Tag Archives: Lesbian
[LGBTQ] Mollie Thomas – First Openly Gay ‘Miss California’ Contestant
Meet Mollie Thomas, Miss California’s first openly gay contestant. Although I am posting this from Canada, and I’m not eligible to vote, it’s great to see Mollie taking this huge step forward for equality, and I offer my full support.
HOMEPAGE: http://www.mollieformissca.com/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MollieThomasForMissCA
A Letter from Mollie Thomas:
I’m proud to be the first openly gay woman running for Miss California USA. This is an opportunity to represent the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community in a way I never dreamed of. My life has taken me many amazing places. I’ve been blessed with the ability to travel the world, and my experiences living in Los Angeles have compelled me to run for Miss California, USA.
I grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania, and as a little girl I loved to wear tiaras around the house. Like many little girls, I dreamed of being a beauty queen, but that was the extent of my pageant experience. Growing up, I joined a volunteer travel organization that took me on a journey of a lifetime. My volunteer work abroad has included living with a family in Mongolia and working at a school for handicapped children, spending a summer in Northern Thailand volunteering at an elephant reserve, participating in reforestation programs in Australia and rebuilding houses with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. As a result of my travels, I became more involved in human rights issues and developed a deep appreciation for knowing and practicing what one stands for. This also played a big role in my personal life with my own identity. I did not hesitate to let people know who I am, as a lesbian to my family and friends, but I knew it might change the way I was viewed by society.
Running for Miss California, USA was a complete unexpected turn in my life. In early September, I was approached by a recruiter for Miss USA after working with him on a different project. Upon finding out that I identify as a lesbian he presented the opportunity to run openly in the 2012 pageant, and of course, I couldn’t turn it down!
By participating in Miss California, USA I am able to fulfill my early childhood dream of pageantry, while staying true to myself. I am so grateful that K2 Productions is so accepting and inclusive to allow me to be a contestant. I am taking this opportunity not only to fulfill some of my own aspirations, but also to be a positive role model and inspiration for the LGBTQ community and for girls everywhere. With your help, I would be honored to be the next Miss California USA.
[WATCH / LGBTQ] It’s time.
GetUp! in Australia released a commercial on Thursday from the perspective of one half of a gay couple in love. It builds to the big moment that they want legalized — a proposal to get married.
Polls in Australia show support for marriage equality has increased to almost two-thirds of voters. But Prime Minister Julia Gillard remains opposed, arguing that “the institution of marriage has come to have a particular meaning and standing in our culture and nation and that should continue unchanged.”
In the commercial, the couple seems like any other that might fit that “meaning,” except for their gender. Groups such as The Third Way in Washington have argued based on new research that it’s a message of commitment like this one — and not about benefits or rights — that will be most effective with voters. (via)
[LGBTQ NEWS] Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras (changed to) Sydney Mardi Gras
Feature: Sydney Mardi Gras launch from mardigras on Vimeo.
Is Sydney Mardi Gras Going Through Ex-Gay Therapy?
Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney—perhaps the largest and most infamous celebration in the world—has renamed itself “Sydney Mardi Gras,” as part of an effort to appeal to a larger, non-queer audience.
”We fought for this day, the day we could embrace the wider community and be inclusive,” Mardi Gras chairman Peter Urmson told the Sydney Morning Herald at a launch event Thursday. ”I think that whilst we are first and foremost a GLBTQI community organisation, we also are very open to all of our friends that do not necessarily identify within that alphabet soup.”
In addition to the name change, Sydney Mardi Gras producers introduced a sleek (and sexless) new logo and announced the talent for Mardi Gras 2012 on March 3—RuPaul, the Dame Edna Experience and dance duo Sneaky Sound System. [read more]
MY2CENTS
I have mixed feelings on the controversial name change. I get the organization is trying to make Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras more inclusive to “non-queers”. We have tried for so long to be recognized and integrated with the rest of world and now that we are (or are we?) it’s time to make it a celebration for everyone. By dropping the Gay & Lesbian this may help blur the lines between sexuality. This is what I want the world to be like – EQUAL.
On the other hand, with our without the ax of “Gay & Lesbian”, heterosexuals already share this special time of year with us. Folks of other culture and sexualities have always been welcomed and they know the celebration is about LGBTQ liberation!
We’ve come so far from protesting, marching, showing pride & now we celebrate. It makes sense to Proudly tell the world it is a Gay & Lesbian Celebration – and we welcome everyone to celebrate with us (if anything add that slogan into the marketing). If you lose *Gay & Lesbian* you may lose the root of where this celebration came from and I think that’s really important. Just because gay & lesbians nowadays are more socially connected in straight culture it doesn’t mean we are any less gay/lesbian. Just because Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is now more open to straights it doesn’t make the celebration any less gay.
Either way I think it will still be a great celebration. What do you think?
CAMPAIGN/LGBTQ: The WE DO Campaign
The WE DO Campaign launched in Asheville, NC, from October 3 to 14. Same-sex couples requested marriage licenses day after day to call for full equality under the law for LGBT people and to resist an unjust state law that bans marriage equality.
Support the WE DO Campaign as we expand to other Southern communities in 2012.
http://southernequality.org/
THANK YOU FOR THE TWITTER LOVE!
YOU’VE BEEN HAZED!(just for fun)
FOLLOW LAVISH ON TWITTER: HERE
FOLLOW LAVISHTMA ON TWITTER: HERE
JJJJJJJenna – We love lavish too but it would get real boring if you came here everynight.
Rayban – That was too deep.
Martransexual – “how deep is your love martran? we wanna know” – CLICK HERE
Will-i-am – We think you’re confused, lavish is not a bathhouse.
Sweet like sugar (not honey) – you texted me and said you didn’t remember a thing from that night. -eddy
Pauly D? (lmao) – Snookie is the hot sweaty mess.
Britneylover – You quoted Ke$ha by accident.
Kylie – NO YOU DIDN’T! but she did – CLICK HERE
Bark Aly – She only only grabbed one boob. It wasn’t a good night.
