
As the fourth-largest city in the nation, MY GAY HOUSTON's LGBT scene remains as diverse and vibrant as its more than 5 million residents. Its blend of world-class culture and an anything-goes attitude make this city on the bayou a great getaway for the discerning gay traveler.
From the pedestrian-friendly Montrose neighborhood to downtown and the historic Heights, Houston has something for everyone, all seven days of the week. Read on for picks on where to be and what to see..






ORANGE COUNTY
itself is very welcoming
to the LGBT communities.
This past month, there has been much in the press about the gay vietnamese community and the TET parade.
Last week - WESTMINSTER – A coalition of Vietnamese gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups said they will march down Little Saigon streets – a first for the annual Tet Parade. Once Gay and lesbian Vietnamese-Americans said they were marching in the Parade, it sparked rebukes from a City Council member and Christian leader.
The groups have chapters in Orange County, but they have never actually participated in an Orange County public event.
Rev. Nguyen Thanh Van and Westminster City Councilman Andy Quach made very vocal negative comments.
The minister, who leads the Hội Đồng Liên Tôn interfaith council, called on religious and political groups to boycott the parade.
Quach, who is chairman of the parade's organizing committee, issued a letter in Vietnamese that, stated the politician wishes he could ban the gays but that he can't. He asked that everyone still turn out and enjoy the parade.
Despite opposition, the group marched anyway. Towleroad reader Rob Hoang published this photo of him and his boyfriend marching with the first LGBT group to march in the Orange County Tet (Vietnamese New Year) parade in California.
"We were anxious, prepared for the worst," stated one UCLA participant who had been cautioned in an AQWA newsletter and various forums to be wary of possible protests being staged against the LGBT marchers.
"Boos" totaled less than five. Cheers rose from the crowd as the Vietnamese LGBT marchers were announced in English, followed by a second--perhaps more unexpected--wave of cheers as they were again announced in Vietnamese.
And in an extreme act of hypocrisy, Andy Quach, an Orange County City Councilman who warned of gays and lesbians "any extreme or outrageous material not suited for children" while participating in this year's Vietnamese Tet Parade, rode in the parade in a car painted with tits and ass. That's real nice Andy.
The call for a boycott from Reverend Thanh Van, and other religious conservatives ended in a massive fail and a potential political migraine for Andy Quach.
The Best Gay News

In 1849, an Italian chocolatier by the name of Domingo Ghirardelli received news of a gold strike at Sutter’s Mill and took it upon himself to strike it rich and sail off to California. While Ghirardelli found no luck in the Gold Rush, he found his fortune in chocolate instead. He established his first chocolate factory in San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf, which is considered a historic landmark today.
Ghirardelli is one of the few chocolate companies in the United States to control every aspect of its chocolate manufacturing process, rejecting up to 40 percent of the cocoa beans shipped in order to select what the company calls the "highest quality" beans. The company then roasts the cocoa beans in-house by removing the outer shell of the bean and roasting the inside of it. Today, Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Factory is considered one of the most popular sites in the Bay Area because on any given day, you can find decadent, gooey chocolate churned there. Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a major contributor in the multi-billion dollar industry that can soothe the soul of the savage beast as well as stimulate “feel good” hormones. While chocolate is no longer being manufactured in Ghirardelli Square, the retail store still serves fresh chocolate sundaes and other sweet confections.


-Same-sex couple households per capita
-Statewide marriage equality
-Gay elected officials
-Gay dating and hookup profiles per single male population
-Gay bars per capita
-Cruising spots per capita
-and Gay films in Netflix favorites.
The list is very shocking!
1. Atlanta, Georgia
2. Burlington, Vermont
3. Iowa City, Iowa
4. Bloomington, Indiana
5. Madison, Wisconsin
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
7. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
8. Portland, Maine
9. Austin, Texas
10. Seattle, Washington
11. Gainsville, Florida
12. Ashville, North Carolina
13. Springfield, Massachusetts
14. San Diego, California
15. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Fort Lauderdale I would have guessed. Maybe San Diego. But the other 13? I had no idea!


"Got a cigarette?" he asked. Tony shook a Marlboro Mild from the pack and handed him one.
Right then, a gang — Tony remembers four men — "appeared out of the woodwork." They shoved him into the alley behind the restaurant, yelled "Fucking faggot!" and began to punch him. He fell to the ground and tried to shield his head as they kicked him in the face.
(Fort Lauderdale)


The task of the US Census is to count every man, woman and child in the country and in the past has measured everything from income, to housing to health insurance, to illegal aliens. One of the most important tasks of the Census is for the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives, from which are dervied the total number of electors to the Electoral College - who ultimately vote for our President.
Since 1990 the census has included a designation of "unmarried partner" on the form, it was the first time that same-sex relationships could at least somewhat be acknowledge. Unfortunately there is no question on the census that allows citizens to designate their sexual identity.

This year there are only 10 questions on the form this year, one of the shortest in history. Adding a question specifically about sexual oritentation will take quite some time to get included, but at least now if you are in a committed relationship you can attempt to be counted. This years census only asks for name, sex, age, date of birth, hispanic origin, race, household, whether you own or rent your home and your relationship.
You can still make your gay voice be heard by requesting a copy of the sticker at the top of this page and affix it to your US Census envelope when you return it to the government.
Head over to Queer the Census and request your own sticker to tell the government that we need to be included.
From Change.org:
Even though the results aren't officially reported, the raw numbers reveal that 145,000 same-sex couples identified as married or "unmarried partners" in 1990 (before any legal recognition in the U.S. even existed) and close to 600,000 same-sex couples self-reported in 2000. The Obama administration has reversed a Bush-era policy, so in the 2010 Census, a report will be released that outlines official information about same-sex couples. Here are some quick instructions on how to make sure your family is reported correctly.
What Box Do You Check?
If you are in a relationship and you live together, you have two choices. First, one of you will be designated as "Person 1." If there is no clear favorite for who should be the head of household, perhaps you could flip a coin, wrestle for it or hold a lip-synching competition. Whoever doesn't win will be designated as "Person 2." This person is asked how they are related to Person 1. There are 16 choices, but the two that concern you are "husband or wife" and "unmarried partner."
This is the important part: You do not answer based on the actual legal status of your relationship, you answer based on how you personally categorize your relationship. If you are legally married, you will probably mark down "husband or wife," though if you are in a civil union or domestic partnership, yet you still feel married, than you should also mark "husband or wife." If there is no legal recognition of your relationship where you live, but you still consider yourself married, it's also important that you mark "husband or wife."


Charles “Chad” Meacham (Project Photographer)
Charles was born just outside of Philadelphia, PA, and began traveling immediately after high school. He picked up a camera at the age of 30, and has since been privileged to win over 20 international awards including those from National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian, and PDN magazines. The idea for this project was sparked after months of following the recent debates in America on gay rights issues in the news, and photographing the 2009Taipei Pride event, one of the largest pride parades in Asia.
Sarah Baxter (Project Coordinator)
Sarah Baxter is the blogger for this project, and contact person/organizer. Born in Athens, Ohio, Sarah enjoys traveling, and has lived and worked in Los Angeles, NE Thailand, North Africa, and most recently in Taipei, Taiwan.
THE GOAL -
Fourteen months, over 30 high intensity parades, and one straight couple with the ambitious aim of using photography to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all sorts of pride on an international level. Through social media they aspire to highlight the similarities and differences in gay rights and gay culture around the world, while surrounded by the frequently “mardi-gras” like atmosphere of the celebrations.
This is a gay issue.
This is a straight issue.
This is a human rights issue.
Walk with Pride blog Walk with pride on FACEBOOK Walk with pride YouTube

(photo by Philip Blackmon)
STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL CRAWFORD, CO-CHAIR OF D.C. FOR MARRIAGE
ON MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY SIGNING THE D.C. MARRIAGE BILL:
“D.C. for Marriage is elated that Mayor Adrian Fenty has signed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, following the overwhelming vote in support of marriage equality by City Council on Tuesday. We are blessed to have the continuing strong and diverse support for marriage equality in Washington, D.C from Mayor Fenty, members of the Council, faith leaders, and residents.
"Having the right to legally marry will have an invaluable impact on gay and lesbian people and our families. Our work has always been about ensuring that every child and every parent in the District has the protection of full equality, so we can strengthen both our families and our community. We are excitedly looking forward to seeing the first couples and their joy as they are finally able to marry, here in the District.
"With today’s bill signing, the District has once again proven its long-time commitment to social justice and equality. We have boldly blazed a trail for the rest of the country by creating a coalition of support among clergy representing many different faiths, and residents of every race, ethnicity and origin in this majority African-American city. Together, we have ensured that the first jurisdiction in the South to make marriage equality law is our nation’s capital.
"As we now focus on defending marriage equality on Capitol Hill, we remain committed to our outreach and education efforts to unify the D.C. community. Our hope is that, as the federal government takes its first look at a local marriage equality measure, Members of Congress will respect the decision made by D.C.’s democratically elected government and not interfere with the enactment of the bill.
"At the same time, the discrimination-promoting groups who stripped marriage equality from our families in California and Maine now have their sights on D.C., and threaten to force a ballot initiative on same-sex marriage, along the lines of California’s Proposition 8 and Maine’s Question 1.
"In D.C., we believe all people and families should be treated equally. We disagree with outsiders who come into our city to advocate for discrimination against our friends and our neighbors. Their efforts will fail here.
"Mayor Fenty’s signing of the bill today may not end the fight, but we will triumph. In a matter of months, the work of so many of D.C.’s residents will culminate in full equality for all.”
DC FOR MARRIAGE











