Will you march in Washington DC October 11th?

National Equality March on Washington DC

I remember back in 1993 when I was a field producer for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s March on Washington video. It was certainly a different time then when the idea of civil rights for all gay and lesbian people were still a struggle and I was so far in the closet, I could have hurt myself. It was a great experience being around so many like minded people who didn’t care if you were gay, straight or bi – they were all there to have a good time and to promote equality for all.

I won’t get to go this year as I have a filming project to attend on Sunday but if you get to go, WE HOPE YOU WILL SHARE YOUR VIDEO STORIES ON PLANET Q TV.   Planet Q TV was designed 2 1/2 years ago as a place where gay and lesbian video bloggers,  content producers and professionals could tell their stories in one unique place for our community.  I  would love to hear about your adventures, what you saw, what you liked or didn’t like and if you feel that equality is right around the corner for us or if we still have a long way to go.

Have fun this Sunday and if you are video blogging, I would like to encourage you to upload your videos to Planet Q TV so everyone around the world that visits our site can learn about your experience.

Thomas (Click Click Expose)

Can the world’s nations finally decriminalize homosexuality?

UN General Assembly Acting President Ali Abdussalam Treki

I will have to admit my ignorance here but I did not realize that there existed on the world stage an organization interested in protecting the interest of gays and lesbians throughout the world’s nations. This organization is called International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (or IGLA). They have gone on record to express outrage at a recent comment made at a UN general assembly meeting by the acting General Assembly President The Libyan Ali Abdussalam Treki.

The back story first: Last December 66 nations got together in an attempt to pass resolutions that would decriminalize homosexuality in UN participating countries. This call to action has been supported by the Obama White House and many leaders throughout the Western World. Acting General Assembly President Treki went on to say before the UN that he considers homosexuality “unacceptable.” While he did not go on to say anything about the call to decriminalize homosexuality, the IGLA believes Treki is against this resolution. “Considering that the Declaration calls for universal decriminalization of homosexuality, one can only conclude that the new President of the Assembly of the UN is … in favor of criminalizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and intersex. The disturbing and serious implications of this attitude, which comes from who now heads the institution that is protecting human rights, all human rights-as the most sacred value, can not be overstated, “said ILGA in its statement.

IGLA goes on further to say “We call on the representatives of the States that signed the statement against the criminalization of homosexuality, but also voted for the election to the new position of Mr. Treki, to demand an explanation from the President of the UN Assembly by his words….”

Whether the IGLA gets its wish is unknown at this time but I applaud IGLA for recognizing that the basic civil rights of everyone should be followed and that if you are going to be a representative of the UN, a President no less, then you should recognize civil rights for all just not a selected few. Can the world’s nations finally decriminalize homosexuality? I think they can but it will be up to interest groups like IGLA to lead the way and draw attention to the plight that many LGBT people still face across the globe.

Thomas

A little courage in a small Texas town

I  went to college in Texas – San Antonio in fact.  Spent 4 1/2 years there and gladly called it home at the time.  My partner and I called Houston home for 2 years.  Both cities have a thriving if not quaint gay population.  But drive a few hours over to a small east texas town called Tyler or neighboring Lindale – and you get a different tale.  Very conservative, very bible belt and extremely homophobic.  I think I would go so far as to say the very word “gay” is not even utter in single breath in that town (okay maybe I am exaggerating but you get the point) – it isn’t very welcoming to gay people at all.

Tyler Texas - Project TAG

In comes the AIDS service organization Project TAG (Tyler Area Gays) who decided to do a small part to introducing this community to the word “gay.”  What did they do – they adopted a highway.  We all have seen the signs, church groups, fraternities, lodges – adopt a section of a highway, clean it up and get their name put on a sign on that stretch of road.  Project TAG sought to do this with the idea of getting the word “gay” out in public in their community.  The hope – to desensitize the area about what is and is not “gay” and to get the community talking.  Will it work…only time will tell.  But I think it’s a great way to not only do a service for your community but to show how  LGBT people have the same civic and community goals as anyone else and oh by the way; they live in your town too!!

Way to go Project TAG – that takes a lot of courage in this little small east Texas town.

Thomas

British Film wins Miami Film Award

 

"Shank" - Written by Christian Martin, Directed by Simon Pearce

I don’t often write about what is going on in the LGBT film world (why that is, I don’t know) but hey I guess its time to start.  What better way to start than in our own backyard of Miami, Florida.  The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival just wrapped up another successful year a couple of weeks ago with actors, filmmakers and fans joining in the parade of hopping all over the city to watch LGBT films.  One film I wanted to highlight today is directed by 21 year old newcomer Simon Pearce called “Shank.”  It won the Roger Walker-Dack Award for Emerging Talents in Queer Cinema.  Who says you have to be an old geriatric case to make a fresh and compelling film.

 

Shank follows the life of a teenage gang member who hides his secret sex life from his fellow gang members, hustles for sex and deals drugs to get by (okay…maybe that part is not so original).  Cal (played by Wayne Virgo) rescues a university student who is in the middle of a queer-bashing and their worlds collide as they fall in love together.  On the surface, it seems like the same shelp we see in gay film but the film has an unique treatment of gang culture coupled with unrelenting drama that fuses sex, violence and fast pace action in an attempt to turn upside down the usual coming-out story that we have all seen before.

"Shank" premieres at Miami Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

 

 

The film has made a splash in the gay festival circuit and is due for a theatrical release in September of this year.  Writer, Producer Christian Martin told the Miami Press…”It was a risk working with a young, inexperienced cast and first-time director but this award, along with the international audience support for the film validates the courage of our conviction to push the gay genre in a new direction….”

Expect in on DVD by winter courtesy of gay friendly distributor TLA Releasing.  

 

And there you have it, my first attempt at talking about queer cinema.   More to follow…..

Gays are in the gaming world – WTF Bioware!!

It’s 2009 and the gaming industry is still having a hard time dealing with the concept of gay and lesbian characters in their games.  While the industry can’t possible be blinded to the fact that gay folks are gamers and we have contributed to the success of the industry; publishers, designers and others involved have chosen for decades to sweep us under the carpet.

This notion could not have been brought more to life than the recent conundrum that occurred on the Bioware’s game forum for the new highly anticipated MMO on Star Wars: The Old Republic.    Eurogamer reported that a forum mod on BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic banned users from discussing potential gay character relationships in the upcoming game.  Not only did they ban users from discussing potential gay characters, they closed the threads, banned any use of the word gay, homosexual, lesbian and basically censored the forums.

The community manager went so far as to write (and I quote):  “As I have stated before, these are terms that do not exist in Star Wars. Thread closed.”

Forum User Elikal's Avatar

Now to Bioware’s credit, they have since reopened the thread which has turned into (as of today) over 107 pages on the topic.  (Click here to get to thread) The person who started this thread (Forum user Eikal) is quoted in the forum as saying: “…..I am grateful Bioware has opened the thread again, and allowed the words gay and lesbian now. Though I can’t hide that I am quite disappointed. Bioware games had always been about complex ethical questions, about vast, diverse realities, and as such I had never expect Bioware of all companies to be so… narrow in this question. I was a Bioware fan so long… it was really a shock to see the thread closed. Thanks to all the supporters, and even those who in civilized words disagreed, since debating things is what makes a modern society work…”

If you guys remember way way back some time ago, I talked about a gay character in the Star Wars Old Republic named Juhani.  There are others like Goran Beviin (Human male Mandalorian commando, bounty hunter and a contract killer active under the New Republic – around 24ABY – 24 years after the battle of Yavin) and his partner who was a blacksmith named Medrit Vasur.  So yes they are there – not many, not openly obvious – but they exist.

Bioware – you just can’t pretend that the whole “gay thing” doesn’t exist and I think that community manager owes the gay gaming community an apology.    It may be easier to just ignore such things and pretend they don’t exist.  I would challenge everyone to simply assume that the Star Wars universe is rich in diversity and characters and it would just make sense that in that vast universe where all kinds of characters exist, there are some that are gay.  I like Bioware as a company – they make fantastic games but this whole censorship episode bothers me and it should bother you too.

Thomas

New videos on Planet Q TV – Check it out

We have a lot of new and funny videos this week on Planet Q TV - our video sharing website for the gay and lesbian community.  Check it out – 385 videos and growning strong. 

The folks over at Podjumper have put together a series of videos in their podcast complete with cheeky humor, comedy, politics and news with a gay twist.  You will see Jay Brannan (remember him from the movie Shortbus – cuteeeee) – anyway – he is singing a funny cover to the song “Straight out of Compton” and for you folks who don’t know anything about that song – it is a rap song done by a group years and years and years ago called NWA (Niggers with Attitudes).  So imagine white corn bread Jay Brannan singing a thug rap song – funny.  Also there is a stalker’s talk, a couple of guys in Oklahoma talking about their inner child, the lesbian movie trailer “The Gymnast” and from the world of PC Gaming – Sims don’t discriminate.

Our friends over at JRP TV gives us another contestant performance from the 2007 Miss Gay Venezuela pageant.  Those girls really know how to decorate a stage.  You American girls better look out.

Hope you like the new set of vidoes this week.  We now have over 385 vidoes for us and by us – the gay and lesbian community..  BE APART OF OUR FAMILY…..DON’T FORGET TO UPLOAD YOUR VIDEO TODAY…..Whether you are a professional or an amatuer, video camera or cell phone camera – put your gay and lesbian videos on Planet Q TV.  CLICK HERE TO UPLOAD.

Thomas (Content Producer – Click Click Expose Gay Entertainment Media)

New videos added to Planet “Q” TV

So you haven’t been over to Planet Q TV  yet.  You are wondering what all of the fuss is about.  Well never fear, if I said it once I will say it over and over again (okay so I am annoying) – go to Planet Q TV - check it out…you won’t be disappointed.  We have added 5 new videos from the 2008 South Florida International Closet Ball that was held at J’s Bar in Ft. Lauderdale last week.  17 videos have been added in the last 5 days bringing our total to over 360 videos to watch.

Politics, pageants, music videos, coming out stories, commercials, religion – you name it (well almost) and we got it.  Check it out: www.planetq.tv you won’t be disappointed.

OH…and did I mention …. UPLOAD YOUR VIDEOS TODAY…hehe.  Don’t forget you can upload your videos, cell phone videos, camera videos, anything you want to share with your LGBT family.  Or just send us a hello..  We would love to see ya…

Thomas

And why did you stay at home Sat night?

So Adrian and I along with our good friend and apprentice Tara made the long 4 hour journey to St. Petersburg to be apart of a great event at the Trinity UCC church.  Now I have never been much of a gay political activist (it’s kind of hard when you still got one foot stuck in the closet) but I was quite impressed with this event.  It was sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida and it was called “A Celebration of Faith and Diversity.” – a kind of faith based  advocacy for the LGBT movement.

Now…before you stop reading this because it has to do with church…hear me out.  Yes the speeches were all done by people of faith, yes the moderator (Harry Knox) was the Director of the Religion and Faith program at HRC – BUT WOW….I was so impressed by the message that everyone was delivering.  Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite (President of the Chicago Theological Seminary), Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre (Director Iliff School of Theology’s Justice and Peace Institute in Denver) and Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson (President of the World Council of Churches) – these were like the major players in the faith based initiative for gay and lesbian rights and their all straight.  DID YOU GET THAT???  – all straight.  Here were people with long distinguish careers, been everywhere, done everything – and hear they are giving LGBT folks hope and courage and wisdom in the fight for gay rights.

And why did you stay home Saturday night if you lived in St. Petersburg?  Getting ready to go to the club?  Went to go watch a movie?  You needed to hear this.  If you didn’t live in St. Petersburg – you needed to hear this.  Everyone straight or gay – needed to hear this.  It’s a message that gay folks often miss because we are so caught up in our own little world and forget about the struggle that is out there.

I am glad we got to film the event.  The videos will be up on Planet “Q” TV in the religion section.  I will have Thistlethwaite’s keynote on the home page (when I fix that damn encode problem – oyyy two days of this *&^% ..but I digress) -  CHECK OUT THE VIDEO, HEAR THE MESSAGE and maybe when the next HRC or Equality Florida or activist event comes to your town – don’t stay home – check it out….we all need to hear the message.

Thomas

ah ha….there is a gay character in the star wars universe

Since my post a few days ago about my geekness over Star Wars…I knew that somewhere out there in the Star Wars lore – their had to be a gay character.  After all – us queers should be out there defending the republic, or the Sith, or the New Republic, or the…. but I digress.                                   Meet Juhani…

Okay so here’s the back story…We have to go back in time…way way back in time to the era of the Sith and the video game Knights of the Old Republic.  When first meeting Juhani on Dantooine, you have the option of either killing her (yeah good luck), or beating her to submission and convincing her to return to the Jedi order(yeah even better luck here).   Of course if you do convince here to return to the Jedi order, she will join your party in the game. If you choose to kill her, another female Jedi at the temple will read you the riot act for murdering her beloved one—stating that she and Juhani spent many nights under the stars together (oh how romantic).  Later in the game, she will attempt to murder you for killing the love of her life. (Moral of the story - don’t mess with a scorn lesbian).

Okay…so if you don’t follow the dark side and you decide to have Juhani join you in the game, you will meet “Dak Veser” who has had history with Juhani (but my girl Juhani wasn’t having any of that – if you probe and ask the right questions, she will tell you in an in-game comment, that “Dak wasn’t her type.”  Later on in the game, if you choose to be a female character and you say and do the right things – she will actually confess her love to you – woohoo.

Okay…I know..I know…geek central..but I just had to tell you.  Now, the only thing I have to figure out is if Juhani is in the books or just in the video game.  I will let you know when I find out (if in fact you really care) but hey if you are a hardcore Star Wars fan..then you probably do…so let’s hear it for the lesbians…now just have to find my hunka hunka Star Wars man and I will be set………………………..:-)

Thomas

My Coming Out Story (well sort of)

Quiet day on the video production front so I thought I would share some thoughts on coming out.  If you don’t already know October is gay history month and this month we also celebrate coming out.  When I listen to and read all of the stories about people who were brave enough to come out to family and friends, I can’t help but be amazed and impressed.  It takes courage – more courage than I ever had.  You know when I look back on my life experiences, my management career, my business, even doing security for 3 years – I have done some bold and courageous things – but deep down inside I never had the balls to come out to my family or friends.  To this date, they (my family) have no idea (although I am sure they suspect – after all I have been with my partner for 14 years) and I have told 1 childhood friend of mine who I have lost contact with.

 

All of my life I have been scared of the consequences: losing a job, not getting promoted, being teased or laughed at or never quite fitting in.  So I played the double life, straight all of the time until I got home.  Imagine doing that for more than 15 years…wow..it is tough.  If it wasn’t for my partner Adrian – I think I would be a very depressed person.

 

Doing this company and the things we have accomplished in the last couple of years is like therapy for me.  I have met so many interesting people and have learned a lot.  And even thought I can’t say I have a ton of friends or even a few friends, I can say I have a lot of acquaintances and people who I have grown to admire and respect.  It is still difficult for me to just admit to the average joe on the street that I am gay but I am slowly breaking down those walls, doing podcast shows, appearing on camera and just getting out there and making a presence.  I would have to say I am doing more in the gay community the last 2 years than I have done my entire life.

So what’s the motto of all this?  It is never too late.  Come out at your own pace but you know what?  Don’t wait too long and make friends along the way – even if its just one person – that one person can open your eyes and make life so much easier for you.  My life partner was my one person and he made all of the difference in the world.

Thomas

I love internet TV!!

 

 

One of the great things about internet video and internet TV is that it allows so many people with creative ideas and talent to put content out there for all of us to enjoy. Mainstream Hollywood is so bland and boring to me with their cliche movies and scripted “we seen it before” stories – that originality, character development, and life’s realism go unnotice.

 

I came across a little gem of a comedy web show called “The Duder Show.” It is written by New York playwright and writer Matt Kirsch. He plays a gay character named Glen, along with his boyfriend Stephen and his straight friends (Ricky, Zev, Jen & Judy) and some of their happenings around New York. It’s cute, funny and the characters grow on you with their quirkiness. Check out Episodes 1, 3, 4 & 6 along with the Duder-logue and mini Duder episode on Planet “Q” TV.

It is because of what people like Matt Kirsch are doing that makes the internet one of the best places for GLBT people to put out funny, original and interesting video content. I don’t know if Kirsch is gay or not but I am glad that he included a positive, funny and interesting character in his sitcome.

 

Hope you guys enjoy the video. Also check out the dark comedic satire call “Recruiting – The Straight Agenda.” I have included it in Planet “Q” TV as well. I hope that having one place to go to see videos for the gay and lesbian community is a good thing and that you guys are enjoying what we have assembled for you to watch.

 

Thomas