I love the magical 48-hour bubble that is “Pride.” For one weekend, the queers come out to play. The straights get a little bent. Even semi-conservative politicians shake hands with gay babies and kiss old ladies.

But what about the rest of the year? The non-Pride part? Where does the celebratory spirit go? And more importantly — how do we (by which I mean LGBT citizens and allies) stay vocal and visible?

Here’s how I show my pride the other 363 days of the year:

♥ Supporting + promoting LGBT entrepreneurs via Twitter, my blog and networking groups like StartOut.

♥ Busting stereotypes about what a lesbian “should” look like. Hello, neon sequins!

♥ Holding my girlfriend’s hand, whether we’re at an upscale gay bar, a tractor parade, or shopping at an outlet mall in rural Minnesota.

♥ Patronizing local businesses with outspoken commitments + ties to the LGBT community.

♥ Partnering with innovative LGBT-focused social media outlets, like Unicorn Booty.

♥ Taking care of my physical, financial and emotional health, so I can lead by example.

♥ Blasting RuPaul’s albums from my sassy VW beetle convertible, wherever I be rollin’!

So, those are my ideas — I reckon my readers have a few more. Please let your freak flag fly in the comments!

(Image via Autostraddle)

I’m giving away a customized resume package to one lucky little unicorn. What’s that, you say? 1 rockstar resume + 1 cover letter + 1 personal bio + 1 60-minute branding jam session. Get I get an amen?

All you gotta do is skip over to Unicorn Booty tomorrow morning to place your vote. It’s free, it’s rad, it’s super-gay, and unicorns are involved. The end.

As a magical prelude to tomorrow’s festivities, here’s a 15-minute video-interview with Kevin Farrell + Nick Vivion, the co-founders of Unicorn Booty. Watch for the “Gayest Moment on the Internet — Ever” at approximately 13:18.

Video-Interview with Kevin Farrell + Nick Vivion of Unicorn Booty from Alexandra Franzen on Vimeo.

{ 1 } They’re socially-conscious.

Call it a by-product of oppression, a Machiavellian marketing tactic, or just a tangible display of karmic generosity — LGBT ads take social progress to a new level.

This Argentinian commercial for Banco Provincia features a transgender woman, a bigoted man, and a story about forgiveness. (thanks for the link, Sam!)

And LGBT organizations willingly cross party lines to court unlikely advocates — such as Senator John McCain’s wife, Cindy McCain:

Cindy McCain for the NO H8 Campaign

{ 2 } They target smarter.

LGBT-friendly companies know how to target their audiences. Oh boy, do they ever. They make a concerted effort to show same-sex couples in everyday situations: shopping around for a mortgage, relaxing at home, walking the dog, or making out on the couch. Since these types of images are so rare in conventional media, they make a powerful impact. LGBT people want to see themselves represented accurately and authentically — and LGBT companies get it.

Angelic fellows for Virgin Mobile (which is also the primary sponsor of Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour)

{ 3 } They use role models — the right way.

Gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses use LGBT role models to create striking visual images. And they’re not afraid to play with conventions and stereotypes to get the message across.

RuPaul for l.a.Eyeworks

Randy Lapointe for Betteridge Jewelers

{ 4 } They place products powerfully (without pandering).

LGBT television programs use product placement in creative, non-icky ways — RuPaul’s Drag Race, which is primarily sponsored by Absolut Vodka, manages to work the product into the flow of the show in a logical, non-disruptive fashion. Their “Exceptional Moments” ad campaign — in which mega-star drag queens share intimate stories about their lives and careers — is nothing short of brilliant.

{ 5 } They give customers a voice (and a face).

LGBT companies use customer testimonials in authentic, relatable ways. Olivia Cruises comes to mind:

{ 6 } They’ve got MOXIE!

Gay businesses fly in the fact of convention, either because they cater specifically to a queer customer base, or simply because they’re innovative and off-beat. Subversiveness is sexy — and sex sells. Know what else sells? A healthy dose of humor.

Sumo ballerinas for Hotel Nikko in San Francisco

Next week, I’ll be posting an article on gay entrepreneurs and start-up ventures — including Unicorn Booty, my latest media obsession. Stay tuned!

But before I go, I gotta know: which LGBT marketing campaigns, companies and media icons are rocking your big, gay world?

A few weeks ago, I asked Sam to help me compile a list of obstacles that trans people face when re-entering the workforce. His response was so insightful and honest, I had to share it with my readers.

Chances are, you’ll work with a transguy or transgal at some point in your career. That person could be your next intern, consultant or boss! So get real, get raw and get ready. Sam is about to school you solid.

So. Getting a job. I’m terrified. I leapt from university straight into an awesome job at Youthline doing community education, and finished that up early this year. I wanted to take some time out, and it felt like being a queer transman going into high schools talking about self care would not be taking my own advice. It felt too exposing to me, and I didn’t want to put myself at risk of bigotry. So I thought, “Sam, take some time out, chill out, draw comics and figure out what you want to do with your life.”

So I did.

And it was awesome.

But I miss working. And my course is finishing. And I gotta start applying for jobs soon.

Alex, being the extraordinary resume writer that she is [Editor's Note: I did NOT bribe Sam to say this! Scout's honor!] was asking me about barriers for transpeople entering / re-entering the workforce. So I wrote her a list of what I’ve been thinking about lately — as someone who’s been hiding away from having to get a job for fear of discrimination. So, from the perspective of a scaredy-cat:

Official Name Changes: Going through the process of changing names legally can be a huge hassle and somewhat expensive (in New Zealand at least) — as you have to have your birth certificate, then passport and THEN change everything else (bank account, drivers license, library card, etc). Plus you’ll probably want the passport, drivers license and bank account all to match up by the time you’re applying for a job — otherwise, you have to “out” yourself and trust employers to deal with any confusion it may bring up.

Unofficial name changes: If you’re not up to the point where you’ve changed your name legally, then asking your employee to call you by another name / pronoun can be pretty daunting. Imagine an interview with a prospective employer where you’re really keen to impress, but are worried about asking them to use a different name and pronoun than what’s on your official documents.

References: If this is the first job that you’re applying for under a new gender identity, you’ll probably be required to disclose to at least one former employer or your current employer as a reference. So I’d have to let anyone I put down as a reference know that I am trans and ask them very very kindly to use male pronouns and Sam, not Sarah, if they’re contacted about me. That can be a huge task, and requires a lot of energy explaining to people, as well as excellent relationships with the former employers, and a lot of trust in the person you’re telling to use the new name / pronouns when it comes down to it.

Qualifications: Again, there could be name / sex discrepancies that come up — most large academic institutions have protocols to deal with reissuing certificates and qualifications under new names (less so with sex, but that comes up less anyway). But some are pretty arduous processes. Plus the energy it takes to explain to people why you need your name / sex changed on the records can be draining.

Sex: It’s darn near impossible to get your sex changed on your birth certificate here without having gone through a couple of major surgeries (cost! time! inclination!) — so it’s unlikely that your official sex on your passport / birth certificate (which are usually needed) will match up with the gender your presenting with. Again, another inconsistency.

Lack of Confidence: All these attempts to create congruence between name / sex / gender / etc, combined with a social climate of ignorance or bigotry towards trans people (not just in the workforce, but within personal relationships, too) can deteriorate an individual’s self confidence. Many trans people are hugely lacking in confidence when stepping into the workforce under their new gender identity.

Passing: If I’ve just begun medical changes (taking hormones) and not many physical changes have kicked into gear yet, or if I don’t want to go down the hormone / surgery route, I may be worried that my inability to ‘pass’ as my preferred gender will leave me open to discrimination — not getting the job, being harassed, not being referred to with my preferred pronoun.

Disclosure: When do I disclose? How do I disclose? Who am I supposed to disclose to? Will this be kept in confidence to only one, or a small group of people, if I don’t want people to know? Will this leave me open to discrimination? Do I have to leave my job if I want to transition? ARRRRRGH.

Gaps in employment: Trans people may have to take time out of the workforce to transition as it’s a pretty emotionally, physically and spiritually demanding process. Therefore, there might be gaps in employment history.

In conclusion, I’ve been fretting a lot about some of this stuff. But, I’ve also heard some awesome employment stories from trans people. Plus, when I came out as trans at my last job my boss was super awesome at using my preferred name / pronoun, and understanding that it was also kind of tricky cos not everybody knew.

Trans people can and do go into the workforce and can be incredibly successful at whatever they want to do, because trans people are super rad.

For a terrific list of trans / queer resources, check out the “Links” page on Sam’s comic site. Also! Here’s the Human Rights Campaign’s 2010 round-up of the Best Places To Work, based on equitable treatment of LGBT employees

If you’re pounding the pavement for your next position — but have some serious obstacles in the way — I can help! Cover letter editing, resume design and creative personal branding are my bread & butter. E-mail me today, and let’s get you sorted out.

Speaking of super-gay TV, season three of True Blood starts on June 29th, and many queer delights lie in wait. For starters, the drop-dead gawgeous Evan Rachel Wood reprises her role as the (lesbian!) vampire queen of Louisiana, and the sassy & sultry LaFayette will get a BOYFRIEND!!! (Pretty sure Sam just descended into an epileptic fit).

In other news: are you a gay socialite? Do you live in New York? Perhaps you should audition for a forthcoming reality show called The Gay Socialites of New York! Hmm. Worrrrk?

And in the “so-geeky-it’s-gay” category — remember that movie Avatar? Y’know, the highest grossing flick of all time? With the blue cat-people? Well, there’s gonna be a sequel. And according to Underwire, it’s gonna focus on Pandora’s oceans. That’s right — Avatar, under the sea. I PRAY that the theaters hand out 3-D snorkel masks instead of glasses. And also that Sigourney Weaver’s character returns in holographic form to dole out sage wisdom from beyond the grave, Obi-Wan Kenobi-style.

(Image via Adam Stewart Designs)

This is a video of live-action My Little Ponies performing Broadway classics, including “You’re Gonna Love Me” from Dreamgirls and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.

There are no words. Just watch:

(Image via Media Herald Dispatch)

I have this curiosity at the back of my mind. I’ve never had sex with a woman and I’m a little bit curious about it.

So, get in line and take a number, or whatever! Just thought y’all should know. Teehee.

Seriously, though … I am continuously befuddled at the media’s hysteria surrounding Mr. Lambert’s sexuality. Remember when he performed a racy number at the 2009 American Music Awards, complete with a guy-on-guy kiss? Immediately after the November 22nd broadcast, there was a period of several weeks where virtually every video clip on the Interweb was scoured away by the powers that be — as if it never happened. Creepy, right?

For male performers — at least in the pop-music industry — it’s apparently okay to be gay, just so long as you don’t, y’know, do anything gay. And you definitely shouldn’t do anything gay on TV, where people might actually see it.

As Lambert himself once stated in a Rolling Stone interview:

Female performers have been doing this for years — pushing the envelope about sexuality — and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out.

Oh, unless you’re a pop star who happens to be an attractive woman [see: Britney, Madonna, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Lady Gaga]. Then it’s cool. So long as you have a committed boyfriend waiting in the wings. Gotta tilt the scales from “totally lesbo” back to “pleasantly bi,” after all.

So many overlapping double-standards — it’s all rather “curious,” isn’t it?

(Photos via Adam Lambert’s Official Site)

On CGAD, you won’t find any MySpace divas trying to score their fifteen minutes of reality TV fame (wazzup, Tila Tequila?) nor will you find outrageous, overblown characters designed to shock and titillate (wazzup, pretty much every reality show contestant ever?). And unlike cattle-call game shows like The Bachelor, CGAD doesn’t pit potential suitors against one another. Each episode focuses on a single individual, treating them with brisk honesty — but with dignity.

My favorite episode profiled Mandy, a beautiful modern dancer who struggled with severe acne and crushing self-doubt. She slept with a stuffed raccoon toy every night, and became spastic and scattered when faced with an attractive woman. After a regime of professional dermatology (for her skin) and martial arts (for her self-confidence), she dove into the dating pool again. This time, she surfaced victoriously. And you can’t help but cheer out loud.

Queer and straight viewers alike will get a kick outta this program — because watching awkward people shed their insecurities and hook up with hotties is AWESOME!

Watch episodes online on the LOGO site, via Netflix’s Watch Instantly service … or, you know, on regular TV. Pssh.

(Photo via LOGO)

{ NOOO!!! }

Attention Jonny McGovern fans!!! I don’t know why I’m telling you this (because true fans are already all-too-aware) but last Tuesday’s podcast episode marked the end of an iTunes era. Gay Pimpin’ with Jonny McGovern is moving from New York City to Los Angeles and shedding two core cast members: Tranny Superstar Linda James and Straightie Martin Beauchamp.

I can’t really imagine Gay Pimpin’ without Linda and Martin — nor can I envision the show without its glamorously gritty NYC backdrop. Who will impersonate 1,000-year old Madonna? Who will spill the latest organic food co-op gossip? What about the check-ins with legendary nightlife diva Kevin Aviance? I have no intention of canceling my donation subscription to the podcast, but it ain’t gonna be the same no mo’. Wah wah wah. Sad trombone face.

{ YESSS!!! }

Cast your nostalgic glances back to Jeffery Self and Cole Escola — co-creators of the smash YouTube sensation The VGL Boys and Logo’s Jeffery & Cole Casserole. Well, Jeffery made a guest appearance on last night’s 30 Rock as Liz Lemon’s gay cousin, and he was HI-larious! I’m always delighted when my favorite underground comedy kids hit the big time. I don’t really believe in the concept of “selling out.” After all — indie cred don’t pay the bills, yo!

{ HMMM … }

Details magazine has a pretty offensive article about the pros and cons of dating an “ex-lesbian,” or “hasbian.” Um, there’s a much less inflammatory term for women who date both men and women. Hint: it’s “bisexual.” Try it out next time you decide to publish a misguided op-ed dating piece, Details.

In other news, there’s a new iPhone app that helps you shop at businesses that support LGBT equality. Cool concept, but I’m so uninterested in “smartphones” that I’m having trouble getting overly excited. Woot, etc. Whatev.

(Photo via Time Out New York)

{ It’s no secret that I’m a major Jonny McGovern fan. But his latest music video — “Bossy Bottom” — made me feel a little squicky. This sexually-charged club hit contains a whole lotta nearly-nekkid dudes, which is certainly not everyone’s cup of Celestial Seasonings. I have to hand it to Mr. McGovern, though — the way he takes a popular music video trope (gaggles of scantily-clad women) and inverts the gender dynamic is fabulously subversive and pretty effin’ brilliant. }

{ If you like moody, atmospheric photographs of queer women (um, yes?) then be sure to peruse this tumblr site. You can thank me later. }

{ More pics, you say? Autostraddle — a “news, entertainment and girl-on-girl culture” site — has a plethora of themed photo galleries with titles like “Hot Girls in Hoodies,” “Hot Girls in Menswear” and “Androgyny Confounds!” Definitely worth a peek. }

{ If you’re into yuri anime, this adorable fan video will warm the cockles of your heart. More of a yaoi type? Try this one instead. }

{ News flash: according to CarnalNation, the owner of the Sherlock Holmes copyright feels the recent Robert Downey Jr. / Jude Law flick is too damn gay, and might revoke permission for a sequel if the film franchise gets any gayer! Oh no she didn’t! Oh yes she did. }

{ Oh looky here — a Holmes / Watson slash fic site. Very nice. Take that, copyright-clutching bitch! }

(Photo via Sapphoria)