I usually start my weekly Gaily Beats with something I have learned this week. Well, this week I have learned nothing. Planning a Pride Festival literally takes away any sense of higher learning from my over-stuffed brain. Pride itself is important, so important, and so much fun the day of. To plan a festival .. not so fun. I have answered approximately 59 phone calls in the last day and half, and signed forms for insurance companies, city officials, electricians, and DJ’s alike. Regardless of all the administrative duties, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Planning and executing Pride Calgary makes my heart swell with love.
In other news…
Cuba Sort-Of Joins the Marriage Club
A transgender woman and a gay man got married last week in a civil ceremony said to be a first for Cuba. Ignacio Estrada, a 31 year-old gay rights activist and Wendy Iriepa, 37 married in Havana. Same-sex marriage in Cuba is illegal, however they dodged that bullet because Wendy underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2007. Things are maybe looking up for Cuba as former leader Fidel Castro (or the body double, as I am convinced he is dead) recognized the injustices that the queer community faced as well as thier persecution. That may not sound like a lot, but for a such a strict country this is a step in the right direction. What is even more promising is that Castro’s neice, Mariala Castro is the head of the National Sex Education Centre which promotes same-sex surgery. It gives us the hope that homophobia is definitely not genetic.
Via @ Reuters
Rose McGowan Raised by Drag Queens
That’s right, you heard me, Rose McGowan was raised by Drag Queens, well kind of. The Jawbreaker star recently talked to The Advocate about her past.
“At 13, when I was a runaway, I was taken in by the most amazing drag queens in Portland, Oregon. We didn’t always know where our next meal was coming form, but there was so much camaraderie and love. Not to mention those girls could paint a face, and I learned how beacause of them.”
Amen, Sister! She also has a lesbian sister but has never hopped the fence herself. Damn.
Via @ The Advocate
Religious Right Protesting Charlotte Pride
Apparently, in Charlotte, North Carolina, “God has a better way” than celebrating gay. On August 27th, up to 20,000 people will be celebrating Charlotte Pride and right beside them, The Coalition of Conscience (the religious right) will be letting Charlotte know that “God has a better way”. Apparently “gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people can change orientation and be heterosexual with no negative effects.” More importantly they will march with the parade participants and their audience while they attempt to “evangelize, sing, pray, hand out water and reach out with love to those in attendance while resisting the (gay) agenda.”
Good luck, the gay agenda is going nowhere. Maybe The Coalition of Conscience should listen to my mom’s advice. “If you have nothing nice to say don’t say it at all.” Go away, you are not welcome at our party.
Via @ Canyon Walker Connections
Adam Carolla Disappoints
Comedian Adam Carolla royally pissed of some members of the trans community this week.
“Sure, I went to school with a bunch of transgender guys, and now I work with them, but what the fuck? When did we start giving a shit about these people?” he said on the podcast last Thursday.
He later apologized, stating on TMZ: “I’m sorry my comments were hurtful, I’m a comedian, not a politician.” GLAAD let the press know that this incident had taken place and are also demanding an apology. Listen. I understand that one person’s comedy is not for everyone. I also understand that some comedy can be pretty nasty. What is most understandable however is that hate is never funny. Seriously.
Via @ NY Daily News
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