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Move Over J Edgar, Nixon Was Gay

Well we all know that Richard Nixon was a drunk & a lair. Now in a new book by veteran Washington reporter Don Fulsom it appears that Tricky Dick was more than friends with Charles “Bebe” Rebozo. Richard Nixon always seemed asexual. However I do remember lots of photos of Nixon & Rebozo vacationing together at Camp David. It seems that during their men-only visits, they reportedly frolicked together in & out of the water & gushed over their shared passion for Broadway musicals. We knew that Dick & Pat had separate bedrooms but this development leaves us a bit nauseous. Not because Nixon may have been gay but because he like J Edgar Hoover spent their whole lives being extreme homophobes. The book, Nixon’s Darkest Secrets: The Inside Story Of America’s Most Troubled President will be OUT on January 31, 2012. Updates to Come…:)
Exclusive Audio Chat with Kate Clinton, our favorite gay political humorist reviews LGBT rights in 2011 & what 2012 may bring our community
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OUTTAKE VOICES™ Gay Season Greetings

Exclusive Audio Chat with Kate Clinton, our favorite gay political humorist reviews LGBT rights in 2011 & what 2012 may bring our community
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The XMAS song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical 'Meet Me in St. Louis.' We love it because it has the Fabulous Ralph Blane lyrics of “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Make the Yule-tide gay, From now on, our troubles will be miles away…” This has been an amazing year for us at OUTTAKE VOICES™. A very successful & gay year ending with our series of audio interviews with LGBT Leaders & Allies being picked up by Huffington Post....:)
So we wish all our LGBT Community & Their Families A Fabulous Holiday Season!! And we look forward to 2012 as our Best Year Ever!! Updates to Come...:)
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View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage

Adam Lambert Jailed For Lovers Quarrel

Exclusive Audio Chat with Kate Clinton, our favorite gay political humorist reviews LGBT rights in 2011 & what 2012 may bring our community @ OUTTAKE VOICES™


American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert & his Finnish boyfriend reality star Sauli Koskinen have been arrested outside Don't Tell Momma a gay bar in Helsinki, Finland. The 2 are allegedly are being held in jail after the incident which happened at around about 4am today. It seems that they got involved in a huge fight that went physical. Finnish media reported onlookers tried in vain to break up the fight but that Adam allegedly attacked them as well. Police were then called & broke up the fight before taking the couple to different police stations - Adam in the neighborhood of Pasila & Sauli in Toolo. Sauli rose to fame as the winner of Finnish Big Brother in 2007. I think the holidays are really taking a toll on the pop star & his reality boyfriend. I guess someone wasn’t getting enough attention. Updates to Come…:)
Exclusive Chat with Director Dee Rees & Actress Adepero Oduye about their new must-see film PARIAH. They talk about the film, LGBT Teen Bullying & more…
@ OUTTAKE VOICES™
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SUPPORT OUR QUEST @ OUTTAKE™ EQUALITY STORE...:)
View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage

Rev. Donald Spitz Says Criminalize Gays

Last week we did a story about the United Nations report that recognizes the rights of our LGBT community around the globe as human rights. The story also addressed that the UN has made recommendations for changes in laws that currently make living as an LGBT person a crime. This was great news for our LGBT community. However we got a hateful comment from Rev. Donald Spitz of Virginia misquoting the bible specifically Leviticus 20:13 & Romans 1:24. (You can read his full homophobic rage in comments.) We called on our openly gay bible expert Rev. Stephen Parelli, Executive Director of Other Sheep in New York to explain this biblical misconception once & for all. Parelli stated, Lev. 18:22 & 20:13 “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” Lev. 18:22, NRSV The Levitical purity laws, of which Lev. 18:22 & 20:13 are a part, were Jewish religious laws, not universal moral & ethical laws, which served to define how the Jewish people were to live as a unique chosen people. Two principles served to define the purity code, the second of which was the ban of mixing ‘kinds,’ as mixing linen & wool in making of clothes.

“The lyings-of-a-woman,” the English rendering of the Hebrew phrase אִשָּׁה מִשְׁכְּבֵי found in Lev. 18:22 and 20:13 & which is understood to refer specifically to anal penetration, fails the second principle of the “purity” code. Like mixing linen with wool, the male receptive partner is himself a combination of kinds – a male-female mixture.

At first sight, it is hard for us to wrap our heads around the idea that Lev. 18:22 & 20:13 have no more moral or ethical value for us today than the mixing of linen & wool in the making of clothes. We need to dismantle our present-day frame-work & see our preconceived ideas for what they unfortunately are: centuries-old, uninformed, so-called “biblical” biases against a misunderstood minority in society.

Romans 1:26-27a
“For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural & in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another.” NRSV

Elizabeth Stuart, in her book Gay & Lesbian Theologies: Repetitions with Critical Difference, says Paul uses these words “natural” & “unnatural” (“against nature” in the KJV), “to describe, not homosexual people, but Gentiles who engaged in same-gender activity, a characteristic that distinguishes them, not from heterosexuals but from the Jews” [emphasis mine]. For all the exegesis one must engage in to grasp how Paul is not talking about homosexuality as we understand it today, Stuart’s statement is the best summary I’ve found & completely fits the context. Underline it. Save it. Repeat it to yourselves & others.

“Natural” & “unnatural” (“against nature” in the KJV) did not have for Paul the same meaning it has for us today. In ancient times, “unnatural” meant “unconventional” (cf. I Cor. 11:14-15 NRSV & Rom. 11:24 NRSV where long hair on a man is unnatural & where God himself does what is “contrary to nature”). Seneca, for example, refers to hot baths, banquets after sunset, potted plants & a man’s passive sexual role as all, equally “against nature”, i.e., contrary to custom. Paul is not talking about homosexuals in contrast to heterosexuals but rather about Gentiles whose customs are outside of the norm, especially in comparison to Jewish religious purity codes. Paul, therefore, is not condemning all same-gender acts, & certainly not homosexuality as an orientation." Updates to Come...:)

NOH8 Campaign 3rd Annual Anniversary

Three years since its inception the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 18,000 faces & continues to grow at an amazing rate. Celebrities came out to celebrate the NOH8 Campaign 3rd Annual Anniversary at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. Rocker chic(k) new music artist Erica Chase, right, has been in the studio with producer/metal legend Dana Strum but took a break to join actor James Corp (left) & NOH8 co-founder Adam Bouska (center) on the red carpet in support of The NOH8 Campaign 3rd Anniversary Celebration to support gay & lesbian civil rights. Additional celebs included recording artists LeAnn Rimes, Dave Navarro & Anthony Improgo as well as Lea Thompson (Back to the Future), Louis van Amstel (Dancing with the Stars), Ashley Fink (Glee), Fernanda Rocha (Real Housewives of Orange County), Carla Ortiz (Che Guevara), Jodi Sweetin (Full House), Mackenzie Phillips (One Day at a Time), Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), Dave Coulier (Full House), Becky O'Donohue (American Idol) & Pauley Perrette (NCIS). Congrats For All Your Great Work!!
For More Info: noh8campaign.com
Exclusive Chat with Director Dee Rees & Actress Adepero Oduye about their new must-see film PARIAH. They talk about the film, LGBT Teen Bullying & more…
@ OUTTAKE VOICES™
Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
SUPPORT OUR QUEST @ OUTTAKE™ EQUALITY STORE...:)
View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage

China Forbes Rejoins Pink Martini on Leno

Last June we reported that my friend China Forbes the lead singer for the band Pink Martini was headed for vocal surgery & was taking a leave of absence from the group. This was very scary since similar surgery permanently destroyed Julie Andrews voice. The good news is that China has recovered & will be returning tonight Dec 19th on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on NBC at 11:35 P EST. (Sandra Bullock & Diablo Cody will also be appearing.) Pink Martini has continued performing globally in China’s absence with special guest vocalists. This past weekend they played to sold-out audiences for 2 fabulous nights with vocalists Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, Cantor Ida Rae Cahana & special guest Japanese 60’s Pop Star Saori Yuki at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston. After the Leno gig they’ll be appearing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA for New Years. Welcome Back China!!
For More Info: pinkmartini.com
Exclusive Chat with Director Dee Rees & Actress Adepero Oduye about their new must-see film PARIAH. They talk about the film, LGBT Teen Bullying & more…
@ OUTTAKE VOICES™
Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
SUPPORT OUR QUEST @ OUTTAKE™ EQUALITY STORE...:)
View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage

United Nations Make Pro LGBT Stand

This is a nice way to head into the holidays. An official United Nations report recognizes the rights of our LGBT community around the globe as human rights. In a public report released December 15th the UN clearly states the violence experienced by our LGBT community are at the global level & is more violent than that faced by any other group of people. The report details findings related to cases reported involving violence against our lesbian gay, bisexual & transgender population worldwide, the impact of these attacks & patterns present in these attacks. Among the findings in the report, the UN made recommendations for changes in laws that currently make living as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender person a crime. We have a long way still to go but this is definitely a step forward. Updates to Come…:)
Exclusive Chat with Director Dee Rees & Actress Adepero Oduye about their new must-see film PARIAH. They talk about the film, LGBT Teen Bullying & more…
@ OUTTAKE VOICES™
Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™

Marriage Equality Groups Merge

This is an interesting development in our LGBT community. Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) & Marriage Equality New York (MENY) have agreed to merge, bringing together 2 of the strongest forces in our movement. MENY will continue as a fully functioning chapter within MEUSA. “This is a very exciting day for the grassroots movement to achieve full civil marriage equality nationwide,” stated David Janis-Kitzmiller, MEUSA™ Board Chair. “Considering the changing landscape on this issue, as well as the work that still needs to be done, we believe this decision is a logical & positive step toward achieving our shared mission & goals,” added Brian Silva, MENY Executive Director. The message to both organization members stated, “This agreement comes after over a decade of partnership & successes between the two organizations. Our teams have worked together on numerous projects including local actions on Valentine’s Day & Tax Day as well as Wedding Marches across bridges in San Francisco, Brooklyn, Albany, Rochester & Buffalo.” Updates to Come...:)
Exclusive Chat with Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus on Barney Frank retiring in 2012, Mitt Romney's gay rights flip-flop & LGBT Teen Bullying & more
@ OUTTAKE VOICES™

Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
SUPPORT OUR QUEST @ OUTTAKE™ EQUALITY STORE...:)
View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage

WWE Video Against LGBT Teen Bullying



Well the tough wrestlers of the WWE are now on board with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation & our community with a new anti-bullying PSA with WWE Superstars & Divas Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, Sheamus & Kofi Kingston. This is all part of the "Amplify Your Voice" PSA, produced with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The PSA urges viewers to take a stand against anti-LGBT bullying & direct viewers to GLAAD.org for resource kits offering best practices to parents, teachers & students. The free kits feature resources from AFT, GLSEN, the National Center for Transgender Equality & The Trevor Project, among others. In October 2011, GLAAD unveiled its "Amplify Your Voice" PSA series featuring dozens of celebrities speaking out against anti-LGBT bullying. Participating talent includes NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal, Russell Simmons, Vinny Guadagnino, Rev. Al Sharpton, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Chaz Bono, Tori Spelling, Naya Rivera, Mario Lopez & Dustin Lance Black, just to name a few...:)
For More Info: glaad.org
Exclusive Chat with Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus on Barney Frank retiring in 2012, Mitt Romney's gay rights flip-flop & LGBT Teen Bullying & more
@ OUTTAKE VOICES™

Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
SUPPORT OUR QUEST @ OUTTAKE™ EQUALITY STORE...:)
View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage

Oxymoron: Mitt Romney & Gay Rights

First of all none of the top presidential GOP candidates support gay rights. Quite the opposite as a matter of fact. Romney has a history of toggling between polar opposite views on many important public policy questions depending on what office he is running for & the location of that office. This phenomenon was evident around the debate over civil unions when he was governor of Massachusetts. He was "kinda" for it (rather than have us be allowed to marry) before he was firmly against it. The historic Romney position was when he was running in the 90’s against Ted Kennedy for the US Senate seat, Romney declared to gay-only audiences that he would fight for 'gay rights' & be a stronger gay advocate for us than Kennedy. Yet a few years later, when Romney was Governor & eyeing national office, he led the charge against allowing LGBT's the same marriage rights as other citizens in Massachusetts in either marriage or civil unions. If you’re for LGBT equality vote for Obama. Updates to Come…:)
Exclusive Chat with Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus on Barney Frank retiring in 2012, Mitt Romney's gay rights flip-flop & more
@ OUTTAKE VOICES™

Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
SUPPORT OUR QUEST @ OUTTAKE™ EQUALITY STORE...:)
View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage

Gay Navy Petty Officer Reinstated

Good news from Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) & the law firm of Morrison & Foerster today. Petty Officer 2nd Class Jase Daniels, discharged in April 2005 & again in March 2007 under the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law has been reinstated in the U.S. Navy & will return to active duty as a linguist. He was sworn in on Monday, December 12, 2011. “Today, I took an oath, & affirmed to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. I am humbled as I am reinstated to the job I love & by the enormous support I have received on this momentous day. I look forward to returning to the Defense Language Institute & ultimately, my career in the military,” Daniels stated. Daniels, now 29, entered the military 5 months before the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center & the Pentagon & served his first tour of duty with the Ceremonial Guard in Washington, D.C., where he represented the U.S. at official White House ceremonies & during state & military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. From his post at Arlington, he watched the Pentagon burn that day, an experience he says reinforced his desire to serve. He completed Hebrew linguist training & was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, where he came to terms with his sexual orientation & outed himself to his commander. Updates to Come…:)
Exclusive Chat with Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus on Barney Frank retiring in 2012, Mitt Romney's gay rights flip-flop & more
@ OUTTAKE VOICES™

Hear Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @OUTTAKE VOICES™
SUPPORT OUR QUEST @ OUTTAKE™ EQUALITY STORE...:)
View Our Historic Short Trailer on Gay Marriage

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