Tuesday, October 22, 2013

RightsideShirts.org: A Non-Profit T-Shirt Company




Boston/San Francisco Based Arts Education T-Shirt Company "Makes Good:"


Rightside Shirts Empowers Art Programs for Schools, Parents and Local Youth


Featuring Co-Founders Jeff White and Dylan Enright

About Rightside Shirts

Rightside Shirts' mission is to support youth art education through showcasing children's creative talents. All of our shirts are designed by students in local grade schools, and 100% of our profits are donated back to the designer's school to fund art programs and supplies.

School budgets have been cut in many places in light of recent economic circumstances--art programs are usually the first to go. Kids, who perhaps contain the most powerful creative energy of anyone, deserve the chance to explore and enjoy art. With this in mind, our goal is to stimulate the right side of children's minds while operating on the right side of a business model.

You can purchase shirts and help spread creativity by messaging us on our Facebook page, facebook.com/RightsideShirts/info and visiting us online at http://www.rightsideshirts.org.

Spread Creativity,

-Rightside

Rightside Shirts

Special Thanks

Credits go to Zach Citarella for the video!

| For more information, contact Rightside Shirts at:  http://www.rightsideshirts.org

Friday, October 18, 2013

Margaret Cho: On Topping Trans* Queer Political Correctness | Bitch Flicks


Margaret Cho: On Topping Trans* Queer Political Correctness | Bitch Flicks

by Jaye Johnson
 

“I refer to myself as gay, but I’m married to a man.”
                                                                                      – Margaret Cho
       Margaret Cho. Photo: MargaretCho.com.
I’m the One That I Want: Can Queer and Trans* Folks Really Reclaim the Word “Tranny?”
Let me begin by saying I’m queer-identified. I have trans* family, but it’s impossible for me to speak for trans* people of experience. I can share concepts, however. Too, my general line of thought in terms of sexuality, gender identity or personhood is that no matter how often your definition changes, you “are” what you tell me that you are.

Along with Stephen Fry, I feel that language and politically correct linguistic constructs can at times become as bullying, domineering and “victimizing” as those who claim to be victimized by language. What with people being as individualized and fluid as language is, sometimes experience does indeed trump the words we use to describe and protect it.

All Margaret Cho Everything

Margaret Cho (“Drop Dead Diva,” “I’m The One That I Want’) is as scrappy as she is electric.
She’s “scrappy” because she’s taken so much guff, sharing her multiple talents on and off-screen (she acts, sings, directs, writes, designs clothes, and is a walking-tattooed work of art and standout standup comic, for starters). Cho’s speech can transition from elegant purrs to lioness’ growls without hesitation. She’s electric because she sings the body electric: she’s sensual, naughty, flirtatious, often bawdy and ultimately playful.

If you’ve seen her comedy flick “I’m The One That I Want,” the efforting in her journey to long-term success is palpable. You get the sense she’s had to claw her way all the way up to the glass ceiling, brace herself with her back up, and kick the glass away with a pair of steel-toed Doc Martens just to disappear the whole damn thing. As she unfolds her own narrative in this cathartic and she-larious comedy film, we discover that now she’s not even in the friggin’ building. So, damn a glass ceiling anyhow.

Cho doesn’t “play the queer card” or the race card. Rather, she is always and forever queering play. She is queering entertainment. When cameras roll as you share minute details of your open relationship on morning chat shows, segue seamlessly into outing fellow celebs, put the world on notice that you will happily eff anything that moves as you like/when you like (just like men do), and always leave ‘em laughing…if anything, you could say Cho plays “the laugh card.”

Yes. We’re...

Read the Rest at Bitch Flicks

Friday, October 11, 2013

Happy #LGBTHistoryMonth! Check Out this Playlist


#LGBTHistoryMonth – The #LGBTHM Playlist

by Jaye Johnson



“‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word/And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the Night/And love dares you to change our way of/Caring about ourselves”
                             – from “Under Pressure,” Queen and David Bowie


In the United States, October Is LGBT History Month

LGBT History Month fills the month of October with celebrations of those we love, those we have unfortunately lost, and those of us who are valued here, now and always. The month-long holiday commemorates LGBT persons of experience and is particularity related to civil rights and LGBT rights history and movements. Enveloped in LGBT History Month is its sister celebration, National Coming Out Day (October 11).

In the UK, LGBT History Month takes place during February, celebrating the 2005 abolition of Section 28, which previously forbade educators and schools from bringing LGBT topics or support to students or teaching it in schools.

Particularity in the United States, no one organization “owns or presides over” the holiday—rather, several groups worldwide recognize and celebrate it conjointly.

The HRC  prepares its own events, campaigns and educational brochures to inform folks about LGBT History Month, though much of its efforts during the month focus on its own National Coming Out Day campaign.

Meanwhile, Equality Forum celebrates the day of recognition by designating and recognizing LGBT icons each year—one for each day of the month—voted in by the public and archived in an historical database. (Place your votes for LGBTHistoryMonth.com 2014 Icons here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFhoRjNZMjIyUzV1cVZGVnRBay16RXc6MQ)

Naturally, several other individual groups, publications, sites and services such as Outhistory.org, GLBTQ.com, Quistapp.com and more celebrate and educate in their own ways.

We’ll save the controversies about LGBT History Month Festivities and Teach-In’s for another day–if you’re reading this, we know it’s because you want to celebrate–not debate.

Icons, anthems and selections abound, which we love. This list of songs that we claim and exclaim are for us or by us is ever-expansive, and we welcome you to add to the mix in the comments box below.

Meanwhile, have fun with these cuts. While there aren’t any new ones, you might find a few that are “new to you.”

The LGBT History Month Come Unity Mix
* Namoli Brennet – We Belong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zddc7IUtN3Q
* Queen Latifah – Unity – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8cHxydDb7o
* Cheryl Lynn – Got to Be Real – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoXvDleWJ5U
* Latrice Royale & Manila Luzon — The Chop (Official Music Video) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlHzdXFCJ-c
* Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-mjl63e0ms
* RuPaul – Free to Be – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaah3_kDLEg
* Elton John – Philadelphia Freedom – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhJHL34DiBY
* Village People – Macho Man – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO43p2Wqc08
* Marilyn – Give It Up – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t-LcPkoiDM
* Erasure – A Little Respect - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiKVjS3gR88
* David Bowie and Queen – Under Pressure - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpn8MANhdLU
* Joe Jackson – Real Men – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA65lg1HWt4
* Billie Holiday – The Very Thought of You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPJuFxl0bxY
* Bessie Smith- I Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meuwKhPGItk
* Melissa Etheridge – Come to My Window - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1QIuAJoS94
* Cole Porter – You’re The Top – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njzqv5gWt6k
* k.d. lang – Constant Craving - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SraGoEVxOwQ
* Jill Sobule – I Kissed A Girl – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdwUGwasck
* Ani Difranco – Slide – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqwww-lLz74
* Garbage – Androgyny – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVs6Fekh0RY
* Velvet Underground – Candy Says – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPgGjUSEWss
* Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love feat. Mary Lambert – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0
* Blur – Girls and Boys – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDswiT87oo8
* Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgzGwKwLmgM
* Cabaret – Liza Minnelli – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moOamKxW844
*C_nty – Kevin Aviance – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYTuzFNZftY
* The Origin Of Love – Hedwig And The Angry Inch Cast – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zU3U7E1Odc
* Rent-Seasons of Love - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsj15wPpjLY
* Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgwM1Ky228
* Madonna What It Feels Like For A Girl – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQeOpTWPBfQ
* Lady Gaga – Born This Way – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV1FrqwZyKw
* Culture Club – Love Is Love – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_5s3yRcohE
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To hear the entire playlist, click the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBRcoGrPV–ZxK3qVocF1q5cz_ovovKM2

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For more information about LGBT History Month, visit:
LGBT History Month – Equality Forum & Icon List for 2013
http://lgbthistorymonth.comhttp://www.equalityforum.com/lgbt-history-month-2013-icons-announced
Trans Oral History Project http://transoralhistory.com
The Lesbian Herstory Archives http://www.lesbianherstoryarchives.org
(Book) Transgender History – Susan Stryker http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Stryker
GLAAD: LGBT History Month Celebration Timeline http://www.glaad.org/blog/celebrate-lgbt-history-month
BiNet – A Brief History of the Bisexual Movement http://www.binetusa.org/bihistory.htm
June Mazer Lesbian Archives http://www.mazerlesbianarchives.org
GSA Network’s Class Syllabus and Event Ideas http://www.gsanetwork.org/lgbthistorymonth
Wikipedia’s LGBT Portal  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:LGBT
GLBT Historical Society http://www.glbthistory.org
ONEArchives.org  http://www.onearchives.org

HAPPY LGBT HISTORY MONTH, Y’ALL!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Pride Western Australia Celebration to be Held in November

Pride Western Australia Celebration Events to Include Sneaky Sound System, DJ Jewel

Date/Location: Russell Square, Northbridge Saturday 2nd November 2013

“If the PRIDE PARADE is the rainbow, then PRIDE CELEBRATION is the pot of gold at the end of it!” - Pride WA

Pride Western Australia (Pride WA) is Western Australia’s largest LGBTI community Pride organization and festival organizer. This week, the group announced its annual November PRIDEFEST lineup which is stellar, as usual. Whether it’s drag parties, Pride events, or gatherings like its February FAIRDAY celebration in Hyde Park, when it comes to Gay Pride, the Aussies go big.

Centered in Perth and taking place throughout Western Australia, PRIDEFEST is a nearly month-long affair (well, okay…is three weeks “nearly?”). It all begins with a daytime Pride parade through the streets of Northbridge. Shortly after the parade, the march is followed up with “CELEBRATION,” an all day long music and arts festival in Russell Square.

According to the festival’s organizers, the group will hold over 50 CELEBRATION events: complementary happenings during the three week event include live theater, queer film fests, the full parade itself, a curated piece on the history of the Pride Parade and more—turning Western Australia into, in essence, a lively, colorful LGBTQ mini-village.

According to the group’s Facebook page, its first Pride March took place in 1989 in Perth, Australia. During the day, activists took to the streets to march on Parliament. They brought attention to the debate to decriminalize sex between consenting men in Western Australia. The group finally transitioned to incorporated status in 1993 as Lesbian & Gay Pride (WA) Inc., (renamed Pride Western Australia in 2003) evolving to become one of Australia’s largest gay and lesbian festivals organizers and they’ve never looked back.

The self-supported Pride organization funds itself through its many educational events, celebrations, festivals, donations and memberships.

CELEBRATION’s lineup alone is, in Pride WA’s own words, “massive.” Here’s the lineup:
PRIDE CELEBRATION Russell Square, Northbridge Saturday 2nd November, 1.30pm – 9pm

Sneaky Sound System
Didier Cohen
Sarah McLeod (Superjesus)
Sun City
Tomas Ford
Bastian’s Happy Flight
Axe Girl
Sarah Pellicano
The Amani Consort
Nat Ripepi
+DJ’s Timbee, Curlee, Ben Sebastian, Jewel
Pre-sale tickets for CELEBRATION are on sale now for $15 from Ticketbooth and patrons are encouraged to get their ticket early to avoid queuing at the venue. Entry will be $20 at the gate.
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Additional information from the event organizers:
* Pride Western Australia members receive free tickets to CELEBRATION
* CELEBRATION is a fully licensed 18 and over only event. However, there are plenty of events during the festival for families and teens/youth under 18.
* Due to sponsor assistance and participation, Pride WA has waived the $500 fee for community groups to participate in float building and Pride events (to get in touch with Pride WA to participate, contact Artistic Director Paula Hart).
* Though the event has acquired sponsors to help cover its costs, Pride WA still needs vendor and advertiser support. To place an ad in their program or in other event materials, they invite you to check out their online media kit.
All in all, ain’t nothin’ wrong with a (nearly!) month-long soiree.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

HerGlitter.com: Exclusive Interview With Dreya Weber




We're so excited to share our first podcast with you -- Actress/Writer/Filmmaker/Aeriel Dance Specialist & Fitness Mentor Dreya Weber set aside some time to chat. 




Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Happy Birthday, Julie Andrews!










AGay Icon and LGBTQ Ally we know is enjoying her special day today...



Julie Andrews


Happy Birthday to English film and stage actress, singer, author, theatre director, and dancer
Julie Andrews!

Monday, September 30, 2013

Mindshare & Memory: LGBT Slam Poems and Videos










Grok These, Please: Queer Slam Poems and Creative Poetry Videos

Praising and Raising our Work: On Mindshare and Memory
Riveting. Emo. Uplifting. Heartbreaking. Heart-opening. Poetry heals, helps and heartens all who encounter its majesty, power, artistry.
When a poem is passed from hand to hand, eye to eye, heart to heart, soul to soul, the bearer and the receiver are forever changed.
Writer Neil Hilborn’s touching performance in his slam poem “OCD” has recently gone viral, bringing to mind the many LGBTQIA poets and creatives in our midst with their own stories of love and life.
Slam poems and artistic poetry performance videos dovetail so nicely into the framework of social media, aka “Short Attention Span Theater.” All the while, the popularity of such creatives and their efforts debunk the myth that we’re all becoming bots, drones and distracted Internet denizens who can do nothing but lower the bar when it comes to being entertained. As we praise the art, we raise the art.
Queerly Speaking: Queerious Poems & Artistic Feats
There are many queer artists of late who’ve come to shine brightly, find their audiences and clock hundreds of thousands of views for sharing their feelings, style, art, writing and messages in video form—and thank goodness for them. With each new word experienced, we’re reminded to walk through this life: chin up, spirits high, feet facing forward.
Women of the World Poetry Slam winner Denice Frohman’s “Dear Straight People” video is one of the many gorgeous works capturing our imaginations. Garnering clicks, attention, ongoing #lolz and serious praise, Frohman’s hard-hitting truths hammer out insightful words of witticism and encourage laughs of recognition. Here are but a few gems encapsulated in a handful of minutes:
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“Sexuality and gender…? Two different things. Combined in many different ways. If you mismatch your socks, you understand.”
“Dear Hip Hop: why are you fascinated with discovering gay rappers? Gay people rap. Just like gay people ride bikes and eat tofu.”
“Dear straight bullies, you’re right: we don’t have the same values. You kill everything that’s different. I preserve it.”
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Words cascade like waterfalls. Prosaic glitter and poetic license, new beats and audio treats make their way towards all who have ears to hear, fingers to snap, hands to clap, and believing hearts to respond.
Visit the links below to watch these and so much more: it’s compelling, queer-powered poetry in motion.
Denice Frohman
“Dear Straight People” (WOWPS 2013)
“Invisible”
“How to Be Alone”
“Art”
“Pork Chop” from the To This Day Project
“Civil Rights”
“Noah St. John Performs at Queeriosity 2010”
“Feminist or a Womanist”
The Jewelry Store
~
To watch all of these videos as a playlist, please click the link below.

 
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