Coming out today? Came out ever? Now you can add it to your Facebook as a special life event. Okay, I kinda love this. (via NBC)
Coming out can be a beautiful, empowering thing that makes your life easier;
But it’s also really scary and can sometimes, for a little while or for a long time, make life harder;
So it’s important to come out on your own terms, when and where you’re ready, at whatever pace feels right to you;
And equally important never to out anyone for any reason;
But whether you’re ready today or tomorrow or not for a very long time, lots of people love you and are ready to welcome you with open arms. Take your time.
Happy National Coming Out Day. I’m so proud to be a part of this community with you all, and I hope you are too. ❤️
It’s mind-blowing to think of how far we’ve come in just that short amount of time, because today, our timelines are drowning in queer prom photos — same-sex couples getting their lives and turning promprosals on their heads. In many parts of the country, today’s generation of high schoolers feel more free than ever to be themselves, and judging by the way queer prom photos set the internet on fire, they’ve got plenty of support from people all over the world, too.
It’s not hard to see why; the fact that today’s queer teens get to be themselves without stumbling through awkward conversations or hiding who they are is inspiring and beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing promprosals between two girls or honest, happy couples who don’t have to lie about going stag.
About ten years ago, I had an emotional breakdown at the thought of going to homecoming publicly with my secret girlfriend. We didn’t go through with it. Seeing this today is nothing short of amazing.
— Why I’m Fighting to Be the First Transgender Victoria’s Secret Angel | Leyna Bloom for Them
Last week, Rick Welts became the first openly gay man inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He’s the president of the Golden State Warriors and has worked with the NBA since 1969.
Welts came out in 2011 and blazed the trail for other openly gay front office members in the league. After coming out, Welts resigned from his position with the Phoenix Suns to become the Warriors president, and the team has won two championships since he joined the team.
ESPN’s announcement broadcast never mentioned Welts’ place in history as an out gay man.
Congratulations, Rick!
— Real Visibility Is Transgender People Living Openly And Authentically | Brynn Tannehill for HuffPost
Australian airline Qantas has instructed its staff to use gender-neutral language on flights in order to be more inclusive of all customers.
Airline staff are advised to use words like “partner” and “spouse” instead of husband or wife, and “parents” instead of mother and father. The guidelines also encourage staff to be mindful of using gendered group language like “guys” and for men to ensure they do not speak over women.
A spokesperson for the company has said that they have a “long and proud history of promoting inclusion among our people, our customers and society.”
“We want Qantas to be an inclusive workplace and we shared some factsheets created by the Diversity Council of Australia with some suggestions on more inclusive language, particularly on gender, age and LGBTI issues,” the spokesperson said.
Love. We are so much more than just “ladies and gentlemen.”
There is a huge potential market among the queer community. LGBT people drink too much – even more than the rest of the British population. Every survey of the comparative drinking habits of straight and rainbow folk brings the same news: By any measure, we have a problem.
Gay men and women are, for example, about twice as likely to binge drink at least once a week, compared with the general population; around 16% of LGBT people drink at levels suggestive of dependency (compared with just 3.8%); and, according to one study, 47% of trans people drink at harmful levels.
The statistics, however, miss the backstory: of the early isolation many LGBT people feel, growing up in a closet not of anyone’s making, but out of which everyone has to escape – or perish; of jumping from the closet into the LGBT scene, populated by others also seeking escape; and of the low self-regard that so often lingers. Disinhibit, anaesthetise. Alcohol finds us.
— This Is What It’s Like Inside An Alcohol-Free Gay Bar | Patrick Strudwick for BuzzFeed
You may know her from RuPaul’s Drag Race, but Peppermint is about to star in “Head Over Heels” on Broadway – making her the first transgender woman to create a principal role in a Broadway musical.
Though details about her role are scarce, Peppermint is lined up to star opposite Broadway performers Andrew Durand, Tom Alan Robbins and Rachel York in the musical, which begins a limited engagement at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre in April before opening at the Hudson Theatre in New York on July 26. The show is directed by Michael Mayer, who won a Tony Award for “Spring Awakening,” and co-produced by Gwyneth Paltrow.
Broadway should no doubt offer new visibility for Peppermint, who is set to become the second “Drag Race” contestant to appear on the Great White Way after Dwayne Cooper (aka Milan), who starred in the musicals “Motown” and “Hairspray.”
In 2007, transgender performer Justin Vivian Bond was nominated for a Tony for a special theatrical event for the cabaret act, “Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway.” Peppermint’s stint, however, is set to mark the first time a trans performer creates a brand new role in a musical written for the Broadway stage.
Peppermint recalled her decision to open up about her gender identity on “Drag Race” in an April interview with HuffPost.
“I didn’t really want to come in and say, ‘Hey everyone, I don’t know your names but I’ve got an announcement to make,’ I just wanted to let my persona and my talent speak for themselves,” she said. “And once I felt comfortable and established in the room and this group of people and knew that it was a safe space then I felt comfortable enough to share personal moments with them – including my trans experience.”
Condragulations, Peppermint!
Shut up and listen, because Heather Matarazzo is engaged! The actress proposed to her now-fiancée, Heather Turman, earlier this month and shared this Instagram post celebrating. Congrats, Heathers! (via HuffPost)
[Image: A screenshot of a photo on Heather Matarazzo’s Instagram. She and her fiancée are sitting on a shoreline at sunset, with their backs to the camera, heads together and water in the background. The caption reads: “‘There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, ones dreams would have no meaning.’-The Alchemist We kept this to ourselves for a few days, but on 1-11, I asked…..and she said yes. To death and back, I love you, Turman.”]
Writer Elizabeth Gilbert shared this week that her partner, Rayya Elias, has died. Gilbert came out in 2016 when she shared that she and Rayya, her longtime best friend, had fallen in love shortly after Rayya was diagnosed with cancer. Rest in excitement, beauty. (via the Advocate)
[Image: A picture from Gilbert’s Instagram of Rayya playing guitar and smiling with the text “Rayya Elias 1960-2018″ overlaid. Gilbert’s caption reads: “She was my love, my heart, my best friend, my teacher, my rebel, my angel, my protector, my challenger, my partner, my muse, my wizard, my surprise, my gift, my comet, my liberator, my rock star, my completely impossible non-cooperator, my otherworldly visitor, my spiritual portal, and my baby. I loved you so much, Rayya. Thank you for letting me walk with you right to the edge of the river. It has been the greatest honor of my life. I would tell you to rest in peace, but I know that you always found peace boring. May you rest in excitement. I will always love you.”]
