GLS

 

Welcome to the new GLSsite.net, no longer Brazilian — but still covering gay, lesbian, and transgendered topics in sex education and sexual rights.

Let’s face it: in most places, kids are not sufficiently likely to get decent sex education at all. Parents are usually inhibited, schools are limited by any number of reasons (Federal or state regulations, so-called ‘community standards’, the quality of the staff and resources, et cetera), and peers and the general community are typically more likely to impede rather than encourage healthy sexual development.

I just want you to know we will be holding fund raisers in a number of the major cities to raise funds to help us reach out to the GLS community. Our first one will be help in Boston MA. We are planning to hold a gala event with a raffling of gift baskets filled with donated items and gift certificates from local merchants. We are hoping to have at least ten gift baskets to raffle. Some will be filled with gourmet treats, both sweet and savory. We would like to have a number of wine gift baskets filled not only with bottles of three to four wines, but also offering wine accessories, and a few select nibbles. Several folks have suggested chocolate lovers gift baskets filled with only chocolate products. I have also received several requests for gift baskets aimed appropriate for the children of gay / lesbian couples. Fruit gift baskets are always popular. We plan on soliciting stores that offer only organic fruits. With more and more state allowing gay marriages, there will definitely have to be some wedding oriented gift baskets for the raffle. In addition, we will also add to each gift basket a couple of pro gay | lesbian | transgender t-shits, and stickers. If you have any other ideas for a gift basket theme, let us know.

Our organization recently hired a Chief Procurement Officer. I mention this because there’s some questions regarding that person’s responsibilities and how that reflects on the GLS community. The Chief Procurement Officer works on behalf of an organization / company negotiating the cost of goods and services from vendors. If they were ordering supplies, finding reliable venders that offer competitive prices is important – but equally important would be their attitude toward our community. With the internet, the search for a janitorial supply vender is much easier. Comparison of prices, variety of products and actual reviews of the supplier are easy to find online. For instance, CleanItSupply sells at very competitive prices to both individuals and on a wholesale basis paper products, also air freshener and odor control, bags and trash bags, green cleaning products, mops, brooms, brushes and dusters, cleaning supplies, facility maintenance, floor and carpet care, professional cleaning products, skin care and hand soaps, toilet paper, and trash cans, etc. They carry absolutely everything one would need for janitorial supplies. In addition CleanItSupply also sells restaurant supplies, office supplies, snack & break room, industrial & safety, technology products, ink & toner, and even office furniture. They even ship internationally. But most importantly, they support the goals of our GLS community, definitely making this is one janitorial supplies vendor worth considering.

Speaking of Boston, the last time I was there I was visiting a car accident attorney on behalf of my parents. They were involved in a serious car accident caused by a DUI driver. As a result, they were in the hospital recovering from multiple injuries. Since neither of them were in any shape either physically or mentally to deal with the insurance companies or a lawyer, I was tasked with the responsibility. The whole process was quite an eye opener. I always assumed car accident lawyers were “ambulance chasers,” but the law firm and lawyers I was dealing with were amazing. Although they took 35% of the settlement as their fee, I felt it was worth every penny. This time in Boston will be celebratory and fun. No bad vibes, no dread and worry, no stress. I love Boston. Besides the fundraiser I am planning on visiting family and friends. It should be a great trip.

When the kids have issues of sexual orientation or gender identification, the limitations of sex ed can be multiplied by about a zillion or so. Even reasonable, helpful, caring people can find themselves completely flustered or otherwise unable to provide the guidance that young gay, lesbian, and transgendered people need most. And it goes without saying that there are plenty of people who are NOT reasonable, helpful, or caring in such circumstances…

On one hand, the Internet has been helpful in some respects, providing a much more accessible platform for information and support (and loan refinancing). However, I’m sure that I don’t need to tell you how much misinformation, disinformation, and downright ‘anti-information’ exists on the Interweb. Trying to find a simple answer to a simple question can easily churn up masses of hate speech, porn, and plenty of those individuals and groups who are motivated by something other than serving a need for education and support.

However, one of the ways in which the internet can be helpful in supporting the acceptance of gays is through the use of tactics and strategies that bring information about our cause directly to internet users through search engines. By using sophisticated strategies, like enterprise SEO (typically used to promote the sale of products, but equally useful to promote ideas), our supporters can make positive news stories rise to the top of the search for terms like ‘homosexual’ or ‘gay lifestyle’ and a myriad of other terms that may otherwise carry negative connotations in the non-curated blogs. But by advancing through the search, articles and websites that promote positive positions and articles, the organizations that support our cause can greatly influence the rapidly changing public perceptions.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *