Friday Watercooler: Palin/Bachmann 2012…Hell Yeah!

• If only. On Sean Hannity [1] Wednesday night, Hannity asked his guests Sarah Palin and Rep. Michelle Bachmann if they would consider being on the same ticket for a presidential run in 2012. Palin answered in her usual cagey way “As I have said, I’m not gonna close any doors that perhaps would be open.” When Hannity asked the crowd what they thought there was a roar of approval. Most likely the same kind of roar that would come from a left-leaning crowd. How could the lefties amongst us not roar in approval for that kind of competition. Bring it on!

[2]

• He has supporters, too! Here is an addendum to a previous Friday Watercooler. Remember Derrick Martin who was allowed to attend his prom with his male date and was subsequently kicked out of his parents house? Remember how his classmates were soooo supportive of him that they held a rally [3] not because they cared that he was gay but because they were worried that their town would be known “known as a pro gay town”? Well, brave Derrick gets his own REALLY supportive rally [4] tonight in Macon, Georgia. Now lets hope some rich, famous gay gives Derrik a scholarship [5].

[6]

• She shows her true colors. Yet another shout out for our straight ally, Cyndi Lauper. I LOVE this lady. Lauper is spearheading the first permanent housing complex for homeless LGBT youth. Opening in the winter of 2011, The True Colors Residence [7] will give homeless LGBT youth ages 18-24 will have subsidized homes to help get them off the street. I find it shocking that, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, between 20 – 40% of LGBT homeless youth identify as LGBT. I am happy that Cyndi puts her money where her mouth is. I live a few blocks from the proposed site and look forward to welcoming the residence into the neighborhood. The girl doesn’t just want to have fun!

[8]

• CNN apologizes, sort of. CNN Host Kyra Phillips [9] started a “debate” segment yesterday with the question “Homosexuality, Is it a problem in need of a cure?” Her producers invited a controversial “expert” in the “ex-gay” movement who was expelled from the American Counseling Association for ethical abuses and presented him as a “Psychotherapist, educator and expert in the field of sexual reorientation”. GLAAD [10] sent out a call to action and today the topic was revisited by Ms. Phillips on CNN by bringing on a real expert in the mental health field to educate that gay was not a mental illness and wasn’t need of curing. I really don’t have much issue with Ms. Phillips, I have an issue with the production. If they can’t afford or are too lazy to research their experts to see if they truly are experts, it’s time for a new job. Our friends at AfterElton.com have the video.

[11]

• God Save Malcom McLaren. This bit of news has saddened me. Former impresario and manager of the the Sex Pistols has died of mesothelioma in Switzerland. With Vivienne Westwood, McLaren [12] opened the clothing store Let It Rock (later Sex) in the early seventies before stumbling upon the future Johnny Rotten. Though the Sex Pistols flamed out quickly McLaren was instrumental in the seismic shift of music that is know as punk rock. A true Revolutionary!

[13]

• Gleeful. I hate to admit that I am excited for the new season of Glee. I don’t think it’s the best show but it definitely brings out the show queen in me. Besides, there is some definite eye candy on display. And who doesn’t LOVE Jane Lynch [14]. AfterElton’s Gay Man of the Decade, Neil Patrick Harris [15] guest stars on a future episode and the video below is behind the scenes scenes from that episode. We Got The Funk, indeed!

[1] http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/hannity-would-you-like-to-see-a-palin-bachmann-ticket-video.php?ref=fpb
[2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-sarah-palin-michelle-bachmann-detail.jpg
[3] http://www.365gay.com/news/weekend-watercooler-billie-joe-armstrong-talks-about-his-sexuality-again/
[4] http://www.macon.com/2010/04/07/1086151/rally-planned-friday-to-support.html
[5] http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-19-mississippi-prom-gay-teen_N.htm
[6] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-derrick-martin-gay-prom-student-georga-detail.jpg
[7] http://www.dnainfo.com/20100406/central-harlem/cyndi-lauper-open-shelter-for-homeless-lgbt-youth-harlem
[8] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-cyndi-lauper-detail.jpg
[9] http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/cnn-kyra-phillips-gays-cohen-not-appropriate
[10] http://www.glaad.org/Page.aspx?pid=1378
[11] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-kyra-phillips-cnn-detail.jpg
[12] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/malcolm-mclaren-dies-aged-64-1939621.html
[13] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-malcom-mclaren-detail.jpg
[14] http://www.afterellen.com/blog/thelinster/jane-lynch-dishes-on-glee-scenes-with-neil-patrick-harris-and-molly-shannon
[15] http://www.afterelton.com/people/2010/01/man-of-decade-results

Cyndi Lauper to open homeless shelter for LGBT youth

Cyndi Lauper is proving girls do more than just “wanna have fun.” They also fight for causes close to their heart.

Lauper, according to DNAinfo [1], plans to open a homeless shelter in Harlem in New York City for lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual youth.

[2]

“Kids are coming out in greater numbers as they see themselves accepted and represented on TV and in movies, but they’re still being kicked out of their homes or running away and living on the streets,” Lauper said in a statement.

Lauper – who is working on the project with her publicist, Lisa Barbaris, and Colleen Jackson, West End Inter generational Residence executive directors – plans to raise money for the project through her True Colors Fund [3].

There are roughly 3,000 to 8,000 homeless LGBT kids in New York City according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

[1] http://www.dnainfo.com/20100406/central-harlem/cyndi-lauper-open-shelter-for-homeless-lgbt-youth-harlem
[2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-cyndi-lauper-top.jpg
[3] http://www.truecolorsfund.org/

NYC takes new action for gay youth

New York City is trying out a new initiative aimed at preventing LGBT homelessness, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced Monday.

The New York City Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Runaway and Homeless Youth will address the problems of LGBTQ teens before they resort to …

Queercents: Steps to Avoid Homelessness

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Foreclosure rates continue to rise, and more Americans are on the brink of homelessness every day. Unfortunately, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community are at a higher risk for becoming homeless. Youth are particularly vulnerable. Some estimate that between 40%-60% of homeless youth are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Queercents (http://www.queercents.com/), a personal finance blog serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, has provided several tips for people who may be on the verge of becoming homeless. Author Alex Taylor shares advice based on personal experience to help readers avoid becoming permanently homeless.

The story is available at http://www.queercents.com/2009/04/28/my-financial-implosion-avoiding-homelessn ess/

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” says Taylor. “It’s important to recognize when you need assistance from others. Contact friends, family and social service agencies if you need help.” Most importantly, Taylor advises that “if the loss of your home is imminent, make avoiding homelessness your full time job. Look for new work, be persistent in your search for help, and do not give up. Once you fall into homelessness, it’s much more difficult to work your way back.”

About Queercents:

Established by Nina Smith in 2006, Queercents originated the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender personal finance blog concept by aggregating financial tips from the distinct writings of several money bloggers.

Queercents . . . we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going shopping without coupons.