Jason Howard Green

Jason Howard Green

Thursday, January 28, 2010

God Ain't Judging

I luv me some Mo'Nique. She has long been an advocate for HIV/AIDs in the African-American community. I remember seeing her on the cover of POZ magazine while I was working for Arizona's Body Positive. Now she is one of the biggest black celebrities speaking out on behalf of ending prejudice and hatred against gays and lesbians.

Congratulations to her on winning the Golden Globe for her role in Precious. Precious was the project of Lee Daniels, an openly gay black director, whose other titles include Monster's Ball (Halle Berry), the Woodsman (Kevin Beacon) and Shadowboxer (Cuba Gooding, Jr.). What I loved most about Precious was the subliminal message it gave about gays and lesbians because in the movie it took a lesbian to save the lead character Precious.

I was so elated and excited as I read on Rod2.0 about what happened on Mo'Nique's show when she invited Miki Howard to discuss her new book and new album. Even in Mo's opening monologue for that show she makes the comment, "Sistahs, if you're laying next to your man, or if you're laying next to your woman cause this is a no judgement zone, I want to you to turn over and kiss them in a way so their whole body tingles." WOW. You go girl.

But when Miki finally takes the stage the show takes a delicious and exciting turn as the conversation turns to homosexuality and the church. Howard used to attend the church of James Cleveland in LA (and many people knew that James was gay). Miki talked about how there were many gay men in her church as she was growing up and she learned a lot from those men, she jokingly adds including how to walk. But in Miki's world there was never anything wrong with being gay. She didn't realize that other people took offense to the LGBT community.

I love the conversaion between these two women about the fabulousness of the LGBT community. The video below is the entire show and Miki's segment doesn't happen until about 27 minutes into the show. Please get into it.






Get Some Nuts!



Are we getting too sensitive as a community? Have we gotten to the point where anytime someone addresses an issue of manliness we see it as homophobic? I personally think we've reached that place. I loved Will Smith's movie Hancock where he plays the superhero with alcohol dependency problems. I rushed to the theathers to see it when it came out and must say I really enjoyed it. Imagine my surprise when the following day I see the Human Rights Campaign complaining about the movie because of its homophobic content. Apparently there was one line from the movie that they took offense to (and it was a line I found to be particularly funny).

And now here we go again. I just recently found out that the Snickers commercial above was never allowed to run because people perceived it as homophobic. I must say that I found this ad extremely funny as well. I was laughing my ass off at Mr. T's comment at the end. "Snickers, get some nuts." I don't care what you say that there is hilarious.

My question to the LGBT community, "Isn't it time that we get some nuts?" Can we "man-up" and not allow comments like the one in the commercial get to us. Or is the HRC correct in calling this homophobic? You tell me.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010



Please check out the above video. It is an interesting conversation happening on the view. Apparently Joy Behar, one of the panelist from the view, did an interview with Dan Savage. According to Savage, gay men are not capable of monagamy. After Joy shares this with her co-stars the entire panel goes into this heated debate about whether gay men are capable of monagamy or even appreciate the institution of long-term one-partner relationships. I found it interesting hearing this conversation coming from four straight women.

For once I actually have to agree with Elisabeth Hasselbeck (and I cringe when I say that because I never agree with her). Hasselbeck is the only person that pointed out that you can not generalize or make blanket statements like this for an entire community. You can only look at specific individuals and hold them accountable for their action, but the actions of the few do not define the entire group. So for once I can finally say, "way to go Elisabeth."

That being said I still have to wonder why so many of my friends remain single. As I take an objective look at the population of gay men I know I see this weird dichotomy. There is currently this overwhelming demand for gay marriage. Many LGBT individuals are protesting, marching, writing and even candlelight vigiling to be able to enter into this legally binding and universally recognized partnership. But simultaneously it seems that very few gay men are actually able to enter into relationships that last long term. And though I know many men that claim to want the LTR, for some reason it remains that unrecognizable, unattainable, mystical thing that gay men talk about but are never able to see.

Are long term relationships the unicorn of the LGBT community? Are gay men capable of monogamy?

Thursday, January 7, 2010

2009 In Review

I know. I know. I know. I haven't blogged in quite some time and I do promise to try to get better. But you have to understand. December is a very busy month generally anyway. But to add to the usual chaos, my partner and I moved to a new place in the middle of the month. Yeah - thats right. In the midst of the year end hassle on the job, in the middle of all the Christmas panic, we added the pressure of relocating our home. But it was (is) totally worth it. But for now we still don't have internet at the new place. And it looks like it may not happen for another week. But I have managed to put together a little video montage of my 2009 highlights for YouTube. Last year was a terrific year for me overall and I'm expecting bigger and better this year. So here's to a terrific last year and a wonderful new year . . .