coat and matching dress.

All I can now hope for is a worthy Gay President somewhere in the world. That would be another historic moment and I wish to live to witness it as well. As for the title of the First Lady, well by then we would have gotten rid of gender-binaries too. What say you?

The Beginning

The year 2008 ended on a rather sad note. India and the US, among several other nations, chose not to sign a non-binding French-Netherlands drafted UN declaration that decriminalizes homosexuality. For more on the Statement itself and additional links, read my previous blogpost titled "Universal means Universal." What's perplexing is that both these countries are world's foremost democracies, yet they chose to be non-committal when it came to calling for an end to discrimination and abuse based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Sadly, this also put them behind 66 other states from five continents, including six African nations that collectively formed the signatories to the General Assembly Statement.

The signatories:
Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela (Source: IGLHRC).

What's reassuring however is the fact that for the first time a statement, condemning discrimination and abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people drew such huge support from large parts of the world, some of which may still be reeling under draconian laws. Seen from this perspective, it is definitely the beginning of a new era. To visit the French website and watch the United Nations webcast, click here. For more information and full text of the French Statement, visit IGLHRC site or click here.

AbOUT 2008

The year that was:
Invitation . Universal Means Universal . World AIDS Day . MILK Is Good For You . Born Free Born Natural II . Born Free Born Natural I . Surrogacy To Parenthood . Non-Discrimination . Words Identities . Gay Marriages . Stigma Fear Or Both . Homophobia In Education . Sexuality In Text . Celebration Or Conundrum . The A-Team . AIDS Sutra . OUT Thought Action . HIV OUTreach . GLBT History Month . AbOUT.

Happy New Year!