Slim Twig - Maintain the Charade

Slim Twig's DFA Records debut, A Hound At The Hem, has been streaming in full via Flavorwire since last week and gets its official release today.  Earlier this week, Noisey premiered the spooky new Meg Remy-directed video for "Maintain The Charade" just in time for Halloween. Need a costume idea? Peep the video below because Slim Twig has you covered. 

On 5-Year Anniversary of Federal Hate Crimes Law, HRC Releases Guide to State-Level Hate Crimes Advocacy

On the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (HCPA), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today released a guide providing analysis of the current landscape of hate crimes laws in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“LGBT Americans will never be truly equal or free to pursue happiness until they are safe from bias-motivated violence,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Too many states still do not have an LGBT-inclusive state-level hate crimes law. While I am confident that love will always conquer hate, the stories chronicled within this guide vividly illustrate the tragic and senseless violence that hate often fuels. We must work harder than ever before to pass hate crimes laws that protect our entire community.”

As HRC and advocates across the country commemorate the fifth anniversary of the passage of the federal HCPA, this publication builds on the advocacy guide that HRC originally published in 2009. It provides an explanation of the federal hate crimes law, an analysis of the effectiveness of the law, and depicts the landscape of hate crimes laws in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“Hate crimes are different from ordinary crimes because they affect not only the victims and their families, but generate fear and insecurity for the entire community or group of people that they target,” added Sarah Warbelow, HRC’s Legal Director. “All people should have the opportunity to live openly, honestly, and safely in their community without fear of harassment or violence.”

The passage of the HCPA was a significant victory in the fight for equality for LGBT people because it was the first major piece of civil rights legislation protecting LGBT individuals. However, as the guide points out, it does not end the need for state lawmakers to address hate-motivated crimes that terrorize communities across the country. Every state must consider ways to use state laws to supplement the HCPA.

Twenty states either do not have a hate crimes law or have a law lacking LGBT inclusion. Although 30 states have a hate crimes prevention law that covers sexual orientation, only 15 of those laws also address hate crimes based on gender identity or expression.

Law enforcement training, data collection and the reporting of data on hate crimes are also key to addressing hate crimes at the state level. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collects data from local jurisdictions on hate crime incidents under the Hate Crimes Statistics Act (HCSA). However, HCSA reporting is not mandatory, resulting in significant underreporting. Only 30 states provide for statewide hate crimes data collection and reporting. Only 14 states provide for specialized law enforcement training in preventing, identifying and responding to hate crimes.

HRC’s guide shows state-level advocates what their state legislatures must do to fully address the problem of hate crimes. The guide also points out several priorities in which HRC is committed to engaging in advocacy and education efforts to bring awareness to hate based violence and to expand legislation aimed at addressing hate crimes.

Several priorities include:

• Amend the HCSA to mandate reporting. In August 2014, FBI Director James Comey explained, “We must continue to impress upon our state and local counterparts in every jurisdiction the need to track and report hate crimes. It is not something we can ignore or sweep under the rug.” One effective way of ensuring greater compliance is to mandate hate crimes statistics reporting for local jurisdictions. This would provide a more complete picture of hate based violence in the United States and allow for targeted efforts to address areas with high levels of hate crimes.
•  
• Passage of state laws that protect LGBT individuals from hate crimes. The HCPA only protects LGBT victims from violent crimes where the federal government has jurisdiction over the underlying criminal act, regardless of the bias motivation. Since most crimes in the U.S. are still prosecuted at the state level, LGBT victims remain particularly vulnerable to hate crimes in the states that do not provide protections for individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Passage of state level HCPAs allows states to prosecute hate crimes without a federal nexus and in many instances crimes against property.
•  
• Expand education and training initiatives. The government must complement tough laws and vigorous enforcement – which can deter and address violence motivated by bigotry – with education and training initiatives designed to reduce prejudice. The federal government has an essential role to play in helping law enforcement, communities, and schools implement effective hate crimes prevention programs and activities. Education and exposure are the cornerstones of a long-term solution to prejudice, discrimination and bigotry against all communities. A federal anti-bias education effort would exemplify a proactive commitment to challenging prejudice, stereotyping, and all forms of discrimination that affect the whole community.

Clearly, much work is left to do on both the federal and state level. Passage of the HCPA was one critical step on a long road toward ending bias-motivated violence.

Click here for HRC’s entire updated Guide to State-Level Advocacy Following Enactment of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

OUT on DVD: Antony and the Johnsons and Charles Atlas' TURNING Documentary

Described by Antony as "some of the most significant work of my career," TURNING is a concert film documentary captured during Antony and the Johnsons and Charles Atlas' critically acclaimed tour of Europe during the fall of 2006. TURNING explores the heart and experience of that series of performances. Through its synthesis of Antony's songs and Atlas' unfurling video portraiture of the 13 women who performed on stage, TURNING is an intimate and cinematic journey exploring themes of identity, transcendence, and the revelation of a revolutionary feminine essence.

TURNING saw its theatrical release from fall 2011-summer 2012, premiering at festivals throughout the world. Secretly Canadian and Rough Trade will now co-release a deluxe edition of TURNING, including a DVD of the documentary and CD of the complete audio recording of the TURNING concert, live at The Barbican in London in November 2006. The concert contains songs from the first three Antony and the Johnsons' full length albums - Antony and the Johnsons, I Am A Bird Now, and The Crying Light - and features two rare Antony and the Johnsons studio recordings from that period.

TURNING will be available on DVD+CD and digitally on November 11th on Secretly Canadian and November 10th in the UK and Europe on Rough Trade. After sharing "Daylight And The Sun," Antony and the Johnsons and Charles Atlas now present the "Twilight" clip, premiered yesterday via Dangerous Minds.

Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted For Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Are you a new or experienced writer or blogger? Do you want to be? Or maybe you're just some gay guy with something to say? Well, what better forum for you than MileHighGayGuy?

MileHighGayGuy is looking for regular and guest bloggers to write about local news and events, do music and movie reviews, or write opinion or feature pieces from a gay perspective.

These are unpaid positions but offer the opportunity to be published in Colorado's Best Gay Blog (2010, 2011, 2012 OUTstanding Awards, Denver 2012 #WebAwards), expand your audience and gain valuable experience. There's also swag available in the form of free movie and concert tickets, music, books and other cool stuff.

If interested, shoot an email over to Drew Wilson at drew@milehighgayguy.com. And if you've got column or story ideas to pitch, this is the place to do it.

BeTested.co: On Or Off The Field, Score Safely

We will change the future of HIV/AIDS in Denver and throughout Colorado. It's no longer a dream. We will change the future of HIV/AIDS. There is not a cure or vaccine yet, but remarkable advances have transformed HIV from being a deadly infection to a manageable, chronic disease. The future of HIV/AIDS is in our hands.

What you can do - Test, Talk, PrEP, PEP, Treatment, End Stigma.

Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog - MileHighGayGuy

Do you want to advertise to Denver’s gay community? Of course you do, it’s the 7th largest in the United States! And the best way to reach them is with MileHighGayGuy – Colorado’s Best Gay Blog.

"Bearracuda has placed ads on MileHighGayGuy.com for all of our Denver events and they've provided a huge exposure to our party! Between that and the shout-outs we get from MileHighGayGuy, we've seen our numbers grow and grow. Highly recommended!!" - Matt Mikesell, founder of Bearracuda.

Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.

Deals and Discounts on Andrew Christian With MileHighGayGuy!

Andrew Christian is one of the largest retailer and manufacturers of men’s underwear on the web. They carry hundreds of styles from cutting edge basics to performance fabrics, to body enhancing designs and everything is made in sunny Los Angeles, California.

Click the pic to start your summer shopping today!

Nice to See StevieB: Life

By StevieB

So... age old concern. My homework is cutting into my romantic life. At the end of next week I have an eight page paper due on whether the Irish monasteries of the twelfth century really did save the works of great ancient philosophers, or the Humanists across Europe were the saviors; as the monks would not understood the meaning behind the works.... I know. I just fell asleep as well. Aristotle; such a funny guy. During this time, I am acutely aware that there are guys to go kiss.

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that not only am I beginning my mid-life crisis, I am also attempting to re-live my early twenties. But, with a better credit score.

I find it strange and amusing that life has brought me to this place. A place of personal confidence, meaning finally feeling comfortable in my own skin, of being un-outcastable and truly strong in my personal beliefs, yet being in a social place of a twenty year old.

I like getting older. When you’re in your twenties you’re really forging for your future. Things take shape later on. -Crispin Glover

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

Calif. sheriff's department sued by GBT inmates

The ACLU on Wednesday of last week filed a class-action lawsuit against California's San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on behalf of gay, transgender and bisexual inmates. 

The suit alleges that the department housed gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in an "alternative lifestyle tank" where they were kept indoors for 22-and-a-half hours a day and denied access to drug treatments, education and work programs.

Inside the life of Capitol Hill's only openly trans staffer

Ben Panico, a David Bohnett Victory Congressional Fellow, spoke to Fusion Network this summer about his experience working as Capitol Hill's sole openly transgender staffer. 

Panico described his time on The Hill so far as being largely positive. "Most people ... that know that I'm trans just treat me like any other person," he said.

Judge in Puerto Rico rules against marriage equality

A federal judge ruled last week that Puerto Rico's ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional. 

"Because no right to same-gender marriage emanates from the Constitution, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico should not be compelled to recognize such unions," U.S. District Judge Juan Perez-Gimenez wrote in his decision. An appeal is expected.

Cuomo to focus on LGBT issues in coming term

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week touted his support for the LGBT community and promised further action in a second term. 

"With all that we've done, and we've done a lot, now is not the time to be complacent," Cuomo said in a three-minute video for the Empire State Pride Agenda's annual fall dinner. Among the measures Cuomo promised to prioritize in his next term is the Gender Equality Non-Discrimination Act.

Report highlights struggles of LGBT Jamaicans

A report by Human Rights Watch shows widespread discrimination and violence targeted toward LGBT Jamaicans. According to the report, police in Jamaica often fail to protect the island country's LGBT citizens, who are increasingly in danger of physical attacks and murder. The report also found that governmental agencies have been guilty of discriminatory practices in housing and employment.

Gay Help Wanted: MileHighGayGuy Is Hiring

Do you like working in and for the gay community? 

Are you friendly and outgoing?
 
Award-winning MileHighGayGuy.com is seeking advertising sales reps. The position requires someone who is self-motivated, detail-oriented and who, preferably, is familiar with the GLBT community. This is a contract position and pay will be commission-based.
 
To apply, email resume and references to Drew Wilson at Drew@milehighgayguy.com.

Tranifesto: Small-Town Transition Blues

By Matt Kailey

A reader writes: “I’m a 16-year-old trans guy, and I came out to my mom two months ago, and my dad one month ago. They haven’t rejected me (I knew they wouldn’t), but they’re not on board with thinking of me as their son, and probably won’t be in the near future. My mom e-mailed a gender therapist recently, so I’m looking forward to my parents getting a ‘professional opinion,’ and so I can finally talk to someone who speaks my language.

“Some problems are: I don’t know how (or when) to come out to my siblings. My brother is 13, and looks up to my 18-year-old sister. My sister has treated me like less than a human being for my entire life, probably from deep jealousy that started when I was born, and I’m finally letting go of the belief that if I tried hard enough, she would show any emotion resembling love toward me. She’s leaving in the spring, and if I came out to her before that, she would probably out me to our school, and subsequently our town.

“My town has a population of 400, with less than thirty people in my high school and with two other students in my grade. I’ve lived here my whole life, and have despised it for just as long. I need to transition as soon as possible, and the only way I can think of to do that is to move to a big city, and since I’m a minor, I can’t just go and get an apartment and a job in Portland and start testosterone on my own.

“I feel guilty about wanting to ask my family if we can move, since I only have a year and a half of high school left. I also don’t want to put them through a lot of stress if I ended up coming out in this town, which is what I would need to do if I had to spend my senior year here.

“So, do you have any advice for getting my brother on my side, without him getting thrown into the middle of differing opinions within my family?

“How can I convince my parents that living this female lie is so debilitating that I can’t keep it up for even another year, and if I had to stay in this town, I would probably sink into a very deep, deep depression?

“And this isn’t as important, but I’ll ask it anyway: do you think me acting masculine on some days and effeminate on others would confuse them, or that they would have a harder time believing I’m male?”

First I would like to say that I have never known a family that picked up and moved because their teenage child asked them to. Maybe it’s my generation, but my parents would not have even paid attention to such a request. Your parents are probably settled, with jobs, a house, and a life where they are, so I can’t imagine them moving because you ask them to. Again, times might be different now or your family might be different. But I wouldn’t count on them moving.

I’m going to answer your questions in reverse order, because the ideas seem to flow better.

3. I think that you acting masculine on some days and feminine on other days would confuse them and they would have a harder time believing that you’re male. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it. You should be who you are. But most people still subscribe to stereotypical masculine and feminine gender roles, most people misunderstand the trans experience, and most people would assume that a trans man would be naturally masculine and a trans woman would be naturally feminine – and they are easily swayed into disbelief when they don’t see what they expect to see.

In the process of educating them, you can explain to them why this might be so and why none of your behaviors or other forms of gender expression mean that you are not trans or not a guy. This is just the way gender is – it’s not hard and fast, it’s not cut and dried. Once you get hooked up with a therapist, he or she can explain that to them as well.

2. I don’t know your parents, so I’m not sure how you can convince them that you need to transition now, because different people respond to, and are motivated by, different things. I don’t know if you have tried telling them that outright and if they have not believed you, or what the circumstances are. You could try telling them exactly that, if you haven’t already. You could show them this letter. You could hope that you will get hooked up with your therapist soon, and he or she can tell them, as well.

I don’t know if there is someone in another town who you could go stay with so that you could start this process, or if you would be able to do it in that small town as long as you had your parents’ support. You say that you really won’t be able to stay and transition there, but you might not have any choice, if there is nowhere for you to go and if your parents won’t move. So you should probably talk to your parents about this and do your best to make them understand.

For that, you will need to be mature, calm, and articulate, with your arguments reasoned out ahead of time. You will have to be careful not to let your emotions get the best of you, no matter how frustrating the discussion is. It would also help if you had some possible plans to present to them, or some ideas to present about what you want and need from them. But I think you just have to keep talking to them.

Them seeing you as their son right now is not the most important issue. The most important issue is that you don’t think that you can wait any longer to start transitioning. That’s what you need to talk to them about – not them seeing you as their son. That will come with time. The urgency is in how you are feeling about transition.

1. I also don’t know how you can get your brother on your side, because I don’t know the relationship between the two of you. You say he looks up to your sister, but you don’t say how you and he get along. If you feel that your sister will sabotage anything that you try to do with regard to your brother, then I would suggest that you wait until she’s gone and then talk to him.

He might not be on your side. This is a big deal, and at thirteen, he might not be prepared for something like this or know how to handle it. On the other hand, he might be a big ally for you. But without knowing the relationship, it’s hard for me to say, so you might want to concentrate on getting things in line with your parents, and once they are on board, or at least some things are underway, then you can talk to your brother, and they can help you.

Right now, I think the most important thing is to find a therapist, because your mother seems amenable to that. Once therapy is started up, these other issues might fall into place. I know it seems like forever to wait even a day, but remember that transition is a process, and it sometimes takes years to get to where you want to be. It will help if you do one thing that moves you in the right direction, and that one thing seems to be finding a therapist. So start with that. Good luck.

(Editor's Note: Despite the fact that Matt Kailey, one of my closest friends, passed away earlier this year I will continue to republish his writing on MileHighGayGuy.com - as I did when he was alive - as a resource for the gay community to know more about trans people. This post originally appeared on Matt Kailey's award-winning website Tranifesto.com)