Erotic Art

A fellow twitterer recently introduced me to the paintings of Peter Kuntz, an erotic artist that has a fetish for high-booted women...if your interested, take a look at his website, I think you might enjoy it.

The International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce reveals the most gay friendly corporations in the world: BT Group, IBM and The Dow Chemical Comp

The International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (IGLCC) is pleased to unveil the results of the first edition of the International Business Equality Index. The Index is a measurement of the performance of multinational corporations in relation to Diversity and Inclusion issues specifically focusing on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities in the countries where they operate. The leading corporations are BT Group, followed by IBM and The Dow Chemical Company. The announcement was made at a press conference during the closing of the IGLCC Second Annual Congress in Copenhagen.

The corporations participating in this year’s Index are: AMR (the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle), BT Group, Cisco Systems, The Dow Chemical Company, IBM, ING, Intel, KPMG, Kraft Food, Merck, Novartis, Philips, SAP, TNT and UBS. They represent 1.7 million employees in 227 countries and sales of USD 800 Billion a year.

"On behalf of BT, I am absolutely delighted with this recognition" said Ian Livingston, BT's CEO." As one of the largest communication companies in the world, we provide service to customers in more than 170 countries and employ well in excess of 100,000 people across the globe. Diversity must be, and is, at the heart of our business and having the policies and the practices in place to support the LGBT community is essential to our success."

Anne Heal, BT's Senior Champion for Sexual Orientation added, "BT has been providing same-sex partner benefits to employees since the early 1980s and will continue to look at ways in which we can ensure that our people can be 'who they are' at work without fear of discrimination or prejudice. The IGLCC award recognises the efforts of out HR community and our LGBT network, Kaleidoscope, in their determination to ensure that equality of opportunity is reality in our business. I am also delighted."

"The findings of the survey on which the Index is based are somewhat mixed, but definitively encouraging," said IGLCC Secretary General, Pascal Lépine. "The vast majority of respondent corporations have Diversity and Inclusion programs and most explicitly include LGBT issues. We see from this survey that most of these companies take sexual orientation and gender identity matters very seriously. However, full equality is still years or decades away."

While corporations scoring high on the index are powerful examples of how diversity and inclusion programs can be very successful, the 2009 Index findings also point to a darker side: nearly 50% of global corporations participating in the survey do not have any LGBT Diversity & Inclusion managers; openly gay men or lesbians are hard to find among the ranks of management (fewer than one out of ten include gay men or lesbians in more than one of every sixteen countries they have a presence in); and, without regard to the level of internal focus on LGBT inclusion, these multinational companies are not proudly trumpeting their diversity programmes to the general public or the local LGBT communities through advertising or PR. In fact, only a handful of companies support local LGBT communities either through financial or in-kind support.

Despite these negatives, Mr. Lépine is optimistic. "To have such confidence shown towards our community makes me believe that there are still many good chapters to be written in the history of the international LGBT business community. It is especially important in these difficult economic and political times to salute all the participating corporations for their courage and example", he said in today’s presentation. "But," he continued, "we must be realistic and say that, even if today we see promise, there is much more work to be done. Far too often we see and hear of gay and lesbian professionals throughout the world that do not have access to basic employee rights and benefits just because of their sexual orientation", added Mr. Lépine.

The Index is the product of an international committee that includes gays, lesbians and transgender professionals living and working in eight different countries from Europe and North America. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) and its European Region (ILGA-Europe) have played an instrumental role in the development of the program. "It is obvious that with the impact of globalization the LGBT community has its eyes on what corporations are doing at the international level, not just in one single country", said David Pollard, Chairman of the Index Committee.

"BT Group’s outstanding commitment, policies and investment in LGBT diversity merits them the title of the most LGBT friendly corporation in the world. We challenge all multinationals to follow the example and leadership shown by those who saw a chance to be ahead of the curve. The IGLCC is proud of this historic moment and extends the invitation to all international corporations to participate in next year’s Index", concluded Mr. Lépine.

To download a copy of the Index report, go to: www.iglcc.org/index2009

About the IGLCC

The International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (IGLCC) was founded in 2006 in Hamburg, Germany and is based in Montréal, Canada. IGLCC is the world’s leading international LGBT business network, operating in 15 countries through 17 chambers of commerce and business organizations. IGLCC represents the interests of over 55 million Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) employees, business owners and consumers worldwide.

Just When You Thought The L-Word Was Over...

Jenny is dead, the TV series ended months ago, but like a bad penny...

Will the L-Word be following in the footsteps of TV series like "Charlie's Angels" and "Sex and the City" by being transformed onto the Big Screen?

Ilene Chaiken, creator of the L-word, was at the BlogHer conference this past weekend and when asked "Who killed Jenny?" Chaiken responded that she was in the process of scripting "The L Word" movie, and added that when the movie is made, the issue of who killed Jenny "will be addressed".

Will the movie leave of where the failed L-word spin off started? With Leisha Hailey, who plays Alice Pieszecki, heading to prison for Jenny's murder? I wonder what else is left to write about for these lesbian characters??? Perhaps Ilene will write an entire screen play around who really killed Jenny and why? Hmm.. that sounds familiar... Oh yeah, that was Season 6.

I don't think I can handle any more JENNY, dead or alive!!!

Gay & Lesbian married spouses in Florida to get AAA discounts

AAA Auto Club South will now allow same-sex married couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA's Associate Membership program, a rights group that advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people announced Thursday.

The company met with members of Equality Florida on Wednesday after the group received calls from gay couples who had been denied family memberships.

"Our policy does include gay and lesbian spouses, wherever they were married. Whether in other states or countries, they qualify," said Tom O'Brien, president and chief executive officer of AAA Auto Club South, in a statement.

Gay marriage is not legal in Florida but has been approved in other states.

"To have AAA South to set a standard for full equality for all married couples, regardless of sexual orientation, is an important message and one we hope other companies will follow," said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida.

Deirdre Conner/ The Times-Union

August Lesbian Horoscopes

By Flash Silvermoon

The first day of August is celebrated by many Pagans as Lammas, a Holy Day of Harvest. What are you harvesting this season? The energy of this day will be potentially explosive on a sexual /emotional level with Venus and Pluto in opposition and the Moon conjoining Pluto. Therefore, be aware of how far you let yourself go. A little reckless abandon now and then can be a lot of fun but do at least be honest with yourself and others.

Times of release are very necessary especially when other aspects of life require more austerity to keep a joyful spirit!

Revelry of course is not the only game in town as the summer heat rises. Mars will be in talkative Gemini this month so all manner of communication will be flying around.

I've been talking about the Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron conjunction for some months and have suggested that this could be causing some of the airline disasters during this time. The aspect is not quite as intense now but it appears to continue to cause delays, broken parts, and out and out crashes often into the water.[Neptune]
Talks of epidemics as well as elevated spirituality and idealistic political visions abound. We will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock .Damn, hard to believe that I was getting soaked while listening to some of the best music ever made sitting amongst rainbow-clad masses holding that vision of Peace and Love - 40 Years ago!

Seems to me that that aspect is bringing some of the inspiration and idealism back into the public theater as we recognize that some of things we just dreamed about then are part of our reality now, and, that's not enough.
With Pluto in earthly Capricorn, we must do more than dream of transformation and evolutionary changes in the socio-economic structure, we must DO IT!


ARIES - I like the sound of "doing it." Always way too much talk and not enough action for me. I may not always stay around for the finish but I am a hell of a good instigator. Quite honestly there is nothing I like better than lighting little and big fires under people for various and sundry reasons.Sometimes its for their own good and sometimes, it's just because I can.Oops just told one of my secrets!

TAURUS - I have to say that I have had a couple of really sensuous months so I am a very happy camper. Now don't misunderstand and make me go camping unless its at the Holiday Inn with a nice jacuzzi.
I am no camper although I might make an exception for a good Music Fest with enough romance. With Venus in Cancer, I might just want to redecorate or find some luscious new recipes to tantalize and seduce. Too hot to work too hard, See ya poolside or at the beach.

GEMINI - I feel like I am running around like a chicken without a head and that's like 2 heads missing in action for me. I haven't been this busy in awhile and I like it. Sort of makes me feel more like me although which me is running the show can be an interesting question for the Ages. Seemed like I was cocooning for a long time and this butterfly is free! Gotta go join Face Book and find everyone I have been missing.

CANCER - I'm in the mood for love with Venus in my sign for a change. Although with Pluto coming along for the ride this new and intense vibe may make it more like lust than love and more challenging than I may desire. I think I will give my home and wardrobe a romantic makeover to be ready. A little switch from blues to magenta! It never hurts to visualize getting just what you want when you want it as as long as you are careful what you ask for. If Aphrodite is choosing for you look out!

LEO - The Sun is in my sign, need I say more? I mean I usually have no problem outshining most anyone but this month I just get to Be and I am golden.

I would like to have a better routine and get up with the sun more of the time and maybe I will try to do that this month since it is My Sun but please come with me because i love nothing better than to share. If you find me irresistible so much the better. Don't forget the Coppertone.

VIRGO - So what, who cares if Saturn and I have been tap dancing forever or so it seems. I still can have some fun..can't I? I mean there's only so much organization and planning that one can do before its time for ACTION! Yes it does seem like there are lead weights on my feet but let's just call that working out. It may take more energy to break free of the gravitational pull of my karma these days but I am determined to forge forward with more focus and finesse.

LIBRA - "Moderation in all things including moderation", to quote Confucius. I like that idea but that may make decision making even harder which is not so good as its hard enough for me. Sometimes I want some rules to give me better boundaries than I posses. Of course if those rules feel too stringent, I will break them anyway. Feeling like a walking contradiction lately but by my birthday, it will all balance out I hope.

SCORPIO - I make no pretense about being balanced. I may give it a shot from time to time just to stay grounded enough to bounce to the next intense experience but that's about it. Why stay in the middle when you can walk on the edge? As a dear friend once said, "If you aren't on the edge, you are taking up too much room!" Ah words to live by if you can handle the heat, which I can. Wanna play in some hot water? It's my favorite kind.

SAGITTARIUS - Being free of Plutonic compulsions for the last year or so has left me with a feeling of free flight and sometimes free fall. Mostly I feel great and freer than I remember and yes, "Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose." I don't miss my chains one bit though and am still regrouping. Anyone have an extra magic carpet for rent? The way things are going at the airports this mode of travel would be better unless of course I took my broom!

CAPRICORN - Oh my achin' back! Does everything have to fall on my shoulders? OK yes I did ask for more responsibility but which bar stool or dimension was I in when I embraced such foolishness. Actually right about now I would love to embrace a nice vacation and or a good lover. I could meet challenges out of the grind couldn't I? I guess I will find out and hopefully sooner than later.One good thing about this time is that I can really see how far I have come in my journey.

AQUARIUS - Life didn't use to be so damn weird. I mean I am used to weird and unconventional but when everything is shifting in unpredictable ways, it's nice to feel something solid and predictable. I am supposed to be the one who sets that quirky pace and the rest of the world is supposed to just chill and maintain the status quo. That way I can shake it up. When everything feels like some cosmic Cuisinart it can throw even an alien like me off balance and question my version of reality

PISCES -I'd go with the flow if it didn't change so damn much. Which flow? Uranus has been sending shock waves through my pond for a long time and life sometimes resembles Wild Waters rather than the peaceful Piscean pool that I know and love. Body surfing on the Bliss Wave works for me as long as the tide isn't too high dropping me head first on the sand. This actually appeals to my sense of adventure and fantasy as long as my physical form can handle it.

Til next time, find your own Bliss Wave and enjoy with an open heart!
-Flash Silvermoon

Matthew Shepard Act Passes in Congress

Matthew Shepard was a student at the University of Wyoming who was murdered near Laramie, Wyoming in 1998 for being gay. His murder shocked the nation and spurred activism against anti-gay violence.

Yesterday the Matthew Shepard Act (Hate Crimes Prevention Act) passed in Congress and is now on its way to be signed by President Obama. Once signed, the act will expand the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Basically, it will make it a federal offense to attack someone for his/her sexual orientation, akin to attacking someone because of his/her skin color.

Conservatives who originally opposed the act did so fearing that it would limit free speech regarding homosexuality. They were afraid that making comments stating that homosexuality is immoral would be construed as inciting violence against them.

The act as passed contains the following provision, “Nothing in this Act…shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, to the Constitution.” The inclusion of this provision alleviated some concerns regarding the prohibition of speech regarding homosexuality.

Attention all Lesbian Married Couples from California

Here Come the Brides will be an important first-of-its kind book documenting the historical evolution of gay/lesbian marriage and the stories of lesbian relationships with edited oral histories and photos.

They are looking to interview lesbian couples who were married during the short period of time it was legal in California. The interviews will last about 2-3 hours and will be conducted at the convenience of the couple. They want to hear your story!

They are especially interested in finding couples of color or mixed couples, as well as couples who do not live in the Bay Area--but all welcome to contact Nona Caspers at nonacaspers@ gmail.com or call 415-431-0155.

Nona Caspers is an Associate Professor at San Francisco State University and the author of Heavier than Air and Little Book of Days. Her writing has been honored with a NEA Fellowship and other awards.