Punk Rocker Comes Out as Transgender

Laura in Rolling Stone (do not own photo)

In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, punk-rocker Tom Gabel from the band Against Me! talks about being transgender and her transition to becoming a female. She will take the name Laura Jane Grace. I actually have the issue with me right not but haven't had a chance to read the article, so I might edit this or leave a comment with extra thoughts once I do. However, I'm really happy for Laura and I hope she is treated fairly kindly and with understanding...as she hopes. It's great she's being open about it though, and I hope it will open people's eyes up to what being transgender means for people.

Laura is married to a woman named Heather and they will continue to remain so, which is great. I hope they can help each other through this process. I enjoyed the short article Rolling Stone posted online and it makes me excited to read the entire thing because they do refer to Laura as a "she" even as they call her by the last name, Gabel still, which is important to show others that this is who she is and she deserves the chance to live as such.

As far as I know, she will continue to be a part of Against Me! and I wish her all the best.

Another article on the news was published by LA Times and though they do refer to Laura as a he in this one, I still wanted to note it because of something I wasn't aware of. I know who Against Me! is and I'd enjoyed a song or so in the past, but I never really payed much attention...though I do hope too now because they are good and I want to show support!

At any rate, the LA Times mentioned a song that the band released in the past called "The Ocean" where Laura states her true feelings-

And if I could have chosen, I would have been born a woman
My mother once told me she would have named me Laura
I'd grow up to be strong and beautiful like her
One day, I'd find an honest man to make my husband

She might not have a husband, but hopefully her wife and her can make it through and she will grow up to be as strong and as beautiful as her mom.

If you would like to hear an acoustic version of the "The Ocean"...just look below-

President Obama Supports Same-Sex Marriage

I do not, of course, own this image

President Obama has come out in support of same-sex marriage. Regardless of what you think his reasonings were, I am extremely excited about this development and I think it was courageous of him in an election year. It could certainly help with some votes, but I am sure there are many that will go against him- even more- for this.

I'm not really a political person and that's not what this blog is about, but I figured this was news that would be worthy to share. Feel free to express your opinions in the comments but be kind to other points of views please!

While reading the article, I learned that Vice President Biden had recently come out in support as well, so that's amazing! I didn't read the comments, though I see there are a lot already, because I just don't want to deal with the hateful/downright negative ones. Feel free to do so with care, or just read the article like I did.

Win a Copy of Queer Greer by A.J. Walkley

not my picture

Over at my other blog, Shooting Stars Mag, I interviwed author A.J. Walkley about her newest release, Queer Greer. I figured all of the readers over here would be interested, though, so I thought I would pass along the information...especially since you can win a digital copy of the novel. Giveaway ends on May 5, so enter soon, and please spread the word to your readers!!

Again, I'm going to try and start posting on this blog more, but it's often hard to keep up with one blog...let alone more than one, so I hope you understand! If you would like to see anything in particular, please let me know. I'm more willing to try a bit harder if I know people are reading, so leave your thougthts. I always comment back!!

Review: Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada by Keith Hale

Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada by Keith Hale

Review by: Lauren

Copy From: I bought this...all images are not my own though

Review: I couldn't find an official summary for the book, so I'm going to do my best to describe the book via the review. To be honest, this is a hard book to summarize. It follows Steven Trottingham Taylor, or Trotsky, as those who know him best call him. He has just moved to Little Rock with his mom and younger brother, Freddy. Trotsky first meets Cody in history class and immediately becomes a bit mesmerized by him. Cody is a good-looking guy, who isn't afraid to say what he feels in class, and who everyone seems to like. Trotsky and Cody eventually end up friends, Cody letting Trotsky join his circle of best friends with Christian and Flipping (who are both in a band together).

Cody is an interesting character because you really aren't sure about his sexuality for awhile. I don't want to give anything away, as the answers don't really come until near the end, and even then...it's what you would call complicated. Trotsky loves him though, whether they are just friends or not. It's not quite enough though, and he does find himself attracted to Freddy's friend, Mark.

One of the bigger instances in the book is with Trotsky's mom, who is a professor at a local college. Students begin to complain about her being a Socialist and talking about that in class. There are a lot of protests for and against his mom losing her job, and many threats from those that don't believe in her way of thinking. If I remember correctly, the book takes place in the 1970's, so it's not a current novel. It was heartbreaking to see how cruel people could be, but I did love how the family stuck together. Trotsky could leave all the hate and move away from Little Rock, but he refuses to leave his mom.

For just one novel, there is a lot heartbreak and devastating moments, with at least one death. Again, I don't want to give things away...so you'll have to read the book to see what happens. It was very much a book about a time period in someone's life, and how people come and go, and as time goes on, it's all just a memory.

Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada is what I would call an intellectual novel. There are a lot of deep, philosophical questions pondered, especially between Cody and Trotsky. It's a book that makes the reader think and wonder and in the end, you feel for these characters as if they were real. It's a slow-moving book at parts, and faster in others. It's not full of action, but there are parts that make you laugh, parts that make you sad, parts that make you think. It was an interesting novel and it's one I'm glad I finally got around to reading.

Series Spotlight: Killian Kendall Mysteries

There are currently four books in the Killian Kendall series by Josh Aterovis. They are all mysteries and usually deal with some sort of murder that Killian is either directly involved in or becomes involved in do to someone else in his life. I've read and reviewed the first two for Shooting Stars Mag awhile ago, but more recently, I read the All Lost Things and The Truth of Yesterday. For more information on all of the books in the series, visit PD Publishing.

All Lost Things was interesting as Killian's ex asks for his help to prove his new boyfriend's innocence. Yeah, tricky situation right there. Sure, this is what Killian does...but can he keep his feelings out of the situation long enough to prove if this guy really is the killer or not?

As for The Truth of Yesterday, Killian must figure out just who murdered male escort, Paul...who happens to be the ex of Killian's currrent boyfriend, Micah. Again, can Killian's luck get any worse? Killian's more unique abilities start to come into play during this book (as I don't believe it's really touched on earlier...I could be mistaken though!) and you start to delve a bit more into the world of spirits and the afterlife.

I didn't want to do traditional reviews for these books since it's been awhile since I read them. Sorry for not getting the reviews posted faster! However, I think it's nice to spotlight the entire series since there are already four books.

I think this is a fun series. It's got the mystery, the suspense, the romance. It's a bit unbelievable in certain ways though. It seems like so many people that surround Killian are gay, which hey, could happen...but it's not as likely. All of the murder and crime also seems a bit much, and it makes me think of certain crime shows on TV. Regardless, you might enjoy these! It doesn't hurt to grab the first one and see what you think.

I'm curious for the next book, A Change of Worlds. I don't have a release date for it yet, but the summary looks good...Killian's ex seems to be back in the picture!!

Dan Radcliffe Talks LGBT Rights...and his Male Talent Crush

The above magazine, Attitude, can be found in England...however, the Huffington Post gives us a few interesting quotes from Dan Radcliffe about LGBT rights and who he has a Talent Crush on (yeah, it's a guy...and I agree!)

From what we can read of the interview, it's great! I wish I had the entire thing. Dan is always really well-spoken and if you read the blog, you know that I'm a huge fan of his in general, but I also really love that he's so outspoken about his support for LGBT rights.

Courtesy of HuffPost from Attitude:

"The ultimate reason gay marriage should be legalized everywhere is because, as a kid, you look to your mum and dad and they're married, then you look at the gay couple who've been together for the same amount of time, but because they can't get married their relationship doesn't seem the same," Radcliffe told the magazine. "Gay people should have equality in law everywhere. If you grow up as a young gay man knowing you don't have the same opportunities as everyone else, you're going to feel victimized and massive prejudice towards you."

Well said, Dan. I totally agree. Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Matt Bomer on Glee

According to the latest issue of US Weekly, White Collars' Matt Bomer (above) will be guest-starring on an April issue of GLEE. I'm very excited about this, as I think Matt is great. But what is even more exciting news is who he will be playing...

Matt will be on GLEE as Blaine Anderson's older brother. As all you GLEE fans know, Blaine is played by Darren Criss (above, second photo). I can see it, can't you?

Who else is excited about this news?

*photos aren't mine!