Stonewall Gazette

Written by Teo Armus


A new study published in the journal "Big Data" found that ad campaigns can make inferences about whether a user is gay based on as little as three likes, even when users intentionally withhold their sexual orientation. As Facebook users express concerns regarding their privacy and how their personal information is being used, the study raises concerns about “outing” people who are closeted — or those who just don’t want companies to know their sexual orientation in order to show them targeted ads. "While some online users may benefit from being targeted based on inferences of their personal characteristics, others may find such inferences unsettling,” the study's authors, who hail from Columbia Business School, New York University and Northeastern University, wrote.
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Written by Khal


I've always heard that if there's some new technology, the first industry to figure it out will be the porn industry. They've had the digital game on lock from webcams to virtual reality, but based on this treasure trove of dildos and butt plugs dating back to ancient China, it looks like the world has always flourished when it comes to new ways of getting your rocks off. While butt plugs are used more for sexual pleasure these days, the purpose of these jade plugs were a bit unique; they were said to "seal the body and keep in vital essences that can leak out during life and death," according to Fan Zhang, who is curating an exhibit with these finds. Basically, they don't want your chi leaking out in death, so the plug keeps it safely inside of you. READ MORE

Written by Will Kohler


In 1960 every state in America had an anti-sodomy law on its books.

One of the biggest steps toward gay equality, the end of America’s sodomy laws, began on November 17, 1998 when a 911 operator received a call about “a black male going crazy with a gun” at John Geddes Lawrence’s home in the Houston suburbs. Harris County sheriff’s deputies responded and entered Lawrence’s unlocked apartment. There, they purportedly found Lawrence and Tyron Garner engaging in consensual sex.

What they actually found is a matter of debate. Lawrence and Garner weren’t lovers — in fact, that false report had been phoned in by Garner’s actual lover, Robert Eubanks, who suspected Garner and Lawrence were having an affair.

Lawrence and Garner were arrested, held in jail overnight, and charged with violating Section 21.06 of the Texas Penal Code. That law, otherwise known as the Texas Homosexual Conduct law, prohibited engaging “in deviant sexual intercourse with another individual of the same sex.”
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Today's gay blog spotlight is The Randy Report by Randy Slovacek. He publishes current news and pop culture. Randy also has a podcast (see below). It's a terrific blog! Here are some of his recent posts! Enjoy!


This Drives Donald Trump Insane

Top Evangelical Leader To Roy Moore: Take A Lie Detector Test

Daily Dance: Derek Hough - 'Kairos' Ft. Lindsey Stirling

Former Family Values Ohio Legislator Wes Goodman Had History Of "Predatory Behavior"


The Randy Report Podcast: Australia Says 'Yes' To Marriage Equality; Bi Gossip Queen Liz Smith Passes At 94; Ohio State Lawmaker Resigns After "Inappropriate" Behavior

Have you ever experienced sudden jerks when nodding off to sleep? Have you ever been told that you talk in your sleep? Perhaps you are a sleepwalker? When we go to bed and close our eyes, we normally want to fall asleep and have a good rest. But sometimes our body has other plans and starts doing different things on its own. Check out this interesting video and learn more about what happens to us while we are sleeping.

While major news networks have struggled to figure out the right way to cover the Trump administration, political satirists like Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers have demonstrated why comedy can be such a powerful antidote to bullshit.

Watch this funny and informative video below!

Written by Maev Kennedy

The skeletons of two men who were buried apparently hand in hand during an outbreak of the Black Death have been excavated from a plague burial ground in London. The men, believed to have been in their 40s, were buried in the early 15th century in a carefully dug double grave, in identical positions, with heads turned towards the right and the left hand of one man apparently clasping the right hand of the other. Both are assumed to have died in one of the bubonic plague epidemics that swept the capital in the years after the most famous outbreak in 1348, which is estimated to have killed more than half London’s population. Archaeologist Sam Pfizenmaier, who led the excavation and wrote a newly published book on Charterhouse Square finds, said: “One possible interpretation is that they were related in some way, for example by blood or marriage.” READ MORE

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From trash to treasure, kicking your clutter habit can be good for your health and wealth. But how do you put a price on personal property? In this Money Smart, Glen Walker finds simple ways to cash in on collectibles. WATCH VIDEO

RELATED How Financially Faithful Are You?

"Ah, the Twitter blue tick - that elite emblem held by beautiful celebrities, millionaire sportsmen and narcissistic social media interns alike. Time was, a verification meant that you had 'made it' in some way – or at least, bombarded Twitter with enough pleading emails until they finally gave in," writes Nick Pope. "But now Twitter is rolling out plans to make the blue tick available for anyone who applies, in a bid to tackle the widespread troll infestation that plagues the site. This means that, basically, unpalatable characters (racist eggs, for example) will find it difficult to achieve verification, meaning that hate-fuelled rhetoric will go largely ignored. Fancy getting one (and meanwhile, piss off every journalist in the country)?" READ MORE

Just because something's super discounted doesn't mean it's worth it. In fact, too often men buy something just because it's on sale, which almost always leads to regret. That's why GQ is here to tell you five simple things to remember before hitting "complete purchase" on some discounted gear.

1. Don't Buy from a Brand You've Never Worn Before
2. Don't Buy a Suit on Clearance
3. Jeans are Just As Tricky
4. T.A.S.K.
5. Just Because It's Cheap, Doesn't Mean It's Your Chance to Try Out a Swerve

READ GQ ARTICLE FOR MORE DETAILS

Written by Shane Smith, Editor, Stonewall Gazette


When travelling abroad for the first time it's very important to know as much as you can about the destination before you leave. Paris, France is one of the most visited places on the planet but how gay-friendly is it?

The Gay Locals has an informative article, "5 Questions You Can Only Ask A Gay Tour Guide" and it offers some solid tips for the newbie traveller. A very good example would be the areas to avoid. The Gay Locals explains, "Every city has their safer and less safe places, which can also change at different times of the day (notably nighttime). What’s safe for one group can be different for another, i.e. for the gays. Some neighborhoods are just not as tolerant as others. Once again, a gay guide should know this, general[ly] because they live in the city and it applies to them, too. We know a thing or two about this in Paris." They add, "and [what if] you're not sure if your guide is the type of person to talk about backrooms and cruising." Sage advice for anyone thinking of going to the City of Lights. Read more here.

You can follow The Gay Locals on Twitter

Without question the Interstate Highway System was one of the most revolutionary and comprehensive infrastructure projects in the United States. Vox points out: "It also destroyed urban neighborhoods across the nation." It's hard to imagine our world without the car and as the video illustrates cities can survive without car-choked roadways and endless strips of concrete overpasses.
Enjoy the informative video below!

Posted by Shane Smith, Editor, Stonewall Gazette


Have you ever experienced sudden jerks when nodding off to sleep? Have you ever been told that you talk in your sleep? Perhaps you are a sleepwalker?

When we go to bed and close our eyes, we normally want to fall asleep and have a good rest. But sometimes our body has other plans and starts doing different things on its own. Check out this interesting video and learn more about what happens to us while we are sleeping.

I have written before about one of my favorite sites, AsapSCIENCE. It was created by gay couple Mitchell Moffit(pictured left) and Gregory Brown
(pictured right). The two Canadian science geeks did an interview on the CBC magazine show, Q.  Host Piya Chattopadhyay, spoke with Moffit and Brown, about their decision to come out as a gay couple and also about the importance of diversity in science.

You can follow Gregory Brown on Twitter
You can follow Mitchell Moffit on Twitter
You can follow AsapSCIENCE on Twitter
You can follow Q on Twitter

Watch: Gay Creators of "AsapSCIENCE" Discuss Importance of Diversity in Science

Only in Canada, eh? Although there are many perceived similarities between Canada and the USA, there are many unique and interesting differences between the two nations. Most Amazing Top 10 has put together this fun, informational video that lists the top 10 differences between Canada and America.

You can follow Most Amazing Top 10 on Twitter

Watch: Top 10 Differences Between Canada And America

Written by Shane Smith , Editor of Stonewall Gazette


Whistler, British Columbia, has been voted one of the top resorts in North America by major ski magazines since the mid 1990's. Whistler really exploded on the international travel scene when it hosted some events during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Did you know that the little blue bird that serves as Twitter's mascot has a name? Top Trending has the scoop on 10 things you didn't know about Twitter.

You can follow Top Trending on Twitter

Watch: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Twitter

THUNK is a video series hosted by Josh Pelton (shown above), that I like to watch from time to time. He describes THUNK as a site for "...anyone who likes to talk about interesting things with knowledgeable people." Pelton explains how each week, "I'll give you some relevant background information about a topic, and provide you with at least one opinion that you can use as a jumping-off point for conversation about that topic."

In this episode the topic is The Just World Fallacy. Basically, this cognitive bias is our brain's attempt to make sense of a world. Sometimes, these attempts can be bizarre and even irrational.

You can follow THUNK on Twitter.

Watch: The Just World Fallacy

Written by Shane Smith , Editor of Stonewall Gazette


Remember how the world was supposed to end in 2012, based on some Mayan prophecy about cataclysmic events happening on or around December 21st of that year? These tales of Armageddon never stop coming and that's partly what makes them so much fun because the next one down the pike is always more outlandish than the last!
 

Written by Shane Smith, Editor, Stonewall Gazette


Dermatologist Adam Friedman discusses the 'super foods' that are good for our overall health and in particular for the skin and anti-aging. Friedman suggests eating foods that are high in antioxidants.