NAACP Holds Town Hall On LGBT Issues, Forgets To Invite Anyone B Or T

As part of NAACP's 102nd convention on Monday, the organization held a town hall discussion on LGBT issues within the African American community.  The town hall was hosted by out CNN anchor Don Lemon.  The panel included lesbian comedienne Wanda Sykes, professor Beverly Guy-Sheftall of Spelman College, actor Darryl Stephens from 'Noah's Ark' and writer/activist Kenyon Farrow.  The panel also included former director of the NAACP, Julian Bond.

Look at the panel in the above picture.  This was supposedly a discussion on "LGBT issues", yet at the table there is a lesbian, two gay men, another lesbian, a straight guy and a third gay man.  Notice anything missing?  Not one bisexual or transgendered individual was on stage.  Let's just call this what it was then, shall we?  A town hall to discuss gay and lesbian issues.

'The Advocate' brought the subject to light on their website Sunday.  While, at first, I was going to praise the magazine for bringing this to people's attention, upon further reading, the article simply added insult to injury.  The article was titled 'Trans Activists Criticize NAACP'.  Immediately, by the title of the piece, it painted the picture that transgendered activists have found something new to whine about, not that the NAACP actually did anything wrong.  The article goes on to quote trans activist and blogger, Monica Roberts, as writing on her blog, TransGriot:

"Not sure how the bi portion of our community feels about it, but I can say with certainty that the trans part of the rainbow community is not happy about the erasure of African descended trans people from this historic panel.  NAACP, if your goal is to have a serious discussion of the issues that face African American LGBT people, then you can't erase the people who are taking the brunt of the casualties and discrimination."

The one problem with the quote, was that it was initially credited to Stephanie Stevens, another trans activist altogether.  After complaints came in to 'The Advocate' from both Roberts and Stevens, the article was eventually changed to reflect the correct blogger.  By then, the damage had already been done.

This is just the most recent incident in a long line of scenarios where the bisexual and transgendered population has been the victims of ignorance, or invisibility and erasure at the hands of the rest of the queer community.  In an environment where 70% of LGBT hate crime victims are minorities, and 44% of victims are transgender women, having someone on the panel that could actually speak of that issue, firsthand, should have been a given.

Speaking as a bisexual man, I see time after time when my sexuality is discredited and discounted by the most vocal members of the gay community.  For example, 'It Gets Better' creator and media darling, Dan Savage, has published numerous blog posts that, at the very least, could be considered bi-phobic.  What he preaches about bisexuals is demeaning, insulting and....well, let Dan explain his position on the topic.  ***LANGUAGE IS VERY NSFW AT AROUND THE 2:00 MARK***



So, just as a recap, bisexuality is a "phase" and a "choice".  I guess, according to Savage, gays and lesbians are "Born This Way", but bisexuals choose their sexual orientation.  As for myself, I'm 36 years old, and my "bi phase" has lasted 25 years now.  I didn't "choose" to be bisexual.  Believe me.  As an American male, it would have been so much easier growing up straight or gay, than growing up bi.  I have faced ridicule from both sides of the aisle.  For most of my ex-girlfriends, I was too gay for them.  For most men, I was too straight.  Yes, I am in an opposite sex relationship now.  I have been with my wife six years in September.  Though I have been faithful to her, men turn me on too.  They always have.  Just because I happen to be in a relationship with a woman, doesn't mean that I'm any less bisexual than what I was six years ago.  If nothing else, I probably find myself more attracted to men now than what I have been my entire life.

Does my attraction to men mean that I am not able to sustain a loving, healthy relationship with a woman?  Does my attraction to women mean that I am not a suitable candidate for a long term relationship with another man?  Does that mean that the bisexual citizens of New York that married their same sex partners this week have made a terrible mistake?  According to Dan Savage it does:

"Sorry, but avoiding bi guys is a good rule of thumb for gay men looking for long-term relationships. Outside of San Francisco's alternate-universe bisexual community, there aren't many bi guys who want or wind up in long-term, same-sex relationships -- monogamous or not. 

Judging from my mail, when a gay guy or a straight girl gets involved with a bi guy, someone always winds up getting hurt. And guess what? It's rarely the bi guy.  

There are definitely some people who should fool around with bisexual men: OTHER BISEXUAL MEN! Jesus Christ, bisexuals -- if straights and gays treat you unfairly, then why not turn to each other for love and comfort? Judging from my mail of late, there's an unlimited supply of easily offended, extremely verbose, highly ethical bisexuals out there looking for love. Fuck each other!"

Lovely, isn't it?

There were plenty of representatives of the bisexual and transgendered community that could have been invited to be part of the NAACP's panel.  Adrienne Williams, founder of Bi Social Network, has been a proven leader in the bi community, building bridges with not only the gay and lesbian community, but straight allies nationwide.  In June, she was honored at the White House's LGBT Pride reception.

Regina Wells is the founder of This Is H.O.W., a non profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of trans persons here in the Phoenix area.  Founded in 2006, TIH provides counseling, drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and shelter for trans individuals that are at risk or in danger.  She was Echo Magazine's Woman of the Year in 2007.

These women know first hand the struggles that minorities in the bisexual and transgendered community face.  Their years of experience make them experts in their field.  Why then, were they not invited?  What excuse can the NAACP give?

You know, last month, Dan Savage presented a challenge to those in the bi community.  In my mind, the words ring true for our trans brothers and sisters.  He said,

"I'm sorry, bisexual activists, but you're doing it all wrong. Instead of berating me for my alleged bi-phobia—and if I'm the enemy, you're in real trouble—berate your closeted compatriots. If they all came out tomorrow, you could put an end to bi-phobia, take over the LGBT movement, and kick my ass out of it."

I say we take him up on his offer.  The LGBT community should be just that:  a community.   We have all been through the same prejudices in life.  We have all been victims of discrimination.  We all want equal rights.    What many in the "community" fail to understand is that gay rights are bisexual rights, just as they are trans rights.  We are all connected, whether we want to admit it or not.  Together, as a community, we are stronger.  You would think that those in the LGBT community would want as many voices as they could get.  Maybe it's time that some of us became more vocal.

CNN Host Lays The Smackdown On Gay Conservative Group

Finally, some journalistic integrity coming from CNN!  Early this morning, Ali Velshi spoke with GOProud's Chris Barron on CNN's American Morning.  Things got a little testy.

In case you're not familiar with Barron or his organization, GOProud is a conservative gay group.  They believe that their fiscal values as Republicans outweigh any social issues that come to the forefront regarding the LGBT community.  As a group, they are vehemently opposed to the overturn of DOMA and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.  Not because of what it stands for, but how they were reversed.  A repeal is a repeal, right?  Not to them.  Last year, the Keynote speaker at their convention was Ann Coulter.  She's the poster child for everything that's wrong with the Republican party.  Last month, when asked what she would do if her son came out as gay, she proudly said, "Obviously, I'd tell him he was adopted, and ask for help in redecorating the dining room".

Fast forward to today...



"When my partner and I talk about the issues that impact us, we're not talking about hate crimes.  We're talking about taxes."  If hate crimes aren't an issue that you and your partner discuss at the dinner table, let me fill you in on something......YOU'RE NOT FUCKING GAY!  If you are a gay man and are going to speak to Michele Bachmann, and the subject doesn't come up about her husband's "ex-gay reparative therapy" clinic, guess what?  YOU'RE NOT FUCKING GAY!

The fair tax?  Personal savings accounts?  When your priority is to protect your wallet before your civil liberties, then you may be a conservative, but you certainly aren't a part of the gay community.  "Gay conservative" is an oxymoron.  It doesn't exist.  The words aren't meant to go together.  It's much like "Amish IPhone app".  It doesn't make sense.

A Preview Of Tonight's "Very Bisexual" 'Glee'

By now, I'm sure many of you have heard that tonight is the big episode where Blaine questions whether he's gay or not.  I'm not really positive as to what makes him doubt his sexuality, but from the preview of tonight's episode, it looks like it involves alcohol and playing spin the bottle with Rachel Berry.  Sorry for the poor video quality:



You would think, as a bi male, I would be thrilled.  Well, I'm not.  And it's for one simple reason:  There is no way this can turn out positive for the gay or the bi community.  Let me explain.

When 'Glee' came onto the scene last season, we were introduced to Kurt Hummel.  Almost instantly, he became a role model and an idol for young gay youth around the world.  Then, in season two, Blaine came into the picture.  Not only did he become a role model for young gay men, but a role model for Kurt Hummel.  He was confident in his sexuality.  He was proud to be a gay man.

For the sake of all of the people that look up to his character for inspiration, you cannot have him doubt his sexuality.  Besides, in real life, this doesn't happen.  Someone that has known since an early age that they were gay does not suddenly have second thoughts that they might be gay one night.  That's not reality.  'Glee is lying to kids, and kids will believe it with all of their hearts.

This is the same reason I didn't like 'The Kids Are Alright'.  The main lesbian couple were together for 20+ years, and Julianne Moore's character suddenly decides she needs to start having an affair with a guy?  That doesn't happen.  I can tell you from my experience in the community, that that is Hollywood and not human sexuality.  But, people will watch that movie, and walk out of the movie theater thinking that that's what lesbians do from time to time.  It's ridiculous.

There is no possible way for tonight's 'Glee' episode to end positively for the gay community.  And, there is no positive way for it to end positively for the bi community either.  By the end of the episode, the writers will likely make it look like his bisexual thinking was just a "phase".  After all, male bisexuals don't exist, or at least, that's what we're made to believe.  We're "confused", or "gay and just don't know it yet".  They're going to play on the "confused" angle, I bet, and then, have everything cleared up nicely and have him gay again within the hour.

American primetime television needs bi male characters.  If 'Glee' was truly interested in having a genuine bi character on the show, they would have made one of the straight guys bi.  Have Sam do a same sex kiss.  He was rumored to be gay when the season started, with his dyed blonde hair and all.  Or better (best) yet, have the bully Karofsky become bisexual.  He has already kissed Kurt.  He would be the perfect candidate.  Don't mess with the guys that are already gay.  When you do, you're playing with fire, and just showing the showing the world that this isn't genuine.  It's nothing but a publicity stunt.

Transcript Of Reagan Era White House Press Conference

Courtesy of Joe My God:

Laughter about dead queers. At the White House. It was five long horrifying and desperate years later before Reagan finally personally addressed the AIDS epidemic, when he came out against a public prevention campaign, saying, "Let's be honest with ourselves, AIDS information can not be what some call 'value neutral.' After all, when it comes to preventing AIDS, don't medicine and morality teach the same lessons?" By then, tens of thousands had died.

Like I said, I hope he's rotting in Hell.

'And The Band Played On' - Reagan's Real Legacy

When the AIDS epidemic was starting in the 80s, I was too young and too sheltered from the outside world to really get the impact of what was going on.  It wasn't until much later that I was able to get a true understanding of how somber of a time it was to live in.  To have your friends, your partner, waste away and painfully die of a disease, while treated like a leper.  Often times alone.  It's disturbing to think that tens of thousands of Americans died that way, just because it was initially thought of as a "gay disease".

I highly encourage you to watch a movie called 'And the Band Played On'.  It was made in the mid 90s and it is a dramatization of the years following the initial AIDS outbreak.  It's shocking to see how the Reagan Administration dragged their feet regarding the AIDS virus.  When it came to their cooperation with the CDC, the Administration lacked funding, resources and compassion.  By the time Reagan even mentioned the word "AIDS" in public, roughly 30,000 people had already died of the virus.  It was inexcusable.  The following is the last five minutes of the film, a tribute to those that died or contacted HIV in the 80s:



I really hope that fucker is rotting in Hell.