Monday Meme: Madonna

madonna meme

We’re celebrating the Queen herself, who turns 58 tomorrow, with a Monday Meme dedicated to asking for what you want. An LGBT ally and AIDS activist long before it was the cool thing for pop stars to do, Madonna also provided the coming out soundtrack for an entire generation. Far from perfect and at times misguided, Madonna has nevertheless been a vocal ally and big time fundraiser for LGBT causes for several decades. Towleroad came up with 25 of her best LGBT ally moments last year if you need further proof. Happy birthday, Madonna and if you’re looking to say what you want with an amazing card, check out our selection here!

Sweet Starbucks Proposal for Actor Daniel Franzese

franzesephillips You just never know what will happen at your local Starbucks. Actor Daniel Franzese popped the question to his longtime boyfriend this week at the North Hollywood branch of the mega-coffee chain where the pair met. Franzese, known best for his role as Damian in the 2004’s Mean Girls and more recently on HBO’s Looking, recently proposed to his partner Joseph Bradley Phillips. Here’s People with the full scoop on the adorable proposal.

The actor, 38, popped the question at a Starbucks in North Hollywood where the couple – who have been together for more than a year – met for the first time.When they arrived at the coffee chain, Franzese slipped the ring to one of the baristas, whom he had spoken to the day before about the proposal plan.And as the barista called out the pair’s coffee orders, she referred to them as “Mr. & Mr. Franzese” – and handed Phillips a different order, saying it was a new drink he should try.Once Phillips opened the cup with the ring inside, Franzese got down on one knee and said to him: “Since I first saw you here, you have opened your heart to me, and I vow to God that for the rest of my life to honor and protect that heart if you will be my husband. Will you marry me?” the Looking star told his future husband. Phillips, who’s in fashion marketing, will take Franzese’s last name, his rep confirms.”Joseph has given me the best of his heart and I’m so happy he said yes,” Franzese tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Finding my soulmate has made all the years I struggled with myself worth it.” He added, “We can’t wait to be Mr. & Mr. Franzese.”

Congrats to the happy couple!

While you’re here, browse our selection of fabulous cards perfect for anniversaries, weddings and even engagements!

American Apparrel Wants To Make America Gay Again

https://youtu.be/Xzzx5Xuzw3s

Clothing company American Apparel has joined forces with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and The Ally Coalition to launch “Make America Gay Again” in support of LGBT equality. According to Towleroad, “The campaign will also include video content and in-store events. A “Make America Gay Again” mixtape, curated by musician Jack Antonoff and inspired by songs that stand for equality, will be available on Pandora.com June 14. Thirty percent of sales will be donated in support of the Equality Act and the fight to end LGBTQ discrimination.”

Via PR Newswire, Antonoff, who co-founded The Ally Coalition with his sister, fashion designer Rachel Antonoff, said:

“Rachel and I founded The Ally Coalition to inspire fans to take action for LGBTQ Equality. During a year where LGBTQ rights are being threatened all over the states, everyone is responsible for coming together and challenging these injustices. I’m proud that The Ally Coalition is joining with American Apparel and The Human Rights Campaign to #MakeAmericaGayAgain.”

https://youtu.be/vgRFZTjhkSE

Human Rights Campaign Vice President of Communication and Marketing Olivia Alair Dalton said, “Today, LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services in a majority of states simply because of who they are. That’s why we are fighting to pass the Equality Act – legislation that will protect LGBTQ people under our federal civil rights laws. We are excited about our partnership with the Ally Coalition and American Apparel, which empowers people to subvert the politics of hate and division by creatively speaking out for the equal rights and dignity of LGBTQ people.”

Watch both the videos here and buy your own ‘Make America Gay Again’ t-shirt here!

Monday Meme: Shocking

Sandra Bernhard. For TV.

Still sassy, still shocking and still Sandra! Happy birthday to actress, singer comedian and world-renowned smack-talker Sandra Bernhard. Although first thrust into the spotlight thanks to a knockout performance in Martin Scorsese’s King of Comedy and later becoming tabloid fodder because of a dramatic relationship with Madonna, Bernhard has persevered because of her no-nonsense style and biting humor. Through a series of now-legendary one woman shows, Sandra Bernhard single-handedly invented a stream of consciousness stand up style now copied by performers everywhere. Never one to shy away from honest discussion, Bernhard has been in a relationship with Sara Switzer for years but refuses to define herself as a lesbian or bisexual. Bernhard can still be seen on talk shows speaking her mind on everything from Caitlyn Jenner to Lady Gaga and beyond. Bernhard is currently committed to raising awareness for LGBTQ teen suicide. “Kids, straight gay and otherwise now, are more susceptible than ever to suicide, because of social media and peer pressure and the ability for people in the far reaches of society to bully people and troll people,” she recently told IndyStar.com.” We’ve all been victims of that. It’s a terrible byproduct of social media. It’s easier and easier for kids to fall into that isolation and desolation.”

Monday Meme: Memorial Meme Madness!

cullen meme

So many LGBTQ folks with May birthdays, so little meme time. This month is so jam-packed with pioneers, icons and trailblazers we hardly know where to begin in our Monday Meme endeavors! But to start we’re honoring poet Countee Cullen who was born on May 30, 1903. Although overshadowed by some of his contemporaries like Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes, Cullen is still a major player in Harlem Renaissance story and considered a member of that era’s “gay elite.” Cullen’s impressive catalog of poems chronicles everything from race to politics to religion to relationships, like in “Song In Spite of Myself”
used in today’s meme.

Laverne Cox Meme

Next, we give a Monday Meme shout out to trans-activist and award-nominated actress Laverne Cox! Cox turned 32 yesterday and at a young age she has already changed the way Hollywood thinks about and casts trans performers. Cox recently became the first trans actor to be cast in a leading role in a network television show, this fall’s Doubt on CBS, and will also be seen in a much-buzzed about reboot of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

melissa meme

Lastly, we celebrate Melissa Etheridge! The songwriter and singer turned 55 yesterday. Etheridge’s activism for the LGBT community, marriage equality and cancer survivors is almost as rich as her near 30 year legacy in the music industry. A dynamic performer, an outspoken advocate and a passionate mother Melissa Etheridge is truly deserving of icon status!

But why stop the meme madness here? Go follow us on Instagram for more memes, quotes and images from our fantastic cards!

Monday Meme: Sparkle

liberace meme

Who doesn’t need a little sparkle and razzle dazzle on a Monday morning? And nobody did sparkle better than Liberace, born today in 1919. Liberace, or Lee as his friends called him, was one of the earliest and most flamboyant gay presences in media in the 1950’s. To protect his career however, Liberace denied his sexuality and hid his relationships from the press until his death in 1987. Liberace and his over the top image inspired other musicians like Elton John and Lady Gaga. Liberace may be remembered for the furs, jewel encrusted cars and piano shaped swimming pools but he was also a classically trained musician and an individual dedicated to helping other people. According to Wikipedia, “Worth over $110 million at the time of his death, Liberace bequeathed the bulk of his estate to his scholarship foundation.” And his sparkle continues to live on. In 2013, Liberace was portrayed by Michael Douglas in the acclaimed HBO movie Behind the Candelabra and the Liberace Garage, which houses some of the stars over the top vehicles as well as some costumes, opened last month.

Get a card for that person who makes your life sparkle here!

Actor Colton Haynes Comes Out

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly published yesterday, 27 year-old actor Colton Haynes officially came out. The announcement comes after months of social media speculation about the former Arrow and Teen Wolf star. Per EW,

A Tumblr post in January sparked an Internet firestorm after a fan commented on Haynes’ “secret gay past,”regarding racy modeling photos Haynes took while underage. Without giving it much thought, Haynes offered a coy reply: “Was it a secret?” The comment was picked up by bloggers as his coming out – but it wasn’t. Not yet.

“It was a complete shock. I wasn’t ready to be back in the headlines,” says Haynes, who is in fact gay but has never publicly addressed his sexuality (and, like many others on his path, took advice early in his career to subdue it). “I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t feel like I owed anyone anything. I think in due time, everyone has to make those decisions when they’re ready, and I wasn’t yet. But I felt like I was letting people down by not coming forward with the rest of what I should have said.”

The article also talks Haynes’ struggle with anxiety, a main reason why he left the hit series Arrow in 2015. “I asked to step away because I cared more about my mental and physical health than my career at the time,” Haynes told EW. “I’ve had terminal anxiety my entire life. Physically ill, fainting. I’m 27 years old, and I have an ulcer. I had to step back.” Haynes said keeping his sexuality under wraps didn’t exactly help with his anxiety. “People want you to be that GQ image that you put out, but people don’t realize what it’s like to act 24 hours a day. I’d go home and I was still acting,” he says gently. “People who are so judgmental about those who are gay or different don’t realize that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world.” After months off, the star says, ““I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and healthier than I’ve ever been, and that’s what I care about.”

Openly Gay Wrestler Wins Championship Titles and Does it In Drag

cassandro_london_school_of_lucha_libre_resistance_gallery_2 Viva individualidad!

Mexican wrestler Cassandro El Exotico is reinventing Mexico’s idea of a professional lucha libre wrestler. This must-see video from Great Big Story profiles a showman and athlete turning a beloved a national pastime on its ear. The twist? Mexico loves it! From sparkly capes to fake eyelashes, Cassandro bends genders while making jaws drop on his way to the ring. Inside the ring however, he kicks ass. Cassandro is a championship title holder and has been in sport for over 20 years. Of himself and other gay lucha wrestlers (referred to as “exoticos”) Cassandro told the Guardian, “Nowadays a lot of the fans that really know about lucha libre, they know that some of us – not all of us – have really dignified, with our skills and talent, our gender, the exoticos. Yeah, we are gay, but we do know how to wrestle.” Watch Cassandro’s incredible story here!

Frank Ocean Pays Tribute to Prince

<> on June 14, 2014 in Manchester, Tennessee.

Openly bisexual singer/songwriter Frank Ocean took to his Tumblr to pay tribute to music icon Prince, who died yesterday at the age of 57. The post, written in all caps, lauds Prince for his fearlessness and Ocean says the artist helped him embrace his own sexuality. Per Pink News, here’s what Ocean had to say about the legend:

I’M NOT EVEN GONNA SAY REST IN PEACE BECAUSE IT’S BIGGER THAN DEATH. I NEVER MET THE MAN (I WAS TOO NERVOUS THE ONE TIME I SAW HIM) AND I NEVER SAW HIM PLAY LIVE, REGRETTABLY. I ONLY KNOW THE LEGENDS I’VE HEARD FROM FOLKS AND WHAT I’VE HEARD AND SEEN FROM HIS DEEP CATALOG OF PROPELLANT, FEARLESS, VIRTUOSIC WORK. MY ASSESSMENT IS THAT HE LEARNED EARLY ON HOW LITTLE VALUE TO ASSIGN TO SOMEONE ELSE’S OPINION OF YOU.. AN INFECTIOUS SENTIMENT THAT SEEMED SOAKED INTO HIS CLOTHES, HIS HAIR, HIS WALK, HIS GUITAR AND HIS PRIMAL SCREAM. HE WROTE MY FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME, ‘WHEN YOU WERE MINE’. IT’S A SIMPLE SONG WITH A SIMPLE MELODY THAT MAKES YOU WISH YOU THOUGHT OF IT FIRST, EVEN THOUGH YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE – A FLIRTATIOUS BRAND OF GENIUS THAT FEELS APPROACHABLE. HE WAS A STRAIGHT BLACK MAN WHO PLAYED HIS FIRST TELEVISED SET IN BIKINI BOTTOMS AND KNEE HIGH HEELED BOOTS, EPIC. HE MADE ME FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH HOW I IDENTIFY SEXUALLY SIMPLY BY HIS DISPLAY OF FREEDOM FROM AND IRREVERENCE FOR OBVIOUSLY ARCHAIC IDEAS LIKE GENDER CONFORMITY ETC. HE MOVED ME TO BE MORE DARING AND INTUITIVE WITH MY OWN WORK BY HIS DEMONSTRATION – HIS DENIAL OF THE PREVAILING MODEL…HIS FIGHT FOR HIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – ‘SLAVE’ WRITTEN ACROSS THE FOREHEAD, NAME CHANGED TO A SYMBOL… AN ALL OUT REBELLION AGAINST EXPLOITATION. A VANGUARD AND GENIUS BY EVERY METRIC I KNOW OF WHO AFFECTED MANY IN A WAY THAT WILL OUTRUN OBLIVION FOR A LONG WHILE. I’M PROUD TO BE A PRINCE FAN(STAN) FOR LIFE.

Prince was found dead in his home in Minneapolis on April 22.

Disney & Marvel To Boycott Georgia If Anti-LGBT Bill Passes

CIchTNYUsAEiZT7 Add Disney and Marvel to the growing list of companies to say they will boycott the state of Georgia if the governor signs a bill restricting the rights of LGBT people into law. HB 757 formerly known as the “pastor protection act” has passed in the House and Senate and is heading to Governor Nathan Deal’s desk to be signed. HB 757, like Indiana’s ‘religious freedom bill’, would allow pastor’s, churches and other faith-based organizations to refuse to perform marriage ceremonies to certain groups including LGBT couples. The bill would even allow hospitals to deny services to LGBT couples. “Disney and Marvel are inclusive companies, and although we have had great experiences filming in Georgia, we will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law,” a Disney spokesman said on Wednesday. This could be a huge financial hit for the state of Georgia if other studios followed suit. Thanks to great tax breaks for studios, there are currently 10-30 film and television shows being filmed in Georgia at any given time, meaning millions in revenue for the state. According to the Los Angeles Times, “During Georgia’s fiscal 2015, 248 film and television productions shot in the Peach State, representing $1.7 billion in spending there, according to a statement last year by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Those film and TV projects generated an economic impact of more than $6 billion during the fiscal year extending from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.”

Disney and Marvel join the NFL, Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines and dozens of other companies who have come out in opposition to the measure.