10 years later, Matthew Shepard lives in remembrance

The brutal beating murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard still haunts and inspires the LGBT community and beyond especially on this day of October 12th. This day 10 years ago, the young man was robbed, pistol whipped, and tied to a fence in a remote, rural area, where he was left to die by Russell Arthur Henderson and Aaron James McKinney, who had offered to take Matthew home from the bar that they had all met that day.

Since that decade ago, the LGBT movement has progressed quite impressively but still today, hate crimes against people for their sexual orientation or gender identity is appalling. There have been men and women killed for how they identify, like Lawrence King, Sakia Gunn, Gwen Araujo, Brandon Teena, and many more. What made Matthew Shepard's death so different? The thing was that it wasn't and he wasn't. He was an intelligent young person, attending University, with a winning smile and personality. He was friendly and attractive, picture perfect, except for his sexuality, which seemed enough to make him ugly and insignificant. It was assumed that LGBT people are societal deviants or "undesirables", making them seem as though they were bizarre entities that floated around and polluted the heterosexual mainstream. People had an idea of what they looked like based on stereotypes, but hardly faced one, it seemed that when Henderson and McKinney discovered of Matt's sexual orientation, they panicked. This is a legitimate legal defense called "gay panic", when a person reacts badly to the advances of somebody of the same sex that there is violence. There is no evidence that Matt had ever made a pass at either of them. However, the two men had badly hurt Matthew and left him on a post where he was discovered in a coma, by a cyclist who mistook him for a scarecrow. I had found the actual story that was put out at the time about Matthew's attack and read related stories, like one called "College homecoming float mocks homosexuals". It was Colorado State University that had a float with a scarecrow and anti-gay graffiti on it... at the time, in a hospital nearby, Matthew was dying. I will not go on to explain it because I am digressing, but I was deeply shocked by the homophobic presence at the time. There was also a controversial Church that still thrives today on the same values it was founded on in the 1950s, that picketed at Matthew's funeral. Westboro Baptist Church most proudly waves their signs of "God Hates Fags", "AIDS Cures Fags", and the like, passing them and shirts down to even young children to follow in their hate that they call God's will.

This homophobia still exists today but Matthew Shepard's martyrdom still leads us to consider what a hate crime is, how to define it, and what to do about it. There was the Matthew Shepard Act in 2007 that expanded the 1969 US Federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It is also something very big to think about in the upcoming election. Furthermore, Matthew will always be remembered in this month of LGBT history that he has found himself embedded in. His accepting behavior and his loving, positive outlook that he had during his life is surely seen within the LGBT community now.

Thank you, Matthew. You are a guardian angel for us now, and all the other victims and martyrs for continuing to be the inspiration you were during your lives and now, in your afterlives. Never will your deaths be in vain. You have touched us all.

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My conclusions:

• National Coming Out Day was yesterday. I hope many have recognized it.
• October is LGBT History Month. Also, Breast Cancer Month and Hispanic Pride Month. Celebrate accordingly.
• I didn't want to post any pictures of the Westboro Baptist Church or Matthew's killers, because I didn't want them to be seen next to Matthew.
  

Shiny Toy Guns lost their glimmer

Shiny Toy Guns... a brilliant band whose fame is owed to 22-year-old Carah Faye Charnow (seen above), with her angel's voice that made their sound out of this world. Carah's vocals are powerful and set the strong emotion of certain songs like their first single, "Le Disko" and the album title song, "We Are Pilots". Although she did not write the lyrics for any of the album's tracks, she sang them with heart that made them sound personal and emotionally hers. "Le Disko" is characterized by the pride in female sexuality that only the intensity that Carah's vocals exemplify and she is so flexible that in the final song on the album, "We Are Pilots", she sings with a sense of vulnerability in this tale of being misunderstood and lonely.

Now, it's old news to me that Shiny Toy Guns found a new singer, but after some research yesterday, I learned that not only is Carah not in STG... she was kicked out and replaced by Jeremy Dawson, Chad Petree, and Mikey Martin, who were not only band-mates but friends to her. The painful betrayal has left Carah scorned that on her MySpace, she wrote of obvious bitterness, " From now on, what hasn't killed me, will only inspire me!" but as is in her character, she still has the pride to move on. It seems there are plans of going solo, but nothing has been confirmed. Whatever she hopes to do, she has many fans that will follow her and support her. She has a MySpace group founded by these fans that are honoring the work she's done and will do in the future.

However, as I mentioned, she was REPLACED and that is no longer a rumor. Her successor is Sisely Treasure (seen below), first recognized on the reality show to find the next Pussycat Doll. She is the main vocalist for STG's new album, "Season of Poison" due to be out this October. I have listened to "Ricochet!" and "Frozen Oceans" which features Sisely's vocals and I am extremely disappointed in what has become of one of my favorite bands. "Ricochet!" is throbbing pain in my ear. It sounds screamo, which I can usually tolerate, but STG is not a screamo band. "Frozen Oceans" was decent but that is only as far as Sisely's vocals can take it. With Sisely in their line-up, STG is not only changing its sound but its look from the brilliant abstract art feel to distasteful scene malarkey. They must have gone to a garage sale at Jeffree Star's house...

So, go check out Shiny Toy Guns and compare Carah's vocals to Sisely's to see for yourself, if you dare. If these pictures are any reflection of how they sing, though... Carah is definitely the better choice.

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My Conclusions:

• I'm probably going to write another blog about Carah and about how I interpreted the song, "We Are Pilots" because I have a lot to say on that.
• Carah is a hottie.
• I can't believe STG got a reality show graduate as a new vocalist.
• Janelle Charnow, Carah's sister, posted a comment on one of the stories about Carah being fired from STG. She was reeeeeaaaaally mad.
  

Commercials for cleanliness dish up filth

Mr. Clean is turning over in his grave.

I apologize for the suggestive nature of this photo, but I think that it is necessary to assert my point which will be mentioned soon. First of all, I cropped the picture a bit to make it more appropriate... although this ad for Lynx Shower Gel, presumably a men's product, is still highly offensive. As I thought about my blog, I decided that because of how politics bring out the worst in people, I would not deal with such topics. But... I am such a feminist that upon seeing the latest Axe commercial for "Axe Dark Temptation" that I must speak my mind, particularly the disgust that is harboring in the darker crevices of my brain for the filth that is littering television and ultimately, a grand population of viewers.

Getting back to the matter at hand, I accept that advertising to a certain audience would mean compromising others. Ergo, in the ads for men's products, women are often objectified for money's sake since it is widely believed that the male population is enamored with the overly sexualized woman. In reference to what I said earlier, in the new Axe commercial, the slogan is something to the effect of, "even more irresistible than chocolate" which plays off an obvious female stereotype. In the ad, a man uses the spray and turns to chocolate, giving little bits and pieces of himself for every trophy of a woman in the commercial. It just so happens that every girl fits into the definition of the "overly sexualized woman" that I had talked about briefly a moment ago. The commercial even goes so far as to encourage voyeurism, unnecessary PDA, and perhaps even a menage a trois between two girls and a creepy chocolate dude. I am referring to... and God, I am deeply disturbed by... the scene in the movie theatres when the guy has two girls, one on each side of him, licking his neck with chocolate smudged all over their faces.

In this patriarchal society that we find ourselves in, women are constantly being patronized, especially in these terms. They are either interpreted as sex objects, like in these commercials, or pure and virgin, giving little space to take pride in female sexuality since it is either one extreme or the other. On the meanwhile, men are so easy to flaunt and discuss topics that would be taboo from what we judgmentally believe of the female population...

Although we have gotten far with certain writers and activists, the double standard today is still in effect and it still hurts the women. Gosh. Where's the justice, gals?

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My Conclusions:

• I think I hate the smell of Axe.
• Axe is not some magical love potion you spray on your hairy chest so girls will lick it. Ew.
• Old Spice is more testosterone in a bottle and the commercials show it. Blah.
• I'm a feminist that doesn't believe in equal rights between men and women because I recognize the extreme differences in the genders. I believe in women protected by law, since I am deeply passionate about helping hurt/injured/mistreated women, like victims of rape and other things.
  

Damn publicists!

I don't know what Lindsay's publicist, Leslie Sloane-Zelnik, was thinking when she refuted Lindsay's confirmation of her romantic relationship with Samantha Ronson, going on TVGuide.com to tell them that there was no confession. She said that Lindsay was just referring to their clearly platonic relationship. You'd have to be insane to think they were dating! Stop extrapolating from clearly doctored photos and saying they're lesbians! Pervs!

Sigh... though I admit that Lindsay didn't have a typical "coming out" on Loveline, she definitely stated a relationship with Sam, but in the way that a straight couple would. There was no sugarcoating, no beating around the bush. Just simple words that meant "me and Sam are together". Not only are they together, they have been "for a very long time." Heard it from Lindsay myself! (found the recording for when she and Sam were on Loveline)

But geez. Publicists must not consult their clients before making statements, because Neil Patrick Harris's publicist tried to refute his coming out too. I don't understand trying to cover up their clients' sexuality or love life, when clearly the clients themselves can admit to it. Are their publicists homophobic or something? Well, maybe not... But either way, they are freakin' MAD sometimes! There's no denying the pictures, what Lindsay said on Loveline, and no denying that Lindsay and Sam are a cute couple.

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My conclusions:

• I don't think that Lindsay came out as a lesbian, bisexual, or what have you. I think she just came out and said she's with Sam, no labels included.
• I love that first picture of the two of them. I love both of them actually. Lindsay and Sam are so good together. Sam's obviously a positive force in Lindsay's life.
• Sam does not have an English accent, boo hoo. But her voice is still nice...
• I'm a creep.
  

Oh happy days in Hollywood! Happy like... gay! Hur hur hur.

Of course the pun was intended, though very poorly executed. In case anybody forgot, "gay" is synonymous to "happy" and yes, this is another coming out story! It is going to be a shocker, I tell you. Hold on to your seat so you don't fall out...

American Idol runner-up of the second season, Clay Aiken, has finally said it: "Yes, I'm Gay". The People magazine cover is the proof. He shares the cover picture with his beautiful son, born on August 8th, 2008, "conceived via medical intervention with his 50-year-old 'best friend,'" according to Yahoo! news. I don't get it either.

There has always been speculation over Aiken's sexuality and Aiken said he felt quieted by his largely female fan base, afraid he would lose his support. However, his new baby boy was his inspiration to come out, because he doesn't want to raise a child "to lie or to hide things". How wonderful!

LGBT visibility in Hollywood is so valuable to the movement and it's grand that more and more people are coming out, especially people that are famous. Clay Aiken has become a great icon in the community because not only is he openly homosexual for all the world to see, he is also a gay parent. Good job, good job, Clay!

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My conclusions:

• Give Clay and his kid a fruit basket.
• So what was that song "Invisible" really about?
• First Lindsay and Samantha come out, now Clay! The world's guessed their sexuality before they came out with it, so I think that the next person will be... Richard Simmons. I mean, seriously. Those shorts gave away a lot more than what he had down there. *cringe*
• The Pride parade better be big this year.
  

No more hiding?

Actress Lindsay Lohan, 22, and her constant companion, British DJ Samantha Ronson, 30, were for the past few months, the subject of speculation over their relationship, presumed to be romantic. After months of denying the rumors, Lohan and Ronson called into the L.A. Loveline radio show to discuss their feelings over the plane crash that killed four and injured Travis Barker and DJ AM. Although unrelated, DJ Ted Stryker decided to wrap up the interview by commenting on their relationship, asking how long it has been. Quite casually, Lohan responded, "A long... a very long time." Before they concluded, he wished the two luck, saying he wished them luck and she thanked him.

Although this is not a typical "coming out" and it still leaves many with questions, it is obvious that Lohan and Ronson are deeply involved in each other. There are many pictures of them, walking hand-in-hand, attending public events side-by-side, and even kissing. The two of them on Lindsay's MySpace also attacked Sarah Palin's anti-gay stance. Even though they had been in the public eye, they had not verbally expressed whether they were indeed girlfriends, until now.

The LGBT movement has many iconic figures, but Lindsay and Samantha are now one of the youngest "out" lesbian couples. It is brilliant that they have decided--even if it is unintentionally--to be advocates for the movement. With help from them and others, the movement is helping triumph over homophobia and furthering the fight for civil rights. Hollywood is becoming a great tool against intolerance with many shows including gay/lesbian storylines and celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and others.

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My conclusions:

• I like Lindsay Lohan again.
• Assuming that since Samantha is British, she must have an accent. Awesome.
• Samantha Ronson remixed Kerli's "Walking On Air". Totally awesome.
• Jenny Lewis's Acid Tongue has been released. Must get.