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Watch and learn. 🌈 LGBTQ students, what do you wish people knew? Share your school experiences: glsen.org/survey

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New York Subway Station Features Gay Couple In Groundbreaking Mural

H/T: HuffPo

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Have you seen this short film from Kodak?

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out.com

Obama Nominates First Openly Gay Army Secretary

If confirmed by the Senate, defense official Eric Fanning would be the first openly gay secretary of any branch of the military.

President Obama is nominating a gay man to lead the Army, and if confirmed the nominee would become the first openly gay civilian secretary of any branch of the military on more than an interim basis….

“Eric brings many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership to this new role,” said a statement released by Obama. “I look forward to working with Eric to keep our Army the very best in the world.” Fanning now awaits confirmation by the Senate.

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out.com

Why Sam Smith Entering Bond’s Thunderball of Fame Is Good News for 007

Why Sam Smith entering Bond’s Thunderball of fame is good news for 007

[Sam Smith’] 007 casting is not just one of zeitgeist thinking. For whatever commercial and artistic reasons k.d. Lang was famously passed over in 1997 when her [far superior] track “Surrender” was dropped for the opening overture for Tomorrow Never Dies. Flash-forward two decades and a young, out gay singer is performing the opening salvo for a movie series about one of the world’s most famous heterosexuals. That is not to be dismissed.

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DC Comics made history last week, releasing Midnighter, their 1st comic headlined by a gay male superhero. 

(Note: The comic is rather violent, so we recommend caution.)

That said, it is very exciting to see diverse representations of LGBTQ characters throughout media, especially in pioneering roles. 

Steve Orlando, the writer, received some criticism for the character not being the best representation of a gay man. However, he says:

I think we’ve moved past the idea that gay people have to be portrayed in only one way. By pulling away from that, we can have characters who can do other things and people can realize they’re not a spokesperson for the entire community.  

Just like with Caitlyn Jenner, no one individual can represent a whole group of individuals. However, we can use these stories to start conversations about the diversity within our communities, and raise up the voices of those whose stories aren’t being told. 

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There was too much awesomeness for just one post, so here’s Pt. 2 of favorite Pride gear! 

Bisexuwhale
Pan Pride Sticker
Together is Greater GLSEN Sticker
These Are My Colors
Proud Phone Case
Representation Matters Mug
They, Them, Their
GaY Elements
Ace Tee

You can find more GLSEN swag at our store!

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Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. We stand with you, we support you, and we see you. 

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An emotional true story is coming to the big screen by the writers of “Brokeback Mountain.” Logo reports:

“The story centers around the true story of Jadin Bell, a 15-year-old openly gay sophomore who committed suicide in 2013 after relentless bullying by classmates His grief-stricken father, Joe, embarked on a walk across the continental United States as a tribute to his son and to raise awareness of anti-LGBT bullying.

Halfway through his cross-country trek, though, Joe was struck and killed by a semi. (The driver was charged with reckless driving.)”

An important, heartbreaking story, but one we’ll be watching.

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Iceman, one of the original members of X-Men, is now also one of the most famous LGBT superheroes, thanks to writer Brian Michael Bendis. 

According to BuzzFeed, we have time-travel to thank for this plotline:

“The Iceman who is outed here is the teenage version of the character, who has been living in the present day with his time-traveling teammates. The older, present-day Iceman we’ve known for years has been living as a straight man.”

The young Iceman is outed (to himself) by his psychic teammate Jean Grey. Bendis doesn’t plan to end this journey here, though. Marvel issued this statement about the plot:

“There are thousands if not millions of stories of people who, for many different reasons, felt the need to hide their sexuality. The X-Men, with the conceit of time travel, give us a fascinating platform in which to examine such personal journeys. This is just the first little chapter of a much larger story that will be told.”

Whether you could write an encyclopedia on X-Men, or this is the first time you’ve ever heard of Iceman, we can safely say this is something we can all geek out about. 

h/t to Buzzfeed