http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/nba-charlotte-north-ca...

NBA pulls All-Star Game in North Carolina over LGBT law controversy

By Nick Gass

The National Basketball Association is pulling the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, North Carolina, after the state passed a law banning anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people and did not move to moderate or repeal it, the league announced Thursday.

I'll just be straightforward about this. I am alive because those at this site gave me a friendly place to come to pour out my heart, to cry and to become sufficiently distracted to stop actively thinking of killing myself. I was invited to come sometime in 2007, but had been lurking on this and other sites for year. My transition was so painful, like it is with most of us due to those here, I am alive.

No fooling here folks, the site has grown so much that I would not even want to think about it.

Mark made his fourth stage win in the Tour De-France Bike Race - Go Mark Go!

Attention Big Closeters !

I have learned that one of our own, a certain miss Andrea DiMaggio is feeling kinda down.

Please send her as many huggles as you can!

I know I promised many of you who have written that a new chapter Mother's Child was due out imminently. I'm sorry to say it's still not up!!!!! But it is nearly finished, and with veiled threat of tar and feathers being casually tossed around I am determined that it will be up, on or before next Monday.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/10/transgender-...

Samantha

But I just can't contain myself, the Pocket Rocket has done it again - no wonder Gaby can't get the better of her friend in the sprints!

The Badger didn't look too happy when he drew level the other day, now he's number 3 behind Cav he really will be dour!

And the boy McLay in third - maybe he will follow in Marks wheel tracks?

Is there more to come from the Manxman? I wouldn't put money against him getting closer to the Cannibal before things conclude in Paris.

The Tour de France (aka TdF) is underway - today sees the third stage up there in North-westish France. Leaving the D-Day landing areas and heading deeper into France.

The 16th stage of this year's race, 18th July, is a 209 kilometer long stretch that takes the riders across the border into Switzerland, and through some of this land finishing here in my home town of Bern. The finish line is almost exactly 1 kilometer from my home.

HOWEVER, there is a great fuss being generated by the 'cheaper' Press here.

Wales, that mythical country west of England have just beaten Belgium 3 -1 in the European Championships to pass through to the semi finals. As they weren't expected to qualify, I'm rather pleased for them. Will they go all the way? I don't know as I think Germany and Italy are still there, but it would be a real fairy tale ending if they did. Cymru am byth, as we say.

Estimate of U.S. Transgender Population Doubles to 1.4 Million Adults

My condolences to my neighbours in the west with the choice for BREXIT :(. *sigh* It's the end of a period /era that started with the Union of Coal and Steel (predecessor current EU from the late '40 early '50's). It makes me wonder about humanity future especially with 'reading' similar things to the 1920's.

And it isn't over yet ...

Lynne

For all those attending Gabycon this coming weekend 24-26th June here is some very important information.

The informal Friday evening meal will be at the Trumpet Major pub on the edge of Dorchester (Google still shows it as The Original Thomas Hardy Inn) - aim for Maxgate Hardy's house, it's practically next door. It's on Allington Avenue, Dorchester DT1 2AB for satnavs. Table is booked for 7.30, eat at 8.00pm.

Anyone who cannot make Friday but who wishes to join us on Saturday or Sunday should PM myself here through BC/TS.

A little recent Positive Exposure in mainstream media.

I was searching through Google today, when I came across this web page - http://acnapo.ru/hebaxeq.pdf

It was advertising my book A Witch in Time, but although the download wasn’t available, it actually directed me to your Playster, while the comments seemed to point to another story entirely available through free-ebooks.net.

I would hope this is nothing to do with Playster and being a bit of a geek, I looked up the owner of the site my book was being adverstised on, on Whois.

Here is a beautiful song made in tribute to those who lost their lives in Orlando.

http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/exclusive-song-pays...

http://johnpavlovitz.com/2016/06/13/the-forgotten-children-k...

Heartwrenching....

I always dreamed about being allowed to go to school dressed as I always wanted. Of course, back in the dark ages it just wasn't possible.

But I saw this today and breathed a sigh of relief that at least somebody now gets it.

Changes to school uniform policy

I was on the West Side of the valley earlier and it started to rain. Didn't last long but there was rain nonetheless.
The Wind this morning at the Ub****** crater was almost stong enough to blow you away.
Very few people in the Valley today. Quite a surprise.

Samantha.

Perhaps it is the right time for 'None of the Above' to be added to the ballot papers?

Samantha

NBC has launched a new LGBTQ website: http://www.nbcout.com

They say they are the first major network to do such an endeavor.

Welcome to NBC OUT: A Letter From the Editor

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/letter-nbc-out-s-edit...

Welcome to NBC OUT, NBC's newest digital destination, where we'll showcase enterprise reporting, original video and other unique content about and of interest to the LGBTQ community.

My wife had this pop up on her Facebook page.

How Should Christians Respond to Target’s Bathroom Policy?

While the lady isn't in favor of Target's policy, she is very reasonable about her feelings on it and speaks with a clear head, leaving out the knee-jerk response that the other vocal Christians scream with.

I encourage you to read this. If all Christians had this attitude then there would be a lot less angst regarding bathroom use.

bathroom laws

Anybody watching the "The View" on ABC this morning heard Whoopi Goldberg say and showed a preview of a film she helping to produce about "Transgendered Models" in the Fashion Industry that has been around for years!

The Boston Medical Center Hospital just announced ( 5/18/16) that they will be joining a small group of US hospitals offering Gender Reassignment Surgery for both M to F and F to M. The hospital has long provided hormone therapy and mental health services, but due
to a growing demand,and slowly changing insurance coverage, it was decided to provide the surgical procedures. The BMC said it already
has a waiting list of over 100 patients to be evaluated for surgery.
This is good news for patients in the New England area.