It is not in any way a bold statement that, in these times especially, there is no shortage of outlets where we can focus our positive energy and action. The world needs love, and it should not matter what that love looks like or what shape it takes. Bluntly put, we have more grievous issues to deal with than attempting to restrict an individual’s right to love whomever they choose. If you do not already get that, watch this simply beautiful new video from 20-year old Australian artist Madison Daniel for her song “Love Is Love,” and then tell me that it does not move you to soften your heart. I’ll wait.
Continue reading Video Clip of The Week: Madison Daniel, “Love Is Love”
Tag Archives: lgbtq
Four Areas of Specialism When Training to Be a Counselor
If you are in the process of qualifying to be a counselor or therapist, it could be that you have had a specialism in mind since you started, and have always wanted to help people with a specific problem you can relate to for personal reasons, or to help a certain group such as children. However, for some people approaching their masters in counseling programs, all they know is that they feel that counseling is the right role for them, and they are not yet sure where they want to apply their skills specifically.
Continue reading Four Areas of Specialism When Training to Be a Counselor
Happy NYC Pride 2016!
Rainbow-illuminated Madison Square Garden photographed by me on Saturday, June 25th at 10:00 PM. Happy Pride to All!
Cobi Moules, New Kid at Lyons Wier Gallery
New Kids in Hell: Jordan, Cobi, Donnie, Joey and Jonathan (All Photos By Gail)
An adoring fan’s childhood dreams of being part of the music group he once worshiped come to life in a most engaging way in Cobi Moules new body of work, New Kid, which opened last week at Lyons Wier Gallery. Working with existing images of the wildly popular early ’90s boy band New Kids on The Block — all taken from his collection of fan magazines, fold-out pin ups and trading cards — Moules has meticulously reproduced photographs of the group — Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, while inserting himself into these contrived poses in place of fifth member Danny Wood. Thus Cobi Moules becomes the New Kid of the New Kids. Genius.
Growing up as a transgender boy, Cobi reveals that his love and admiration for NKOTB involved passionate fantasies of both being them and being with them; especially his favorite New Kid, Jordan. Because let’s face it, Jordan was the uber hottie, for sure.
Let the homoeroticism begin!
How fun is this? I mean, who among those reading this didn’t have crazy childhood fantasies about a band you loved? I know that when I was five years old, my plan was to marry Paul McCartney and join the Beatles. I was five. Obviously that didn’t really work out for me, but that’s all the more reason that seeing Cobi’s adorably ecstatic face peering out from his terrific realist paintings, as he cuddles and cavorts with his favorite childhood band, is secretly thrilling. Because imaginative extrapolation allows the viewer to live through him.
Cobi and Joey
Cobi and Jonathan
There’s also this fun little animated gif!
I especially loved the re-imagined collection of NKOTB Trading Cards!
The one on the right is just insane.
So seriously great.
I spoke with Cobi at the show’s opening reception, and he is a really nice guy, and obviously hugely talented. I will be interested to see what he does next.
Artist Cobi Moules Photographed at the Opening Reception with One of His New Kid Paintings
Clever, original, uniquely hilarious and very, very sweet, Cobi Mueles’ New Kid is our favorite exhibit of 2016 so far!
Cobi Moules’ New Kid will be on Exhibit Through March 5th, 2016 at Lyons Wier Gallery, Located 542 West 24th Street in the Chelsea Gallery District.
Recommended Viewing: Naz & Maalik
Curtiss Cook Jr. and Kerwin Johnson Jr. Star in Naz & Maalik (All Images Courtesy of Wolfe Video)
One day in the life of a pair of Brooklyn teenagers moves beyond their typical routine to mark an emotional turning point in the lives of the two best friends in Naz & Maalik; an engaging new film from screenwriter/director Jay Dockendorf. The film’s dynamic script is based on a first-person account from one of Dockendorf’s former neighbors; a gay Muslim man who revealed his own experience as a teenager living in Brooklyn, at a time when the NYPD and FBI were spying on Muslims across the country.
Continue reading Recommended Viewing: Naz & Maalik