Unpacking Jodie Foster’s Golden Globes speech. Will the consensus be ‘You go, girl’ or ‘Girl, go home’?

Foster backstage at the 2013 Golden Globes

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or your crooked wig has been blocking your eyes and ears, you know Jodie Foster sort of came out of her lesbian closet at the Golden Globes Sunday night. Of course, Foster has been sort of coming out for a few years now—her sexual orientation has been the biggest open secret in Hollywood and among her LGBTQ fans for decades—but she’s never given a solid “Yep, I’m gay” statement in the brave, groundbreaking fashion of Ellen DeGeneres. What the heck does privacy and Honey Boo Boo got to do with it?! If she were straight, her boyfriend/husband/ex-husband and kids would be all over entertainment media. Unfortunately, Foster seems to be conflating privacy with shame. She can share her life in a positive way without becoming a reality show cliché. Sure, some of the tabloids and paparazzi will exploit her life. That’s show business. But Foster is savvy enough to manage and shape the attention into something powerful and affirming. Let’s hope she catches some pride and works it out.

Texas man’s struggle underscores need for LGBT anti-discrimination law

A Texas man faced verbal harassment and a lavender ceiling at his suburban Fort Worth workplace. Unfortunately, there’s not much lawyers can do without federal or state laws to back them up. Read about it in the “Dallas Voice.”

Personally, I had a similar situation with a past employer here in my hometown of Wichita, Kan. Have you ever been discriminated against for your sexual orientation or gender identity? If so, in which state? It’s important to share our stories so voters know LGBT workplace discrimination is a very real problem that can be addressed through the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, (ENDA).

Legislators support DOMA repeal

Some legislators are taking aim at the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) after President Obama affirmed his support for same-sex marriage last week, reports Politico. Since then, according to congressional records, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) and Del. Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands) have signed onto the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would repeal DOMA. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) have also announced support for legal same-sex marriages.

Kansas City’s new Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to celebrate

Dan Nilsen, president, MAGLCC

Kansas City’s new Mid-America Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MAGLCC) will celebrate with kickoff party May 31 at the Bishop-McCann advertising agency, 1701 Walnut St., in Kansas City, Missouri. According to “Camp,” Kansas City’s local LGBT news publication, the new chamber will “advocate, promote and facilitate the success of the LGBT business community and their allies through the guiding principles of equality, inclusion, economics and education.” 

Wall Street’s gay heavyweights weigh presidential politics

Bank of America tower, New York City

On Wednesday, Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein joined Paul Singer, founder of hedge-fund firm Elliott Management and a Republican activist behind same-sex marriage legalization in New York, to talk about the choice Wall Street gay-rights advocates must make in this year’s presidential race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney. The discussion, which took place at Bank of America’s midtown Manhattan offices as part of a forum for the “Out on the Street” LGBT Leadership Conference, focused on the financial industry’s role in advancing gay rights. Read more in this report from Bloomberg News.

Gay Travel Market Benefits NYC Hotel

THE OUT NYC

According to a report by Reuters, THE OUT NYC gay urban resort benefits from its location. Representatives from NYC & Company, New York City’s tourism organization, explain that the city is one of the most sought destinations for LGBT travelers worldwide. The hotel, designed by architect Paul Dominguez, opened for business this month and offers amenities such as a 5,000-foot (1524-meter) a sunbathing deck, a gym and wellness centre, three separate courtyards, and a restaurant that will open later this spring.

PayPal Co-founder Wins Leadership Award for LGBT Entrepreneurs

Jack Stephenson, Peter Thiel, and StartOut founder Darren Spedale

Peter Thiel, entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and PayPal co-founder, was honored Thursday night with a leadership award at StartOut's First Annual LGBT Entrepreneurship Awards ceremony in San Francisco.

Jack Stephenson, director of mobile, e-commerce and payments at JPMorgan Chase, presented the award to Thiel, who also served as keynote speaker. "As a pioneer and visionary, Peter has helped to build the next generation of tech entrepreneurs both in Silicon Valley and across the globe," said Stephenson. "His leadership and achievements have been an inspiration to the LGBT entrepreneurial community, and we're proud to honor him tonight surrounded by such exceptional talent and innovative spirit."

Other honorees included Kathy Levinson, former E*TRADE COO and Lesbian Equity Foundation founder; Geoff Lewis, founder and CEO of TopGuest; and Ramona Pierson, founder and CEO of SynapticMash.