Category: gay boxing

Queertown Abbey 1 Year; Fighter Supports Gays; Andrew Garfield Trans Woman "We Exist"

Queertown Abbey 1 Year

Update: Here are a few updated links to my blog post, and my freebies, over at Queertown Abbey.

http://queertownabbey.com/state-of-marriage-documentary-by-ryan-field/

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/478043012326711/

Between May 18th and 24th LGBTI web site and information center Queertownabbey.com is celebrating a one year anniversary. There will be online swag and commentary posts to celebrate, which is MOST important in this age of all things cyber and digital for those of you who can’t afford get away to conferences and events…or just don’t want to get away for those things because you have lives, kids, jobs, an active social life, or whatever the case may be. It’s really the kind of event of the future and I think sometimes we fail to realize we’re actually making cyber history right now, today, with events like the one being held at Queertown Abbey.

In any event, this is from the main web site.

Today marks Queer Town Abbey’s one year anniversary! I can’t believe it’s been one year already since I started up Queer Town Abbey

I want to thank each and every one of you who have helped, encouraged, praised and supported me through this last year !
I have learned so much and am learning more and more everyday.
I have met some amazing people and for that I am so thankful.
I am offering a giveaway to celebrate.

To enter all you need to do is leave a comment, and if you want a second chance, you can like Queer Town Abbey on Facebook.

Last week an author I know asked me if I thought things like this were worth while. Without hesitation, I said they were not only worth while, but I love doing them. I’m still kicking myself for missing the Hop for Homophobia and Transphobia last week.

I’ll update with links about this more as I get them. There’s a time difference and the 19th post is not up yet. But right now all you need to know is at the link above to keep looking for more.

Fighter Supports Gays

A well known fighting champion, Joseph Benavidez, recently said he not only supports gays but wants to see a gay guy beat the shit out of someone.

Benavidez said he would welcome a gay athlete into the sport, as it would be a way of breaking down barriers.

 ‘It would be cool to see a gay guy just beat the shit out of somebody’ he said. ‘I think that would be that much cooler. Busting a stereotype.’

Without commenting in detail, there are a few people I would love to see a gay guy beat the shit out of, too.

More here.  

There’s a photo of Benavidez.

Andrew Garfield Trans Woman “We Exist”

Andrew Garfield from Spiderman fame did a music video, We Exist, as a trans woman.

Hollywood actor Garfield stars as the troubled trans woman in the emotionally-charged video released 16 May.

The song We Exist, which will be the third single from the Canadian rock group’s album Reflektor, has been championed as a new LGBT anthem.

In the video, Garfield’s character starts by shaving his head and agonizing over his clothes before heading out in full drag.

There’s a photo of him as a trans woman and more information at the link below.

I’m finding myself drawn to articles and videos like this more and more these days, and a good deal of this is has to do with the discussion about the word “tranny.” As I’ve stated in previous posts, I’ve never used the word myself and never cared for use of that word. But at the time I wrote those posts I think I was acting more politically correct than fully understanding why I don’t use it. I don’t know if this makes sense, but I think I’m really starting to get why words like that offend and hurt trans people…and not just because I’m trying to be politically correct. It really is all about equality, and dignity for everyone in the LGBTI community, not just a select few with loud voices.

I’ve heard the argument that the word tranny is part of gay culture in some LGBTI circles and they see nothing wrong with it.  But it’s not a strong argument, especially as gay culture evolves. I doubt that if we stop using that word anyone in those circles will be hurt. If we continue to use that word there’s no doubt that some people will get hurt. That’s not a difficult decision for me to make.

You can read more here.

It’s a highly compelling video, and I think far more important than the what actors like Seth Rogen and James Franco have been doing with campy drag. What they did was funny at first, but it’s tired now. And videos like this make the real statements.

Palm Beach Stud by Ryan Field
 
 

His Only Choice by Ryan Field
 
 
 
 
 
The Preacher’s Husband by Ryan Field
 
 
 

Breaking Stereotypes: Gay Boxing; Grindr, Rape, Philly;

Breaking Stereotypes: Gay Boxing

There’s a new boxing club in New York breaking old stereotypes called Velvet Gloves where gay men can work out in a very different way now, and meet people in the process. Here’s an interview with Vance Garrett, the guy who started the club.

I’ve wanted to do something with and for my group of friends outside of the typical scene for a long time. All of us have been to the parties and clubs, and that can be great, but I think we collectively have wanted something else to do that’s fun — but won’t leave you with a hangover — and fits with our current lifestyles. Working out and wellness in general is important to many of them, and while conditioning for boxing requires being in the best shape possible, I don’t think many would want to step into a traditional boxing gym. Also, boxing has always been a tough man’s sport. It has been marketed as gruesome and intimidating yet it is one of the most beautiful sports to watch. The athletes are as graceful as dancers. It allows you to develop self-defense skills, builds confidence, and is physically AND mentally challenging. So I wanted a club that was tailored just for them-for fun, social guys who want the best workout possible in the best environment possible.

You can read more here. I would join. I jog four or five miles every morning because health clubs annoy me. I’m out to work out, not socialize. I don’t have time. But I’ve never been to a club where I don’t wind up either ducking behind something to avoid someone, or stuck in conversation for at least twenty minutes. Velvet gloves looks like serious working out.

And for those of you who think this is something new. It’s not. Gay men come in all sizes, shapes, and varieties…not just what you’ve seen on Sex in the City.

I’ve actually incorporated a gay boxer character in one of my books, The Actor Learning to Love. It’s a recent novel in the Bad Boy Billionaire series.

Grindr, Rape, Philly

I actually saw this on my local news the other night and was surprised I didn’t see it anywhere online. It took a while, but I spotted it this morning and thought I’d post about it for those of you take chances with web sites like Grindr or Craigslist. A man from Canada who was visiting Philly decided to hook up on Grindr and got more than he bargained for. He was held up at gunpoint, and sexually assaulted.

It didn’t end there. The men then walked together about 15 blocks through the city, with the victim being forced to purchase Visa gift cards and make ATM withdrawals totaling $3,000. Finally, inside a busy bar at 20th and Walnut, surveillance cameras captured the struggle between the two men as the victim escaped.

You can read more here.

I also saw that an Allentown, PA man was murdered while trying to sell his car on Craigslist last week. The guy met a potential buyer from Philadelphia at his place of business, and then he was shot to death and the car was stolen. I get my tenants through Craigslist, and I actually sold my Jag through them recently, too. However, you don’t know what screening is until you’ve contacted me through Craigslist. I turn down far more people than I accept because they did something offhanded during the e-mail process. A huge red flag for me is when someone wants to meet too soon, or call too soon. It’s e-mail and only e-mail in the beginning. Those who are serious don’t mind that. Those who are up to no good, back off. The back and forth e-mail process for me when looking for a tenant or selling anything on CL takes at least a week. And even then I always meet at a very busy, crowded public place for the first time.

You just can’t take anything for granted, especially if you’re visiting a rough, vicious city like Philadelphia. Those of you who live in different places don’t always realize how we live here, and what we have to deal with. All of your worst fears about cities like Philadelphia are most likely true. All of the worst things you’ve heard are probably true, and even worse now because most have never recovered from the economic depression. Don’t trust anyone, especially from an online hook up.