LGBT Pride

This Saturday night is the 2009 Legends Gala to be held at the Waterside Marriott in Downtown Norfolk. The event is a fundraiser for Equality Virginia - Virginia's only statewide LGBT organization - and the event promises to be a good time as always. This is the fourth year that I have been on the event committee - I co-chaired it last year - and have found my involvement to be wonderful, even if demanding at times. I have made a number of wonderful friends and the involvement has helped me rebuild the social circle that I loss when I came out and became ... Read Full Story

Almost 90 percent of LGBT students experience some form of abuse or bullying in schools, whether it's physical or emotional. To top that off, almost 2/3 of all LGBT students feel unsafe in school. Those numbers are crazy high, and one reason why students, teachers and activists of every stripe are commemorating Ally Week . The week, started by more than 4,000 students as a response to anti-LGBT bullying and harassment , is a project of GLSEN -- the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network . It's meant as a means of urging straight allies to stand firm against homophobic speech, homophobic bullying, or homophobic ... Read Full Story

Seriously, having been in a relationship in the past with someone who was bi-polar, I am beginning to wonder whether or not President Obama is bi-polar - at least when it comes to GLBT issues. One minute he's claiming to be supportive and making pretty speeches about supporting gay rights and full equality and then the next thing you know, he's directing his Justice Department to vigorously support and gay laws and policies. It's a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde syndrome almost and I feel like I am undergoing whiplash from the violent back and forth behavior. In the latest WTF moment, Obama is ... Read Full Story

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced plans to establish the nation's first national resource center to assist communities across the country in their efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Experts estimate that as many as 1.5 to 4 million LGBT individuals are age 60 and older. Agencies that provide services to older individuals may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the needs of this group of individuals. The new Resource Center for LGBT Elders will provide information, assistance and resources for both LGBT organizations and mainstream aging services providers at the state and community level to ... Read Full Story

This week is the Gay-Straight Education Network's 'Ally Week', an opportunity for schools and communities nationwide to encourage straight allies to speak out against anti-LGBT bullying and harassment, whether it be physical, verbal, or psychological. Take GLSEN's Ally Week Pledge: I believe all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, deserve to feel safe and supported. That means I pledge to: 1. Not use anti-LGBT language and slurs; 2. Intervene, if I safely can, in situations where other students are being harassed; 3. Support efforts to end bullying and harassment. Take the pledge online here . What is an Ally? Often referred to ... Read Full Story