Thursday, May 2

CULTURE

Fifty Years After Stonewall, the Real Fight for LBGTQ Rights Is Local
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CULTURE

Fifty Years After Stonewall, the Real Fight for LBGTQ Rights Is Local

As legislation has languished in Congress, many cities and states are moving forward with their own non-discrimination bills. The U.S. House of Representatives last month passed the Equality Act—more than four decades after it was first introduced—extending civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ people. This vote should give us some hope. Its passage—236-173—was bipartisan, a rare feat these days; its provisions are expansive, granting protection in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations; and its language includes both sexual orientation as well as gender identity, allowing for explicit inclusion of transgender individuals. Yet to each hopeful sign, there’s a caveat. Only eight Republicans supported the Equality Act, and it’s unlikely to ever be brought...
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More ideas for that ‘to-read’ list
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CULTURE, Journalism

More ideas for that ‘to-read’ list

The flurry of summer book releases has begun. The flurry of summer book releases has begun. Goodhousekeeping.com’s “The 25 Best New Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List” includes: - “The Bride Test” by Helen Hoang - “Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors” by Sonali Dev - “City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert - “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong - “Mrs. Everything” by Jennifer Weiner - “The Friend Zone” by Abby Jimenez - “Three Women” by Lisa Taddeo “The Most Fun We Ever Had” by Claire Lombardo has already received 4.5 stars by goodreads.com and it does not release until June 25. The preview/review book site conveyed recently a short synopsis: “A dazzling, multigenerational novel in which the four adult daughters of a Chicago couple — still madly in love after 40 year...
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Backyard hacks you can try this spring
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CULTURE

Backyard hacks you can try this spring

Whether you’re already stocking up on new flowers to plant or you’re just now dusting off the lawn mower, it’s about time to start getting that yard in tip-top shape for the season. And if you’re looking for some tips and tricks, we’ve got you covered — here are some seven hacks you can try in your yard this spring, whether you’re gardening, grilling or getting some sun. 1. Nature’s own table and chairs: Have some fallen trees in your backyard that you’re looking to get rid of? If they’re not too rotten, cut out some of the heftier parts of the trunk to make some rugged seating. If you’re feeling really crafty, make a table, too. Treat the wood to smooth and seal it. 2. Poolside movie: Here’s a fun one, even if you don’t have a pool: run a rope or wire between two poles, trees, or s...
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Has Our Pervasive Interest In Celebrity Videos and Gossip Undervalued Celebrity Culture?
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CELEBRITY NEWS, CULTURE

Has Our Pervasive Interest In Celebrity Videos and Gossip Undervalued Celebrity Culture?

I have varying views about the massive use of celebrity videos, gossip and rumours in today's society. I should start off by saying that I have nothing against the celebrity culture in the western world, I do believe the use of the word 'celebrity' and the connections with it have become undervalued over the years. When I was a kid, a celebrity was a title that was related to people who actually had some kind of distinct achievement, such as explorers, scientists and a select few musicians. In the year 2011 the term 'celebrity' almost had no value at all - like a devalued currency. These days it seems like anyone who vaguely comes close to a television camera is a celebrity. My feeling is that with the large volumes of celebrity videos, photographs and rumours about these people,...
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CULTURE

“What Does the World Beyond Jails and Prisons Look Like?”

Detroit Justice Center helps returning citizens navigate the red tape that comes with re-entry and avoid landing back in jail. Roger Stone was just released on a $250,000 personal assurance bond. He does not have to put up one penny. Just to promise to pay that amount if he does not return to court. Meanwhile, my clients are held in jail on $500 bail they cannot afford for stealing a bar of soap. —Rebecca J. Kavanagh @DrRJKavanagh Talking to Damian Black under any other circumstance, you’d have no reason to believe he was only three months out of prison after serving more than 20 years. His smile is infectious. And as he shares his story—including his time and experience in solitary confinement—the smile and the brightness in his eyes overshadow what he’s saying. “...
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Becoming Your Own Celebrity
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CULTURE

Becoming Your Own Celebrity

Since we have become such a celebrity driven culture, I thought it might be amusing to imagine what it might be like to be a celebrity. Consider this like taking a vacation from your everyday life. This is not to advocate that you become a celebrity or pursue a lifestyle of glamour and fame, when simplifying your life may lead to more satisfying long term benefits in difficult economic times. Rather it is to enjoy thinking about being a celebrity, much as you might add an occasional celebration or fantasy experience into your life. It is like putting on a costume or mask so you become someone else on Halloween. Well, this is an experience of imagining yourself as any celebrity you want to be. To do so, you create or imagine events and activities to experience the celebrity li...
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