VIDEO: Alan Grayson Lays Down The Truth
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- Written by Chris Jarvis
I've wanted to say this for so very long...PJ O'Rourke is an idiot...
EVENT: Family Fest THIS SATURDAY
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- Written by Chris Jarvis
Family Fest is an annual, family friendly, Pride event which takes place in Visalia and is hosted by Gay Visalia and Gay Central Valley. All ages are welcome, and there are activities for adults and children alike...
If you are interested in having a booth, please contact me! Also, we are always in need of volunteers to help out at the festival so contact me for that as well!
The Waiting to Wed game will be returning this year. The crowd favorite asks couples some pretty funny questions about each other. Some of the answers we get are definitely funnier than the questions, however! The highest scoring couple takes the grand prize.
New this year, is the first annual Pants & Pumps Showdown. Teams of 4 will compete against each other in a series of events and tasks. Not to give too much away but there may be things involving hammers and bananas....yes, you don't want to miss this! The two highest scoring teams will then face off in a final competition. Winner will receive a cash prize, trophy and bragging rights of being the areas "top" dogs! We are limited to only 5 teams, so sign up today!
You asked for it, we made it happen. This year at Family Fest, we will have FOOD! Various groups will be raising funds for their causes by selling you some yummy grub! So don't worry about packing your lunch buy one instead! There will be hot dogs, frito boats, baked treats and more!
For your entertainment pleasure this year, we are featuring Sam & Andrew from The Utha Side. Her voice is great so you don't wanna miss out on this soulful lesbian. We also have Landon who is going to give us a treat with her lasso.....Wonderwoman ain't got nothing on her! And for the kids and kids at heart, we will have Clowny the clown, with face painting and balloon animals, possibly even a magic show!
Football anyone? At the festival close, we all have the pleasure to watch these two teams go head to head in a scrimmage. Possibly even a tournament if others are interested in playing. Contact me for more info!
Heeelloooo after party!! We will see you all at the Firkin & Hound Pub located at 4023 S. Mooney Blvd. There will be a DJ, drink specials and us gays! Don't forget the pub offers a free shuttle service to anywhere in Visalia. Call em and they will pick you up AND take you home, safe and sound! See you there!
Statement by the President on the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
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- Written by Chris Jarvis
Today, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service.
I was proud to sign the Repeal Act into law last December because I knew that it would enhance our national security, increase our military readiness, and bring us closer to the principles of equality and fairness that define us as Americans. Today’s achievement is a tribute to all the patriots who fought and marched for change; to Members of Congress, from both parties, who voted for repeal; to our civilian and military leaders who ensured a smooth transition; and to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform who showed that they were ready to move forward together, as one team, to meet the missions we ask of them.
For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend America’s promise to all our citizens. Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans. Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals.
VIDEO: Foo Fighters Take On Westboro Baptist
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- Written by Chris Jarvis
The Foo Fighters decided to double cross the Westboro Baptist Church after learning the group planned to protest their Kansas City, Missouri concert. They pulled up and played a song free of charge, in addition to voicing their support for LGBT freedom in America...
During an interlude in the song, Grohl announced, "God Bless America! It takes all kinds; I don't care if you're black or white or purple or green, whether you're Pennsylvanian or Transylvanian, Lady gaga or Lady Antebellum. Men loving women and women loving men and men loving men and women loving women -- you all know we like to watch that. But what I'd like to say is, God Bless America, y'all!
Freedom of Speech WINS in Canada
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- Written by Chris Jarvis
In a major win, although Canadian, not American, for freedom of speech, Canada's broadcast standards council has amended an earlier ruling which deemed the word "faggot" in the Dire Straits song "Money For Nothing" too offensive for public radio. They simply said, "it must be taken in context".
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission had asked for a review of the song after the standards council ruled in January that the British band's song was unfit for radio because its lyrics include three instances of the offensive anti-gay slur "faggot". The council had responded to a complaint from a radio listener.
The council released its review decision Wednesday, saying the majority of the council's panel felt the song used the word satirically and not in a hateful manner.
The original ruling was based on A SINGLE COMPLAINT. The song was released, and has been playing on the radio since 1985. The band has confirmed the reference was satirical.
State Legislature Passes Bill Strengthening Equal Benefits Law for LGBT Workers
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- Written by EQCA
Courtesy Equality California
Sacramento – Yesterday, the California State Legislature approved legislation that will bar the State of California from entering into contracts in excess of $100,000 with businesses and other entities that deny equal benefits to the same-sex spouses of their employees. The Equal Benefits bill (SB 117), authored by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) and sponsored by Equality California, passed with a 22-13 vote.
“Current law allows our state to do business with companies that unfairly discriminate against workers because of their sexual orientation,” said Roland Palencia, Executive Director of Equality California. “The Equal Benefits bill advances full equality for all and ensures that our state’s tax dollars do not subsidize discrimination.”
Beginning in 1996 in San Francisco, Equality California’s leadership has been working with city councils and the California legislature to pass equal benefits ordinances. Since then, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, San Mateo County, San Diego and Santa Monica have adopted such ordinances. Other cities with similar ordinances include Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Miami Beach.
“Providing the same benefits to an employee with a domestic partner, or same-sex or opposite-sex spouse ensures that workers receive equal pay for equal work,” said Senator Christine Kehoe. “California should lead the way for other employers to provide benefits that are non-discriminatory.”
It is estimated that thousands of businesses and other entities now offer equal benefits as a direct result of these laws, including automobile companies, most airlines and many Fortune 500 companies and small businesses.
The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights advocacy organization in California. Over the past decade, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation. Equality California has passed more than 70 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org
Atheists Continue to Mainstream Reason
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- Written by Chris Jarvis
New billboard in Orange County...reason and logic wins another one...
Cover of New Humanist Magazine with Ricky Gervais...