FH Out Front Blog

Gay Dollars at Work

This week has been a busy one for LGBT news, with Sean Hayes giving his first interview to The Advocate, anti-gay California Senator Roy Ashburn admitting that he is gay, this atrocity in Virginia and this atrocity in Colorado. But most importantly, yesterday the first gay and lesbian weddings began in our nation’s capital (hooray!)

While I don’t want to take away from the fact that this is a huge leap forward for equal rights in our nation, I do want to take a step back as an LGBT communicator and look at what I feel are the two most important, irrefutable and practical implications of this issue – job creation and tourism dollars.  Much as the case was in Iowa, same-sex marriage in the District isn’t just great news for thousands of couples across the East Coast - it’s great news for a struggling economy and a region that boasts one of the worst unemployment rates in the nation.

The Washington Post reports that a study conducted by The Williams Institute, a non-profit research center at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, determined that over a three-year period in Washington D.C., same-sex marriage would:

• Create 700 new wedding-related jobs
• Contribute $52.2 million to the local economy
• Generate $4.8 million in new sales tax dollars, $3.8 of which would come from out-of-state residents.

What’s more is that Forbes magazine estimates that if same-sex marriage was legalized across the entire nation, it would generate $16.8 BILLION for the economy. Let me repeat that - $16.8 BILLION. Surely this is the point where progressivism and practicality intersect, because in a time where jobs are scarce, tax revenues are at new lows and disposable income is nearly non-existent, how could anyone, regardless of personal feelings on same-sex marriage, blatantly refuse $16.8 billion?

In a perfect world, LGBT communicators could keep the argument for same-sex marriage where, in my opinion, it ought to be - centered on equality and civil rights, but perhaps the fiscal implications will resonate with the greater public.

For now, I just want to say congratulations to the couples married in D.C. yesterday and today and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness, and thank them for putting their gay dollars to work.

A Healthy Outlook

Happy Monday. I know I promised a post-Oscar analysis today, but I am so depressed about the show itself that I can't even begin to put my thoughts on electronic paper. This was a career first for me-- going to bed before it was even over. It was a predictable snooze fest, though I did enjoy seeing all of those 1980s icons dragged out of the closet for a random tribute to John Hughes.

Before he jetted off to vacation bliss, Bryan shared an interesting blog post which made me smile that Ohio smile. Ohio State football is a religion here in Ohio...in fact in the Midwest. Weekend games are apparently an event not to be missed. If I followed organized athletics, I am sure I'd be all up in that Buckeye grill.

So the coach of the team gave a recent interview to our local LGBT outlet Outlook. Described in the piece as a conservative Christian and Bush supporter, Coach Jim Tressel was asked about how he would handle a situation where one of his players came out to him. To quote:

"We strive to teach and model appreciation for everyone. One, we are a family. If you haven't learned form your family at home that people have differences and those strengthen the whole, then you are hopefully going to learn it as a part of the Ohio State football family.

Two, every part of our team is important and every role has value - no job is too small and no person is irrelevant - that's a great lesson that transcends society. When I think of the diversity on our team the past few years, it goes way beyond just a racial, sexual or ethnic mix...Whatever a young man feels called to express, I hope we will help him do it in a supportive environment."

Wow. Kudos to Ohio State University for participating in this media opportunity for two reasons. One, it's a smart, and progressive, recruiting strategy to target LGBT athletes by engaging in a space that they know and trust. Two, according to the outlet, it's the first time a coach of a Division 1 football team has been interviewed in the LGBT space.

I'm certain that the Coach, and the school, will receive some negative pushback both internally and externally for participating in the interview and for being so open and inclusive of athletes. However, I think this article does more good than harm, and I applaud the University and its media relations team for recognizing a valuable marketing strategy when they see one.

What do you think about the article? Would you be more likely to go to a game knowing that the coach was an honorary member of "the team"?

Have a good week. 

25 Years Ago

Festive Friday greetings to all. I was going to use this space today to provide my Oscar picks (I'm going to go with a post-game analysis on Monday instead), but a colleague shared a news release with me this week that deserves blog attention.

One of our clients, Abbott Diagnostics, is celebrating an incredible milestone-- the 25th anniversary of the marketing clearance for the first HIV test. On March 2 1985, the FDA approved the first-ever diagnostic test to screen blood donors for antibodies to HIV. The first test to screen donors took nine months to develop, and once it was approved, was immediately adopted by the American Red Cross and other blood organizations.  

How has the HIV landscape changed during the past 25 years? Some fast facts:

• The CDC estimates that there are 56,000 new cases of HIV annually in the U.S., down from an estimated peak of 130,000 new annual cases in the mid-1980s.
• In 2008, UNAIDS estimated that 2.7 million people throughout the world are newly infected with HIV each year, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Women account for 50 percent of adults living with HIV globally.

While we don't have a cure, just think how drastic our lives would have changed if we didn't have a way to detect HIV. In some circles, there is still a fear to get tested for HIV because of what the outcome might be. I remember when I went to get my first HIV test. As a newly out gay man, I felt that I needed to make sure that I was being safe. The mindset I had walking into the health center doors was paralyzing. What would the outcome be? How could this one test change my life? I felt as if everyone was staring at me, judging me for just walking through the doors.

While I was relieved that the test came back negative, I was even more relieved to see the complete circle of trust and empathy that comes from healthcare workers and counselors who test individuals on a daily basis. Those are the heroes-- providing a shoulder to cry on when the news isn't what you expect, and the resources to help you live your life as fully as possible.

Thank you Abbott for putting the science and technology in place to help us detect this epidemic. And thank you to the thousands of healthcare workers, counselors, social workers and organizations that are on the front lines every day fighting the battle to end AIDS.

  

 

The Gay Male Online: A Study

Just the other day my friend and I were talking about how gay men seem to first on trends, specifically on Facebook. As an example, she was talking about how she got invited to join the "Betty White to Host SNL (please?)!"group (now nearing half a million members) and noticed that all her gay guy friends were already on board. Could it be that gay men spot -- or better yet, create -- the newest trends or was it a condition of gays being extremely addicted to updating, friending and poking throughout the day?

Enter upcoming digital site Fabulis' new study, The Online Gay Male in 2010. Started this year, fabulis.com is another digital network -- though this one is customized for gay men and events of interested next door or around the world. Last week, the site surveyed it's e-mail list and Facebook fan page, garnering more than 1,400 participants. Respondents ranged in age, with 75 percent being between 18 and 45 (54 percent were between 18 and 35), as well as location. More than 600 cities in more than 25 countries are represented in the results. While findings are slightly skewed given the non-random sample and sourcing of its survey pool, the study does shed some light into today's Googling, Grindr-ing gay.

Some of the survey's highlights include:

• Smart phones are a hit with the gays. Nearly 40 percent own an iPhone, while 65 percent use an iPhone, Blackberry or Android devices.
• More than 90 percent use Facebook at least weekly, with 53 percent claiming to be addicted to the site.
• Twenty percent claimed to use Grindr at least monthly and ManHunt at least weekly, both gay hook-up sites.
• More than 60 percent have never used Trip Advisor, Gowalla, Gay Romeo, HereTV, Yelp, Foursquare, or Gaydar
• Facebook (90%) and iPhone (60%) offered the highest media satisfaction to gays.MySpace (does anyone still use that?) had more than 50 percent dissatisfaction.
• No single source for gay news stood for gay men, besides Facebook. More than 50 percent of respondents had never heard of our fellow gay blogs, Queerty or Towleroad.
• More than 90 percent of gay men are interested in social network or location-based mobile network specifically for gay men
• Gay men are looking for more sources and sites for discovering place to go, people to meet, places to buy unique gifts, gay travel locations -- not hook up services.

So what does this mean for communicators? Well, obviously gay men are looking for tailored messages on social and mobile networks, specifically those that cater directly to their demographic. They're tired of having to sift through countless marketing and sales pitches for the general consumer -- and our ready for some direct marketing that speaks their language through their mediums.

Are your messages connected and targeted? Or what strategies have you seen work for reaching today's gay male? Leave your comments below...or you could send me a note on Facebook.

Take Two...or 400 on Gays and Love

I regularly review campaigns and ads on the Out Front Blog and am a strong advocate for equal and accurate portrayal of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered individuals. We're a diverse community who must be out front and honest about our love, our lives and our presence in the daily lives of our allies and opponents.

When I saw Valentine's Day the day it came out with my girls, I too had slight concern it was just going to be two hours of 5-minute appearances by big name stars. And while there were a few moments like that, I loved the movie. While definitely not at the exact same caliber as all-time favorite Love Actually, it was a similar collection of multiple story lines that are interconnected with some big twists and surprises. And yes, one of them is a gay relationship. Another is Julia Robert's relationship and reason for returning home.

Is the gay relationship highlighted in marketing or previews? No. Is it portrayed that Julia Roberts' and Bradley Coopers' characters are together or will be? Yes. There are other suggested relationships in the previews and marketing that don't necessarily end as expected.

Now, as Michael noted, there are those bloggers and activists upset at this lack of inclusion and accuse marketers of discrimination or de-gayifying the movie. However, I would like to provide a second opinion. First, understand that I will continually advocate for the LGBT community to be out front and assert their rights as human beings. However, just as sometimes the best form of communication is blogs and social media and other times it's interpersonal interaction, I feel Valentine's Day the movie plays an important part in opening the eyes of the American public in a subtle way.

The gasp was audible in the theatre both times I saw the movie when a character very publicly comes out and then when his partner is revealed. Both moments in the movie totally take you by surprise -- for two characters you've come to know and love and see as "normal" come out.  (I use normal in quotation marks because most Americans automatically assumes an individual is straight until told otherwise, but really what is normal...ah, another blog post).

Now no one in the theatre walked out at these points each time I saw the show. Yet, I know from personal experience, that had there been obvious marketing of this gay relationship, certain friends and family would not even consider seeing the movie. Even if it was a shoo in for Best Picture this next Sunday.

Instead, some of them may have seen the film and realized that a person in their life, someone they work with or the stranger who made their day, is a fellow human being...who happens to be gay. To me the movie showcased how many times gays and lesbians can't experience the typical love and romance taken for granted by their straight counterparts. And in moments of bravery and courage (and sacrifice), they will put themselves out there and people come to realize that the person -- the fellow human being -- they know and love and are in community with just happens to be gay.

Poor marketing or strategic marketing? It's definitely not clear cut but worth considering all viewpoints. In any event, continue being out front with your love and life.

And on that note, two quick other takes on gay love and communications.

• In this day and age of flash mobs and major demonstrations by many people, same-sex couples are looking to make a statement on March 20 in Washington D.C. with the largest wedding. Going for a Guinness World Record, up to 400 gay couples will converge on the nation's capital to make a statement (to each other and the country) as well as celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage in the nation's capital that begins today.
• Gays and lesbians are also getting a chance at great love and a stellar wedding with Crate and Barrel's Ultimate Wedding competition. We've received e-mails here on the blog from couples in the running. We applaud them for their commitment, as well as Crate and Barrel's to the LGBT community.

An Amazing Race/Marketing Missing a Face

Happy Monday, all. Not sure about you, but I spent the weekend shoveling, followed by retail therapy, followed by more shoveling. Methinks I need to move to a warmer climate ASAP. Speaking of shoveling, could the actual shovels themselves BE more bland? At least they could kick up the design a bit because when you shovel, all you do is stare at the ground.

Anywho...I've promised to give regular updates on the Gay Games here in Cleveland. Today, I'll focus on the next Gay Games, which are being held in Cologne in July-August 2010. One week ago, the official countdown to Cologne kicked off with the "International Memorial Rainbow Run," a celebration of previous Gay Games host cities which commemorates the historic journey of the Gay Games movement. The Run started at the birthplace of the Gay Games--San Francisco-- where about 50 people braved a cold rain Sunday to attend the run's inaugural leg, including openly gay California State Senator Mark Leno and Gay Games founder Dr. Tom Waddell's wife Sara Waddell Lewinstein and daughter Jessica Waddell Lewinstein.

New York activist Brent Nicholson Earle (pictured) carried a rainbow flag on a symbolic run from the AIDS Memorial Grove located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to Kezar Stadium, home of the first Gay Games in 1982. At the event, FGG Co-presidents Kurt Dahl and Emy Ritt remarked that the International Memorial Rainbow Run not only launches the Games, but "reminds us of the relevance of our movement in a world that still makes it difficult to compete and be openly gay or lesbian."

Next stop for the Run is Sydney, where the event will be held in conjunction with the city's giant Gay Mardi Gras Parade. Sydney's gay & lesbian running club the Frontrunners will carry the flag in the parade.

These events are not only great reminders of the FGG movement, but also a powerful marketing tool to get athletes registered for the upcoming Games. Right now, Cologne has about 5,500 registered participants-- the hope is to double that by Opening Ceremonies on July 31. We're not scheduled to get the Run here in Cleveland, but I know that the team is working hard to generate interest here to participate in Germany.

Now, for an awkward transition-- did anyone go see the movie Valentine's Day? I didn't -- the reviews were awful-- but apparently there is a gay storyline in the film, and Web sites and bloggers are pretty outraged that this has been left out of all marketing/promotions. Have to admit, I would have not known there was a gay couple featured in this film. I too was misled to think that Bradley Cooper was with Julia Roberts, just based on the preview alone. 

The gay storyline isn't the only one being slighted-- Shirley MacLaine is also fuming that she and her co-star Hector Elizondo are left out of the poster for the film, calling it "age discrimination."

Now granted, a movie can't be all things to all people, and that it has to be challenging to capture so many plotlines in a 30-second preview, but this goes back to marketing 101-- create specific marketing plans to target each potential audience. Especially when your film is getting some of the worst reviews this year.

What do you think about this marketing pushback?  

Enjoy the week.

What the Forbes?!?

Happy Friday from yet another blizzard in Northeast Ohio. Seriously, everytime I wake up now, we have another foot of snow. How I wish I was a kid again so that I could spend the day with mac & cheese and "Days of Our Lives."

Ok-- so you know that I write you every week from Cleveland. And that I am proud to call Cleveland home. Imagine my suprise to find out that Forbes.com has named Cleveland "America's Most Miserable City." We earned this reputation from apparently ranking high for taxes (both sales and income), commute times, violent crime and how our pro sports teams have fared over the past two years. According to Forbes, "Cleveland nabbed the top spot as a result of poor ratings across the board. It was the only city that fell in the bottom half of the rankings in all nine categories. Many residents are heading for greener pastures. There has been a net migration out of the Cleveland metro area of 71,000 people over the past five years. Population for the city itself has been on a steady decline and is now less than half of it what it was 50 years ago. Cleveland ranked near the bottom when looking at corruption. Northern Ohio has seen 309 public officials convicted of crimes over the past 10 years according to the Justice Department. A current FBI investigation of public officials in Cuyahoga County (where Cleveland is located) has ensnared more than two dozen government employees and businessmen on charges including bribery, fraud and tax evasion."

I'd like to now use a phrase coined in my family by my uncle Jimmy-- "back that up, Wal-Mart driver." I can look at the LGBT community to see how Cleveland is far from miserable. In fact, the LGBT community is doing a great deal to market Cleveland and attract the global community here to our home. Just a few examples:

• Gay Games 2014-- we beat out DC and Boston to host the next Gay Games. And to win this, we had a site selection committee come to Cleveland to scope out the scene. Now, if we were so miserable, would we have won? Even more, would one of the site selection committee members decide to buy a home here in Cleveland if it was such a miserable town?
• Speaking of the Gay Games, the Cleveland Synergy Foundation is organizing an annual LGBT/S sporting festival leading up to 2014. We already have interest from all parts of the country to come to Cleveland to participate in this event. Miserable, I scoff at your name.
•  Want movies? We have an LGBT Film Series as part of the Cleveland International Film Festival, one of the largest film festivals in the country.
• We've got a great Pride Festival, where thousands from around the country come out to celebrate LGBT Northeast Ohio.  

To echo how "not miserable" Cleveland is, the local convention and visitors bureau has set up a web site, WhatTheForbes.com, to let us locals push back on Forbes and tell the world why we're the rock and roll capital of the world. It's a great social media tool to make sure our voice is heard. I'd like the bureau to go one step further and really capitalize on all of the positive LGBT developments here in the state and market the region to attract the LGBT dollar. If NYC can do it, so can we.

Was your city on the Forbes list? Have you been to Cleveland and do you agree? Be careful what you say...I'm a pretty miserable person and it might damage me even further... :)

Thursday Thoughts and Takes

With the healthcare discussions taking place today, I thought I’d cover LGBT healthcare issues. Yet as I prepared this post, it became apparent from polls and news coverage to viral videos and blog posts, this week has provided countless blog-worthy LGBT topics. So instead of an in-depth piece on a single one, I’d like to provide top line thoughts on some of this week’s most interesting LGBT communications stories – from gay rights fighters to a new plan to conquer HIV and AIDS transmission.

National healthcare discussions began today and while many may have listened in and been overwhelmed by the many big issues facing all Americans, it is important that we not forget the unique LGBT healthcare issues. I, like many, have followed the healthcare reform topic, however it wasn’t until I read this post on Towleroad that I realized I had examine the reform’s progression with not just my perspective as an American citizen, but also as a gay man. The loss of discrimination prohibitions and other provisions is something all gay Americans should be knowledgeable of – and able to speak to (or write about to government officials). In a similar digital vein, I came across this pretty slick video created to stir conversations on LGBT healthcare issues. What are your thoughts?

The Global LGBT Ambassador

 

 Hi all! I’m Guido Schmitz and I’m glad to be a new contributor to Out Front. I’m located in Frankfurt, Germany, basically in the very heart of good old Europe. Once a month I’ll aim to add a European perspective to this blog, highlighting similarities as well as differences in how LGBT topics are dealt with in the US and in Europe.

It wasn’t hard to decide what topics I would turn to in my first entry. It’s of course about Guido. Nope, don’t worry it’s going to be a self-promoting PR stunt here. Ever since the general elections in Germany last October we are happy to have the world’s only out secretary of the state, Guido Westerwelle. While Germany has quite a few high-ranking gay and out politicians, such as the majors of Berlin and Hamburg, a gay secretary of the state certainly adds a new dimension.  Ever since Mr. Westerwelle came into office the entire German media has discussed how he would manage his trips abroad to countries where homosexuality is quite an issue, especially in the Middle East.

The debates in the media came to a high when Westerwelle travelled for the first time to Saudi Arabia, Japan and China in January this year. All three countries are very different from each other which holds equally true for how LGBT life takes place there. While in Saudi Arabia homosexuality is still prosecuted and may even result in a death sentence, the two Asian countries have a more relaxed attitude. While Japan has a vibrant LGBT scene, LGBT politicians are still perceived as somewhat odd there, though. And a more relaxed view on the LGBT community is only developing now in China – with still a long way to go.

This being a LGBT communications blog I would think two aspects are most important in this context. How did the media perceive Mr. Westerwelle’s performance in these three countries and secondly how powerful of a global spokesperson can one man be by speaking out for human and, thus, LGBT rights?

There isn’t much controversy about the first aspect. All but a few media thought he performed extremely well. Tabloids as well as the leading daily quality newspapers all agreed that he did the best he could in each unique cultural circumstance. He used a warm welcome in Saudi Arabia to emphasize the importance of human rights at the press conference together with the Saudi Arabian secretary of state. He took his partner, Michael Mronz, to the Meijin shrine, one of Shinto religion’s most important sanctuaries, and both participated in a ceremony. It all seemed very natural and he didn’t shy away from speaking a plain language when it came to human rights. When the Chinese authorities decided to stop the first “Mr. Gay China” event at the very day of Mr. Westerwelle’s visit to Beijing, he openly called for protection of minorities in China. This provoked a harsh reaction by the Chinese government that noted interference with internal affairs.

Regarding the second aspect the picture is more ambivalent. A Swiss newspaper, Basler Zeitung, looked at the first 100 days of Mr. Westerwelle being in office and how well he performed so far. They came to the conclusion that even if he does not want it himself, by speaking out for human rights openly when he is abroad, he will gain the role of a world ambassador for homosexuals.

This is quite a title they gave him and you are well advised to be skeptical. When the Saudi Arabian TV reported about Mr. Westerwelle’s state visit, his homosexuality or human rights was nothing the viewers were told about. A male secretary of the state living together with another man and not making a secret out of it? That story is something – with the exception of the sheiks – the 28 million people in Saudia Arabia still don’t know about.

Coming back to the two initial questions, has Mr. Westerwelle lived up to the expectations?

(1)    Mission accomplished with regard to speaking up for human and LGBT rights in difficult situations even when other national interests are at stake.

(2)    Mission still under way with regard to becoming a global spokesperson. It is one thing to stand up for the LGBT community but it is a completely different thing to be heard globally and especially by those who live in countries such as Uganda.

Have you heard of the proclaimed global LGBT ambassador Guido Westerwelle so far? Do you think that a global ambassador can at all be successful? Or does every community need its own spokesperson rooted in its specific culture?

Picture by Nevil5

Gay Africa

As briefly discussed on the Out Front Blog, Uganda introduced the so-called Anti-Homosexuality Bill in October 2009. The bill, which criminalizes homosexuality, prohibits any form of sexual relations between people of the same sex, as well as making it illegal to publicly support LGBT rights. Additionally, the bill bans offering social and medical services to LGBT individuals, and in its most controversial specification, calls for sentencing HIV-positive homosexuals or serial offenders to death for their sexual acts. Ugandan citizens are required to report gay activity within 24 hours – or risk up to three years in prison.

This is a fantastic video explaining the bill:

According to Julius Kaggwa, human rights activist:

LGBT Ugandans endure verbal insults, physical and sexual harassment, arbitrary arrests and torture, and humiliating publicity. They are victims of correctional rape and other sexual abuse, blackmail, and arbitrary detention, and are denied health care, housing, education and other social services on account of their sexual orientation. As a human rights defender and sexual minority, I fear for my life.

Western governments, including the United States, and human rights organizations, have adamantly denounced the draft legislation.  Unfortunately, Uganda is not the only African nation taking legal action against LGBT individuals. Homosexuality is illegal in more than 30 nations across the continent.

In Kenya, five men were arrested for being “alleged” homosexuals. Two of the men had been found with wedding rings, and according to the district officer, were attempting to get married. Homosexual violations in Kenya are punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

In Malawi, two gay men were arrested immediately following a same-sex marriage ceremony.  The two men were charged with unnatural acts and gross indecency, and face up to 14 years in jail if they are found guilty.  According this Guardian article, police in the country have launched an operation to target high-profile gays and lesbians.

How does what’s happening in Africa affect us? As my fellow Out Front blogger Bryan so eloquently explained, regardless of your beliefs, the taking of a life because of race, sex or orientation is undeniably wrong. As LGBT individuals and allies, we cannot turn a blind eye to the devastating human rights violations occurring in Africa. What can we do? The Nation has a fantastic list of how we can help and I’ve called out a few that I think are especially important:

1.    Get educated. Learn more about the anti-gay movement in Africa. As mentioned above, the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill is NOT an isolated incident.
2.    Get online and get active. While joining a Facebook group isn’t social advocacy, it WILL help spread the word to your network of friends, acquaintances and co-workers, letting them know where you stand on the issue and will help keep you informed.
3.    Support HIV/AIDS prevention in Uganda and other African nations.
4.    Continue to loudly and proudly fight the anti-gay movement in America.

Photo courtesy of Benedicte Desrus

OMG = Oh My Gay?

Growing up, the only part of the paper that I craved every week was Parade Magazine. Remember that? It was the glossy insert in local newspapers-- for me, the Akron Beacon Journal-- that delved into the celebrity side of life.

It's still going strong, especially now, thanks to our dear friend Elton John. When asked about his view on Christianity, Elton replied: "I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don't know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East -- you're as good as dead."

OMG indeed. I grew up in a Catholic household, but was certainly exposed to other religions. I've heard/read that Jesus is a woman, Jesus is African American, Jesus is Asian, and now Elton has added Gay to the mix. Here's my viewpoint-- your religion is just that-- your religion. It's meant to be defined on your own terms-- so however you view your spiritual leader is your own choice, and no one should judge.

Now fast-forward to today, and it looks like E-John and I are on the same page. Now Sir EJ says that "I think everyone's faith is their own business. And I do believe in Jesus, and I do believe he was a compassionate person. And I see him from my point of view, and that's just my point of view, as a compassionate gay person--someone who was persecuted, someone who forgave people...That's how I see him. That's my idea of faith...if I've offended anybody, I don't see why they should be offended by it, because I'm not saying, 'That's how he definitely was.' I don't really want to cause a controversy."

I don't really buy the last part-- that he doesn't want to cause controversy--but I do buy the fact that this is just his individual point of view. If anything, Parade also wanted to cause controversy by releasing Elton's statement in advance of the issue. I find that to be a tad exploitive-- playing the "gay/religion" card to get more readers. I encourage Parade to open up a dialogue with the LGBT community, and all diverse communities, and do a series of stories on religion and its impact among various populations. Now that I would read, instead of a random throw-away quote about Jesus being gay.

Given the fact that every single news network carried Tiger Woods' apology press conference, I'm surprised that Elton's apology didn't get the same live coverage...or am I?

What did you think of his quote, and how Parade used it?

(Photo courtesy of Parade Magazine)

It's Up to You, New York

Every year, my best gal pal and I try to make a trip to the Great White Way to see a few shows, do a little (read: a lot) of shopping, and stuff our faces with culinary delights. This year, we're planning our trip for the weekend of Mother's Day (sorry, Mom!) so that we can worship at the altar of Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes in Promises, Promises (a.k.a. the Jack McFarland and Glinda the Good Witch show).

Right now, we're looking into hotels for the weekend. Amidst my searching, I saw the news about the first gay boutique hotel potentially opening in Lady Liberty. Check this out: work and life partners Ian Reiser and Mati Weiderpass of Parkview Developers plan to call their project “the Out N.Y.C.” The hotel will include 123 rooms, spa, restaurant, cafe and shops, as well as a 10,000 square foot dance club that can hold up to 750 party-goers.

This is a smart business move, for both the duo behind the idea and the city itself. Last year, the city announced a tourism campaign centered on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall that targeted the LGBT travel dollar to help with the city's $14 billion budget deficit. In 2008,  an estimated 47 million people visited the city, a record high that generated $30 billion in spending, with the LGBT crowd contributing about 10 percent of those figures. And, this past year, New York was the top choice for LGBT travel.

But, the city and the hotel will have to come up with some creative marketing strategies in this tough economy. In the same report that said NYC was the top LGBT choice, we also learned that the LGBT community is choosing "stay-cations" over vacations because of the current financial landscape. One avenue that Out could consider is creating a space inside the new hotel that can serve as a conference center for LGBT-focused educational events and conferences. Many non-profits and LGBT activist groups hold annual meetings, and finding a space that is both affordable, and inclusive, can be a challenge. If Out marketed itself not only as a fantastic hotel, but also as a space for education and outreach on LGBT issues, it could attract a whole new customer base.

Unfortunately, the hotel won't be ready for my Broadway sojourn, but I will certainly be following the ground-breaking. In fact, I hope that the hotel itself can be ground-breaking by redefining the hospitality industry as a hybrid of pleasure and corporate service.

What do you think about the plans? Would you check-in?

Happy Friday.

Stereotypes and Stigmatisms

So much has gone on since my last post both personally and professionally -- including now seeing the world through eyes that are a quarter of a century old. And recently, on the small and big screens, these eyes have seen portrayals of gay characters that have raised questions -- questions and issues I have yet to formulate an answer to.

First, it was the Motorola (client) Super Bowl ad with Megan Fox. Contemplating what a picture of her in the bath tub would do if sent out over social networks led to a series of humorous scenarios, many of which pushed the boundaries in true Super Bowl commercial form. And yet in one scene, a gay couple, clad in bright clothes and hands on their hips, reach out and slap each other.

Catty. Effeminate. Flamboyant. All those adjectives jumped to mind when seeing the ad. Is that the way I wanted my community defined? It perpetrates, in the guise of humor, the concept that being a gay male equals being effeminate. What's wrong with that? Personally I see nothing wrong with a human being (guy or girl) being defined effeminate. But thanks to our societal history of placing greater value in masculinity, the ad sustains more masculine members of the gay community's disgust or fear of effeminate characteristics in their fellow gay man or themselves. The same could be said for straight audiences who hold inaccurate opinions of the LGBT community. 

And yet, as I started to write about the ad, I begin to flip on Will & Grace for noise in the background -- and suddenly stopped. How was Jack's character on the show any different from the two gay men presented in the ad that were getting me all riled up?

And what about the upcoming movie "Death at a Funeral"? While waiting to catch "Valentine's Day" this weekend, I watched as the comedy trailer found it funny to expose a deceased father's closeted homosexuality. The line that hit me was Chris Rock's shock that his brother was more upset over their father's being white (don't know how that works out in the film) than his homosexual affair.

Now discovering any secret of a deceased parent is typically a shock, but the film overlooks the sensitivities and struggles someone must have experienced who felt the need to live a double life. I understand it's a comedy and the situation is augmented by the deceased father's lover and his blackmail scheme. Still...

After discussions with my roommate, my straight sounding board, I present these questions about the above media:

1. Where is the line between comedy and offense? Are the situations above offensive or just humor?
2. What harm do you see in presenting a stereotype of the LGBT (or any) community? 
3. Should we just be happy with the fact the LGBT individuals are being represented in the media? Or do we have a right to raise issue with the way we're being portrayed?
4. Is there a deeper issue here -- America's devaluing of effeminate qualities for masculine qualities?
5. What can we say or do to let marketers and movie makers know that we want our story told, but  in a way that is an accurate portrayal of a diverse community and doesn't support inaccurate fears of our lives?

Give us your answers in the comments below.

“I’M GAY”, not OK in OK

I’m not ashamed to admit that I have a vanity license plate – my nickname, CAITI. Yes, it’s awful. It’s tacky. I get teased mercilessly by my friends for it, but it was a 16th birthday present from my family, and it holds a precious sentimentality that I simply can’t bring myself to replace.

This week, The Advocate and many other news sources nationwide, reported that an openly-gay college student in Oklahoma, Keith Kimmel, was denied the approval of a vanity license plate that read “IM GAY,” because it was deemed offensive to the public. It would seem that the state of Oklahoma is arguing that being openly gay is a public offense, and that Kimmel has no right to display such a message via a state-owned object.

In his appeal, Kimmel pointed to state-approved tags like “STR8 SXI,” “STR8FAN,” and …“VIBR8R.” Oklahoma must have no problem with being straight, sexy or using adult toys, but gay? That’s a line you apparently can’t cross. The attorney for the Tax Commission of Oklahoma, the agency responsible for issuing license plates, said that, “License plates — even personalized license plates — are not the private billboard for the person to whom they are issued. They are still a state license plate.”

Interesting. After looking around online, I found that Oklahoma supports a variety of specialty license plates that I personally would deem controversial or at least would consider to be a “private billboard.” Among the state-approved tags on display are:  “Choose Life,” “National Rifle Association,” “Organ Donation,” and most importantly “Square Dancing.” (yikes!) I’m not saying that any of these specialty tags don’t have the right to exist or are necessarily offensive, but perhaps someone is pro-choice, anti-gun, or doesn’t believe in organ donation. By allowing these other vanity and specialty plates that are potentially offensive, but rejecting “I’m gay,” Oklahoma is only reinforcing my belief that the real message here isn’t that the state is trying to protect its people from offensive displays. It’s trying to tell people that being gay is offensive.

In my opinion, this is a blatant double standard. “I’m Gay” is no more or less offensive than “I love cats” or so help me, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, “Duke Fan.” It’s a statement about who Kimmel is, which should never be shunned by a state entity.  Kimmel, a political science student at Oklahoma City Community College, stated that he just wanted to tell people who he is – out and proud.  Good for him, I say. This is the real message that Oklahoma should hear.

Olympic Victory?

Happy President's Day.

If you've been following our blog, you know that I have been writing about Pride House Vancouver, the first venue in the history of the Olympics focused on LGBT athletes and their allies. While most of the world was watching the Opening Ceremony of the actual Winter Olympics, I watched the opening ceremony of Pride House. Take a look at some of the highlights:

Providing a welcoming home to LGBT athletes is crucial for the International Olympics Committee to stay relevant in today's society. The inherent fear that goes with being Out and being in the Olympics can be paralyzing to some athletes. This safe haven is just the first step in what needs to be a large scale overhaul of inclusiveness in the Games. 

It will be interesting to see how much mainstream media coverage this gets now that the Olympics is up and running, but also, how much the corporate world gets behind it. This can't be just a Vancouver initiative-- it will be imperative that Pride Houses exist at all Olympic Games, because not all countries are as inclusive as Canada.

The Olympics are about bringing the world together-- but let's make sure that the entire world is represented and respected. 

If you were in Vancouver, would you visit Pride House?

Prank Call

Happy Friday! To those who have a long weekend...don't talk to me.

Ealier this week I talked about the importance of inclusion in the workplace. The case I shared was one that was extremely local to Cleveland. On the day that I posted, a story hit on The Advocate about some not so friendly LGBT-chatter coming from a leading mobile provider.

Here's the scoop: Vodaphone, a mobile network, suspended a customer service employee for using the company's official Twitter account to post an "antigay and misogynistic tweet." Specifically, the tweet in question said: "VodafoneUK is fed up of dirty homo's and is going after bea!@#." (Fill in the blank). The company's Twitter account has more than 8,824 followers, hundreds of which complained to the company, resulting in the suspension of the employee.

Now we can all agree that the opinion of one person does not reflect the opinion of the company. However, when that individual is customer-facing, it's hard to remember that distinction. And while the suspension is a good first step, I hope that Vodaphone takes the opportunity to create, or reiterate, a diversity and inclusion training so that all employees understand that they are the front-line representatives of the company and that their opinions certainly can reflect poorly on their employer.

I also hope Vidaphone takes this opportunity to engage directly with the LGBT community by setting up a taskforce internally to embrace LGBT employees, while externally showing fiscal support to important LGBT causes in their service area. It's unfortunate that the "tweet" had such a ripple effect for the company, but moments like these help all focus on how we act, and how we engage, with those we serve.

What do you think about the tweet?

Gay Judge, Gay Ruling?

This January, Vaughan Walker, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, began hearing arguments for Perry v. Schwarzenegger, a federal constitutional challenge to California’s Prop 8. As avid readers of this blog and mass media consumers, I’m sure you’re familiar, as this historic trial certainly isn’t lacking in publicity.

Last week, The San Francisco Chronicle publicly outed Walker, calling his sexual orientation “the biggest open secret” in the trial. According to the article, Walker has never made an effort to hide or widely broadcast his sexuality; yet because of the high-profile nature of the case and the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage, his sexual orientation is now an issue. Executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, Brian Brown, has come out swinging, attacking Walker for being biased, explaining that Walker has taken a thoroughly prejudiced stance throughout the trial. Regardless of your personal feelings about same-sex marriage, Walker’s role in this trial is to fairly and impartially rule, based on evidence and testimony, on whether or not Prop. 8 is unconstitutional.

Although Brown has not said that that Walker’s sexual orientation is directly affecting his judicial responsibilities, it begs the question: Does Walker’s sexuality have any bearing on his ability to fairly preside over this case? What I find most interesting, is that if Walker has in fact been biased during the entire trial, why are we just hearing about said prejudice now that we know he’s gay? Interesting coincidence.

If Judge Walker was a straight man, would we assume that he’d be biased in favor of supporting Prop. 8? He didn’t seek out the case; it was assigned to him randomly. He hasn’t publicly commented on the above issue, and pushing this a bit farther, does his alleged bias in this incredibly public trial cast aspersions as to his credibility and decisions ruled in other cases? Ironically, when Walker was a private attorney, he successfully represented the U.S. Olympic Committee in its efforts to prevent the San Francisco Gay Olympics from infringing on its name and his judicial nomination was delayed because of his representation.

As a vocal LGBT ally and communicator, this is just another unfortunate example of tying sexuality to prejudice, and assuming that one’s sexual orientation inherently controls and dictates actions and beliefs. Leave me a comment below, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Local School takes LGBT stance...sort of

At Fleishman-Hillard, I recognize that I am fortunate to work at a place where my sexual orientation is not an issue, and in fact, it is embraced (they let me blog about it!). Not all members of the LGBT community have the same luxury, whether that means being out at work or out at school.

Here in Cleveland, we have a slew of great colleges and universities. One in particular is John Carroll University. According to its Web site, John Carroll University earned the #7 ranking among Midwest colleges and universities that grant master’s degrees in the 2009 edition of  U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.” This is the 20th consecutive year John Carroll has achieved high rankings in this comprehensive source of college and university profiles.

So, it's seemingly a well-respected institution. However, during the past week, the University has received some intense focus from the LGBT community. Like any academic institution, John Carroll has a "Nondiscrimination Policy" in place to prevent explicit discrimination and wrongful termination of employees based on race, gender, but this one does NOT protect for sexual orientation. Which means that technically, if you are a LGBT employee of John Carroll, you aren't necessarily as protected as your colleagues.

In an effort to address the issue, John Carroll proposed issuing a community standards statement that says the following:

"It must be recognized that gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people and those questioning their sexual identity constitute one vulnerable population within the University Community. Hence, this University states unequivocally that gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender students, faculty, staff administrators and alumni are welcome members of the University community, as the children of God they are..."

That's a big first step for a religious institution, right? Well, there's more to it. Students and faculty are still concerned that the University won't change their official nondiscriminatory policy to also protect the LGBT community. While they will issue the statement above, they won't change the actual policy because is based on state and federal statutes, which do not cover sexual orientation. And, students aren't happy about the university not fully changing their policy-- they staged a sit-in on the basketball court at a recent game to protest the university's position.

 

 

The issue is still under debate, but what's not being discussed are the marketing implications for John Carroll. More and more high school students are coming out, and in doing so, are looking for colleges and universities that provide a safe haven to express their individuality. So, for John Carroll to be willing to issue a statement that essentially says that they are valued members of the community is a good thing. But it's not a full-out policy change. It's almost like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Unless they change the non-discriminatory policy to include the LGBT community, the university will lose faith among important constituencies and students will go to competing institutions that embrace and protect us for who we are.

I think back to when I was reviewing agencies for job opportunities. Fleishman-Hillard actively markets the Out Front practice, which is smart business because it attracts LGBT professionals to the agency (and let's face it...this industry has a lot of us). It got my attention, and I sent it my resume. John Carroll has the same marketing opportunity-- change the policy, and use it as a way to reach an entire new audience.

What do you think about the situation at John Carroll? Weigh in.

Have a great week.

  

 

And the Nominees Are...

"It's that time of year, when the world falls in love...every song you hear, seems to say..Sandra Bullock, for the Blind Side."

Ok, I took some liberties with that classic Christmas carol, but this week marked the announcement of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards! Nomination day has always been like Christmas morning for me. I love the anticipation, and I love the forced smiles from those who expected to get a nomination but in turn got a snub from their peers.

Let's break down the nominations for just a moment:

• Best Film: Now I know that Avatar is out of this blue world, and The Hurt Locker was a stunning portrayal of the front lines of the Iraq war, but let's give it to Precious. The movie gripped me from beginning to end, and the performances were so nuanced and emotional. And an added bonus? The film provided an extremely positive portrayal of a lesbian couple. (By the way, did we really need 10 nominations for Best Film?)
• Best Actor: Based on what I have seen, I've got to give it to Jeremy Renner with The Hurt Locker. Saw Crazy Heart over the weekend, and while Jeff Bridges was good, it was a one-note (pun intended) performance. It felt like this year's version of The Wrestler. Kudos to the Academy for recognizing Colin Firth for his portrayal of a tormented man in the 1960s choosing between being open and being quiet. That film is on my must-see list, so I reserve the right to change my vote.
• Best Actress: I'm just going to say it. Sandy B. doesn't deserve it. Sure, she was great. Sure, it was different for her. But these awards are about acting, not just dying your hair blond and changing your accent. For me, this is a toss up between The Divine Ms. M (Meryl Streep) and Gabourey Sidibe in Precious. Saw An Education, and that was kind of a snooze fest.
• Best Director: Part of me wants Kathryn Bigelow to win the Oscar for The Hurt Locker and become the first female director to do so. But the louder part of me wants Lee Daniels to win for Precious, so that he can become the first openly gay African American director to not only get nominated, but win.
• Other categories: Mo'Nique all the way. "Take it All" from Nine please (that was the only good part of that film).

I echo Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) President Jarrett Barrios in applauding the Academy this week for recognizing films that use the cinematic storytelling device to shed light on the LGBT community. In a statement this week, Barrios said that “images like the love and commitment between Ms. Rain and her partner in Precious and the isolation felt by George in A Single Man spark conversations that help Americans embrace their gay and transgender friends, family members and neighbors. We need to advocate for more gay-inclusive stories to be shared with mainstream audiences because as more people see these images, they realize that we have the same aspirations, hopes, and deserve the same chances to take care of our loved ones and families.” 

The movies are a powerful medium. Through film, we have the opportunity to entertain mainstream audiences while also educating them about our LGBT community, and Hollywood is slowly providing more and more opportunities for LGBT writers, and actors, to share their story. Someday, the world on screen and the world in real life will merge and we can educate through open dialogue, minus the sound effects.

What do you think about this year's nominations? Are you as nervous as I am about Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin hosting together this year?

One more thing-- anyone else as confused as I am about Lost this week? Did the writers really have to bring back Juliet again only to kill her AGAIN? My emotions can't handle it. They have 16 episodes left to explain themselves. If it's easier, I am happy to take a meeting with them in Hawaii to discuss.

You Ask, I'll Tell

Hi! I’m Caitlin Russell, and I’m honored to be a new contributor to the Out Front blog. A little about me:  I’m the youngest girl in a staunchly conservative family. I grew up on a farm in the Bible Belt, a place where discussions of LGBT issues are unheard of, if not nearly taboo. In addition to being a farmer’s daughter, I’m straight. I’m a registered Republican…and I am an LGBT ally.

I put all of that out there only because it is my hope to show that allies can come from all walks of life.  It is my sincerest belief that the future success of LGBT communications hinges on the vocal support of those who may be able to convert the unreachable, educate the unwilling and demonstrate that human goodness is not tied to any political party or agenda, sexual orientation or financial standing. Hey, if I can convince my wonderful 65-year-old, Rush Limbaugh-loving father to openly support the LGBT community, then I’m confident I can provide a thought-provoking, interesting perspective on the world of LGBT communications.

Ok, I’m off my soapbox – now on to the real reason I’m blogging today.

Yesterday morning, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, announced that gays should be allowed to serve openly in uniform, arguing that it is "the right thing to do." He also explained that he “cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy [Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell] which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.” This is the strongest statement ever released from the Pentagon, and coming from the U.S. military’s top ranking uniformed official, it’s nothing short of extraordinary.

Almost immediately, opponents to lifting DADT, such as Senator John McCain, began issuing statements proclaiming any number of reasons to why lifting DADT is a bad idea.  My favorite explanation is that allowing gays and lesbians to openly serve would create havoc in the system and discord among the troops. It seems impractical to me that, as the U.S. continues to fight wars in two different countries with our military stretched thinner and thinner, the topic of sexuality would even be an issue.

But apart from my personal beliefs, I feel that LGBT communicators must look beyond discussions of discrimination and moral convictions to educate the public on tangible reasons that DADT is a bad policy for our nation. Let’s take a look at what DADT is costing our nation. The Christian Science Monitor points out here that:

“About 66,000 gay men and lesbians, including about 13,000 on active duty, are serving currently in the US military, according to a study released last week by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. Since the policy's implementation, DADT has cost the military between $290 million and $500 million to pay for the discharge of individuals known to be homosexual and to recruit new service members, the report concluded. It costs the military between $23,000 and $43,000 to replace a service member who has been discharged, according to the Williams Institute.”

In addition, I would like to add that U.S. and Turkey are the only two original NATO countries that still have DADT policies in place. Since 1994, the U.S. has dismissed nearly 14,000 troops under DADT – 14,000 men and women who were willing to give their lives for our nation. In the last five years alone, almost 800 mission-critical troops, including Arabic linguists (one of the most difficult to fill and mission-critical positions in the entire military), have been dismissed.

My point is simply this. We need to look past our personal beliefs and begin informing the public about why repealing DADT is essential to the good of this nation, not only because it is wasting taxpayer money, but because it is denying our troops of vital servicepersons in a time of war.

To help assuage any remaining arguments, I’d urge everyone to read this article announcing that the U.K. is celebrating the 10th anniversary of allowing gays and lesbians to openly serve in the armed forces.  In the article, the BBC points out that while officials expected havoc and chaos to erupt once gays and lesbians were allowed to openly serve, these fears were unjustified and in reality, the change was a welcome one. See? No havoc, no chaos…

HIV in Primetime

Last month, fellow blogger Erin Grohs questioned the historic blood donation ban for gay men that arose from concerns and lack of understanding on HIV in the 1980s. And yet while Erin's post detailed some of the discoveries and greater understanding made since the ban was implemented, we still have a long way to go to bring the truth and face of AIDS and HIV out front.

Former Project Runway contestant Jack Mackenroth brought primetime visibility to the issue a few years ago, as he did nothing to hide his daily medicine regime or HIV status on the show. And while Mackenroth had to step down from the show because of an complication with his condition, his platform had been established. 

Since the show Mackenroth has used his notoriety to bring greater awareness to healthy management of HIV and a happy life that is still attainable as a positive individual. My second blog post was on Mackenroth's HIV education campaign, Living Positive by Design. And today I bring you the next installment of Mackenroth's role as positive HIV role model.

In partnership with LOGO-TV and Merck, Mackenroth created the follow public service announcement on the possibility of living a healthy, happy life for more than 20 years with HIV. While I've yet to see the PSA on LOGO or other channels, I hope the ad has a wider distribution than typical LGBT-centered stations or programming. This spot is educational to everyone -- helping our allies and straight colleagues see a different side of HIV.

What's your thought on the ad? Better yet, what are your thoughts on HIV? If we're ever going to find a cure, we've got to start talking about the issue often and honestly. Help start the conversation with a comment below. 

Destination Wedding: Nepal?

With an economic recession that is crippling many industries around the world, companies are looking to new avenues, and new audiences, to keep business alive. One of the industries most affected right now is tourism. Let's face it-- with a large majority of the world scraping by to be able to afford basic necessities, an extended stay at an all-inclusive resort is just not in the works.

This reality is why I was so impressed with an article last week about Nepal's new commitment to the LGBT tourism industry.  Nepalese lawmaker Sunil Babu Pant has started a travel agency, Pink Mountain, to offer gay-themed tours of Nepal's major tourist sites as well as to organize wedding ceremonies. In fact, openly gay Indian prince Manvendra Singh Gohil will be marrying his partner at a Hindu temple in Kathmandu, which Pant hopes will be just the beginning of destination weddings in Nepal.

Pant points to the smart business sense behind targeting the LGBT tourism dollar-- it's an estimated industry worth US$670 million worldwide. This lucrative fact essentially guaranteed the support for Pink Mountain from Nepal's traditionally conservative tourism industry, which has set its own goal of attracting one million visitors to Nepal in 2011. This is also part of a larger evolution towards the LGBT community in Nepal-- the country's new constitution is expected to define marriage as a union between two adult individuals, regardless of gender, and to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.

This is smart marketing. Identify the challenge-- in this case, a crippling economy combined with an entire decade of civil unrest. Address an unmet need-- many Asian countries discriminate against open members of the LGBT community. Create an innovative solution-- attract a new audience (LGBT) to Nepal by creating specific packages, and a culture, that embraces the unique value proposition of the LGBT community.

I give Pant, and all organizations in Nepal, credit for thinking outside the box. It's already working-- one lesbian couple from Massachusetts want to hold their nuptials in Mustang, high in the Himalayas.

What do you think about this concept? Would you visit Nepal in light of these advancements?

  

Life @ 30

 This weekend, I am doing something I thought would never happen.

I am turning 30.

Before you start to shower me with "You don't look a day over 29!" or "It's not as bad as turning 40!", it's ok.  I am starting to embrace it. Why? A couple of reasons:

1. I always welcome days that are all about me, and gifts that correspond with those days.
2. It means a whole new decade.

I was thinking about what it means for me to be turning 30.. and turning 30 as a gay man. Instead of using this space as a therapy session to help me release the white-knuckle grip I have on 29, I thought I would look at this from a different, more professional perspective. How should companies market to me, a gay man turning 30? What's the best way to engage with me?

Some suggestions, all you chief marketing officers who read this blog:

1. Recognize that my "nightlife" does not involve club hopping or LGBT happy hours. I prefer to spend my nights with my family, or with my partner. This means reaching me at home. Advertise on the channels I watch. Send LGBT-sensitive materials to my house.
2. I love to travel. I'm at the age (and with no children) where I can plan a great vacation somewhere. Tell me you understand my needs as a frequent LGBT traveler. Understand the hot-spots we frequent, give us discounts, or create a LGBT professional network where we can earn points by flying with your airline. More importantly, show us you support our community by sponsoring our events and causes.
3. Speaking of travel, if you are a hotel, try to expand your definition of "family friendly" by incorporating same-sex families and children. We like a good beach/water-slide as much as the next person.
4. I also love the stage. Meaning, I like to go see plays and musicals every once in awhile (i.e. all the time). The non-profit/arts community is really struggling in this economy. I could really get on board with a company who took the time to lend financial support to struggling theater districts around the country.
5. TV and movies are a personal obsession (shock!). Get behind programs/networks/movies who incorporate LGBT characters. Applaud groundbreaking shows that dare to open our closet.
6. My job is important to me, which means that I am always looking for professional development opportunities. Show me leaders in your company who are role models for the LGBT community. Share your best practices on how you engage with us.
7. Shopping can be therapy. If you are a retailer, create some opportunities to market LGBT specific products. And if you happen to be a luggage manufacturer/designer--listen up. I want a fabulous set of luggage. I don't want the traditional black/grey/brown suitcase. I want color. I want patterns. I want fabulousness.  And, if you are an electronics retailer, lord knows I spend a lot of money with you. Turn around and spend some money on our community.
8. Don't call it "chick fiction" or "chick flick." If I am told one more time that the Meryl Streep movie I am going to see, or the "Shopaholic" book I am about to read, is for "chicks," I will scream. Granted, I will still read/see both, but I will shout the whole time. Recognize that a good movie, or a good book, is simply that-- good. Don't tell me what sex will enjoy it most.
9. Holidays are especially a favorite time for me-- so make it even better by giving me card/flower/imagery options that recognize that I'm not a father of two bringing flowers home to the wife for the holiday.
10. Take the time to get to know me as a unique consumer. I promise you, it will be worth your investment.

So happy birthday to me. I'm taking the weekend to celebrate, with those I love the most. And, I am making my mom bake 30 cupcakes. It's only fair, since turning 30 is actually her fault. 

How old are you turning this year? What do you wish companies knew about you?

Until next week (when I am 30).

Get Your Facts...Gay?

Today I attended a communications luncheon with a panel predicting the trends and issues ahead for communicators in 2010. Obviously, much of the conversation focused on the economy, the continuing explosion of digital media and its catalyst agent of change on traditional media, corporations and government who are trying to deliver their message amidst a growing sea of information.

During the panel discussion, one of the panelists with ChicagoNow noted media's changing role of providing credibility to content and brands' needs to be factual and transparent. Trust is paramount for success in our information-overload culture, and everyone is searching for those sources. To that point of searching, a fellow panelist also commented on YouTube's status as the second largest search engine on the planet. 

The power of credibility, truth and video is no more evident than in Rob Tisinai's quick videos which tackle some of the biggest inaccuracies about gays in simple, direct truth-telling.

Here Rob's newest video examines the largely believed falsehood that gays are the primary perpetrators of child molestation. I encourage to watch this and his many other videos for simple truths on www.wakingupnow.com to combat many inaccuracies spoken about the LGBT community. 

As the panelists discussed today, more than anything people are looking for sources they can trust. We try to be that here on the Out Front Blog for LGBT communication issues. Being out front is only as effective as our message -- and Rob offers some a great example of keeping things factual, simple and impactful.

Let's make 2010 and our conversations just that -- factual, simple and impactful.

CBS Fouls Before the Big Game?

Contrary to what those who know me personally may think, I do like college football -- especially my USF Bulls and the Gators from childhood. I don't however though like that every year the biggest sports day of the year falls on or near my birthday. Talk about a dichotomy! I'm always aware of the Super Bowl and it's coverage, as I successfully try to plan my annual celebration of drinks, shopping and showtunes around the hyper-masculine festivities of food, football and friends.

Needless to say, the past few days I've been closely following the story of CBS's decision to largely approve conservative advocacy group Focus on the Family's (with its typically audience polarizing leader Dr. James Dobson) ad for the Super Bowl with UF star quarterback Tim Tebow. CBS came under fire from LGBT organizations and women's advocacy groups because many believe the ad will advocate pro-life beliefs, as Tebow's mother ignored doctors' recommendations to abort her pregnancy despite having contracted a serious infection.

While a definite proponent of the first amendment (we couldn't have the Out Front Blog without it), a marketplace of multiple and at times conflicting opinions, and the UF Gators, this issue gets stickier because in 2004 CBS denied the United Church of Christ's advertisement on tolerance, which included visual nods to gay couples, interracial couples and other marginalized communities.

Until today, CBS had been quiet on the issueand one LGBT blog noted Tebow's comments on always standing up for what he believes in. Today though CBS told the Los Angeles Times that it had eased the restrictions on advocacy ads, allowing those that are "responsibly produced." The network also noted that they would allow other advocacy groups to purchase the few remaining $2.5 million and $2.8 million ad spots if interested.

Only February 7 will tell whether Focus on the Family's ad with Tebow is responsible -- both in it's production and message. We definitely will cover the ads, and who got things right and wrong from an LGBT communications perspective here on the blog. However, the stories and actions thus far raise some critical communication questions:

1. Is the United Church of Christ ad (seen here) from six years ago produced responsibly? I think so, as it's addressing tolerance -- and not just for a particular marginalized group. So why then was this ad denied then and Focus on the Family's yet-to-be-seen ad accepted today?
2. Was the ease in CBS's restrictions communicated broadly to all organizations in advance of this year's game? If not, why so and how did Focus on the Family hear about the news?
3. What message is Focus on the Family sending to its employees who were laid off this past year due to financial issues when it purchases a Super Bowl ad with a top sports athlete spokesperson? The organization has stated the ad is made possible from significant donations separate from its operating fund.
4. Finally, is the Super Bowl a place for advocacy or politically-charged advertisements? I really like CBS Sports Columnist Gregg Doyel's column last week on the topic.

I guess if we're moving to this new era of Super Bowl ads, I hope LGBT advocacy organizations consider, and if appropriate, purchase an ad to get our messages out in front of a large audience. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Doyel? Do you not care and just want to see the game? Let us know in the comments below.

Sorry, Sir, Your Blood’s Too…Gay

January is National Blood Donor Month, honoring the nearly four million U.S. citizens that donate blood each year and serving as a reminder that every day approximately 39,000 units of blood are required in hospitals and emergency rooms.  I’m definitely patting myself on the back right now, as I’ve donated blood virtually every year for the past 10 years. In addition to weight (I've never had an issue meeting that prerequisite) and age requirements, a potential donor cannot be a man who has engaged in gay sex. A quarter of a century ago, the U.S. FDA instituted what has affectionately been termed the “gay blood ban,” prohibiting any man who has had sex with another man since 1977 from giving blood. 

Back in the 1980s, in response to the overwhelming AIDs crisis, banning gay men from donating blood was thought of as a way to keep the nation’s blood supply as “clean” as possible. This was based on the idea that men who have had sex with other men are at higher risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis, posing health risks to potential blood recipients. Interestingly enough, I could have an intimate evening with say, Neil Patrick Harris, and give blood 12 months later, but under the rules, NPH can’t donate if he’s engaged in gay sex…ever. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a serious, monogamous relationship, have been celibate since 1978 or have an incredibly rare blood type, like AB negative – if you’re a gay man, the FDA still says no.

I can try to understand the fear and the subsequent rationale between excluding high-risk groups from donating blood, especially considering how much less was known about HIV/AIDs back in the early 1980s. The fact remains that this ban, thanks to more information about HIV/AIDs and extensive blood testing post-donation, is not only antiquated but completely unnecessary. It furthers the idea that HIV/AIDs is a gay-only disease, fostering discrimination based on sexual orientation rather than scientific fact.  The American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers and the AABB have all recommended to the FDA that the blood ban on gay donors be ended, changing the deferral time to match those of heterosexual donors, yet the ban remains in effect.

Thanks to modern science, education and awareness campaigns, we all know how HIV is transmitted. More importantly, donated blood undergoes an extensive screening process during the time it’s donated and when it actually gets used, including testing for the HIV virus. Yes, HIV/AIDs occurrences among gay and bisexual men are still incredibly high, yet if you look at the age/race demographics,black and Hispanic communities have been particularly affected by HIV/AIDs in the U.S.  In 2007, 50 percent of all new HIV diagnoses were in black people…could you imagine the social uproar should the FDA decide that that the black community posed too great a risk for blood donation? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Around the "GLOBE" with Alaska Air

Over the weekend, I was checking out The Advocate's website for the latest LGBT news and info. On the top of the site, there was a banner ad for Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air "Gay Travel Event Calendar." Ever the curious frequent flyer, I clicked through to the site to check out more.

It's actually pretty cool. It's a site that lists LGBT events around the world in the cities that Alaska Air serves. And I'm talking events like Gay Days at Disney World, Dinah Shore Week (who knew?!?), and the GLAAD Media Awards. Even better, some of the events had a discount code to book travel. It got me thinking...is this just smart business and smart marketing, or does Alaska Airlines have a real commitment to our LGBT community?

So, I did some more digging. Turns out, Alaska Airlines is making a real effort. They have the "GLOBE team," an employee resource group made up of employees focused on reaching out to the LGBT communities across their route network. They are reaching out by collaborating and supporting LGBT causes and organizations, including Out & Equal and the AIDS walk. Additionally, the airline is making sure that its LGBT employees are feeling included and appreciated, including equal benefits to partners. In fact, for the second year in a row, Alaska Airlines was among 300 U.S. businesses to receive a perfect 100% score by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in the 2010 Corporate Equality Index for its treatment of LGBT employees, customers and investors. And importantly, the effort is sponsored by the airline's chief financial officer and executive vice president Glenn Johnson, which means that the Alaska's c-suite understands the value of our community, both internally and externally.

I've not had the opportunity to fly Alaska Air, but I'm now going to try and make it happen. Rule 101 of LGBT marketing is to include us-- include us in your outreach, include us in your corporate social responsibility initiatives, and include us as your employees. If you do this, we'll be loyal to your brand. Alaska gets this, and during a time when the economy is challenging the entire travel industry, I encourage Alaska to keep it up. It will pay dividends in terms of ROI and customer base expansion.

Thank you Alaska Air. To borrow from one of your competitors, the LGBT community "loves to fly, and it shows..."

What airlines do you admire for their LGBT commitments?

One Year Later

 Happy Friday all. Don't know about you, but the weekend seems so well-deserved right now!

I remember about one year ago watching the inauguration of President Barack Obama and hoping that his mission of "change" would translate into more opportunities for the LGBT community to be involved in the inner circles of the White House and the beltway. I've talked about some of the advancements in LGBT policy since the President took his oath of office, and the high-profile appointments of LGBT administration officials.

This week, I received an e-mail from the Victory Fund, titled "Want a New Boss?" Of course, I was intrigued (and no, I don't want a new boss, in case mine is reading this....). The catchy e-mail subject drew me into the "Presidential Appointments Project," an initiative led by the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute to identify strong LGBT candidates to serve in the Obama administration.

Did you know that more than 100 LGBT officials are already serving in the administration? Here are some randomly selected highlights:

• Anthony Bernal- Scheduler, Office of Dr. Jill Biden
• Marisa Demeo- Associate Judge, DC Superior Court
• Fred Hochberg- Chairman, U.S. Export-Import Bank
• David Huebner- U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand
• Kathy Martinez- Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor
• Ellie Sue Schafer- Director, White House Visitors Office
• Moe Vela- Director of Operations, Office of the Vice President

Thanks to all who serve (and I love their titles!). And, thanks to the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute for working so closely with the new administration to ensure that we are represented within these circles and for conducting outreach to our community to keep us involved and engaged.

P.S. I know the "Hope for Haiti" telethon is scheduled for tonight on all of the networks-- please watch. But, in case you have plans to be out and about tonight, you have an opportunity to donate to the Red Cross as part of the "LGBT Community Fund for Haiti," an initiative started in collaboration with Atlantis, RSVP and Olivia to help in the wake of the nightmare in Haiti. Let's show our support.

Be well.

  

A House Divided

Rightfully so, LGBT news has largely focused on the federal hearings against Proposition 8 since last Monday. I've been trying to find a way to discuss the importance of these hearings on our community and LGBT communications practice. 

Personally, I experienced the pain of complacency from my straight counterparts on the first day of hearings. Every Monday night, a small group of young people from my church meet in my home to discuss various topics and issues. The topic that night was marriage and for more than an hour, those in the room debated the elements of compatibility, the essential elements of marriage, the pain of divorce -- and never once realized that many people, some of them their friends, around the city and country were acutely attuned to the beginning discussions of lawyers and judges that would decide whether they have the right to marry the person they love.

Today, media, including the Associated Press, highlighted a bold message from a surprising influencer of the Republican party. I'm sure most of you have seen Adam Bouska's NOH8 campaign, the series of photos by the gay rights group challenging Prop 8 featuring celebrities and everyday people with duct tape across their mouth and the NOH8 logo on their face. Cindy McCain, wife of 2008 Republican presidential candidate and mother of lesbian daughter Meghan McCain, graced the NOH8 site today, endorsing pro-gay marriage efforts.

Cindy McCain's visual statement raised praise from her daughter Meghan on Twitter and an issued statement from John McCain's office stating his continued view that marriage is "between a man and a woman." As a key Republican figure, she pushes the party's fundamental stance against gay marriage with this photo -- and fully embodies the importance of being out front as an ally.

Here, as on many other sites, we highlight the remarkable power of personally knowing an LGBT individual. Countless allies, including Cindy, have been created because gay and lesbian people, like Meghan, have bravely risked their comfort and life as they knew it to share their sexuality.

As the Prop 8 arguments continue to press onward, know that important conversations must still be happening outside of the courtroom. Gays and lesbians must continue to share their life, even if they've been out for years, because our straight brothers and sisters are largely immune to the rights we're fighting for. When we honestly tell our story, we can create allies whose voice can create an echo chamber among their friends and slowly change the current understanding of love, marriage and equal rights in America.

ButtOut Ohio-- Helping LGBT Youth Become Tobacco Free

Happy Friday all. Here on the Out Front blog, we often take the time to point out smart communications campaigns that effectively target the LGBT community. Sometimes, we talk about our own work. Today is one of those days.

Today in the United States, approximately 43.4 million adults and 4.5 million adolescents smoke.Despite known health risks, new individuals become smokers every day. Nearly 6,000 youth under the age of 18 start smoking each day, with 2,000 actually becoming regular smokers.

The LGBT population has a higher smoking rate than any other minority population. Some research estimates that members of the LGBT community smoke cigarettes at rates ranging from 40 to 60 percent higher than the heterosexual population.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 80 percent of adult smokers initiated the habit prior to turning 18 years of age. Sadly, the percentage of LGBT youth using tobacco is growing at an alarming rate. While 28 percent of straight youth self-identify as smokers, nearly twice as many (59 percent) of LGBT youth classify themselves as smokers. In fact, LGBT youth are more likely to start smoking before the age of 13 than their heterosexual peers. With such a high number of LGBT youth using tobacco now, there is a far greater chance for them to become regular smokers as they transition into adulthood. 

Studies have shown that LGBT youth are at higher risk than heterosexual youth to experience low self-esteem, feelings of alienation, depression and substance abuse issues; all of which are directly correlated to tobacco initiation and use.  And let's face it-- we don't need studies to tell us why we smoke when we are young and gay. It's an outlet to relieve stress. Some have smoking, I had show choir (which didn't help the "gay" label at the time...)

Hope for Haiti, Kudos to Spain

It’s been nearly a month since my last post, and I must share that right now, my thoughts are consumed by the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. While listening to NPR, I heard a quote from a doctor’s assistant explaining that literally there is NO water. According to The New York Times, it’s been estimated that the earthquake has affected three million Haitians and the death toll is expected to reach tens of thousands. I encourage everyone to donate via one of the many groups providing needed food, water and support to the people of Haiti. The Huffington Post has put together an extensive list of relief organizations here.

While looking for a blogging topic, and honestly, trying to tear myself away from photos of the destruction in Haiti, I came across, well, Spain. According to The Guardian, a Spanish 16-year-old was recently surgically transitioned from male to female, making her the country’s youngest transsexual. Spanish law sets the minimum age for sex-change operations at 18 (as do many other countries), so minors pursuing the operation must head to court and receive approval to override the existing mandate. After her parents made the formal request, judges granted permission in November and the operation was carried out in December.

She has been seeing doctors and psychiatrists for years, taking hormones since the age of 15, and sadly, has tried to commit suicide on several occasions. According to the Guardian article, as a child, she felt she had been born in the wrong body. Gina Serra, president of the Catalan Association of Transsexuals, explained it is possible from an early age for children to be conscious of these feelings, stating that, “an eight-year-old child knows already what they want to be and what they do not want to be.”

While a sex-change operation is a life-changing decision, does making transsexual people wait until the legal age of “maturity” only prolong their suffering? That’s another blog topic, I suppose.

So, shout-out to Spain for allowing a 16-year-old girl to choose the physical body representative of her gender. In the last few years, Spain has made tremendous strides within the LGBT community, passing a law two years ago that allows transsexuals (with or without surgery) to formally change their birth gender, formally making a clear distinction between sex and gender. Additionally, Spain was the third European country (behind the Netherlands and Belgium) to legalize same-sex marriage.

Words & Images Matter

While not a shattering revelation, in our world of information overload we quickly can forget how each visual, verbal or written representation of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders can have compounded impact on others' and our own understanding of our lives, our community and our part within the world. That's why GLAAD's Media Awards continue to be an important program, highlighting those films, shows, media and companies that are leading the way in positive, realistic portrayals of a global community that continues to become increasingly diverse.

Before moving on to the list of nominees for the 21st Media Awards, I wanted to first share this picture, which stopped me cold yesterday. Images do matter and this one tells a sad story of our brothers overseas.

Handcuffed and riding in the back of a truck while heckled and harassed by their community, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga headed to court to file papers with their lawyers against the "gross indecency" charge they received for holding an engagement ceremony in Malawi. What stuns me is the guy in red's expression and the eyes and faces of the couple. 

This image matters because it is a window into a world on the other side of our own where the simple act of holding a ceremony to announce your love for a person in the privacy of your own home or town is grounds for the above treatment. This image matters because it reminds of us what many LGBT individuals are fighting for here in America, as well as the current benefits we should never take for granted.

Similarly, the words of Uganada's President Museveni speaking out against the propsed anti-gay bill legislation mattered, as they turned the course of the legislation, possibly even dismantling the efforts. You can read more about that here.

Coming back to the USA, we definitely recognize and appreciate the work that GLAAD does to remind us of the importance of words and images. Each is an important link in the progress made or lost on behalf of the LGBT community. Check out all of the award nominees here or you can watch the video from GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios embedded below. I, for one, am the biggest Gleek and have appreciated the great writing and portrayal of coming out with Kurt and his father -- here's to a win for Glee.

We'd love to hear what you think about the award nominees in the comments. Have you seen or read any of the contenders? What was your opinion of them? Weigh in below and we'll all stay tuned in to see which nominees made the biggest impact. All of them, undoubtedly, matter.

Escaping It All

Wait! It's only Jan. 12 and my first post for 2010 -- and I'm already talking about getting away?! Well, many factors are at play here, primarily the fact that Chicago is heading into its long stretch of bitterly cold winds and inches of snow. But also because of the new site today from Marriott International that I saw in today's e-mail from LGBT business publication, Echelon Magazine.

While LGBT travelers aren't a new market for marketers and communicators, Marriott's new site, www.marriottgaytravel.com is a strong example of appropriately engaging with a global LGBT community of travelers. Available in four additional languages (Spanish, Portuguese, German and French), the new site is customized to provide relevant information of interests to the LGBT traveler -- including promotions, unique hospitality packages, the company's commitment and even a note from the CEO of Marriott. Take a look and give us your take in the comments below.

I liked that the hospitality brand takes it even further by offering a portion of the proceeds from some of its hospitality packages to GLAAD. Marriott also includes LGBT-owned businesses in its supplier diversity initiatives, as well as host many LGBT events in its hotels around the world. This past year the company scored 100 percent on the HRC's Corporate Equality Index for the third consecutive year and continues to be a member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

The message is clear -- from their actions to the site's headline: Marriott is "a hotel that makes you feel right at home."

The Monday Marriage Edition (and other musings)

Hello friends! Our apologies that we bloggers have been absent. Alas, holidays/New Year's/first week back at work got the better of us.

But, we're back and ready to blog. Couple of news items (and other random thoughts) that crossed my radar whilst away:

• Today marks the start of the debate in the California Supreme Court about Proposition 8. This morning, I heard that the Court would be broadcasting trial on YouTube--which is unprecedented. Imagine that millions around the country will have an opportunity to witness history live and uncensored. What a fantastic embrace of technology to truly reach the community which is impacted. Unfortunately, news just broke that the first few days will be blocked, as some fear witness testimony may be affected if cameras are present. I hope that the ban is lifted and that we will be able to watch this debate live. If so, will you watch?
• Last week across the Atlantic, Portugal's parliament passed a bill that allows gay marriage in the country, making it the sixth country in Europe to do so. Congrats to the LGBT community in Portugal for making this happen.
• On the Gay Games front, the Cleveland Synergy Foundation and the Federation of Gay Games finalized negotiations for the 2014 Games to be held in Ohio. I had the opportunity to be a part of these negotiations, and I was impressed by the collaborative spirit of all involved to ensure that the 2014 Gay Games will be a memorable experience for all. Speaking of Cleveland and the Gay Games, the Windy City Times named the 2014 victory for Cleveland among the top 20 LGBT sporting moments in 2009. Woo-hoo!
• Speaking of the Gay Games, Cologne 2010 seems to be coming along great. Looks like already 5,000 people have registered to participate. Are you planning to go?

Thanks for coming back to our blog in 2010. We hope to bring you fresh ideas and perspective over the coming months, and hope that you continue to give us your feedback. Let's blog again soon.  

Parting Words ...

In my first blog post, I stressed the importance of LGBT visibility, specifically for people of color. Over the past two years on this blog, I've had a chance to share my personal views on a variety of LGBT issues and discuss the incredible work that organizations are doing to promote equality each and every day. Today, I bid farewell to you as I enter the next chapter of my life. 

Being a part of this blog has been one of the most rewarding elements of my career. I've had the chance to work with colleagues and readers from across the globe in sharing our viewpoints on LGBT matters. When Ben, Steve and Eddy created this forum, they created an outlet for each of us to have a voice and make an impact on LGBT communications. I think I speak for all of us when I say that LGBT communications is an area of passion both personally and professionally. As a part of the LGBT community, we each have the power to impact change. It is up to us to ensure that the LGBT voice is as global and collaborative as possible, because when we do so, we are paving the way for the next generation of our LGBT sisters and brothers to experience greater acceptance, respect and compassion by the community at large. 

As I bid farewell to you, I would like to reiterate the three points I discussed in my first post:

1. See the Need — There is a lack of visibility, recognition, and representation. 
2. Inform and Educate Ourselves — Together, we need to see that generalizations and blanket statements will decrease our ability to touch this audience.
3. Shape the Power of Words — We need to craft our language to be culturally sensitive and conscious when practicing multicultural communications and marketing. The opportunity of touching this segment lies in knowing how to talk to us and reach us.

If you'd like to connect with me, you can find me on Twitter (@LauraN546). I look forward to hearing from you there. 

And to the blog - thank you. This blog has grown in size and captured a variety of opinions and insights. It has truly been such a rewarding experience being a part of this team and community. I will dearly miss the opportunity to share my views and learn about your opinions on the Out Front Blog, but look forward to reading the team's posts! 

"The Seven Gays of Christmas"

Festive Friday greetings to all! The countdown has begun-- less than one week until I get gift cards from family members!! Oh, and there's that Christmas thing as well. No matter what you celebrate, I wish you a happy holiday season.

Due to a wonderful concept known as vacation, this will be my last posting in 2009 (pause for dramatic effect and weeping). I thought I would take a look back over this past year and give thanks to the "seven gays of Christmas"-- those members of the LGBT community that were newsworthy (or made news) during 2009.

Sing with me now...:

• On the seventh day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Bruce Springsteen telling me I can marry.
• On the sixth day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Matthew Shepard helping us be hate crime free.
• On the fifth day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Houston electing a mayor that's LGBT!
• On the fourth day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Cleveland coming home with a Gay Games victory.
• On the third day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, Administration on Aging Secretary Kathy Greenlee.
• On the second day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, two lesbian anchors on primetime cable news TV.
• On the first day of Christmas, my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner gave to me, my friends and colleagues in the Out Front family.

You have to give me credit for that, folks.

Seriously-- it's been a pleasure blogging with you in 2009. I look forward to 2010 and what it is store for the LGBT community. Until next time, peace to all, and to all a good flight (get it? Good "flight" for those who are traveling over the holidays?!? I'll stop now.).

Ally of the Year: Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors album was the second record I ever owned (the first being The Bangles, Different Light, which will always hold a special place in my child-of-the-80s heart). Let’s be honest, who hasn’t spent a night (or two…or four) emotionally belting out “Youuuu with the saaaad eyes, don’t be discouraged” along with her?

Being a huge fan, as well as an out-and-proud ally for the LGBT community, I was thrilled to see that Out.com named Lauper its 2009 “Ally of the Year,” recognizing her personal and professional commitment to the LGBT community. Her True Colors Fund “seeks to inspire and engage everyone, particularly the straight community, to become active participants in the advancement of LGBT equality to ensure a strong and vibrant LGBT community.”

Working with the True Colors Tours, which have featured performers like Regina Spektor and Rufus Wainwright, the non-profit organization has raised more than $200,000 for LGBT-supportive groups like the Human Rights Campaign and PFLAG. Monies raised by the tour, as well as the True Colors Cabaret series, have also gone to fund the True Colors Residence, the first permanent supportive housing facility for LGBT youth in New York State. Located in Central Harlem, the True Colors Residence will offer 30 new studio apartments, educational services and job training to homeless young people between the ages of 18 and 24.

To all my straight allies (and straight-allies-in-training) out there, while we may not have Lauper’s fame, money or incredible style, we do have one thing in common with her: a voice. It may not have won us Grammy awards, but it does give us all the ability to loudly and proudly vocalize our support for our LGBT brothers and sisters. As we approach the holiday season and say hello to a new year, I hope Lauper’s dedication, love and overwhelming generosity can serve as examples of the kind of allies we all aspire to be.

I’d also urge the LGBT community to take a moment and tell your straight friends and family how much their love and support means to you and to the LGBT cause. Please feel free to share your thankful thoughts in the comment section of this blog – I can’t think of anything more personally rewarding than helping to spread a little more love around. ‘Tis the season!

Love Actually

Every Christmas without fail, I watch the movie "Love Actually." I typically force friends, family and whoever else will partake to watch this great holiday romantic comedy that provides countless tales of honestly sharing love with special relationships. 'Tis the season of love and those we can't help but live without!

This year many gays and lesbians have seen love in the form of marriage come into their lives or have it snatched away by the popular vote. While the crucial federal recognition of marriage doesn't remove the love shared between two people, equal marriage rights is and continues to be a primary focus of many couples daily struggles and LGBT communication.

As we look ahead to 2010 and have some free time around the holidays, I wanted to turn your attention to a great communications campaign. From our friends at Queerty, I read about Love Takes Over, a week long opinion piece campaign to America's long standing influencer, the newspaper industry. For full details of the event, you can check out the organizer's Facebook page here.

We've written here on the Out Front Blog about the opinions and leaders of LGBT organizations and conservative groups on both sides of the marriage discussion. Instead of giving us an opportunity to dissect the communication successes and failures in this ongoing debate, Love Takes Over gives us all the chance to communicate the important message in a unified and amplified voice with our neighbors and communities.

I encourage you, as you reflect on the holiday season and the emotions it brings, to share your thoughts on love and marriage equality. Whether with friends or in a news opinion piece, whether in December or as part of Love Takes Over week, it's a season of sharing and being out front. If you have stories or write a piece for Love Takes Over, share your thoughts on love, family and marriage with us here at the Out Front Blog.

Because "Christmas is the time we tell the truth." (from "Love Actually")

Grammy Nomination Creates Controversy

I’ve always been intrigued by anti-artist and the need to disseminate messages of hate. In late August, I posted about Live Nation and AEG’s concert cancellation of Jamaican reggae artist, Buju Banton. Since then, Banton continues to gain much attention from the LGBT community.

Last week, two black LGBT organizations joined forces with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to protest the singer’s Grammy nomination. The National Black Justice Coalition and Gay Men of African Descent have developed a petition to against Banton’s nomination for Best Reggae Album. 

The decision by GLAAD and its partners to petition Banton’s Grammy nod has created a spectrum of opinions even within the LGBT community. Some believe his album should be judged on merit alone, rather than the language it may or may not convey. Others state this nomination draws attention to his anti-gay antics. 

"We’re shocked that Buju Banton, a singer with a long record of performing a song that glorifies the murder of gay people, would be honored with a Grammy nomination, regardless of the artistic merit of any of his work," said Jim Key, the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center’s Chief Public Affairs Officer in an EDGE interview.  Banton isn’t the first to be protested by GLAAD, and he likely won’t be the last. 

On a side note, the AP reported that Banton was arrested this weekend on cocaine charges in Florida. 

Tell us what you think about homophobic lyrics and Banton’s Grammy nomination.

Music Makes the People Come Together...

It's like I'm in my own game of "Where's Waldo?" Today, I'm blogging from the Big Apple. Looking forward to a winter weekend back in Ohio (fingers crossed for no flight delays!).

Since I'm still living the life of a professional nomad, I've been collecting my random thoughts for this week's post. Happy Friday, and here goes...

• Born in the U.S.A. I know he's the Boss, but now he really should be. This week, THE Bruce Springsteen posted the following to his site: "Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I've been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton. I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that, 'The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is -- a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.' I couldn't agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now." Go Bruce! I appreciate when artists use their communications platform to advocate for causes for which they are passionate. He came out in support of a highly debated issue, and he shared it with the masses. And now, he's got one more gay fan. Granted he had me at "Streets of Philadelphia," but still.
• Glee Fall Finale. Any television show that involves a pairing of both "And I'm Telling You" from Dreamgirls and "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl deserves its own Nobel Peace Prize. Seriously-- Effie White and Barbara Streisand? I'm suprised there wasn't a blackout across the U.S. from all us show choir gleeks imploding.
• Speaking of Dreamgirls: Took a break last night while in NYC and decided to go see the revival of Dreamgirls at the Apollo Theater, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. What a historic place. And what a fitting place to host this stunning revival. I don't think I've ever seen so much celebrated diversity like I did at the Apollo-- gay men, black men, white women... you name it, we were all captivated by the star turn of Moya Angela. And I'm telling you, you better get going there before it closes.
• Sadness: My mother has made cameo appearances on this blog before. On Wednesday, during our daily conversation, she told me she happened to read the paper and saw the story about the proposed anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda. Her words to me: "I read so many sad things in the paper today. It makes me scared for you. You never know what hateful people can do out there." I won't get into a discussion about what's going on in Uganda. Actually-- I can't. It's too tragic to think that such anger and intolerance still permeates our society.

Thank you Bruce, and thank you Mom, for caring about our human rights.

Talk to you next week.

(Photo Courtesy of Playbill)

Discrimination: We’re Not Lovin’ It

Earlier this week, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) filed a complaint against an Orlando McDonald’s on behalf of seventeen-year-old Zikerria Bellamy. Managers at the restaurant had refused Bellamy a job interview and subsequently a job after learning she was transgendered. One manager followed up those rejections by leaving Bellamy an obscene voicemail that explained why she wouldn’t be hired.

Bellamy has been living as a female for the past six years and was looking for a way to make some extra money when she applied at McDonald’s. Instead, she was laughed at by one manager when she walked into the restaurant and was verbally harassed by another - in addition to using gay slurs against her, the unidentified man on the voicemail also calls her a liar.

Now readers of this blog are well aware that Bellamy should never have been denied a job because she is transgender, let alone be the victim of anti-gay slurs. She should have been given the chance to earn a living without being refused for reasons that have zero to do with her ability to actually DO the job. Interestingly enough, Bellamy worked at another McDonald’s location for three years, so clearly she had experience working in fast-food, as well as experience working for this particular chain. Hmm…

Since the story broke, one of the McDonald’s managers has been fired. A spokesperson for the restaurant said that particular employee was not responsible for hiring and no longer worked there. There hasn’t been any mention of the second manager (the laugher, I’m guessing…?). It’s also been brought to public attention that McDonald’s has a zero tolerance policy prohibiting discrimination or harassment in the restaurant.

Counting on Hate: GLSEN Launches New SM Counter

Earlier this year, we shared a GLSEN campaign called “ThinkB4YouSpeak.” The campaign seeks to build awareness with students regarding the prevalence of homophobic and derogatory language. In its launch, GLSEN partnered with Hilary Duff and Wanda Sykes to create PSAs that drew attention to the issue. So, what’s next?

Over the past few months, GLSEN has developed a slur counter that tracks the total number of the terms “fag,” “dyke,” and “… so gay” on Twitter. Yesterday, there were 862 mentions of the word fag. I love GLSEN’s use of real-time and real uses of hateful language. As of June 2009, there were 200,000 active Twitter users. If these hateful words continue to rise as the number of Twitter users increase, we can only assume that more words of hate will be perpetuated.

Today, nine out of 10 LGBT students report being harassed in school in the last year. If these hateful messages also live online and in greater magnitude, how can we help protect our youth and destroy these harmful, hateful homophobic remarks? Tell us what you think!

Go here to learn more about the ThinkB4YouSpeak Campaign.

Make Your Holiday Dollars Have Greater Impact: Q&A with Michael Lamb of Echelon Business Media

This post is the conclusion of the Out Front Blog's dialogue with Michael Lamb from Echelon Business Media and GayFranchise.com.

4. As we head into the holiday season, how are LGBT businesses communicating with consumers? How can or should LGBT consumers be responding?

Lamb: I have always said that LGBT money is the key to attaining full LGBT equal rights. The holidays are the season of giving. Many LGBT non-profits host big fund raising efforts during this time.Therefore, it is a great time to align your business as a donor of these charities and post it on your blog or Web site. On top of the fact that you are helping the community, LGBT consumers will identify with the emotional appeal your company is presenting and respond favorably.
 
5. What resources, besides Echelon and GayFranchise, can help LGBT businesses and their communications this holiday season and moving forward?

Lamb: If your LGBT-owned business has not joined your local LGBT Chamber of Commerce, now would be a great time. Most chambers host a holiday gala where networking is ideal to meet the right people. Most events also look for sponsors. As a sponsor, your company’s logo would be included in all communications with the members. 
 
6. Any other thoughts regarding LGBT businesses and LGBT communications?

Lamb: Stay informed. As an LGBT business owner, you have an added advantage of marketing to a very special niche market. On EchelonMagazine.com, we publish a free weekly newsletter on LGBT business. Aside from breaking news, we feature other successful LGBT entrepreneurs and additional opportunities that can further add to your company’s marketing efforts.

The community as a whole has historically undervalued the business side of the LGBT community. As ENDA, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, makes its way through Congress, we are on the precipice of a burst of notoriety. Make sure that you bring your business out of the closet, if it isn’t already. The rewards will be endless.

It's Our Business: A Conversation with Echelon Business Media's Michael Lamb on LGBT Businesses in the Recession and Recovery

While consumers may be making their lists and checking them twice this time of year, businesses are already looking ahead to 2010. And you better believe after this year, their checking budgets -- more than twice.

With near daily coverage of the economy and its effect on businesses, media largely overlooked how the year's recession uniquely impacted LGBT businesses and franchises. To get some greater insights, the Out Front Blog thought we'd have a virtual cup of coffee and chat with the editor of some of the leading publications and resources for LGBT businesses, Michael Lamb, editor-in-chief of Echelon Business Media and president of GayFranchise.com.

1. It was tough year for businesses of all kinds, but what specifically unique challenges (especially communication challenges) did LGBT businesses face?

Lamb: LGBT businesses, like all businesses suffered more challenges than usual this year due to the recession.

During these times, every company is looking to maximize their sales by spending the least amount of money. 

Target marketing has always been the route for many companies as a consequence of an economic downturn. The LGBT community in particular is a very desirable target as they possess a high disposable income and many households do not include children. A business professional identifies as an “LGBT” business owner to further connect with the community and entice these customers to buy from a like-minded company. 
 
Fortunately, the LGBT community has a knack for survival and a penchant for technology according to market research. I would postulate that these talents have been utilized well by LGBT business owners.
 
With less advertising dollars on hand, social media has also grown into a major part of every company’s marketing strategy and understanding how tech-savvy the LGBT community is, could blossom into a gift from God for LGBT business owners.
 
Therefore, the biggest communication challenge LGBT business owners faced was to understand how social media works and how to integrate it into their ongoing business plan.
 
2. Over the past few years, how have companies changed in the way they communicate/interact with gay employees or gay business owners?

Lamb: Overall, the divide in communications between mainstream businesses and the LGBT community has lessened. With every year that passes, there are more corporations achieving 100 percent in HRC’s Corporate Equality Index, more companies are signing on with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to do business with certified LGBT business owners and all of these activities translate into an increased level of acceptance and equality.
 
3. What are your predictions for LGBT businesses/franchises and LGBT communications in 2010?

Lamb: The world is a much different place with President Obama in office despite recent LGBT criticism. Just by being the leader of our country, he puts out a message to the world that it is ok to be different. With that said, I think we are going to see many more companies advertising directly to the LGBT community. On our sister site, www.gayfranchise.com, we have already accumulated over 75 concepts in our directory and we foresee it being doubled in 2010.

Check back later today for the conclusion of our conversation with Michael. In the meantime, we'd love to hear your predictions for the year ahead.

Don't Ask, Don't Sing?

Gang--hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Too much turkey, not enough shopping, but bygones.

It's been one of those weeks getting back into the swing of things, so I'm going to share a bunch of random musings:

• Adam Lambert/American Music Awards: First of all-- what a boring awards show. Yes, J-Lo fell. Janet lipsynched the opening. Kelly Clarkson rocked it out. But, Adam Lambert kissed and grossed a boy and the world fell apart! 1,500 calls to ABC! Good Morning America canceled his concert! CBS Early Show booked him but didn't show his controversial performance! Double standard? Maybe. But, shame on Good Morning America for canceling on him-- especially when the network actively incorporates the LGBT community in their primetime shows. And double shame for CBS for capitalizing on the controversy but not showing his performance. What did I think about the performance? Much ado about nothing-- especially the vocals :(
• Mrs. Keaton is a lesbian! In an overdue return to the pop culture radar, Meredith Baxter (aka Family Ties matriarch) came out on the Today Show as a lesbian. I don't know how Alex P. and the gang will react to this. But, kudos to Meredith for taking the gossip hounds to task by coming out on her own terms, and doing it privately with her family first before addressing it nationally.
• Cleveland is still rocking out as a result of My Games Rock! On Monday, Cleveland City Council unanimously passed legislation that expands the city's existing anti-bias laws to bar businesses from denying jobs or housing to people because of their gender identity or gender expression. It's great recognition for our transgendered community. Ohio is fast-becoming the LGBT mecca we dreamed. Here's hoping for more progress.
• Twilight vs. Precious. Precious wins, hands down.

Happy first December Friday to all. Speak to you next week.

(Photo Courtest of NY Daily News)

Can Hate Ever Help?

Tuesday marked the 21st observance of World AIDS Day. A plethora of companies, schools, organizations, and yes, even my favorite Web sites (well, some of them…) took action to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic, which currently affects an estimated 33 million people worldwide. One of my favorites, Twitter, teamed up with Bono’s Project (RED) Campaign, providing users with the #red hashtag, allowing them to show support by automatically changing the color of their tweets.

As I took a moment to enjoy the number of Twitterers tweeting and retweeting support for World AIDS Day, I came across a particularly interesting discussion between Megan Phelps-Roper and a few celebrity Tweeters, including my I-Love-The-80s-crush, Michael Ian Black. Phelps-Roper is the granddaughter of Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), a Kansas-based group mostly known for picketing the funerals of soldiers or institutions or individuals they think support homosexuality.

While Phelps and the WBC are not known for being the most tactful communicators, I couldn’t help but be shocked by the plethora of hateful and defamatory language Megan used in her tweets about AIDS and the gay community.  When I finally pulled myself away from Twitter, I immediately launched into an intense Googling session and while examining old issues of The Advocate online, I came across a reader comment stating that Phelps and the WBC are actually helping to bring the LGBT and straight communities together.

I immediately scoffed at the idea that a group like the WBC, with its over-the-top public shenanigans, could ever do anything to further support for the LGBT community – but then I started thinking that maybe the use of such provocative, nasty language IS helping. Think about it – the Out Front Team has blogged repeatedly about the importance of language, often discussing how certain terms or phrases help to create and cultivate the idea that LGBT people are “other” or “different.” Many of the words or phrases we’ve discussed are seemingly innocuous – lifestyle, taken out of the context described here, is still a socially acceptable word. If I tried to explain to certain family members or friends that using the term “lifestyle” is insulting to the LGBT community, they may not understand it, yet they can more easily recognize and agree that shouting “God Hates Fags” IS offensive.

Is it possible that the use of over-the-top, provocative language can actually bring LGBT and straight communities closer together because more people can agree that such words and phrases are offensive? Does this help raise awareness or does it come at too high of a cost? I’d love to know your thoughts.

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say

E-mail and Google expanded from nouns to verbs also. Weblog, like the one you're reading now, transitioned into blog. What about the meaning of gay or marriage? These are just some examples of how daily the vibrant and organic English language changes shapes, as words emerge, die out and take new meaning.

I'd like to direct you to two previous posts. One of our most popular posts was Ben Finzel's final thoughts on eight words that shouldn't be used in LGBT communications. In it, he explored the negative nuances of such casually used terms as lifestyle, sexual preference and choice. He showed the implied fallacy these words carry and the importance of educating family, friends and foes on their inadequacies.

The other is my post from April where I shared the story of Peter Dubuque and Steve Kleinedler. Steve lost his husband Peter of several years. Having lived as a legally married couple in Boston, Steve shared his experiences at the loss of his husband and the respect and normalcy with which Boston's community treated him.

Steve has become a good friend (thanks Facebook) and follower of the Out Front Blog, and recently shared another insightful piece he wrote on the the constantly evolving English language, specifically when it comes to words surrounding marriage these days. You can read the entire article here in the Advocate.

As editor of The American Heritage Dictionary, Steve defined the job of dictionaries as "primarily to describe how language is used, not to dictate how it should be used." He goes on to discuss the importance of recognizing the more inclusive aspects of "marriage" and "widower" in today's society.

It may seem insignificant, but together there small nuances are helping states unlike Massachusetts and Iowa slowly change towards a more inclusive, equal and productive American society. I encourage you to read Steve's piece entirely and let us know your thoughts here on the Out Front Blog.

Look for a post later today on our thoughts on today's World AIDS Day.

Give Thanks: LGBT Communications

It’s the Monday before a brief Thanksgiving break. Your dreams are taking you to a place of turkey, pumpkin pie and shopping heaven. It’s lovely there isn’t it? You’re reminded of family gatherings and that indescribable warmth of being home. For some of us in the LGBT community, this holiday season brings heartfelt and heartbreaking stories. 

In preparation for holiday fun, I got to thinking about the things I'm grateful for. Here are a few (in the world of LGBT communications, in no particular order):

1. Washington Blade – After 40 years of delivering LGBT news, the Washington Blade shut its doors after its parent company, Window Media, filed for bankruptcy. Thank you to the Blade for sharing LGBT news when others didn’t. Emerging at a time when the majority of the LGBT community was still in the closet, the Blade provided us with an outlet, a unified message to stand behind. It armed us for action and gave us a voice. The Blade’s editor, Kevin Naff, intends to launch a new LGBT publication. We look forward to seeing the new paper Kevin! For more on The Blade check out Michael's post from last week. 
2. Young advocates - Fifth grader, Will Phillips and 17-year-old, James Neiley. Will Philips recently received much attention after he refused to say the pledge of allegiance to a country that discriminates against the LGBT community. James Neiley, a volunteer for Outright Vermont gave a moving and heartfelt speech to the Vermont Senate during the equal marriage rights debate. Cultivating young advocates is essential to the battle for equal rights. They provide a unique perspective and an unmatched passion for change. Young advocates fuel our progress. For a more intriguing list of the top 100 honorees by Out, go here. 
3. And finally, Lady Gaga. Though many people may call her odd, I do appreciate Lady Gaga and all that she brings to the music industry and to pop culture. Lady Gaga takes any opportunity to be vocal about homophobia and fight for equal rights. She thanked God and the gays in her MTV VMA award win, performed at Pride Festivals and the HRC gala, and walked with us at the National Equality March in October. Ra-ra Ga-Ga! 

So tell us, what are a few things that you’re grateful for this year?

Blade of Glory

I'm blogging this Friday from the nation's capital. Hanging out with my colleagues here and enjoying the town I once called home.

When I first moved to D.C. back in 2004, I was on the cusp of finally coming out to my family. Was D.C. the catalyst? Probably not. But, coming out in an evironment that accepted- no embraced- the LGBT community was certainly an incentive.

An integral part of the LGBT community here is (now sadly "was") the Washington Blade. This was a must read for fabulous Washingtonians (or in my case, Washingtonian transplant). You could read about social issues. Hot parties. Upcoming events. And you could always count on some biting social commentary from a gay or two.

When the news broke this week that the Blade was closing down, I became immensely sad. Sad about the continuing decay of the media industry. Sad that the LGBT community will have one less "gay rag" to follow. But mostly, I was sad that this week, somewhere another Washingtonian transplant who is looking to come out has one less "voice" to cheer him on.

But fear not-- in breaking news, several former employees of the 40-year-old gay and lesbian newspaper said that they plan to launch a new, more modest version of the paper today. Publisher Lynne Brown and Editor Kevin Naff said in a letter posted online that "the staff of the paper remains united," and currently is working on a volunteer basis.

With layoffs happening across all media sectors, what will happen to traditional journalism outlets? Clearly I am a fan of blogs. But, I'm also a fan of the smell and feel of a fresh newspaper. Heck, I was the editor of one in high school. It's how I fell in love with writing and communications. I hope that while the economy continues to spiral, somehow, we can maintain the original "fourth estate" while embracing the new virtual estate.

Up next- Friday musings:

• Ok. I was just getting back into the world of Oprah. She entices me this week with her interview with Governor-Vice Presidential Candidate-Hockey Mom- Author Sarah Palin. Then, she teases me even more with an interview with the cast of Nine (so excited!!). Today? She calls it quits. Big O, I love you so.
• Tomorrow, I'm seeing "Twilight: New Moom." I saw the first one on a plane back from Europe in the comfort of my own seat. Now, I'll have to see it with a bunch of screaming fans at the theater. Oh wait, that's just me screaming. I know I'll regret not seeing Precious.
• Who do you think should become the new anchor of "Good Morning America?" I'm loving this behind the scenes gossip and backstabbing. My money is on Georgie to get the gig- but I just don't see him comfortably interviewing Dancing with the Stars castoffs or the cast of Lost (Tuesdays, 9PM, starting Feb. 2). But, who do I want to get it? Paging Anderson Cooper...or Kiki Couric anyone?

Happy Weekend. And since I'll be stuffing my face with leftovers next week, Happy Thanksgiving!

School Projects and Protests

This past weekend I took a vacation to Atlanta to visit childhood friends and relax with mindless and entertaining activities. While perusing BuzzFeed in the beautiful 70-degree November weather that makes all Chicagoans excited, my friends and I came across photos, videos and comments on "35 Amazing Science Fair Projects." You can see for yourself why the post had us laughing heartily and talking about our own experiments in grade school.

Then the laughter stopped. I saw the above picture of a young student's project called AIDS: The Gay Plague. While his procedure and hypothesis are unintelligible, his "results" are clear. Homosexuality and bisexuality result in "the gay plague," while heterosexuality and whatever he was implying with "Man on Horse" are safe.