This is a press release I received late last night:

Six Activists Arrested on Valentine's Day at Daley Plaza Marriage Bureau Demanding Federal Marriage Equality, Charged with Trespassing

Activists from Join the Impact Chicago, GetEQUAL and Video Action League were Arrested After Refusing to Leave the Bureau Without a Marriage License

 

Chicago, IL- On Monday, six activists were arrested at the marriage bureau office in Daley Plaza when they refused to leave without a marriage license for a queer couple. The activists, from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights groups Join The Impact Chicago, GetEQUAL and Video Action League, were part of a national narrative to raise awareness about the need for federal marriage equality.

 

Cassandra Avenatti, Lindsey Dietzler, Corrine Mina, and Noa Francis Shayden approached the marriage counter and asked for a license for the couple, Judy Heithmar and Danelle Wylder, who was adorned as Lady Justice. They took turns reading from the list of 1,138 rights denied to LGBTQ couples by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

 

The activists were removed from the marriage bureau around 3:30 pm, after they had occupied the office for nearly six hours. They were hauled off in a paddy wagon to the Chicago Police Department located at 1718 S State Street. They were released around midnight. All six were charged with criminal trespass to state supported land, a misdemeanor, and released on bond. They are due in court on March 17th.

 

A video of the action is available on Video Action League's YouTube Channel-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBNwZN-vy-8

 

Lindsey Dietzler, GetEQUAL IL State Lead and Co-Founder of Video Action League, said, "The message behind this action is that we must strive for justice and have a deeper commitment to it if we ever hope to be more than second-class citizens in this country. The state-by-state route to marriage equality is long, expensive and ultimately, without the repeal of DOMA, falls short of making us truly equal."

 

With the recent signing of the Illinois civil unions act just weeks ago by Governor Pat Quinn, the activists wanted to make a strong statement to local, state and federal governments that this measure simply is not enough. While the new unions, which will take effect June 1, 2011, offer some state level protections, they offer no federal rights and responsibilities to LGBTQ couples and carry the sting of second class citizenship as they deny the full recognition and respect that comes with the word "marriage."

 

A statement released by GetEQUAL IL on Monday said, "Although our community is deeply appreciative of the fierce advocacy of Governor Pat Quinn who helped make Illinois the sixth state to recognize civil unions for LGBTQ couples,  the reality is those distinctions do not carry the same societal value as "marriage" and cannot be enjoyed fully while states that surround us sit in deeper inequality because of marriage discrimination.  Action is taken today to highlight the need for the repeal of the Defense Of Marriage Act, nationwide state marriage rights and action from our former Senator, now-President Barack Obama to revert back to his previous position that marriage equality is the right thing to offer to our community."

 

Visit Join The Impact Chicago's website at www.jointheimpactchicago.com for more information on the rights Illinois's civil unions law cannot grant.

 

GetEQUAL is a national, direct action lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization. Emphasizing direct action and people power, the mission of GetEQUAL is to empower the LGBT community and its allies to take action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way. For more information on GetEQUAL, please visit: http://www.getequal.org. You can follow GetEQUAL on Twitter athttp://www.twitter.com/getequal, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GetEQUAL, or on YouTube athttp://www.youtube.com/getequal.

 

Join the Impact Chicago is a politically independent organization of Chicago-based grassroots activists fighting for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. Through education, community organizing, and direct action, JTIC is working to eliminate federal, state, and local laws that codify discrimination on the basis of gender expression and sexuality. We will not settle for compromises or half-measures, and will not rest until we are recognized as fully equal. For more information please visit our website at http://www.jointheimpactchicago.com or find us on Facebook athttp://tinyurl.com/JTIChicago.

 

Founded in 2000, Marriage Equality USA  is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to secure legally-recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.marriageequality.org.

 

Formed in November of 2010, Video Action League's goal is to create a fresh approach to the queer rights movement. VAL's mission is to settle for nothing less than full worldwide equality regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression and aims to transform, inspire, and educate through the use of new media. For more information please visit: http://www.videoactionleague.com. You can find Video Action League on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/videoactionleague on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/VideoActionLeagueand on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/vidactionleague.

Last night on Facebook, Redeye Social Media Guru and ChicagoNow Blogger Scott Kleinberg made a great point about how inclement weather makes people buy up bread at the grocery right before big cataclysmic storms hit. 

We all know that winter weather equals great sandwich weather, but what else can you do with the popular snowstorm staples such as bread, milk, and eggs?  Let's find out, because every store is a Costco when it comes to preparing for snow.

We've all dated that person that asks you their sign before they've barely learned your name.  Who knows, maybe you ARE that person.  Either way, you probably see yourself as so characteristic of the sign you thought you were that there is no way any other sign could be true.  But what if it turns out to be true.  Instead of being a Capricorn, you've actually always been a Saggitarius. 

Take that in for a moment.

Ok, have the violent self actualizations cease? Are you no longer in the fetal position in a corner somewhere?  Good. Now you can officially start living your life! No more basing the future of any given relationship on the compatibility of your respective signs, and no more forming your personality around what you think your personality should be. Because you've held control over your personality this whole time, not the stars.

I've always been a skeptic of astrology, and this new information is what us skeptics like to call "proof." Logic says that, if astrology is real, no one should have matched their signs previously and this should make more sense now.  Though most people i've seen have dismissed the information as false because there is no way they could be a (insert new zodiac sign).

As for me, I used to be a Capricorn, but now am a Sagittarius. I didn't know what that meant before, and have no plans to learn what it means now.

If you prefer a more scientific explanation as to why this is changing, Rachel Maddow summed it up nicely on her show Wednesday night.  See the video below.

With an album being released soon, several singles already available on iTunes, and appearances on shows like Tosh.0 & South Park. He seems to be doing pretty well for himself. Now, you can also add a pretty racy (and definitely NSFW) video to that resume.

Check out the video for "Freak of Nature" out below, and for added enjoyment go on over to the FeastofFun.com to check out his grandmother's reaction video...it's not to be missed.

Every October 11th, the nation comes together to celebrate National Coming Out Day. This year with the recent heart-breaking stories of all the LGBT individuals who ended their own lives to escape the bullying, the day has a special meaning.

So, to honor individuals like Tyler Clementi, people all across the nation will be changing their profile pictures to "come out" as a gay person, or as an ally.

I encourage you to check out this movement and change your profile picture along with me. You can read up a bit on this social media ambush here, along with links and directions on how to alter your profile picture.

Won't you join me in making it safe to blow the doors off that closet?

Occasionally, something comes along that makes me giggle.  Akin to the noise you hear from school girls. Well I had one of the these "tee-hee" moments today when I heard about Vote Naked Illinois.

If you're free this weekend, Highwood, IL will be kicking off its Highwood Street Market Festival with a drag show, martini's, and an upscale antiques market. 

Fabulousness is bound to ensue. 

Plus, Big Gay Welcome Wagon readers can also receive a pass good for two free admissions to both days of the festival (9/18 and 9/19) and the Vintage Drag Fashion Show. 

To get the pass, send an email to BigGayWelcomeWagon@gmail.com with "Free Pass" in the subject line and I'll send you a pass.

Here are some pictures I took of the performance. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my actual camera at home, but no worries. Hipstamatic App for the iPhone was there to come to the rescue, some are a little blurry due to the low pixelation.  Regardless, they still look neat!

Enjoy!

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Yesterday, I received word that local LGBT groups plan to protest at the newly opened Wilson Yard Target Store on Saturday morning over the retailers recent corporate donation made to MN Forward. As a Wilson Yard team member, I feel torn between my job and my gay lifestyle. While I cannot in good conscience insert my raw opinion either way into the matter as I have a personal stake with both sides, I do feel my unique position allows me an opportunity to bring in a third perspective that until now has remained fairly silent over this unfortunate situation.

By 'third perspective,' I mean the perspective of the LGBT Target Team member.

I'm not sure which event set it's 2010 date first, but whoever did it second must've had a fail whale on the mind. As far as I know, these events may always fall on the same weekend every year, I honestly can't say I remember. But either way, for the purpose of this blog post, I've decided to play a little game of "One Event to Rule Them All" and see which is the ultimate event to lay claim as King (or Queen) of Chicago's first weekend in August.

Let's see who wins shall we?

As you may know, earlier today a California judge has declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Proposition 8 is the voter upheld ban on same-sex marriage in California. All across the country, people celebrated this victory for equality. That is, everyone except FOX News. 

Shortly after the decision was made public, FOXNews.com took the "fair and balanced" approach by posting this poll.  Sure the idea of this poll would be a great idea, if they wouldn't have presented the poll with such biased language. First, the language used in the question is leading in that it suggests that you should question the authority and decision of this judge. Then  when you take a look at the choices, you have one pro-gay marriage option matched with two anti-gay marriage choices. I won't even go into why they thought it was a good idea to use the following as the wording, and basically come out as anti-constitution, anti-law, and anti-courts.

If thats not enough to celebrate, don't forget about that little shindig happening in Boystown on Saturday and Sunday, known fondly as Northalsted Market Days. 

Now you can add one more thing to your agenda, the Chicago showing of Stonewall Uprising, a documentary by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner examining the turbulent events of the Stonewall Riots. The gay rights movement has a rich history, and this is a great opportunity to see first hand what unfolded in the mid-1960's.

...Ok, feel better? Great! Because I have great news! Instead of that trendy crater to admire on your morning CTA commute you now have an awesome new Target store where that crater used to be! In fact, the Wilson Yard Target Store is having its GRAND OPENING today (Sunday, July 25th, 2010).

The Wilson Yard Target store represents just one piece of the big Wilson Yard "picture," which also includes affordable housing and senior living facilities just to the south of the retailer. While the housing to the South has had tenants for several months now, today's Grand Opening celebration marks the culmination of years of dedication & hard work and more than 150 million dollars.

You may recall that in recent months Dan Choi has gone on hunger strike, been arrested multiple times for chaining himself to the White House, and more recently, Las Vegas, NV. 

Time flies during the summer months here in Chicago! It seems like just yesterday I was watching the stanley cup whiz by on a float of hot, gay hockey players. 

Well, get ready LGBT community, in just a few weeks Boystown will be turned upside down again. That's right, the second half of Boystown summer pride and revelry, aka Market Days, is coming soon. Are you ready?

It also occurred to me today, that every year I seem to be unprepared for the street fest. For example, as you can see from the picture, my friend Alyse and I had to wait out some rain a few years back under a awning since we forgot umbrellas. I always end up forgetting one thing or another, so I'm going ahead and making my list for this year of what I need to remember to take.

Did I forget anything? Hmmm....

Someone once said that if we do not learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it. Too Cliche? Too bad! Because its painfully true. I'm looking your way, Boystown. In a recent article by SkylineNewspaper.com, writer Megan Cottrell highlights the fears of some Lakeview/Boystown residents that will be forced to move as a result of the dramatic decreases in affordable housing in the area. Rainbow pylons and gay bars aside, is it getting time to move the gayborhood again? Or have the pylons cemented the community in one place?

...CELEBRITY SEX TAPES!

Have you ever heard of the "gay tax?" Google Has, and they intend to do something about it!  In a post to the official Google Blog, the search engine behemoth of a company has announced two new benefits for its gay and lesbian employees

This weekend was OUTrageous in Chicago.  Not only did we get the pleasure of having recently out country star Chely Wright as the Grand Marshall of the 41st Annual Chicago Gay Pride Parade, but we also had an appearance by recently traded Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel and, of course, the Stanley Cup.

According to a statement posted to his blog, Larry King followed Oprah and Tyra's lead by announcing that he will be calling it quits this year.