Our Favorite Things from 2014!

As the year comes to a close Edugaytion would like to extend a mammoth-sized thank you to all of our kickass readers. Your continued support and help in making our site a hub for the urban LGBT community is much appreciated. This year has been filled with many changes and we promise more exciting developments in the future. But for now get into our 2014 favorite things list we’ve curated especially for you. This is a small token of our appreciation as each of these things are sure to put a smile on your face. Leggo!

Edugaytion Podcast 62: 2014 A Year in Review

Carlos and Johnathan review their favorite things and events from the year 2014!

Author J.K. Rowling responds to Question about LGBTQ+ Students at Hogwarts

Twitter user @claraoswiin asked J.K. Rowling (creator of the Harry Potter series) if she thought there were a lot of LGBTQ people at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, adding:

 "...it's safe to assume that Hogwarts had a variety of people and I like to think it's a safe place for LGBT students." 

The author responded:

I also think that it would be safe to assume that, just like any other school system that involves children in a variety of ages, LGBTQ+ people were bullied by older, meaner students (not mentioning any house names Slytherin...) and that there were also straight allies for the cause. It's a shame this was never explored in any of the seven Harry Potter books, but it is glad to see Rowling's affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community. Not to mention, her response was pretty clever, don't you think? 

HBO's "Looking" Returns for a Second Season

Cuffing season is upon us. And with the cold weather months urging more indoor activity, TV networks are hoping to score your attention with their latest lineups. HBO recently announced its string of shows set to premiere this winter including the return of Looking. Now you may or may not be familiar with the series. The half hour dramedy debuted earlier this year. And while it received critical acclaim, ratings were lukewarm. But trust me when I say, this show is well worth the watch, and perfect for you and your wintertime bae.

What's it all about

Looking follows the lives of three friends living in San Francisco. Last season saw the trio endure several ups and downs as they chased their desires in the all-too-familiar pursuit of happiness. Patrick (Johnathan Groff), the show’s central character, blunders his way through a dicey dating life, ultimately ending in a love triangle with his boss. Agustin (Frankie J. Alvarez), the quintessential free spirit, finds himself unable to commit to a career as an artist, in the throes of a bitter breakup, and eventually homeless. Dom (Murray Bartlett), the eldest of the bunch, begrudgingly celebrates his 40th birthday while rushing to fulfill his dream of opening a restaurant before getting “too old”. Through each triumph and disappointment the comrades offer unwavering support to one another as well as copious amounts of unsolicited advice which makes for great laughs.

Why you should watch

Looking is beautifully shot utilizing the razzle-dazzle of big city locales. It actually resembles an indie film more than a TV show. But aside from great cinematography

10 Day Gay Wedding Package at Historic Japanese Temple!

Jessica Kozuka from Rocket News24 reports on the Shunkoin Temple in Kyoto Japan and their same sex marriage offerings in the still conservative country:

“We welcome every couple regardless of their faith or sexual orientation.”

Established in 1590, Shunkoin Temple follows Zen Buddhism and is an important site for a 20th-century school of thought that blends Zen and Western philosophy. They also take a strong stand on human rights, with their website proudly declaring, “Shunkoin Temple is against any forms of ‘Human Rights Violations’ in the world. No religion teaches how to hate others. Religion teaches how to love and respect others.”

The temple has been offering same sex marriages since 2011, but has only recently been pushing for publicity. 

the temple is working hard to attract overseas couples both through their English website and through a new partnership with queer-friendly hotel Granvia Kyoto and tour operator Out Travel Asia to offer a 10-day wedding package tour.

The wedding package cost

25 Examples of Heterosexual Privilege

Race has always been a hot topic here in the United States. But with recent events such as Ferguson, the film Dear White People, and John Stewart’s viral showdown with Bill O’Riley, talk is hotter than ever. Numerous think-pieces and social commentary have invaded media outlets, particularly on the subject of white privilege. Just in case you've been living under a rock, let me explain the concept. White privilege is the notion that certain advantages and/or immunities have been granted to and enjoyed by white people beyond those extended to all others. Some whites, e.g. Bill O’Riley, dispute the validity of white privilege. Others are, or have been until now, simply unaware. However, if anyone was to take an objective look at the issue, they would have a

I Don't F*ck With You

I recently heard a new song by Big Sean called I Don’t Fuck With You. It’s quite the listen, and has been in constant rotation on my playlist ever since. In the song, Big Sean goes on a post romance rant about moving on after a seemingly nasty break-up. Although the entire song knocks, the hook is what stands out the most. It’s bold, catchy and gets the point across — all the things a hook is supposed to be and do:

I don’t fuck with you
You lil stupid ass bitch, I ain’t fuckin’ with you
You lil, you lil dumb ass bitch, I ain’t fuckin’ with you
I got a million trillion things I’d rather fuckin’ do
Than to be fuckin’ with you, lil stupid ass

I don’t give a fuck, I don’t give a fuck

I don’t, I don’t, I don’t give a fuck
Bitch, I don’t give a fuck about you, or anything that you do
Don’t give a fuck about you, or anything that you do

It sounds better than it reads. But don't take my word, check it out for yourself:

Beneath the bravado (and what some may consider vulgarity) actually lies a pretty empowering sentiment, and would have served as an excellent foundation for a gay anthem. I know, I know, but follow me for a second. All too often gay people find themselves fighting and hankering for acceptance among the general public. That’s all and well when