The Proud2Be Project.

Founded in June 2011 by twin brothers Matt and Jon Price, the Proud2Be project is a video campaign with a message of support for LGBT people.

“This is a message for adults as much as it a message for teens. As Stephen Fry says in his contribution, ‘I think part of life is learning what to be ashamed of and what to be proud of’.”

The Week Long Celebration Raises Concerns.

Gay Days 2012 is drawing protest from anti-gay groups, of course, but it is also drawing protest from LGBT ones.

“The ‘lifestyle’ aspect of the week, the parties, the drugs, the unrestrained exhibitionism – this a source of tangible discomfort for both sides.”

Introduction: The Way We Live Now.

The introduction to the series ‘A Queer History’, which looks back to Early Greece and forward to the way we live now.

“It is humour, not anger, that controlled the situation. It is an interesting lesson at a time when there is a backlash against the equal marriage movement.”

Ukraine Law Proposes Ban on Homosexuality.

A law that will be voted on this week in the Ukraine will make it illegal to be homosexual in public.

“The backlash against homosexuality in Russia, and the assertion that it is a Western malady, is now part of the political landscape in Ukraine. The pressure of the Great Bear, Russia, still exerts considerable pressure on the country, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.”

Assumptions and Prejudice Have Changed Little.

A CBS report by Mike Wallace, ‘The Homosexuals’, from 1967 uses arguments that are disturbingly similar to those used today. How much have things changed really?

“It is apparent that what was being said and assumed then about homosexuality publicly is not so different from what is so often being said and assumed now.”

Save California Promotes Fear and Prejudice.

A pro-family, right wing group called Save California is trying to scare parents into making sure their kids stay at home on May 22, Harvey Milk Day.

“The historian John D’Emilio said on the twentieth anniversary of Milk’s assassination, ‘The legacy that I think he would want to be remembered for is the imperative to live one’s life at all times with integrity’.”

A Retrospective And A New Show.

Author and theatre maker Neil Bartlett revisits his formative works and premiers a new solo show as part of the Brighton Festival, 2012.

Take A Stand Against Homophobia, May 17.

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Polari will mark the day with stories from its writers about homophobic incidents.

Bill Passes Judiciary Committee.

An historic bill, introduced by Senator Ted Lieu, passed the judiciary committee in the California Senate last week. It aims to regulate the ex-gay movement’s conversion therapy practices.
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“Under the guise of a California license, some therapists are taking advantage of vulnerable people by pushing dangerous sexual orientation-change efforts. These bogus efforts have led in some cases to patients later committing suicide.”

Only Obama Got The Point.

This week in the same sex marriage debate, Obama came out in support, the Conservative government retreated, and North Carolina voted to ban civil unions and same sex marriage.

“The Conservatives played the blame game, and so the same sex marriage rights that had been on the table before last week’s elections were excluded. Politics is being played with rights, and that is deplorable.”