Out Spotlight XCVIII

Today's Out Spotlight is the organization Helem. Helem, was created for the liberation and protection of the LGBT community in Lebanon. It is the first organization in the Arab world to set up a gay and lesbian community center, and their work has consistently broken new ground in a country that criminalizes homosexuality and where violence and abuse are persistent problems. Helem (the Arabic acronym of "Lebanese Protection for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders"), is a non-governmental non-profit organization who presented its notification of association to the Lebanese Ministry of Interior on 4 September 2004, while homosexuality is still illegal in Lebanon.

While homosexuality remains a crime in Lebanon, the country is unusual among Arab-majority nations in that it has a small internal gay rights movement and an organization like Helem. The enforcement of the law in Lebanon is varied and often occurs through occasional police harassment and arrests. Aside from the criminal law, gay Lebanese civilians have been charged with violating censorship laws regulating free speech and free press. In 2000, the webmaster of gaylebanon.com faced military charges for maintaining a website for gay and lesbian Lebanese. To have Helem out in the public and fighting to all sorts of legal, social and cultural discrimination that occur against the Lebanese LGTB community amongst this shows the commitment and dedication of the group and its mission .

While it's major focus is on gay and lesbian issues, Helem is open to anyone who shares our values based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is also strongly opposed to any kind of segregation, both in the services it offers or in the struggle it leads.

Helem's primary goal is "the annulment of article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code which punishes 'unnatural sexual intercourse'". The law is primarily used to target the LGBT community by violating the privacy of its members and by denying them basic human rights. "The abolishment of this law will help reduce state and societal persecution and pave the way to achieving equality for the LGBT community in Lebanon." Helem's other main objective is "to counter the AIDS epidemic and other sexually transmitted diseases while advocating for the rights of patients."

You can break the major goals break down this way : Health, Awareness, Advocacy

In Helem's health initiatives, we adopt a rights-based approach that recognizes the particularities of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexual health relative to the LGBT community.

In order to break the silence surrounding sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular, Helem has consistently promoted the idea that knowledge is the key to openness, tolerance and acceptance. They aim to counter the lack of information (particularly in Arabic) and the pervasive misinformation about homosexuality by providing objective, factual information, initiating dialogue, and refuting common misconceptions about homosexuality.

One of Helem’s main long-term goals is the annulment of the outdated and unjust law, that call homosexuality an "unatural sexual intercourse" and that it is punishable by law. To this end, Helem lobbies with other human rights organizations on the national, regional, and international levels for the decriminalization of homosexuality and the advancement of human rights and personal freedoms in Lebanon.

This past week to raise awareness, Helem and SIDC, (Lebanese AIDS awareness organization) in collaboration with International Alliance Against AIDS, launched the guide "Ohibbohom Walaken" ("I love them, but…"). The guide addresses the parents of gay and lesbian individuals and provides information and facts about sexuality and homosexuality, in addition to signifying better practices to deal with their sons/daughters' sexuality.

The launch was attended by a number of associations and organizations working in the social, health, youth fields as well as psychology and social work experts, with the presence of parents of gay and lesbian people who showed interest and support, in addition to UN representatives and Lebanese ministries. It included discussions about homosexuality in terms of reality and challenges, as well as the information about the guide’s production, content and how to use it, along with the planning of a future strategy for LGBT dialogs and discussions.

In January of this year, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) awarded its 2009 Felipa de Souza Award to Helem. The Felipa Award recognizes the courage and effectiveness of groups or leaders dedicated to improving the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) and other individuals stigmatized and abused because of their sexuality or HIV status.

Helem also done outside of it geographical borders, with international branches branches in Montreal and Paris.

Helem official site

Blue Bird of Happ....

Hey whatcha doing?

Just going of the sales kits and literature that drug reps use.

Really getting into the part, aren't you.

Well I need to be prepared, research is a whole part of that.

You didn't?

Didn't what?

You did!

What did I do? Damn it's hot, my face is all flushed.

You know what you did.

Did what? Hold on I need to find my homeopathic medicine for headaches.

You did!

Did what?

You took one. The warm, flushed face, the headache, next you'll tell me you everything is kind of looking blueish. Why do it when I'm not there?

I don't know what you're talking about. And if you were here I wouldn't need it would I? ; )




UPDATE: JFC Discussion for Episode 6 : "His Visit, Day Five", will start next Friday September 24th starting at 5:00pm thru Sat September 25th.

The Snug Harbor Motel hosts a cookout; John makes Cissy a special offer; Tina makes tunafish for Shaun; Bill hears from his wife; Cass raids the mini-bar; Freddy plays the saxophone. This episode really highlights John as he gives his big speech and really showcases Austin's acting. Hope you can join us for the discussion.


It came from Pittsburgh:
The Smiley :-) the first Internet emoticon, was created by Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist Scott Fahlman, in Pittsburgh in 1982.

Prayers and Blessings

Austin's done a lot of different things this year, One Tree Hill, SoGo, biking, pictures, trips, red carpet moments, being seen with old friends in new ways, but there is one thing that that he did this past year, that shouldn't be lost in the shuffle. Prayers for Bobby.

This Sunday is the Emmy awards, and this Austin Friday we want to look back at the Emmy nominated move Prayers for Bobby.



Mary Griffith is a devout Christian, however, when her son Bobby confides to his older brother he may be gay, life changes for the entire family after Mary learns about his secret. While Bobby's father and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, Mary believes God can cure him of what she considers his 'sin' and persuades Bobby to pray harder and seek solace in church activities in hopes of changing him. Desperate for his mother's approval, Bobby does what is asked of him, but through it all, the church's apparent disapproval of homosexuality causes him to grow increasingly withdrawn and depressed. Guilty over the pain he is causing his, Bobby moves away, hoping that some day his mother will accept him. He blames himself for not being the 'perfect' son to his mother he takes his own life. Faced with their tragedy, Mary begins to question her faith when she receives no answers from her church concerning her devastating loss. Through her long and emotional journey, Mary slowly reaches out to the gay community and discovers unexpected support and finds herself finding a place of acceptance, advocacy and faith.



Austin ,who played Bobby's older brother Ed, got a chance to "make an important movie" as his character, Julian, on One Tree Hill would say, a movie with a message, one that can make a difference, and one that needs to be shared with everyone.


Congratulations and Good Luck to Sigourney Weaver on her Emmy nomination.



While looking back over the past year, today we also celebrate a new one.

As Rosh Hashanah begins today at sundown, here's wishing Jake and all who celebrate, a sweet and joyous year ahead.

L'Shanah Tovah!

Happy 5770!



Update:

Rescheduling the JFC Discussion.

Does next weekend the 24th and 25 work for everyone interested in the JFC discussion?

Or do we need to look into October.

PoP Art , Icons

Losing Henry Gibson from Laugh-In and Mary Travers from Peter, Paul and Mary, sends thoughts back to 60's pop culture and who captured pop culture than Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol.

Early in Warhol's career he began to make paintings of iconic American products such as Campbell's Soup Cans from the Campbell Soup Company and Coca-Cola bottles, as well as paintings of celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Troy Donahue, Muhammad Ali and Elizabeth Taylor.

Jake has appeared on Interview magazine which was founded by Andy and with Jake in Pittsburgh it made me think of what he would with Jake.

With two icon roles, would Warhol have embraced the gay cowboy of BBM that was antithesis of the iconic Malboro man image that is the truest essence of pop culture?



What about Donnie Darko? From the mission of the Foundation for the Visual Arts that bears his name, founded upon his death in 1987, you think he would. "To foster innovative artistic expression and the creative process" and is "focused primarily on supporting work of a challenging and often experimental nature." It kind of describes what Richard Kelly was trying to do.


Think that Warhol would have been interesting not only Jake's roles but looking at some of the early photo shoots of Jake, Jake as well, young man boy with unconventional beauty, and then later as to see where his fame goes.

Here's a video of the Warhol museum from few years ago. Hopefully Jake gets a chance to visit.




My favorite, the mylar floating pillows. Dynamic, ever changing, and never the same. And very cool if you lay on the floor and watch the patterns.

Styling and profiling

Looks like OTH is following in JFC's footsteps. Sometime unbelievable storylines. Some actors you wonder if this is their first job. They have sand, surf. And redemption (well for Dan)



But there is one thing you might not have notice that OTH if copying from JFC. Doing tight profile shots with Austin in the foreground. And with such a classic profile who wouldn't.








And its not just filmmakers, photographers too, knowing that a strong profile makes great pictures.


Everyone has their best side. What's his?


And just had to put up one of Julian on the Red Carpet


Speaking of JFC, last week mentioned about resuming out JFC discussion, with Episode 6 "His Visit: Day 5" for this Friday, and didn't get much response, are people still interested? Do you need more time? Would a later date work better?

Sparkling

Yesterday pictures of Jake at the US Open :

1) he does have a commitment to sparkle motion

2) MAN, he loves.... tennis

3) Solid Gold Dancer or Headbangers Ball ... advantage ...






Couldn't go without at least one from last night's One Tree Hill, too good not to share. First time we've seen Austin work the formal wear with a bow tie.




And it is with sadness we mark the passing of Patrick Swayze. Known for stealing hearts in Dirty Dancing and Ghost he also took chances that lead him to two cult classic movies, Point Break and of course Donnie Darko. He took a risk playing Jim Cunnigham, and did it fearlessly.

Love and Other Drugs

First the love ...

that Austin is a now a series regular on One Tree Hill, and that the 7th season starts tonight on The CW, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It's great to know that we will see Austin on TV for 22 episodes this year and with reruns, that over 30 weeks of the tall Texan.

So what's going to happen tonight on OTH?

Well Nathan (James Lafferty) learns of a shocking accusation that could threaten his pro basketball career, much to the chagrin of his sports agent Clay (Robert Buckley). Brook get ready to launch a new fashion line, while Julian decides to produce a big movie. Haley’s sister Quinn (Shantel VanSanten) makes a surprise visit. Meanwhile, Jamie celebrates his 7th birthday. Keep you eyes open for a US Football legend and one time Dancing with the Stars contestant.


Of course we already know that Austin is "shirtless and sandy" within the first 4 minutes, but what will he be in the rest of it?

Big congrats to Austin and Good Luck for the season ahead!


And the other Drugs?

Jake's movie Love and Other Drugs is really shaping up to be a great comedy. Yesterday The Hollywood Reporter reported that there are three new cast members on board for the movie.

Gabriel Macht is going play a hotshot Prozac salesman who's involved romantically with Maggie (Anne), a free-spirited woman with Parkinson's disease who enters into a relationship with charming Viagra salesman Jamie (Jake).

Hank Azaria is playing an unscrupulous doctor and client of Jamie's, and Oliver Platt plays his boss, a beleaguered pharmaceutical rep desperate to boost Jamie's sales.

Edward Zwick and his Bedford Falls partner Marshall Herskovitz ( "Thirtysomething", "The Last Samurai," "Legends of the Fall") are producing with Scott Stuber, who originated the project. Charles Randolph ("The Interpreter") wrote the script, and Pieter Jan Brugge are producing, as well.

With Platt and Azaria along with Josh Gad and Judy Greer. This is going to be one of the most fun casts Jake's ever worked with, I can imagine it will be one of the funniest and fun shoots Jake will have. There will be plenty of grins this fall in Pittsburgh.



Can you imagine have Hank Azaria who does half the voices of the Simpson hanging out with Jake? If Anne is smart she will change her cell numbers now before the prank calling from Dr. Nick Rivera, Prof. Frink or Moe starts looking for a date or a tiny dancer getting a late night booty call from Cletus the Slack Jaw Yokel and as someone else giggles in the background.