GLAAD is traveling  to Mexico City today to present iconic actress Lucia Mendez with a GLAAD Media Award for work she did to call attention in Spanish language media to LGBT youth suicide.

This marks the first time GLAAD has traveled outside of the United States to present an award and we’re very excited to be here, recognizing Méndez for her work.

Méndez discussed LGBT youth suicide and the importance of educating the public with tour audiences and on high-rated shows like Ventaneando América, Escandalo TV,  El Gordo y la Flaca and Al Rojo Vivo.

“Allies like Lucía help raise the visibility of issues that impact our lives and they help grow support for our community,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “As more and more people get to know gay and transgender people, they are coming to understand and respect our community.”

We’re also excited that the event is supported, in part, by local event sponsors. We expect lots of media to attend thanks to Lucia’s popularity so get ready to read lots more after the event. Please click here to view GLAAD’s full statement.

While in. Mexico GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios will also meet with leading Mexican LGBT activists to find ways we can continue supporting their media work in Mexico.   A majority of the Spanish-language media consumed in the United States is produced in Mexico

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By VANESSA HAND ORELLANA (AP) – 15 hours ago

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Is Argentina ready to become Latin America’s first nation to legalize gay marriage?

Gay and lesbian activists think so — and they have a growing number of supporters in Congress, which opened debate Thursday on whether to change dozens of laws that define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

“We can’t expect social equality if the state is legitimizing inequality,” said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Federation. “We now have the social and political context necessary to change the law.”

It remains to be seen whether activists have enough votes to overcome opposition from religious groups. The Roman Catholic Church remains a driving force in Argentina, where presidents were required to be both married and Catholic until a 1994 reform.

Some Catholic and evangelical Christian groups have accused the government of trying to subvert the natural order of life, promote perversions and destroy the family as an institution.

“This should not be understood as the denial of anyone’s rights,” said Archbishop Jose Maria Arancedo of Santa Fe, who took a gentler tone in a recent radio address. “It’s possible both to be progressive and to defend the family, founded on the institution of marriage.”

Argentina’s capital established its gay-friendly reputation in 2002 by becoming the first Latin American city to legalize same-sex civil unions. Four other Argentine cities later did the same, and such unions also now are recognized in Mexico City and some Mexican and Brazilian states. Uruguay alone has legalized civil unions nationwide.

Canada is the only nation in the Americas where gay marriage is now legal; in the Spanish-speaking world, only Spain has taken this additional step.

The capital’s civil-unions law was initially celebrated as a huge victory for gay and lesbian rights, but such partnerships don’t confer many rights exclusive to married couples, such as the right to adopt children in the name of both parents, to enable a partner to gain citizenship and to inherit wealth or be included in insurance policies.

“A civil union is a link that grants certain rights, but not those available to a married couple, which only a national law can grant,” the bills’ co-sponsor, Rep. Vilma Ibarra, told The Associated Press. “This is the first round in a long process, but it is already a success to have it out there.”

Rep. Julian Martin Obiglio, a minority party member, is among lawmakers who would rather expand the rights that apply to civil unions than alter the definition of marriage.

“I don’t think the term should be the same for a union between a man and a woman and two people of the same sex,” Obiglio said.

The proposal has ruling-party support but President Cristina Fernandez has yet to take a public stand on gay marriage. Rachid said more than 20 lawmakers have signed on as supporters of same-sex marriage, and they believe they have enough votes in committee for a full vote in the lower house. It would then go to the Senate.

Rachid and her partner, Claudia Castro, were among the first same-sex couples in Buenos Aires to form a civil union — and the first to test Argentine law by applying for a marriage license in 2007. Their lawsuit over the denial is pending at the Supreme Court.

“The opinion of religious leaders who dictate how other people should lead their lives should apply only to those who share their creed, and not to the rest of society,” Rachid said.

“We don’t need a law to define us as a couple — we’ve already been a couple for more than 10 years,” Castro added. “We just want to have equal rights.”

If the law passes, the couple plan to be first in line for a marriage license.

But the Queer Kiss-In turned into a whole lot of words. “What do we want? Equal rights! When do we want it? Now,” gay rights advocates chanted as they marched in a circle in front of The Stockyards Station.

The group, Queer Liberaction backed off of their plans for kissing booths after they say they received threats of violence. They backed off of public kissing even more when counter-protesters from area church groups lined up across the street. Elizabeth Pax, Queer Liberaction, said, “If they’re going to spread their message of hatred, we’ve got to do something. Just kissing isn’t going to do it.”

Church Pastor Howard Caver says plans for public displays of gay and lesbian kissing at the Stockyards was a direct challenge. The Stockyards is where families enjoy the wholesome western experience of Fort Worth.

Howard Caver, World Missionary Baptist Church Pastor, said , “So we took up the challenge that you won’t be unopposed because we know the truth.”

When Stockyard visitors heard of the Queer Kiss-In, they have a word or more to express. Millie Fabb, Stockyards visitor, kisses her husband, “This is my kissing booth. It’s all I need, you see.”

Matt Pope arrived early with his boyfriend, Josh.

Matt says he’s all for holding hands in public, but he guessed having a kissing booth demonstration would be too much. Pope said,” I just look at it like if you kiss, kiss. But there’s no need for over doing it, and you shouldn’t have to shove it down somebody’s throat.”

KDAF-TV

Santo Gay

Texas Freedom Parade steps off Sunday

By David Taffet I Staff Writer taffet@dallasvoice.com
Sep 17, 2009 - 10:02:31 AM  - DALLAS VOICE

Valdez, Garcia are grand marshals; more than 100 entries scheduled for 26th annual event

Sheriff Lupe Valdez and Jesse Garcia are grand marshals for the 26th annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade.

They step off at 2 p.m. on Sept. 20.

The parade is part of a weekend of Pride events that include Gay Day at Six Flags and “A Sordid Affair” at the Majestic Theater, both on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The parade runs through the Cedar Springs entertainment district and ends in Lee Park. More than 100 entries include VIPs plus 87 businesses and organizations.
Up to 40,000 spectators are expected. The Festival in Lee Park follows the parade.

Valdez is serving her second term as Dallas County sheriff. She is the only known Latina lesbian sheriff in the United States.

LEADING THE WAY | Grand marshals for the 2009 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade are Jesse Garcia, above, and Sheriff Lupe Valdez, below.

Garcia has been involved in a number of LGBT organizations. He was an original board member of the gay Latino group Valiente and helped form the Dallas Rainbow Council of the League of United Latin American Citizens. He is a past president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas and is an AIDS Arms volunteer.

“This is a great honor. It doesn’t get any better than this,” said Garcia. “My mother is very proud of this recognition, too. She is very big about community events and parades back in my hometown.

“When I told her about this honor, it really impressed her.”Special guests
The honorary grand marshal is LGBT activist and writer Larry Kramer.

Kramer co-founded the first AIDS organization Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York and, in 1987, ACT UP to fight the Reagan’s administration’s failure to address the AIDS crisis.

He is also a writer known for the play “The Normal Heart,” the novel “Faggots” and the screenplay for “Women in Love.”

Kramer will be at a meet and greet on Sept. 18 at 9 p.m. at the Dallas Eagle. His partner, David Webster, is one of the bar’s owners.

Dallas Tavern Guild Executive Director Michael Doughman said, “We have a huge amount of gay history in the city for this weekend. Even in a recession year, we were able to bring them to Dallas thanks to our partners, particularly American Airlines.”

The Tavern Guild is the group that organizes the parade each year.

In addition to Kramer, Cleve Jones will be honored at the Festival in Lee Park. Jones founded the AIDS Memorial Quilt in San Francisco. Now housed in Atlanta, the quilt has about 50,000 panels.

Fashion photographer Adam Bouska, known for his NOH8 campaign in response to Proposition 8 in California, and his partner Jeff Parshley are also special guests of the parade.

Bouska has taken most of his photographs in San Francisco and West Hollywood.

While in Dallas, he plans to add about 75 portraits to the 1,400 already in the collection.

City Council participation
The mayor and all but one of Dallas’ city council members are also participating, along with the police and fire chiefs.

This will be the second time Mayor Tom Leppert appears in the parade. Leppert rode his first year in office but missed last year because of a personal commitment.

Vonciel Jones-Hill, a Methodist minister who represents District 5, is the only council member refusing to participate.

“I won’t be participating [this year], and based on my present beliefs, I won’t be participating in the future. There’s no reason I should be castigated for that,” Jones-Hill told Dallas Voice.

If all of the other council members show up, it will be a record for council participatiom

The route
Groups line up on Wycliff Avenue between Cedar Springs Road and Maple Avenue. Anyone marching is encouraged to arrive by 1 p.m.

As it has every year since its inception, the parade begins on Cedar Springs Road at Wycliff Avenue. The route continues through the entertainment district to Turtle Creek Boulevard, turns left and ends at Lee Park.

The Festival in Lee Park begins after the parade.

The Festival in Lee Park
In Lee Park, the grand marshals will speak and awards will be presented for best parade entries in a number of categories. Honorary guests will be recognized. Then the first and second runners-up of the Voice of Pride competition will perform.

Winner Michael Gasparro is unable to appear and has been released from performance obligations for personal reasons. But first and second runners-up Juliana Jeffrey and Gregory Castillo will perform, as will Anton Shaw and her band.
Doughman said, “We’ve expanded food and beverage service stations this year” with additional soft drink and water service areas around Lee Park.

Derek and Romaine, the evening drive time talk show hosts on Sirius Satellite Radio’s Out Q station, will emcee. On Friday, they will broadcast live from Sue Ellen’s. On Saturday, their show originates from Gay Day at Six Flags.

The beneficiary of proceeds from the parade is Youth First Texas. The organization provides services to LGBTQ youth through age 22.

The group, now in its 10th year, recently signed a lease for new space at Reagan Street at Harry Hines Boulevard. Across from the new Green Line, YFT will become accessible to youth who rely on public transportation.

The parade is dedicated to Alan Pierce and Gary Miller, the owners of the Round-Up Saloon, in recognition of the large number of events they have sponsored to benefit the community.

Parade history
The first parade in Dallas was held downtown on Main Street in 1973, just four years after Stonewall. The annual parade began 10 years later and has followed the same route through Oak Lawn.

Over the past few years, the cost of mounting the parade increased tremendously. As the Homeland Security Act has come into full effect, Doughman said the number of police officers required has doubled.

The city also required better cleanup. The Tavern Guild now employs the company that cleans the State Fair. Doughman said they are the only company with enough manpower to manage an event this large.

Saturday events
On Saturday, two additional events round out Pride weekend.
Gay Day at Six Flags is sponsored by Dallas Voice.

Tickets for the amusement park are available on the park’s Web site, sixflags.com. Enter code DALVOICE to receive the discounted $24 price. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Dallas Voice is donating $2 from every ticket sold to benefit the Lone Star Ride.
The discounted tickets are good for Sept. 19 only.

Del Shores, Caroline Rhea, Leslie Jordan and Rue McClanahan each do a half hour of stand up comedy and storytelling in “A Sordid Affair” at the Majestic Theater on Sept. 19.

Shores wrote the comedy “Sordid Lives,” which was adapted into a series for Logo.
The three actors performing with Shores are series regulars.

McClanahan is best known for her roles in “Golden Girls” and “Maude.” Jordan played Beverly Leslie on “Will & Grace,” and Rhea starred in “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” and hosted her own talk show as well as “The Biggest Loser.”

Jason Dottley, Ann Walker, Newell Alexander and Rosemary Alexander also appear.
Performances are at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Use code VOICE for a $10 discount.

The top price ticket includes a meet and greet with the cast.

The North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce wraps up Pride weekend with a mixer on Monday at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at the Melrose Hotel.

Guests include Jones, Kramer, Bouska and Parshley, as well as Doug Spearman from the Logo series “Noah’s Arc.”

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition September 18, 2009. © Copyright by DallasVoice.com

Antibodies found that prevent HIV from causing severe AIDS

Scientists were able to isolate two antibodies responsible for resistance to the disease in an African patient. The discovery could be key to the development of a vaccine.

By Thomas H. Maugh II:  September 4, 2009

Uruguay becoming first Latin American country to legalize gay adoption

August 28, 12:04 PMSouth America Policy ExaminerSylvia Longmire

Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez

In yet another bold move by Uruguay’s socialist government, lawmakers voted yesterday to allow adoptions by gay and lesbian couples. The measure, which was approved 40-13, still needs to pass through the senate, a move considered a formality since it was already approved there on a first reading.

The senate was due to vote on the measure before September 15, the end of a legislative period that was brought forward ahead of presidential elections in October.

This is the third such legal action taken by the Uruguayan government in the last two years to extend more rights to homosexuals. In December 2007, the Congress legalized civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. In May of this year, Tabare Vazquez, the first leftist president in Uruguayan history, opened access for homosexuals to military schools.

As expected, the Roman Catholic Church is less than excited about these legal actions.

According to Agence France Presse, The archbishop of Montevideo, Nicolas Cotugno, said before the vote that it would be a “serious error to accept the adoption of children by homosexual couples. It’s not about religion, philosophy or sociology. It’s something which is mainly about the respect of human nature itself.”

Uruguay is usually a country whose actions manage to stay out of the headlines, probably because Vazquez isn’t nearly as vocal as his leftist contemporaries in Latin America. One might think that other socialist leaders might share this liberal attitude towards gay rights, but it’s not clear how presidents like Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez, Ecuador’s Rafael Correa, and Bolivia’s Evo Morales feel about gay rights.

The biggest cultural issue standing in the way of any progression in the gay rights movement in Latin America is machismo, and an inherent aversion to homosexuality in the Hispanic culture. However, The Economist reports that homosexuality is accepted more widely than it used to be:

“Latin Americans are surprisingly tolerant of homosexuality—within limits. Though they may face taunts and violence, men in particular can sometimes lead openly, even flamboyantly, gay lives as long as they conform to certain stereotypes (such as working as hairdressers). Those who prefer to be discreet usually benefit from Catholic society’s widespread ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ tolerance of private foibles. It is when they start challenging norms and agitating for legal rights that the trouble typically starts.”

Civil unions have been legalized in some states in Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, but probably no one can say that it’s a widespread movement with broad acceptance. Machismo still dominates in Latin America, which will make any progress in gay rights slower than in other regions.

Although I’m there to chat with her about her position as Artistic Director of the upcoming San Jose Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival, along the way we discuss her status as a rock goddess and Latin American icon, her YouTube obsessions, and her commitment to equality for gays and lesbians.

As I discovered over the course of our interview, unlike many big-time straight celebrities whose support for the gays seems insincere, Ronstadt’s commitment to our community is no mere lip service. In fact, the legendary singer may be doing more for gay rights than anyone in Hollywood – and nobody knows it.

So Linda, do you have any gay neighbors, and if so — do they know Linda Ronstadt just moved in?

I haven’t met my neighbors yet. But I hope so.  I really do think that gays are the best urban pioneers, and they’re the best neighbors you can have.  People don’t seem to understand how good it is that if a gay couple moves into your neighborhood and starts restoring a house?  Hey – your property values are going up – and in the best way.

Some of the strongest community that we know in this country is in the gay community, because they’ve had to band together to survive emotionally.   I’m not so sure this country understands or values that.

Speaking of community, in tribute to your Mexican heritage, you have grown closer to the Hispanic community over the last couple of decades. You are currently serving as Artistic Director of the Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival, where you are responsible for entertainment for the seven-day event.  Since marriage equality is such a major issue in California right now, will any of your offerings deal with this hot-button issue?

Yes, but it’s something you have to take small steps with.  For instance, one of the most well-known Hispanic singers ever, Lucha Reyes was a lesbian – but no one knew it.

As we were doing her bio for the festival, we wanted to include the fact that Lucha was a lesbian.  We didn’t make a big deal about it, but we didn’t want it to be buried, either.  Being a lesbian was an important part of Lucha’s life, and there was no reason why it should have been kept silent.   It was something she had to struggle with.

And this year I notice that you’re screening the gay-themed “La Mission” as the centerpiece film.

“La Mission” is a really interesting movie. It’s about a kid who’s coming of age who’s about to graduate high school.  His father is an ex-con who’s really trying hard to make it – the mother has died – and he’s a good guy who’s trying to raise his son on his own.  He’s had a problem with violence his whole life and he’s trying to get a handle on it and be a good person.  Then he finds out his son is gay and he becomes totally unglued and just beats the crap out of him.  It examines how the father is struggling with his violence, and his grief – because he really loves his kid. It’s a really good film.

That movie seems really timely right now given the recent Prop 8 result.  Something needs to be done to bridge the gay gap in the Hispanic community.

It’s an important bridge to gap.  I was a witness at the same-sex marriage of my good friend Marcela Davison Aviles [CEO of the Mexican Heritage Corporation] and I’ll never forget the hurt in her voice when Prop 8 [California’s anti-gay-marriage initiative] passed. It makes you feel bad when you’re dis-liked, it hurts your feelings in a terrible, terrible way.

I know that one of the reasons it turned out the way it did was because a lot more Hispanics came out to vote that year, because they wanted to vote for Obama. But how can you have a full and authentic expression of who you are if you have to live that way and hide it? As long as you have to pretend, it’s like ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ – and who wants to live that way?

One of the things that we’re doing on Gay.com and PlanetOut.com is asking our LGBT Hispanic readers to share their own experiences within their community.

That sounds like it could be really interesting, and it will provide an insight into their culture.  There are singing Mexicans, dancing Mexicans, working Mexicans, and gay Mexicans – you know, they are all kinds of people.  Just like how all gays and lesbians aren’t defined just by their sexuality – we are all just people and we all need more acceptance.  I’d work with the African-American community on this, too, but [laughs], I’m not black! Gays need to know that they have a place to go and that there’s nothing wrong with them.

Do you see things changing?

My son’s 15, and I think when he and his generation are in their 20’s and voting, we’re going to see that issue turn around, and I think it’s going to be a non-issue by then.  I want to make sure it is.

Your kids are now teenagers. Have you talked to them about gay issues yet?

I had moved back to Tucson with my kids because I just thought it was quieter, and my family was there.  But Tucson has turned out to be a very conservative place, and I didn’t want my kids coming home from school saying things like ‘That’s so gay.’  So we moved back to San Francisco, and I sent my kids to a school that actively taught that homophobic remarks are just… not OK, and my kids’ attitudes have changed as a result of it.

Look, my kids are going to be able to form their own ideas, but at least I wanted them to be able to question things.   My son is super pro-gay rights, and even though he has a girlfriend, I wanted him to know that as he emerged sexually, he’d be able to do whatever he wanted to do.  You know, that it’s not something you have a choice over.

That’s pretty amazing what you said about your son. I’m curious. What about you, growing up – when did you first learn about gays?

The 50’s and 60’s were extremely homophobic periods, even among the so-called ‘enlightened’ cultures.  I remember in the 60’s, we were all just discovering that there was racial discrimination, and trying to figure out what we could do about it, but the gay issues were just utterly left out of the conversation.

Then in the 70’s, the gay issues started to emerge at some of those early rallies that I attended or participated in – like “No Nukes” – and I remember thinking, ‘Well, what does this have to do with it?’ The labor issues would come up, civil rights issues would come up, and then the gay issue would come up, and I was like, “huh?’

So it took me a little while to get it, and then I was like, ‘Duh’ – and I got it. I mean I really got it.  That was just before I started working on Broadway [for “Pirates of Penzance”] and then once I got there, I really got it.

Editor’s Note: Ronstadt breaks from discussing gay rights to check the status of the drying paint on the walls. As she turns her head and I catch her in profile, I realize that she still bears an uncanny resemblance to the Linda on the album cover of “Hasten Down the Wind,” which sends my mind back to music.

So where will you listen to music in your new house?

I almost never listen to recorded music.  But I listen to YouTube all the time.  And I’m sorry for myself that I’m listening on that shitty little computer speaker because that’s not really music!

Oh, you watch YouTube?!  What do you watch?

So I started listening to Amy Winehouse on YouTube and now I’m like an Amy Winehouse fanatic!”

Wait, have you seen the Amy Winehouse/Linda Ronstadt mashup on YouTube of “You Know I’m No Good”/”You’re No Good?”

Yes!  It makes no sense musically, but it’s interesting, and I thought it was funny. I’m just completely flattered to be in anything with Amy Winehouse.  If I believed in reincarnation, I would firmly believe that Amy Winehouse is the reincarnation of Maria Callas.  Maria Callas is such the ‘grand lady,’ and Amy is such a guttersnipe, and they both are so demonically talented.

Are you aware of how much of your stuff is on YouTube, and do you watch it?

No, and I would never look.

Well there is a lot.  It’s all there, even every single one of your TV appearances. It’s great.

[Ronstadt screams in mock horror and laughs.]  No! That’s not great!

Yes it is great!  Oh my God, the duet you did with Andy Williams?

Andy Williams?  I never sang with Andy Williams in my life!

You did.  He’s singing “Long Long Time” and then he walks over to you and you start singing “Ticket to Ride,” and you both duet.

[Laughs].  That could not have happened!  Oh my god, I don’t ever remember even meeting him!

You met him and you sang with him!  I’ll even bet you $500.  He’s wearing a bright blue suit, and the funniest part is that he walks towards you and you have this really terrified look on your face.

Oh my God, I can’t believe that! Oh my God! I hated doing television so much and I remembered I’d do everything I could to get out of it.  And I remember thinking that every time I ever played on television, I’d walk away thinking that it was probably the worst performance I ever did.  So it’s just ironic that that’s the stuff that lives on and survives.

Anyway, it wouldn’t be a healthy thing for me to do and I don’t really want to know what people say in the comments.  It just isn’t natural to go back and watch that because I’ve gotten past that part of my life now.

Aside from YouTube, do you watch much TV?

No, I read, mostly. Wait, before I forget, I have to tell you this really funny story about this really interesting book.

We were at a bookstore once when my kids were little.  My son made it very clear that he wanted to get a book on animals.  He picked one out and when we got home, I read it and it’s about homosexuality [laughing] across every species!  Walrus homosexuality, zebra homosexuality, whales, whatever, it’s all there. It’s called ‘Animal Exuberance.’

I’ve never heard of it?

The basic premise of the book is that homosexuality really helps family.  And you know, people say, ‘Well gays are anti-family, so I’m anti-gay’ which is just bullshit.  Because what homosexuality gives you is an unpaired female, or an unpaired male – who’s there with two extra hands to help you take care of the kids, which ensures the survival of the young ones.  That’s what it’s for.  And it is in every animal all through the biological world.  You really should read ‘Animal Exuberance,’ because it has careful science under it. And you’ll see that homophobia is anti-family values.  Period, end of story.

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July 9, 2009

The Lion’s Den: Gay is the New Black

by Jaime Abeytia  -  The Lions Den

Two gay men kicked out of Chico’s Tacos restaurant for kissing