Jason Howard Green

Jason Howard Green

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Does This Offend You?


The latest cover of Vogue magazine features Lebron James and supermodel Gisele. It was shot by superphotographer Annie Liebowitz. Not gonna give you my opinion of it just yet. Right now I just want to know what you think. So I've decided to conduct a survey.

Please take a moment an answer the survey below. Also feel free to give any comments in the comments section. I'll give you my opinion tomorrow.


Homophobic Reggae Artist Axed

Bounty Killer is not the first anti-gay reggae artist. Many of his peers like Beanie Man and Buju Banton use homophobic lyrics. These are lyrics that glorify beating and killing homosexuals. But like his peers, Bounty Killer now has to deal with the consequences of the hatred he spews.

Bounty Killer currently has several concert locations planned for the UK. Now two of the three dates he had planned have been cancelled because of campaigning by the gay human rights group OutRage! Though he used to brag that no LGBT group would ever be able to influence him or his performances, he now has to deal with the reality of backlash.

Ain't payback a bitch. Unfortunately, I don't think cancelled concerts will do anything to help Bounty Killer see the error of his ways. He won't rethink his opinion on gays. He won't open his mind about the hatred he has. He will probably elevate his hatred towards the LGBT community because this impacts his wallet.

There is a reason Carribean islands like Jamaica are filled with gays and lesbians that fear for there lives. The hatred they experience is not just tolerated by the general community, it is encouraged. We can't continue to stand by and let influential people (like Bounty Killer) continue his tirade that dehumanizes our community.

Way to go OutRage! Keep the fight alive!

Black Transgender Headed to the DNC

Marisa Richmond of Tennessee is about to make history. Richmond who has been involved in national political conventions since 1980 is set to be the first black transgender delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Marisa currently serves as a college history professor at Middle Tennessee State University. She's known since she was a small boy at the age of seven that she felt like a girl. Hoever, she didn't transition until 2001 at the age of 42.

The many hats being worn my Richmond include president of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition and registered lobbyist at the state capital. Also, on Super Tuesday, she became the first openly transgender person to win an election in Tennessee, becoming the Davidson County Democratic Committeewoman representing District 23.

Marisa - do you thang baby!

Bishop Ronald Haines Dies

Bishop Ronald Haines was an advocate for gays within his diocese in Washington, even though this didn't always make him popular with many leaders and congregation members. He passed away Friday at the age of 73.

Haines was not orthrodox in many ways - making tremendous steps in the way of inclusion for women and gays in church leadership, where previously there was none. He became bishop in September of 1989. He would remain bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington throughout the 1990s - igniting a great deal of controversy during his tenure.

Less than one year after he was elected bishop, Haines ordained an open lesbian as a pastor. The ordination of Rev. Elizabeth L. Carl triggered a great deal of protest. Even Haines' wife opposed the ordination. However, he stuck with his convictions and went forward.

His desire for inclusion continued through the years. In 1992 he named Jane Holmes Dixon suffragan bishop, the first woman to hold that title in the Washington diocese.

It takes brave leaders like Haines to significantly advance the progress of equality and inclusion for women and gays. Hopefully he opened the minds of many that were closed. The advances he made for women and for the LGBT will always be remembered. And I think I'll close with a line from one of my favorite hymns- his living was not in vain.

You Inspire Me: Desmond Tutu


The Internation Gay and Lesbian Human Right's Commission will honor Archbishop Desmond Tutu in their annual "Celebration of Courage" ceremony. Tutu will receive the 2008 Outspoken Award. The Archbishop has for years been an advocate for LGBT rights and opposed discrimination of the community by the church. According to Tutu, "If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God."
Tutu is an advocate for human equality and rights for all. His willingness to stand up for what he believes though this goes against what many religious leaders preach makes him a hero to me. Thank you to the IGLHRC for recognizing him for contributions and leadership.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

South African Activist Dies

South African activist Ivan Toms died in his home yesterday. Toms was an outstanding soldier in the fight against sexual discrimination and apartheid. He passed away at 55 from meningococcal meningitis. Well known in Cape Town as a gay rights and antiapartheid activist, "he was too young to die," close friend and Democratic Alliance member Robin Carlisle told the News.


Toms attended the South African Christian Leadership Assembly (SACLA) in Pretoria during which he was instructed to set up a clinic in Crossroads, a squatter settlement 15 km outside Cape Town. At the time, the people of Crossroads had no access to health facilities. Together with the Rev David Russell, Toms set up the Empilisweni SACLA Clinic Committee with residents of Crossroads and Rev John Freeth of the St John's Parish, Wynberg, Cape Town. He was the only doctor caring for 60 000 squatters.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Nigerian Christian Leader Narrowly Escapes Death

An unnamed member of Changing Attitudes Nigeria (CAN) was assaulted during a funeral. The amazing bout of mob violence happened when the pastor residing over the funeral was approached and asked to step outside for a word. When he stepped outside he realized it was an ambush.
"The next thing I saw was a mob group who were there to attack me.
“They started slapping and punching me, kicked me on the ground and spat on me.
“I have never known fear like I knew when they were brutalizing me. I thought they were going to kill me there and then.
While beating me they were shouting: ‘You notorious homosexual, you think can run away from us for your notorious group to cause more abomination in our land?’
CAN is asking the Church of Nigeria to denounce violence to the LGBT community.
My opinion, I fear for the members and wish them success in there ventures but I fear there request will fall on deaf ears. The Church of Nigeria, the political leadership in Nigeria, and general population of Nigeria have a history of extremely homophobic practices. With so much hatred towards the LGBT community (hatred that is not just tolerated, it is encouraged) it is difficult for me to imagine any change happening internally.
It is going to take action from the international community to make these people listen up and change there behavior. It will take pressures from other powerful national leaders and influential organizations to get through to them. And
It is hard being gay and lesbian no matter where you live. The climate of fear we inhabit as members of the LGBT community is universal. It transends national boundaries. We must acknowledge the struggles of our sisters and brothers in other areas and extend our support to them when possible.

George Michael Announces US Tour




George Michael has finally announced his first US tour in almost twenty years. Michael says the tour which launches in June is the "rounding off" of phase one of his career. In a recent interview he shared how he is disturbed the direction pop music is taking with shows like American Idol taking the passion out of the music. He also stated downloadable music is making CDs obsolete.

Not like the trend he's saying he is launching his final fanfare. This tour will the last for him that will be this grand. Though this is not a farewell tour, this will be your last chance to see him in a big stadium.\

Now I have to share, yes - I will be at U.S. Airways Stadium when he comes to Phoenix. I can't deny it. I love his music. I've been a fan since the days of Wham. I even love his post-bathroom incident music. Amazing is my top three of favorite George Michael songs. I love his ballad and jazz numbers more so than his pop music, but he is great no matter what he sings. And he is that - a singer. He is not a product of studio magic. What you hear on his CD he can also deliver live on stage. Not all artists can say that.

So I'll there to support and show my love when he comes to my city. I hope to see you there.





Corrine Bailey Rae's Husband Found Dead

Corrine Bailey Rae is devastated following the death of her husband Jason Rae. Jason's body was found Saturday at an apartment in Leeds. An individual was arrested for alledgedly supplying controlled drugs to Jason but has been released.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Rae's body on Saturday night proved inconclusive and officials are now awaiting the results of a toxicology report.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Corrine and their family at this time.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Thank You GLSEN and LOGO



In the aftermath of the murder of junion high student Lawrence King, Logo has partnered with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in generating a PSA denouncing hatred.

15 year old King was shot and killed in school on Feb. 12 by a 14-year-old classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

28 Years for Brutal Shooting

It seems violence towards members of our community doesn't always come from the outside. We can be just as vengeful in attacking our own as any skinhead or homophobe. Just ask Toni Brown who is now paralyzed from the neck down - the victim of a gunshot from her ex-lover, Raina L. Johson. Johnson was finally sentenced for the crime earlier this week.
During the course of their relationshiop, Brown often was the victim of domestic violence. Unbeknownst to her, her partner Johnson had a history of domestic violence with male and female exes. She was previously ordered by a Superiour Court judge to attend a program that would address her streak of violence. However, her lack of attendance caused her to be expelled from the program.

When the relationship neared it's end, Brown decided to pack her bags and leave Johnson. She did seek and obtain a civil protection order against Johnson. Police had to be summoned in order for Brown to successfully get all of her items from the apartment they shared.

Then five months ago, Johnson showed up outside Brown's job and shot her. The bullet severed her spine and left her paralyzed. Johnson then fleed the scene, leaving Brown for dead. Johnson appeared in court for sentencing March 6. Judge Harold L. Cushenberry Jr. of the D.C. Superior Court called the shooting an "extraordinarily brutal, callous and despicable crime" and considered the crime an intended execution. Johnson has received a 28-year prison term on a charge of assault with intent to kill.

RIP: Simmie Williams

Simmie Williams, the gay teen that was found dead in Ft. Lauderdale was finally laid to rest last weekend. His mother buried him a beige suite and white gloves. In every single report that you find regarding Simmie it is repeated over and over that he was found wearing women's clothing and holding a purse.
I'm still trying to determine if this is being done to make the story more interesting or to lessen the chance of sympathy towards the victim, because he is just that - a victim. What he was wearing upon his death isn't relevent. What is important is that another young member of our community has been taken from us way to soon. My prayers to out to the Williams family during this time of bereavement.
A representative from the Ft. Lauderdale police department has stated that they are not looking at this case as a hate crime but they won't rule out Simmie's sexual orientation as a factor.




Thursday, March 6, 2008

You Inspire Me: Prisca Mogapi

A teenager in Botswana, Prisca Mogapi was outed to her family, her friends and her entire school by a local paper exposing a gay party. The article listed Mogopi and her partner by their names. Please visit the Queerty website to read the interview . . .

http://www.queerty.com/growing-up-gay-in-botswana-20080306/

If you made it to the end of the interview, then you saw that Mogapi was asked if she considered herself a religious person. Her answer inspired me, "I consider myself a religious person, yes. I was born and raised in a Catholic church, was baptized and did my first communion. My sexual orientation does not stop me from communication with God."

Growing up in a culture that opresses and denigrates women and sexual minorities, Mogapi is indeed a diamond. You have to possess incredible inner strength to be true to who you are in these circumstances. Prisca should stand as an inspiritation to young ones everywhere.

Uganda Teaches Homophobia

Continuing with their practice of perpetuating hatred, the Diocesan bishop of Uganda Rev. Paul Eria Luzinda has promised to advocate for the removal of any teachers that condone gay acts in their schools. This promise from the bishop came earlier this week when he learned that some schools had students that exhibited behaviours that could have been interpreted as gay. Upon witnessing the questionable behavior teachers "turned a blind eye."
This bishop apparently thinks it is the role of the teacher to immediately chastise and condemn any student that shows any sign of homosexuality. Since teachers fail to do so he has vowed that he will dismiss the student and call for the removal of the teacher.
This is so sad to hear. The sturggles of our LGBT brothers and sisters in the developing world are so near unbearable. Actions like this coming from people of authority allow the homophobic to feel just in their hatred. Because of these practices homosexuals will continue to be taunted and ridiculed, beaten and killed. Behavior like this shouldn' t be tolerated.

Nigeria Jails Cross Dresser


A man in Nigeria has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for dressing in Women's clothing and loitering at the Lagos International Airport. Uche Ndubuisi plead guilty to the charges at his trial on Monday, 03/04/08. His plea of guilty gives him 18 months without the option of a fine. 22 pairs of women's pants, four bras as well as several make-up kits were used as evidence to convict him.

Seattle Storm Signs Sheryl Swoopes

My favorite WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes has signed with the Seattle Storm after an amazing ten year career with the Houston Comets. Swoopes' is arguably the best player in the league with a career that boasts of three MVP honors, WNBA all-Decade team member; all-time league leader in steals (589); six-time All-Star; three-time Defensive Player of the Year; and four-time WNBA champion

Swoopes who is often called the female Michael Jordan is the only WNBA player to come out publicly as homosexual.

A Grown Man Cries




Favre's decision to retire from the Greenbay Packers and to leave the NFL comes as devastating news to many NFL fans. He is seen by many as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. But after a stallar seventeen year career he came home to his wife and announced, "I'm tired mentally. I'm just tired,"

Seeing the emotional, teary-eyed Favre, you have to know that this decision was not an easy one. I don't know whats next for him, but I wish him well in all of his endeavors.

But before I leave I have to say, how hot is that video. I love seeing a man thats that not afraid of showing this side of himself.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

They Killed Omar

Oh my God. You killed Omar. You bastards. Are you as in love with The Wire as I am? Being that there are very few gay men of color on television these days, it came as a devastating blow when Oman (Michael K. Williams) was killed on the show.

The Wire is currently in its fifth and final season. In the show Michael Williams plays Omar, a stick-up kid that is openly gay. I personally think the show is one of the best written and best acted thing on TV today. In these times of reality TV, the show is a bright, shining star. I'm hoping they're just playing with us and this is all just a dream. Next week, Oman will wake up still in Puerto Rico.
Read the interview Williams did with AfterElton.com in the link below. He talks about the influence of his character on the gay community, on the African-American community, and on himself.

I'd Go Straight For Either

I Knew He Looked Familiar

This just in - American Idol contestant David Hernandez used to be a stripper at Dick's Cabaret right here in the valley. Dicks Cabaret is located over on Van Buren and 36th Street and is the place to go if you want to see the boyz take it all off.

So I must confess, yes, I've been to the cabaret a time or two. But please don't take that as an endorsement to go visit. It's fun to do it once and that's all you need. It is WAAAYYY over-priced.

But that's not what this story is about. We're talking about David Hernandez, who is attractive and remarkably talented. The perfect combination for American Idol. Not sure if this new info will have an impact on his staying in the competition.

I personally hope it does not affect him and I wish him good luck in the competition. Let's see what happens.

Arizona's Gay Couples Lack Resources

According to a report from the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles, gay couples in Arizona lack many of the resources that their straight counterparts enjoy. When comparing couples in homosexual relationships and heterosexual relationships; homosexuals make less money, fewer gay/ lesbian couples own homes, and they generally have less access to resources to help raise kids.

The following comes from Arizona Republic writer, Kerry Fehr-Snyder:

More than 16,930 same-sex couples lived in Arizona, according to the mid-decade U.S. Census. advertisement

"Gay men earn less than straight men," said Adam Romero, a public-policy fellow who co-authored the study. "Even when you hold constant occupation, race, geography, they earn less and that's something economists would call discrimination."

Women in same-sex relationships earn more than married women - $31,336 on average compared with $25,231. Romero attributed this to married women stepping out of the workforce more often to raise children.

"When you only look for households where children are present, same-sex couples do much, much worse."
After reading the AZ Republic article, I could only answer with "ain't that a kick in the head." But still we are denied marriage equality that could help many of these issues. It's interesting that the defense of marriage bill just showed up in the legislature again not that long ago. It's so important for us to get involved in politics. All your Senator and your Representative and make sure they know where you stand.