Sunday, August 28, 2011

Contest...Extended, Or Not?

The LGBT giveaway is supposed to end on August 31...but I just think we can do better than this. Where's the LGBT book love? It's not hard to find a book that fits the criteria...so why don't more people enter to try and win a fun basket of books? I'm thinking about extending this...but I don't know.

Do you want me to?

I took out the critique portion of the giveaway. More on that later. It's not totally gone. I'm just adjusting how we do that part of the giveaway.

I still want to give away the books now though. And this IS in honor of the scholarship, so spread the word about that and apply if you can!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

New York Times Bestselling Author Fights for LGBT Rights!



Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted here. I do apologize. I have a few reviews that will go up soon. If you comment though, it motivates me even more. I want to hear from you all!

Right now, I have some news. Author Jessica Verday is helping out with my Living Beyond Tolerance scholarship. She has an LGBT short story for sale...and during the month of August, half the proceeds will go to the scholarship and whoever is the winner. Amazing, right? So buy the e-book, apply for the scholarship, tell others about these things, etc. etc. I need your help!!

Check out Jessica's post about the story, why she decided to help me out (and I'm SO thankful) and how to order the story which is called Flesh Which is Not Flesh!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez

Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez

Review by: Lauren

Copy From: I bought it!

Amazon Associate: Buy book, we get small percent

Official Summary: Lance has always known he was gay, but he's never had a real boyfriend. Sergio is bisexual, but his only real relationship was with a girl. When the two of them meet, they have an instant connection--but will it be enough to overcome their differences?

Allie's been in a relationship with a guy for the last two years--but when she meets Kimiko, she can't get her out of her mind. Does this mean she's gay? Does it mean she's bi? Kimiko, falling hard for Allie, and finding it impossible to believe that a gorgeous girl like Allie would be into her, is willing to stick around and help Allie figure it out.

Review: I've read a few books by Alex Sanchez now, and I have to admit, I'm definitely a fan. This particular book deals a lot with the idea of bisexuality. It seems strange to me, being straight, that people that are gay or lesbian often don't believe in being bi. I think it's all just who you are. You can be gay, straight, lesbian, transgender...and yeah, I believe you can be bi. You just like both genders equally and can be attracted to either one at any time. Sanchez obviously agrees. In Boyfriends with Girlfriends, Lance really likes Sergio...but he's not sure he could ever date him since Sergio says he's bi. Lance doesn't think it's real. He's gay, he likes boys...why can't Sergio just admit the same thing and completely come of the closet? The thing is...he is out. He's just out as who he is, which is bi. Lance has to learn to deal with that, as well as the fact that he's more innocent in the relationship department, so to speak, than Sergio is.

As for Allie...she thinks she might like girls, but it was never something she really considered. She's been with her boyfriend Chip for years, so she likes boys, right? I think Allie would be considered bi as well, the same as Sergio. It's just at this point in her life, she'd much rather be with Kimiko (who is a lesbian) than with Chip. Kimiko lives in a strict family and while they know she dresses more "like a boy" than a girl, they don't actually know that Kimiko wants to be with a girl and not a guy. Between these two, Allie is the more experienced one in a relationship...but Kimiko knows more about liking girls and being okay with that for the most part.

I really liked that both couples and all four characters had their issues to work out. They were all dealing with their sexuality in some way, but more important...they were simply learning how to be in a stable relationship: one where they were happy and healthy and felt that everything was okay.

While this book doesn't have specific sections for each character, it does follow all of them. You don't just get Lance's point of view or just Kimiko's...you get all of them. Which is nice. You can see what they are thinking and what the other one is thinking and sometimes you just wish they would all open up more! It's life though, and it takes time. Sigh. Too bad for us. But then again, I suppose it makes it more intersting for us.

This is a very good book. If you aren't sure about bisexuality, it might help you understand it more as well. Beyond that, it's just an enjoyable read and that deals with issues of today. It's also quite a fast read too!


Don't forget, if you buy this book or any other LGBT novel, you get entered the giveaway. Details at the top of the page!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Same-Sex Marriage Legal in New York

Do Not Own

New York State voted...and same-sex marriage is now legal.

It's just a step. But it's still a step.

Congratulations to New York for making the right decision. 

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Leslie Jordan - My Trip Down the Pink Carpet

Leslie Jordan: My Trip Down the Pink Carpet

Review by: Lauren

Copy from: http://www.breakingglasspictures.com/

Amazon Associate: Buy from link, we get small percentage

My Trip Down the Pink Carpet is a stand-up comedy show with Leslie Jordan. The reason I know Mr. Jordan is through Will and Grace. Though it's probably obvious by now, Leslie Jordan is a gay man who went through a lot to get where he is now. If you've seen Jordan in anything, you should know that he has what people would call the "stereotypical gay voice." You would think this would make it hard to hide, but hide Jordan tried. It didn't last of course.

Jordan tells random stories from his life, starting from a younger age to where he is now. He often gets off track and starts "rambling" about something else...but it obviously works. It makes it fun and intersesting to watch. He's definitely a good comedian and I enjoyed hearing about his life...especially when he mentioned some of the celebrities he has worked with.

I'm not sure if the DVD has a set rating, though I'm sure it doesn't since it's stand-up. I do want to warn you that there is a slightly inappropriate story that is really only suitable for an older audience. Thes rest of it would be more of a typical PG-13 rating.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Computer FAIL + Giveaway

Hey-
You may have seen this over at my other blog, but if not...I'm having a lot of computer trouble and I won't get it back until late this week. Right now, I'm on my sister's, but I still probably won't have posts up this week. I do have some things to post though...so I'm hoping to fill up next week a bit more.  I hope you will keep an eye out and comment.

and please comment on the past few posts, especially the Scott Boswell interview. I know I keep saying it, but it would mean a lot...and I'll comment YOU back if you do...on your own blog!!!

-Lauren

P.S. DON'T FORGET THE LGBT SUMMER GIVEAWAY!! Details on top of blog!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

First Transgender Prom Queen

Thanks to The Happy Nappy Bookseller for letting me know about the first transgender Prom Queen at a public school in the U.S.

Her name is Andii (formerly Andrew) and she was up against 14 girls to win. Wow, what a wonderful accomplishment!! It's great that something like this can actually happen these days. It's great that Andii's personal dream of becoming Prom Queen came true, despite the gender she was born as. To her, she's a female and that means she would not run for Prom King.

Another thing I read in the article that was exciting is that not only is Andii in the school's Gay Straight Alliance, but so is Juan, the Prom King. Isn't that wonderful?

It wasn't entirely easy for Andii to run as there were some people fighting to get her name off the ballot. Thankfully, it worked out though.


Please leave your thoughts on this event in the comments. As long as you aren't rude, we won't delete you!

Oh, and please still leave a comment in the following post...my interview with director, Scott Boswell. Don't leave your thoughts about the interview here as Scott might not see them. Thanks!


(photo from article. I don't own)