Christopher Clevenger - Editor

I’ve been thinking for a while now on what my first editors blog post would target. I wanted it to be something that would catch the attention of our audience. Something people could actually think about and debate. It wasn’t until this morning I was able to realize something I have somewhat of a passion for.

Lets talk about sex. Why not be completely blunt and honest about it? Sex is great! That is something I think everyone can agree on. But while it’s ‘great’ I can’t help but notice how much gay men are addicted to it. I feel like there are so many negative stereotypes placed on the gay community simply because there are certain people who pride themselves on getting that random fuck each time they go out to the bar.

Let me stop for a second and preface this post with this: I am not a virgin. I have had sex with more than one person and know how great sex can be. I’ve had those experiences with both people I’ve cared dearly about and people I’ve met randomly at the club. I’ve been on both sides of the argument… Now back to the post.

It seems more and more obvious the gay community is addicted to sex. We all know sex is a huge part of our culture. When we go out to the club it’s nothing out of the ordinary to see strippers or male dancers in our clubs, or to see two guys practically having sex on the dance floor. Even in advertising we see sex, basing what we buy on how sexy the advertisement is. Sex obviously sells, but why?

Here’s what I don’t understand. Why are we so addicted to it? Yes, sex is a great experience, but does it have to be such a huge part of who we are? And why does it have to be with a new guy every night? What happened to the idea of finding a boyfriend and settling down? Are there even guys out there looking for relationships anymore? Maybe I’m the only one.

You might be wondering what brought this all on. Why is this homo ranting about the gays being addicted to sex? It must have been a while since he got laid or something… Truthfully it was a chat on facebook with a friend of mine that brought all of this to mind. We were talking about how bored I am here in the middle of the country, surrounded by corn fields and farm animals, and how I miss being near the city. His response was simple and somewhat unexpected. “Yeah and no sex lol.”

Those five words really hit me for some reason. Maybe it’s because I’ve been on both sides, or maybe because I’m single at the moment. Regardless of the reasoning behind it it really made me look at the gay community and think about what our priorities are.

I guess that’s just me ranting about something I’m slowly seeing more and more of. I could be completely wrong about the entire issue. Who knows? Let me know what you think about it.

Until next time, kthxbai.

Fusion Magazine Editor Adam Griffith, left, and Fusion Magazine Managing Editor Kristine Gill.

Fusion Magazine Editor Adam Griffith and Managing Editor Kristine Gill discuss the progress of Kent State University’s 6-year-old LGBT magazine, including the yet to be released Spring 2010 issue.

Simon Husted is a sophomore newspaper journalism major and the Web Editor of ThatGayMagazine.com. (Caitlin Sirse)

It’s amazing how politics is so different  on the other side of the Atlantic.

If you’ve been closely following the political race in the United Kingdom (as we all have, I’m sure,) you may have noticed a rather strange side of conservatism.

David Cameron, UK’s Conservative Party leader, released a list Sunday naming 11 of the 20 openly gay conservative candidates running for Parliament. The list, famously called the “Tory Rainbow List,” was accompanied by other lists of Conservative Party candidates belonging to racially diverse and/or female demographics.

Currently there are three openly gay Parliament members who belong to the Conservative Party. In comparison, the Conservative Party holds 193 seats in Parliament. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find data of how many gays and lesbians make up the other 271 more liberal members of Parliament.

Shadow Minister Nick Herbert, who is openly gay, told the Advocate that if the Conservative Party wins the upcoming election up to 15 openly gay conservatives will end up in office.

These are a few of the openly gay Conservative Party candidates running for Parliament. Clockwise from top left: Greg Barker, Alan Duncan, Nick Herbert, David Gold, Iain Stewart, Mark Coote, and Nick King (courtesy of Advocate.com)

Who would guess to see conservatives campaigning for the gay vote? Oddly enough, this isn’t exclusive to only UK’s political atmosphere.

If I dare say, I’d argue that there’s one ‘conservative party’ more gay-friendly than the Conservative Party of United Kingdom — The Free Democratic Party of Germany.

In 2004, Guido Westerwelle, the head chairman of the Free Democratic Party, attended Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 50th birthday party. At the event, Westerwelle was accompanied by his same-sex partner, Michael Mronz. Although he technically never hid it, Westerwelle finally acknowledged his homosexuality to the public, becoming the first openly gay head chairman of Germany’s most economically conservative political party.

I know what you’re thinking. The media backlash and pressures from his conservatives peers must have been brutal.

It was all so heinous that five years later in October, Westerwelle left his job to be sworn in as the first openly gay Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany.  His political career never recovered since.

Sarcasm aside, it seems “gay” and “conservative” are no oxymoron in Western Europe. This must be the horror Pat Robertson fears. A representative body of politicians that most closely meets the different demographics of a population. The United States should sever all contact with Europe in order not to contaminate our untainted political system.

In all honesty though, American politics has a ways to go before it allows itself to be this inclusive to the gay community.

Currently, there are only three openly gay House of Representatives — Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Jared Polis, D-Colo. — and zero openly gay Senators.

There are more than 430 house representatives and 100 Senators.

I’d argue Ohio’s gay population already out-balances the representation in Congress.

(courtesy of Tampabay.com)

Clay Aiken gave a speech Saturday during a Human Rights Campaign dinner in North Carolina. The American Idol star came out last year and has just started campaigning for gay rights.

An Eonline blog has the full video of the speech.

Perhaps the most charged language Aiken used came when he said, “We have a great deal of more work to do. Our time is now and it’s about damn time.”

The "confused," me, dressed like a "girl." Photo courtesy of straight Marchae.

A backwards hat? Check. I'm gay. Photo courtesy of gay Marchae.

I get it.

Lesbians are a minority, especially in the streets of Northeast Ohio.  There is a camaraderie that exists between the lesbian community  few can understand.  We give “solid” handshakes, are best friends with our ex’s exes, and love too hard, too fast.

I’ve spent years on my journey down that rainbow-bricked road, and while I’m not an expert at lesbian life, I think I’ve solved many mysteries about gay women.

The one thing I cannot understand about lesbians,  especially in this area, is their unspoken dress code.

When I get dressed, I have one simple rule: I wear whatever I want.

If I want to wear pajamas because it’s night time, I wear pajamas. If I just bought a new dress and it’s warm, I will wear my new dress.  If I haven’t showered and want to hide myself from the world, I wear a Snuggie. (Okay, that was a slight exaggeration).

When I started hitting the gay club scene, my first priority was to look presentable.  I thought if I looked nice, that was all that mattered.

Boy, or “girl,” was I wrong.

There is an unspoken code in the lesbian community in this area.  Girls must identify themselves as “really, truly” gay by wearing the following:

1. A hat. (If it’s not backwards, and to the side, forget about it).

2. Baggy, mostly men’s, clothes. (Preferably from Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, or American Eagle).

3. A cut-off shirt (Weather permitting of course. You must also wear a matching sports bra under the cut-off shirt. It gives you edge).

4. Khaki, cargo shorts.

5. A bandanna. (Neatly tuck it under a backwards and sideways hat for added effect).

6. Optional accessory- A posse of at least four to five girls dressed exactly the same, who you have probably dated at one time, but are now your best friends.

Instead of having a burning ceremony for all of my stilettos, I will continue to dress how I please, when I please. When I came out of the closet, I didn’t magically lose all of my clothes in that closet.

I don’t judge girls who choose to dress a certain way, not even those who might sneer at this blog.

So ladies, if you see me out a club in a brand new dress, please don’t judge me.

Simon Husted is a sophomore newspaper journalism major and the web editor of Thatgaymagazine.com

If you’re not familiar with who American figure-skater Johnny Weir is, don’t worry. I didn’t even have time to watch the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Luckily, Weir has been able to stay in the news outside of the Olympics, thanks mostly to his flamboyant behavior on and off the ice rink.

As noted on Thatgaymagazine.com,  two broadcasters criticized Weir last week, claiming he hurts the image of figure skating and should be issued a gender test. The two broadcasters aren’t the only ones giving unfair scrutiny to the three-time U.S. National Champion. It seems everyone in the mainstream media is doing the same.

Now, I was going to prepare some long-winded showcase of just how cruel broadcasters and sports reporters portray Weir, but luckily Bryan Safi, the host of Infomania’s “That’s Gay” gave a brilliant analysis on the controversy.

(By the way, if you’ve never watched “That’s Gay” before, this would be a good time to start. The show touches on a wide range of gay issues and gives a very funny yet insightful look into each one.)

Safi pretty much covers everything I was going to say; however, I do want to add one critique against Weir.

Why does Weir avoid questions about his sexual orientation?

When asked about his sexual identity by Washington Post staff writer Hank Stuever two weeks ago, Weir responded:

“People talk. Figure skating is thought of as a female sport, something that only girly men compete in. I don’t feel the need to express my sexual being because it’s not part of my sport and it’s private. I can sleep with whomever I choose, and it doesn’t affect what I’m doing on the ice, so speculation is speculation. I like nice things, and beautiful things, so if that is the only way people are determining that I swing one way or the other, then to me, that’s sad. You can’t judge a book by it’s cover, ever . . . I am who I am, and I don’t need to justify anything to anyone.”

Way to get defensive about such a simple question.

For a persona as bizarre as Weir’s, I don’t understand why he needs to make a big deal about what sex or gender he’s attracted to. He acts as if revealing he’s gay, bi or straight will endanger his career. (Because a man wearing Lady Gaga-inspired attires doesn’t already aim enormous attention at himself.)

No one’s asking him what bedroom position he takes or who he has a crush on. Sure, there’s still plenty of prejudice against gays in 2010, but with all of the existing scrutiny against his behavior now, the question is as harmless as asking where’s Weir’s hometown.

With the sports world as homophobic as it is today, it seems it’s still hard for gay and lesbian figure skaters to find a role model.

— Simon Husted

This is Ellen DeGeneres' first season as a Judge on American Idol. (courtesy of New York Daily News)

Why aren’t they sitting next to each other?

Ellen DeGeneres told fans why she and and fellow American Idol judge Simon Cowell can no longer sit next to each other on the show in a segment on her show last week.

An LA Times blog has the video online, and surprisingly, it’s of a sexual nature.

That video might have been just for fun, but an LA Times blog from today says the rumors of their dislike for each other might have some truth to them.

- Kristine Gill

The Kenyan Flag. (courtesy of thewrongline.com)

Five men were released from jail in Kenya last week after police said they did not have enough evidence to prosecute them for planning same-sex marriages.

According to an article by SDGLN.com, San Diego Gay & Lebian News, Same-sex marriage is illegal is 36 African countries, but legal in South Africa.

While it is illegal, many couples have commitment ceremonies with friends and family.

The men recently arrested were supposedly planning marriages and were found with wedding bands.

Activists are outraged by the arrest and pointing to local religious leaders to make a change.

- Kristine Gill

Cindy McCain poses for the "No H8 Campaign." Photo courtesy of Huffingtonpost.com."

One of the most creative protests against gay marriage bans recently partnered with a very unlikely ally.

The “No H8 Campaign” is a photo collage protest against Proposition 8, the California referendum against gay marriage.  Famed photographer, Adam Bouska, photographs “NO H8″ protesters in white clothing with the phrase “No H8″ painted on the participant’s body.

One of his most recent protesters was none other than Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain.  Bouska previously photographed Meghan McCain, the McCains’ oldest daughter.

I am disappointed in the media, both mainstream and alternative, for giving this story less coverage. Cindy McCain made a strong statement by standing up for gay marriage equality, a stance contrary to most within her political party, especially her husband. Sen. McCain won’t even support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” banning openly gay men and women from serving in the military.

The media does not see Cindy McCain’s attempt to stand up for her beliefs as compelling as her image as a clueless trophy wife, perpetuated by most media outlets in the 2008 Presidential campaign.

Perhaps the media’s political intelligence cannot conceptualize a cause  that has no party lines.

Bravo to both Cindy and Meghan McCain for joining the “No H8 Campaign.” Their protests lacked calculation and scandal, so they may not get the media attention they deserve.  But the gay community is watching and appreciates their support.

-Marchae Grair, social media editor

A screen grab from a video posted on YouTube of last week's protest during a men's basketball game at John Carroll University. Watch the video above.

As students at Kent State — a fairly liberal college campus — it’s hard to imagine blatant discrimination being allowed at a university merely 40 minutes north of here.

But that’s exactly what’s occurring, and has been occurring, at John Carroll University in University Heights. Students and faculty of the Jesuit university on the east side of Cleveland have recently begun protesting a change in JCU’s nondiscrimination policy. They want sexual orientation added to the nondiscrimination policy.

So far, the university’s president, Robert Niehoff, isn’t budging. He issued a statement saying the policy should not be altered because it would go against “traditional Catholic moral teaching,” according to a Plain Dealer report.

Granted, this situation isn’t entirely surprising. We’re talking about a religiously-affiliated, private college, after all. They can make their own rules without conforming to state standards for funding.

But university officials at John Carroll university are acting hypocritically by refusing to add LGBT people to the nondiscrimination policy. I’m a straight girl who also happens to be Catholic. I’ll admit I tend to be a fairly liberal Catholic — a cafeteria Catholic, so to speak — but I follow the basic doctrine of any religion: love and compassion. And I think the same can be said for many modern American Catholics who attend church regularly and help society, but

who may not agree with all the dictates coming from the Vatican in Italy. That’s why it’s ridiculous for John Carroll University to be denying LGBT students, staff and faculty the right to avoid discrimination (at least in the legal sense).

It’s impractical to think a nondiscrimination policy will solve all the world’s problems. It’s more about the message from the university: “We support you and will help you avoid discrimination to the best of our power.”

I’m not a religious scholar — or a religious zealot for that matter — but I think any discrimination is a sin. That seems like a fairly logical argument that would be difficult to disprove. I wonder how long it will take for the rest of society to catch up, though. Governments and religious organizations make everything more complex.

In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how this conflict at John Carroll University unfolds. The president has promised to meet with student groups to discuss the issue. Maybe our generation will be able to enlighten him.

— Jackie Valley, copy desk chief