I have been meaning to write this entry for awhile but have just not found the time. I am gonna share with you something that has really bothered me these days. The fact is that Gaysians are totally marginalized in this city; guys either don't like us with deep conviction or are major rice queens. You might think I am generalizing a complicated social order, but when it comes down to it, it really is that simple. Perhaps it's because there are so many Gaysians in SF so that people think it's okay to disrespect us. We get the short end of the stick on the social ladder, and there is no denying it. We already have to fight off all sorts of stereotypes like we're all submissive bottoms with tiny penises who can't speak English. But we also are often made to feel unattractive because guys seem to reject us simply based on our skin color or ethnic background. How fucked up is that?!

I went for a NOH8 photoshoot today with my bandmates. It was organized by Daryl Dyck, a Vancouver photographer. The band has been a proud supporter of the local gay community for years, so it wasn't a vanity project - it was something we felt we needed to do.

The original NOH8 is an ongoing campaign founded in early 2009 by American photographer Adam Bouska. So far, over 3500 official and non-official photos have been taken in support of the campaign. While its main motivation was California's Proposition 8, the campaign speaks not only for gay marriage, but also for what appears to be the never-ending battle for equality for gay communities everywhere.

On December 27th, 2009, a gay Malawian couple was arrested after holding a private engagement ceremony. On May 18th, 2010, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were found guilty of sodomy and indecency and sentenced to 14 years in prison. The story has made headlines around the world.

On May 29th, 2010, just days after they were sentenced, Steven and Tiwonge were pardoned and released from prison after Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika spoke with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. However, the president was quoted as saying the two men had "committed a crime against our culture, our religion and our laws" and that the pardon was given "on humanitarian grounds" only.

We just witnessed the nation's first trial for the hotly debated issue of same-sex marriage that has torn California in two, as it comes to the forefront as the result of the passing of Proposition 8 back in November 2008. The narrow passage of Prop 8 (by only a 4.5%margin) amends the constitution to say that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. This ballot was a direct response to the California Supreme Court's ruling in May 2008: "In re Marriage Cases" giving gays and lesbians the right to marry, stating that they are subject to "strict judicial scrutiny and that marriage is a fundamental right."

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Today, Wednesday October 28th, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.  This is the first major step in fulfilling his campaign promises to the LGBT community.

LGBT activists have been and continue to complain about the “slow pace” at which the Administration has addressed LGBT concerns, despite that the President has only been President for about nine months.  Hopefully, this event proves his true commitment to our community.