With the North Korea situation being in front of the news, the answer to that question is simple: No. But it gives us an opportunity as a community to look at how the US and our community are dealing with other nations and their LGBT policies. The best examples from the last few years are in the Middle East, Africa, and Chechnya.
Goals for the Upcoming New Year
Okay, someone has to say it. We’ve survived the first year of the Trump administration, but it has done damage to both the country’s reputation and our community. And if you feel that way, 2018 is your year to correct that path.
The World AIDS Day Anthem We Really Need
Most people would walk away if the future seemed unclear and shut you out because they’re afraid. But I’m not. I’m right here. That’s what my love is for. My love will be your cure. —“Your Cure,” an original song from season two of Merce Merce, the web series about a gay New Yorker living with HIV, is a little bonkers. The candy-colored musical comedy, written by and starring the singular Charles Sanchez, has “the lowbudget appeal of an early John Waters romp,” as I wrote when season one hit your computer screens two years ago.
Antron-Reshaud Olukayode Died of AIDS. We Must Say It.
This world lost a remarkable young man this month when Antron-Reshaud Olukayode, a 33-year-old HIV educator, writer, and performance artist from Atlanta died of AIDS.
Human-Rights Blackout
Much has been made of the lack of attention to human rights by President Trump on his recent excursion to Asia. This, by and of itself, represents the US giving up the mantel on this subject since we first gained prominence on the issue during the Jimmy Carter administration in the 1970s. We were the international leader for this proud cause, and president after president – regardless of being a Democrat or a Republican – raised it on foreign trips. We are told that Trump mentioned the topic of human rights only in passing to the president of the Philippines […]
Punishing Disease • Branding People with HIV as Criminals
Out of control anti-sex laws threaten everyone: Panel discussion, Nov. 15th, 7:30 pm at Red Emma’s Sociologist Trevor Hoppe is a gay man with his finger on the pulse of gay sexual politics, a topic he has written about for years. In his latest buook, Punishing Disease, Hoppe tackles HIV criminalization, one of the most polarizing issues in the LGBT community.
With Pence a Lapdog, is a Trump Impeachment Even Worse?
Is it not obvious by now who is controlling President Donald Trump and his anti-LGBT crusade? Vice President Mike Pence, who made a national name for himself as governor of Indiana by pushing “religious-liberty” laws to allow citizens to ignore LGBT rights for religious reasons. That’s not to mention anti-trans legislation he supported, and his backing of conversion therapy– all of which Pence sees as his contribution to the moral fiber of America, and his legacy.
That Time ‘Will & Grace’ Forgot HIV Exists Again
The revived “Will & Grace” television comedy has some pithy things to say about ageing as gay men and our need to create families where we find them. The producers of the show, which is already a hit with audiences and critics, seem to think that’s enough. It isn’t.
From Asia, with Pride
I’ve been traveling out of the country for the last couple of weeks, and with what seems to be so much disagreement in our community on a range of issues, and the ongoing doubts about where our struggle is leading, I thought I’d share with you a few snapshots from my trip– which should give you a different view of our community and our accomplishments.
‘Gypsy’ the Musical is LGBT History
Outrageous lesbian murderess steps out of the pages of history LGBT history can be found in every aspect of our lives. Sometimes it just comes as a surprise to learn that something, or someone, you’ve known about was gay. Given the title of this column, you may think this is going to be about the lyricist of Gypsy – my favorite Broadway composer, Stephen Sondheim, who’s gay – it isn’t. And if you think it’s about another member of the production company of that original Broadway bombastic hit– so many of them were gay– again, it isn’t.