Toooo Honest Valentines’ Cards

 Men always say they want a relationship built on honesty. This Valentine's Day, gives  him a card that will prove he doesn't really mean it.

   .cracked.com/

Valentine’s Evening Guy

By Greg Hernandez on  greginhollywood.com/

 This guy is my on yours Valentine’s Evening  Man I’m sure!

He’s a rugby player from the UK and his name is Seb Stegmann.

Seb (don’t ya just love that name?) is just 22 and plays the position of winger for the Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership.

I don’t know much else about Mr. Stegmann but am happy to report that he joined a few of his teammates and posed in his underwear as part of Terrence Higgins Trust’s new World AIDS Day campaign, Stand Up.

Family and Peers Acceptance Keeps Teens From Suicide

 Ben Goode/iStockphoto.com

A new study pinpoints signs that LGBT teens may be at risk for suicide and suggests how to intervene.

There are a slew of them promising that the bullying will eventually subside and that life will improve, if teens can just hang in there.

It's a fitting campaign in light of suicide sitting third on the list of causes of death among young people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And for young people who happen to be gay, it's even a bigger threat. They're four timesmore likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers.

When it comes to protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens from considering suicide, a study involving about 250 of them has identified several risks and one major protective factor.

"This is the first data pointing us to where we can act," study author Brian Mustanskitells Shots. "This is the first study to look at the thoughts and behaviors of suicide. It lets us look at what those predictors are."

In the study, the LGBT participants who had an impulsive personality and a history of suicide attempts thought about killing themselves more often. And, in what should be abundantly clear these days, young people who were harassed for their sexual orientation were more likely to consider suicide, the researchers found.

So what stopped death from popping into the participants' minds? A strong support system of family and friends acted like a protective mental shield against perilous thoughts. The teens who knew they could open up to their parents about their problems seemed to fare better by having a positive influence on their thoughts.

The findings — specific to LGBT youth — could help health care professionals, teachers, family members and friends pick up on the precursor signs of suicide contemplation.

The results appear in the latest issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Previous research on LGBT adolescents has only looked at their risk of actually attempting suicide, he says, not the predictors that make them vulnerable to it or protect them from it. Mustanski, a clinical psychologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, kept tabs on the LGBT volunteers, ages 16-20 at the start, in the Chicago area for 2 1/2 years. About one-third of the group had attempted suicide before.

Those attempts shouldn't be taken lightly. "Some people don't want to take [suicide attempts] seriously, but our research suggests that making an attempt is predictive of the future," he says. That means more suicidal thoughts and attempts may lie down the road.

Mustanski stresses the importance of that safety net of family and friends for a teen to fall back on. That net starts being woven when kids come out to their parents. A reaction of acceptance and not judgment lets the kid know that his or her parents are approachable and love them, he says.

This support comes in handy should the kid feel rejected at school or become the target of bullies. "Those experiences are toxic," he says. A family that stands behind its son or daughter, as the study shows, is a key deterrent to suicidal thoughts.

To help improve the environment at school, Mustanski suggests an expansion of educational programs and school clubs, such as Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network and Gay-Straight Alliance. He says that these groups can help LGBT youth feel less vulnerable and more accepted. They may also curb bullying on campuses, he says, and that, in turn, could reduce the frequency of suicidal thoughts among LGBT students.

npr.org

Im Not a Muslim Dad, Im Gay

An Iranian American woman has described the heart-stopping moment she told her parents she had rejected Islam - and came out as a lesbian.

Over a cup of coffee in a Maryland cafe, Najva Sol said that she been living a lie her entire life with a Western lifestyle of boozing and partying which her parents had forbidden.

The 21-year-old also admitted that she had regularly watched porn film and was having sex with men, although she preferred women.

 

Confession: Iranian American Najva Sol, remembers her anxiety three years ago when she arranged to meet her mother and father in a Rockville coffee shop to reveal a truth she had been keeping from them

Miss Sol’s mother frowned and her father’s eyelids ‘crumbled like ancient ruins’ but in a surprising twist they accepted her.

She asked them if she could be a good daughter and a good person even if she was gay, and after a pause they replied: ‘Yes’.

 

Miss Sol’s accepting parents mark a sharp contrast to recent stories about strict Muslim parents punishing their children for defying them.

Amongst the most horrific was the case of Mohammad Shafia, 58, his wife Tooba Yahya, 42, who drowned their three teenage daughters and another woman in an honour killing in Ontario, Canada, because they had embraced a Western lifestyle.

Rehearsal: The then 21-year-old had rehearsed her planned conversation with her parents, admitting not being a Muslim, as well as being gay

In an interview Miss Sol revealed that she was born in the U.S. but moved back to Iran before her parents returned to America when she was seven.

The family settled in Rockville, Maryland where her father, an engineer, did not allow her to go to parties and banned cable TV from their home.

By the time she was a teenager, however, she had already begun to rebel.

Miss Sol told the Washington Post: ‘My childhood sex talk was: ‘Don’t do it.’ This is where we left off, and here is where we picked it up again.

‘I was drinking, having sex and lying to my parents back then. I began to realise I needed to get out of here, grow up.’

Family's support: To Miss Sol's recounted surprise and relief, her father and mother, who is seen here, told her they still accepted her as their daughter

Conflicting lifestyles: The girl grew up rebelling her parents' traditional ways of life, finding herself adapting to a more Western lifestyle of boozing and partying which her parents had forbidden

She started to look at porn websites ‘just to see what people look like’ and by the age of 15 she had sex for the first time, which left her feeling ‘like I was a land to be conquered’.

Rows ensued with her mother over her clothes and she used to keep her short skirts, high heels and makeup in her high school locker so she would not find them.

At 17 she fell in love with a boy called Alex and dated him for three years before she moved to New York to attend the New School where she had a relationship with a female dorm mate.

But Miss Sol was still lying to her parents and it was only now as she graduated that she felt able to tell them the truth

It turned out they had known all along.

Comparing views: Her parents, accepting her deviation, is a major contrast to recent stories about strict Muslim parents punishing their children for defying them, in some cases leading to their death

They told her that even though she was not the person they had hoped for, they would still support her.

Miss Sol said: ‘It’s the tone parents use when their kid single-handedly causes the soccer team to lose the state championship. I am not a star player, but they will sit in the bleachers for my team...

‘... For 15 years, I have been afraid there is not enough room in my parents’ hearts, in my family, my Iran, or my religion, for my truth.

‘Who knew how elastic parents can be?’

Miss Sol is now working as a photographer and artist, spending her time between New York and San Francisco.

Supporting: Miss Sol's parents told her that even though she was not the person they had hoped for, they would still support her

Her story is featured in a book of 25 searingly honest essays called ‘Love, InshAllah’ (Love, God Willing), which is due out on Valentine’s Day.

Its publishers pulled the stories together by calling for entries on Facebook and other social networking websites.

Of the 25 authors who have been included, 20 have agreed to be named.

The book’s co-editor Nura Maznavi, 33, told the Washington Post that it should hopefully dispel some stereotypes about Muslims.

She said: ‘Muslim women are either belly-dancing members of a harem, reduced to body parts that someone else controls, or shrouded in black cloth with no desire and having no sex. 

‘The truth is that like all women, we feel and love and have heartbreak.'

 By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

{A SHOCKER from France} French Pres.Sarkozy Wont Support Gay Marriage

 

Nicolas Sarkozy  

In an interview with the conservative French magazine, Le Figaro, France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, said that he would not support gay marriage in his re-election platform, Life Site News reported.

"In troubled times, when our society needs to keep its bearings, I don’t think that it is necessary to blur the image of this essential social institution that is marriage," Sarkozy said.

Even though Sarkozy will not back marriage equality the president claims he will support some rights for gays, such as inheritance rights. He also said, however, that he does not agree with civil unions because it would "tend to harm the institution of marriage."

"I know that there exists, in fact, particular situations with men and with women who assume their parental roles perfectly. But they do not lead me to think that it is necessary to inscribe in law a new definition of family," the French president said.

A Liberation newspaper reported that Sarkozy would in fact support same-sex marriage in his re-election agenda but Valerie Pecresse, the French government spokeswoman, put those rumors to rest when she tweeted that Sarkozy "is not favorable to gay marriage," Bloomberg reported.

According to an opinion poll for the Le Parisien newspaper, 63 percent of French citizens are in favor of gay marriage. In 2000, a poll reported that only 43 percent backed marriage equality. Although the majority of France’s citizens support same-sex marriage, 115 members of the country’s parliament (about 8 percent) signed a petition against gay marriage and adoption, Life Site News noted.

Nicolas Gougain, the spokesman for Inter-LGBT, an umbrella group of 50 LGBT organizations in France, told Le Figaro that he was "disappointed but not surprised" that Sarkozy was not backing gay marriage "because it confirmed that Francois Fillon, [France’s prime minister], state his position." Gougain added that Sarkozy is hostile towards gay marriage in order to "protect" children. "We believe on the contrary that in order to protect children, it’s necessary to recognize all families," he said.

Although France does not recognize same-sex marriage, the country does offer civil solidarity pacts (PACS), which are a form of domestic partnership. Citizens who enter into a PACS have most of the same legal protections and rights as marriage but they are not granted the right to adopt or use artificial insemination. France has anti-discrimination laws that protect the LGBT community in employment, housing and other public and private provisions of services and goods. The country also allows transgender persons to legally change their gender and it was the first country in the world to remove transexualism from its list of diseases. Gays are also allowed to openly serve in the military.

Unlike France, Spain has legalized gay marriage since 2005 and has been one of the most progressive countries in recent decades when it comes to LGBT issues. The Netherlands also extends marriage to its LGBT citizens and has recognized marriage equality since 2001. In 2003, Belgium became the second country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.

(Edge Magazine Copied the story)

{UPDATE} Matt Bomer reveals he's gay: 'White Collar' actor

Update to: Matt Boomer Comes Out {adamfoxie*}  

The actor was honored with the New Generation Arts and Activism Award at a humanitraian awards ceremony

BY JOYCE CHEN / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

  

BRYAN SMITH FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Matt Bomer, star of USA Network's 'White Collar,' came out during an acceptance speech Saturday.

 

Matt Bomer has played many diverse roles in his career, but the "White Collar" star has never been more proud of who he is off-screen.

During an acceptance speech at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Saturday, Bomer publicly confirmed what tabloids have been speculating for some time - that he is gay.

"I'd really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry," he told the audience as he accepted the New Generation Arts and Activism Award, according to Us Weekly.

"Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment."

 

Matt Bomer Comes Out

   by MARC MALKIN AND BRETT MALEC

Elizabeth Taylor?

Matt Bomer has long kept quiet about his private life.

But the White Collar hunk decided to change all that this weekend...

While accepting an award at the Desert AIDS Project's Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards in Palm Springs, Bomer acknowledged that he is gay by giving a special shout-out to his longtime partner, Hollywood publicist Simon Halls, and their three children.

 I'd really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry," Bomer said during the gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center. "Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment. God bless you."
Bomer, who's preparing for his role as a gay journalist who contracts HIV in Ryan Murphy's upcoming film adaptation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, was honored with the New Generation Arts & Activism Award for his work in the fight against the disease.

"My world has really been rocked by doing research for Normal Heart, just in terms of the history of HIV and AIDS," he said. "And so I'm very proud to receive this award from an organization that is at the forefront of carrying the torch into a very, very bright future."
 While accepting an award at the Desert AIDS Project's Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards in Palm Springs, Bomer acknowledged that he is gay by giving a special shout-out to his longtime partner, Hollywood publicist Simon Halls, and their three children. Play I'd really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry," Bomer said during the gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center. "Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment. God bless you.” Bomer, who's preparing for his role as a gay journalist who contracts HIV in Ryan Murphy's upcoming film adaptation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, was honored with the New Generation Arts & Activism Award for his work in the fight against the disease.  PHOTOS: Celebs With Gay Siblings"My world has really been rocked by doing research for Normal Heart, just in terms of the history of HIV and AIDS," he said. "And so I'm very proud to receive this award from an organization that is at the forefront of carrying the torch into a very, very bright future."

While he hasn't come out publicly until now, the 34-year-old actor has publicly supported many gay causes including the Trevor Project and GLSEN. He will also star alongside George Clooney in Dustin Lance Black's stage show 8, which outlines the California trial which overturned the state's same-sex marriage ban.

Back in January 2010 during an interview with Details, Bomer was asked about reports that he is gay. "I don't care about that at all," he told the mag. "I'm completely happy and fulfilled in my personal life."

Bomer will next be seen as one of the male strippers in the upcoming flick Magic Mike and today, he is shooting a guest spot on Glee.

 Boomer’s Speech:

Anderson Cooper with Adele! } Sweet

 By Greg Hernandez  

If you were on the West Coast, then you had to wait to see the Grammys which were delayed by three hours.

It was ridiculously out of step of CBS who should know that in the age of Twitter, these things have got to be viewed live as are the Emmys, the Golden Globes and the Oscars.

Anyway, the one saving grace was the 60 Minutesaired, as scheduled, and one of the stories was Anderson Cooper’s interview with the amazing Adele who went on to win six Grammys last night!

http://greginhollywood.com/

Whitney Was at Her Happiest When She was In A Gay Relationship

 

The late singer Whitney Houston was at her happiest in the 1980s when she was with a “female partner”, human rights activist Peter Tatchell said today.

Mr Tatchell wrote: “Whitney Houston RIP. She was happiest and at her peak in the 1980s, when she was with her female partner. They were so loved up and joyful together.

“It’s important to tell the truth about this aspect of her life. Colluding with the cover-up of her same-sex relationship is not right.”

Rumours of gay relationships were denied by Houston, who died on Saturday aged 48.

She was married to Bobby Brown from 1992 to 2007.

The Daily Beast reports Houston saying about a rumoured relationship with her personal assistant in 1987: “My mother taught me that when you stand in the truth and someone tells a lie about you, don’t fight it. I’m not with any man. I’m not in love. People see Robyn with me, and they draw their own conclusions.

“Anyway, whose business is it if you’re gay or like dogs? What others do shouldn’t matter. Let people talk. It doesn’t bother me because I know I’m not gay. I don’t care.”

Mr Tatchell continued: “I met Whitney and her partner at the Reach Out & Touch HIV rally in London in 1991, organised by Vernal Scott. Whitney spoke very movingly in support of people with HIV, at a time when many other stars kept their distance.

“She was pressured into the Bobby Brown marriage. It was a disaster. Her life started going downhill soon afterwards.

“Perhaps her inability to accept and express her same-sex love contributed to her substance abuse and decline?

“Whitney’s death is a tragic loss of a great vocal talent.”

In 2009, Houston’s former sister-in-law said the singer had had cocaine-fuelled gay encounters.

She had said she was making the claims in order to help the late musical legend overcome a drug habit.    

  PinkNews.co.uk 

Just Before She Died:



WHITNEY Houston reportedly died in the bath after a 48-hour alcohol binge.
The 48-year-old singer — who battled drink and drug addiction in the past — was found dead in her Beverly Hills hotel room on Saturday afternoon and she is thought to have passed out before slipping under the water.
She was discovered by her hairdresser — one of several members of her entourage in other parts of her fourth-floor suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel — who found her with her face underwater and her legs in the air.
Half a dozen bottles of prescription drugs including Lorazepam, Valium and Xanax — used as sleeping aids, relaxants and to ease anxiety — are said to have been found in the suite.
After the hairdresser screamed, one of Whitney’s bodyguards came into the bathroom and dragged her from the tub before attempting to revive her.
Unfortunately nothing could be done and the mother-of-one was pronounced dead at 3.55pm and her body was finally removed from the hotel yesterday morning (12.02.12).
On the Thursday before her tragic death the ‘I Will Always Love You’ hitmaker looked disorientated and wild-eyed as she left Hollywood nightclub Tru in the early hours and had scratched on her wrist and blood running down her leg.
She was spotted downing tequila and went “berserk” when she saw on/off loverRay J talking to US ‘X Factor’ contestant Stacy Francis.
Witnesses who saw her leave said she seemed “wasted”.
Whitney then went out drinking again on Friday and onlookers say her group was loud and boisterous.
She was also displaying erratic behavior during the daytime and on Thursday she was seen wandering around the hotel lobby with soaking hair and mismatched clothes.
One source said she appeared bloated and “smelled of alcohol and cigarettes”.
Following her untimely passing, Whitney’s family issued a statement saying: “This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly.”