SHOT FOR TAKING THE PISS TOM MACMASTER!

Ok, so there was once this blog, about the harsh conditions a lesbian girl was facing in her home country of Syria. Yes, this girl's story was heart wrenching and we all could not imagine living under such circumstances! It became even MORE unbearable and the whole world took note when she was arrested by all the king's horses and all the king's men... How were we ever going to put this poor girls life back together again?

Imagine the surprise when you find out that once again some guy with a brain wave out there thought to himself, "Hey, me, why don't you fabricate a story about someone in Syria facing the harshness of life as a homosexual woman! You can use a random picture of someone living in London, I mean, they will NEVER find out about it, RIGHT?"

So here is a shout out to activist Tom MacMaster! Shot for the story mate, but some advise...although the situations you wrote about are very real, to fabricate such news only discredits the work you have done so far and suffice to say people will not take you serious. Not to mention the woman who's identity you used. Lets not even go there. Then there are the repercussions for the woman who do live in Syria and who are Lesbian...I wonder what they have to say....

Anyway, who knows, this story might have yet another twist so yea...stay tuned for a possible part 3?

to read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
world-middle-east-13744980 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/15/gay-girl-damascus-syrian-lesbians http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/world/middleeast/13blogger.html

THE PHYSICAL VIDEO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIP7FU-k6To

NYC PRIDE GETS PHYSICAL

 Governor's Island, NY, will play host to one of the biggest parties during the New York Pride season this year! With a theme such as "Bondi Beach Bash" who better to Headline the gig other than Ozzie's very own Original Tripple Threat, Olivia Newton John! 

Now I have never thought of her as a Gay Icon (then again I am from the Kyle Generation) but judging from her appearance on Glee where her and Sue Sylvester starred in a 'remake' of her classic "Lets get physical", I'm quite sure she gained a big number of  Gleeks of the gay orientation to her side! 

So, if you find yourself in NYC for Pride this year, be sure to join the estimated 4000 people who will be attending the Bodi Beach Bash and get PHYSICAL people! 

LE CANARD

If you're up for some seriously nice food, and living in the Johannesburg area, be sure to try out Le Canard! Voted by American Express as one of the Top Ten Deluxe Restaurants, Top 100 in SA, and with numerous Diners Club Wine List Rewards, you are set for an evening of elegant French Cuisine, perfectly paired wines and an unforgettable experience as they take you on a pleasure experience!

Be sure to check out this gem situated on Rivonia Drive, Morningside!

THE AU-PAIR

I got to know Michelle and her gorgeous partner, Marizette during a cruise to Mozambique. As a Mr Gay South Africa contestant (for those who don't know, the cruise is part of the Mr Gay Competition) we were pushed into the deep-end so to speak by having to interact with some of our fellow cruisers. I was immediately drawn to this couple sitting and watching the shenanigans unfold. Long Story short, we became well acquainted over the next few month.

It was when Michelle-Anne told me more about how her and her partner met, that I became totally intrigued. This was a very real story of events that were totally unexpected and a situation that I believe is not as uncommon as what we'd think.  I was even more elated when I heard that she was busy writing her memoirs.

The Au-Pair by Michelle-Anne Macfarlane is a story of a married mother of two who one day find herself very drawn, and in love with the care giver of her children. Not only is it a best seller, but it is also in its second print merely months after its release.

A definite must read! Enjoy folks!

THE PINK RAND

 One of you asked me to look into the influence the Pink Rand has on our economy. Now, we all know that the LGBTI community has a flair for all things nice, and we don't mind paying for quality. We also tend to have a bit more of a disposable income which means we tend to spend more than the average family out there.

So here is an interesting bit of info that was published in the Wrapped Mag a few years ago about the influence of the Pink Rand in our country. Credit to Morne Ebersohn, publisher of the Then Wrapped Magazine. Enjoy guys!

“Already we know that in SA these individuals are trendsetters, brand-conscious, loyal and have ample disposable incomes, many part of a double income household with children,” he adds.

It is estimated that worldwide the GLBT community makes up 10% of the market and it is a known fact that this sector is both affluent and influential and one that increasingly attracts targeted marketing by companies eager to capitalise on pink buying power.

Ebersohn explains that according to the 2006 Gay Press Report, the total buying power of the GLBT population in the US was US$641 billion in 2006, proving this is a market sector not to be ignored.

While initial research will be to establish the size and value of the GLBT market, it is envisaged that in future focus/interests groups will be established to measure different aspects of the market such as automotive, banking and finance, fashion, travel and so on.

Brand loyalty
Ebersohn says the brand loyalty of the GLBT population, more so than their mainstream counterparts, has led advertisers to focus on this market segment, with advertising spend having grown three times the rate of straight consumer magazines over the past 10 years in the US.

“South Africa is no exception. Research conducted by In2bOut, a division of Hot Salsa Media who launched the first benchmark research conducted in South Africa in 2001, found that gay consumers are more aware of whether companies they buy from have instituted gay positive policies, such as same sex non-discrimination and domestic partner policies.”

He says a “surprise-finding” was that lesbians, who are often over looked by marketers, were found to earn (as a whole) more than gay men and heterosexual men and women.

Recently Cape Info Africa, a travel and tourism centre dealing strongly in the GLBT community and with a comprehensive database, has been approached to assist with marketing products and services to this community, from companies such as Investec Bank, Old Mutual and FNB. 

Pink strategy
“Already companies like Cape Town Routes Unlimited have identified the value of the this community in tourism and initiated a pink strategy, alongside the Wine and Golf strategies, to increase the market share of tourism to Cape Town, indicative of the value of this specific market.”

CALLING YA'LL TO ACTION!

On Monday, at approximately 6:00 pm Damascus time, Amina Arraf, a Syrian-American blogger who has been covering events in Syria on her blog A Gay Girl in Damascus, was walking with a friend when she was abducted by armed men. 

Amina’s current location is unknown and it is unclear if she is in a jail or being held elsewhere in Damascus. Her family are desperately trying to locate her. Her blog has received a great deal of media coverage in recent months and has drawn a wide following from Syria and across the world. Amina has shown a great deal of courage in her outspoken criticism of the regime and its repression and in addressing the situation of gays in Syria.

Syrian authorities have long been cracking down on journalists and bloggers and have arrested many since protests began in mid-March. Human rights groups say that more than 1,200 people have been killed and at least 10,000 have been detained, included women and children, many of whom report ill-treatment and torture at the hands of security services.

We, the undersigned, call upon the Syrian regime to immediately release Amina. We ask that everyone with influence in this situation increase their efforts to ensure that she is freed quickly and unharmed. 

We ask all human rights organizations both in Syria and internationally to advocate for her release and for the release of all political prisoners and dissidents in the country.

We call on the British government to end its support for repressive regimes and for the use of torture in the region and beyond. We stand in solidarity with the Syrian people and their demands and are opposed to military intervention of any kind.

As Amina wrote in a blog post on the day before her kidnapping: “We want a free and independent Syria and we reject foreign intervention.” In a recent interview with the Guardian, Amina sounded hopeful: “I have to believe that, sooner or later, we will prevail."

Please sign this petition in support of Amina and Syria's detainees.

Updates on Amina's situation will be posted here on her blog:(http://damascusgaygirl.blogspot.com/)