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Concern over ‘chemsex’ grows as COVID-19 shuts Thailand’s LGBT+ bars – PostBulletin.com

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Concern over ‘chemsex’ grows as COVID-19 shuts Thailand’s LGBT+ bars – PostBulletin.com

As Thailand grapples with a third COVID-19 wave, campaigners are warning of the health risks posed by an apparent increase in chemsex – where mainly gay and bisexual men meet to take drugs such as crystal meth or GHB and unprotected sex is common.

Beam, 34, who also works as a porn actor and regularly meets his clients at the parties, said changes to people’s working routines under lockdown had made the gatherings more popular.

“It’s now a golden opportunity for partygoers,” Beam, who asked not to give his full name to protect his identity, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Chemsex users are at risk of drug addiction or overdoses, as well as mental health problems, campaigners said, and Thai media have recently carried reports about chemsex-related violence including physical assault.

As in other parts of the world, where authorities have voiced concern over the phenomenon, the parties are widely advertised on Twitter and gay dating apps like Blued and Grindr.

At Bangkok Rainbow Organization, an LGBT+ NGO, the president, Nikorn Chimkong, said chemsex was “now a new normal” and that the trend was evident in an increase in inquiries about the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) anti-HIV drug.

He said about 30 or 40 people per month contact the group every month nowadays to ask about the drug, a once-daily pill that protects people from becoming infected with the virus.

That compares to less than 10 before the pandemic, with the majority taking the pills before chemsex parties, he said.

LACK OF SUPPORT

Three current and former chemsex partygoers, and experts supporting users, said Thai public health providers lack the knowledge needed to support those seeking help for chemsex use.

Elsewhere in Asia, too, there are no harm reduction programmes that simultaneously address the risk of drug use and the sexual activity of gay and bisexual men and transgender women, found a recent report by APCOM, a health advocacy group for gay and bi men.

In Europe, where surveys in Britain, Spain and the Netherlands have found that 30-45% of gay and bi men have engaged in chemsex at least once, doctors warned in 2019 that the practice was refuelling epidemics of HIV in urban areas.

Earlier this year, Britain increased penalties for GHB following two high-profile trials, one of which detailed the drug’s use in the rape of almost 50 men.

In Thailand, where gay sex and drug use is widely frowned upon, people who want support for chemsex issues are often reluctant to seek help for fear of being stigmatised, campaigners said.

“There are very few service providers that make users feel like they are another human being,” said Midnight Poonkasetwattana, APCOM executive director.

“These are the groups that we must provide services for in order to reduce their risks of HIV.”

ASSAULTS, OVERDOSES

One place that does offer help is KRUBB Bangkok, a gay social club and community centre, which opened about nine months ago and provides chemsex counselling services for gay men.

Sergeant Shaowpicha Techo, a psychologist at a Bangkok health centre who also sees patients at KRUBB, said he was seeing up to a dozen patients per week compared with one or two before the pandemic.

Thailand does not have official statistics on chemsex, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said up to 90% of gay and bisexual men who have used their healthcare services have experimented with chemsex. Most are aged between 20 and 40.

Anggoon Patarakorn, deputy director of the government’s Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment, said he had not noticed a surge in chemsex during the pandemic, but acknowledged officials did not yet have expertise on the issue.

“We’re not giving special priority (to this group) at this time, but we may focus on them more in the future,” he said.

The Royal Thai Police’s anti-narcotics bureau declined to comment.

News reports of assaults and fatal overdoses at chemsex parties prompted a group of campaigners to form a network called Safety Net in June last year to support chemsex users.

Aiming to raise awareness among government officials and health workers, it is also working on a first aid handbook for users including advice on what to do if someone overdoses.

Arthur, a 32-year-old actor and model who asked to be identified only by his nickname, has had less work during the pandemic and said he had been attending chemsex parties more often as a result.

But the regular drug use took a toll on his mental health and he is now seeking treatment and helping Safety Net.

“I have hurt myself (from cutting) and attempted suicide many times in the past,” he said. “About five of my friends have died from drugs … and now I want to help other people.”

Indonesian LGBT+ magazines find a second life online – Yahoo Eurosport UK

Kim Martel
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Indonesian LGBT+ magazines find a second life online – Yahoo Eurosport UK

By Stanley Widianto

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Two men embracing on a magazine cover was more than risqué for Indonesia, thought LGBT+ researcher Ais, when he first discovered a trove of retro LGBT+ zines in Bali last year.

“Suddenly it felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself,” said Ais, 29, who does not want to reveal his full name due to the sensitivity of the matter, of his discovery of the zines. “Turns out I have a history.”

The LGBT+ zines, or community-based publications printed in small batches, were distributed across the Indonesian archipelago during the 1980s and 1990s, a sign of more permissive times in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

Although homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, with the exception of sharia-ruled Aceh province where same-sex relations are banned, it is generally considered a taboo subject.

The country is also becoming less tolerant of the LGBT+ community as some politicians become more vocal about Islam playing a large role in the state.

The find gave Ais and Beau Newham, an Australian who works in HIV prevention and support, the impetus to digitise as many LGBT+ zines as they could find by scanning old copies and posting them online. Their website Queer Indonesia Archive https://qiarchive.org went live last June.

“If it’s any sort of material that reflects the stories of queer Indonesians and we can digitise it, we will. That’s the premise,” Newham, 34, told Reuters in an interview.

Equipped with four scanners and aided by volunteers, fundraising and non-governmental grants, the duo has found over 18 titles of Indonesian LBGT+ zines and the archive has reached 30 gigabytes.

Ais said the group usually goes to the head of the community that produced the zine to ask if they would share copies.

POEMS TO PERSONAL ADS

The first LGBT+ zine in Indonesian history was published in 1982 and was called “G: Gaya Hidup Ceria” (G: Happy Lifestyle), according to Dede Oetomo, a gay scholar who founded the longest-running zine GAYa NUSANTARA, which finally went online in 2014.

Though they never received mainstream recognition, the zines circulated freely from Java island (Jaka Zine) to Sulawesi (GAYa Celebes), containing poems to personal ads, where people in search of a partner would post basic information and photos of themselves.

“I was happy, because I could get lots of friends. In hindsight, those bulletins did what the social media apps are doing today,” Dede said, referring to gay dating apps such as Grindr.

To evade Indonesian authorities, the zines were called a “series of books,” instead of bulletins, Dede said, adding this was the closest they came to self-censorship.

“I’m glad Queer Indonesia Archive is doing this. We never had such skills,” he added.

Archiving these zines has been soul-searching for Ais, who said his exposure to queer communities in recent years has always centred on queer persecution.

While Queer Indonesia Archive hasn’t yet raised any ire with the authorities, “we’re in a perpetual fear of backlash,” Newham said.

There has been a rise in discrimination and violent attacks against Indonesia’s LGBT+ community in recent years. Police have prosecuted members of the community under anti-pornography and other laws.

More than 1,800 cases of persecution of LGBT+ Indonesians occurred between 2006 and 2017, LGBT+ advocacy group Arus Pelangi reported in September 2019. A survey by the think tank Pew Research Center last year showed that 80% of Indonesians believe homosexuality “should not be accepted by society”.

After the COVID-19 pandemic ends, Ais and Newham plan to start recording audio accounts of older members of LGBT+ communities.

“We want to archive more of our history in an inclusive manner,” Ais said. “Through QIA, I hope to make people more aware of Indonesia’s queer history.”

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Karishma Singh)

Whipping Cream Market – Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 – 2026) – The Courier – The Courier

Kim Martel
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Whipping Cream Market – Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 – 2026) – The Courier – The Courier

Whipping Cream

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Advertiser-Tribune Olive Gay Thompson – Tiffin Advertiser Tribune

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Advertiser-Tribune Olive Gay Thompson – Tiffin Advertiser Tribune

Do LGBT issues have any relevance in the estate agency world? – The Negotiator

Kim Martel
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Do LGBT issues have any relevance in the estate agency world? – The Negotiator

mina strutt and parker lgbt

This week the world has been highlighting how LGBT people face discrimination despite the huge strides made towards wider public understanding and acceptance of the issues they face, particularly in the UK.

Considering this, The Negotiator talked to Misa von Tunzelman of BNP Parisbas Real Estate. Her job includes heading up Strutt & Parker’s marketing and communications but she is also a lesbian who only relatively recently came out at work.

Q: Does LGBT really matter within the property industry?

“I used to get that question a lot, but I am asked that far less now.

“But yes, it matters because diversity across the board matters. “For businesses to be successful whatever industry they are in you need a range of inputs and ideas to create innovation and speak to customers of all different types and, also, to appeal to young people who you are trying to attract into your business.

“There is also plenty of research to show that staff who are in the closet and stress about being outed every day are much less productive.

“And having myself been in the closet for about ten years at work at a previous employer, it’s exhausting. 

“It’s just a waste of energy having to constantly worry about being ‘found out’.”

Q: What’s it like at Strutt & Parker?

“It’s absolutely fine. I was interviewed by our former CEO Andy Martin and I was clear about my LGBT activities.

“And in 2017 he attended an event about LGBT within the industry and was part of a round-table discussion and wanted to find out more about people’s experiences.

“Also, I felt more comfortable here because people would wear rainbow lanyards, for example.

“The big surprise for me was when the Canterbury office lobbied me to fund sponsorship of Canterbury Pride – which given its rural location was remarkable.

“I think attitudes to LGBT in the UK have shifted quite a long way in the past ten years.

“Just because someone is in tweed doesn’t mean they are not accepting of LGBT people.”

Q: Have you faced discrimination?

“No, I haven’t. But I have experienced casual homophobia within the property industry. I guess that’s because at the time I wasn’t out so people felt it was OK to make jokes or comment in a way that made me feel it wouldn’t be safe to be out – but when I did come out it was fine.”

Q: What form can discrimination take?

“It can be pay or promotional restrictions although I’ve never witnessed it directly. More often it’s subtle things like not being put forward to meet a particular client or work on a certain project.”

Q: Is the estate agency world moving forward on LGBT issues?

“I think it is moving forward but at different speeds depending on location, size of organisation and sector.”

Q: What would say to an agent wanting to move forward?

“It’s about creating an inclusive environment – you have to talk about LGBT in a normal way whether it’s a local Pride festival or a relative or whatever. Just make it a part of the conversation so it become known that your branch or office is a safe place to be.”

Flat-earther arrested after Watertown City Council meeting disruption | News, Sports, Jobs – The Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Kim Martel
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Flat-earther arrested after Watertown City Council meeting disruption | News, Sports, Jobs – The Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Donnie Lee Barrigar is arrested during Monday’s Watertown City Council meeting after causing a disruption.
(Provided photo — Craig Fox, Watertown Daily Times)

WATERTOWN — A local man who espouses his flat Earth beliefs was escorted out of Monday night’s City Council meeting by city police and arrested after he caused a disruption when he refused to stop talking about the theory.

During the meeting’s privilege of floor, Donnie Lee Barrigar, 37, of Watertown, was warned three times that he would be arrested if he continued to talk about a topic that isn’t about city business.

Council members recessed the meeting twice while police officers tried to convince Barrigar to obey Mayor Jeffrey M. Smith’s instructions to direct his comments to an issue about the city, but he refused.

“I don’t want to arrest you,” Sgt. Cristin O’Brien said, telling him that council members wanted him to obey the rule of sticking to city issues.

“Arrest me for what?” Barrigar said, adding that he thinks his freedom of speech was being violated by the Council not allowing him to talk.

O’Brien and two other officers put him in handcuffs, escorted him out of council chambers and took him to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, where he was processed and charged with trespass. He was given an appearance ticket for Watertown City Court and then released.

The incident was prompted by a proposal to cut down the time during which members of the public could speak during the privilege of the floor sessions of council meetings to three minutes. Before council members approved the change on Monday night, there was no time limit on how long members of the public could speak, although an informal rule kept the limit at five minutes. But speakers, including Barrigar, were frequently allowed to go beyond the five minutes.

However, Monday night’s incident was coming to a head for weeks.

Two weeks ago, Barrigar went on a tirade that lasted about eight minutes that included accusing new city Councilman Leonard Spaziani of causing him to be “red-tagged” at the Dulles State Office Building for allegedly removing the U.S. flag, turning it upside down and putting it back on the flag pole.

On April, 19, Barrigar was not allowed to enter the state office building without an escort by security because of the alleged incident. It was the same day that his trial was scheduled to begin for a separate incident involving a Gay Pride flag at City Hall last June. He blamed the councilman for mishandling the situation at the state office building that caused his trial to be postponed until June 1.

On June 23 of last year, Barrigar was charged with third-degree criminal tampering after he allegedly took down the flag, which hung in front of City Hall in celebration of Gay Pride.

At the time of his arrest last year, Barrigar said he was well within his constitutional rights to take down the flag. He insisted that he was protected by his First Amendment rights to use the Gay Pride flag in his protest, saying he gets his views about homosexuality from his religious beliefs. He’s accused of lowering the Pride flag and stuffing it into a City Hall mailbox. He has pleaded not guilty to that charge.

Barrigar’s actions prompted more than 150 LGBTQ supporters to come together in a show of solidarity to protest what he did. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also offered to help the state police with the investigation into Barrigar’s action. The governor called him a bigot.

Even before Monday night’s council meeting began, Barrigar caused another disruption when he breached a barrier that was put up to keep the public from approaching council members at their seats.

“Get back on the other side,” Spaziani told him before a police officer instructed him that he was not allowed to pass the barrier.

Barrigar and other members of the public got into an argument during one of the council recesses, when they questioned why he didn’t stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. One man told him to shut up.

Over the weekend, Barrigar showed up at Smith’s and Councilwoman Lisa Ruggiero’s houses to confront them about limiting the time to speak at council meetings. Neither were at home at the time.

Before the meeting, Ruggiero tried to give him a letter advising him not to step foot on her property again or he would be arrested for trespass. Barrigar refused to accept the letter, in which Ruggiero told him that she notified the police about the incident at her home.

At the end of the meeting, Smith said that he had to do something because the situation was getting out of hand with speakers taking over the privilege of the floor. He also noted that the new three-minute rule would not be strictly enforced if speakers stayed on topic of city issues and have legitimate comments.

City Manager Kenneth Mix said after the meeting that staff decided that the portable barrier should be installed for meetings to keep council members and employees safe. Two weeks ago, Barrigar followed Spaziani into the area of staff offices near the council chambers and confronted him while videotaping him for his flat Earth YouTube channel.

Mix said he plans to talk to council members about how to deal with Barrigar in the future.

City Attorney Robert Slye said Barrigar will be allowed to continue to attend meetings and speak at them as long has he obeys the rules.

“We’re not trying to limit your free speech,” Smith said.

After police escorted Barrigar out of the meeting, two members of the public asked council members to rethink the three-minute rule because it’s the only time that the public gets to tell them what they think about city issues.

S.F. Gates, who has attended countless council meetings to lobby for a city dog park over the past 14 years, told council members they should not make changes just because a couple of speakers get out of line.

As part of the new privilege of the floor rules, council members also made a change in not allowing speakers who are running for elected office to use the privilege of the floor to speak about their platforms.

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Auburn is one step closer to a Buc-ee’s – Opelika Observer

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Auburn is one step closer to a Buc-ee’s – Opelika Observer

By Hannah Lester
hlester@opelikaobserver.com 

The Auburn City Council approved a commercial development agreement with Buc-ee’s Auburn, LLC during its Tuesday night meeting. 

The approved agreement stipulates that the city will remit certain taxes. In exchange, Buc-ee’s will be creating tax revenue in the city, along with 175 new jobs and investing $45 million in Auburn. 

Once the remaining items of business related to the travel center are approved, Buc-ee’s will be located at Exit 50 on Interstate 85. 

Buc-ee’s is a popular travel stop that not only provides a place for refueling cars, but boasted clean restrooms, food choices galore and even souvenir items. 

“Welcome to Auburn,” said Ward 6 Council Member Bob Parsons. “When I mentioned to my sister-in-law that this was a possibility, she spent many years in Houston and she about did a dance on the floor when I told her.”

The agreement was approved Tuesday, while several other items related to Buc-ee’s were postponed, including two annexations, two rezoning and two conditional use approvals, all of which will come before the council on June 1. 

If the other items are approved, then Buc-ee’s will be responsible for installing a traffic signal on Exit 50’s on/off ramp, along with a right turn lane off Interstate 85 and another traffic signal at Cox Road and Corporate Parkway. All of which would require ALDOT approval, the city’s e-packet said. 

Buc-ee’s additionally plans to donate $50,000 per year to the city, which will be allowed in later budget discussions, said City Manager Megan Crouch. 

“We’re proud to have you here,” said Mayor Ron Anders to Stan Beard, director of real estate for Buc-ee’s. “We’re grateful that you thought our town was interesting enough and deserving enough to talk to in the beginning … your company is willing to be a great, corporate, charitable citizen of our community, too, and we’re very grateful for that. That evidently is just part of the culture of the company.”

The establishment will be adding 175 jobs to the area, which Ward 1 Council Member Connie Taylor said the members of her ward are particularly looking forward to. 

Buc-ee’s pays a minimum of $15 an hour, no matter the experience, Beard said. 

“Walking in, high school graduate or not, if you’re friendly and you can say ‘howdy,’” he said. 

There is a hopeful open date before the fall of 2022, Beard said. 

“We’re coming,” he said.

The items related to annexation, rezoning and conditional use for the land will come before the council on June 1. 

Other Business: 

  • The council approved an alcohol beverage license for Aysha Group of Industries, Inc. for Curry to Go and CapeLife. 
  • The council approved a concurrence with the industrial development board of the City of Auburn for the purchase of an industrial property on Lee Road 10.
  • The council approved a contract with LBYD Engineers, Inc. for the Gay Street Streetscape Project for over $35,000. 
  • The council approved a contract with US Digital Designs, Inc. for the emergency replacement of a G2 ATX station controller at Fire Station #3 for over $19,000 after the station sustained damage in recent storms. 
  • The council approved a commercial development agreement with Twister 5062, LLC. 
  • The council approved a contract with Postal Products Unlimited for the Pine Hill Cemetery Columbarium for over $54,000. 
  • The council approved an easement for Fabargus, LLC for a sidewalk easement and temporary construction easement for a property on Shug Jordan Parkway as part of the North Donahue Drive/Shug Jordan Parkway Improvements Project. 
  • The council approved an easement for Multi Aubal GS, LLC to accept drainage and utility easements for a property on South Gay Street in the Gay Street Retail Subdivision. 
  • The council postponed an annexation for Hubert Boatwright for the property needed for the Buc-ee’s travel stop. 
  • The council postponed an annexation for Harry and Alison Painter for the property needed for the Buc-ee’s travel stop. 
  • The council postponed a rezoning ordinance with Gonzales-Strength & Associates on behalf of Hubert Boatwright for the property needed for the Buc-ee’s travel stop.
  • The council postponed a rezoning ordinance with Gonzales-Strength & Associates on behalf of Harry & Alison Painter for the property needed for the Buc-ee’s travel stop.
  • The council approved a rezoning ordinance for JTF Properties, Inc. on behalf of Joel Funderburk for 0.41 acres from development district housing to medium density residential district for a property located at 601 and 603 Harper Avenue and 306 and 308 Summer Hill Road.
  • The council approved the zoning ordinance amendments related to the Downtown Design Standards. More information to come on this later. 
  • The council postponed a conditional use approval for Gonzales-Strength & Associates on behalf of Hubert Boatwright and Harry & Alison Painter for a road service use for the property needed for the Buc-ee’s travel stop.
  • The council postponed a conditional use approval for Gonzales-Strength & Associates on behalf of Hubert Boatwright and Harry & Alison Painter for an agricultural support use for the property needed for the Buc-ee’s travel stop.

Best Queer-Owned Clothing Businesses 2021: Pride-Worthy Styles to Shop – STYLECASTER

Kim Martel
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Best Queer-Owned Clothing Businesses 2021: Pride-Worthy Styles to Shop – STYLECASTER

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Pride month is a time to celebrate L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ history and lift up the queer community. When these celebrations include festivals and parades, there’s always a desire to wear ensembles that display the cause and show your pride—while, of course, looking cute. Finding pride clothing for all the events in June isn’t difficult, but many larger brands have been known to exploit the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community by selling rainbow or pride-themed products without actually giving back to marginalized groups—or, worse, giving money to anti-L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ organizations. This pride month, it’s worth putting our money where it will actually support members of the queer community, and what better way to do that than by putting your dollars directly in the hands of LGBTQIA+-owned businesses?

While many brands do give back to queer organizations with profits of their sales, supporting L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ businesses outright is an incredible way to focus on lifting up the community. And, it doesn’t have to be difficult! There are so many amazing queer-owned businesses that sell clothing and accessories perfect for pride month. These products not only will allow you to give back to the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community, but they’re also cute as hell.

No matter your gender identity or sexual orientation, there are so many pride-worthy pieces to shop from queer-owned businesses. From tees you’ll want to wear year-round to pronoun pins and even underwear to show your pride, there’s a little something for everyone. This pride month, show your pride while also supporting your community. Where you put your money matters.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

STYLECASTER | Queer Owned Businessescts

Courtesy of ManyManyMoonsAgo/Etsy.

Queer Pride T-Shirt

Put your pride on display ~and~ support a small L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ business while you’re at it.

STYLECASTER | Queer Owned Businesses

Courtesy of grrrlspells/Etsy.

The Future is Queer Iron-On Patch

Customize your Pride getup with this witchy tarot card patch.

STYLECASTER | Queer owned brands

Courtesy of QueerestGear/Etsy.

QueerestGear Polyamorous Hat

Wear the Polyam flag with pride.

STYLECASTER | Queer owned businesses to support

Courtesy of Black Queer Magic.

Black Queer Magic The Black Seer Cuff

This Black Onyx cuff is indeed, truly magical.

STYLECASTER | Queer Owned Businesses

Courtesy of Otherwild.

Otherwild Silk Denim Romper

This chic romper is also made of recyclable denim, so it gets extra credit point for also being sustainable.

STYLECASTER | queer owned businesses to support

Courtesy of Telfar.

Telfar Large Shopping Bag

Did you the brand behind this coveted (and chronically sold out) “Brooklyn Birkin” bag is queer-owned?

STYLECASTER | Queer owned businesses

Courtesy of Kirrin Finch.

Kirrin Finch Navy Leaf Printed Shirt

Not only is the brand behind this elevated AF Hawaiian shirt L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+-owned, but it’s also size-inclusive.

STYLECASTER | queer owned businesses

Courtesy of Tomboyx.

Tomboyx 6-Inch Fly Underwear

Um, I’m adding this cute AF set to my cart RN.

STYLECASTER | queer clothing brands

Courtesy of Revel & Riot.

Revel & Riot LGBTQIA Pyramid Tee

An all-encompassing tee that will remind you we’re all in this together.

STYLECASTER | Queer Owned Businesses

Courtesy of Chromat.

Chromat Saldana Swimsuit

I’m actually obsessed with all of Chromat’s “future-forward” swimsuits, but this one’s my favorite.

STYLECASTER | queer owned businesses

Courtesy of Wild Fang.

Wild Fang Wild Feminist Sweatshirt

A frank reminder that feminism isn’t gendered.

STYLECASTER | Pride-Worthy Pieces You Can Actually Buy from Queer-Owned Businesses

Gender Bender Symbol Tank Top

FTM Detroit, the group that makes this tee, is a group made by and for transmasculine identified people in Detroit. How cool is that?!

STYLECASTER | Pride-Worthy Pieces You Can Actually Buy from Queer-Owned Businesses

Otherwild Rainbow Tee

You can’t go wrong with a classic rainbow tee.

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STYLECASTER | Queer-owned businesses

Courtesy of Hayley Kiyoko.

Hayley Kiyoko Girls Like Girls Hoodie

Anyone else love Hayley Kiyoko?!

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Summer film and TV preview – Washington Blade

Kim Martel
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Summer film and TV preview – Washington Blade

Summer is coming, once again, and this time it feels like a pretty big deal. For the first time in more than a year, we can look forward (fingers crossed) to a return to semi-normalcy, and it’s reasonable to make plans for enjoying at least some of our time outside the socially distanced safety of our living rooms.

That said, the waning of COVID also means that the television and film industry has an embarrassment of accumulated riches ready to offer us – and even if we have binge-watched our way through the past 14 months, we say, “Bring it on!”
There’s so much queer-flavored entertainment on deck in the coming few weeks that it can be a bewildering task to keep track of it all. Fortunately, the Blade is here to help, with our list of the movies and shows that seem likely to represent the cream of the crop.

First, the television:

A scene from ‘PRIDE.’ (Screen capture via YouTube)

PRIDE (May 14, FX)

This six-part documentary series from VICE studios may have already started, but it’s a great kick off to Pride Season – and thanks to “FX on Hulu,” it’s easy to catch up at your leisure. Chronicling the struggle for LGBTQ+ civil rights in America from the 1950s through the 2000s, seven renowned LGBTQ+ directors explore stories of queer experience, from the FBI surveillance of homosexuals during the 1950s “Lavender Scare” to the “Culture Wars” of the 1990s and beyond, exploring the queer legacy of the Civil Rights movement and the battle over marriage equality. Offering profiles of familiar heroes like Bayard Rustin and Christine Jorgensen, as well as of lesser-known figures like Madeleine Tress and Nelson Sullivan, the show charts the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights and identities through interviews and archival footage to provide a valuable perspective on queer history, just in time for Pride month.

Max Jenkins and Ryan O’Connell in ‘Special.’ (Photo courtesy Netflix)

SPECIAL (May 20, Netflix)

Freshly dropped is the second and final season of this surprise hit series from Ryan O’Connell, a semi-autobiographical comedy about a writer with cerebral palsy (played by O’Connell himself) trying to navigate life in the Los Angeles “scene” as a gay man with a disability. The abbreviated (only four episodes) final arc follows Ryan as he tries to “get his shit together” after the disastrous events of season one – including a fight with his mother Karen (Jessica Hecht) that has left them estranged ever since – that have left him with a nasty case of writer’s block. New relationships are also on the horizon for both Ryan and BFF Kim (Punam Patel), and the journey toward self-discovery and self-actualization takes center stage as this disarmingly charming and refreshingly unsentimental comedy – currently the only show on television to feature a disabled LGBTQ person as its main character – comes to a close. Max Jenkins, Charlie Barnett, Ana Ortiz, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Lauren Weedman, and Leslie Jordan are among those joining the show for season two, alongside returning cast members Marla Mindelle, Gina Hughes, and Patrick Fabian.

Naomi Ackie and Lena Waithe in ‘Master of None.’ (Photo courtesy Netflix)

MASTER OF NONE (May 23, Netflix)

Returning for a much-anticipated season 3 is this acclaimed series, co-created by Aziz Ansari and Emmy-winner Alan Yang. Always strongly “queer-adjacent” thanks largely to the involvement of Lena Waithe, who played the lesbian character of Denise throughout the first two seasons and became the first Black woman to win a writing Emmy for the episode “Thanksgiving,” based partly on her own experience coming out to her mother. In its third installment, the show takes a radical departure from following Ansari’s lead character (struggling actor Dev Shah) and instead focuses all of its five-episode run on the relationship between Denise and partner Alicia (played by BAFTA-winner Naomi Ackie).

Directed by Ansari, who also co-wrote with Waithe, this new season touts itself as “a modern love story that intimately illustrates the ups and downs of marriage, struggles with fertility, and personal growth both together and apart.” Judging from its past excellence, this new installment is likely to be one of the summer’s best bets.

BALLERINA BOYS (June 4, PBS)

“American Masters” presents a portrait of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (“The Trocks”), an all-male ballet company that has captivated audiences for over 45 years with their signature style – classical ballet en pointe and in drag, delivered with a blend of rigorous technique and satire that challenges the rigid gender norms of the art form – while also delivering a message of equality, inclusion and social justice. This profile from director Chana Gazit follows the legendary troupe as they tour the Carolinas, and culminates with their 2019 performance at the Stonewall 50th anniversary concert in NYC. The hour-long doc broadcasts on June 4 (check your local listings), but it will also be available via the PBS video app in honor of Pride Month.

Michael Cimino and George Sear in ‘Love, Victor.’ (Photo courtesy of Hulu)

LOVE, VICTOR (June 11, Hulu)

The popular teen dramedy, inspired by the hit LGBTQ teen romance “Love, Simon,” returns for season two as the newly out Victor (Michael Cimino) enters his junior year at Creekwood High. As his story continues, Victor faces challenges such as a family struggling with his revelation, his heartbroken ex-girlfriend Mia (Rachel Hilson), and the difficulties of being an openly gay star athlete – all while navigating the excitement of his relationship with new boyfriend Benji (George Sear). Odds are good that this continuation will deliver more of the same blend of heart, humor, and diversity that helped the first season become one of last summer’s must-see highlights. Anthony Turpel, Bebe Wood, Mason Gooding, Isabella Ferreira, Mateo Fernandez, James Martinez, and Ana Ortiz also star.

REUNION ROAD TRIP: QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY (June 17, E! Entertainment)

As part of the network’s special event series, “Reunion Road Trip,” the original “Fab Five” – Thom Filicia, Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez – reassemble in Los Angeles to do a makeover for Jai on his 40th birthday. As the group works their magic, they think back to their most heartfelt, meaningful makeovers and the impact on the LGBTQ community then and now, delivering a satisfying (and long overdue) trip down memory lane for fans of one of the most important and influential queer shows in television history. Airs at 9pm PT/ET.

Now for the movies:

PINK – ALL I KNOW SO FAR (May 21, Amazon Prime)
Amazon Studios launches its summer with this intimate documentary about award-winning performer and musician Pink as she embarks on her record-breaking 2019 “Beautiful Trauma” world tour and welcomes audiences to join her chosen family while trying to balance being a mom, a wife, a boss, and a performer. Directed by Michael Gracey (“The Greatest Showman”), this look into the private and public sides of a trailblazing artist – who is also a fierce and vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community, where she has long been a fan favorite – mixes footage from the road with behind-the-scenes interviews and personal material, giving audiences a glimpse behind the curtain of “the circus that she calls life.”

Lucia Lucas in ‘The Sound of Identity.’ (Screen capture via YouTube)

THE SOUND OF IDENTITY (June 1, VOD)

This award-winning documentary from director James Kicklighter profiles international opera star Lucia Lucas as she becomes the first known transgender woman in opera history to perform a principal role. Capturing Lucas on the cusp of international stardom as she prepares for her historic performance at the Tulsa Opera, it showcases the collaborative process between Lucas and her mentor (renowned composer Tobias Picker), as they bring Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” to life – with Lucas, a world-renowned baritone, taking the spotlight and all the pressures that come with it. Along the way, Lucas provides fresh insights into her transition, the professional risk she is taking, and what it means for those who follow. A must-see exploration of the role played by identity in our personal and professional lives, as well as a portrait of an artist at the height of her career.

JULIA SCOTTI: FUNNY THAT WAY (June 1, VOD)

Another documentary profile of a pioneering trans artist, this Susan Sandler-directed film takes audiences on an entertaining but emotional roller coaster as it follows the comeback of Julia Scotti – formerly Rick Scotti, who appeared on bills with Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock – after her transition during “a time when the words gender dysphoria and gender reassignment surgery were rarely heard.” Shot over a period of five years, this inspirational doc tracks Julia’s triumphant comeback, the rough life on the road, and the complex process of reuniting with her children, as her comedy becomes a shared language of identity, healing, and joy.

John Benjamin Hickey in ‘Sublet.’ (Screen capture via YouTube)

SUBLET (June 11, VOD)

Fans of steamy international LGBTQ cinema can look forward to this film from Israeli director Eytan Fox, whose haunting gay military romance “Yossi & Jagger” broke ground in expanding support for LGBTQ movies in Israel when it was released in 2002. In his latest offering, 50-something American writer Michael (John Benjamin Hickey) travels to Tel Aviv on assignment, where he sublets an apartment from local student – and sexual free spirit – Tomer (Niv Nissim). The young man quickly becomes his tour guide, and as the two spend time together, they soon find themselves exploring more than just the city – despite the clash of generational attitudes between them. Slated to debut at the cancelled-due-to-COVID 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, it’s getting the release it deserves, as a reminder that Pride stretches across all borders.

RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT (June 18, in Theaters)

Directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, this documentary profiles its EGOT-winning subject with a look at her 70+ year career, following the beloved performer from her poverty-stricken youth in Puerto Rico, through her time as an all-purpose “ethnic stock player” in Hollywood (even after the triumph of becoming the first Latina actress to win an Oscar for her role in “West Side Story”), and her eventual rise to the iconic status she enjoys today. It also chronicles not only Hollywood’s not-so-hidden history of racism, sexism, and abuse, but Moreno’s personal struggles – including a toxic relationship with Marlon Brando and her own bout with serious depression – before her talent and resilience allowed her to triumph over adversity, break barriers, and forge a path for new generations of artists to come. The film features extensive interviews with Moreno, as well as George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.

Anthony Ramos and Melissa Barrera in ‘In the Heights.’ (Photo courtesy Warner Brothers Pictures)

IN THE HEIGHTS (June 18, HBO Max and in Theaters)

Make no mistake, the long-awaited film adaptation of the 2005 Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel “Hamilton” Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hughes is sure to be the big-ticket movie of the summer. With charismatic bodega-owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) at its center, this sweeping musical portrait of Manhattan’s Washington Heights – a neighborhood mostly populated by immigrant people of color and their families – showcases a remarkable and diverse cast that also includes Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Stephanie Beatriz, Gregory Diaz IV, Dascha Polanco, Jimmy Smits, Marc Anthony, and Olga Merediz reprising her Broadway role.

The show was a Tony-winning smash onstage for its infectious celebration of community, as well as its uplifting message of following your dreams in the face of adversity. On film, as helmed by “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chew, the buzz is that it’s a return to triumphant form for the Hollywood musical, executed with breathtaking cinematic vision and a healthy dose of “magical realism” that does nothing to undercut its streetwise swagger. The Blade can neither confirm nor deny if it lives up to the hype – there’s still a review embargo at the time of this writing – but we can say that it’s probably something you should plan to see on the big screen.

After so many months of isolation, you deserve a special treat.

Strictly Legal: Can the claim that someone is gay be defamation? – The Cincinnati Enquirer

News Editor
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Strictly Legal: Can the claim that someone is gay be defamation? – The Cincinnati Enquirer
Jack Greiner, attorney for Graydon

A state legislator in Virginia has filed a defamation suit against a John Doe defendant for circulating an anonymous text message identifying him as gay.  The case is in its initial stage, but it raises interesting policy questions and litigation strategy issues.

According to the complaint,  “[i]n April 2021, an anonymous text message was sent to registered voters in the Republican May 8, 2021 Convention to nominate Republican statewide officers which states that Glenn Davis is ‘Gay’ and that because he is ‘Gay’, he is not a conservative. The text asks voters to help Glenn Davis ‘come out of the closet’ by ‘not ranking him’ in the May 8th convention. The message intends to impress to voters that someone who is ‘Gay’ should not be voted for in a Republican nomination contest.”

But for the use of text messaging, this sounds like a fact pattern from the 1950’s rather than from 2021.   And that comment highlights an interesting issue raised by this type of fact pattern.  There are several elements to a defamation claim.  For starters, the statement has to be false.  But that’s not enough.  The false statement also has to lower the reputation of the plaintiff in the eyes of the community.  So, in the unenlightened 1950s, calling someone gay might very well have damaged that person’s reputation.  But that says more about society’s bigotry than anything else.

In 2021, though, things are supposed to be different. And while it hasn’t gone away, anti-gay bigotry is not what it once was.  Gay marriage is a fundamental right.   Employers can’t discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.  An openly gay man was a credible presidential candidate in 2020.  All of which raises the question, is it defamatory to say that someone is gay even if that person is not?

On the one hand, the text may have cost Davis votes.  And so, there is an argument that Mr. Davis suffered real damage here.  It’s hard not to feel sorry for him and want to see him compensated.  But in order for Davis to recover, it would essentially require an acknowledgment that people think less of gay people.  And that is precisely the kind of 1950s bigotry that we’ve supposedly moved beyond. So does that mean Davis has to forego any remedy here?

Maybe not.  As Davis points out in his complaint, he is married to a woman and has been for his entire political career.  So, putting aside the question of whether the allegation of being gay is defamatory, Davis may choose to pursue the argument that the anonymous texter is calling Davis a liar.  The text implies, at least, that Davis is actively living a lie, presumably to further his political ambitions.  Typically, accusations of dishonesty are deemed defamatory.  So the strategy would be to not focus on the notion that there is something wrong with being gay, but rather focus on the uncontroversial notion that calling anyone a liar is actionable. 

We’ll see how the case plays out.  But it would be nice to finally move past this type of conduct. It is 2021 after all.

Jack Greiner is managing partner of Graydon law firm in Cincinnati. He represents Enquirer Media in First Amendment and media issues; He can be reached at jgreiner@graydon.law. 

Mike Finger: As San Antonio Spurs face elimination, could more than a season end? – Houston Chronicle

Kim Martel
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Mike Finger: As San Antonio Spurs face elimination, could more than a season end? – Houston Chronicle

SAN ANTONIO — If the end comes Wednesday night, there won’t be much time to ponder it.

Gregg Popovich will pull out his dry-erase board and draw up a play for Rudy Gay to trigger the inbound pass. Patty Mills will dart around a screen, his dreadlocks bouncing behind him, and then the ball will find its way into the hands of DeMar DeRozan.

From there it will go through the rim, or it won’t. And then, with little discussion and less fanfare, Popovich, Gay, Mills and DeRozan will move on to whatever’s next, whether it’s another game, another season, another team or a beachside villa.

The cliche regarding elimination games is “win or go home,” but that’s not quite right for everybody. In some cases, it might be “win or pick a new home.”

Have plans already been made? For at least a couple of the aforementioned men in various stages of advanced basketball age, probably so. For others a decision might not be final yet, even if they know full well how close they are to having to make one.

“Definitely I’ve thought about it once or twice,” Gay said Tuesday.

More Rockets News

That’s only natural. As odd as the fit might have seemed when he signed four years ago, Gay has proved to be a consummate Spur, and the franchise has as many reasons to want him back as he has to want to stay here.

But like Mills and DeRozan, he will become a free agent when the season ends, and there’s a chance that end could come Wednesday in Memphis. Under the NBA’s new play-in tournament format, there will be no early-series feeling-out of the opponent, nor will there be any three-game deficits to brace everyone gradually for the conclusion of a playoff run, or of an era.

At around 8:50 p.m., the Spurs and Grizzlies both will be living entirely in the moment, immersed in trying to win a game and move on to face either the Warriors or the Lakers. And before the top of the hour, longtime teammates might be saying farewell for good.

Could Gay, Mills, DeRozan and Popovich all be back in San Antonio next season? Sure. But that’s not the likeliest outcome, especially for a franchise that figures to be focused on continued development in 2021-22. And at some point, whether it’s this weekend or six months from now, there’s a good chance we will look back and wish we could have spent a little more time in these final days appreciating somebody who was, in his own way, underrated.

That applies to Gay, who would have fit right in on any of the Spurs’ championship teams but had the bad luck of joining the most consistent winner of the 21st century just as it hit its downswing. The Spurs will be able to find a frontcourt piece with either more size or more quickness this offseason. But it’s unlikely they’ll find a guy equipped with a better attitude and skill set to be the first forward off the bench.

It applies to Mills, the last on-court link to those NBA titles, and maybe the next Spur to have his jersey retired. As Lonnie Walker noted Tuesday, for the post-“Big Three” San Antonio generation, Mills was the player who has “shown us the Spurs way,” not to mention being the team’s only real 3-point threat in an age when everybody else has a half-dozen of them.

He has endured his slumps, and his best days are behind him, just as Gay’s are. And if he never suits up for the Spurs after Wednesday night, there will be more than a few days when he’ll be missed.

The same goes for DeRozan, who in the three seasons since the Kawhi Leonard trade has been better in almost every sense than anyone in San Antonio could have expected him to be. Those who don’t realize that now will realize it later, I suspect.

And Popovich? As with Tim Duncan before him, do not expect any official goodbyes. (Unlike with Duncan before him, do not expect even a wave as he walks through a tunnel.)

It would not qualify as the most shocking development of our time to see Popovich return next season. But he is 72, and he will spend this July and August (possibly) coaching his country’s team in a competition that could lead to an Olympic gold medal. And for a guy who can spend his days anywhere, with anyone, it might be tough to go from that back to devising ways to clear the weak side for Jakob Poeltl.

He’ll do that Wednesday, though, and the rest of us would be wise to enjoy every bit of his sideline white-board scrawling, and Gay’s inbounds pass, and Mills’ dreadlocks fluttering around a screen, and DeRozan eyeing the rim.

Sure, all of it might happen again Friday.

Or never again.

mfinger@express-news.net

twitter.com/mikefinger

Finger: As Spurs face elimination, could more than a season end? – Houston Chronicle

Kim Martel
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0
Finger: As Spurs face elimination, could more than a season end? – Houston Chronicle

SAN ANTONIO — If the end comes Wednesday night, there won’t be much time to ponder it.

Gregg Popovich will pull out his dry-erase board and draw up a play for Rudy Gay to trigger the inbound pass. Patty Mills will dart around a screen, his dreadlocks bouncing behind him, and then the ball will find its way into the hands of DeMar DeRozan.

From there it will go through the rim, or it won’t. And then, with little discussion and less fanfare, Popovich, Gay, Mills and DeRozan will move on to whatever’s next, whether it’s another game, another season, another team or a beachside villa.

The cliche regarding elimination games is “win or go home,” but that’s not quite right for everybody. In some cases, it might be “win or pick a new home.”

Have plans already been made? For at least a couple of the aforementioned men in various stages of advanced basketball age, probably so. For others a decision might not be final yet, even if they know full well how close they are to having to make one.

“Definitely I’ve thought about it once or twice,” Gay said Tuesday.

More Rockets News

That’s only natural. As odd as the fit might have seemed when he signed four years ago, Gay has proved to be a consummate Spur, and the franchise has as many reasons to want him back as he has to want to stay here.

But like Mills and DeRozan, he will become a free agent when the season ends, and there’s a chance that end could come Wednesday in Memphis. Under the NBA’s new play-in tournament format, there will be no early-series feeling-out of the opponent, nor will there be any three-game deficits to brace everyone gradually for the conclusion of a playoff run, or of an era.

At around 8:50 p.m., the Spurs and Grizzlies both will be living entirely in the moment, immersed in trying to win a game and move on to face either the Warriors or the Lakers. And before the top of the hour, longtime teammates might be saying farewell for good.

Could Gay, Mills, DeRozan and Popovich all be back in San Antonio next season? Sure. But that’s not the likeliest outcome, especially for a franchise that figures to be focused on continued development in 2021-22. And at some point, whether it’s this weekend or six months from now, there’s a good chance we will look back and wish we could have spent a little more time in these final days appreciating somebody who was, in his own way, underrated.

That applies to Gay, who would have fit right in on any of the Spurs’ championship teams but had the bad luck of joining the most consistent winner of the 21st century just as it hit its downswing. The Spurs will be able to find a frontcourt piece with either more size or more quickness this offseason. But it’s unlikely they’ll find a guy equipped with a better attitude and skill set to be the first forward off the bench.

It applies to Mills, the last on-court link to those NBA titles, and maybe the next Spur to have his jersey retired. As Lonnie Walker noted Tuesday, for the post-“Big Three” San Antonio generation, Mills was the player who has “shown us the Spurs way,” not to mention being the team’s only real 3-point threat in an age when everybody else has a half-dozen of them.

He has endured his slumps, and his best days are behind him, just as Gay’s are. And if he never suits up for the Spurs after Wednesday night, there will be more than a few days when he’ll be missed.

The same goes for DeRozan, who in the three seasons since the Kawhi Leonard trade has been better in almost every sense than anyone in San Antonio could have expected him to be. Those who don’t realize that now will realize it later, I suspect.

And Popovich? As with Tim Duncan before him, do not expect any official goodbyes. (Unlike with Duncan before him, do not expect even a wave as he walks through a tunnel.)

It would not qualify as the most shocking development of our time to see Popovich return next season. But he is 72, and he will spend this July and August (possibly) coaching his country’s team in a competition that could lead to an Olympic gold medal. And for a guy who can spend his days anywhere, with anyone, it might be tough to go from that back to devising ways to clear the weak side for Jakob Poeltl.

He’ll do that Wednesday, though, and the rest of us would be wise to enjoy every bit of his sideline white-board scrawling, and Gay’s inbounds pass, and Mills’ dreadlocks fluttering around a screen, and DeRozan eyeing the rim.

Sure, all of it might happen again Friday.

Or never again.

mfinger@express-news.net

twitter.com/mikefinger

US to recognize citizenship of married couples’ children born abroad – Washington Blade

News Editor
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US to recognize citizenship of married couples’ children born abroad – Washington Blade

It is no secret that many LGBTQ individuals around the world live in fear of the negative implications that result from identifying outside the limits of cisgenderism and heteronormativity. For Africans living in Africa, this panic is even more pronounced as many are abused, jailed, or even murdered for simply existing as queer.

According to Global Citizen, homosexuality is still punishable by death in four countries on the African continent: Somalia, South Sudan, Mauritania, and Nigeria (in states where Sharia law applies). Only 22 out of the 54 countries on the African continent have legalized homosexuality, and South Africa is currently the only country where same-sex marriage is legally recognized by the government.

Although there has been some human rights progress for LGBTQ Africans, most recently with Angola decriminalizing same-sex sexual relationships, ill-sentiment toward queerness still runs rampant across the continent. So, many individuals are forced to leave their home countries and apply for asylum in Western countries like the U.S. and U.K., countries which, despite their queer-phobic cultures, are more accepting and safe to live in.

Ricky “Rikki” Nathanson is a transgender activist from Zimbabwe who received asylum from the U.S. in February 2019. Before filing for asylum in the U.S., police officers had arrested her in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, after she had used a women’s restroom in a hotel. While in custody, the police officers physically tortured her and forced her to undergo invasive medical and physical examinations.

After her release from police custody, she filed a lawsuit against Zimbabwe’s Home Affairs minister, the commissioner of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the assistant commissioner of the Bulawayo Central Police Station and the leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party’s Youth League, and later won this lawsuit. However, because of the mounting threats to her life in Bulawayo, she sought safety through the U.S.’s asylum process and relocated to the East Coast.

“When I compare myself to other people and friends who have been in similar situations to mine, my asylum process was extremely quick,” Nathanson mentions when speaking of her journey toward winning asylum. “I think that the most strenuous thing for me was the actual interview; it was nerve-wracking.”

Nathanson applied for asylum in 2018 after she attended OutRight Action International’s annual summit in New York, the organization of which she is a board member. She won her case and received asylum approximately six weeks after — a fairly quick result compared to numerous other cases that can take years before a final decision is reached.

Nathanson’s involvement with OutRight Action International proved to be a tremendous advantage as it provided her with an extensive network of friends in the U.S. who were able to support her asylum-seeking process and alleviate the stresses associated with it. This is usually not the case for many queer Africans who seek asylum in the U.S.

“The people at OutRight Action International were good to me, and they helped me with a bit of financial support. So, I was able to pay for my legal fees,” says Nathanson.

In addition, Nathanson’s lawyer, Elinor Tesfamariam, who is of Ethiopian descent and specializes in asylum cases, “knew what she was doing.” Therefore, her expertise coupled with Nathanson’s compelling story, provided for an airtight case that couldn’t be contested.

In Nathanson’s words, “My story spoke for itself.”

Casa Ruby hired Nathanson shortly after she won her asylum case. She is currently the D.C. group’s director of housing services.

The asylum process is demanding. Not only does one need legal representation, but they need financial resources to pay for said legal representation and also for their upkeep and wellbeing while in the U.S. This poses a challenge as one cannot apply for employment authorization until a year after they have completed the asylum application. So, this alienates many asylum seekers from severely needed employment and leaves them financially insecure as they navigate the torrent of preventing the possibility of having to return to their home country.

For those without strong connections in the U.S., a common way of finding help, whether financial or material, is through word of mouth. Because of their popularity, organizations like AsylumWorks have become safe havens and places of provision, fulfilling many asylum seekers’ basic needs such as buying groceries, paying for rent, and purchasing gender-affirming clothes and cosmetics.

“When applying for asylum, it’s really important to have efficient knowledge of the system; knowing what to do, who to contact, how to contact them, and how the system works,” Nathanson mentions, regarding the legal aspect.

“For the process to work as smoothly as possible, you need assistance,” she adds. “You need to be able to access a lawyer who will be able to file for you because the process is very particular, and any small mistake will result in your documents being returned to you. I have a friend of mine who forgot to sign a page and after he resubmitted his documents, he has been waiting 18 months for a response.”

Because of how inconvenient the process can be, Nathanson’s hope is that the current administration will revise the asylum process, especially the time it takes to win asylum.

AsylumWorks is what Executive Director Joan Hodges-Wu calls “a holistic suite of wraparound services and support to help asylum seekers address unmet needs that can interfere with their ability to participate in the immigration legal process.” The organization “empowers asylum-seekers to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose,” and provides much-needed community that helps them to feel seen and heard.

“When people think of asylum, they think of attorneys … but people forget that it is incredibly difficult to work with an immigration attorney and fully participate in the process if there are barriers impeding your ability to connect,” says Hodges-Wu.

Through Prism, an LGBTQ support group, AsylumWorks is able to help queer asylum seekers meet their basic needs so that they can adequately focus their energy into the legal immigration process.

Prism provides community for LGBTQ asylum seekers by giving them the opportunity to meet with other queer asylum seekers and forge friendships that lighten the burden of acclimating to the U.S.

“One of the problems our LGBTQ clients face is that many of them are highly distrustful, naturally, of disclosing intimate parts of their history, and their true gender, or sexual orientation,” Geoffrey Louden, Prism’s facilitator, mentions. “Or even if they’re not sure of that, coming to terms with, going into an immigration attorney and recounting their history.”

Given this, Prism hosts weekly Zoom hangouts where individuals talk about any topics that interest them. Topics can range from introspective conversations about identity to light-hearted anecdotes about love prospects.

Prism offers a safe community for LGBTQ asylum seekers to be themselves, feel affirmed, and relate to others amid queer phobia, which can be prevalent in immigrant communities. So, regardless of how tough resettling in the U.S. may become, LGBTQ asylum seekers are guaranteed some sense of warmth and comfort in this organization.

Columbia hears from doctors supporting, opposing proposed gay conversion therapy ban – Charleston Post Courier

News Editor
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Columbia hears from doctors supporting, opposing proposed gay conversion therapy ban – Charleston Post Courier

COLUMBIA — Columbia leaders heard from doctors both in support of and opposed to a proposed ban on the professional practice of therapy seeking to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

There are no education or ethics standards for practicing conversion therapy, “because it’s something that’s been discounted time and time again,” a caller identified as Dr. Edwin Hayes told Columbia City Council on May 18.

“It has the efficacy of snake oil, and I think its utility is something that just brings about bad outcome,” said Hayes, an infectious disease specialist and primary care doctor. “And that’s something I see with my patient population.”

City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning conversion therapy on May 4. 

The ordinance would make it illegal for licensed therapists and counselors in the city to professionally practice on those younger than 18 therapy that seeks to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Violating the rule would be a civil infraction punishable by a fine up to $500.

A final vote has not yet been scheduled. The council received legal advice on the ordinance during a private session of its meeting May 18 but didn’t talk about it publicly beyond hearing from three members of the public.

After Hayes, another caller who identified himself as Dr. Richard McCain, said he disagreed with Hayes and “the science simply doesn’t support this direction.” He urged the council to be cautious and that a state medical board or state labor department might be better to address the practice than the local elected officials. 

State Sen. Joshua Kimbrell, R-Boiling Springs, introduced a bill in the Statehouse before the General Assembly adjourned seeking to override the city’s ordinance. He also wrote to Attorney General Alan Wilson on May 13 asking the state’s top lawyer to intervene and challenge the city’s proposal as unconstitutional. 

A federal appeals court in November 2020 struck down two similar local bans passed in Florida, siding with two therapists who brought the case who argued the rules violated free speech rights. A federal judge in 2019 threw out a lawsuit challenging Maryland’s ban on the practice of conversion therapy on minors.

Hayes was joined in supporting the city’s effort to ban conversion therapy by Dylan Gunnels, a former City Council candidate and founder of Agape Table, a Columbia nonprofit started with the goal of addressing the lack of LGBTQ inclusion in churches.

Gunnels told council members about still receiving therapy at 28 because of trauma caused by experiences from childhood.

“I’m queer, and I went through conversion therapy without choice,” Gunnels said as part of his remarks. “It didn’t help me, it only harmed me.”

Steven Rowley’s ‘The Guncle’ Heals Grief With Humor – KALW

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Steven Rowley’s ‘The Guncle’ Heals Grief With Humor – KALW

Steven Rowley reads – dramatically! – from his latest novel, The Guncle, and talks about its genesis on tonight’s (10pm Tuesday) Out in the Bay. It’s a heart-warming and humorous work of fiction about a once-famous sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.

Gay Uncle Patrick, or GUP, as his family calls him, helps his young relatives work through their grief with lots of love and non-stop wit. And for himself – although he offers them to the kids too! — plenty of mimosas. Amidst the summer pool parties, bike rides and sleep-overs though, Patrick finds himself surprised to gain insights into his own grief and life, too.

The Guncle has been named one of O, The Oprah Magazine‘s “32 LGBTQ Books That Will Change the Literary Landscape in 2021” and is topping summer reading lists including Travel & Leisure‘s “Most Anticipated Books of the Summer.” Find author Rowley’s virtual book tour readings and other events on his website.

Steven Rowley is also the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, which was named a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016 and is currently being developed into a feature film, and of The Editor, named by NPR and Esquire as one of the Best Books of 2019 and also in movie development. Rowley has worked as a freelance writer, newspaper columnist and screenwriter. He lives in Palm Springs with his husband, author, screenwriter and playwright Byron Lane.

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