This post was submitted by John "Jolly" Bavoso

Well, it’s come to this. The penultimate weekend of Summer 2009. How did that happen? And why am I going to be spending it on a train to and from New York where Hurricane Danny will be waiting to unleash his douchey fury upon me (that was a rhetorical question, but the actual answer is that 40 years ago my parents got hitched – Congrats, Mom and Dad!)? Anyway, for those choosing to stay inside and sulk about the end of the summer season, why not get caught up on your TNG reading?

This week on TNG, in case you missed it…

In Commentary

• Things got off to a serious and enlightening start as reader and repeat contributor J. Clarence Flanders offers some of his Thoughts on Race in the Gay Community.
• Michael took up his pen (or keyboard) to compose a letter to corporate America in his It’s Easy Being Green post. Do you co-sign?
• Michael also called for queers to unite in an opinion piece: Finding the “Unity” in Community
• The Adventures of Boi Wonder introduced us to the under-appreciated world of tobacco shops-as-trans-friendly-space.
• Amelie left her sickbed long enough to once again meet us In the Ladies’ Room, where she created a list of things not to do when one is ill. Got something to add to the list? Do it!
• A call for fellow queer folks was put out by Not Your Average Prom Queen, who’s temporarily in Austin, Texas. Where do you go to be out when you’re out in Austin? Help her out and let her know!
• In the latest edition of The Mother Lode, our new mom-driven advice column, Rocky’s mom Daisy shared some tips with a reader who has come out to his parents, but is having trouble staying out. Got a question for one of our moms? Send them along!

In Music

• The People’s Playlist featured songs that we love to sing along to when we’re drunk. We know you’ve got a favorite to add to the list, so do so! Also, supply your suggestion for next week’s topic while you’re there.
• Object of much queer girl lust, Metric’s Emily Haines, sat down with our own Zack to discuss the band’s latest album and various other topics.
• Long-time TNG friend Rohan debuted his new indie music column, Driveway to Driveway, Drunk, with a post on Jay Reatard. Show his new baby some love!

In Politics/Current Events

• The horrific murder of two trans individuals in DC this week was highlighted – be sure to attend the vigil tonight if you’re able.
  
• Our Global Gaze was turned on issues of gender and why the international queer community and press seem so reluctant to engage with them. Share your thoughts on this thorny subject!
• TNG reader Alexander Vizzi described a new kind of gay activism and political action regarding our country’s criminal justice and penal system in a post entitled Prisoner of Love.
• All the queer news from around the country and the world was collected for your into an easy to use post that we like to call NewsPrints.

In Culture

• Selena got you in the mood for haikus with her LGBT Poets post and then the TNG staff delivered our own takes on the genre about our love lives in this week’s Friday Staff Survey. Share your own with us!
• Speaking of genres, Jack sent them up in flames in his latest installment of Gay Geekery.
• Mike B. submitted his own original non-haiku work of poetry entitled Pig. Check it out!

In Events

• All DC-ites are invited to join us at the Black Cat for this month’s edition of Homo/Sonic, TNG’s own alt-queer dance party!
• We shared other events going down in DC, Salt Lake City, Chicago and Tampa this weekend.

---

First time here? See what we're all about... Get involved... Send us a tip!...

---