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Welcome to Pride Month

June is Pride month, so to get us started, an interview with artist Jordan Orleans, whose art is LGBTQ-themed:

You say you make love and humanism art. What do you mean by that?

Well, mostly my art has to do with love, people, the love of people, and people loving. And, hopefully, it somehow contributes to the advancement of humanity and the human condition.

Some of your paintings, like “Soul mates in Bed” feature pink and blue images and then variations with two blue and two pink. Are these meant to convey celebrations of both heterosexual and same-sex love?

Yes, they are meant to celebrate both heterosexual and same-sex love, and that’s a good way of putting it. Though, I’m a little self-conscious about people thinking I may be trying to maneuver them into liking particular images, depending on their preferences, or perceived preferences. I want people to like or dislike what they want, and I’m just offering choices, and possibly suggestions, that’s all.

( It’s also wearable art which you can buy if you’re looking for new & interesting pride gear!)

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Sex Out Loud: New Radio Show

Today my friend Tristan Taormino’s Radio Show airs for the first time! 5 pm Pacific Time, 8 pm Eastern Time.

Sex Out Loud explores the world of sexuality from every angle. Tristan Taormino will interview leading authors, educators, artists and icons and give listeners an uncensored, inside look at alternative sexual practices and communities. She’ll delve into topics from the popular to the taboo, including sex education and sexual health, erotic fantasies, BDSM, non-monogamy, the adult industry, and more. Tristan and her guests will also answer listeners’ questions live. Her first guest will be Dan Savage, sex advice columnist, author, co-creator of the “It Gets Better” campaign, and star of MTV’s “Savage U.” Upcoming guests include Kate Bornstein, Buck Angel, Jaclyn Friedman, Jessica Valenti, Bobbi Starr, Susie Bright, and her daughter, Aretha Bright. Continue reading “Sex Out Loud: New Radio Show”

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Boston DOMA Ruling

In Thursday’s opinion, a three-judge panel in the First Circuit Court of Appeals found that the law couldn’t stand. Writing for the court, Judge Michael Boudin, an appointee of President George H.W. Bush, observed that Supreme Court precedents limit government’s power to take action against “historically disadvantaged or unpopular” groups, including gays and lesbians. The 1996 law imposes “serious adverse consequences” on them, he wrote.

Justifications offered for the law—”defending and nurturing the institution of traditional, heterosexual marriage” and “traditional notions of morality,” among others—were insufficient to justify such discriminatory treatment, Judge Boudin said.

Six states plus the District of Columbia currently authorize same-sex marriages, and more than 100,000 same-sex couples have been married. Thirty-nine states have passed laws limiting marriage to a man and a woman.

More here.