StayWithFamily Forum

Obama's Support of Gay Marriage and the Republican Reaction.

Texasboys — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:49:48 GMT

Huffingtonpost.com published this article:

Obama Same-Sex Marriage Position: Why He Made His Decision

Posted: 05/09/2012 4:51 pm Updated: 05/10/2012 12:29 am

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama came to the decision that he personally supported same sex marriage early in 2012, top administration officials told reporters shortly after the president announced that support.

The plan had been to announce his position before the Democratic National Convention. But after Vice President Joseph Biden declared his support for marriage equality on Sunday, the issue touched off a political firestorm and the timeframe for Obama's announcement was expedited.

Those top officials, speaking on condition that they not be named or quoted, said that the president was not agitated about Biden's appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." Instead, he decided that he had to make his position known sooner rather than later. The administration had knowledge of Biden's remarks after he taped his interview last Friday. By Tuesday morning, aides began putting a plan in motion.

The president would conduct an interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, during which he would explain how he had come to take the final step in an 18-month-long evolution of his stance on marriage equality.

The White House had wanted to break the news in such a setting from the get-go. Now, however, it had to be done rapidly and with some secrecy. On Monday, Press Secretary Jay Carney was peppered with an estimated 50 questions on Biden's statement, the most he had received on any one topic during a single briefing since the beginning of his tenure. By Tuesday, the White House had notified ABC that Obama wanted to do a sit-down. Aides were instructed not to tell a single outside stakeholder in the gay rights debate about the forthcoming announcement.

Speaking just minutes after portions of that interview were broadcast, senior administration officials took pains to stress that the president had made a personal and not a political decision to speak out. He had been moved, they said, by a fundraising trip he had made to New York shortly after that state legalized gay marriage, during which he thought to himself how he would have voted on the issue as a state legislator. He also marveled at the fact that his daughters, who had friends with gay parents, could never conceive of gay marriage being controversial.

Taking counsel from a small group of advisers -- six to seven people in total -- Obama outlined how, exactly, he would break the news.

The senior administration officials declined to say whether the president would now push for gay marriage to be part of the Democratic Party's platform at the convention. They also said they were not changing positions on an Executive Order that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation against federal contractors. The president has said he would not sign that order.

As for the politics of the matter, the senior administration officials cautioned that it was too early to read into the electoral fallout. They noted that public opinion had changed faster on this issue than on any other they had followed in their own political careers. And they noted that presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's viewpoint �- that the Constitution should contain an amendment asserting that marriage is between a man and a woman -- was quite unpopular.

There were, however, reasons why even party officials were insisting, not all that long ago, that the president needed to put this off until after the election. There is concern that support for gay marriage will drive away voters in some conservative-leaning swing states. There is even more concern that Republican operatives can and will use the issue to go after the president.

"The question is, is there a risk?" a prominent Democratic Party official who requested anonymity told The Huffington Post just days ago. "It is not nationwide [polling] we are talking about. We are talking about Virginia, North Carolina and other swing states. And we are talking about, would Karl Rove and his team stoop to using horribly grotesque and hateful tactics ... and would that peel off 10,000 votes?"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1504067.html

Marketing/Event marketing professional looking for new challenges around the world

stretchtrain29 — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:14:47 GMT

Hi,

I am looking for new and exciting challenges in Event marketing or Marketing area around the world!!! Ready to reallocate :) So if you have something for me then please do not hesitate to contact me and i will send you my CV and motivation letter.

With kind regard.

Ag

Do Women Notice the Size of Men's Penises?

Texasboys — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:04:28 GMT

This is an article from AskUk.com:

What Do Women Think About Penis Size?

A man's crotch is the first thing we check out after the face. According to a recent Cosmo survey on what body part women notice first, a man's crotch came in at 45 percent. Hands, chest, butt, hair, abs etc. fell in the single digits. As it turns out women think about the penis even more than men do we just don't admit it to you.

http://uk.ask.com/question/what-do-w...out-penis-size

This is Hilarious!

This is a re-enactment of a true story where a man died from pretending he had a large penis.

Puerto Vallarta Makes the "Top Ten Gay Travel Destinations for 2012"!

Texasboys — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:31:42 GMT

According to CanadaTravels.com, these are the Top Ten Gay Destinations: Gay and Lesbian Travel

Posted by NJ on 26 April 2012

Visit some of the best gay and lesbian destinations across the world. All of these destinations welcome gay travels from all over the globe. If you are searching for some of the best gay-friendly destinations to explore, make sure you check out this top selection of the most popular locations for gay travellers.

Gay and lesbian travel is extremely popular nowadays and many destinations around the world offer gay-friendly accommodations,activities, entertainment and a wide range of sports and amenities to enjoy while traveling. Take advantage of these top 10 gay destinations and start traveling today!

#1: Buenos Aires, Argentina

#2: Blue Chairs Beach Hotel, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

#3: South Beach, Miami, Florida

#4: Aspen Gay Ski Week, Aspen, Colorado

#5: Amsterdam, Netherlands

#6: Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand

#7: Costa Rica

#8: Hawaii

#9: Prague, Czech Republic

#10: Key West, Florida

http://canadatravels.com/blog/top-te...esbian-travel/

Here are some Videos of what to do in Puerto Vallarta.

Travel package deals � For a memorable vacation

HiltonCooke — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:48:44 GMT

It�s really relaxing to take a vacation in between the strenuous daily life, so that you get a
break from the back-breaking daily chores. The recent economic problems have seriously affected
the tourism industry, decreasing the number of vacationers. This is because of the constant
layoffs and salary decrease, which has made people cut-down many of their expenses. This problem
can be easily solved by choosing travel package deals from top travel package deals websites.
Travel package deals from travel package deals
websites will have some fabulous and affordable travel package deals to almost all the top
destinations in the world. Everyone in the world deserves a vacation in between, and travel
package deals from travel package deals websites are highly useful in planning vacations. They
help in saving a lot of money. If you look for a usual way of booking your vacation, you might
probably end up spending double the money that a travel deal website would ask you. So it is
better to look for a good travel package deals bargain, rather than a normal way of booking
vacation packages.

The most important step that you need to do is to gather the maximum amount of information before
trying book your vacation travel package deals. You must do a comprehensive online study about
the travel package deals offered by top travel package deals websites; as this is a very
important step in the overall process. Start looking for some travel package deals and enjoy a
memorable vacation with your family and friends!

appartment to rent in Paris

Gabriel — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:39:43 GMT

I rent my apt from july 18 to july 28 or 30, please write as soon as possible if interested. the price is 1000� for 10 days, the same price for a week. My apt is 5' to the Arc de Triomphe by bus. Thank you for answering.

Gabriel

Gay Travel Brazil - A Murder every 24 Hours

Texasboys — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:27:01 GMT

Newgaytravelguide.com published this article:

Gay Travel Brazil - A Murder every 24 Hours

The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association is holding its 2012 Convention in Brazil this week, while violence against gays in that country is making headlines - again.

"Murders of gays and lesbians [in Brazil] are on the rise," according to the online news site The Daily Beast. �Attacks against gays have climbed steadily for most of the last decade, with 272 murdered in 2011�one every 36 hours, according to GrupoGay da Bah�a, a leading gay-rights group that tracks anti-gay violence.

This year, GGB reports, it�s even worse, with 75 murders in just the first 10 weeks. That�s one every 24 hours.�

These statistics are shocking for a country often cited as one of the gay-friendliest in South America. However, reports of gay-murders in Brazil are not new. According to a January 2011 article by Gay City News, there were 121 gays murdered in 2007, 187 in 2008, 198 in 2009 and 250 in 2010.

- I am wondering what is the count of locals being murdered vs tourists?

S�rgio Carrara, a professor at the Institute of Social Medicine at UERJ, the State University of Rio de Janeiro, believes that the number of gay-murders is likely under reported. In the same Gay City News article, Carrara is quoted as saying, "The absence of a law against hate crimes means most of these crimes are treated with silence."

While Brazil allows same-sex marriage and is home to one of the largest gay pride celebrations in the city of S�o Paulo, its efforts to pass measures designed to curb anti-gay violence have failed.

As word of Brazil's gay-murders spread, it is possible that U.S. LGBT travelers will decrease their travel to the country. As part of the 16th Annual Gay & Lesbian Tourism Report by the gay travel research and marketing firm Community Marketing, Inc. 81% of gay men and 84% of lesbians in the U.S. report they would "avoid destinations that have a reputation for anti-gay violence." Um, yeah!

Posted by Gay Lesbian LGBT Travel at 4/11/2012 3:16 PM
Categories: News and Happenings, Gay News, Places outside US, Travel Tips

http://newgaytravelguide.com/2012/04...-36-hours.aspx

Hi from Cyprus

cypruscouple — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:39:43 GMT

Hi there. We salute you from the island of Cyprus in the Med. Sea.
We would like start networking with people from all over the world. Cheers.:)

Dominica: Gay Men Arrested for �Buggery� On Caribbean Cruise.

Texasboys — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:41:13 GMT

According to witnesses, the couple was seen having sex in their room through the cabin window while the ship was docking.

ibtimes.com published this article:
Dominica: Gay Men Arrested for �Buggery� On Caribbean Cruise Plead Guilty To Indecent Exposure
By M. JOHANSON
March 22, 2012 12:44 PM EDT

Two men on a gay cruise through the Caribbean were arrested in the Commonwealth of Dominica on Wednesday and charged with indecent exposure and "buggery," a term equivalent to sodomy on the island.

In Dominica, anti-sodomy laws are strictly enforced and have strong backing from religious groups.

According to Police Constable John George, police boarded the cruise ship and arrested the two men after they were spotted having sex on their balcony by someone on the dock. In the conservative West Indian country, sex between two men remains illegal.

George identified the two men as John Robert Hart, 41, and Dennis Jay Mayer, 43, but did not release their hometowns.

Local newspaper Dominica News reports that the two tourists pled guilty to indecent exposure at the Magistrate's court in the island's capital Roseau on Thursday and were fined $890 USD each to be paid immediately. The charges for "buggery" were reportedly dropped Wednesday night because they would "take too long to expedite."

Celebrity X Cruises, carrying roughly 2,000 passengers, departed Puerto Rico on Sunday and arrived in Dominica on Wednesday. The tour, organized by Southern California-based gay travel specialists Atlantis Events, continued on to St. Barts without Hart and Mayer.

Atlantis Events' president Rich Campbell was on the boat at the time and said that the company has organized several trips to Dominica and would "happily return."

"Many countries and municipalities that gay men visit and live in have antiquated laws on their books," he told the Associated Press. "These statutes don't pose a concern to us in planning a tourist visit."

"The guests' actions were unfortunate but minor in this case and have no bearing on our overall guest experience," he added.

Dominica News reports that many Dominicans protested what they considered to be "immoral behavior" on the ship.

"It's wrong, it's dirty - they can't do that so publicly," one onlooker told the paper. "They need to respect us and our land."

LGBT bloggers were outraged over the incident. Towleroad noted that this is the second headline-making incident for Atlantis in the Caribbean this year. In February, the tour made headlines when a passenger went overboard off of Cozumel, Mexico. He was presumed dead and the cruise ship carried on.

Kevin Farrell of the popular UnicornBooty blog questioned why the cruise stopped in Dominica in the first place, asking "Why did Atlantis bring passengers on a gay cruise to an island where being gay was illegal?"

Dominica is far less visited than its Caribbean neighbors and is known as the "Nature Island" due to its thick rainforests, cool rivers, and abundant geothermal activity. It's rumored that when Christopher Columbus returned from his second voyage to the New World, he was lost for words when the Queen asked him to describe the volcano-studded island. Instead, he crumpled up a piece of paper, tossed it on the table and said, "That is Dominica." Some 500 years later, not much has changed.

Gay cruises have had trouble in several Caribbean destinations including Jamaica and Grenada where anti-sodomy laws are strictly enforced and have strong backing from religious groups. In 2010, the Cayman Islands made headlines when it rejected the arrival of an Atlantis gay cruise after protests from local religious groups despite the fact that homosexuality is legal on the archipelago.

Cruisemates.com recommends gay cruise lines avoid Jamaica and Barbados for fear of homophobia and possible violence. They recommend stopping in other places like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands where residents are more welcoming.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/3181...ean-cruise.htm

This vacation, let�s have a cozy stay at the Kochi homestays!

RolfEarnesto — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:12:54 GMT

How about spending this vacation at the Queen of Arabian Sea? Interesting, isn�t it? The captivating scenic spots, enthralling beaches and backwaters, enticing historical monuments, religious edifices, and more, will make your trip worth etching in your mind forever. Next thing that you would consider important will be the accommodation facilities, isn�t that right? How about an accommodation where you can enjoy a homely atmosphere, along with homemade dishes? Such a perfect blend, you can avail at the homestays in Cochin. So for this visit, arrange your accommodation in a home stay in kochi.

Both the native visitors and the tourists from foreign countries agree that the delectable Kerala homemade dishes provided at the homestays in the city leave them smacking their lips. Wouldn�t you also want to enjoy the same? Look for no other place; book the homestays for your lodging during this vacation trip. It would add to your delight, to know that the rates of booking the homestays will remain within your means. They are comparatively much affordable than those of the luxury abodes in the city. The packages offered are much flexible too.

A stay at the homestays in Kochi can help you more than providing a cozy atmosphere to revitalize your body and mind. It opens better chances for having a direct communication with the natives, which will help you to collect relevant and accurate details on the history and other related information about the different places that you visit in Kochi.

Marketing the Gay Dollar! Gays make more money than straights.

Texasboys — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:03:01 GMT

Gay Market information interview about Out Now Consulting http://www.OutNowConsulting.com with their MD, Ian Johnson, discussing the Out Now Diva GT Gay Times Readers Survey. Lesbian and gay marketing information explaining why the Pink Pound market is so hot. Gay market details are at http://www.OutNowConsulting.com for news check out http://www.GayMarketNews.com and for staff gay sensitivity training and accreditation GayComfort (TM) go http://www.GayComfort.com

Gay Cuba Documentary

Texasboys — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:21:47 GMT

The 1959 revolution which gave Cuba its independence ushered in a new era of equality, blind to race and to gender -- but not to sexual orientation. Military necessity and contemporary Stalinist ideology served only to reinforce long-held stereotypes detrimental to the integration of homosexuals into Cuba's perpetually reforming social structure.

Gay Cuba documents the promising changes which are beginning to take hold. In contrast with the history of random arrests of bar patrons and the forced quarantine of HIV positive citizens, the interviews which form the core of the film show that the changes in party policy and the opening of channels for the discussion and celebration of differences in sexual identity have allowed gay Cubans today to lead much more open lives. In fact, the liberal views expressed in street interviews and the contrast drawn to the repression practiced in other parts of Latin America attest to the ability of the on-going revolutionary efforts to make a very real and very positve change. Gay Cuba casts a colorful and hopeful light on efforts to reform and to humanize a society often maligned for its calcified rigidity.

Sonja de Vries 1995 57 min. USA / Cuba

Founded in 1977, Frameline is the nation's only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the funding, exhibition, distribution and promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender media arts. Frameline Voices is a new digital initiative that showcases diverse LGBT stories and expands access to films by and about people of color, transgender people, youth, and elders.

More information: http://www.frameline.org.
Category:
News & Politics
Tags:
Gay Cuba Director's Cut Frameline Voices gay lesbian queer LGBT GLBT homosexual drag queen pride fidel castro revolutionary

More Gay Cuba Videos;

Gay Havana

Texasboys — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:35:13 GMT

etravelblackboard.com published this article:

During the 1950�s Cuba was the next big thing; splendid resorts lined the coast just east of Havana
Monday, 13 February 2012

Havana City Cuba
Source : CUBA TOURIST BOARD

Havana
During the 1950�s Cuba was the next big thing; splendid resorts lined the coast just east of Havana; brightly painted chalets filled the country hamlets and Chevrolets ruled the roads. Today, the resort Playas del Este is nothing more than modern ruins with the occasional working property; the beaches are reminiscent of a wealthy bygone era. The chalets, much like the inner city 19th Century Spanish mansions, are dilapidated while the Chevrolets are fighting with Ladas on the road.

White beaches and glorious crystal blue seas frame an island steeped in history clinging to itself for success. Its heroes in Fidel Castro and Che Guevara are emblazoned across every street, in every town in every region; the people, committed to a life of communism with an income stream from the capitalist tourists of the North.

The country opened its borders to travel in the early 1990�s as their Sugar Cane exports ran dry. The need for better technology encouraged them to trade directly with both Russia and China; the main cities certainly do not go without all the mod-cons of the developed modern age � do we include the iPhone? Well, yes they have them too.

Gay Havana
There are certainly areas in the Vedado area where you will find a thriving gay community. Calle 23 is the centre of gay life, near the Cine Yara (cinema), this street is frequented by gay people night and day � but don�t expect it to be anything like major cosmopolitan cities. The one gay venue on this street is more like a canteen than a party establishment, though get talking to one of the locals and they will invite you to the official gay party that evening.

If you want to join in the official parties you need to put faith and trust in the local Cubans who will order a taxi and take you to the chosen event. However be aware that you will most likely be expected to pay the taxi fair, entrance fee and possibly a drink for the guide.

Unfortunately as the gay scene is yet to enjoy the freedoms of North America and Europe, or even its South American counterparts, Havana�s gay nightlife is one of the best-kept secrets.

Transport
Viazul � the bus service - is the best way of getting around the island without the expense of car hire, however cars will allow you to pause and take in the scenic views of jugged hills coated with palm trees and thick green foliage.

Taxis will give you that thrill factor that you only dream of when watching classic 1950�s flicks. The Chevrolets are a pain in the bum, quite literally, constantly being repaired by their owners, these machines bump and grind along the pot-holed roads letting off a proud roar with each acceleration. Ladas on the other hand can be a tight fit. Wherever you go you will also see Bici-taxi (tricycles with seats) and horse carriage transporting locals and can be used by tourists.

Bikes � have to be the best way to get round any country. We hired a set in Trinidad ($3CUC each a day) and enjoyed a leisurely roll to Playa Ancon for snorkelling in the coral reef.

Currency
The Cuban Dollar � the tourist currency � is worth 24 Cuban Nacionales. When making purchases check whether they mean Nacionales or Dollars, though it is difficult to use Nacionales as a tourist (except in Santa Clara).

Cubans earn approximately �12 a month, receive free education, free national health, and bread, eggs, and rice weekly. Cubans supplement their income through visitors; seeking tips or trying to sell you goods.

Sightseeing - Old Havana, Centro, Costa Blanca,
Havana can be covered in two days. Exploring Habana Vieja will take about three hours where you will see the Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja and may well stumble upon the odd Tourist festival.

Costa Blanca is just a short boat trip across the harbour where you will find a working 1950�s electric railway, a monument to the former president and the home of Che Guevara.

Centro Habana is the life and soul of the city, where you will find disused theatres, abandoned steam trains, and rusting American style school buses. Capitolio Nacional is an exquisite structure modelled on the Washington Whitehouse, in fact opposite you can find the most central gay bar � Prado Cafeteria. Only open until 9pm and serving canned beers, Cubans stop by this waterhole to exchange gossip and plan their evenings ahead. Tourists get a lot of attention!

Resort � Veradero
Veradero is a peninsular approximately 3.5 hours from Havana. This tranquil popular destination on the Florida Straits is lined with all inclusive hotels. For three nights, we stayed in Cuatro Palmas, Mercure Hotel, with its own private swimming pool overlooking the sea with four restaurants (International, Cuban, Italian, Buffet).
A tourist bus will take you up the peninsular where you can visit other hotel resorts or go into the central market to purchase handmade Cuban souvenirs. At night the resorts display plenty of entertainment and there are always late night street parties. Varadero is a popular destination for gay couples enjoying their honeymoon or a romantic break away.

Accommodation
The tourist boom has created artists and business people out of nearly every single Cuban. Many who have a spare room will become a Casa Particular, a bed & breakfast; this gives you the chance to get a good peek into the lives of these diverse people. Casa�s will earn a good extra income if they can keep guests coming, owners are subjected to a high standard fixed monthly tax whether they have guests or not. Be sure you provide your passport on arrival, as they must log each guest.

You can certainly find gay-friendly Casas in the country; Jorge Silvio accommodates gay tourists from Europe and Canada advising on where to go and how to get by. Jorge has an excellent network of friends who offer additional rooms, flats, meals, and airport transfers all for a fixed and reasonable price.

Santa Clara is also home to a network of gay-owned Casas including Alba Hostal and Hostal Florida Central. These two hostels are national treasure chests. They boast more antiques than the local museums and serve the largest meal portions in the country.

Activity - Jeep Safari
This tour will put you in control of an off-road jeep leaving Varadero beach resort passing through towns, villages, hamlets while getting a taste of Cuban life. The first stop a local farmer producing Sugar Cane, Pineapples, Bananas, and other exotic fruits.

Next was Coral Beach for snorkelling among tropical fish followed by a stop at Saturno Cave for some fresh water swimming. Lunch consisted of typical Cuban cuisine; Chicken Soup, Fried Potatoes, Rice and Black Beans, with a light sprinkle of cabbage salad. After lunch visitors can partake in Horse and Bull riding before departing for a riverboat cruise with live music and Samba Dancers. For a reasonable $73CUC - but remember your driving licence.

Entertainment � Club Mujunje
We found entertainment relatively slim � the bars closed at midnight. However, there is one venue you should devote your entire trip for, Club Mujunje in Santa Clara. This unique club invites you into an open-air building given over to sprouting greenery for a night of Cuban Latin Pop with drops of Gaga and Beyonce. We had been swept into the Cuban gay world with drag queens ruling the roost. The club is licensed to 1pm when everyone spills into the main central square where they entertain each other until dawn.

Trinidad in Cuba
Trinidad is a UNESCO Heritate Site and it is definitely a marvalas you arrive in a town that is stuck in colonial Spain of the 19th Century. Old cobbled streets, brightly coloured houses, ornate squares, simple churches and a central communion point for their music outlet.

This small town gives you a real essence as to how Cubans live, discover how they feel about their political situation and find ways they are trying to go beyond these restraints. Running another business ispopular here and they understand thr tourist trade, making some super crafts through pottery, carving, jewlery and clothings and fabrics.

Take on a bike to visit the coast and dive into the shallow waters of the Caribbean to discover some of the local coral reefs. Trinidad makes you feel a million miles away from home.

Prices
Flights � AirFrance; price �559 rtn from 9 Uk airports
Bus � Viazul: $10 - $25CUC
Food � average meal: $10CUC
Casa Particular; $20 � $30 CUC a room
Hotel, Mercure: from �36.48 per room
Mojito: $2 - $5 CUC
Beer $1 - $3 CUC

Read More at:
http://ryanchaynes.blogspot.com/2011...roduction.html

Millions of Chinese wives wed to gay men: expert

Texasboys — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:55:43 GMT

USAChinadaily.com published this article:
Millions of wives wed to gay men: expert
Updated: 2012-02-03 07:45

By Shan Juan (China Daily)

BEIJING - There may be as many as 16 million women on the Chinese mainland who are married to homosexual men, a leading expert has estimated.

Professor Zhang Bei-chuan at Qingdao University, an authority on AIDS and HIV, says that due to traditional family values in China, about 90 percent of homosexual men get married because of pressure to conform.

"But their wives are struggling to cope and their plight should be recognized," he said on Thursday.

Xiao Yao, a 29-year-old magazine editor in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, divorced her gay husband in 2008.

"Most gay men's wives I've known are silently suffering at the hands of husbands who could never love them, and like me, some even got abused by husbands who were also under great pressure," she said.

Xiao now runs a website called "Homeland of gays' wives", which has 1,200 registered users and provides support and advice.

"The website makes them feel they're not alone and empowers them to make the right choices," she said.

Zhang said that getting their voice heard was the first step to raising public awareness.

However, some within the gay community think otherwise.

Xiao Dong, a 36-year-old gay man, who heads a civil organization in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, said: "Zhang's estimation is unsubstantiated and I even feel it's pointless to research the issue."

Whether to get married or not is too complicated a question among the gay population and it is almost impossible to project the number of married gay men by simple calculation, he said.

"To put gays' wives under the spotlight might cause more public misunderstanding or even hatred toward the gay population, which does not help defuse existing social discrimination against them," he added.

However, Meng Lin, an openly gay man from Beijing, believed that Zhang's estimation was reasonable.

"I myself almost married a woman many years ago, but finally gave up when I learnt I was HIV positive," said Meng, now 50.

He stressed he had told the woman that he was gay.

"Gay men and gays' wives are both victims of social discrimination and stigma, so we should not simply blame one party," he said.

Wang Zi (not his real name), a 27-year-old gay man, said he did not want a heterosexual marriage, but maybe one day he would be forced into it because he did not want to hurt the feelings of his parents.

Wang, a graduate student majoring in Chinese, said he would never tell his parents the truth. They still worked on the land at his hometown village .

"I may marry a lesbian and we can keep going with our own lifestyle more honestly," he said.

He claimed that online matchmaking services were available to help homosexuals marry.

China Daily

Chris Gregoire, Washington State Governor, Discusses Gay Marriage

Texasboys — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:01:45 GMT

Thehuffingtonpost.com published this article:
Chris Gregoire, Washington State Governor, Discusses Gay Marriage, Chris Christie, And More..
by Michelangelo Signorile

Governor Chris Gregoire of Washington wishes she'd supported marriage equality for gays and lesbians years ago -- and she hopes President Obama evolves in his thinking soon. But she respects the president�s �personal journey� and asked people to �give him the time� to see it through.

Having introduced a marriage equality bill several weeks ago that now reportedly has the votes in the state legislature to pass, Gregoire, in an interview on my radio program on Sirius XM OutQ, also criticized Governor Christie of New Jersey for urging marriage equality be voted on at the ballot without a vote of the elected representatives.

The governor also spoke of the heartfelt and emotional response she�s received from the public to her decision, including from a gay teen who was contemplating suicide.

Regarding her own journey Gregoire said: �I wished I could have come to the point that I am today six years ago, seven years ago, five years ago. But it took me a journey and for that, I�m sorry that it took me as long as it did. But it�s genuine. It�s not about politics. It�s very heartfelt. it�s about my [Catholic] faith and I have struggled with it.�

She�s enormously moved by the response she�s received. �Probably the most moving -- I�ve received thousands of emails and letters and telephone calls,� she said. �And the one that just hit my heart was a sixteen year old who said, �I�ve thought about suicide, and now that you�ve come out as strong as you have, I feel good about myself. And one day I will not go on bended-knee and ask someone to join me in a domestic partnership -- I�ll ask them to marry me.� That�s the exact thing that moved me to where I am and that�s only right for our children in this state and for their parents.�

Of President Obama still �evolving� on marriage, as he has put it, disappointing many LGBT supporters who want him to come out fully for equality, Gregoire asked for patience: �I think, I hope, the president will evolve in his thinking and his personal journey but I have to respect the journey he�s on. He has done, in my opinion, a great job as commander-in-chief, with respect to our military, as a voice for anti-discrimination for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of this nation. I would ask our friends, as a big an ask as it is, give him the time to see the journey through. I believe he will get to where I found myself, [New York] Governor Cuomo found himself. But people need to give him the opportunity to get there.�

Gregoire responded to Gov. Christie�s controversial suggestion that marriage equality go to the ballot in New Jersey without a vote by the representatives by discussing the politics in her own state, where ballot initiatives are commonplace and easy for citizens to launch.

�If someone out there in the community believes it should go to a ballot there�s a mechanism by which they can do that readily in our state, and do it all the time, and I respect that and believe the people of the State of Washington will stand up," she said. "But meanwhile, today, in my state I am urging every one of my senators and representatives to stand up, take the vote, do the right thing. Bear the responsibility, do not just send it to the ballot.�

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1239058.html

Gay Republicans, Personal Finance Whiz Suze Orman Has A Message For You!

Texasboys — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:50:49 GMT

TheNewCivilRightsMovement.com published this article:
Gay Republicans, Personal Finance Whiz Suze Orman Has A Message For You!
by DAVID BADASH on JANUARY 11, 2012

Personal finance whiz and out-lesbian Suze Orman has a message for gay Republicans and odds are they�re not going to like it, but it�s true. Today, on The View, Suze Orman made the extremely salient point that social issues affect financial issues, and gay Republicans (not to mention, gay Democrats, and anyone with a conscience,) should look at the impact social issues have on fiscal issues.
�Obviously, it is no secret that I�m gay. So it is very difficult for me to look at any Republican nominee and go, �Oh, that�s who I want in office.� Now, I understand that President Obama isn�t necessarily for marriage but I do believe that I have more of a chance��

Barbara Walters interjects, saying, �You�re voting on a social issue.�

Orman replies, �That�s correct� My social issue affects my financial issue. And the reason why it affects my financial issue is �cause if I die, KT [Orman's partner] is going to lose � my partner � is going to lose 50 percent of what I have because we can�t be married.�

Orman added that out of all the Republicans, she would rather see Mitt Romney win because his views are more moderate.

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com...12/01/11/33095

My Message to Governor Chris Christie: If ending slavery had been left up to the voters, it would not have ended when it did. How do you protect minorities from the wrath of the majority?

Transsexuals finding their way in Thai Airlines

Texasboys — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:33:31 GMT

Hotelresortinsider.com published this article:
Transsexuals finding their way in Thai Airlines

PC Air selected four �Ladyboys� or transsexuals as flight attendants, some of whom were working as crew, when the airline operated its first flight between Bangkok and the southern city of Surat Thani last month. This newly launched airline decided to make itself a little different from its contenders by hiring �katoeys,� as transsexuals are called in Thailand. The airline received around 100 applicants for the jobs from �ladyboys.�

Thailand accommodates one of the largest populations of �ladyboys� across the globe and Thai doctors are acknowledged as experts in gender reassignment, because there is a huge demand from men, who nurture the desire of getting transform into woman in the country. Thailand, boasting a tolerant society, has widely accepted the �ladyboys,� who are often found working in the cosmetics shops and health stores. However, there are some, who opt to dress and make-up as women, instead of undergoing a sex change operation that can result in future complications.

However, the four �ladyboy� hostesses, chosen by PC Air in February, have all undergone sex change operations. Peter Chan, PC Air�s chairperson said that he wants to enhance the opportunities open to �katoeys� and he also expects that hiring the �ladyboy� would be a gain for his airline as they are enough dedicated to their service.

The �ladyboy� were chosen as flight attendants, because they move like female and also communicate in feminine voice. They were also trained regarding airline safety and security, make-up and flight service.

Chayathisa Nakmai, who debuted in aviation industry with flight from Bangkok to Vientiane in Laos on Christmas Eve, sounds excited, when she admitted that she has cherished a lifelong desire to become an airhostess. She added that �It's always been my dream since I was little to work as a flight attendant.� The �ladyboy� airhostesses are required to wear a special gold-hued �third sex� nametags, which will distinguish them from others. But it is truly difficult to distinguish them in the flight.

�I still don't know who is a ladyboy,� said Anut Pruksuwat. However, he admitted that the �ladyboy� are quite affable and provide great service to the passengers travelling in flight.

http://www.hotelresortinsider.com/ne...34713&cat_id=1

India: From banning homosexuality to gay tourism destination in two years!

Texasboys — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:32:57 GMT

The Washingtonpost.com published this article:

Posted at 02:31 PM ET, 01/27/2012
India: From banning homosexuality to gay tourism destination in two years
By Cara Kelly

Only two years ago, same-sex couples in Delhi lived under a 148-year-old law that banned homosexual relations. Now, India is rated �one of the hottest new destinations� for gay and lesbian travellers.

Participants attend the Delhi Queer Pride parade, an event promoting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights in New Delhi. (Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association listed the country as a destination site for gay travelers, with a list of 11 gay-friendly or exclusively gay travel agents as partner businesses in India.

�The gay community had so many apprehensions travelling to India,� said Sanjay Malhorta in an interview with Reuters. �Now, they look at the option of travelling to India without acting heterosexual.�

Malhorta owns Indjapink, a gay travel boutique, which he says started with 20 clients but now has more than 100.

India seems to be following the lead of its neighbor, Nepal, which has been actively trying to court the valuable market, Post writers Anup Kaphle and Habiba Nosheen reported last year.

Nepal became the first country in South Asia to decriminalize homosexuality three years ago. The country�s Supreme Court approved same-sex marriage as well, and since then has tried to tap into the multibillion-dollar gay tourism market.

Both countries, however, do not have large, openly gay populations. Many Nepalis do not support gay rights or the push to attract gay tourists, Kaphle and Nosheen reported. Likewise, many gay groups and events are kept underground in India, which makes interacting with local gay communities difficult.

By Cara Kelly | 02:31 PM ET, 01/27/2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...AuVQ_blog.html

www.hawaiigaytours.com Gay Tour Guides on Oahu, Hawaii

CJguyz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:05:33 GMT

Hawaii Gay Tours
http://hawaiigaytours.com

Believe it or not; we will take you on the "road less traveled". Roads that lead to wonderful accessible secluded beaches, light to moderate hikes where you will be able to take in beautiful vistas and be at peace with your surroundings. As seasoned travelers we know what makes a vacation special. Combined, our travels have taken us to over 65 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. Smiles, laughter, and attention to detail will be the order of the day. We really want you to let your hair down, replace those shoes of yours with beach sandals and have fun!

CJ

Lessons from Sharing the Story of My (Possibly) Gay 6-Year-Old Son

Texasboys — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:56:16 GMT

I ran across this article and thought I would share it.

Huffingtonpost.com published this article:

Lessons from Sharing the Story of My (Possibly) Gay 6-Year-Old Son

Editor's note: "Amelia" is a pseudonym chosen by the author in order to keep her family's identity anonymous.

On August 16 I learned what viral meant.

I wrote an essay about my oldest son and his love of a popular gay television character, Glee's Blaine, and how this crush led to him telling me he wanted to kiss boys, not girls. I naively posted it to a blog, thinking some fans of the show might think it was cute.

Within 24 hours it had been reposted and "liked" over 30,000 times on the blog's website. It wasn't long before messages started flooding in, other websites began posting it and people were commenting. The response was overwhelming positive. What I thought was a simple story about my kid and our family had clearly stuck a chord with a lot of people.

It also made some people uncomfortable. Of the criticisms, the most common is that my son is six years old and doesn't know anything about sex. While I fully acknowledge this may not be the end-all-and-be-all to my son's sexual orientation, I object to the idea that being gay is only about sexual acts. Our emotions and feelings, our attractions and compulsions, all contribute, not just our body parts. If my son had a crush on the star of iCarly, I doubt people would be saying he was too young to have those sexual feelings towards a girl. I think they would think it was an innocent schoolboy crush, which is exactly what it is.

Plus, for every comment I've read saying my son is too young, I have received multiple messages from adults saying "I knew when I was little, too."

It got me thinking and after awhile I started to feel like I knew this big secret that shouldn't be a secret at all: Every gay adult used to be a gay kid. It's not as if all children start off as straight until some time later when someone flips the gay switch. We are who we are from the very moment we are born.

The horrible and hate filled words of the Michele Bachmann's of the world take on a whole new level of disgusting when picturing them being screamed at a group of kindergartners and first graders. They are unnatural. They are sinners. They are going to hell. They are dirty, wrong and sick.

These people would tell my innocent little boy (who currently wants to be a fireman-ninja when he grows up) he is the biggest threat the American family... because he wants to kiss boys and not girls.

The reality is they are pounding these words of ignorance and hate into the ears and minds of gay children every day. And those children are hearing them. I know because many of those kids are now writing to me. Kids as young as 14 have sent me messages. So many are scared children, who sure as hell did not choose this for themselves, living in fear of their family finding out because they know full well what their mom and dad will say. And they tell me they wish I was their mom.

I want to keep all this talk, all these lies, all this hate, away from these kids. Of course, there is an inherent problem with that. We can't pick out the gay kids simply by looking, and behavior isn't a clear indicator (some little straight girls are tomboys, and some little gay boys love their monster trucks). The only way we can truly know someone's orientation is if they tell us, which for some doesn't happen until well into adulthood.

So the solution is obvious to me. Keep it away from all our kids. It's my responsibility as a mother, as a human being, to stand up and say "No more." No, you are not allowed to say those things in front of my children, not unless you want to deal with me. Because I will not allow any of my sons to be viciously attacked without seeing me defend them. They will never have to doubt for a second exactly where their parents stand, and never have to live in fear of who they are.

Because since August 16, I have learned that hate is the virus we all need to be worried about.

The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. For more information or to talk to someone, visit their website or call 866-488-7386.

Follow Amelia on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Amelia_blogger

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Amelia..._b_954350.html