Bialogue = Bisexual + Dialogue

[BiNet USA]: Happy Fourth of July!!!

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:10:22 GMT

On this Fourth of July, 2009, we bisexual, fluid and pansexual citizens and residents of the United States of America as well as our friends, families and allies can be proud that we are ably represented at several levels of government by out Bi-identified LGBT politicians.

There is Kate Brown, Oregon's Secretary of State, currently the highest ranking openly bisexual elected politician in the United States. She also attended the June 29 2009 Reception for LGBT people at the White House in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, where she met up with BiNet USA's own Robyn Ochs. Robyn reports "Kate and I were very excited to see each other and hugged and exclaimed happily!".
We also have Newark, Delaware City Councilman Ezra Temko and New York State Assemblyman Micah Z. Kellner. Assemblyman Kellner has sent this Fourth of July message to the Bisexual Community:

"On this our day of independence, we must always remember that we had to fight for our rights and freedom. They were not handed to us. The 4th of July should be a reminder to all those in the Bisexual Community that we must continue to fight for full acceptance with in the greater LGBT community. Bisexuals must be an equal partner in the loud and proud fight for LGBT civil rights."

Micah Z. Kellner
Member of the New York State Assembly

Please click here to read full article

[USA]: we have Two pieces of Good News for the LGBT Community to Celebrate on today!!!

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:43:37 GMT

DOJ Declines to Appeal Veteran’s Victory in Transgender Discrimination Case

A statement from National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Legal Director Shannon Minter

07.01.09 The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has declined to appeal a federal court ruling awarding transgender veteran Diane Schroer the maximum compensation for the discrimination she suffered by being refused a job with the Library of Congress because of her transgender status. Yesterday, June 30, was the deadline for the government to seek an appeal in Schroer v. Library of Congress, in which Ms. Schroer has been ably represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The Bush Administration had defended this case vigorously, arguing that transgender Americans are not protected by any existing federal laws, but the district court rejected that argument.

Please click here for full article

Victory in North Carolina! Governor Signs Bills on School Bullying, Sex Ed

7/1/2009 - Last night around 5:30, Governor Beverly Perdue signed both the School Violence Prevention Act and the Healthy Youth Act. Now these two bills to protect the safety and health of young people in our state (ed. note North Carolina) are the law of the land.

Equality NC has been working for over three years to pass the School Violence Prevention Act. This is a huge victory for us and for North Carolina. Now, Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) young people and other vulnerable students will have a powerful tool to help protect them from bullying and harassment.

Please click here for full article

Yay!! Score another TWO Victories for the side of good!!

[Bronx NYC] Teen Lesbian Couple Voted Best Couple by Their HS Peers

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:38:42 GMT

While the adults in Albany, NY still can't get it together to vote on the gay marriage bill in the NY Senate, the students of Mott Haven Village Preparatory (Public) High School in the Bronx have already cast their vote – and made history.

For the first time at their school (and perhaps in all of the Bronx), a same sex couple, Victoria Cruz & her girlfriend Deoine Scott, were voted “Best Couple” by an overwhelming majority of students.

http://sisterstalk.net/blog/2009/06/teen-lesbian-couple-voted-best-couple-by-their-high-school-peers/

Yay!! - Throws Confetti - Happy Pride Y'all

becasue being an activist is NOT all bad news and grim work

Wed, 20 May 2009 23:06:49 GMT

to lift your spirits and make you laugh come theses two "Quick Hits" courtesy of the BiNet USA News Blog: Abby Is A Dear and Accurate Too & Out Of The Mouths Of Babes and Students

You can add BiNet USA News and Opinions: News, Essays and Editorials by & for America's Bisexual Community to your friends-list here binetusa

[USA]: Note From the New BiNet USA Prez by Gary North

Wed, 20 May 2009 03:18:33 GMT

X-Posted with permission from BiNet USA News and Opinions: News, Essays and Editorials by & for America's Bisexual Community (on LJ as binetusa)

Belated greetings (board members took their new positions in late April). It’s been a busy month in Lake WoBiGon (sorry, Garrison), so that’s why I’m only now getting to write this (and with a special thanks to our never-ever-sleeps webmaster, who has inserted all sorts of links in this essay):

• Biphobia has been running rampant lately (why right now is a mystery to me, but I’ll blame the economy, global warming, bad hair days . . . ), so BiNet USA's supporters and Rapid Responders have been countering the attacks immediately, consistently and repeatedly (donate now so we can continue the fight!).

• At the same time (not so coincidentally?), same-sex marriage has been approved by courts or legislatures in several states, and there’s a move afoot to try to repeal Prop. 8 in California), so we have yet another fight on our hands.

• And I’ve been so swamped with work after two more rounds of layoffs that I haven’t had time to say hello. So: Hello!

Allow me to introduce myself: You know Methuselah? Well, I haven’t been around the bi movement THAT long — but nearly. Actually, I’m the political/theoretical-construct love-child of Robyn, Lani, Loraine, Alan, Barry, Alexei, Luigi . . . hey, it takes a community to nurture a community, yuh know — and to comprehend what BiNet USA and the bi movement are all about.

. . . What’s that? You say didn’t even KNOW there’s a bi movement? And you don’t know who those people are whose first names I just rattled off? Well, stick around and pull up a chair(person) . . . Or in this case, a prexy.

CLICK HERE For The Complete Article

You can add BiNet USA News and Opinions: News, Essays and Editorials by & for America's Bisexual Community to your friends-list here binetusa

Quick Hits: this is what Biphobia looks like gay.com style

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:55:05 GMT

X-Posted with permission from BiNet USA News and Opinions: News, Essays and Editorials by & for America's Bisexual Community (on LJ as binetusa)

Obviously quite a few people are really taking the concept of being an "April Fool" to heart this year. Now gay.com one of THE Most Popular online men's personals, chat and social networking sites in the United States decided to post an "Op-Ed" piece in their 'Hot Topics' section entitled "Can Guys Actually Be Bisexual?" And you'll NEVER Guess what they concluded . . . they can't!

Here area couple of gems from the piece:

So what do we make of these guys who define themselves as bi? Are they really fooling themselves as they screw their way down the path to gayhood . . . where men are concerned, if you're having sex with a guy, chances are there's a part of you that's in denial and only time will tell when you'll finally come around to that realization

and then there is this

Women on the other hand are more emotionally driven than men and can, I believe, be bisexual . . . There's something more casual about a woman playing both sides of the field

But you might be saying, after all it's gay.com, men don't actually go to the site for INTELLECTUAL stimulation, so why should we care what they say?

becasue the author is not just some random dude spouting off, he is Ari Bendersky, a reasonably well credentialed journalist and should know better

becasue a LOT of men log on, including some who are just stating to explore their sexual identity show up and poke around. And this is a place where they form their ideas about the different kinds of people who make up the LGBT Community and, more importantly, how they should treat them

and becasue it's the right thing to do

-- so do it.

Here's where to voice your opinions:

submit an Incident Report to GLAAD and ask them to please live up to their mission to defend the LGBT Community against all hate-mongering
post your own Comments about the article, many people repudiating the silly biphobic and sexist remarks can help mitigate their bad example
and if you're feeling especially moved send a complaint to abuse@gay.com and "cc" it to their parent company abuse@planetout.com -- yes sad but true PlanetOut!

and again many thanks to the good people at Queers United for noticing the article and doing something about it.

You can add BiNet USA News and Opinions: News, Essays and Editorials by & for America's Bisexual Community to your friends-list here binetusa

[USA] three new thought-provoking articles on current ideas of gender, sexuality and identity

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:31:33 GMT

Young Adults 'Don't Want to be Defined by Gender, Orientation'
by Sharon Jayson in USA Today 19 April 2009

Sexual orientation and sexual labels. Gender crossing and gender bending. These aren't X-rated or adults-only topics but rather subjects that young people talk about as they figure out where they fit in, said a panel of experts at a weekend conference of the Council on Contemporary Families here . . . He says the terms created in the early days, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, are giving way to other descriptions, such as polygender or multisex . . . "Today, girls are free to do sports and be competitive. No one thought they had to play dumb to get a boyfriend. The women's movement has done great things for middle school girls," she says. "It's another story with boys. I feel like we're in a time warp. We have not dealt with men and masculinity in a serious enough way," she says. "Boys police each other. There's no room not to do anything not traditionally masculine."

Please click here to read the full story.

[BiNet USA] We are all somewhere between straight and gay . . . .
by Estraven in BiNet USA News and Opinions (binetusa) 20 April 2009

We have been told we do not exist, we have been told we must fit ourselves into either the “straight” or “gay/lesbian” boxes, during those bewildering moments when the culture suddenly decides to find us "chic" we are then told that our life-long sexual orientation is something we are doing to be cool . . . We are all somewhere between straight and gay. If the pansexuals judge the bisexuals, and the stable people judge the fluid people, and/or vice versa, our community will fall apart before it even has a chance to come together . . .

Please click here to read the full story.

How Male Bisexuality Got Cool
by Rachel Kramer Bussel in The Daily Beast 21 April 2009

. . . . whereas bisexual women had their fling with pop culture in the 1990s —when everyone from Drew Barrymore to Madonna messed around with women, not to mention the famous Vanity Fair cover showing Cindy Crawford shaving k.d. lang—“bromances” are now the driving force behind Hollywood comedies and Style section features, as men find more ways to play for both teams, or at least act like they do . . . . The celebrities who engage in it take pains to make it clear they’re straight—half-ironically goofing around, often as a blatant grab for attention. But the fact that they’re even taking it that far is something new . . . Five years ago, few male celebrities went there, and the ones who did were often already branded as outsiders, like Michael Stipe. Now, the most mainstream of leading men clamor to act bi for the camera . . . It’s not just about being seduced into a same-sex encounter, but about men claiming bisexuality or bicuriosity on their own terms.

Please click here to read the full story.

Icons for the Bisexual, Fluid & Pansexual Communities : free to good homes

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:08:00 GMT

[20] Bisexual, Fluid & Pansexual Icons

02	14	19

01	02	03	04	05

06	07	08	09	10

11	12	13	14	15

16	17	18	19	20

♥ Credit is nice - to nyabn (New York Area Bisexual Network) please
♥ Comments are always welcome - such as what did you take? why did you like that one?
♥ Please don't hotlink - we are poor non-profits *smile*
♥ You can use them as bases if you wish (but not sure it will work with these)

[USA] people who were looking for Bi/Pan/Fluid Queer Community in the Sacramento area

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:26:03 GMT

Please see these two groups:

Sacramento Area Bisexual Network (SacAreaBiNet) e-mail announcements and discussions

Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center's Bisexual, Bicurious and Questioning group (at the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center)

A Myspace Group for the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center's Bisexual, Bicurious and Questioning group

and please see here for some other California Groups

please feel freee to X-Post this

(USA) PLEASE NOTE: Fwd: [SWIRL]: Sex Worker Murdered in Boston

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:57:37 GMT

Yesterday a sex worker from NYC was brutally murdered here in Boston. Police are saying they think its the second attack by the same guy (first was not killed).

He makes appointments with people on Craig's List to come to Boston and meet him in nice hotels. There are surveillance photos of the guy being posted now, at this link:

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO110496/

PLEASE spread the word to anyone you think needs to know about this.

Feel free to post on list servers. I'm thinking that people outside of Boston may not know this is happening -- and those are the people he's preying on.

Judy
SWIRL

PLEASE READ AND REPOST - HELP SAVE A LIFE -- THANK YOU

this is what Biphobia looks like: columnist Michael Musto asks 'Are Bisexuals Real?'

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:51:51 GMT

X-Posted with permission from BiNet USA News and Opinions: News, Essays and Editorials by & for America's Bisexual Community (on LJ as binetusa)

The totally tired and decidedly un-fabulous Michael Musto a gossip columnist for the Village Voice has come out with a biphobic, anti-scientific column titled "Ever Meet a Real Bisexual"? questioning the legitimacy of bisexuality. In it he says (among other silly things):

"Everyone always says they're bisexual, blabbing on and on about how "sexuality is fluid, and I don't really like labels"--but usually I find these are just gay men who are afraid to come out. I know there are real bisexuals out there--mainly because I've heard that there are--and I do think it's a lovely idea to actually crave sex with people regardless of gender. I'm just wondering how real a phenomenon this is, as opposed to a smoke-and-mirrors coverup designed to keep antsy gays in the closet.

Most of the guys I know who say they're bisexual end up doing Bette Davis impersonations after a few drinks, and when you invite them to an all-girl bar, they get excited, thinking you mean Splash. But do you know anyone who REALLY is equally attracted to both men and women and effortlessly glides between those two dating pools without a second's thought or self-consciousness? If so, do you ever suspect they're full of shit?"

Suggesting bisexuality is a phenomenon, or that bisexual men are closeted liars is offensive and outright wrong!

While some who say these bigoted things may think they are being funny, cute and amusing not to mention raising the hit rate on their columns a notch or two or some well-meaning people may just chalk it up to "sibling rivalry" within the greater LGBT Community -- annoying but not to serious, in reality the biphobic rants of Michael Musto, Dan Savage, et al. are just as toxic as Fred Phelps, James Dobson's Focus on the Family and their ilk are to the greater LGBT Community.

They give legitimacy to troubled souls of the kind we ALL know too well, (such as the recent YouTube incidents) and help to incite hatred and violence against the bisexual/pansexual and fluid community.

Take Action
Contact Michael Musto and tell him biphobia has no place in the Village Voice or anywhere else for that matter.

Contact GLAAD and ask them to please live up to their mission to defend the LGBT Community against hate-mongering in the media

and many thanks to the good people at Queers United for noticing the article, knowing it was wrong and immediately doing something about it. They are a good source of info for the LGBT community and would be a helpful addition to anyone's blogroll.

yes, please DO X-Post this

[USA] Is your bi/pan/fluid Community Group among the missing?

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:42:45 GMT

BiNet USA is looking for ALL bi/pan/fluid groups in the US so that everyone will have a convenient place to find community.

If you moderate or are a member of a group like this, could you please take a minute to check your state's listing to see if you are properly included? If anyone's sees any changes or additions that are needed please RSVP via Comments with the groups name, location, link and contact info.

Thanks

And PS did you know that you can now easily keep up with the News, Essays and Editorials by & for America's Bi/Pan/Fluid Community(s) right here on LJ? Just add binetusa to your friendslist.

yes, please DO X-Post this

Biphobia Alerts: Two separate incidents to deal with

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:40:11 GMT

X-Posted with permission from BiNet USA News and Opinions: News, Essays and Editorials by & for America's Bisexual Community (on LJ as binetusa) from a post by Estraven a Mod from the Westchester Bisexual Group

First, there is a tragically (mis)named website called "Broadening Our Gay Unity: For A Better Tomorrow" whose Mission Statement talks about "the prospective, tragic threat, duplicity and danger of the "B" in LGBT, exposed." If you join the Guest Book, it is full of hateful messages about bisexuals such as "BI RHYMES WITH LIE AND DIE", and also quoting the discredited Bailey research.

A member of NYC's long running discussion group for bisexual and bi-friendly people BiRequest contacted the website, only to receive this response:

"SHAME ON YOU. Bisexuals are maintaining hetero-privilege and collaborating with the homophobes while simultaneously enjoying the gay lifestyle. Female bisexuals are attention seeking heterosexuals, while male ones are just self-denying homosexuals too afraid to fully acknowledge their true orientation. Bisexuals are actually closeted gay people who wish to appear heterosexual. Bisexuals want to undermine the GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT. BI IS A LIE . . . . . BEWARE OF THEIR VILE, HOMOPHOBIC AGENDA!!!!"

Though we are all staunch advocates of Free Speech and the 1st Amendment, we also believe the old adage that another person's freedom to swing their arms ends when their fists are in danger of connecting with our nose or in this case the "Bi, Lie, Die" thing et. al.

The website is on a free web server, and the webhosts state that they have a policy against ". . . the defamation of others . . . and offensive activity". Click here for the form for reporting offensive content. If the hosting service gets enough complaints, this offensive site may be shut down or at least forced to amend their public threats.

The same people also seem to have a YouTube page It is not clear whether or not someone can be removed from YouTube, but if he gets enough posts that male bisexuals are NOT confused gay men, and female bisexuals are NOT attention-seeking straight women, eventually he might listen.

Secondly, The Tyra Banks Show (a Warner Bros. Television product) has a Poll about whether or not bisexuals exist (Yes ANOTHER one!). The votes and commentary are running in our favor on this one, at least, but Tyra Banks and her corporate handlers need to hear that the very existence of such a poll is offensive - as one person astutely points out, "it's like asking if biracial people exist."

Please Click Here to Vote and Voice your opinion on "Bisexuality Real or Bogus" and while you are at it you may want to mention to her boss at Warner Bros. Television that your life is NOT subject to the whim of a on-line popularity contest and lastly alert the good folks at GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) so that they can bring appropriate pressure to bear on the show and corporation also.

And as usual, if YOU find an instance of biphobia or bisexual erasure do not keep it to yourself - if you SEE something, SAY Something!

yes, please DO X-Post this

[USA]: Delaware City Councilman Ezra Temko Comes Out as Bi

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 01:34:26 GMT

THE GOOD NEWS
23-year-old (ed. Newark) Delaware City Councilman Ezra Temko introduced and got support from the City Council for an anti-discrimination ordinance based on sexual orientation and won support to add gender identity to the city's non-discrimination clause in its personnel policy. He also got the Council to agree to research health benefits for the city's domestic partners and the creation of a domestic partner registry.

And, on top of that, he came out of the closet publicly, in an interview with the Newark Post (Councilman Temko opens up about his sexual orientation: A Newark love story).

Said Temko: "I’m bi. I’ve dated girls before, but I’ve been with my boyfriend, Drew, since August and we’re planning to get engaged this summer. During college, I was in a very inclusive environment that embraced everyone, instead of accepting norms as legitimate on face value. I was able, in this environment, to explore who I was and realize that I’m bisexual. I always assumed I would end up with a girl; then I met Drew."

CLICK HERE To read the full article in Towleroad Delaware City Councilman Ezra Temko Comes Out with a Flourish
(yes Towleroad, even if they seem unable to actually figure out how to SPELL the word "bisexual" *rolls-eyes*)

THE BAD NEWS
The biphobic comments this piece engendered.

The guys is here, queer, out of the closet and doing a whole bunch of great things for the entire LGBT Community and all these fools can do is mock him and be petty?

What is wrong with these people?

Peer Support for Group Leaders

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:51:06 GMT

x-posted with permission from BiNet USA News and Updates: Peer Support for Group Leaders

Some inquiries on this subject have come in. So in case you all missed the original announcement about this back when it started, yes there is an online peer support group for ALL people who run groups (both the face to face and the online kinds) for the bisexual, fluid, pansexual, hetro/homo-flexible, omnisexual, et al. community.

The group called Local Bi Group Leaders was started in 2007 by the leader of a local Colorado USA support group who says:

"This is a place for Local Bi Group Leaders to share their advice with each other. Do you have a support group or a social group, or a combination? Do you invite just woman, men, transgender or all? Where and how do you advertise? Do you meet in person or just online? Are you an activist group or just a group to meet other bisexual/pansexual people? Do you have an affiliation with the local gay and lesbian center? These are just some of the questions we have as we try to get more people involved. Whether you're just starting out and want advice, or you have a hoppin' group and you can share advice, sign up here!"

The group is conducted in English but has people from all over the world.

So if you're a professional social-worker running a multi-faceted Community Center, the moderator of an on-line community website or a newbie just setting up a support group at your school or college please come and join up.

yes, please do pass this info along

Call for Submissions: BISEXUALITIES and SPIRITUALITIES

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:45:07 GMT

Over the last decade much has been written about the spirituality of lesbian- and gay-identified persons but not as much about people drawn to more than one gender. As a corpus of work, those writings include diverse voices and experiences across ethnicities, genders, and spiritual/religious traditions. We seek to further the discourse on the relationship between sexuality and spirituality in this special issue of the "Journal of Bisexuality".

We invite the submission of proposals or completed first drafts that explore and examine bisexualities practiced within, alongside, and in response to spiritualities and vice versa. In this context, spirituality should be understood to be inclusive of religious practice or affiliation but also included in this understanding are ways of life that are rooted in wisdom traditions that are not defined by/as religion. We seek thoughtful, critical, and theoretically grounded work in any form including empirical research articles, creative non-fiction, theoretical essays, narrative inquiry, auto/ethnographies, poetry, short stories, histories, literary criticism, cultural studies, etc., particularly those which foreground intersections, borderlands, or complications.

Possible topics/questions might be:

Bisexuality and the spiritual tradition(s) one is born into and/or chooses for oneself

What are the ways in which certain philosophies and spiritual practices create liberatory/oppressive space for the expression of bisexuality?

Androgyny and bisexuality in deities, cosmologies, and cosmogonies

What does effective spiritual/pastoral counseling for bisexuals look like?

The experiences of bisexual clergy and spiritual workers, e.g., rabbis, ministers, imams, shamans, priestesses, priests, nuns, etc.

How do bisexualities make it possible for bisexual epistemologies to shape religious/spiritual practices?

Sexual fluidities and spiritual/religious fluidities

What roles have missionaries, colonialism, and modernity played in the development of bisexualities and spiritualities in the Non-Western/Global South parts of the world?

Bisexualities and Earth-based or Goddess-based spiritual systems and religions

How can bisexuality and polyamory be forms of spiritual practice?

Bisexuality and Deep Ecology/EcoTheology/Ecofeminism/Ecopsychology

SCHEDULE
• Proposals Are Due by February 15th 2009
• Acceptance of proposals will be made by March 1st 2009
• Full drafts of accepted work are due by June 1st 2009

Please send queries to the Special Issue Co-editors:

Dr. Loraine Hutchins email: lorainehutchins @ starpower. net
Adjunct Professor, LGBT Studies Towson University
Co-editor Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out, Co-founder BiNet USA; et. al.

Dr. Aih Djehuti Herukhuti email: heru @ blackfunk . org
Adjunct Professor, Individualized Studies/Socially Responsible Business & Sustainable Communities Goddard College
Founder Black Funk: The Center for Culture, Sexuality and Spirituality; et. al.
Please Note: In this post for historical reasons the terms "bisexual" & "bisexuality" are used to denote all those peoples and sexualities that inhabit the space between totally straight and totally gay/lesbian somewhere (i.e., bisexual, bi-curious, omnisexual, pansexual, questioning, queer, fluid, “I don’t label myself,” heteroflexible, homoflexible, two-spirit, gatekeeper, bodeme, et. al.) and all men, women, genderqueer, transgender and not-quite-sure people, as well as people who fall on different places along the monogamous to polyamorous dimension. The Co-editors have most strongly expressed that they would welcome submissions from people who self-define in any (or several) of these ways.

Yes, please X-post this

[Los Angeles] We Have A Dream Too! Come participate in this years MLK Parade

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:02:47 GMT

With MLK Day being one day before the historic Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama, many people want to use this holiday as a way to "make it a day on, not just take a day off", so during this historic three day weekend, many people in the LA area may be looking for a way to get together with friends and family and participate in some meaningful activities.

With this in mind, all people who live work or play in the Los Angeles area are invited to join the We Have A Dream Too! Facebook Group and also to PASS THIS INFORMATION ON to ALL your friends.

The Jordan/Rustin Coalition is proud to announce that we will be marching in this year’s MLK parade. We are marching in collaboration with the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and HERE TO STAY!!!

This is a momentous time to marching in this parade, with our President Elect Obama and after a year of hard work on No on Prop 8 along with the aftermath of No On 8. The Martin Luther King Kingdom Day Parade has been celebrated for the last 20 years and over a million people take to the streets of Los Angeles to remember the life and works of the great man.

The parade commences on Martin Luther King Blvd at Crenshaw and lasts for two miles until Western. It includes more than 150 floats, 20 drill teams, ten dance groups, celebrities aplenty and the bombastic tunes of a military marching band. Local vendors and restaurants spill out onto the street in the carnival atmosphere.

LIVE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S DREAM: MARCH FOR YOUR RIGHTS!
PROP 8 IS NOT OVER!
END HOMOPHOBIA AND RACISM!

January 19th 2009 at 10:30 am is the parade time. Come to the Parade and March With Us or participate in "Keep The Dream Alive and Bring Five To The Parade" by bringing 5 Friends to Celebrate and Cheer Us On at either Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd/Arlington Ave. or Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd/Crenshaw Blvd. cheer on your brothers and sisters marching in the parade.

Then afterwards join the Celebration following the parade at the Lucy Florence Coffee House, located at 3351 West 43rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90008, (323) 293-1356.

Yes, please X-post this

oh so THAT'S where all the cool kids hang out

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:29:56 GMT

or at least according Buzz NewsRoom a Web-based news aggregator which touts itself as "The Drudge Report meets Huffington Post via Digg" which has a post with the provocative title Female Gamers 5 Times More Likely to be Bisexual,

The post itself is a compilation of three other articles (MaximumPc: Study: Female MMO Gamers Five Times More Likely to be Bisexual, Shacknews: Bisexual Women Surprisingly Prevalent in MMOs, Suggests Study and the BBC: The virtual battle of the sexes).

While this story, brought to our attention by "metavariable" of BiNet Austin, should probably NOT be taken as a study of rigorously scientific accuracy, it can be seen as an interesting riff on the relative open-mindedness of the geek and gamer community(s). Which as "louhq" pointed out in a discussion on the BiNet USA Listserve "is just more conducive for bisexuals to be aware and out about it."

Think this post is interesting? Then you'll like BiNet USA, America's umbrella organization and voice for bisexual, pansexual, fluid and all other of us "somewhere in between" people as well as their lesbian, gay, transgender, "straight but not narrow" and questioning friends and allies. Come join their E-Mail List, Myspace page and the new BiNet USA Facebook Group and keep the conversation going.

Yes, please Do feel free to X-post this

Have a Happy Bisexual (Pansexual, Fluid, Poly, LGBT & Friends) Holiday

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:42:43 GMT

The holiday season can be stressful enough and when we add being Queer folk in a less than welcoming world, it can be enough to make the best of us think of turning into the Grinch for the duration. BiNet USA has posted some excellent advice for how we LGBTQ folk can all have a happy holidays: TIPS FOR A HAPPY HOLIDAY If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender . . .

Also particularly in the wake of the odious 'Prop H8', it is important for us all to support each other. BiNet USA has a "Celebrate the Season In Style!" Page full of great Gift Ideas to fit any budget, so we all can Buy Some Bi Gifts and support the Bisexual and general LGBT Communities with our holiday shopping dollars.

Additionally HRC (the Human Right Campaign) has released its general "Buying for Equality 2009" Consumer Guide that everyone would do well to keep in mind not just for the season but whenever making purchases during the upcoming year.

BiNet USA is America's umbrella organization and voice for bisexual, pansexual, fluid and all other of us "somewhere in between" people as well as their lesbian, gay, transgender, "straight but not narrow" and questioning friends and allies. It facilitates the development of a cohesive network of independent bisexual and bi-friendly communities; promotes bisexual, pansexual and bi-inclusive visibility; and collects and distribute educational information regarding sexual orientation and gender identity with an emphasis on the bisexual and pansexual and allied communities.

Come join their E-Mail List, Myspace page and the new BiNet USA Facebook Group and keep the conversation going.

Yes, PLEASE Do feel free to repost this

Read All About It: 'The Advocate' publishes piece by Out Bi Writer

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:43:01 GMT

The Advocate (of all places! will wonders never cease?) has published "Revolution No. 8" a piece about the ongoing struggle for equality by Our Community's Own Faith Cheltenham a VERY "out and proud" Black, Bi-identified LGBT blogger, activist, poet as well as an all around wicked cool person.

She is (among many other things) a member of BiNet USA, The Black Revolutionary Committee, Bi Writers and Bialogue where she charges into battles using her words and wits against the evil forces of biphobia and bisexual erasure.

I've been waving a sign on street corners since H8 passed: "Black Queers." Responses have varied -- from honks of support to looks of disapproval from both blacks and whites. A black woman came up to me at a rally and asked me if I didn't think the sign was offensive to black people. I said, "It's who I am, and people should know."

Click here to read the full article and leave LOTS of Glowing Comments please, (um and you could use the 'B-word' a lot too LOL!).

Like it? You can read more of da Faith's great work at www.faithish.com and thefayth and also join the new BiNet USA Facebook Group and keep the conversation going.

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[USA] Join the Impact - Protest Prop 8 Nationwide on November 15th!

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:54:59 GMT

A now international day of protest against Prop 8 et. al. has been organized for Saturday November 15th 2008!

Last Tuesday night was a bitter-sweet celebration for many in the United States. While we came together in joy and pride to witness the election of the first person of African decent to the office of President of the United States of America, we also watched in sadness as Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, and California all voted down equal rights for all citizens.

'Join the Impact' is a group that is organizing protests nation-wide against the anti-LGBT propositions that were passed on Tuesday. Proposition 8 of California, Proposition 102 of Arizona, and Proposition 2 of Florida all banned Marriage Equality. The Arkansas Adoption Ban prevents unmarried couples from adopting children, and supporters have made it clear that this was aimed towards LGBT Families.

This is not a four-state issue. This is an issue of equality across America. So stand up and make your voice heard too!

There is at least one Event being held in EVERY Single State in the United States of America. Follow the link for YOUR City and State.

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[Queens NYC] what about Marriage Equality in NY? Learn more this Sunday November 16th

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:52:49 GMT

What does the recent election mean for our LGBT Community here in New York?

• Discuss California’s Prop 8 and the recent passage of other recent anti-LGBT initiatives in Arkansas and Florida.
• How will the Obama Presidency and recent changes in the New York State Legislature effect you?
• What is happening with New York State's Marriage Equality Bill?
• Hear about Legislation which can & does affect our LGBT family.

Mr. Matthew Brunner, NYC Program Director at Empire State Pride Agenda will be addressing these and other critical questions at 2 PM on Sunday, November 16th 2008 at the Reform Temple of Forest Hills located at 71-11 112th Street (2 blocks north of Queens Boulevard) Forest Hills Queens 11375.

The Empire State Pride Agenda is New York's statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization. Their mission is to win equality and justice for LGBT New Yorkers and their families.

This community event is being sponsored by PFLAG Queens. PFLAG serves gay men, lesbian women, bisexual/pansexual, transgendered persons and their parents, families and friends. Anyone who wants to help end discrimination based on sexual orientation. We welcome "straight, but not narrow" members openly!.

PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is worldwide support group for the parents, family members and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people that helps them to understand and accept their LGBT family member. We provide opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation, and act to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

Please come and visit with us. Refreshments Served. All Welcome!

Please click here for more Upcoming Events Related to Prop 8 in the greater NYC Area

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lesbian columnist Julie Bindel wants bisexual and transsexual people out of "her" movement

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 04:37:05 GMT

and appears to have just grouped together (among others) bisexual people, androgynous people, devil worshippers and people who like cats . . . characterizing all as "folk defined by 'odd' sexual practices"

1.) Please read column (but be warned . . . . don't have breakable object at hand or impressionable tots who you might not want to hear all the swear words you are bound to say, she seems a bit of a nutter)

It's not me. It's you
As a lesbian, I no longer want to be lumped in with a list of folk defined by 'odd' sexual practices
by Julie Bindel in The Guardian, Saturday November 8 2008
www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/08/lesbianism

2.) Write to the author:

o via email at julie.bindel@guardian.co.uk
o or register (it free!) and complain online (as we have here)

The problem is, Ms. Bindel has managed to insult SO many people all in one article (cat fanciers? she doesn't like cat fanciers? is she SURE she's a lesbian?) it confusing as to what to say first!

But you may want to point out to her that it was primarily genderqueer people (of colour!) who rioted at Stonewall et. al. and that the Post-Stonewall LGBT leader who started the custom of having Pride Events that we now all celebrate annually world-wide was an out bisexual woman.

So actually it is more OUR movement and perhaps SHE may wish to leave if we offend her so much?

[Cali USA]: 10,000 Volunteers needed to help WIN EQUALITY in CA! REPOST

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:45:13 GMT

Be part of the largest grassroots visibility effort the state of California has ever seen.

Picture it: 10,000 people from Eureka to San Diego — standing together, waving signs and talking to voters. This is our moment to show California and the nation that we will not tolerate unfairness and inequality.

From Thursday, October 30 through Tuesday, November 4, we need 10,000 volunteers on the ground — 5,000 on Election Day alone.

Click the link to sign up: http://www.noonprop8.com/action/gotv

REPOST REPOST REPOST PLEASE

BREAKING NEWS: E!'s Ted Casablanca Comes Out as just a misunderstood Bi Man

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:03:59 GMT

AND THEN E! Online's popular gossip columnist Ted Casablanca goes on to call GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) "McCarthy-like"!!!!!

AND THEN he proceeds to further pout, whine and stamps his feet (metaphorically speaking) about how mean and unfair it is that people somehow OBJECTED to being made the (*ahem*) But, of his sophomoric, biphobic jokes.

I KID YOU NOT! Read here: Morninig Piss: Angelina, What Hath You Wrought?

[Not quite sure what is going on? Read the back-story about the bisexual community's adventures with Entertainment Television's Ted Casablanca here: Hey People Did You Know E! Has Decided Your Very Existence Is Subject To An On-line Poll?]

Doesn't he think just a simple "oops, my bad - guess in retrospect that joke did come out sounding QUITE the way I meant" would have sufficed???

Wow! Just Wow! I know actual Big Homies (translation: Street Gang Leaders) who have more class, are more secure in themselves and have better manners than him. It takes a real small-minded person to insist on his right to make fun of a misunderstood minority group.

and PS I don't know WHERE all those "many readers" who wrote in saying "they loved the highly ironic poll" are, but the awful truth is that as of now in the 160+ and climbing "Comments" left on his original "Bi Now, Gay Later? Do you think true bisexuality actually exists?" Poll, NOT EVEN ONE of them is supportive or thinks he was anything but Wrong and Offensive.

But in all seriousness people, this is just ridiculous. Mr. Bruce Bibby an out Gay Man who reports under the 'pen name' of "Ted Casablanca" is a wildly popular celebrity and infotainment journalist for E! Online which according to those in the know averages 5 million hits a day. And his TV show is most popular on their cable channel and is shown in dozens of countries.

He has an opportunity to provide a little harmless fun to many people at a time when the news coming off of CNN and other "hard news" outlets can be unrelentingly grim, while at the same time using his position to gently spread a little truth and awareness amid his lighter pieces.

As any writer or comedian can tell you, sometimes a joke falls flat. And sometimes what was meant as an ironic or harmless off-the-cuff remark can come across as something totally different and even hurtful.

When that happens in our own private live or on the world stage, a classy guy steps up and says "You know? I screwed up. That didn't come out right at all and I'm sorry if it caused hurt to some people.". And then we all move on from there.

Too bad Mr. Bibby couldn't see his way clear to do the same. Instead he had to make disparaging remarks about GLAAD one of the most important, hard working and respected institutions in the LGBT and Progressive Communities.

As what one wit kindly but truthfully called "the poor bastard child of the gay rights community", Bisexual and Pansexual people are used to being disrespected by the ignorant and uniformed in both the straight and queer worlds. But for a powerful person like Mr. Bibby to go after GLAAD because they stuck up for us? That not truthful, it's just awful.

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