Category Archives: Community
Bushwig in Brooklyn New York
BUSHWIG THE BIGGEST DRAG & MUSIC FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD 2016 IS HERE
BUSHWIG is holding its fifth annual festival of drag, art and music this year (Saturday, Sept. 10th and Sunday, Sept. 11th) at The Knockdown Center (52-19 Flushing Ave, Queens), a departure from Bushwick–the Brooklyn neighborhood that inspired the name of the event. Since its creation 5 years ago by Brooklyn artists Horrorchata and Babes Trust, BUSHWIG has pulled an international audience in and has curated lineups with some of the most well-respected names in the alt-drag community. Bigger names are set to perform and larger crowds are expected to show this year at the new venue. Headlining acts this year include legendary Lady Bunny and RuPaul icon Latrice Royale with music from Tim Sweeney (Beats in Space), with even world renowned artist Wolfgang Tillman on deck duties!
The ambitious programming for this year includes art installations, projection art mapping, international DJs, live music and diverse food offerings on top of more than 150 drag performances. At BUSHWIG 2015, Lady Bunny (close friend to world renowned RuPaul, who has brought drag to the mainstream), handed off ‘the torch’ to Horrorchata–symbolic of passing the legacy of drag down to a new generation of NY performers. The festival is going on strong as it marks its 5th anniversary and continues on to becoming an NYC iconic event likes its predecessors (Studio 54, Warhol’s Factory, Wigstock, etc) while also engaging a wider and more diverse audience.
“Right now we are in a drag explosion. BUSHWIG is part of this revolution; the new wave of drag and the next generation of queens. The creativity in New York is always evolving and what really matters is the art will always be here. We are beyond excited to celebrate our fifth year,” said Horrorchata, co-founder of Bushwig.
BUSHWIG takes great pride in being a celebration of anyone for everyone. Founded by a group of artists deeply involved in the Brooklyn drag scene, the festival provides a creative safe space for everyone to get involved. The drag community has grown immensely as television show RuPauls Drag Race, just nominated for three Emmy Awards, has brought it to the mainstream. The festival functions first and foremost as a community event, giving all a part of the stage and an opportunity to get involved. The artists at BUSHWIG travel far to showcase their very best work, with some acts traveling from Europe. The festival was founded in 2012, its original lineup had 60 acts and 5 years later, more than 150 acts will perform this year during the two-day festival.
Official Website
Link to Purchase Tickets
Facebook page HERE
Watch videos HERE of past performers!
Gay Pride March New York City 2016
At this years pride March in New York, there were MANY Hillary Supporters!
Videographer Andrew Dickinson marched with the Hillary campaign, “I marched with Hillary for America in the 2016 NYC Pride March. It was an amazing experience and I felt the need to stand with Hillary’s campaign and the LGBT community following the Orlando attacks.”
New York Gay Pride Parties
At Three of The Cities Sickest Pride Events Ever: Bathhouse, Bruta Pride and Night of 1000 Queens
Voss Events, the leading New York City nightlife production Company, renowned for its innovative and outrageous parties, is announcing three main events for the city’s 2016 gay pride celebrations: BATHHOUSE, a 70s themed dance party, BRUTA PRIDE, an all new 360 degree nightlife experience from the masterminds behind Fuerza Bruta, and NIGHT OF 1000 QUEENS, featuring some of the brightest stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The second Pride edition of BATHHOUSE will take place Friday, June 24th at XL Nightclub. The Over 16,000 square foot party space will be converted into a 70s-style raucous and steamy bathhouse complete with an adult theater, locker room, live performances and over thirty men on stage in nothing more then towels. “In the early ‘70s, the bathhouse was a symbol of gay freedom, a place to literally shed one’s inhibitions and secrets,” says event producer, Brandon Voss. “Nearly fifty years later, we’re recreating the experience by inviting today’s generation to shed their inhibitions – and iphones – with complimentary towels and a clothing check.” DJ W Jeremy spins. Must be 21+ to enter.
The next night welcomes the world premiere of BRUTA PRIDE, June 25th an all-new multi-million dollar production from the masterminds behind Fuerza Bruta, taking place at the Daryl Roth Theatre at 101 East 15th Street. Club fans will be wowed by an interactive 4D theatrical experience, mind-blowing immersive performances and beats by DJ Hector Fonseca. Must be 18+ to enter.
Then on Sunday, June 26th, guests are invited to grab their wigs and twirl with a thousand queens at NYC’s largest drag event, NIGHT OF 1000 QUEENS. Beginning at 9pm at Stage 48 (605 West 48th St), the night will showcase some of the world’s best drag performers from RuPaul’s Drag Race including Alyssa Edwards, Courtney Act, Derrick Barry, Detox, Kennedy Davenport, Naomi Smalls, Raja, Roxxxy Andrews, Shangela, Trixie Mattel, and Willam. Beats provided by Lady Bunny. Must be 21+ to enter.
Tickets to all events and discount weekend passes are available now at www.VossEvents.com
StoneWall Inn to be come National Gay Monument
New York’s iconic Stonewall Inn, where the modern gay rights movement took root, will become the first national monument honoring the history of gays and lesbians in the U.S. under a proposal President Barack Obama is preparing to approve.
Designating the small swath of land will mark a major act of national recognition for gay rights advocates and their struggles over the last half-century. Since the 1969 uprising in Greenwich Village, the U.S. has enacted anti-discrimination protections, allowed gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. military and legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Though land must still be transferred to the federal government and other details worked out, the president is expected to move quickly to greenlight the monument following a public meeting Monday in Manhattan, according to two individuals familiar with the administration’s plans. The individuals weren’t authorized to discuss the plans publicly and requested anonymity. More at CBS LOCAL.
Ali Forney Wants to Buy a Church
The Ali Forney Center (AFC), the nation’s largest and most comprehensive organization dedicated to homeless LGBT youth, is raising funds to buy Pastor David James Manning’s Harlem Hate Church, after it was announced that the property is up for auction.
A judge ordered Manning’s church be put up for public auction because Manning has failed to pay $1.02 million in public debts. Manning claims that these debts are largely related to unpaid water and sewage bills which he says he doesn’t have to pay because of his church’s tax exempt status.
Manning, of course, is known for the hateful language in his church sign, and his YouTube videos, one of which claimed that Starbucks puts gay semen in its lattes.
Via Ali Forney:
AFC hopes to raise at least $200K through an initial public fundraising effort, and will seek to leverage those funds to obtain additional support from local government, major donors and foundations. If the Ali Forney Center is not able to obtain the building, it commits to utilize any funds raised to increase its housing and vocational services for homeless LGBT youth in another site.
Read more HERE
Visit Ali Forney
LETS MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!
Men’s Only Cuddle Party Workshop Jan. 31
Men’s Only Cuddle Party is … a workshop!
Though touch is natural, the skills that make it welcome and enjoyable have to be learned. Skills of communication, boundaries, asking for what you want, and saying ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ with clarity and kindness.
Cuddle Party is led by trained and certified Cuddle Party Facilitators. The Facilitator’s job is to guide you into those skills gently and easily, in a fun, safe and light hearted way. We welcome you and create an atmosphere of respect, and remain available for questions and support.
At a Cuddle Party you gain:
* Clarity and confidence
* Boundary and communication skills
* Comfort, support and encouragement
* The secrets to welcome, relaxed, non-sexual touch
The skills you learn at Cuddle Party translate into every day life, right from the start. When boundaries and consent are clear, every relationship is easier.
Where else can you attend a workshop in your pajamas?
– NYC, NY Tickets at eventbrite $27.37
Buddha Body Yoga Studio – 39 W 29th St #302, New York 10001
Hosted by Adam Lippin – Co-Founder/CEO of Cuddlist.com where you can find a Professional Certified Cuddler in your area!
Pride Flag Creator Gilbert Baker at MoMa
RAINBOW FLAG CREATOR GILBERT BAKER TO DISCUSS HIS FAMED SYMBOL OF GAY PRIDE AT THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART JANUARY 7TH
Artist Gilbert Baker, who in 1978 created the rainbow flag, the iconic symbol of gay pride that was recently acquired by the Museum of Modern Art for its permanent collection, will speak on Thursday, January 7 at 11:30 a.m., at The Museum of Modern Art, Floor 3, Architecture and Design Galleries. As part of MoMA’s “Gallery Sessions” program, Architecture and Design Curatorial Assistant Michelle Fisher will lead a conversation with Baker about the flag, which has come to represent the power of a simple image and the potential of community organizing.
Facilitated by MoMA educators, Gallery Sessions are impromptu interactions that explore the creative process, art history, and the experience of art. The Sessions take place daily in select galleries at the museum and are free with museum admission.
WHAT: Q&A with Rainbow Flag Creator Gilbert Baker
WHEN: Thursday, January 7 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues
Floor 3, Architecture and Design Galleries
Puerto Vallarta Brings Day of the Dead to New York
Puerto Vallarta Celebrates the
Day of the Dead in New York
The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board will promote its annual Day of the Dead Festival in the city of New York with participation in events across the tristate area of New York.
Puerto Vallarta Day of the Dead celebrations are a five-day cultural festival that includes a series of events and activities intended to make it one of the most colorful of the end of the year and beginning of Puerto Vallarta’s high season.
Held from October 29 to November 2, the Puerto Vallarta Day of the Dead Festival will promote traditional elements of the celebration as well as new artistic angles and interpretations. Traditional installation of altars will be done in hotels, restaurants and public spaces while an interactive altar will be on display at Lazaro Cardenas Park. Organizers will be giving out a passport to the installations for those interested in doing their own tour of the altars.
The festival will also include a film festival, a food tasting and a series of concerts, folkloric ballet and a presentation of a series of photos on the theme of death, as it is viewed by popular Mexican culture. Organizers will also try to break the record for the number of Catrinas in one place.
In the New York tristate area, Puerto Vallarta will be participating in the following event to promote the celebration.
New York Botanical Gardens – Puerto Vallarta continues its celebration of the gardens’ exhibition: FRIDA KAHLO: Art, Garden, Life. Now on its last week, the Day of the Dead weekend is the perfect time to see the show. Patrons were able to win a trip to Puerto Vallarta at the beginning of the exhibition when the Mexico Tourism Board held its private event on the location and visitors will once again be able to win a trip to Puerto Vallarta with stay at Garlands del Rio by registering online at https://goo.gl/yIwi8G
El Museo del Barrio – Puerto Vallarta will be mounting a 10 feet tall Day of the Dead altar when it joins the Mexico Tourism Board, El Museo del Barrio and the Junior Council for its annual arts education benefit. This year, it is using marriage vows as inspiration to celebrate love – gained and lost. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Till Death Do Us Part will take place on Thursday, October 29th from 8PM – 11PM at the Angel Orensanz Foundation. Participants will also be able to participate on a silent auction and bid on trips to Puerto Vallarta with stays at Velas Resorts. http://goo.gl/R1mRje
Daniel Valle’s 5th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebrations- the Family friendly day-long event embraces traditional elements of the Day of the Dead as celebrated in Mexico and offers an educational opportunity to learn its history and reasons behind the holiday. With food vendors and folkloric dancers the event will be fun for all. The celebration will take place at Court Square Studios with doors opening at 10 AM. Participants will be able to sign up for a trip to Puerto Vallarta as well as beach bags full of goodies from the destination. http://goo.gl/tZ2fqV
For more Information please visit: www.visitpuertovallarta.com
Blind Yorkie Needs Home in New York
PLEASE HELP MITCHELL!
Poor little Mitchell; who could be so cruel? The ten-year-old blind Yorkshire terrier is so afraid when he was picked up by New York City Animal Care and Control and brought to the Brooklyn shelter this past week. Some miserable culprit had spray painted little Mitchell green on his face, in his eyes, and on his back soaking right into the skin of his caudal spine. (base of his spine)
Mitchell was brought in on October 22, and is due out and ready for rescue on Sunday, October 25. According to his medical notes, even though he is extremely stressed, Mitchell did allow handling although it is advised to move very slowly as this little guy must have been through more than most animal advocates even want to know. The emaciated, six-pound dog is heavily matted around his legs and face and has extensive dental issues, however no flea infestation or active parasites were noted. A volunteer writes the following: “Mitchell is a 10 year old Yorkie mix who came in as a stray- matted and emaciated. During Mitchell’s medical exam, it was noted that he is also BLIND. This little guy needs some TLC- Can you give him some?”
When making inquiries about Mitchell, reference A1055686. For more information on adopting from the New York City Animal Care and Control, click here. A Facebook page for Mitchell can be found here. To adopt from the General Adoption List, click here. To adopt from the At Risk List, click here. Please share Mitchell’s story with friends, family and social media contacts. Sharing saves lives, and every life counts.
New York City Gay Pride 2015
WANT TO FEEL GOOD TODAY! Watch This!
This is what GAY PRIDE is all about. Celebration and Family!
2015 was a record-breaking year for NYC Pride, with more than 2 million people attending 11 amazing events over 8 days. Check out some of our favorite moments in this video, produced by the amazing team at Boxing Rooster Productions, with music from NYC’s own Joe Gauthreaux.
Bronx LGBTQ Gay Pride July 18th
Join us on Saturday, July 18th in Crotona Park for our 3rd annual Bronx LGBTQ Pride & Health Fair! Hostesses Appolonia Cruz, Lady Clover Honey, and Vivika Westwood are going to WERQ it out for our community in Crotona park!
Music by DJ Chauncey Dandridge and DJ TK, with entertainment by numerous local LGBTQ talent, including our headliner, Aaron Paul — who’s come all the way from London, England to support us!
Crotona Park at the amphitheatre (between Indian Lake and the picnic area).
Bea Arthur LGBT Residence
On Monday, July 20, 2015, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the Bea Arthur Residence, an 18-bed residence for homeless LGBT youth operated by the Ali Forney Center.
In 2012 the New York City Council and the Manhattan Borough President awarded $3,300,000 for the renovation of a long vacant building owned by the New York City Department of Housing and Preservation Development.
The building has now been turned over to the Ali Forney Center in partnership with Cooper Square Committee, and renovations are beginning this month. It is anticipated that the building will begin to provide housing by the end of 2016.
Bea Arthur gave one of her final public performances as a benefit for the Ali Forney Center in 2005. She was very upset to learn that hundreds of thousands of LGBT teens were rejected by their families, and driven to homelessness. She said that she would do anything in her power to help these teens. When she died in 2009 the Ali Forney Center learned that she had bequeathed $300,000 to us in her will. At that time, Carl Siciliano, the Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center, pledged that the first building they owned would be named in her memory.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the building site, located at 222 East 13th Street at 1pm. In attendance will be the staff and clients of the Ali Forney Center, as well as invited politicians who have supported this project and the work of the AFC, including Brad Hoylman, Democratic Senator for the New York State Senate in Manhattan’s 27th district, New York City Council Members Richie Torres, Danny Drum, Carlos Menchaca and Rosie Mendez, a representative from Mayor DiBlasio’s office and Steve Herrick, Executive Director of Cooper Square.
Said Carl Siciliano, Founder and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center:
“It meant the world to me that a star of the magnitude of Bea Arthur would do so much to help the Ali Forney Center in our work of housing homeless LGBT youths.” says Carl Siciliano, Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center. “I am very grateful that we will now be able to honor Bea and continue to keep her compassion alive through the establishment of the Bea Arthur Residence for Homeless LGBT Youth.”
In an article prior to her passing, Bea Arthur said this:
“I’m very, very involved in charities involving youth. These kids at the Ali Forney Center are literally dumped by their families because of the fact that they are lesbian, gay or transgender — this organization really is saving lives.”
Stonewall Inn gets Landmark Status
The Stonewall Inn, the Greenwich Village bar where resistance to a police raid sparked the modern gay rights movement, was made a city landmark Tuesday, the first time a site has been named primarily because of its significance to the LGBT history.
“New York City’s greatness lies in its inclusivity and diversity,” Meenakshi Srinivasan, chairwoman of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, said before the unanimous vote. “The events at Stonewall were a turning point in the LGBT rights movement and in the history of our nation.”
Patrons fought back against a police raid on the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969, and the street protests that followed for several days are credited with galvanizing gay activism in New York and globally. The rebellion is commemorated with annual gay pride parades in hundreds of cities. (JUDY GARLAND had died June 22nd that same week. So the queens were in no mood that week!)
The two buildings that comprised the Stonewall Inn were originally built in the 1840s as stables, and in 1930 were merged at the first story and given a unified facade. Their combined ground floor commercial space originally housed a bakery, and in 1934 it was taken over by the Stonewall Inn Restaurant. The property reopened in 1967 as a gay club, retaining the name Stonewall Inn
To read The REAL History of the Stonewall Riots CLICK HERE
Suspect Sought in Gay Bashing
The suspect was captured on film violently beating a gay couple over the head with a chair inside the restaurant on 8th Avenue and 23rd Street after an altercation in which homophobic slurs were allegedly used.
The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
See video footage of suspect HERE
Loisaida Festival and LES History Month
Continuing its commitment to showcase the Lower East Side’s independent and diverse spirit, Loisaida Inc. announced its lineup for the 2015 Loisaida Festival.
The programming includes: Chicano Batman, Calma Carmona, Herencia de Plena, and Papote Jimenez y su Orquesta.
Latin Soul, plena, salsa, psychedelic beats, from east L.A. to Puerto Rico, will all converge in one spot. Beloved actor, and Loisaida’s own, Luis Guzman will host the Festival, which takes place on Sunday May 24th, 2015 from 11:00AM to 5:00PM.
Speaking of the long-standing power of the Festival, Libertad Guerra of Loisaida, Inc. said, “The success of Loisaida Inc. and the Loisaida Festival year after year is a testament of what we can accomplish in our communities. We are moving with full force to reactivate awareness of Latino cultural vitality, heritage and contributions to the Lower East Side while maintaining our footprint in the Downtown area. This year’s programming really captures that irreverent, resilient, ethos that made Loisaida a creative hub for NYC’s Latino community.”
Leading up to the festival Loisaida, Inc. will host two days of activities at its new Center on 710 east 9th Street that will highlight the contributions of the LGBTQ Latin@ community on the Lower East Side. The Friday and Saturday expanded programming, a new element introduced last year, integrates the Festival with LES History Month during the month of May. The programs, Performing Queer Latin@ Loisaida: A Cabaret and Reconstructing Queer Latin@ Loisaida in Cinema, Literature, and Art, will celebrate the often-overlooked cultural contributions of LGTB Queer Latino Loisaida.
On Sunday May 24th, these elements merge into the Festival, where a host of culinary, cultural, artistic and musical experiences will come together under the theme of one neighborhood…an entire community. A Carnival Procession, rare these days in the downtown area, will open the event. Parallel to the main stage programming, the festival also includes a Theater Lab initiative, where diverse Latino, Spanish or bilingual theater companies will present original site-specific pieces.
The revamped Loisaida Festival will capture the meaning the event held in its early days back in the 80s. What may have started as an impromptu community gathering for neighborhood children unable to leave the city during Memorial Day weekend soon became an event to share and celebrate community, Puerto Rican and Latino culture, as well as the social and cultural differences that make Loisaida such a vibrant neighborhood.
Today, with the over 15,000 attendants from all walks of life and ages that congregate at the festival each year, #LoisaidaFest2015 is the landmark event for Latino historical and contemporary contributions to the downtown area, bridging cultural and generational divides.
Schedule of Events and Details:
Friday, May 22, 2015 (8:00PM-10:00PM) – In Performing Queer Latin@ Loisaida: A Cabaret some of New York City’s most legendary Queen Latin@ performance artists pay tribute to Loisaida’s long-standing tradition of LGBTQ Latin@ artistic expression, experimentation, and activism with a one night performance.
Saturday, May 23, 2015 (1:00PM – 5:30PM) – Reconstructing Queer Latin@ Loisaida in Cinema, Literature, and Art: An event to celebrate the often overlooked contribution of Queer Latin@ artists and activists to the Lower East Side’s rich cultural fabric.
Sunday, May 24, 2015 (11:00AM – 5:00PM) – Loisaida Inc. will celebrate the 28th Annual Loisaida Festival, which includes an opening Carnival Procession, Main Stage performances, and a Theater Lab at La Plaza Cultural. Hosted by actor Luis Guzman.
Ian Reisner Admits Poor Judgment
Ian Reisner,
one of the two gay hoteliers facing boycott calls for hosting an event for Senator Ted Cruz, who is adamantly opposed to same-sex marriage, apologized to the gay community for showing “poor judgment.”
Mr. Reisner put the apology on Facebook, where a page calling for a boycott of his properties, the gay-friendly Out NYC hotel and his Fire Island Pines holdings, had gotten more than 8,200 “likes” by Sunday evening.
“I am shaken to my bones by the emails, texts, postings and phone calls of the past few days. I made a terrible mistake,” wrote Mr. Reisner.
Will people forgive him?
more at New York Times
AIDS Walk New York
AIDS WALK NEW YORK MAY 17th
AIDS Walk New York is the largest single-day AIDS fund-raising event in the WORLD!
In its 30 years, AIDS Walk New York has inspired nearly 890,000 people to walk, and millions more to donate, raising more than $139 million to combat HIV and AIDS.
The funds raised at the event remain a vital lifeline that sustains GMHC’s prevention, care, and advocacy programs for the thousands of men, women, and families affected by the disease in the tri-state area. Proceeds also benefit dozens of other HIV/AIDS service organizations that are able to participate and raise funds through the Community Partnership Program (CPP).
| 8:30 a.m. Sign-In9:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony10 a.m. AIDS Walk New York Begins |
AIDS Walk New York is 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). The Walk begins and ends in Central Park and usually takes about 2.5 hours to complete. Entrance to General Sign-In is located at 59th Street and 5th Avenue.
NYC Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of National AIDS Policy
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Empire State Pride Agenda LGBT Equality & Justice Day
WHO:Empire State Pride Agenda with:
New York State Legislators
Prominent community members
Rally speakers and issue expert workshop instructors
Hundreds of LGBT New Yorkers and allies from across New York State
What: Rally at Equality & Justice Day, the largest statewide annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy day
Where: West Capitol Park (backup in case of rain is Convention Center) Albany, NY
When: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 1 – 2 p.m. Rally
Speakers:
- Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer
- Daniella Carter: Rising star and trans activist who was featured in the MTV & Logo TV documentary “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word;” guested on MSNBC’s “Out There on Shift;” initiated a project to bring visibility to trans youth issues; collaborated with Miss Universe and others to share their experiences in overcoming homelessness; and was recently listed as a 2015 Trans100 honoree;
- Angelica Clarke: the Executive Director at the Albany Social Justice Center, working to build movements that center the experiences of Black and Brown women, trans, genderqueer and gender non-conforming individuals;
- Q and Francisca Montaña: a mom and her 9-year-old trans son who live in Brooklyn, and who are both fierce advocates for our community;
- Jane Shurka: mother of conversion therapy survivor Mathew from Long Island, who is now a strong supporter of her proud, gay son and advocate to end conversion therapy in New York and across the country;
- Reverend Dee Lowman: a progressive United Methodist clergyperson who has turned her efforts towards supporting and influencing the rights and respect of trans people and
- Aileen Roman: a 34-year-old mom who navigated New York State’s arcane laws around parenting and surrogacy and will share her story about how she overcome challenges to build her family
Pride Agenda Justice Day
BOYCOTT Out Hotel and Fire Island Pines Project
WORST GAY NEW YORK
Gay men using Gay Money to Fund ANTI GAY Politics!
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Boycott Fire Island Pines Establishments (Pavilion, Low Tea, High Tea, Botel, Botel Barracks, Pool Deck, Harbor Club, Blue Whale, Cultured Elephant), Out NYC Hotel, and XL Nightclub after owners hold reception for Senator Ted Cruz.
FROM HRC’s WEBSITE:
Whether the issue is marriage or protection from discrimination, Sen. Ted Cruz has consistently opposed equality for LGBT Americans. And he’s gone even further, attacking fellow Republicans for marching in pride parades, and using his opposition to marriage to win his first Senate campaign.
imagine an America where gays forever stay second class citizens
.
Marriage: Ted Cruz led the charge to deny Texas couples marriage equality. In the Senate, he has supported a constitutional amendment that would prevent the federal government from recognizing marriage equality.Discrimination: Cruz has consistently opposed granting protections to LGBT Americans. Cruz has opposed both local ordinances in Texas that would protect LGBT Americans, and ENDA’s explicit federal workplace protections.Conversion Therapy: Cruz has refused to speak out against “conversion therapy” that coerces minors into “treatment” that can lead to depression and suicide.
Harmful Rhetoric: Cruz has no problem about using equality as a wedge issue against fellow Republicans – he’s attacked Republicans for appearing in pride parades and suggested that he believes being gay is a “choice.” He even bragged about intervening in a case to stop a civil union.
Significant Findings on Marriage Equality
Says marriage is between “one man and one woman”
Pledged to introduce Federal Constitutional Amendment opposing marriage equality
Introduced The State Marriage Defense Act (twice) which would cede definition of marriage to states for federal purposes
Opposed Proposition 8 ruling
Ran for Senate based on his opposition to marriage equality
Bragged about intervening to prevent recognition of civil union
Said people can “vote with their feet” if they don’t like living in a state without marriage equality.
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Humans of New York
I just love this site – and I am sure you must know of it, but if not, NOW YOU DO!
“Brandon and I began Humans of New York in the summer of 2010. I thought it would be really cool to create an exhaustive catalogue of New York City’s inhabitants, so I set out to photograph 10,000 New Yorkers and plot their photos on a map. I worked for several months with this goal in mind, but somewhere along the way, HONY began to take on a much different character.
I started collecting quotes and short stories from the people I met, and began including these snippets alongside the photographs. Taken together, these portraits and captions became the subject of a vibrant blog. With over eight million followers on social media, HONY now provides a worldwide audience with daily glimpses into the lives of strangers in New York City. It has also become a #1 NYT bestselling book.. It’s been quite a ride so far. Feel free to follow along.”
I would highly recommend the BOOK as well!
