Viet Vu's TEDx Talk, “Bi the Way, We Exist,” on Bisexuality, Coming Out, and Equaldex

Viet Vu, Equaldex moderator and Economics major at University of British Columbia, delivered a TEDx Talk speaking about the complexities of coming out as bisexual, LGBTQ+ rights, and his involvement with Equaldex.

Before becoming a moderator on Equaldex, Viet was a top contributor to the site, even before it was launched to the public.

“In this TEDx talk, Viet speaks about the complexities of coming out as bisexual and the positive and negative reactions that he received from his family and friends. While focusing on a group that is rarely talked about in LGBTQ+ rights, Viet explains how anyone can have a tangible impact on someone’s life by choosing to care.

Viet is a fourth-year Economics student at the Vancouver School of Economics. He’s also a researcher at Equaldex, a database that maps the status of LGBTQ+ rights worldwide.”

Listen: Parents Disown and Assault Child After He Comes Out As Gay

(Warning: disturbing audio and language used.)

Disturbing video footage of a gay man coming out to his parents was just posted to Reddit with the title “How Not to React when Your Son Tells You that He’s Gay.”

In the video, the parents explain that they will “no longer support him” and ask him to leave. As the video continues, the argument becomes more tense and the parents allegedly hit him and then continue to yell slurs at him.

Reddit user rythymknight posted the video to Reddit saying that the individual in the video is his boyfriend. He also provided some more information about his current status:

“He does have somewhere to stay for now until he gets on his feet. Unfortunately, his car was taken back as well. It seems terrible right now, but I feel confident that he will make it through this and be OK.”

(via @davey)

Watch: Nintendo Characters Celebrate Gay Marriage

After gamers took to social media to criticize nintendo for not including the ability to marry a same-sex character in their upcoming game, Tomodachi Life, Nintendo responded saying that they hope to be more inclusive in the future.

Sunday Night’s episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver poked fun at Nintendo’s response.

(via Kotaku)

Learn more: Visualizations of LGBT Rights by Country.

First Kiss: 20 Strangers Asked To Kiss For The First Time

Filmmaker Tatia PIlieva asked 20 strangers to kiss for the first time in this awkwardly beautiful short film.

(via reddit)

“Gender Edit" Facebook Campaign Gets Retracted, Public Apology Issued

Late last week, I reported about Gender Edit, a campaign to create the largest "gender change” in history by using Facebook. After the campaign received a lot of criticism, it was shut down by its organizers and a public apology was issued.

Many readers had concerns against how the campaign used the word “sex” and “trivialized” the concept of being transgender. Another major concern was that the campaign was scheduled for the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia.

The campaign organizers told Equaldex that their "intentions in creating this were entirely pure” and that they were working to revise the campaign. The campaign video was soon after taken down.

A few days later, the campaign was completely retracted and a video apology was published.

“I really do hope this helps. The stir this project has caused was never our intention. We screwed up, and we’re sorry.

Regardless of gay, straight, cis, or trans, we are all human, and mistakes are part of the human experience. Please reach out to me, I want to hear from you.”

Please share your thoughts about Michael’s apology video.

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Sign up for early access to Equaldex, the collaborative knowledge base for the LGBT movement.

AllOut Launches Campaign Against Anti-Gay Propaganda in Russia

LGBT rights group AllOut launched a beautiful new video to raise awareness about the anti-gay laws in Russia.

What if living your dream meant living a lie?

Russia is in the midst of a violent crackdown against lesbian, gay, bi and trans people - fueled by laws that make it a crime to be open about who you are and who you love.

The countdown is on for Russia’s winter Olympics and, very soon, all eyes will be on them.

The Olympic games are our best chance to end to Russia’s outrageous anti-gay laws – but to do it, it’s going to take lots more of us to hear about what’s happening in Russia.

Watch this beautiful 2-minute video, and please share it with your family and friends. You can also sign the petition here: www.allout.org/en/actions/russia-attacks

More: LGBT Rights in Russia

Hawaii Radio Ad Warns Of Gay Marriage and “Bisexual Marriage”

A new ad sponsored by the Hawaii Republican Assembly is airing across the state warning people that gay marriage will lead to “normalizing all sorts of deviant behavior.”

Sign up for early access to Equaldex.com

(via Huffington Post Gay Voices)

More: LGBT Rights in Hawaii, United States

Watch: The Most Adorable Choreographed Marriage Proposal At Home Depot

Watch as Stephen creates a choreographed dance performance at Home Depot to propose to his boyfriend, Dustin.

Dustin arrived at the Home Depot in Salt Lake City thinking he was there to help his roommate pick out some lighting for a party. When he was taken to the lumber aisle, what he found waiting for him was a mob of friends and family as his marriage proposal unfolded to the song, “Somebody Loves You” by Betty Who.

More: LGBT Rights in Utah, United States

STAY by Steve Grand

Happy Friday!

YouTube Launches #ProudToLove Video

At YouTube, we believe that everyone has the right to love and be loved. We strive to make YouTube a place where all communities can feel proud to express themselves and connect through video. That’s why we’re proud to stand with the LGBT community and support equal rights and marriage equality for all.

JOIN IN: Who, what, or why are you #ProudToLove? 
Upload a video or share a post with #ProudToLove in the title so others can find it.