San Diego gay and lesbian news

Ireland’s oldest matchmaking festival to welcome gay and lesbian singles

Andrew Hamilton - Irish Times
May 15th, 2013

LISDOONVARNA, Ireland -- Europe’s oldest matchmaking event is going pink this year, with a new gay and lesbian weekend taking place at the start of the traditional Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival.

The new festival, which has been christened the Outing, is the brainchild of local hotelier Marcus White, who has enlisted Dublin Pride Festival organiser Eddie McGuinness to manage the event.

The pair hope to grow the Outing into the world’s largest gay and lesbian singles event over the next five years.

BOOK REVIEW: “Afuera: A Young Latino’s Journey” by Marcelino Rosas

Kurt R. Brown - Special to SDGLN
May 15th, 2013

“Afuera: A Young Latino’s Journey” by Marcelino Rosas is a gripping tale of a gay adolescent's coming of age.

The book is written in the style of an autobiography, and explores many issues that a lot of readers will be able to identify with, and also some that are shocking, titillating and controversial.

Zambia gay rights activist trial is delayed

AFP
May 15th, 2013

(Editor's note: Zambia is one of the 76 countries around the world where it is illegal to be gay. Discrimination against the LGBT community is widespread.)

LUSAKA, Zambia -- The high profile trial of prominent Zambian gay rights activist Paul Kasonkomona was delayed on Wednesday, after his lawyer argued the charges were vague and should be heard by the High Court.

Heat turns up on Illinois House to vote on marriage equality

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
May 15th, 2013

CHICAGO – Illinois Unites for Marriage, a group in favor for marriage equality, has begun robo-calling residents of largely African-American districts in the Windy City area in an attempt to secure enough votes to pass the state's bill that would allow same-sex weddings.

Although the state Senate has already passed the marriage-equality bill and Gov. Pat Quinn is urging passage, the bill is stalled in the state House due to uncertainty of the vote. Some of the swing votes are in the largely African-American districts in the Chicago area.

Featured Listing

FilmOut Q&A: "Love Or Whatever" with director Rosser Goodman | VIDEO

Ken Williams - SDGLN Editor in Chief
May 15th, 2013

(Editor's note: SDGLN is featuring Q&A interviews with leading filmmakers around the world who are participating in FilmOut San Diego's 15th annual LGBT Film Festival, running May 29 to June 2 at the historic Birch North Park Theatre. Follow SDGLN for all the news about one of the top LGBT film festivals in the U.S.)

The romantic comedy “Love Or Whatever” will likely be an audience favorite at FilmOut San Diego’s 15th annual LGBT Film Festival, when the lesbian-directed movie is featured as the Boys Centerpiece on Friday, May 31 at the Birch.

BOOK REVIEW | Local author M.A. Chavez's "The Catalyst: Skye"

Melissa Phy - Special to SDGLN
May 14th, 2013

For true fiction lovers, "The Catalyst: Skye" is everything you want: drama, love, intense emotions and real-life situations.

After failed friendships, an HIV scare and living out of his car, Cameron Skye is left relying on his reputation as West Hollywood’s “golden boy” for life fulfillment. But in a city created by smoke and mirrors, Skye is left wondering whom he can trust and what is real.

Featured Listing

COMMENTARY: The hyphenated Americans

Barb Hamp Weicksel - SDGLN Contributor
May 14th, 2013

Do you believe there will ever be a time in these United States of America when we will not be known as gay-Americans and just simply be Americans?

I ask because I feel that we have become a nation of hyphenated Americans. You know what I’m talking about: gay-Americans, African-Americans, Latino-Americans, Irish-Americans, Jewish-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Muslim-Americans, Japanese-Americans, just to name a few.

Do the hyphens keep us separate from one another? And if that is the case, then we will never be equal because separate but equal is never, ever equal.

GLAAD's What To Watch On Tuesday

Hayley Thayer - Entertainment Media Intern, GLAAD
May 14th, 2013

(This post was originally published by SDGLN content partner GLAAD.)

Tonight, catch all new episodes of "The Voice," and "Awkward.".

9:00pm: The Voice, NBC (1 hr) NEW

The playoff rounds continue with the Top 16. This season features out musicians Karina Iglesias on Team Shakira and Michelle Chamuel on Team Usher.

Featured Listing

THEATER REVIEW: “The Sound Of Music”

Jean Lowerison - SDGLN Theater Critic
May 14th, 2013

It’s old, long, even a little sappy – and it gets me every time.

I’m talking about Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound Of Music,” now getting a splendid revival from San Diego Musical Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Todd Nielsen, the 1960 winner of five Tonys plays through May 26 at Birch North Park Theatre.

A tribute to Tony Serafini

Leeland Tatta - Special to SDGLN
May 14th, 2013

SAN DIEGO -- On May 7, we lost our dear friend Tony Serafini (born June 1, 1967).

In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same as well. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems to be the same; but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.