Vote for Mr Gay World 2014

Who is your favourite among the 32 Mr Gay World 2014 delegates? Now you can cast your vote and tell who do think should be the new Mr Gay World!

32 brave, proud and good-looking men meet in Rome the last week in August, the competition is tough and only one can win the title; you can help to make the final decision.

You can vote once per day till 6 PM on the evening of the Grand Finale Saturday 30 August.

Go this link and vote for your favourite.

My favourites are:

Mr Gay Australia Chris Glebatsas 

Mr Gay UK Stuart Hatton

Mr Gay Spain Edgar Moreno

The Last Miss Spain Comes Out in Instagram Post

A Spanish beauty queen has posted up an intimate photo with her girlfriend on Instagram, becoming the first national pageant queen to openly admit that she’s gay.

 

Patricia Yurena, two-time winner of the Miss Spain contest, in 2008 and 2013, and a runner up in last year’s Miss Universe competition, which was held in Moscow, published the picture on the social media site.

 

Titled "Romeo and Juliet", Patricia can be seen in bed gazing lovingly into her girlfriend’s eyes. The love of her life is Vanesa Cortes, a singer and DJ on the Spanish House circuit.

 

Later she thanked her fans for the true reaction to her decision to come out in a follow-up Instagram post, adding: "I published impulsively, I appreciate the outpouring of support. Thank you".

Patricia participating in Miss Universe 2013

Over 1,400 same-sex couples married in England and Gales in three months

The UK's Office of National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that 1,409 gay and lesbian couples married between 29 March and 30 June, when the first weddings took place after the Same-Sex Marriage Act was enacted.

 

The ONS has informed that 95 marriages took place only in the first three days. But the number of marriages taking place increased month on month, with 351 marriages in April, 465 in May and 498 in June.

 

After being passed equal marriage law in the British House of Commons, and two-thirds of people in the UK supporting the right to gay marriage, same-sex couples can tie the knot in England and Wales since March 29th.

Scotland’s same-sex marriage law is expected to be approved in 2015. By contrast, Northern Ireland currently has no plans to allow gays couples to marry in the future.

Sean and Sinclair were the first british gay couple

getting married at Camden Town Hall, in London

Safe in My Hands - Allstate LGBT Campaign with Eli Lieb's theme

A new animated short film, released to coincide with LGBT Pride Month, weaves an emotional tale of one man's quest to find someone who will accept him.

 

It's part of Allstate's #OutHoldingHands campaign, anchored on the simple yet meaningful hand-holding gesture and propelled by openly gay singer Eli Lieb's "Safe In My Hands."
 

Unlike other gay-themed ads, however, "Safe In My Hands" uses a unique metaphor as a stand-in for homosexuality: the ad's animated protagonist has an oversized hand which causes him to be ostracized from his peers while riding public transit and on the sports field. Fortunately, there's a happy ending in store for our big-handed hero.
 

In the short film, an animated version of Eli Lieb helps the lonely gentleman find love, grabbing his hand before both characters transform into their non-animated selves.

 

Everyone deserves to be in good hands!

 

 

Eli Lieb produced his debut album titled simply with his name
The first single "Young Love" was a really success

A Judge declares Florida's ban on Same-Sex Marriage Unconstitutional

 

A federal judge has declared Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, joining state judges in four counties who have sided with gay couples wishing to tie the knot.

 

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee ruled Thursday that the ban added to Florida’s constitution by voters in 2008 violates the 14th Amendment’s guarantees of equal protection and due process. Hinkle issued a stay delaying the effect of his order, meaning no marriage licenses will be immediately issued for gay couples.

 

"Liberty, tolerance, and respect are not zero-sum concepts", reads the decision. "Those who enter opposite-sex marriages are harmed not at all when others, including these plaintiffs, are given the liberty choose their own life partners and are shown the respect that comes with formal marriage".

 

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has appealed the previous rulings striking down the ban in Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties. Hinkle’s ruling allows time for appeals in the federal case.

 

Since last year's decision in Windsor, 38 U.S. state and federal courts have ruled in favor of same-sex couples hoping to marry.

 

Great news from the Sunshine State!

It's time Florida! 

Campus Pride Index

Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride and the creator of the Campus Pride Index, said in a statement: "More than ever colleges today want to be viewed as LGBT-friendly and a welcoming place for all students".

And she added: "LGBT students and their safety impacts the recruitment efforts of the entire campus. Upper-level administrators are now understanding how LGBT-friendliness is key to future institutional success".

The complete Campus Pride Index of university rankings features more than 425 campuses, which are ranked on a star scale of LGBT friendliness.

Some major colleges in the top 50 list include: Brown University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, Rutgers University, Stanford University, Syracuse University, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University and UCLA.

Facebook gave $10K to an anti-gay politician

 

Facebook recently made a cash donation of $10,000 to Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, a virulently anti-gay politician.

 

When Reyes was first made Utah Attorney General the past December, he made defending Utah’s same-sex marriage ban priority number one.

 

It was the first issue that his office took up and he promised that he would was "willing to spend whatever it takes” to preserve the ban that had been struck down by a U.S. District Appeals-Court.

 

In fact, Utah would be very close to having legalized gay marriage after a federal appeals-court decided striking down the state's ban, but Reyes is currently fighting to appeal that court decision.

A Facebook's spokesperson replied with the following: "Facebook has a strong record on LGBT issues and that will not change, but we make decisions about which candidates to support based on the entire portfolio of issues important to our business, not just one. A contribution to a candidate does not mean that we agree with every policy or position that candidate takes".

 

In this moment I remember a celebre Groucho Marx quote: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well I have others".

LGBT activists and anti-gay politicians

receive support by Facebook at the same time

Prague Pride 2014

Prague Pride continues to show the way for Eastern European Nations attracting hundreds of thousands of party goers each year in August. Each year the event grows and has become more organized, with more parties and more acts on stage.

 

The Prague Pride Parade in support of the LGBT community started in the city's central square this afternoon headed by a group carrying a caricature of President Vladimir Putin to support homosexuals in Russia and people dancing in costumes on decorated mobile platforms.

 

The parade also criticized discrimination against homosexuals in further 76 countries in the world and it warned against HIV.

 

This year, about 16,000 people joined the parade many of them with the traditional rainbow flags. Like in the previous years a considerable part of the parade were LGBT members who wanted to show their opposition to homophobia.

 

Besides, about 30 employees of the U.S. Embassy in Prague marched in the front part of the parade include its temporary head charge d'affairs Steven Kashkett.

 

It’s great to see a gay pride flourishing in Central Europe.

 

U.S. Mayors for the Freedom to Marry

Almost 500 mayors from 44 U.S. states have signed the Freedom to Marry campaign Mayors for Marriage.

 

The mayors of six of America’s great cities, San Diego, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, Atlanta and Phoenix, lead this nonpartisan group of mayors who support ending marriage discrimination at all levels of government.

 

They are all agree on the goal: securing the freedom to marry and upholding equal rights for all citizens.

 

They invite all their colleagues to join them in signing the statement to advocate for the freedom to marry and build a nation where all couples who want to make the life-long commitment can share in the joy and respect of marriage.

 

Read the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry statement here.

The U.S. mayors Kevin Faulconer (San Diego), Eric Garcetti (Los Angeles), Michael Nutter (Philadelphia), Annise Parker (Houston), Kasim Reed (Atlanta) and Greg Stanton (Phoenix) lead this initiative for same-sex marriage

Bishop of Buckingham supports same-sex marriage

 

The Bishop of Buckingham, Right Reverend Dr Alan Wilson, spoke at a Church of England's debate at St John’s church in Kidlington, reiterating strong support of same-sex marriage.

 

He told worshippers that "the root of marriage is not sex but companionship", in speaking support for gay couples’ right to marry. "The idea that marriage is about friendship has become extremely powerful in England", he added.

 

And he also said allowing same-sex couples to marry enriches the public understanding of what it means to be married.

 

Last summer, the Church of England formally anounced with a statement on web that wouldn't oppose to same-sex marriage law for England and Wales.

 

A church at persons' service and not the opposite.

UK Prime Minister Cameron and Bishop Wilson

are the standard-bearer for gay marriage

NFL will have zero tolerance for use of anti-gay slurs

In a video shown to all players during training camps this summer, the National Football League announced harsh penalties for players who use anti-gay slurs next season.

 

NFL Vice President Dean Blandino said: "We want to stress that there will be zero tolerance for unsportsmanlike conduct, particularly verbal abuse directed at an opponent".

 

Blandino also said: "The use of abusive, threatening or insulting language directed at opponents, teammates, game officials or representatives of the league is covered under unsportsmanlike conduct in the playing rules. This includes racial slurs, comments regarding sexual orientation or other verbal abuse".

 

And he added: "So have your competitors and game officials. Respect them. No amount of emotion should give way to demeaning and offensive language or actions in our workplace. That includes the locker room, on the practice field, during a game or when travelling as a team".

 

The NFL has appeared to be making an effort to quell intolerance since the Rams drafted openly gay rookie Michael Sam.

Michael Sam, first openly gay NFL player

 

SRS Gay Birthday

 

In this episode of web series Steam Room Stories, Josh celebrates his gay birthday... What is that? Watch the following vídeo and enjoy.

Equal Rights are Bigger than Borders

 

A new video shows support between European countries on issues of equality, and a call to action to push for LGBT people to be equal in law across the continent.

 

Posted by Cara-Friend Gay and Lesbian Youth of Northern Ireland, it shows young LGBT people supporting to other European nations, and express desires towards equality.

 

#WorldEquality

President Obama Welcomes 2014 Gay Games Participants

U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the thousands of participants at Gay Games 9, which kicked off this weekend in Cleveland.

 

In a video shown at Quicken Loans Arena's opening ceremony, Obama mentioned that the last games were held in his hometown of Chicago in 2006, and he says many LGBT rights have advanced since then. But he also acknowledged competitors who traveled from places where being open is not very easy.

 

The 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation is one of the most inclusive sports & cultural festivals in the world and comes to Cleveland and Akron, since 9 to 16 August. The Games are open to all adults regardless of their sexual orientation or athletic ability.

 

The 2014 Gay Games are Coming

The 2014 Gay Games are coming on Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, next Saturday for eight days of sporting competitions, plus parties and cultural events.

Don't miss the opening ceremony, complete with a parade of participants, Broadway stars, a community chorus, marching bands, and Lance Bass and Greg Louganis as main guests.

The last edition of Gay Games was in Cologne, Germany, in 2010, and more than 10,000 athletes gathered in several sporting competitions, from basketball to ballroom dancing, from marathon to swimming.

The Gay Games were conceived in 1980 by Dr. Tom Waddell as a "vehicle of change". For over a quarter century, the Gay Games have built an international legacy of changing cultural, social and political attitudes towards LGBT people across the globe, while at the same time empowering tens of thousands with the transforming benefits of sports competition.

Find out more at GG9cle.com.

Enjoy some pictures from last edition of Gay Games in Cologne: