Vote Cinthia for Prom King

Hot off the AP press, here's a sweet story about a transgendered high school student named Cinthia Covarrubias (pictured).

In Fresno, A Transgender Student Runs for Prom King

"I would never have run for anything if I had to wear a dress," said Cynthia.

In response, we echo the classmate of Cynthia's who had this to say:

"It's not like the stereotype where the king has to be a jock and he's there with the cheerleaders anymore...We live in a generation now where dudes are chicks and chicks are dudes."

Love Thy (Homomosexual) Neighbor

Graph from a study called Love Thy Neighbor: How Much Bigotry Is There In Western Countries?, available in pdf here

Did that wake you up - the fact that 22.9% of Americans don't want a gay neighbor?

Well...it didn't surprise us either. In fact, if anything, we're pleasantly surprised with being roughly half as popular as Muslims...

How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Your Mom

First, let me say that I've been waiting to use the phrase that is the title for this post for an excruciating few days.

Anyways...today the NYT ran a heart-warming account of how a progressive family in the Northeast dealt with their son's coming out at age 12.

Uplifting? Yes.

At the same time, however, it does inspire a bit of jealousy on my part.

The mother of the boy is quoted as saying “Coming out was the best thing for him...We ask him, ‘Why didn’t you come out in fifth grade?’ ”

'Tis bittersweet for those of us whose parents might ask, "Why did you come out at all?"

Hypocritical? Understandable? or just Sad? - On Race and Sexuality

The NYT ran a great article today about historically African-American churches whose leaders have come out in favor of gay rights. While it's hardly news that some of these leaders have come under fire for such views, the magnitude of the effect in terms of lost parishioners is - to say the least - dispiriting. Indeed, one such pastor lost almost his entire flock when he voted to support the blessing of same-sex unions.

Of course, it's no secret that racial and sexual minorities have had an uneasy relationship. I wonder though: does this reflect a specific aspect of how black people are inclined to think about gays (think hip-hop culture, sexism, etc.)? or is this a reflection of the religiosity and other characteristics of the African-American population as a whole (think income levels, geographic distribution, etc.)? Most theories focus on species of the former explanation, while I am inclined to believe the latter.

It is worth noting that many Caucasian gay people have some negative feelings towards black people that definitely can not be explained away by referring to the demographics of the gay community as a whole. Given all the recent attention that has surrounded homophobic statements by prominent black men (Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington and former NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway) , I think it's important to remember that this phenomenon - whatever the explanations behind it - is a two-way street. Furthermore, Caucasian gays may be even more culpable.