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Ask a Straighty

by beta.gayborhoodapp.com on 05/13/2012 - 03:24 pm |

Speak up, gay community! This month’s series of Straighty Says focuses on questions for the straighties, by the LGBTQs. Its your turn to find out what you want to know! Ever wonder why straight men wear Crocs and socks? Need to know what to say when "straight Grandma" asks about your prom date? Let me know your latest linear questions and I’ll answer them, every week, with a straightforward response.

Women’s issues. Politics. Entertainment. Get intimate and ask away! Your questions will be answered through our blog over the next several weeks. Why do straigties go to the bathroom in pairs? It’s about time you had the chance to ask. How do you get us your questions? You can comment on this blog. Or send your questions to websupport@carmaproductions.com. Find us on Facebook/Twitter as GayborhoodApp and post your questions there. Heck, call us at 931-797-3192 if you must. Any way to get your message across. Just ask! This is Straighty Says, and I’ll shoot it to you straight!

Straighties and Their Sources

by beta.gayborhoodapp.com on 05/04/2012 - 08:30 pm |

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Tag: Straighty Says by Jennifer Stokes

Where do straighties get their gay-friendly info? We'll start with friends.
* Friends - Those who don’t know much about the gay community are inclined to ask their friends, hoping to get a straight answer. Friends are less likely to shy away from the questions. Do friends always have the right answer? Sometimes I am pretty sure they are making it up. Other times they may be dead accurate. That’s when I Google it and find out if they are, um, right. It also depends on your circle of friends. Are they gay savvy? Do they stay on top of current trends and LGBTQ news? Find out their breadth of knowledge then ask away!

* Family - If a straight person asks other straight members of their family, the answer will depend on how open that family is with each other. They may also have some god-awful answers if they are trying to break it to you gently or if they don’t have a clue. My family is very unfamiliar with the LGBTQ community. They answer my questions in a whisper. Now it is my turn to educate them! Don’t be afraid to give your own opinion and “school” your loved ones.

* Media

Internet - There are tons of websites, everything from gay fashion to gay travel and any other gay-friendly thing you can think of. You just have to know where to look. I’ve found gay-straight alliances and gay-friendly clubs around the country. About.com has a “gay life” section. The resources are unlimited, but you have to weed through some interesting junk to get to the real deal. Again, Google will tell you anything you need to know.

News - It Gets Better videos are a huge deal right now. Sports figures and school kids all around the globe are coming out in a big way. They’re creating videos that encourage other gays, reminding them that it gets better with time. Advocate.com and PInk News are news sources that bring you political issues, entertainment scoop and everything in between. The GLAAD awards are in the spotlight now (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), bringing together gay celebrities and the straighties that support them. Other celebrities are pulling their weight, such as the Give a Damn campaign by Cindy Lauper. This is a great one for straighties, who are encouraged with facts, resources and lots of other great tidbits. Its worth a look!

* Other gays - Here’s the info straight from the horses mouth. Sometimes I have to be a little bold and just ask what’s on my mind. Luckily, the gay community is open and willing to share their thoughts. My gay friends will tell me anything! They also give me their opinions on the straighties, so I get both sides of the coin. Reflection is key. If I really want to know something about the gay and lesbian scene, this is where I start. Just don’t be afraid to ask. Most likely you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

This is Straighty Says, and I’ll shoot it to you ...

Straighties Afraid of the "LGBTQ" Words

by beta.gayborhoodapp.com on 04/28/2012 - 01:32 pm |

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Tag: Straighty Says by Jennifer Stokes

Q: Why are straighties so afraid to use the words “gay” and “lesbian”?

A: Straights themselves don’t even understand why. They have to be assured that it’s ok to say it. I get a lot of giggles when I tell people that I work for a “gay and lesbian” advertising firm. I see their eyes open wide and a bit of disbelief comes over them. Why the laughs and the squirms? For many straighties out there, the LGBTQ community is new to them. They are just learning that it is finally ok to mention “gay” or “lesbian” in public. For some, the terms are purely based on sex, which we all know can be a taboo subject. It opens a can of worms and sends tons of people right out of their comfort zone!

Now that I work in the field, I love saying it. How many times can I stop people in their tracks with these simple words? It just takes practice. If you’re not used to expressing it, things can be a little tricky at first. You might be apprehensive, but when you get the chance, go for it. The gays don’t flinch, and the straights usually let their guard down after a minute or two. Everyone feels connected. People become more tolerant when they become ok with “I love my gay friend!” or “I met the coolest lesbian at a party the other night.” If they’re on board, straighties will jump right in. I usually end up hearing a story about their gay brother or lesbian aunt, anything that lets them use the words “gay” and “lesbian”. They know that I’m ok with it, so we’ve got the green light.

Now I’m incorporating the words “transgendered”, “bisexual” and “questioning”. I have to get out the dictionary for most straighties on this one. But with a new vocabulary, they’re ready to go out and shout it to the world. This is Straighty says and I’ll shoot it to you straight!

Elena Undone - Film Review

by beta.gayborhoodapp.com on 04/21/2012 - 09:20 am |

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Tag: Straighty Says by Jennifer Stokes

What do a lesbian writer and a straight preacher’s wife have in common? A blazing attraction for one another. In this tale of love and curiosity, mother and wife Elena falls for the beautiful author Peyton when she begins working with her on a women’s project. As she wonders if her feelings are valid, Elena hides her true longings from her family until she can no longer keep up the facade. Desiring a baby and a possible new romance, Elena and Peyton are both faced with tough choices.

Connection and commitment are the consistent themes in the film. Truth and honor are seen under a new light as priorities change. Elena is continually conflicted as her husband preaches more and more about the sin of same-sex relationships. She admits that she has never felt love for him, marrying early to rebel against her strict Catholic mother. How can she confront her own demons and keep her loving family in tact? Partly with the help of a “love guru”.

We can’t all be so lucky as to have a friend who is exploring the deeper bonds of love. Fortunately, the expert in this film leaves us with a checklist of things to look for. 1., the love interest must come from an unexpected place. Elena and Peyton cross in the park, both noticing the instant pull towards one another 2., the two people must meet randomly. Both women are considering adoption and they run into each other at the adoption agency. And 3., everything between them must feel brand new and absolutely familiar. The two are instantly open to working on a project together, despite the nervousness and stumbling blocks that any new relationship faces.

Eventually Elena’s son finds the love letters that Peyton has been sending her and breaks down. He can’t understand that his mom is experiencing an emotional transition. It is only after his mother confronts his father that the son is able to move forward. He is quickly able to see that love comes in many forms.

Can families find the strength to stay together when they are forced to change? In Elena Undone, the arrival of a baby between the new couple brings a renewed sense of bonding. They have a support system. They’ve gotten really honest and broken past social constraints. Peyton has let go of her fear of loving a straight woman, and Elena has accepted her own lesbian nature. Both women embrace their feelings, as adventure pulls on their heart strings and a beautiful song is written. It really does show that love conquers all.

This is Straighty Says, and I’ll shoot it to you straight!