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Germany’s Catholic Churches To Bless Gay And Lesbian Couples – Star Observer

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Germany’s Catholic Churches To Bless Gay And Lesbian Couples – Star Observer

Two months after the Vatican declared that it had no authority to bless same-sex couples, Catholic Parishes in Germany  are gearing up to bless gay and lesbian couples.

Liebe Gewinnt- which translates as Love Wins, is a new campaign launched in Hamburg, Germany, which will see Catholic chaplains from parishes across Germany inviting people to “blessing services for lovers” from May 10. These new services by German parishes will also welcome people in same sex relationships.

The day was chosen by the church as it is the day the Orthodox Church commemorates the Biblical patriarch Noah when God made a covenant with him after the Flood under the sign of a rainbow.

The campaign aims to celebrate “the diversity of people’s different life plans and love stories” and to ask for God’s blessing. This comes after the Vatican in March 2021 came out against same-sex unions, decreeing that the Catholic Church cannot bless gay couples as God “cannot bless sin”.

On a number of occasions, Pope Francis has warned against threats to the institution of marriage and described marriage as “between a man and a woman.” On a number of other occasions, he has also claimed that accepting gay family members or accommodating same-sex partnerships in civil law, “does not mean approving of homosexual acts.”

Vatican Views On Same-Sex Relationships Criticised

However, in Germany, where same sex marriage has been legal since 2007, and where registered partnerships have been available to same-sex couples since 2001- the views of the Vatican have been widely criticized by many members of the German Catholic Church.

Father Burkhard Hose of Würzburg who worked to gather more than 11, 000 signatures against the Vatican’s ban on same sex marriage, told a local news outlet “I have blessed buildings and sugar-beet-harvesting machines. So why not also people who love each other?”

The vice-president of the Catholic German Women’s Federation Birgit Mock, added that “the current discussion could lead to a historic step: a positive appreciation of responsibly lived sexuality in the Catholic Church in Germany.”

Mock, is also one of the heads of one of four working groups of the Synodal Path reform project, which deals with sexual morality- the church’s approach to homosexuality is among its topics.

After being launched in Hamburg on May 10th, the blessings services are set to also be offered in more than 70 other locations across Germany.

Pell Against German Churches

However, as expected there is  opposition coming from both inside and outside of the Church. The German Bishops’ Conference have criticised the blessing services. “They are not suitable as an instrument of church-political manifestations or protest actions,” said conference president, Bishop Georg Baetzing.

Recently the disgraced George Pell also spoke out against the direction being taken by the German Catholic Church warning that the situation of the Church in Germany appears “ominous” in an interview  that aired on EWTN April 27.

Pell went on to add that he “thinks that there is a percentage of the German Church that seems to be resolutely heading in the wrong direction.”

“By that, I mean it is quite clear that a liberalized Christianity, whether it is a liberalized Catholicism or Protestantism, in a generation or so merges into agnosticism. … If you adopt the policies of the world and just go along so that they approve, nobody is going to be interested in that.”

“The duty of the German bishops is to uphold the teachings of Scripture, to uphold the teachings of the Church. We stand under those teachings. They’ve got no power to change them — none of us do.”

“What is important is what is in the Word of God, what is in the apostolic tradition. And I don’t think that when push comes to shove they’ll — and I cross my metaphors — cross the Rubicon.”

Cinco de Mayo: Mexican holiday takes on special meaning for local restaurant owners this year – Yahoo News

Kim Martel
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Cinco de Mayo: Mexican holiday takes on special meaning for local restaurant owners this year – Yahoo News

Axios

Cinco de Mayo’s connection to anti-slavery in the U.S. is largely forgotten today

Cinco de Mayo is marketed in the U.S. as a fun holiday for getting drunk and eating tacos. But its origins are linked to California Latinos who saw a battle in Mexico in 1862 as a victory for abolition during the Civil War.Why it matters: Protests around the death of George Floyd, which brought Latino and Black advocates together over the past year, have prompted a re-examination of this lesser-known piece of U.S. history.Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.Listen: I join Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano on his new podcast, “The Times: Daily news from the L.A. Times,” this week to talk about it.Details: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla and the victory of Mexico’s ragtag army, made up largely of Indigenous soldiers, against the better equipped and trained French forces of Napoleon III.Spanish-language newspapers at the time showed Latinos in California were worried about Napoleon III’s interests in helping the Confederacy, and they saw the win as a victory against slavery. The diverse coalition of Latinos from Mexico, Central America and South America had been brought to California because of the Gold Rush and were outspoken anti-slavery advocates.David Hayes-Bautista, author of El Cinco de Mayo: An American Tradition, said for years Latinos celebrated the holiday with parades of people dressed in Civil War uniforms and gave speeches about how the Battle of Puebla was part of a larger struggle for abolition.Between the lines: The Mexican Revolution in the 1910s sparked a new wave of migration to the U.S., and Cinco de Mayo’s abolitionist connections faded.Mexican Americans used the holiday as a David v. Goliath story of Indigenous people beating a European force as inspiration for fighting for civil rights.By the 1980s, corporations and beer companies had co-opted the day as a way to reach the growing U.S. Hispanic market.Boxing promoters also used the weekend near Cinco de Mayo to host big fights featuring popular Latino boxers of the moment.Don’t forget: Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexican Independence Day. That’s the 16th of September. More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Disney unveils LGBT rainbow-colored toys and clothes as Pride Month approaches – The Christian Post

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Disney unveils LGBT rainbow-colored toys and clothes as Pride Month approaches – The Christian Post
By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter
Shoppers browse the Disney Store in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. |

The Walt Disney Company, well-known for its family-friendly programming and theme parks, is promoting a series of toys and clothes for children decorated with the LGBT rainbow flag ahead of Pride Month.

Disney, which produces several television programs and movies designed for children and operates several theme parks worldwide that cater to children and families, has unveiled the Rainbow Disney Collection. 

The catalog of apparel and toys features rainbow-colored merchandise designed to honor the upcoming annual Pride Month in June that celebrates the LGBT community and movement. 

“The countdown to Pride Month is on with a colorful array of Pride products available now!” the Disney Parks Twitter feed announced Monday. 

Several rainbow-colored hearts accompanied the announcement of the company’s Pride Month collection. Additionally, the Twitter account noted that “The Walt Disney Company is giving funds as part of our ongoing commitment to organizations around the world that support LGBTQ+ communities.” 

The pro-LGBT organizations Disney is donating to are listed on the Rainbow Disney Collection’s website. The advocacy groups supported by Disney include GLSEN, Diversity Role Models, Minus18, BeLonG To Youth Services, ARELAS and the It Gets Better Project. 

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Communications Manager Anthony Armenia elaborated on the Pride Month merchandise in a post on the Disney Parks Blog Monday. 

The blog features several pictures of the merchandise, which includes a Mickey Mouse “Love” T-shirt.

On that particular shirt, the “o” in the world love is replaced by Mickey Mouse ears bathed in the rainbow colors. The rest of the shirt features pictures of Mickey Mouse’s face in different colors of the rainbow.

In Disney’s pride collection, other apparel includes a sweatsuit with a hoodie and pants decorated with the word “Love” that also features rainbow-colored Mickey Mouse ears instead of an “O,” and shirts with the Pixar Animation Studios logo in rainbow colors. 

The collection also features a rainbow-colored depiction of the character “Stitch” accompanied by the phrase “Ohana Means Family” illuminated in rainbow colors.

“Starting this month, the incredible diversity of our fans will also be celebrated around the world with products rolling out from licensees and retailers including Amazon, BoxLunch, Funko, Kohl’s, and Torrid, with more to come in Europe and Latin America,” Armenia wrote. “In June, our friends at Funko will have a plethora of new Pop! Vinyl figures in screaming color including Stitch and Wall-E.”

The collection of Pop! Vinyl figures consist of rainbow-colored toys resembling Disney and Pixar characters. 

In recent years, Disney has made overtures to the LGBT community by introducing LGBT characters in its programming. 

The Disney-Pixar animated film “Onward,” released in March 2020, featured a lesbian character, making it the first film produced by the animation studio to feature an LGBT character.

Later in 2020, Pixar’s short film “Out” became the animation studio’s first production to feature a gay lead character. 

Also, the Disney Channel cartoon “The Owl House” became the network’s first cartoon to feature a bisexual main character after the show’s creator identified the sexual orientation of the protagonist last summer. 

Before introducing LGBT characters in its animated programming geared toward younger children, the Disney Channel depicted a same-sex teen romance on the live-action TV series “Andi Mack.” 

Disney is not the only company that markets heavily toward children to promote Pride Month or LGBT advocacy. In 2019, Cartoon Network used its Twitter account to promote Pride Month. 

A year earlier, the network’s animated show “Steven Universe” became the first children’s show to feature a same-sex wedding proposal. More recently, Cartoon Network worked with a social justice advocacy organization to create four comic strips asserting that there are multiple gender identities. 

Earlier this year, the Nickelodeon series “Blues Clues and You” unveiled a song designed to teach children the alphabet while promoting LGBT advocacy. 

“The ABC song w/ Blue” contained lyrics explaining that “P is full of pride.” In the on-screen graphics accompanying the song, the letter “P” is featured in rainbow colors and surrounded by flags representing the transgender, asexual, pansexual, intersex and gender-fluid communities and other LGBT identity groups.

Email: ryan.foley@christianpost.com

SF center picks LGBTQ artists to replace defaced mural – Bay Area Reporter, America’s highest circulation LGBT newspaper

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SF center picks LGBTQ artists to replace defaced mural – Bay Area Reporter, America’s highest circulation LGBT newspaper

The defaced mural on the side of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center will be replaced by a work by queer Latinx artists, officials told the Bay Area Reporter.

DJ and drag star Juanita MORE!, recently elected empress of the Imperial Council of San Francisco, told the Bay Area Reporter April 29 that the next murals installed on the center’s exterior wall are supposed to be changed each year with new artists creating their own unique installation for the high-profile spot.

MORE! declined to disclose the names of the new mural creators since their selection has yet to be officially announced.

“It is time for it to be changed,” said MORE!, a local nightlife event producer who for a number of years now has overseen the entertainment at the LGBT center’s annual Soiree fundraiser.

Roberto Isaac Ordeñana, the deputy executive director of the center, told the B.A.R. that the two new artists are members of the LGBTQ community.

Last week, the center decided to paint over artist fnnch’s honey bear mural on the side of its Octavia Street building after it was defaced with graffiti.

The graffiti came as fnnch, who has painted a plethora of stylized honey bears all over the city — faced criticism over describing himself as an “immigrant” to San Francisco since he hails from the state of Missouri.

The altercation between fnnch and street artist DoggTownDro, which took place in front of the LGBT center mural, was posted to Instagram April 22.

“He speaks in Colonial settler idiom and I don’t think he understands the resonant effects these copy and paste bears have on us as natives or the violent effects the gentrification that he’s tryna to gussy up here does,” DoggTownDro wrote in the post.

Over the next weekend, the mural was vandalized. It was painted over April 27, and subsequently more graffiti showed up.

Fnnch, who is straight, did not respond to a request for comment for this story, but in a statement to KQED-TV, he said he painted the honey bears on the community center to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his uncle’s death from AIDS and that he has raised over $20,000 for the center.

“I have been creating Pride art and donating to LGBT charities as long as I’ve been creating street art, and last year was of particular importance to me as the 25th anniversary of my uncle’s death from AIDS,” fnnch stated. “We [fnnch and publicist Mark Rhoades] decided that a mural was something people could enjoy in a socially distant fashion, and so he approached the SF LGBT center, asking if we could paint one there. … I also helped fundraise over $20K for the Center through T-shirt sales, painting donations, and my partnership with [ice cream company] Humphrey Slocombe.”

Rhoades, a longtime supporter of the center, told the B.A.R. that the honey bear mural can be a blueprint for future efforts.

“Unfortunately, the defacement of murals throughout San Francisco is a common occurrence and has sadly become part of the urban landscape,” Rhoades stated in an email to the B.A.R. “Owing to the success of this partnership, the SF LGBT center will be partnering with other artists. So we look at this experience as a successful way to have celebrated Pride and the SF LGBT center all the while uplifting the community through fnnch’s art.”

In a public statement, the center distanced itself from fnnch’s “immigrant” remark, which he himself apologized for as well.

“Though we believe every artist we work with is entitled to their own opinion, the center does not agree with fnnch’s recent comments, and we have shared our concerns about the impact of his comments directly with him” the center posted to Instagram.

When asked why the center did not pick an LGBTQ artist for the mural, Ordeñana told the B.A.R. that fnnch had been the one who, through Rhoades, reached out to them.

“Fnnch shared that part of his motivation for the project was to honor the memory of his uncle who had died from AIDS 25 years ago,” stated Ordeñana, who is president of the city’s arts commission. “Fnnch also generously offered to maintain the mural for the temporary period that it was up and throughout the year. We accepted his generous offer, and his was the first mural in our ongoing project.”

Ordeñana told the B.A.R. that the center “very shortly” will announce the names of the artists installing the new mural and the title for it.

“The artists who will exhibit next are members of the local LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community and the next mural will be unveiled for Pride Month this coming June as intended,” he stated. “In 2022 and beyond, we will be holding a public call requesting artists to submit their qualifications and proposals to select from. Our goal is to showcase a variety of perspectives, art and artists representing our diverse community.”

New Western Addition mural to debut May 8
Through her own Juanita MORE! San Francisco Mural Project, MORE! has collaborated with artists to create and install six murals around San Francisco since 2019 that feature herself or her French bulldog Jackson, or the pair together. The most recent one was created in 2020 by gay artist Blake Cedric and adorned the boarded up frontage of the GLBT Historical Society Museum. MORE! and her canine companion were featured along with three other LGBTQ community leaders.

Her latest mural, created in collaboration with artist Simon Malvaez, is set to debut May 8 at a private property fronting Alamo Square, a city park across the street from the famous row of Victorian houses known as the Painted Ladies. Over the years different artwork has been displayed on the chain link fencing that surrounds the empty lot on Steiner Street in the Western Addition neighborhood.

The artwork will be used for her Pride party poster, which MORE! is reviving this year. Held annually as a fundraiser for a local LGBTQ nonprofit, MORE! canceled the 2020 party due to the COVID pandemic. So far MORE! is staying mum about the details of where and when her Pride bash will be held.

“It is still a secret location,” MORE! told the B.A.R.

She is also working with District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin and his office on securing a location somewhere in the city’s northern most supervisorial district, where she has lived for three decades, to install her eighth mural.

Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence joked with the B.A.R. that she was “tired” of seeing the honey bears all over town and was looking forward to seeing the new mural go up at the LGBT center. Her comment was made in jest since fnnch in early April debuted a honey bear mural paying homage to the drag nun philanthropic group on the exterior of South of Market gay bar the Powerhouse. Coincidentally, the Folsom Street venue is where MORE! has long hosted her monthly Powerblouse party.

“I am all for street art graffiti. Number one because street art speaks to the people,” said Roma. “Whether it features a honey bear or Juanita MORE!, I love it. I am excited to see what comes next at the LGBT center.”

Matthew S. Bajko contributed reporting.

Help keep the Bay Area Reporter going in these tough times. To support local, independent, LGBTQ journalism, consider becoming a BAR member.

Out in the World: Czech Republic marriage equality bill moves forward – Bay Area Reporter, America’s highest circulation LGBT newspaper

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Out in the World: Czech Republic marriage equality bill moves forward – Bay Area Reporter, America’s highest circulation LGBT newspaper

Lawmakers passing the country’s same-sex marriage bill’s first vote in parliament’s lower chamber April 29 thrilled LGBTQ Czechs.

At the same time, the split government also voted on the opposition’s bill to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage, which also passed. However, it would need a higher threshold to become law.

Czeslaw Walek, chairman of Prague Pride and head of We Are Fair Campaign, the country’s organization fighting for marriage equality, was “thrilled” by the vote on the marriage bill, calling it a “huge success,” in an email to the Bay Area Reporter.

“It sent a signal that the change is possible if we vote for representatives that support our cause,” he wrote, referring to the Easter European country’s forthcoming October general election.

Marriage equality opponents lacked six votes among 93 lawmakers present for the vote in the Czech Chamber of Deputies, reported Reuters.

Seventeen members of parliament abstained. Twenty-nine members of parliament abstained from voting for the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, “which in effect helped them,” wrote Walek, the 46-year-old gay activist.

Walek wrote that the opposition needs to meet a two-thirds majority to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage, which “will be almost impossible to reach.”

“I am worried that we did not get a clear signal from our representatives that this option is not an option in the modern Czech society,” wrote Walek.

Both bills have languished in the Czech Parliament since 2018.

The bills are supported by a near even split of opposing deputies on each side of the debate.

“Our public representatives are not brave decision-makers,” wrote Walek. “I would say they hardly deserve agnomen decision-makers.”

There are a couple more hurdles the bill must get over before it can become law and make the Czech Republic the first former Soviet-bloc country to legalize same-sex marriage. The Senate must pass the bill for it to go to the president’s desk for his signature for it to become law.

It is unclear if it can pass through these hurdles before the country’s October election.

“Realistically, we do not believe that we will manage to win marriage equality before elections,” Walek wrote.

His goal is not to necessarily push for a vote before the election, but to energize the Czech Republic’s marriage equality base to vote for candidates who support same-sex-marriage.

“This is a huge mobilization element for our base, to vote for pro-marriage candidates in upcoming elections, so next Parliament will vote for marriage equality swiftly,” wrote Walek, who wants to make this election about allowing same-sex couples to wed.

One strategy he plans to take is surveying the candidates’ position on same-sex marriage and publishing the results. He also expressed hope a forthcoming documentary about the fight for marriage equality in the country will also raise awareness of the issue.

Same-sex civil unions have been legal in the Czech Republic since 2006.

Outside the chamber on the streets of the Czech Republic, recent polls show overwhelming support for same-sex marriage and adoption rights in the East European country, but also show the opposition movement is growing.

A survey of more than 1,000 people over the age of 18 conducted by the Median agency in the Czech Republic published in 2020 showed 67% of people support same-sex marriage. When it comes to same-sex family rights, 78% supported second parent adoption and 62% supported same-sex adoption, reported Gay Star News.

The same survey also found opposition was quickly growing in the Czech Republic.

Comparing 2019 to 2018 survey results, people who were “definitely against” marriage equality was 15% compared to 10% a year earlier. Opposition to same-sex adoption also rose to 9% from 6% during the same period.

In January, the Czech Constitutional Court ruled against the Prague Regional Court’s proposal to the United States to amend the wording in international private law to ban same-sex partners who registered abroad from adopting Czech children. The U.S. courts rejected the proposal.

Same-sex couples currently cannot legally adopt in the Czech Republic; only married heterosexual couples can.

Report: South Africa SOGI discrimination uncovered in refugee application process
A scathing report of South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs LGBTQ refugee application process uncovered decade-long systematic discrimination against applicants based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The 88-page report, “LGBTI+ Asylum Seekers in South Africa: A Review of Refugee Status Denials Involving Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,” published last week by a coalition of feminist and LGBTQ advocacy organizations, found disturbing trends of intentional and unintentional discrimination in queer refugees’ denial letters and government apathy to address the situation.

The coalition accused the DHA of open use of LGBTQ stereotypes, hostility toward queer and gender-nonconforming people, derogatory language in official reports, using unconfirmed resources, such as Wikipedia, ignoring verified reports supporting claims, and questioning applicants’ “authenticity” of their LGBTQ identity when making credibility claims for asylum status.

LGBTQ refugees were subjected to bribery, disdain, intimidation, mockery, and disbelief displayed by refugee status determination officers to the South African government’s dismissal of their complaints as “fabricated or overblown,” in the face of well documented evidence to the contrary, the researchers wrote.

The researchers also accused the South African government of subterfuge, blocking researchers from examining data to discover the discrimination, dismissing LGBTQ asylum seekers complaints characterizing them as “fabricated or overblown,” and not living up to the country’s domestic and international legal obligations.

The research team’s findings confirmed the coalition’s long held suspicions regarding LGBTQ refugees’ situation based on a decade of journalists and researchers’ reports about the abuses and discrimination LGBTQ refugees experienced within the DHA system, the authors wrote in an op-ed published by the Daily Maverick.

The researchers analyzed 67 refugee status denial letters published by 32 refugee status determination officers working at five Refugee Reception Offices in Cape Town, Musina, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, and Tshwane between 2010 and 2020.

One of the most egregious letters the researchers found was the denial for gay Zambian Anold Mulaisho.

The refugee status determination officer wrote that “he claimed that he was in pain after he had been raped. … Consequently, he would not have chosen to be a gay if indeed he was in pain after that rape incident. … There is no credibility in this application. The application is fabricated.”

The researchers found it was clear the DHA officers held “gross misconceptions about sexuality and gender,” that led the officers to question the applicant’s “authenticity” being LGBTQ.

The coalition was made up of the Legal Resource Centre and People Against Suffering, Oppression, and Poverty. The Women’s Legal Center, and the African Center for Migration and Society also worked on the report.

Got international LGBTQ news tips? Call or send them to Heather Cassell at WhatsApp: 415-517-7239, Skype: heather.cassell, or oitwnews@gmail.com

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Guest Opinion: Guadalajara’s quest for the Gay Games – Bay Area Reporter, America’s highest circulation LGBT newspaper

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Guest Opinion: Guadalajara’s quest for the Gay Games – Bay Area Reporter, America’s highest circulation LGBT newspaper

As a proud Guadalajara native, or Tapatío as we refer to ourselves locally, I spend my days waxing poetic about all our beautiful city has to offer visitors. Guadalajara has an enviable heritage as the birthplace of tequila, mariachi, and charrería — Mexico’s national sport. But there is another defining aspect of the city that is just as important — our long-standing position as one of the most welcoming destinations in the world for LGBTQ+ visitors.

Tapatíos, including those with generations of roots in the region as well as new international arrivals, are the type of people who celebrate individuality and welcome change. This collective mindset is just one reason why international chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs have migrated here to introduce innovative fusions of their craft. The eclectic, creative energy is palatable across all areas of the city, including our large LGBTQ+ community. Our leaders are committed to fostering this spirit and ensuring that our LGBTQ+ community continues to thrive. As part of these efforts, the state of Jalisco (of which Guadalajara is the capital) named its first sexual diversity director, Andrés Treviño Luna, who guides the state on LGBTQ+ goals and issues. The Guadalajara Tourism Board has furthered this cause as a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Tourism Association, and by participating in nationally recognized certification programs that serve LGBTQ+ visitors.

Holding true to Mexican tradition, Guadalajara is known for its warm, welcoming hospitality, so we are not the type of people to keep the magic of our city to ourselves. It is an honor to share Guadalajara with the many travelers we welcome from around the world each year, and we hope to see even more if selected to host Gay Games XII in 2026.

We are honored that Guadalajara has been named a finalist to host the Gay Games along with Munich, Germany and Valencia, Spain. It’s a city of inclusivity with a beautiful contrast of tradition and modernity that athletes, spectators, and others attending the Gay Games can thoroughly enjoy. LGBTQ+ athletes of all ages, athletic experience, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical challenges, and health status will participate in more than 35 sports at this prestigious event. San Francisco hosted the first two editions of the Gay Games in 1982 and 1986, setting the example for future host cities.

So, why Guadalajara?

Hosting large-scale events for the LGBTQ+ community is right up our alley. We revel in them. Every June, we host one of the largest Pride celebrations in Latin America, which regularly attracts more than 100,000 revelers. These visitors come to celebrate their individuality among a rainbow spectrum of travelers as they enjoy a vibrant parade and entertainment, rallies, and more.

Visitors attending Guadalajara Pride have the chance to witness the intersection of heritage and our contemporary culture through our diverse mariachi musicians. Mariachi is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, dating back to the early 1900s when it kept to conservative traditions for many years. However, today, there has been an evolution of the genre that embraces mariachi of all sexual orientations, including members of all-female and LGBTQ+ mariachi bands. They play their music, an ode to their heritage, proudly and can be seen not just at Pride, but at Guadalajara’s International Mariachi Festival held every September. This festival is a mecca for mariachi with more than 500 participants from around the globe. The best of the best play alongside those who simply love music in a grand parade. Other festivals of note include Guadalajara’s International Book Fair, the world’s second largest book fair that highlights an LGBTQ+ literature section, and the city’s International Film Festival, Latin America’s most prestigious film festival which features the “Premio Maguey Award” for the best of LGBTQ+ cinema.

There is plenty to do in Guadalajara, even when a festival isn’t taking place. When Gay Games athletes have completed their events and are ready to relax, they will have myriad nightlife options. Guadalajara has the most LGBTQ+ bars and nightclubs of any city in Mexico, with more than 50 LGBTQ+ businesses. (Be sure not to miss Tacos Gay for late-night cravings.) The Chapultepec and Zona Centro neighborhoods offer the best of the best when it comes to lounges, dance clubs, and popular drag shows. For those who prefer quieter downtime, there are UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be explored including the Museo Cabañas, which features floor-to-ceiling murals by famed José Clemente Orozco; the sweeping blue agave fields and distilleries that produce the world’s tequila; and the Guachimontones, one of the few circular pyramid sites in the world that offer a quiet, spiritual place to be.

As a city, Guadalajara truly reflects the Gay Games’ core principles of “Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best,” and we hope to have the opportunity to bear witness to the joy and spirit of the Gay Games athletes together. However, no matter the outcome of the bid, we would be honored to welcome you to our city at any time and hope to see you soon.

Gustavo Staufert is the director of the Guadalajara Tourism Board.

Help keep the Bay Area Reporter going in these tough times. To support local, independent, LGBTQ journalism, consider becoming a BAR member.

Harry Styles kicks off filming LGBT drama My Policeman – The News International

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Harry Styles kicks off filming LGBT drama My Policeman – The News International

Harry Styles gave onlookers a treat as he displayed a cute factor on the set of his upcoming flick My Policeman,   sporting pink and blue hair clips in between takes. 

The singer/actor, who kicked  off filming for fifties LGBT drama, was pictured on set at various locations in Brighton and Hove. 

In one of the pictures, Harry was seen arriving on location in Brighton with the slides in place and his hair looking immaculate.

In another picture, he  appeared to be in costume as police officer Tom Burgess, dressed in 1950s style police uniform a white shirt under a grey waistcoat and black tie.

He also covered face with a black  mask as filming continues amid the coronavirus pandemic. Filming has also been taking place in Worthing, where the Golden singer was spotted sharing a passionate moment with co-star Emma Corrin, who is playing his wife Marion in the flick. 

My Policeman – based on the novel of the same name by Bethan Roberts –  is helmed by Michael Grandage while the screenplay has been written by Oscar-nominated Ron Nyswaner. 

Harry  and David are reportedly set to get naked for a ‘passionate scene’ in the much-anticipated movie where ‘nothing is going to be left to the imagination’. 

Strides for pride is one for the history books – The Resident Community News Group, Inc. | The Resident Community News Group, Inc. – The Resident Community News

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Strides for pride is one for the history books – The Resident Community News Group, Inc. | The Resident Community News Group, Inc. – The Resident Community News

Posted on May 5, 2021 By Editor Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill, San Jose, San Marco, St. Nicholas, Top Stories

Strides for pride is one for the history books

Despite the virtual nature of this year’s JASMYN 5K Strides for Pride run/walk, the LGBT community and allied supporters came out to support kids, teens, adults, families, gay and straight of all races and cultural backgrounds.

Runners and walkers of all fitness levels were challenged to raise funds on their own funds, by earning sponsorships from their peers and businesses. Race packages and pickups were made available at the event in Riverside Park April 24, where race entrants were welcome by the JU Cheer Squad as sponsors and volunteers handed out bags, swag, t-shirts, and medals along with a brief photo op.

Individuals was asked to create a fundraising page to support JASMYN through the event and teams were also able to raise funds, as the best team and best individuals collected prizes, any individual that raised over 250-dollars won a special, limited edition JASMYN mask.

This year, the organization kicked off a pet photo opportunity to showcase the area’s top dog in the Pets for Pride Photo Contest. The winning pet who gets the most votes online will be crowned as JASMYN’s animal mascot for the calendar year.  

Information was unavailable by press time to announce winners, stay tuned for results in an upcoming issue of Resident News. Photos by danharrisphotoart.com.

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Strides for pride is one for the history books – The Resident Community News Group, Inc. – The Resident Community News

Kim Martel
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Strides for pride is one for the history books – The Resident Community News Group, Inc. – The Resident Community News

Posted on May 5, 2021 By Editor Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Murray Hill, San Jose, San Marco, St. Nicholas, Top Stories

Strides for pride is one for the history books

Despite the virtual nature of this year’s JASMYN 5K Strides for Pride run/walk, the LGBT community and allied supporters came out to support kids, teens, adults, families, gay and straight of all races and cultural backgrounds.

Runners and walkers of all fitness levels were challenged to raise funds on their own funds, by earning sponsorships from their peers and businesses. Race packages and pickups were made available at the event in Riverside Park April 24, where race entrants were welcome by the JU Cheer Squad as sponsors and volunteers handed out bags, swag, t-shirts, and medals along with a brief photo op.

Individuals was asked to create a fundraising page to support JASMYN through the event and teams were also able to raise funds, as the best team and best individuals collected prizes, any individual that raised over 250-dollars won a special, limited edition JASMYN mask.

This year, the organization kicked off a pet photo opportunity to showcase the area’s top dog in the Pets for Pride Photo Contest. The winning pet who gets the most votes online will be crowned as JASMYN’s animal mascot for the calendar year.  

Information was unavailable by press time to announce winners, stay tuned for results in an upcoming issue of Resident News. Photos by danharrisphotoart.com.

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Beloved lesbian killed in suspected hate crime as wave of homophobia washes over South Africa – Yahoo Eurosport UK

Kim Martel
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Beloved lesbian killed in suspected hate crime as wave of homophobia washes over South Africa – Yahoo Eurosport UK

South Africa is mourning yet another LGBT+ murder victim, a 24-year-old lesbian named Phelokazi Ndlwana.

Police were called to the crime scene on Mzolxolo Street in the Khayelitsha township on Sunday (2 May), where they found Ndlwana’s body.

“On their arrival they were directed by the community to the body of a female who succumbed to death of what appeared to be stab wounds to the chest area,” police spokesperson Andrè Traut told local media.

“Police detectives followed up on leads that they received and later arrested a suspect who is currently in custody.”

Ndlwana was last seen with friends at a bar opposite her house. Her friends said she went outside expecting to return quickly but took much longer.

When they got worried they went to check for her outside, where they found her her in a pool of blood. They saw the suspect walking away carrying a knife.

“I received their call around 1am and drove from Litha Park to there,” Balele said. “Unfortunately she died at the scene. Her body was covered by police and when checked, she had a stab wound below her breast on the left side. I still can’t believe she is gone.”

While a hate crime motive has not yet been determined, Ndlwana’s family believe she was killed because she lived openly as a lesbian.

“She never started fights with people and was loved by many. We believe this must have been a hate crime and call for justice,” Balele said.

Her murder comes amid a wave of anti-LGBT+ violence in South Africa. Just a day before the funeral was held for Lonwabo Jack, a 22-year-old gay man found murdered on his birthday.

Less than a week before his murder South African media learned of the death of another gay man, Nathaniel Mbele, who was stabbed in the chest.

Shortly before this police found the mutilated remains of Andile “Lulu” Ntuthela, a gay man who was butchered and burned.

He was tragically preceded by Sphamandla Khoza, 34, a gay man who was stabbed, beaten and had his throat slit in Durban.

“We are deeply saddened to hear that yet another member of the LGBTQI+ community have been brutally murdered,” a spokesperson for the Women’s rights and gender-based violence advocacy group Ilitha Labantu told IOL.

“As an organisation we are gravely concerned about the pervasive culture of intolerance that is deeply rooted in misogyny and toxic masculinity that is plaguing our communities and urge communities to be more accepting of people’s diversity particularly when it comes to sexuality.

“We shall never tolerate this form of discrimination and appeal to our justice system to impose harsh sentences on suspects of gender based violence.”

Carolyn Gay Obituary (1939 – 2021) – Jane Lew, WV – Legacy.com

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Carolyn Gay Obituary (1939 – 2021) – Jane Lew, WV – Legacy.com
Carolyn Gay’s passing has been publicly announced by Pat Boyle Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Jane Lew, WV.

Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories of Carolyn in the Guest Book below.

The most recent obituary and service information is available at the Pat Boyle Funeral Home & Cremation Service website.

Published by Legacy on May 5, 2021.

Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Visit our funeral home directory for more local information, or see our FAQ page for help with finding obituaries and sending sympathy.

Brazilian comedian’s COVID-19 death unites nation in grief – RiverBender.com

Kim Martel
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Brazilian comedian’s COVID-19 death unites nation in grief – RiverBender.com

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Paulo Gustavo, a popular comedian whose character Dona Herminia dealt with everyday family and LGBTQ issues in some of Brazil’s biggest-box office movies and television shows, died of COVID-19, sparking an outpouring of grief across a country polarized by the pandemic. He was 42.

Gustavo died Tuesday evening in a Rio de Janeiro hospital after spending more than a month in intensive care. Fans had begun a vigil for him outside the hospital.

Conservative President Jair Bolsonaro, who tends to shrug off COVID-19 deaths and has downplayed the disease, tweeted his regret at the death of Gustavo, “who with his talent and charisma conquered the affection of all Brazil.”

His leftist archrival, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, mourned Gustavo as “a great Brazilian, who celebrated our country with so much joy.”

Brazil’s Senate held a moment of silence in Gustavo’s memory Wednesday before resuming a hearing into the president’s handling of the pandemic, which has killed more than 400,000 Brazilians. Officials now say a more-contagious variant of the virus is spreading across the South American nation.

Gustavo’s death at 42 highlighted how the disease is increasingly affecting younger Brazilians. The country is bitterly split between those urging stepped-up vaccination campaigns and lockdown measures and followers of Bolsonaro, who has denounced such restrictions.

“Look at reality. Stop denying the seriousness of this virus,” Hellen Calixto, a Brazilian Twitter user, wrote in response to Gustavo’s death. “I think that many, like me, did not treat the virus seriously because by the mercy of God it did not reach their family. But let’s get serious, people.”

The actor’s character Dona Hermínia, inspired by his mother, was featured in movies and shows that sold 22 million tickets — making them among the most popular in Brazil’s history. He played Dona Hermínia as a loud Rio suburban mother who humorously dealt with her gay son’s sexuality in a way many considered helpful to positively presenting families with LGBT members.

Gustavo, who had more than 16 million followers on Instagram, represented a vision of a stable LGTBQ family that is still controversial in some conservative sectors of Brazilian society.

He is survived by his husband, Dr. Thales Bretas, and two 1-year-old children, Romeu and Galel, who were born in the United States to surrogate mothers.

Gustavo was hospitalized in mid-March after contracting COVID-19, was intubated a week later for breathing difficulties and eventually needed an artificial lung.

He recorded a video alluding to the disease at the end of last year, urging his fans to take care. He said that while Brazilians have covered their smiles with masks due to the pandemic, “we will not stop smiling or having hope.”

Famed Brazilian singer Caetano Veloso shared a photo of himself hugging Gustavo on his social networks.

“The Brazilian people are in mourning,” he wrote. “And they must react against those responsible for our vulnerability in the face of the pandemic that took this beloved person from us.”

NBA DFS Breakdown (Wednesday, May 5): Shorthanded Kings Stand Out in Excellent Matchup vs. Pacers – Fantasy Labs

Kim Martel
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NBA DFS Breakdown (Wednesday, May 5): Shorthanded Kings Stand Out in Excellent Matchup vs. Pacers – Fantasy Labs

Wednesday features a nine-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Point Guard

Stud

I’m not sure what Russell Westbrook has to do to get priced above $11,000 on DraftKings. His price seems to have hit a ceiling, but he certainly deserves to be more expensive. He has been tremendous over the past month, scoring at least 55.75 DraftKings points in 15 of his past 17 games, and he’s scored at least 69.5 DraftKings points in three of his past four. Overall, his average of 1.70 DraftKings per minute over the past month is the top mark on the slate regardless of position. He remains the safest investment in fantasy hoops.

Value

The Nuggets are extremely shorthanded in the backcourt at the moment. Jamal Murray, Will Barton and Monte Morris all remain out of the lineup with long-term injuries, and P.J. Dozier will join them on the sidelines Wednesday. That should leave a healthy amount of playing time for Shaq Harrison, which makes him an intriguing value play at the absolute minimum. He’s currently projected for 27.5 minutes in our NBA Models, and minimum-priced players have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.12 with a comparable minute projection (per the Trends tool).

Austin Rivers is also worth some consideration at the position.

Fast Break

The Grizzlies are in one of the best spots of the day. They’re taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves, and their implied team total of 121.25 points ranks third on the slate. That makes Ja Morant a very strong option, particularly on FanDuel given his Bargain Rating of 88%. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +6.17 over his past 10 games, and his Opponent Plus/Minus of 1.87 is one of the top marks at the position.

Jrue Holiday is another point guard with an excellent matchup on Wednesday. He owns an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.06 vs. the Wizards, and the Bucks’ implied team total of 121.5 ranks second on the slate.

This is the second leg of a back-to-back for the Bucks, so make sure to monitor their injury report using the Labs Insiders tool. There’s a chance that Holiday sits, but there’s also a chance that some of his teammates sit. That would give Holiday a nice boost in value.

Shooting Guard

Stud

Delon Wright delivered a stud-like 55.0 DraftKings yesterday for the Kings, and he has the chance for another monster performance on Wednesday. De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton remain out of the lineup, and it’s possible that Harrison Barnes could be ruled out again as well. The Pacers have also struggled on the defensive end recently, so this is a nice matchup as well.

Value

Terence Davis also stands out for the Kings. He played nearly 30.8 minutes yesterday vs. the Thunder, and he responded with 25.5 FanDuel points. He’s projected for a similar workload on today’s slate, and he’s averaged 0.85 FanDuel points per minute this season. That makes him a strong option at just $3,800 on FanDuel given his Bargain Rating of 82%.

Fast Break

Donte DiVincenzo is another potential option for the Bucks on Wednesday. He’s seen a massive price decrease on DraftKings recently, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 88%, but he’s logged at least 29.2 minutes in back-to-back games. He’s coming off 32.75 DraftKings points yesterday vs. the Nets, so he’s a prime buy-low target.

The Celtics are going to be without at least one key contributor vs. the Magic. Jaylen Brown has already been ruled out, and Tristan Thompson has been downgraded to out with a strained pectoral. That means Marcus Smart should be looking at a few additional minutes. He’s also increased his usage rate by +3.0% with Brown off the court this season, resulting in an average of 0.89 FanDuel points per minute. He’s a nice value at just $6,200 on FanDuel.

Small Forward

Stud

Tobias Harris has seen a large price decrease recently. His salary has dropped by -$1,500 over the past month, and targeting players like Harris when they’re priced down is an excellent strategy in NBA DFS. Harris has owned a comparable salary in 19 previous games this season, and he’s averaged 38.39 DraftKings points per game in those contests. That kind of production would make him an excellent value at his current salary.

Value

Rudy Gay has had a nice career. He’s not the same player that he was in his prime, but he’s evolved into an extremely productive reserve player for the Spurs. He’s finished with at least 35.25 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and he posted a usage rate of 31.3% in his last outing. Don’t expect him to log a ton of minutes vs. the Jazz, but he should still be able to return value given his average of 1.04 DraftKings points per minute this season.

Fast Break

Oshae Brissett could once again provide excellent value if the Pacers are shorthanded. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +8.63 over his past 10 games on FanDuel, and he remains very reasonably priced at $6,500. He’s currently projected for 34.2 minutes in our NBA Models, and he should continue to see a large workload if the Pacers’ remain shorthanded. They currently have Malcolm Brogdon, Edmond Sumner, Goga Bitadze and Jeremy Lamb listed as questionable, while Jakarr Sampson and Myles Turner remain sidelined.

Michael Porter Jr. has been asked to carry a large workload for the Nuggets’ given their injury situation, and he’s responded with a positive Plus/Minus in six of his past seven games on FanDuel. His nine Pro Trends are tied for the most at the position, and his $7,700 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 84%.

Power Forward

Stud

The Bucks just swept the Nets in a two-game set, and you could tell that they took those games very seriously. The Nets played those contests without James Harden, but they are still the favorites to win the NBA title this season. Milwaukee has been a bit of a disappointment after dominating the regular season the past two years, so they clearly wanted to prove something to themselves before the playoffs.

Unsurprisingly, Giannis Antetokounmpo was at the center of their offense in those contests. He posted a usage rate of at least 42.4% in both games vs. the Nets, and he also saw a nice spike in minutes. Overall, he finished with at least 60.0 DraftKings points in both games. There’s no guarantee he’s as involved Wednesday vs. the Wizards, but those games vs. the Nets were a good reminder of what Giannis is capable of. When he’s at his best, he’s still the most dominant player in fantasy basketball.

Value

If Barnes is ruled out again on Wednesday, Marvin Bagley stands out as one of the best values on the slate. He’s played at least 30.9 minutes in each of his past two games, and Bagley has averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute this season. He’s capable of doing some serious damage with that much playing time vs. the Pacers.

Fast Break

Jaden McDaniels stands out as a nice value at $3,900 on FanDuel. He’s currently projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models, and players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.47.

The Grizzlies have a pair of interesting value options at the position. Jaren Jackson Jr. will miss today’s contest for injury management, which opens a few additional minutes. Xavier Tillman stands out as the preferred option on FanDuel, while Brandon Clarke stands out as the better value on DraftKings.

Center

Stud

It’s a tough call between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic for the top center spot on today’s slate, but I’m giving a slight edge to Embiid. He should be able to have his way on the interior vs. the Rockets. They don’t have a ton of size, and they’re going to be even thinner than usual in the frontcourt tonight. Jae’Sean Tate has already been ruled out, while Christian Wood is doubtful. That doesn’t leave them with a top of options to slow down Embiid, who is one of the most gifted low-post scorers in the league.

Value

Moe Wagner’s price has increased pretty significantly, but he still has the potential to provide excellent value on Wednesday. He’s averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s coming off nearly 41.4 minutes in his last outing. He posted 36.25 DraftKings points two games ago, so he clearly has the potential to pay off his current salary.

Fast Break

Richaun Holmes is another member of the Kings who should benefit from their current injury situation. He failed to return value yesterday vs. the Thunder, but he did see 30.9 minutes of playing time. He’s averaged 1.09 FanDuel points per minute this season, so he should be able to bounce back on Wednesday. He also owns an excellent matchup vs. the Pacers, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.23.

Mo Bamba has provided solid value recently, posting an average Plus/Minus of +4.27 over his past 10 games on DraftKings. He’s done that despite splitting the playing time with Wendell Carter Jr., but Carter has been downgraded to questionable for today’s matchup. The thought of Bamba getting 30+ minutes on today’s slate is tantalizing given his average of 1.32 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and his $5,300 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 98%.

Carolyn Sue Moore Gay | Obits | wvnews.com – WV News – WV News

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Carolyn Sue Moore Gay | Obits | wvnews.com – WV News – WV News

JANE LEW — Carolyn Sue Moore Gay, 82, of Fairmont, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport. She lived most of her life in Weston.

She was born in Petersburg, WV, on February 1, 1939, a daughter of the late Walter Hubert Moore and Delma Arena Sholes Moore.

On September 7, 1957, Carolyn married Jerry Lee Gay, whom she missed dearly after his passing on September 27, 2017. In addition to her husband and parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by two brothers: John and Jack Moore.

Her creative nature will be carried on by her four children: Steve Gay and wife, Lisa, of Phoenix, AZ, Terri Linger and husband, Bill, of Fairmont, Sherri Trefz and husband, Scott, of Fairmont, and Jenifer Maczka and husband, Derek, of Hawaii; nine grandchildren: Nicole Gray, Wesley Gray, Jessica Tacy, Alyssa Hodge, Zachary Linger, Nicolas Trefz, Andrew Trefz, Sydney Maczka and Nathan Maczka; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt Tacy and Timmy Hodge; two sisters: Marsha Cullen of Clarksburg and Pat Mason of Fairmont; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Carolyn spent most of her years as a self-employed seamstress. She also enjoyed painting, drawing, macrame, and crocheting beautiful one-of-a-kind rag rugs. For many years, Carolyn taught painting classes at the Lewis County Senior Center.

Carolyn’s request for cremation has been honored at Pat Boyle Funeral Home’s On-Site Crematory.

We, at Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service located at 144 Hackers Creek Rd. in Jane Lew, are honored to serve the family of Carolyn Sue Moore Gay. Online condolences may be expressed at www.PatBoyleFuneralHome.com.

Carolyn Sue Moore Gay | Obits | wvnews.com – WV News

News Editor
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Carolyn Sue Moore Gay | Obits | wvnews.com – WV News

JANE LEW — Carolyn Sue Moore Gay, 82, of Fairmont, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport. She lived most of her life in Weston.

She was born in Petersburg, WV, on February 1, 1939, a daughter of the late Walter Hubert Moore and Delma Arena Sholes Moore.

On September 7, 1957, Carolyn married Jerry Lee Gay, whom she missed dearly after his passing on September 27, 2017. In addition to her husband and parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by two brothers: John and Jack Moore.

Her creative nature will be carried on by her four children: Steve Gay and wife, Lisa, of Phoenix, AZ, Terri Linger and husband, Bill, of Fairmont, Sherri Trefz and husband, Scott, of Fairmont, and Jenifer Maczka and husband, Derek, of Hawaii; nine grandchildren: Nicole Gray, Wesley Gray, Jessica Tacy, Alyssa Hodge, Zachary Linger, Nicolas Trefz, Andrew Trefz, Sydney Maczka and Nathan Maczka; two great-grandchildren, Wyatt Tacy and Timmy Hodge; two sisters: Marsha Cullen of Clarksburg and Pat Mason of Fairmont; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Carolyn spent most of her years as a self-employed seamstress. She also enjoyed painting, drawing, macrame, and crocheting beautiful one-of-a-kind rag rugs. For many years, Carolyn taught painting classes at the Lewis County Senior Center.

Carolyn’s request for cremation has been honored at Pat Boyle Funeral Home’s On-Site Crematory.

We, at Pat Boyle Funeral Home and Cremation Service located at 144 Hackers Creek Rd. in Jane Lew, are honored to serve the family of Carolyn Sue Moore Gay. Online condolences may be expressed at www.PatBoyleFuneralHome.com.

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