Cycling, activism, and other topics by Jim Provenzano, author of PINS, Monkey Suits, Cyclizen and Every Time I Think of You
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Promenade
The teen lesbian in Mississippi who got doubly snubbed from attending her prom now has Lance Bass and Green Day behind her.
The ASA writes:
"The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition's second annual Second Chance Prom will be held on May 8, 2010 in Downtown Tupelo, Mississippi. "We've very pleased to be able to support and promote LGBT equality alongside other sponsors," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. "We're proud to be standing on the side of love and acceptance instead of fear and prejudice, and we hope that the event will bring appreciation of the diversity within our society and encourage others to embrace it as a positive value that can continue to forge progress for all Americans."
Also, Georgia teen Derrick Martin was banned, kicked out of his home, then unbanned from his prom, and gay choruses and celebrities ponied up to support the kid. Martin asked Bleckley County school officials if could bring his boyfriend to his senior prom, and last week they gave him the official okay.
Martin says: “I didn’t expect them to say yes. It’s who I am. I have the same rights. It’s my senior prom and I wanted to be able to prove not everyone would cancel prom. At first she said no, Cochran wasn’t ready for it. But then last week, school officials said they have no policy in place against it. It’s standing up for the rights thing, especially after the Mississippi canceled prom. It’s senior prom. It’s pretty big.”
Then there's the kids in North Carolina:
Two gay teens, Jordan Nixon and his boyfriend Chase have been allowed to attend prom at Starmount High School in Booneville, NC after Jordan's mom Leesa heard how Chase had been told by the principal that he couldn't bring a "friend" to the prom. After explaining that Jordan was not a friend but a "boyfriend" the school still wouldn't relent.
Jordan's mom Leesa Nixon went to the principal, threatened to take action and go to the media, and quickly the issue was resolved. This is the story of a great parent standing up for her gay kid and a school faced with the threat of exposing its discriminatory behavior.
Gay teen prom rights are THE issue right now, folks.
UPDATE: See, I told you so. Constance has been selected to be a Grand Marshall at New York City's LGBT Pride Parade.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Comically Delicious
WonderCon 2010 didn't keep me long this year, what with Easter plans, and the torrential rain.
While I did get a glance at my favorite scifi dude Adam Baldwin at the autograph booth, I caught a press interview with the Prince of Persia team, including Jake Gyllenhaal! Story to follow next month.
Two other gladiatorial hunks, in particular, Ares (above) and (below) the donning of a Transformer costume. He's not the one who turns into a car. This guy's costume was made of metal (impressive) but not very mobile. But it was neat.
I bought a T-shirt. FRAK ME.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Rain Check?
The biggest local news about gay events is that for the first time in years, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's annual Easter celebrations in Dolores Park may have to go inside, due to rain. It's been raining off an on all week (my pics from 2009).
The rain venue is the Eureka Valley Recreational Center's main gym. I'm sure that no matter what the weather, or locale, it'll be fun.
Just different.
The only good thing I can report about this weather, other than reservoirs rising, is that my sale-item weatherproof rain jacket (thanks, Sports Basement, and Champion, who made it, in China, by slaves, no doubt. My bad.) is actually rainproof.
But most drag isn't. So let's see.
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