I want to be a librarian like this when I grow up

The Unknown Librarian Who Saved Queer History: You probably don’t know the name Paul Fasana. But the librarian was instrumental in preserving hundreds of thousands of artifacts of queer history

A working-class gay man and first-gen college student, Fasana came out in the late 1950s, while getting a master’s of library science at UC-Berkeley (where he later established a scholarship for queer students). After rising through the ranks at the New York Public Library, he moved to Florida in the mid-’90s and began the herculean task of organizing SNMAL’s holdings. Since 1972, SNMAL has been a crucial safeguard of queer history—particularly queer Southern history—but like all independent queer archives, its fragile existence has long depended on volunteers like Fasana, passionate pencil pushers who perform the inglorious yet absolutely necessary day-to-day work.

By the time Fasana came on board, SNMAL’s holdings had grown precipitously, particularly as it rescued vast collections from men dying in the first wave of the AIDS crisis. Out of a jumble spread across three different warehouses, Fasana knit the collections together into one usable archive—an archive that has been powering queer scholarship and community in southern Florida and across the country ever since. Today, in honor of Fasana and his partner, Robert Graham, SNMAL’s collection is known as the Fasana/Graham Archive.

SNMAL is the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library in Florida, not connected to the Stonewall Riots of 1969, but it's 50 years old (founded in 1972). For more on them, see their about page.

Worth a watch, I think

Eldorado is one of those documentaries that gives texture and context, faces and voices, to a well-chronicled period and set of circumstances. It does so with style, sensitivity, and a respect for the history it examines. Here we experience the decadence that thrived before the fall, at a hideaway for those whose differences would soon mark them for prison, exile, or, in many cases, death (it is estimated that between 5,000 and 15,000 gay people died in the concentration camps for violating Paragraph 175). We can’t change what hate looked like then. But it remains essential to take note and try to stop its encroachment now.

Netflix Exposes the Secret Gay History of Nazi Germany

It is a great little film

I cry at this point every time...

This is wonderful moment from an excellent film we watched today

one that I had picked out from Netflix on DVD for its sheer novelty (gay and lesbian British activists support striking Welsh miners, and the two groups forge amazing ties during the Thatcher years). It was well-acted, moving, and captured the 80s, the gay culture, and the prejudices of the time very well.

A life of courage, and perhaps breaking new ground

NY plaintiff: Gay benefits 'bigger than marriage'

In 1963, she met Spyer at a Greenwich Village restaurant known for its friendly attitude toward lesbians. Though they arrived with others, Spyer and Windsor were almost inseparable on the dance floor that night and by evening's end, Windsor had danced a hole in her stockings.

The dancing marathons continued sporadically over the next two years, usually when Spyer and Windsor met by chance at parties and usually to the frustration of their dates.

It was not until the spring of 1965 that they got together. Windsor suggested they date for a year and consider engagement for another year if that went well.

And, as she said in an affidavit in her court case, Windsor told Spyer: "`And if it still feels this goofy joyous, I'd like us to spend the rest of our lives together.' And we did."

The engagement stretched for 40 years.

Spyer, worried an engagement ring would unintentionally reveal Windsor's sexual orientation to her IBM colleagues, gave her a circular diamond brooch she wears to this day.

"Our choice not to wear traditional engagement rings was just one of many ways in which Thea and I had to mold our lives to make our relationship invisible," Windsor said in her affidavit.

"We both faced pressures not only in the workplace and in society at large, but also from family and friends," she added. "Like countless other same-sex couples, we engaged in a constant struggle to balance our love for one another and our desire to live openly and with dignity, on the one hand, with our fear of disapproval and discrimination from others on the other."

Edith Windsor, 83, did finally get to marry her love, Thea Clara Spyer, in Canada because they were afraid New York would not approve same-sex marriage within their lifetimes. Spyer died in 2009, less than two years after their marriage. Now Windsor has a case that will be heard by the Supreme Court looking at the Defense of Marriage Act and how it discriminates against same-sex spouses by denying the use of the marital deduction on the deceased spouse's estate. That could be a ground-breaking case and ruling. But I was interested in the love story, too, that these women had, despite obstacles and health issues. I sincerely hope her case has a wonderful outcome, but regardless I think she's a wonderful model for those who came after her. I hope she lives to see this to fruition.

Horrible

Teen arrested for assaulting woman on Thanksgiving day

A teenager accused of a beating a woman so severely, that she may require plastic surgery, has been released from jail on bond.

The family of Mallory Owens said 18-year-old Travis Hawkins, Jr. targeted her because of her sexual orientation and they want to see the charge for the Nov. 23 beating upgraded to attempted murder.

The incident occurred as Thanksgiving Day turned violent at Hawkins' home on Bourgeois Drive in Mobile. Mobile Police Department said officers responded to the home for a report of a person being assaulted.

When police arrived, they found Owens, 23, had been punched repeatedly in the face.

Owens's mother said her daughter was attacked because of her sexual orientation.

Woman beaten on Thanksgiving by girlfriend's brother will be released from the hospital today, family says

Family members say the woman who was severely beaten by her girlfriend's brother on Thanksgiving Day will be released from the hospital today.

Mallory Owens, 23, suffered multiple skull fractures and crushed bones after the Nov. 22 attack. Family members say she had metal plates put under her eyes because of her injuries. She also has internal and external injuries.

Owens says she was beat on Thanksgiving while at her girlfriend's family's house for dinner. Avery Godwin, Owens's sister, said Owens was blindsided just before she left the Mobile home of the Hawkins family.

Well, the haters are at it again

This time over a fairly innocuous catalogue ad.

J.C. Penney Catalog Features Gay Couple With Child, Freakout Ensues (this features a nice photo of the ad)

The text of the ad makes it clear that the women are, indeed, a lesbian couple with their children, along with the grandmother. The women have wedding rings, if you look closely, as well. This has freaked out One Million Moms and other anti-gay groups, who are calling for JC Penney to remove the ad or face a boycott. As you may remember, JC Penney faced similar flak for their use of lesbian Ellen DeGeneres as a spokeswoman.

Show JC Penney that you care and appreciate this. Sign a petition at Change.org.

Sad

San Jose lesbians and feminists mourn loss of Sisterspirit

In its heyday, Sisterspirit Books was the place for lesbians and feminists to go in San Jose.

It was the place to meet like minds, a place to buy books and videos they couldn't get anywhere else, or simply revel in the comfort of being together in a world that went out of its way to make them feel there was no place for such things -- or no place for such people.

"There were no places like this when we started," said Margie Struble of San Jose, who has been a volunteer and guiding force at Sisterspirit for 24 of the 26 years it's been open. "Many people met their partners here."

But now after a quarter of a century, Sisterspirit will be closing its doors for good, another victim of online sales and mainstream bookstores.

Another small, independent bookstore down the tubes, and one that found its niche among a community where it thrived.

I feel like going over to Sqecial Media. Its eclectic collection is probably the closest thing that we have in Lexington to this type of store; it has carried books on topics such as paganism and homosexuality long before the mainstream stores did, and they've been going since 1972, mixing books with interesting gifts. Unfortunately their hours don't line up with my work hours and bus riding very well. But I hope they survive the current crisis in bookselling. Thanks to RTeeter of LISNews for the link.

Sick

South Africa gangs using rape to 'cure' lesbians: Gay support group cites 10 new cases of 'corrective rape' a week in one city

In the past decade, at least 31 lesbians have been reported raped and murdered, although that number is probably higher because the South African criminal justice system does not recognise hate crimes based on sexual orientation. Of those, only two cases went to court and only one conviction was obtained. Far more have survived rape, but at great cost, with the very real threats of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and the physical and emotional scars. The justification is that if a man has sex with a lesbian, it will 'cure' her of her homosexuality. The violence is especially bad in townships where homosexuality is taboo, despite the fact that South Africa was the first country in Africa to allow gays to marry back in 2006.

Let's hope there will be changes.

'Come for the validation, stay for the cookies.'

That's the motto of the West Lahunga Retropolitain Community Church, a fictional religious institution from the Logo network's Rick & Steve: the Happiest Gay Couple in All the World. We watched a couple of episodes tonight. YKWIA had found it on the cable company's On Demand service. It was great. It was hilarious, yet harmful, sort of like Morel Orel. Like it, Rick & Steve is a stop-motion programme. It's made in Toronto. Think multicultural gay Lego (the company actually sued them) people, all in a town that's mostly gay.

It's not for everyone, but here's the one embeddable clip I could find...the 'Sperm Song'.



The show airs Tuesdays at 10 pm on Logo. Unfortunately we don't get this channel per se on our system, but the episodes are run on the On Demand service a short time afterwards. So, check it out if you can.

Good--they've made arrests in the San Francisco gang-rape case

Let's hope that if they're the ones who did it, they're convicted of a hate crime.

Four arrested in gang rape of gay woman: Two boys, 15 and 16, among the suspects in Bay Area assault

Detectives say the 28-year-old victim was attacked on Dec. 13 after she got out of her car, which bore a rainbow gay pride sticker. The alleged attackers made comments indicating they knew she was a lesbian, police said.

Authorities have characterized the case as a hate crime. Police said the victim lives openly with a female partner.

She was hit, gang-raped repeatedly over a 45-minute period--at the point of attack, in her car, and at a burnt-out building. It was horrific, and I hope the perpetrators get what they deserve.

Day Without a Gay - 12.10.08

From Join the Impact:

TEN TIPS ABOUT WHAT TO DO ON DECEMBER 10:

1. Wake up for work on Wednesday December 10th... and call in GAY.
   
2. Go to the bank and take $80 out of your account... put it in your pocket and KEEP IT THERE.
   
3. Do not go get your morning latte
   
4. Do not purchase anything
   
5. Do not contribute to advertising revenue: Meaning, spend 24 hours of your life without TV & Internet
   
6. Do not use your cell phone, even if you have unlimited minutes
   
7. Instead, DO volunteer. Give to the community and reach out to those that don't understand our community. Check your state page for local volunteer opportunities.
   
8. If you must spend, only do so at an LGBTQ owned establishment with an LGBTQ clientel
   
9. You have weeks to prepare, so go grocery shopping now.
   
10. VOLUNTEER. We are fighting for human rights, so let's take a day to fight for the rights of those in need. Check your state page for local volunteer opportunities
    

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Anyone who wants to make an impact and drive a message to our government that WE DESERVE CIVIL EQUALITY. This means the LGBTQ community and it also means our amazing allies!

WHY THE NAME "A DAY WITHOUT GAYS"? The name was inspired by the film A DAY WITHOUT A MEXICAN and the nationwide strike in 2006 called A DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS that protested against proposed immigration laws.

WHY STRIKE NOW DURING AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN? While one day won't destroy the economy, it will send a clear signal that we are serious about getting our rights. Also, strikes and boycotts are more effective in an economic downturn because business owners have more to lose.

WHY A STRIKE AND A BOYCOTT? General strikes and economic boycotts have been a powerful form of non-violent protest in the history of civil rights movements, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the anti-apartheid boycotts in the 1980s. For many of those protesters, their actions came at a great sacrifice but they were willing to risk everything to obtain their rights.

WHAT IF I CAN'T MISS WORK? That's OK. It's important to note that many states still do not have anti-discrimination laws on the books with regards to employment discrimination against sexual orientation. If you are afraid to miss work, if your pocket book can't handle it, or if you work for a great LGBTQ advocate and friend, then go to work. All we ask is that you PACK YOUR LUNCH. It's that simple. This boycott helps to increase our visibility if we don't go to work, but you can participate in the economic boycott by simply not consuming

It's an interesting idea, but it might open those whose jobs are not protected to losing their jobs. Most employers will not appreciate someone calling in for activism. But I hope that measures such as this help people understand that gays are people like any other, with the same aspirations and problems, and they deserve equal rights under the law and to be able to express their love through legal marriage.

It bothers me that I was married for nine months and my marriage was considered valid, yet I have friends who have been together for years upon years who are treated as if they're relationship is nothing, worthless. That's wrong. And as a bisexual, I find it disconcerting that I can marry a man legally but not a woman, when the person who is right for me might be of either gender.

Okay, that's enough activism for the night. I don't usually make a point about my sexuality because 1) it doesn't define me and 2) I haven't been in a relationship in years so it doesn't really come up. But if I find someone, I want the right to love him or her and even marry if it's something we both want to commit to.

Final thoughts: if you oppose gay marriage, please at least really think out your reasons why and put them to the test, LOGICALLY, not merely scripturally or based on fickle emotions, without dismissing the good in favour of the bad outright. And if you are a supporter or gay yourself, then consider this boycott if it's something you think would be okay for you.

Good night.

This is a great, short, musical about discrimination, scripture, and people who like to rain on others' parades. Oh, and Jack Black as Jesus!

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, Neil Patrick Harris, Margaret Cho, and many more:

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Someone needs some sensitivity training; hello, it's 2008!

This from Ponce de Leon, Florida:

Principal’s outing of gay student roils Fla. town: Many in conservative Panhandle community wonder what man did wrong

When a high school senior told her principal that students were taunting her for being a lesbian, he told her homosexuality is wrong, outed her to her parents and ordered her to stay away from children.

He suspended some of her friends who expressed their outrage by wearing gay pride T-shirts and buttons at Ponce de Leon High School, according to court records. And he asked dozens of students whether they were gay or associated with gay students.

Several students rallied around the girl, causing the principal to allegedly go on a 'witch hunt' to ferret out more gays in the school. Needless to say, the ACLU got involved, the principal was demoted, and yes, staff had to go to sensitivity training.

I'm glad she finally felt comfortable enough to come out

The Love That Will Finally Speak Its Name

Nine years after the death of her partner of 44 years and at the age of 88, Lorraine Barr came out in an essay in Newsweek feature, 'My Turn'.

She describes the world in which she lived where it was not only dangerous to express homosexuality, but no one even dared speak of it. A world where you could be fired. A world where her partner and she kept separate bedrooms for years for appearances. A family that knew but kept their secret, without anyone ever talking about it.

But as she put it, no one can fire her now. Her family is long gone. This is something she had to do for herself, to be true to herself. And while I mourn the fact that she did not feel safe enough to do so before--especially while she and her lover were still together--that she had the courage to do so now, and in such a public way. Perhaps it will inspire others who live that dual world to be true to themselves.