Will Clark World

IT CAN GET BETTER, HERE'S AT LEAST A START

Like you, I've been confounded by the recent run of gay teen suicides and queer bashings in gay spaces (in Chelsea, at Stonewall) in New York. Is it because it's close to a contentious mid-term election and people in general are simply passing down their general financial frustration to their children and said children are acting out? One of the most frustrating things about the recent outbreak is the sheer helplessness it engenders. Vigils, rallies, marches, laws - none of it can stop people simply being mean to each other. You cannot legislate good will. You can't force people to stop saying or doing unkind things to each other.

As a survivor of domestic abuse from a sibling and years of playground bullying, I'm particularly sensitive to the young boys that felt it was better to kill themselves than to continue on living. It literally breaks my heart. The "It Gets Better" campaign is a definite start - anything that gets the stories of growing up gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transsexual out into the world is a very good thing.

But is it enough? Fortunately there's also The Trevor Project http://www.thetrevorproject.org which helps counsel those young people contemplating suicide. Especially at this time, it's important for those in the entertainment industry to get the word out in various media (online, television, movies) that these kinds of resources exist. (Want to know where the name "Trevor" comes from in The Trevor Project? It's from a short film by Randy Stone, Patty Rajeski and the amazing, incredible James Lecesne whose one man show in the early 90s was one of the most incredible pieces of theatre I've ever seen. Anyway, I found the short film in two parts on You Tube, you can watch it below  - in two parts - part 2 overlaps quite a bit with part 1 btw and includes an afterword by Ellen (not in the original piece) - or you can simply purchase the film, the proceeds of which will go to the Trevor Project . If you're an educator, you can arrange to get a complimentary copy for your class).

As you all know, I also support New York's Gay/Lesbian Anti-Violence Project http://www.avp.org which, among it's other services, offers a 24/7 hotline to report anti-LGBT violence.

What can you do to help? The same thing that I always recommend - if you aren't able to contribute dollars and cents, donate your time because many times these organizations are running on a shoestring (even more so than normal) and what they can always use more of is able bodies to help make the day go smoother.

Of course you can also come out. If you're reading this blog and you're still in the closet, please know that what you're saying is: it's not OK to be gay. It IS OK to be gay, bashings aside. It's because the bullies think we're powerless that they feel empowered to hurt us.

Here's what I suggest: I suggest that some smart cookie find a space in Chelsea and open up a defense arts place and call it FAGS AND DYKES AND TRANNIES FIGHT BACK. Sure, some gyms offer those kinds of services, but I'm talking a real knock 'em down, poke 'em in the eye type business, not an aerobic defense routine (and there are those of you who certainly know what I'm talking about). I'm not suggesting that we start looking for trouble, but it would be great to have the confidence to be able to fight back if we had to. I'm not sure that I would know what to do...would you?

If you have been bashed then the best place to call to report is the Gay/Lesbian Anti Violence Project. http://www.avp.org. They could also use your support. And if you are flush this season, consider attending AVP's biggest fundraising event of the year, The Courage Awards, this year hosted by BD Wong. You can find info on the event, Monday October 18th here in NYC by going to their website. And if you're not able to go, consider making a donation so they too can continue to operate.

On a related note, AVP will be back at Bingo on Wednesday November 3rd with very special guests comic Judy Gold and singer Athena Reich courtesy of SASIPR http://www.sasipr.com (Athena is the co-creator of the buzzed about gay soap, 16TH AND 8TH, a show, by the way, that takes place in the center of the gayest neighborhood this side of the Castro - Chelsea ... just in case you didn't know that it's a gayborhood!).

And on a yet another related note, tonight, Wednesday October 6th, AVP is doing a rally tonight at 5:30 at 9th Ave. and W. 25th Street, the spot of the "this isn't your neighborhood" incident over the weekend. Let's show the fockers just how super gay this neighborhood IS!!!

CANCEL YOUR TUESDAY NIGHT PLANS & GET TO STONEWALL BY 7:30!

AVP has called the community to meet in front of Stonewall TONIGHT (Tuesday) at 7:30 to let those that would beat us up and terrorize us anywhere but especially in our own bars that we will no longer tolerate it!!

If you cannot make it then, tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6pm AVP is calling for people to meet at 9th Ave and W. 25th Street for a rally to protest those morons that would tell US that WE don't belong in OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

Finally for those of you that will be coming to P*rno Bingo tomorrow (Wednesday) night, we WILL be shooting a very short bit for a IT GETS BETTER video. I hope that if you don't want to share your own story, please come down and be a part of the crowd shot. It would be depressing if I shot a crowd of ten people saying "it gets better" LOL :) Plus we have a really fun show lined up so it'll be a good night to join us for some kind of fun evening! That's at Pieces (8 Christopher Street) starting at 8pm.

I SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING BETTER WITH MY TIME THAN WRITING ABOUT MORE ANTI GAY VIOLENCE

What is wrong with people these days?

Not only has the number of gay teen suicides reached half a dozen in the past couple weeks but over the weekend AVP is now reporting of anti gay harrassments/violence in Manhattan (one in Chelsea and one at Stonewall in the West Village of all places). In CHELSEA. Apparently one group of guys confronted a couple shouting "you don't belong in this neighborhood". You mean the very neighborhood that the gay gentrified over the past thirty years and made safe so now even babies in strollers could be left on the street without a problem? My God there's even a Chipotle on the strip near where boys used to shop for trendy underwear.

I asked my therapist (who does a lot of work with the teen suicide organization, The Trevor Project) if this is a case of all things gay/violence being usually underreported or if this really is an uptick ... and he was just kind of flabbergasted saying that it's a little of both but that even this is ridiculous.. and scary.

I think it's all well and good to chat amongst ourselves because who reading this (or one of the other eleventy million other gay blogs out there) doesn't believe bashing in the head of one of our own is a bad thing? 

All the laws and vigils and signs and marches don't seem to change much but maybe telling our stories will and as you all know there's a campaign out there "It Gets Better" and if we all tell our stories, and kids (and maybe even some adults) resist giving in to the temptation to avoid the abuse by letting the bullies get what they want - their target dead and gone - perhaps we will have done something that no law, vigil or march will have done.

So keep recording those videos, they do help. If only each other knowing that so many others have gone through the same things that you did as a kid. I know I did.

Here's what Neil Patrick Harris had to say in the latest in this campaign:

 

 

END HATE VIOLENCE ON STATEN ISLAND

FROM MY FRIENDS AT AVP:

AVP responds to surge in hate violence on Staten Island

AVP is outraged by the 11 reported hate violence incidents that have occurred on Staten Island since April 2010.  These attacks have affected the Mexican community as well as the LGBTQ communities.  On July 7, Luis Vieira and his partner, Richard Vieira were brutally attackedat a White Castle in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island by a group of youths making anti-gay remarks.  AVP is currently working with partner organizations, the police and local politicians to respond to the attack on Louis and Richard Vieira and this recent spike in other hate based attacks against immigrants and LGBTQ people on Staten Island.  AVP encourages our supporters to get involved in fighting hate violence in our communities and keeping informed and safe in light of these recent attacks.  What you can do:

• Join AVP on Saturday, August 7 at 8:30 pm, in a Candlelight Vigil and March organized by Staten Island Pride Events to be held at Staten Island Borough Hall, 10 Richmond Terrace.  Click here to read more about the rally and other events planned for August 7.
• Contact your local elected officials and tell them that you are concerned about the recent surge in hate violence in Staten Island and elsewhere in New York.
• “Like” AVP on Facebookand stay aware of the most recent information about hate violence affecting our communities

Get support at AVP

AVP will be holding our Sexual Violence Support Group on Tuesday afternoons and our Domestic Violence Support Group on Wednesday evenings starting in mid-September.  To learn more or schedule an intake appointment, please call us at 212-714-1184.

Learn more about AVP’s Sexual Violence Support Group

Learn more about AVP’s Domestic Violence Support Group

Take a stand against violence: become an AVP Hotline volunteer

Become a hotline volunteer and answer the call from survivors of violence!  Beginning Saturday, September 11, AVP will be offering our next 40-hour hotline training coursefor anyone interested in volunteering. 

Click here for more information or to sign up for the training course

Click here to see photos from our Summer 2010 Hotline Training Class

Shop for a cause with Babeland and AVP!

Between now and December 31, 2010 every time you buy a Babeland Goodie Bag, Babeland will donate $2 to the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Northwest Network, and the New York City Anti-Violence Project!

Click here to get your Babeland Goodie Bag today and support AVP!

Learn more about all AVP on our Facebook page!

Support our work by donating today!

STATEN ISLAND HATE CRIME

TONIGHT on Staten Island, members of the LGBT community will be meeting to discuss last weekend's hate crime (as described in AVP's community alert below). Click here to go to the Facebook group for this event.

This, btw folks, is what we spent Sunday evening raising money for. If you weren't able to join us Sunday night, consider a donation to New York City's Anti Violence Project. 

I say we all go to White Castle wearing rainbow jump suits. Fuck the homophobes!

AVP condemns hate violence assault on Staten Island, encourages reporting of hate violence incidents

AVP is outraged by the bias attack on Luis Vieira, 47, and his partner, Richard Vieira, 39, that occurred at a White Castle in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island at about 2:30 am on Wednesday.  The victims allege that they passed a group of about 40 youths on Bay Street and that three members of this group entered the White Castle shortly after they did and approached their table using hate language in a verbal exchange with the victims.  The youths walked away, but moments later, Luis was hit in the back of the head.  He and his partner rushed out to the parking lot but saw the larger group of youths gathered there.  Luis returned inside to ask a restaurant employee to call 911 when he realized that his partner, Richard, was not with him.  Luis went back outside to find Richard badly beaten and bleeding from his head in the parking lot.  Richard Vieira was taken by ambulance to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton, Staten Island where he received stitches.  He has since been released.

Luis has stated that he believes he was singled out by the group because he was wearing a rainbow arm band and points out that none of the other patrons in the White Castle were harassed or harmed.  Following the assault, Luis Vieira made calls to various law enforcement agencies and the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating this assault as a hate crime. 

“Hate language is a form of hate violence, and as in the case of this brutal assault on Luis and Richard Vieira, we see how fluidly hate language can escalate into physical violence,” said Sharon Stapel, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.  AVP will be following up on this incident and working with the NYPD and elected officials as needed.   

AVP encourages you to report any anti-LGBTQ bias, including hate speech and physical violence, to our 24-hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at 212-714-1141 where you can speak with a trained counselor and seek the support you need.

In addition, AVP has also introduced a new secure online form for reporting anti-LGBTQ bias incidentsthat you have experienced or witnessed.  AVP provides individual counseling, support groups, advocacy and referrals to LGBTQ survivors of hate violence.  Please call our 24-hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at 212-714-1141 for more information. 

More information about the New York City Anti-Violence Project can be found at our websiteand Facebook page.  Additional safety tips are also available on our website.

An Appeal from the Anti Violence Project

As you all know, I heavily support the New York City Anti Violence Project. Having a violent brother (beyond just sibling stuff) and growing up in rural Wisconsin where anyone artistic regardless of sexual orientation was called a 'fag', a 'fairy' or 'femmy' (like any of those are bad things!), I know all too well from first hand experience the terrorizing feeling of being victimized.

The work that AVP does is essential to the continued mass mental health of our community and so today I urge you, if you are able to make a little gift to AVP they will be very appreciative.

Now here's a letter from the executive director about their current situation.. ack!! If you can donate that's great, because no one deserves to get beaten up. No one. Ever. Beaten-off, yes. Always. Continuously. :) As you know, AVP is the beneficiary for the July 11th Bad Boys party and we'll all looking forward to THAT! :)

Thanks all and I'll be posting more later on today,

Will

Dear Friend,

As of June 29, the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) has received more than 400 gifts to our Annual Fund this fiscal year.  Thank you for your incredible generosity!

Due to the budget crisis in Albany, however, more than $175,000 of government support earmarked for AVP for this fiscal year are still being held up in Albany without a guarantee that we’ll receive the funds - and we need this money to close our fiscal year, which ends tomorrow.  So we’re counting on your help right now. 

Please help us by giving as generously as you can before midnight tomorrow, June 30.  

This coming year AVP will commemorate three decades of being a safe refuge and compassionate support system for countless victims and survivors of violence, and with your support, we will continue to be here for as long as we need to be, fighting for a world where violence against LGBTQ and HIV-affected people no longer exists.  AVP’s services are vital to the LGBTQ communities and our work has been recognized for its excellence.  This month our Board of Directors was awarded the Allan Morrow Prize for Excellence in Board Leadership from the Stonewall Community Foundation, given annually to a New York City-based LGBTQ organization that exemplifies how board engagement and leadership directly contribute to the organization’s effectiveness in carrying out its mission.  .

Please make a tax-deductible donation of $30, $300, $3,000, or whatever you can afford, before midnight tomorrow.   

And please forward this message to anyone who believes in our work.

Thank you so much for being our partners over the last 30 years, for your generous support and for standing with AVP to create a safe world for all of us.                                                                                               

With gratitude,

Sharon Stapel

Executive Director

PRIDE WEEK EVENTS: STRIPPERS FROM SUN-UP TO SUN-DOWN

Good morning, all, it’s Father’s Day and in celebration of Daddy's everywhere, gay men of New York schlep around W. 28^th Street in strips of leather and get drunk. It's all about getting naked today at various locations around Manhattan.

First, it's the New York version of the very popular San Francisco debauch - Folsom Street East is definitely a sight seeing The highlight from last year’s party was watching burly leathermen squeal when it started to rain.

Well, mist, actually. I also made a few juvenile pee jokes because I’m 12.

But it's a gorgeous day so undoubtedly there'll be burly McBeardy's stripped down to the nubbins.

Anyway, you can do the lookie loos yourself by going to W. 28^th today throughout the afternoon. $10 donation to GMSMA gets you in the gate.

There are leathermen and leatherwomen roaming the streets while porn stars strip and sing on stage. Thankfully there’s Peppermint and Mike Dreyden there to keep that moving along briskly.

Also, be sure to visit the Anti Violence Project table and pick up a Bad Boys on the Hudson postcard featuring pics of all the stars - and I may have a big announcement this week about the party so stay tuned (you will know it when you hear it).

If that’s just not your scene, though, the infamous comic Lea DeLaria will be hosting her bi-weekly Jazz Brunch from 2 to 4:30 at Smoke Jazz and Supper Club located at 2751 Broadway (at W. 106^th). There’s no cover and Brunch is reasonably priced.

This evening, it’s the maiden voyage of the Sunday night Sea Tea event featuring DJ Max Rodriguez. Every week at least one or two groups sponsor the night and on Sunday the 20^th the groups are Strength in Numbers (an HIV positive social group) and a Polyamorous group. This means that you’re bound to get lucky one way or another by the time the boat has docked at 10pm. Laritza Dumont performs. Boarding begins at 6 and leaves the dock promptly at 7:30. As usual, there’s a buffet on board and a cash bar. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door (if available).

Finally, tonight, the big strip show, the annual Broadway Bares event at Roseland which this year aims to raise a million dollars (that's a lotta bills in someone's g string)– and just might do it with the addition of a number of events at Splash in the weeks before. There’s a 9:30 show and then there’s a midnight show. If you can get tix for the midnight show, go to that one, it’s a bit more raunchy (not only on stage but out in the audience too – not that I’m speaking from personal experience, I mean).

and then after that? You're on your own to find your stripping adventures, I know I will be.... <wink>

BIANCA LEIGH SINGS FOR AVP AT BINGO JUNE 9TH

Just catching up on this beautiful Friday evening in NYC - thought I'd post these pics from the June 9th Bingo benefiting AVP featuring singer Bianca Leigh whose show, A Night at the Tombs opens next Thursday June 24th and runs through early August. Meanwhile you can catch the photos from the night by clicking here! Come back on Thursday when I'll have exclusive video from the night of a work in progress that Bianca wrote and performed for the first time that night!

BAD BOYS ON THE HUDSON UPDATE - SPIKE ADDED!

Bad Boys on the Hudson 7 Update: I've added the legendary SPIKE to our growing list of hotties that'll come aboard the Daddy Express on Sunday July 11th - the lineup includes Colin Steele, Bryan Slater, Scott Spears, Mike Dreyden, San Francisco newcomer Lance Navarro, Duke Rivers (who's been the only star to attend every BBH) and of course the multi award winning Michael Brandon! 

A MESSAGE FROM AVP ABOUT PRIDE SEASON

June 15, 2010

June is Pride month, a time of great celebration for our communities, but also a time where the reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) communities historically increase.  So far this month alone:

• A knife-wielding man making anti-gay remarks in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, harassed two men.
• The Ali Forney Center’s shelter for homeless LGBT youth in Astoria, Queens was defaced with anti-gay graffiti. 
• The retrial of Keith Phoenix, one of two men charged with committing a hate crime in the murder of Jose Sucuzhañay, began.  Phoenix’s first trial ended in a mistrial as the jury could not decide between a charge of manslaughter or murder as a hate crime, and jury selection for the new trial has brought hate crimes to the forefront of discussion and debate. 
• A memo from the Justice Department reached the press indicating that cases of same-sex domestic violence and stalking should be prosecuted the same as in heterosexual couples. 

The more visible we are, the more vulnerable we are to anti-LGBTQ bias and hate.  Even in New York, a city historically considered more LGBTQ friendly than other places in the nation and world, our communities live with a disproportionate amount of fear that we will be targeted just for being ourselves and living our lives.  This hate violence is meant to send a message of fear and intimidation to the LGBTQ communities and AVP stands with our communities to say we are proud of who we are and we will not tolerate this violence.  

AVP encourages you to be especially aware of your surroundings this month—and always— and to report any anti-LGBTQ bias, including hate speech and physical violence, to our 24-hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at 212-714-1141 where you can speak with a trained counselor and seek the support you need.  In addition, AVP has also introduced a new secure online form for reporting anti-LGBTQ bias incidents that you have experienced or witnessed.

 Sincerely,

Sharon Stapel

Executive Director, Anti Violence Project