Stonewall Fitness: Carbohydrates: Good For You or Spawn of the Devil?

By David Smith

If you have been conscious in the late 90s early 00s you probably remember diet fads such as Atkin’s that promote a low carb/high protein diets. The idea behind it is that since carbs (sugars and starches) are your primary fuel source, if you restrict your carbohydrate intake your body will be need another fuel source to function and will burn fat instead. If you burn more fat throughout the day then you lose weight right? This process is called ketosis, when the body burns fat to maintain it’s function. Ketosis primarily occurs when you are asleep to help the body and mind restore and repair itself however ketosis may occur when you’re awake as well if your carbohydrate stores are empty.

It all sounds great in theory however ketosis when you’re awake is not good for the body and can lead to fatigue, exhaustion and lethargy. Your body and especially your brain’s primary fuel source is carbs, especially the glucose (sugar) in your blood to give it energy to keep you awake and functioning throughout your day. They are also important for super intense bursts of energy when your body needs the calories really fast, this could be sprint exercise, reflexes from a fall or being startled by an obnoxious kid.
 Ketosis does not occur during exercise however. During exercise, particularly aerobic exercise and during extended periods your body burns fat through a different metabolic system called (sound it out with me) Oxidative Phosphorylation.

During exercise your body will consume carbohydrates but as stated above, they will be saved for when you really need a good burst of energy. The first 2 minutes of moderate to high intensity exercise your body will use carbs, from there it will then start to burn fat through oxidative phosphorylation. Not only is this process much more efficient to convert fat into energy but it is much safer to and does not produce ketones which are a by-product of ketosis that can have negative health effects.

The body will then store your remaining carbs and increase your blood sugar for more intense periods of exercise (say if you’re running sprints, powerlifting or high intensity interval training) but it won’t be able to sustain that level of exercise for very long, hence your muscles burn, you run out of breath and have to slow down or stop and rest. This is a much healthier and more effective way to train your body and best utilize your body’s carbohydrate and fat stores when trying to lose weight.

When you starve your body of a vital nutrient such as fat, carbs or even water it’ll hold onto what it has and slowly burn through it to sustain itself. This is the idea behind low carb/ low fat diets as a quick and easy way to lose weight. However this means your body will not be able to operate at it’s preferred level and effectively slip into a “vital functions only” mode. Hence you will see decreases in abilities, brain function, energy and even mood. Your body will work to maintain the carb/fat stores for as long as possible and ration it out so you will retain what you have instead of losing it.

Basically what I am saying is that low carb/ low fat diets are not an effective or sustainable way to lose weight. It is important to consume everything in moderation and to focus more on the quality of your food over the quantity. Eating whole grains, fruits, nuts and even vegetables are all very good quality carbohydrates to consume. You want foods that are “nutrient dense” which are foods that are heavy on vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. In addition these carbohydrates are “complex” which are carbohydrates that contain more nutrients such as vitamins, fiber and minerals that the body can absorb and benefit from.

Refined and process carbohydrates should be limited; they are found in many breads, sweets, pastries and such. Food ingredients primarily ending in “ose” such as glucose, sucrose, and lactose are sugars. They’re not necessary bad for you however consuming too much is a bad thing so it’s important that you are eating sugars in moderation and preferably contain other vitamins, minerals, fibers, anti-oxidants and water.

The time of day that you eat doesn’t matter as well, many people think it’s not okay to eat after 8 or 9pm due to perceived weight gain effects but that is only a myth. The problem occurs not in the time of day but the amount people are eating throughout the day, eating more late at night can lead to overconsumption so it’s important to limit your portions when snacking late night.

Make sure that your diet consists of an appropriate amount of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins as well as plenty of water. Focus on the quality of your food, eating a wide variety of different foods and discovering new tastes and meal ideas from some of your favorite foods.

MileHighGaymer Reviews

Dark Souls II

For PS3, Xbox 360, and PC Developed by Namco Bandai

By Emma Rios of Bits and Bytes
Edited by Jason Anderson

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Heya Folks! Jason, your resident gaymer, here! Sorry, but I’m on vacation for the next few weeks road tripping across America. While I’m away I’ve lined up a few guest reviews for ya to enjoy!

First up we got Emma Rios from Bits and Bytes. Catch her videos on Youtube and her Twitter about some more games that you should and maybe shouldn’t be playing.

Emma shares her passion for gaming by writing, creating video content and streaming on Twitch in addition to performing freelance work as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound designer and audio engineer. She enjoys traveling internationally and is currently working towards learning a fourth language -- Japanese.

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Review Haiku:

“Don’t go it alone
Enemies test your mettle
You died died died died”

What is it?

Dark Souls II is an action role-playing game (RPG) for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. You take control of a player created character and fight (then die) your way through (after dying) the world of Drangleic (but not before you die… a lot. Did I mention you will die?).

Nothing is explained to you, no directions are given and the only clues you have to lead you are vaguely delivered by some old crones and later, various non-playable characters (NPCs).

Character creation is tied right into the story as the Old Crone you speak with in the beginning asks you to remember your name by thinking deep into the past. Then, you are shown a Human Effigy and asked who it is supposed to be… yes, it is supposed to be you. This is all tied into giving your character a name, then selecting their class (warrior, knight, etc.), gift (maybe a useful item), gender, build, etc.

For there being such an obscure story told outright, the writers and designers did a great job of weaving together the canon of the Dark Souls universe and the reality of the player experiencing the game: you are told from the beginning that time after time, like a moth to a flame you will go to this place, your wings will be burned, and you will come back because it is your fate. That’s pretty heavy, considering you will make progress in the game, often only after failing again and again, but you will keep coming back.

The crux of it all is that you must seek the king, defeat large enemies to acquire more Souls, thereby becoming more powerful, all in an attempt to end the curse on you and the people of this land. Everyone is slowly Hollowing (becoming soulless like a zombie) and losing their memories, including you, because of this curse. In a nutshell, Dark Souls II is a zombie game, but it does the zombie genre better than the zombie genre does itself.

Souls are the currency of this game and they are used for everything from purchasing, repairing and reinforcing items and equipment to increasing your base stats. When you die you start from the last save point you encountered, which are bonfires in the game, and you leave all the Souls you accumulated behind. Your pool of health also decreases every time you die (to no less than 75% of your maximum health) and your Humanity is also lost — an effect of Hollowing. If you don’t retrieve your Souls and you die again, they’re gone for good. Believe me, you will lose your Souls and lots of them again, and again, and again.

I got eighty million deaths, but a pig ain’t one.

Who will like this game?

Let me start by saying who this game is NOT for: those who have very little patience (and time) to commit to a game. That’s it. While this game is targeted towards “hard-core” gamers who are experienced with playing games that require a high level of skill, anybody can learn how to play Dark Souls II. This is my very first experience with the Souls franchise. That being said, if you’re not a fan of figuring it all out by yourself and you don’t have access to the internet, then maybe this isn’t the game for you. Playing the console versions of this game with either an Xbox Live Gold or Playstation Plus membership, while not a must, really elevates the cruel Dark Souls experience to a much friendlier one.

This game is really built to be a shared experience. Whether summoning players from other “realms” to help you with a tough boss fight, discussing it with a friend via text, email, blog or community forum, or just simply browsing the web for tips and tricks people have shared in videos or on Wiki pages. Having a buddy who is playing along with you is a treat. For example, I had no idea that you had to have your Humanity fully intact in order to see Summoning Signs, which enables you to call other players to your game to help you through a tough area or with a tough boss fight. At the time, I was streaming on Twitch.tv (www.twitch.tv/Emma4EVR - shameless plug!) and a viewer hopped into the chat to explain how that game mechanic worked, and offered to drop a Summoning Sign where I needed help. The feeling of camaraderie was palpable, and it was an experience I will never forget.

Part of what is so enjoyable about experiencing this game is the feeling that you are a member of an exclusive club. The internet is filled with memes (in-jokes and gags) and fan-created videos that pay tribute to the insane experience that is shared amongst members.

What’s not so cool about this game?

What is interesting about this game also runs the risk of being its downfall. Jumping in and playing Dark Souls is akin to moving to Japan with only the clothes on your back, not knowing the language or anything about the culture and being expected to survive without first losing your mind or winding up on the tracks of an oncoming bullet train. Good luck, sucker! This is a game where tribal knowledge is worth more than any in-game item you will find. And, if you don’t have access to the internet or you have no experience with this franchise, you’re going to want to buy drywall and controllers in bulk because you may be turning into the Hulk… a lot.

Mastering the controls and getting down the timing of combat is something that I believe a lot of Western gamers who haven’t experienced a Souls game will find frustrating. I found targeting and locking onto enemies occasionally frustrating. Also, I can’t tell you how many Human Effigies (these are important, you don’t want to waste these!) I accidentally used while figuring out the controls. If you’ve ever played a Monster Hunter game, then this won’t be out of your realm of experience because there are a lot of similarities between combat mechanics. Do you lack rhythm and a sense of timing? Too bad, so sad, Dark Souls II isn’t going to hold your hand.

Learning how to read and understand character stats and individual equipment stats is time consuming. Having a background in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons will benefit you in this area. In some ways, all the minutiae feels like stereotypical Japanese game design (complex, confusing and convoluted), but that’s also part of the charm I suppose, like teaching yourself how to use a table saw.

What’s cool about this game?

Visuals: Dark Souls II’s console graphics are pretty amazing, especially when you consider that this is a game for the previous generation of consoles (and PC, but they don’t count because they got them graphics card whatsits!). This is especially true during the opening cutscene — just take a look at that water!

Row, row, row your boat, gently down the — OHMAHGAWDNOOOOO

I absolutely love the environments I’ve explored so far, with the exception of one area called The Gutter that is incredibly dark, as in pitch black dark. I don’t want to spoil the enjoyment of discovering and exploring this area for yourself, but let’s just say that I haven’t progressed past this point yet because I don’t have the tools I need to do so.

Uh, clap on, clap off?

However, the world of Drangleic is enormous and it feels alive. Each area is distinctive, partly because of the unique enemies you encounter in each area, but mostly because there is just about every type of environment you can imagine in this game.

Sometimes these locations appear disconnected from one another due to the stark contrasts you will find you have navigated to. In part, I believe because this is because this is just such an enormous game environment that you can easily get lost or disoriented in (there is no map to guide you, no NPC telling you where to go), and there is no straight line of progression. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just unfamiliar to feel so completely lost in a game and wonder, ‘how in the heck did I get here again?’ If you aren’t making progress because you lack a key item or have insufficient levels or equipment, you can go somewhere else and attempt to make progress there.

Sound: Outside of boss battles, cutscenes and a few choice locations,  there is no music in this game. I really appreciate the restraint in choosing to forgo music for the majority of the game because I feel like it would actually be a distraction in an experience that requires a lot of focus and attention to detail, which includes listening for enemies. Dark Souls II does a great job of pulling your attention into the game fully, and part of that is the excellent sound design. Movement, the clashing of weapons against armor, flesh and bone, environmental ambiance, it all adds to a wholly engrossing experience.

Gameplay: Why is a game so punishing also so utterly addictive? Because ultimately it is a fair game. Completing a tough boss fight, traversing a treacherous environment or figuring out where to go is not impossible. It requires thoughtful planning and careful execution. There’s also a lot of trial and error involved, but when you finally figure it out and make it past its challenges (which really are YOUR challenges) you will feel rewarded in a way that very few games can offer.

Dark Souls II is one of the most memorable gaming experiences I’ve ever had, and that’s what this franchise does best. Your palms will sweat, your adrenaline will pump and when you fell your foe with only a wisp of health left you will leap out of your seat and let out a roar, PRAISE THE SUN!

Nice to See StevieB: The Day Off

By StevieB

I have found that the easiest way to wash my bike after a day out, is to leave it strapped to the back of my Jeep and simply drive it through the car wash. This; however, does not stand well with the managers of said car wash. They tend to stand just outside the wash and wait for the water jets to rip the bike from its mooring. Which has never happened. Yet. I speed away before I get lectured.

This was Tuesday. I had taken the day off to complete some well overdue chores. The first on my long list was a dentist appointment. I recorded the time wrong and showed up an hour late. I rescheduled for early August. The next was heading to Costco to look for whole bean hazelnut coffee. In the recent past, I have tossed out my pod brewer coffee machine and switched back to a regular coffee maker. I never really adapted to the lack of taste in the pod brewers. Since then, I have been looking for a whole bean coffee, preferably in hazelnut. What I'm finding is that there is a scary lack of whole bean coffees for sale in my town. Guess I'll resort to buying it on line.

After the errands were.... well... not completed, I zipped home to meet the DirectTV guy. I have broken off my parasitic relationship with cable and rushed back into the arms of DirectTV. It was a surprisingly easy installation. Not once did the HOA version of the SS Gestapo come running to check my documents. I'm now the proud owner of a DVR that can record eight shows at once and play them in any room in the house. Epic.

This easy installation gave me just enough time to take the bike out and find some mud puddles. And after the bike's bath, I was able to enjoy the amazing summer evening on the patio of my local Leather Bar.

I do love a day off.

This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.

LGBT advocate Chris Kluwe petitions Vikings to release investigation report

LGBT advocate and former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has launched a petition on Change.org calling for the release of the results of an investigation that was launched following Kluwe's release from the team and his allegations of inappropriate conduct against the team.

Says Kluwe in the petition: "I believe my public support for LGBT rights cost me my job. The organization said it has investigated this claim, but it hasn’t publicly released the full investigation report yet, which it had promised to do. That's why I'm asking you to sign this petition, and urge the Vikings to make the entire investigation findings public.

During the 2012 NFL season, I faced discriminatory remarks from my coach. He often made homophobic and offensive remarks that were completely disrespectful to me and the LGBT community. Other team leaders looked the other way. Despite these challenges, I focused on being a great punter for the team, and my season’s performance was largely consistent with my career averages, which remain the best in Vikings’ history.

In May 2013, however, the team’s management supposedly wanted to explore other options so I was released. But I don’t buy that argument. I believe that I was fired from my job because of discrimination. I made a public announcement of these claims in January, and the Vikings initiated an independent investigation into my claims."

You can check out the petition, which was launched just a few days ago, and comments being left by signers here: https://www.change.org/petitions/zygi-wilf-release-the-discrimination-investigation-results-to-the-public. So far, over 1,100 people have signed on to his petition.

Denver Area Dollar Tree Customers Can Donate School Supplies for Military Children

Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree, Inc. have joined forces again this pre-school season to gather school supplies for military children across the country. The supplies can be purchased starting today by customers at any of the more than 60 Dollar Tree and Deals stores in and around Denver and placed in collection boxes in each store.

The Back-to-School Brigade program is a nationwide campaign by Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree. This is the sixth year that Dollar Tree has partnered with Operation Homefront for the program. Last year, Dollar Tree patrons donated more than $4.7 million of supplies nationwide.

“For the last six years, Dollar Tree and its customers have been our partners in getting military kids ready to go back to school,” said Charlotte Merriam, Executive Director of Operation Homefront Rocky Mountains. “These donated school supplies enhance the morale and the success of our military children, while easing the burden military families carry. These families deal with deployments and the other stresses of military life, and Operation Homefront serves lower- and mid-grade enlisted the lowest-paid of our service members.”

“Dollar Tree is a proud, national sponsor of Operation Homefront,” said Chelle Davis, Dollar Tree spokesperson. “We are honored to once again participate in the Back-to-School Brigade TM and thank our customers for their continued generosity and support.”

Dollar Tree stores will collect supplies July 7 – August 14. Participating stores include the locations at Micro Center, Broadway Marketplace, and Bear Valley Shopping Center. Once the program ends, Operation Homefront volunteers will collect and distribute the gifts to military children during the back-to-school season in August and September. Log on to OperationHomefront.net for more details on how to contribute.

Call for Proposals for Creating Change 2015 in Denver

The 27th Annual Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change climbs its way to the mile high city, Denver, CO Feb 4–Feb. 8, 2015. Creating Change is the premier annual organizing and skills-building event for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and our allies.

The Creating Change 2015 website is online now and ready for you to:

Bring all you've got to give, teach and share in a Creating Change workshop session. Take the first step by submitting a workshop proposal. 

Reserve your hotel room at the conference hotel, the lovely Sheraton Denver Downtown. 

Sign up to volunteer or host an attendee during the conference (for Denver area residents). Creating Change 2015 registration will open next month in August. Sign up for the e-mail list so that you'll be the first to know when it opens.

GLAAD'S 'Studio Responsibility Index' Finds Lack of LGBT Images, Offensive Content in Films Released by Seven Largest Studios

GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, today released its second annual Studio Responsibility Index (SRI), a report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of LGBT people in films released by the seven largest motion picture studios during the 2013 calendar year.

GLAAD found that of the 102 releases from the major studios in 2013, 17 of them included characters identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. The majority of these characters were minor roles or cameos, and GLAAD found that many of these were outright defamatory representations in films such as Pain & Gain and Riddick.

“The lack of substantial LGBT characters in mainstream film, in addition to the outdated humor and stereotypes suggests large Hollywood studios may be doing more harm than good when it comes to worldwide understanding of the LGBT community,” said GLAAD's CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis. “These studios have the eyes and ears of millions of audience members, and should reflect the true fabric of our society rather than feed into the hatred and prejudice against LGBT people too often seen around the globe.”

Both Paramount and Warner Brothers received "failing" grades for including only minor and offensive portrayals of LGBT people in their 2013 releases. 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Studios received grades of "adequate." Sony Columbia was the first and only studio to receive a "good" score for several LGBT-inclusive films, including Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, which was the only film tracked in the report that was also nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. No studio has yet received a grade of "excellent."

More info after the cut.

Tranifesto: Coming Out as Trans after Coming Out as Gay

By Matt Kailey

A reader writes: “I am a 39-year-old gay male. Ever since high school, I have geared being more like a female. It was tough when I came out as being gay. I got teased and made fun of in school. My mother accepted me being gay.

“I have tried to be a full-time male, but just was not happy with it. I drank a lot as well. A year ago I decided to start the process of transitioning. I have already decided that I am not going to have the surgery to be a full female. In other words, I’m going to leave the below parts alone, although I want to grow breasts and desire to take some hormones to obtain more fem features.

“My problem is my mother. She accepts me being gay. Today we went shopping and some people referred to me as a female, which did not bother me at all. In the car while she was driving me home, she stated I make an ugly girl. I understand that given she is my birth mother this is hard for her. She knows I want to be more like a girl but does not realize what I am doing. I am totally happy with who I am and who I will become. Just not so sure of my mother?”

One thing that can be difficult for some trans people is having to come out twice – first as a gay man or lesbian, and later as transgender. The way some people see it is similar to the boy who cried, “Wolf!” – so you said you were gay, now you say you’re trans. What are you going to say next week?

What those people don’t realize is that it is not uncommon for trans people to come out as gay or lesbian before coming out as trans. Here are some reasons that could happen:

CDC: 2.3% of Americans identify as LGB

In the first large-scale government survey measuring Americans' sexual orientation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that less than 3% of Americans identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Data in the study comes from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey, which for the first time in its 57-year history included questions about sexual orientation.

Conn. Supreme Court rules same-sex marriage rights are retroactive

Connecticut's highest court last Wednesday ruled that some legal rights of same-sex predate the state’s 2008 adoption of marriage equality and earlier approval of civil unions. 

The decision, which is the first of its kind, overturned lower court rulings and allowed a widow to sue a doctor for medical malpractice for the death of her wife. The alleged malpractice occurred before the state adopted marriage equality.

County judge overturns Fla. marriage ban

Florida's ban on marriage equality was ruled unconstitutional last Thursday in a decision that applies only to the county that covers the Florida Keys. 

Six couples had filed a lawsuit challenging the ban. Circuit Judge Luis Garcia ordered that marriage licenses could be issued to same-sex couples starting Tuesday. The office of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced that it intends to appeal the ruling.

Courage Campaign On Obama Executive Order: "Another Historic Milestone As We Create A More Just And Equal Workplace For All"

Statement from Dr. Paul Song, executive chairman of the Courage Campaign, on today’s executive order banning LGBT workplace discrimination for federal contractors:

“Today our nation is taking another important step towards creating a more perfect union. President Obama’s action today is another historic milestone as we create a more just and equal workplace for all. Now Congress must act to ensure all Americans are protected and treated equally.”

After the Brutal Murder of Mia Henderson, HRC Calls for Stronger Laws and Increased Protection of Transgender Women

In response to the discovery of 26-year-old Mia Henderson's body in West Baltimore, the sixth transgender woman of color murdered this year - the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has called for more concerted efforts to protect transgender women from unprecedented levels of violence and harassment.

Henderson – an African American, transgender woman – was found dead in an alley on Wednesday by local police. Ms. Henderson is the sister of LA Clippers Guard Reggie Bullock.

"Even as the transgender community experiences historic visibility in the mainstream media and increasingly inclusive protections under the law, the reality is that for far too many transgender individuals – particularly poor and working class transgender women of color – violence and brutality are facts of their every day existence," said Fred Sainz, HRC Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Henderson is the second transgender woman murdered in Baltimore within the last two months. The body of Kandy Hall – a 40 year-old transgender woman – was discovered on June 3rd. Both Henderson and Hall were murdered after Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed a historic statewide non-discrimination bill that included gender identity and expression earlier this year.

The 2011 report from the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force on the experiences of transgender Americans found that nationally, black transgender and gender non-conforming people often live in extreme poverty, with 34% reporting a household income of less than $10,000/year, eight times the rate of the general U.S. population. Transgender women of color face disproportionate levels in violence in comparison to other members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. According to a report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), 72 percent of LGBTQ homicide victims in 2013 were transgender women and 89 percent were people of color. Discrimination in employment, healthcare, and persistent racism can reinforce one another to place transgender people of color at greater risk for poverty and violence.
"The importance of the statewide non-discrimination bill in Maryland cannot be overstated. We need to continue to move these protections at the state and federal level, but the truth is that while policy change is critical, it is insufficient in and of itself," said Jeff Krehely, HRC Vice President and Chief Foundation Officer. "We need a concerted effort to raise awareness that transgender people are an important part of the community and to address the persistent issues of violence and poverty facing so many in the transgender community.”

Krehely continued, "We call upon states and municipalities to raise the visibility of the transgender community and to help transgender workers through focused employment and other anti-poverty programs. Only then will we begin to curb this epidemic of violence facing transgender women."

RÖYKSOPP & ROBYN - One More Time

The video for “Do It Again” was shot in Mexico by award-winning Danish filmmaker Martin de Thurah. It tells the story of desire, ecstasy and forbidden love. 

Says de Thurah, "'Do It Again' feels like it's an unstoppable pop mantra of something out of hand. A spiralling hypnotic maelstrom. The video touches 'our hearts' desires': deep passions; revolutions full of hope and excitement; a dream of freedom; obsession; the ecstasy and escapism; the darkness. And it ends in a mix of violence and laughter, freedom and the loss of free will. All of this somehow ends on a note of hope through struggle. Something worth fighting for. Do it again." 

Read more about the the collaboration between Martin de Thurah, Röyksopp & Robyn on Dazed Digital.

The Gay Vegans: Still Don't Want to Vote?

By Dan Hanley

I was reading a friend's Facebook comments recently about a man running for the state house in Michigan who removed her comments and blocked her from his Facebook page after she posted that she would not be voting for him. My first thought was "typical", and then I started really thinking about it.

This guy, who I also would not vote for if I still lived back in my hometown, could easily win. He may not support women, he may not support public schools, he may not support equality for gays and lesbians. He could support corporate and agricultural welfare, he could support allowing anyone to buy any type of gun from anyone else and he could support a myriad of other things that I might disagree with.

And he is just like someone running for political office where you live.

He is almost assured a victory.

Unless you vote.

There is a huge us vs. them battle going on these days. This is perpetuated by those in political power and those who want political power. And it's not just one party, it's members of both parties.

In many activist communities I have met people who do not vote. Amazing activists, incredibly passionate people. Yet they don't vote.

In November, there will be elections all over the country. New congressmen will be elected or re-elected, members of state houses will be elected, new school board members, etc. Whoever wins will represent you at the US Capitol, your state capitol and your county school board.

I write a lot about being a voice for the voiceless. This is another one of those opportunities. Check out the candidates in your area. Find out where they stand on issues important to you. Call them or email them. Even if you are in a supposed district where the winner is already known.

We have the power.

Vote.

Vote for the animals. Vote for equal rights. Vote to support equality for women. Vote to support nine year olds who are refugees on our border. Vote to speak out loudly for the voiceless.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.