Throughout its history, portraiture has been used to memorialize the family lineage and honor family patriarchs and matriarchs; however, these visual depictions have focused almost exclusively on the heterosexual family unit. While, heterosexual families have a pronounced and illustrated legacy, gay families have almost no history of depiction. The final years of the 20th century and early years of the 21st have witnessed a determined challenge to and potential redefinition of the traditional meaning of “family.” The shift has been a source of heated debate: nationally in mainstream media and in federal and state political chambers; locally in churches, synagogues, mosques and schools; and personally between peers, coworkers, around the dinner table, and between parents and children. Given this cultural zeitgeist, this project aims to create a visual record depicting gay and lesbian couples and families and thereby will constructively contribute to the current debate.

Carsie Blanton is a Philadelphia artist whose soulful, playful, intelligent music has won her recognition throughout the Philadelphia music scene and is the headliner in our latest Out Impact Friday, coming up on March 6th in Wilmington, NC at The Soapbox. Her musical styling is like a signature cup of coffee of music – a nice mix of pop, jazz and folk sounds while having fun as she blends blues, swing, and playful lyrics in Ain’t So Green.

We support our friends at Art Sync Magazine, a North Carolina publication dedicated to celebrating all Art forms – this is where we’ll be tonight:

ArtSync Magazine Launch Party: Celebrating our Premier Issue

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 – 7:30 PM
at
16 Taps
127 Princess St.
Wilmington, NC
910-251-1616
MAP

Entertainment by:
Sai Collins & DJ Kameshia Rogers
Hors d’œuvres & Cash Bar
Semi-Formal Attire
RSVP to Betsy Palmer
910.754.9635 or betsy@ArtSyncMag.com

Click the image below to see some of the Hot Land & Air Promotions currently being offered by Travel Impressions.

Click the image to enlarge and visit the promotional deals

If you see something that interests you, click on over to ADW Rich Worldwide Travel’s Booking Engine. Remember for your travel needs and VIP treatment, contact our travel writer, Arthur D. Wright at ADW Rich Worldwide Travel, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. (EST) should you have any questions and or concerns at 1-914-835-7600 Ext 226 or via e-mail awright@richtravel.com. Don’t forget to mention you are a Out Impact reader!

The love expressed on this album, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics and by India.Arie is not limited to romance, it’s love on all levels: romantic, interpersonal and humanitarian. “Therapy” featuring Jamaican roots artist Gramps Morgan, was co-written and co-produced by emerging artist Novel, who previously collaborated with India on “Purify Me” has a optimistic, motivating rich pop sound. Simpson, India’s mother, stylist and all-around inspiration, wrote the sweeping, power pop song that sounds like a future American Idol pop ballad, “Long Goodbye.” There’s no doubt that this song will end up being a cover song a few times over, and that is a testament to the power of a strong song.

The right wing is at it again, trying to write discrimination into the N.C. constitution. This bill isn’t about “protecting marriage,” it’s about denying basic rights and responsibilities for same-sex couples. I just took action and hope you will too! Please answer the call to action!

If you go to the URL below you can check out what is at stake and send your own message directly to the relevant decision makers. Take action on this action alert at: http://eqfed.org/campaign/amendment09_2. Thank you to Equality NC and Equality NC Foundation for letting us know!

Fathom, CARE and ONE are proud to present a one-night event featuring the acclaimed documentary “A Powerful Noise,” (which we have glowingly praised) followed by a live town hall discussion with leading humanitarian experts and activists. The event, taking place in 450 movie theatres nationwide, celebrates International Women’s Day and highlights the important role that women play in bringing lasting solutions to global poverty. Broadcast live from New York City, this inspiring event will be broadcast to movie theatres nationwide on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 7:30PM ET / 6:30PM CT / 5:30PM MT and tape delayed at 8PM PT and 7PM in Hawaii.

The live panel will include former U.S. Secretary of State and Principal of The Albright Group LLC Madeleine K. Albright, actress and activist Natalie Portman, CARE president and CEO Dr. Helene Gayle; CARE advocate for maternal health and contributing editor for Marie Claire, Christy Turlington Burns; and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, New York Times columnist and acclaimed author Nicholas Kristof. Check back for additional panelist participants by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or www.APowerfulNoise.org for more information and to purchase tickets to this One Night Event.

Don’t forget to check your video horoscope daily, courtesy of our friends at SoulGarden.TV’s Christopher Witecki: http://www.outimpact.com/horoscopes. There is a overall forecast and then click on your horoscope for a more in-depth look on how you’re affected.

At last tonight’s Academy Awards, screenwriter Dustin Lance Black won the Oscar for Best Screenplay for Milk, the story of California’s first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk. Black — who was wearing a White Knot for marriage equality — spoke about how Milk inspired him:

BLACK: When I was 13 years old, my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Texas, to California, and I heard the story of Harvey Milk. And it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life; it gave me the hope that one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married. […]

Most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told they are less than by their churches, or by the government, or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value. And that no matter what everyone tells you, God does love you, and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours.

Black’s speech was greeted by loud applause and was extremely inspiring for those of us in the gay community. Sean Penn also won Best Actor for Milk, and gave a great speech as well but nothing was more eloquent and on point for all of us fighting than Dustin’s speech. Thank you sir. Watch it, and thank you to Think Progress for posting the video and speech:

I’ve been one of the fortunate ones to be a long-time Kyler England supporter for over five years now, and with each live show and studio album, Kyler always brings very focused, passionate, honest and enjoyable indy acoustic-pop music in her releases. Kyler’s fifth and latest release, Simple Machine, is the most polished and radio ready album to date from her career so far. Kyler’s an award-winning songwriter in her own right, and no doubt has music made to be heard by the masses. Here are some of her accomplishments: Finalist for Best Female Artist for the International Acoustic Music Awards, Best Alternative Rock CD for the Indie Acoustic Project, and Music Connection Magazine’s Hot 100 Unsigned Artists of 2007. Her music has recently appeared on TV and in film including Ghost Whisperer, Army Wives, Guiding Light, Rollergirls, Paradise City and the upcoming film The Lucky Ones starring Rachel McAdams and Tim Robbins. Kyler tours like a madwoman, and and has shared the stage with artists including Sting, Annie Lennox, Melissa Etheridge, Teitur, Gavin DeGraw, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Meredith Brooks, Liz Phair, Emm Gryner, Josh Joplin and Vienna Teng, just to name a few.