Gaga on 60 Minutes

Last week CBS anchor, Anderson Cooper, sat down with Lady Gaga for 60 Minutes as a part of an ongoing series of interviews with music superstars. As with anything Lady Gaga does, the interview was more than a little strange. Lady Gaga has long been a advocate for gay rights and recently put out her new single Born This Way, in which she encourages everyone to be strong, brave, and unashamed of who they are. The message pops up again in the interview following:

"Tonight I want you to let go of all of your insecurities. I want you to reject anyone or anything that ever made you feel that you don't belong. Free yourself of these things tonight! Yeah!!!" she encouraged her fans at one show.

"You're hoping to speak to people who feel different, who feel disconnected?" Cooper asked.

"People who feel disconnected from society or disenfranchised, feel like a freak, feel like you don't belong, like you don't fit in, or you'll never be great," she explained.

I like to think, no matter what you think of Lady Gaga's music and fashion, her support of people who are different, is something we can all get behind.

If you would like to see the full interview, check out the 60 Minutes website by following the link below:

60 Minutes: Lady Gaga & The Art of Fame

A Gay Marriage/Civil Union Update

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News from the New Mexico legislature yesterday. There are two bills working their way through the capitol, one a DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) would seek to define marriage as being between a man and a woman only. The second, would void civil unions made in other states (there are currently 5 states and the District of Columbia that recognize civil unions.)

Yesterday, both bills were tabled in the House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee, effectively stopping them from continuing. While there is a possibility the issue might rise again, the LGBT community is cautiously optimistic.

From Equality New Mexico:

“We don’t dare call today’s development a victory, but we are clearly happy that these bills have been tabled for now. EQNM applauds our legislators who saw this bill as an affront New Mexico's families,” noted Todd McElroy, Los Alamos resident and EQNM Board Member. “We will remain vigilant, however, to see that these bills do not rise again in the remaining days of this session.”

Meanwhile, in Hawaii a bill to recognize civil unions has just passed after years of debate. The bill will now go to the governor where it is unclear whether or not the bill will be signed or vetoed.

While the future is still unclear, at least Facebook fully recognizes civil unions.

OUTstanding Awards: Voting Open!

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Voting has begun for the annual Outstanding Awards, put on my Albuquerque Pride and the Alibi. These awards showcase the best of the GLBT community here in Albuquerque. Last year, our sister club the West Mesa GSA won the award for Best Youth Group, and this year they were nominated again!

Follow the link below, vote and help support the West Mesa GSA. Voting will close Feb 28th, so vote soon. Good luck Mustangs, and great job!

Vote Now!