The Best New Cars for 2011 According to Yahoo!

Gays and Lesbians Applaud Repeal Milestone: Yeah Obama!!!

Obama has done it.  Finally, the lesbian and gay community can begin to live the life of freedom that they deserve.  Gays and Lesbians will now be allowed to serve in the U.S. military openly gay.  The country that boasts freedom and equality so proudly can finally stand up for what it believes in, equality for all Americans, not just the chosen few.  

The Senate voted Saturday to end the 17-year ban on openly gay troops, overturning the Clinton-era policy known as "don't ask, don't tell."

Although many soldiers may have been kicked out of the military for their sexual orientation, the repeal will hopefully prevent others from losing their careers based on discrimination.  No longer will our gay and lesbian soldiers have to live in fear of being discharged based on who they are.

The change won't take immediate effect, however. The legislation says the president and his top military advisers must certify that lifting the ban won't hurt troops' fighting ability. After that, there's a 60-day waiting period for the military.

Lesbians and Poverty: The Truth is still hiding in the Closet

All Gays and Lesbians Aren't Living the High Life that People Expect

Although most people think that gays and lesbians live the lavish life of luxury, that is just not true.  Such shows like the L-Word are really misleading.  We're all not living like Ellen Degeneres and Wanda Sykes.  As a matter of fact, many lesbians, especially stud lesbians live in poverty. 

The U.S. Census and the Department of Health and Human states that 20 million women live in poverty in the United States.  It is unclear how many of these women are lesbians, but experts believe the number is higher than we would like to believe.  One of the reasons lesbians have a hard time is due to homophobia.  Especially with aggressive, butch, and stud lesbians.  As lesbian activist and author of the book Stone Butch Blues, Jeanne Cordova stated, 'butch lesbians have more difficulty finding jobs because of their looks. 

Another challenge that leads women into poverty, is that most women find themselves in low paying jobs, like social worker, teaching, or waiting tables.  But this doesn't necessarily change for those with degrees either, because women actually earn 77% of what men earn. 

So what does all of this mean?  That lesbians are going to have to develop a serious financial plan that should include working for ourselves if we want to afford some of the nicer things in life.  But just in case owning your own spa, dog grooming biz, or wedding singing isn't for you, we must start taking control of our financial future as soon as possible.  This is something we must emphasize to our friends in person, and also as a community.

African American Families Still Struggle with Gay and Lesbian Youth and Stigma

More and more, we are seeing the lives of gays and lesbians on t.v., so we assume that everyone is now starting to accept differences between each other, but that's not so.  Despite having so many gays and lesbians out in public and on televisions shows like "The Wire and The Real House Wives of Atlanta," African Americans are still slower when accepting their child's sexuality.  

Along with religion, many African American parents feared that their children would be facing a double discrimination.  One for the child's sexual orientation, the other for race.  Parents usually are concerned that their daughter would face discrimination because of gender, and their gay sons for being a black male. Some families believe that homosexuality seems to make it harder to climb out of poverty, to attain success, or the fear that their child could become HIV infected more easily.

African American families sometimes also share a sense of shame in the community when their family member is gay.  Many hear comments in the community that 'they learned this sickness from the white man, that this is something that will hold the black man down, that there is a sin or a curse placed on the family.'  The stigma can be overwhelming.  

So will African American families open up more regarding homosexuality?  Chances are yes.  With more and more leaders coming out, and many gays and lesbians proving that they can still acquire a successful career and provide a life out of poverty, many families will begin to shift their worries and concerns to possibilities and differences.

Female Boxer Christy Martin Stabbed and Shot by Husband after Admitting Lesbian Affair

In Apopka, Florida, world champion female boxer Christy Martin got into the fight of her life when she told her husband that she was having an affair with another woman, and he shot and stabbed her.  Before the brutal attack, her husband James Martin threatened to release videos of her according to a TMZ report.  James Martin was arrested.  Christy Martin's last fight was in 2009.  The 42 year old champion is best known as "The Coal Miner's Daughter."  She finishes her professional career with 49-5-3 record, and 31 knock outs.  Christy is expecting a full recovery. 

Pastor Eddie Long Stroke does a Back Door Deal

Ok, we're not supposed to assume he did it.  And I'm supposed to say allegedly or I could get sued, but since I ain't got no money, I'm just gonna say it.  Pastor Eddie Long is guilty.  You don't have to agree with me, I don't care.  He did it.  He never denied his back door motions with those boys, just said he wasn't a perfect man.  I remember the last man that said that in public was R. Kelly.  But instead of going for a public trial, Eddie Long Stroke went and cut a deal in private.  He likes to do things in private you know. 

I used to live in Atlanta.  So to all of my stud lesbians, femme lesbians, and gay brothers and sisters, to all the queer, trans, and bi, and all of us in between, we finally shut his ass up.  He won't be doing any more parades down Peachtree Street calling our lives a sin.  He won't or shouldn't have any more 'get straight' camps at his church.  He won't be able to stand at his pulpit and be held with the same respect or regard that he once had and condemn our lifestyles.  Nope.  So even if he doesn't go to jail, God has finally told the truth and shamed the Devil!  Can the church say Amen?  Amen. 

Was Nikki Minaj a Stud Lesbian before her Record Deal?

Is this Nikki Minaj?  If so, why the flip?  I mean, if you are a stud, butch, dom, aggressive, or whatever, why go from butch to Barbie.  Or could it have been the other way around, Nikki Minaj was always a femme trying to be butch.  That's always a possibility.  Here's my problem with it, I couldn't be femme if I wanted to.  I would look like a man in drag if I put on a dress.  I've always liked men's clothes, shoes, sports, etc.  This isn't too much of a choice for me, so when I see others make a mockery out of my lifestyle, it rubs me the wrong way.  Why?  Because so many people within our own lesbian and gay community have a problem with studs, butches, aggressives, etc.  They feel like we are just trying to be men instead of the fact that we really identify more with our masculine energy.  We are shunned amongst our own from lesbians that think we should all look like white and black Barbies, or like some man's fantasy of two femme women in a menage-a-trois.  If this is Nikki, between the fake butt pad and the fake gimmicks, I can see why she would be a fake stud.  If this is not Nikki, you got a helluva twin.  Nikki, if you are lesbian, I wish you all the courage in the world coming out because so few lesbians of color step out of the closet, unless they're over 40 like Wanda Sykes.  (Sorry Wanda, I love you but you had it coming.)  But no matter if you are butch or femme, be the true you.  If you walk around with money wrapped up in rubber bands in your pocket, cool.  If you love getting your weave colored like the rainbow, cool.  But don't be fake on the lifestyles of millions that walk this walk, talk this talk daily.  On the mic, you definitely got skillz, and you could definitely help a lot of young lesbians of color with your popularity.  But first things first, is this you?  Will the real Nikki please come out.