Quebec government launches campaign against homophobia

gaywrites:

Officials in Quebec are taking the lead in a province-wide campaign to battle homophobia. 

Quebec’s Minister of Justice, Bertrand St-Arnaud, is at the forefront of the campaign, which uses a series of commercials to ask citizens how comfortable they are with people of different sexual orientations. A recent survey found 90 percent of Quebecers say they have no problem with homosexuality, yet 40 percent were uncomfortable with same-sex couples being affectionate in public. 

The campaign features two TV commercials in French, as well as one radio commercial in English. It encourages viewers to ask themselves whether they are truly open to sexual diversity.

The TV ads conclude with same-sex couples sharing a kiss, followed by the question: “Does this change the way you thought twenty seconds ago?”

An interactive website was also created to give visitors a chance to examine different situations of individuals with a range of sexual orientations and gender identities, and to help them analyze their own attitudes toward the scenario. After responding to a series of hypothetical scenarios when someone might interact with an LGBT person, visitors can learn more about the different aspect of homophobia, and uncover available resources.

Pretty cool idea. I wonder how effective it will be. 

laughingsquid:

How To Make LED Gummy Candies

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diy:

Landscaper Challenge: Build a Vertical Garden

Vertical Gardens are great when space is limited. Some are attached directly to a wall or building, while others are free standing. Whatever type of vertical garden you decide to make, try and use as many recycled materials as you can, such as pallets and bottles like this design from the Brazilian design studio, Rosenbaum.

It’s also worth noting that this urban farm is part of a project to improve the lives of three women (a mother and two daughters) that live in a one bedroom home with an income of 200 Reais (130 US Dollars) a month. Landscapers design not only for aesthetic purposes, but they also strive to improve the quality of people’s lives through the use of space. 

laughingsquid:

Torching Pennies and Frying an Egg With 2000 Degrees of Solar Power

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gaywrites:

In which two gay Marines answer questions about their life together, and it is adorable. 

bbglasses:

Have you heard of Frost Flowers?

Insurance company will cover trans frat brother's top surgery

gaywrites:

Brothers of Phi Alpha Tau fraternity at Emerson College made national headlines recently when they raised more than $20,000 to help cover top surgery for a brother who is transgender. Now, Donnie Collins’s insurance company has reversed its original decision and said they will cover his surgery.

Emerson officials contacted Aetna insurance to remind them transition-related costs were covered under their insurance policy. The initial confusion came from a discrepancy between the school’s insurance plan and the written policy, but it has been cleared up. 

“All documentation has been quickly revised, and this week Donnie has confirmed with his surgeon’s office that insurance will cover the procedure,” members of Phi Alpha Tau wrote on the IndieGogo page Wednesday. “This is very surprising news, and means that he only needs to pay copay instead of the full $8125. As promised, all excess funds have been pledged to the Jim Collins Foundation.”

Collins says his copay and aftercare costs amount to approximately $2,000, meaning that more than $18,000 will be donated to the Jim Collins Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping transgender people attain gender-affirming surgeries.

Still such an incredible story. These guys probably don’t even realize what a huge difference they made. 

collegehumor:

Dog May Actually Be Samuel L. Jackson

“Does he look like a bitch?”

agentasshole:

stainedglasslife:

During the years of 2007-2011, Maggie Smith continued to film the final Harry Potter movies, all while battling breast cancer. During the filming of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood prince, she had shingles and was forced to wear a wig in order to continue filming.  On the subject, Smith said, “If there’s work to do I’ll do it. I’ve still got to stagger through the last Harry Potter. The cancer was hideous. It takes the wind out of your sails and I don’t know what the future holds, if anything…

LIKE I NEEDED MORE REASONS TO LOVE MAGGIE SMITH. 

(via peacenl0ve)

laughingsquid:

Finalists for the 2012 Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

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