Family, friends, couples, pets, workers, and stars (George Takei!) -- here is the complete day in LGBT America as selected by our staff.
December 13 2013 12:00 PM EST
November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST
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1:11 a.m. "Loving my trans BF -- night out in West Hollywood." -- Tiphany Adams
1:36 a.m. Will Nolan writes from Porter Hall, University of Wisconsin, in Platteville: "Standing next to my very first full-sized Christmas tree that I just put up."
4:15 a.m. Advocate.com Web producer Christopher Harrity walks his demon pugs in Burbank, Calif., before the gym. Then it's off to the office in Westwood.
5:31 a.m. Qualisa Thomas is heading to work while she stays in bed -- the unfairness!
6: 06 a.m. "It was my 39th birthday and we spent a long weekend and a friend's place in Sea Ranch along the Sonoma Coast in CA. I got up early and read through some magazines that had piled up with my dog Enzo." -- Matthew Bajko
6:15 a.m. Jeffrey Hartinger says, "Morning ritual -- fixing my hair at my desk so I don't look crazy."
6:25 a.m. Sarah Blazucki tells us, "We just got back from a two-week trip through Ukraine and Moldova (talking to Peace Corps volunteers in the field, including some LGBT folks). We worked Sunday a.m., spent the afternoon/night sightseeing in Kyiv (including a gay bar), didn't sleep, caught our flight home at 6:25 a.m. 11/11."
6:30 a.m. "Getting a workout in before work ... what can I say? It's a great day." -- Rand Angel
7:15 a.m. Ian Schnaitman is opening up his shop. Time to get to work!
7:26 a.m. George Chris is doing the grocery shopping.
7:26 a.m. Blaine Stewart is anchoring the a.m. news at WTKR TV in Norfolk, Va.
7:29 a.m. H.L. Cherryholmes: "My husband and me headed for the airport."
7:29 a.m. "Always sketching :-) #cartoonist" -- Paige Braddock
7:41 a.m. Katy Blankenhorn said these visitors came in first thing in the morning before leaving for work. "It's hard heading out when these two are still in bed."
7:44 a.m. Mike Spencer is studying his favorite Episcopal resource.
7:47 a.m. "Awaiting the birth of our #twins Friday, if not sooner." -- Travis Mayfield
7:52. a.m. "Kissing my husband on his first day of work after being laid off and unemployed for six months. It marks the end of one of the most difficult times in our 22 years together, with his unemployment, my short-term disability, and mother-in-law coming back home after being in the hospital for two months. Today was also the day we had to put our dog, Misty, down after 14 wonderful years. Would I have changed events if I could? No. What came out of this is strength, deeper love, and a sense of what family truly is."
7:53 a.m. Andrew Garcia is having a slow morning in the lab so far.
8 a.m. "The look I get when I try to make a stupid face." -- Ross Walker Smith
8 a.m. Lucien Hernandez is brushing his teeth.
8:07 a.m. Perez Hilton is in a hairy situation.
8:15 a.m. Kevin Scott's first call of the day in Long Beach, Calif.
8:15 a.m. Katie Simmons-Barth says, "Every morning we ride to work together."
8:16 a.m. Brad McCrea shares his morning kisses.
8:22 a.m. Jennifer Stevens and her partner snuggle after walking across the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time together.
8:37 a.m. Bruce Carter is heading to @24hourfitness with his youngest on the Veterans Day school holiday.
8:44 a.m. "Playful morning with my George Michael a.k.a. "Georgie"in Hollywood,'" sent from ILDK Media.
8:57 a.m. Austin Dean Parks on a cold and gloomy Veterans Day.
9 a.m. Filmmaker GB Hajim in Papaikou, Hawaii, writes, "My son Luka and our cat Calvin cuddle."
9:04 a.m. "11/11 was crazy busy," Leaon Acord tells us, "but here's my #DayInLGBT pic. I was promoting @ODNTTheSeries on the @SheenaMetal."
9:08 a.m Calvon Hinson in High Point, N.C., is enjoying an early morning Veterans Day selfie with his sister. "Wishing I was spending the day with my husband in Houston. Yet happy I get a break from the Army to see my sister."
9:15 a.m. Dean Basilio at home cuddling with Scruffy.
9:17 a.m. Rolla Selbak takes a breakfast break in San Francisco before editing.
9:17 a.m. Andy Miller of The Handsome Father (with his son) writes, " Hanging out on the sofa watching PBS Kids all morning. Must. Get. Out. Of. Pajamas!"
9:25 a.m. Rocking the flannel, working for #LGBT/queer southern media at QNotes.
9:29 a.m. Doug Spearman @ReelingFilmFest in Chicago, working in bed.
9:42 a.m. "Today @MattGorlick and I are going to get everything sorted out for our moving in together!" -- Jason T. Gaffney
9:52 a.m. Jeff Smith writes us from Saint Louis University Hospital, "I have osteoporosis. I've been on treatment for several years. My left hip has to be replaced soon. This pic was the end result after a recent fall."
9:56 a.m. Omar Sharif Jr. says, "Waking up next to my beautiful baby sis! Nothing better than family time."
10 a.m. Morning joe helps Jim Jarrell prep for a day of medical case management.
10 a.m. Rhonda Lee and buddy at the Detroit Run or Dye 5k. "About to run our first 5k."
10:08 a.m. "We are having fun visiting San Francisco. We got frisky in the photo because of the super cool backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge. We took a birthday trip up the coast to Portland but first had a blast in San Francisco for Halloween." --Robbie Johnson
10:11 a.m. Javier Guevara is walking Jr Estuardo in the park.
10:25 a.m. Dominique Morgan is doing that president work for @heartlandpride in Nebraska.
10:26 a.m. "Deciding if I want to put up with tourists and ride the cable car back home. :) " -- Really Rick
10:30 a.m. "Me, at work at Gibbie's Pub & Eatery, Morgantown, W.Va. I'm the only out LGBT person in a staff of approximately 40 employees. However, my co-workers and the owner are not only accepting, but are totally supportive of me and my family. (My better half and I have been together for 14 years, and we have a 13-year-old son.) Pretty amazing for West Virginia! -- Kitchen manager Debra Linder
10:37 a.m. Singer Aiden James waves hello from Okiya Studio in Philadelphia. (Check out his new Christmas single, "Winter in Los Angeles," on iTunes.)
10:47 a.m. Author Christopher Rice asks, "Wait ... what city am I in?" (#dayinlgbt #theheavensrise #booktour)
10: 51 a.m. Sam Martorana writes, "Met up with an old high school GURLfriend. 20 years since we've seen each other!"
10:57 a.m. Christopher Violett says: "Just teching A Christmas Carol for @DutchApple We open Thursday!!"
11 a.m. David Meltzer, Subaru Internet sales manager in Oregon City, Ore., responding to Internet inquiries about new Subarus. "And yes. Nongay people buy them too!"
11 a.m. "Over Georgetown, Texas, flying towards Austin, Texas. I have enjoyed flying as a private pilot for nearly 40 years. I once was part owner of a flight school/aircraft rental business. Flying is my passion. I am a current member of the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA). My partner of three years, and hopefully, my husband, has caught the flying bug after going flying with me. His 'bucket list' is to get his private pilot's license too." -- Alex Galbraith
11:11 a.m. Stan Whittington in Orlando, Fla., writes: "Working on Hoppy, my 1967 Cougar XR7 -- rust, repairs, and weatherstripping/rubber replacement. It's just a regular ol' 'Car Guy' thing."
11:15 a.m.Bridegroom's Shane Bitney Crone is on his way to NYC and D.C. "As you can tell by this photo of Justin, he's not thrilled about it."
11:18 a.m. Nicole lays a kiss on her partner's cheek.
11:30 a.m. "This is what I do three days a week, four hours a day. The good news is it keeps me alive until I can get a cadaver kidney in seven to 12 years or a living donor sooner." -- Mike Knollhoff, in Palm Springs, Calif.
11:30 a.m. Mike Lackovich writes, "Spending time with my bisexual friend and gay rights advocate getting research materials for blogging. I got a whole bunch of books about activist leaders. He is the Bisexual Liaison for StonewallAGAIN. We are looking to be inclusive. My book selection included a trans history book. I need to learn a lot."
11:36 a.m. "A wonderful morning with a beautiful guy @ElishaMarrs." -- Lee Vaughn
11:40 a.m. "Me doing some drawing which makes me happy with my iPad, and keeping in touch with the world." -- Jeames Granger
11:48 a.m. "The day before my 15 years of service as teaching faculty ended, my colleague Alice Yafeh-Deigh, a postcolonial biblical scholar from Cameroon, hugged me in support as our student Susan Van Bemden snapped a cellphone pic. Love and community prevail even in times of conflict." -- H. Adam Ackley
11:50 a.m. Lucas Silveira of the Cliks, on tour somewhere between Denver and Nebraska. Refueling.
11:59 a.m. Melanie Austin says, "Having a partner in crime at work makes a day so much better. Love my colleagues."
12 p.m. "We are students at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies. We wanted to show America that although we are all going to school in a country where you can go to jail for up to 10 years for being gay, we are all still standing strong and proud. We have come together to break down barriers and show the world that just because were gay and just because there is still hatred in the world, that we can be a part of the solution. We do not stand down, we have all risen above to go after our dreams and continue to be who we are. Thank you for letting us have the opportunity to be a part of The Advocate."
12:10 p.m. Libby Walters is getting ready to face her adoring public while conducting trains on the LIRR.
12:18 p.m. John Scholl is having lunch and hanging with his puppy.
12:25 p.m. "We have a lot of #dayinlgbt pics to share! Just some peeps playing #pingpong. Nothing scary here!" -- Sent from SAGE USA
12:30 p.m. Ren Sanz and furry companion help his husband get ready for work in San Francisco.
12:41 p.m. "At 20, I read the quote on my wall thinking of all the possibilities that I can now have by remembering our history of the LGBT+ community. As an advocate for LGBT+ people -- yes, we are all just people -- I have been fortunate enough to be called a hero by many youth in our community. It is a rewarding experience to know that every night I go to sleep with a smile on my face to know that I've been able to make a difference in at least one person's life. An advocate's job is never done, and this is where the ideas spur." -- Justin Kamimoto, in Clovis, Calif.
1:15 p.m. " After a great day wondering around the San Francisco Zoo, Jared, Cara, and I took a moment near the entrance to take a great family photo." -- Jonathan O'Dell
1:24 p.m. Samantha Davis is just taking selfies with her puppy instead of doing her homework.
1:30 p.m. "Walking down the aisle w/ @RoccoShields on set of #MarriageEquality @SHE_4_ME PSA" -- Nicole Conn
1:45 p.m. "Part of my everyday life, in addition to the sit-at-desk data part, sometimes I get to strap on safety glasses and cut brass." -- Key maker Burley Thomas
1:48 p.m. Thomas A. Robichaux is working on an "urgent" property sale agreement.
1:52 p.m. Eric S. Carpenter, @supercinoman, and their baby macaw Sisko having a nice lunch.
1 p.m. "Holding a photo of my 92-year-old WWII Merchant Marine combat veteran torpedoing survivor dad over my heart. Remembering what it means to be a military warrior on his watch and a human rights spiritual warrior on mine. And how such duties both are connected." -- Matthew Bessell, Long Island, New York
2 p.m. Kaylay Nickens says it's just a typical day of instrumentation at Tennessee State University Dental Hygiene Clinic, Nashville.
2:08 p.m. In Memphis Tenn., magician Nick Toombs showing his magic top hat "empty" at a kid's birthday party.
2:22 p.m. Casey Andrew Perkins at his desk before starting a day of work at the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia Inc.
2:24 p.m. In Glendale, Nev., Armani Ronaldo coming home from camping at Zion National Park on his Kawasaki Ninja 300 motorcycle.
2:30 p.m. George Takei plays a video game with Felicia Day as they shoot an episode of her YouTube series, Co-Optitude, in the garage of her Los Angeles residence.
2:30 p.m. Jennifer Zondervan maried the love of her life in Oahu.
2:40 p.m. "A pause in the day during the busy season of coordinating faculty travel. Now get back to class and continue being the amazing force for change that is the life of college students!" -- Laura Brown, department secretary at the University of Michigan, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
3:08 p.m. Ambassador David Huebner is working in his office, another #dayinLGBT.
3:15 p.m. In Seaside Heights, N.J., Kevin and Don Norte camp it up as "friends of Dorothy" as they pose for a photo at Lucky Leo's on the Boardwalk. The couple, from Los Angeles, fell in love at the Jersey Shore when they were 16, and returned to visit family and friends and to help keep JERSEY STRONG and celebrate marriage equality in the Garden State.
3:16 p.m. Anthony Cuevas and his partner celebrate their seven-year wedding anniversary!
3:20 p.m. Jack Giles in Seattle sends a picture of his husband raking the leaves in the front yard.
3:25 p.m. Omy Keyes's girlfriend, Brady, plays with our new kitten, Panini, on the couch at home in Tempe, Ariz.
3:27 p.m. Ryan Moore is enjoying a sundae on National Sundae Day!
3:30 p.m. Chad Thompson and his partner hanging with his boyfriend as he looks out the window at the rail system while staying at the Ibis Hotel in Amsterdam.
3:30 p.m. "Oklahoma, pushing the Gay Agenda ... or just raking the leaves with my husband." -- Barry Hensley writes from Tulsa
3:32 p.m. Wolfe marketing VP, @JenniOlson, hard at work promoting great #LGBT movies in San Francisco!
3:33 p.m. Ryan Deleon leaves work and it's dark outside. #Nordstrom
3:55 p.m. In Beacon Hill, Seattle, Chris Cochran (left) and his 83-year-old father, Don, repair a bush hedger. Photos sent in by Gary Higashi.
4:00 p.m. "Having a fun day at Kennywood Amusement Park in Pittsburgh with co-worker Tara Wise and others." -- Paul Senules
4:10 p.m. Amanda Scherer went for an afternoon hike with a friend on a trail in St. Paul, Minn. "Chilly but sunny!"
4:10 p.m. J. Leo Sadukas writes from Clearwater, Fla., "My husband, Mel Orange, and me with our conure parrot Bingo. We were married in NYC this past July after 35 years together."
4:14 p.m. Jess Degrasse and her love of 7+ years.
4:15 p.m. Scientist Rae Stegall and partner in Austin relax after work with their pet chickens.
4:27 p.m. "Today is my 22nd birthday! I'm studying for exams coming up in my digital signal analysis and seismic data processing classes here at the Colorado School of Mines. Just one more semester until I get my B.S. degree in Geophysical Engineering. Then off to grad school to get my Ph.D. in Earthquake Seismology. First, though, birthday dinner tonight in Denver with my partner, Calin!" -- Ian Stone
4:40 p.m. Joshua Casul got to work 15 minutes early with his cousin, so they started taking pictures before starting the workday.
4:42 p.m. Julie Corkin writes, "Shock horror ... coffee and cake"
4:42 p.m. Heidi Welchel holds on to her baby while she's still a baby.
5:00 p.m. Fred Holt is analyzing a small data set and signal processing in hopes of earning a Ph.D.
5:05 p.m. Ian Schnaitman expresses the nightly discussion: "I'll cook dinner. No. I'll cook dinner."
5:15 p.m. Melissa Downs and her partner on the way to a nice dinner.
5:24 p.m. In Washington, D.C., Joe Izzo, psychotherapist at Whitman-Walker Health, counsels his sixth patient of the day. Izzo has been an employee at Whitman-Walker for 27 years. Photo submitted by Chip Lewis.
5:30 p.m. Carolyn Fabian is home from work and celebrating the end of a 12-hour day and her spouse's birthday in Elgin, Ill.
5:30 p.m. Jennifer Chong in Charlotte, N.C., says, "Love is love! One love!"
5:40 p.m. In Atlanta, Chad Darnell has a phone meeting about his upcoming film X-Rated.
5:41 p.m. "Para mi diario es un #DayinLGBT" -- Rodrigo Floriano
5:43 p.m. Arthur Garcia is watching The Voice.
5:45 p.m. Dave sends us this pic of family dinner time.
5:47 p.m. Josh Manky gets all hatchety in Target.
5:54 p.m. Enrique Torre Molina and partner out for dinner.
5:55 p.m. Dave's hubby @jguinn03 giving him a haircut before the big meeting tomorrow.
6 p.m. Theatre professor John DeBoer sends us a selfie he made while they were shooting publicity photos for the production of Angels in America he is directing at the University of Montana. Also pictured are students Sam Williamson and Trevor Pressler.
6:09 p.m. Dean Cummer and Mark O'Neill of Toronto on the eve of their 20th anniversary in Philadelphiaa.
6:11 p.m. "It's my 69th Birthday!" -- Gail Schlesinger, Elgin, Ill.
6:13 p.m. Kenny Wong writes, "I sit down to read my book and this is what she does. ... Hah! Never a moment alone with her around but still I love her."
6:14 p.m. Jessiaca's wife, holding their daughter up to meet Jessica's grandfather, her great-grandfather.
6:16 p.m. John Corvino, with a little light reading.
6:22 p.m. Kevin Palmer and his partner, Frank Schneider at the Reeling LGBTQ Film Festival in Chicago at Sidetrack. They sang along to Victor/Victoria with Bruce Vilanch!
6:23 p.m. Jack Coleman is working the late shift.
6:30 p.m. In Alabama, Lacey Paoletto is getting in the Christmas spirit tonight by looking at decorations. Two weeks from today they will be traveling to Maryland to get legally married! Says Lacey: "She is the best gift I have ever received!"
6:30 p.m. Nick Vielhauer is studying for his first semester of graduate school in Denver.
6:33 p.m. Lueking Knabe and date at the Pink concert.
6:42 p.m. Alice Duffy went to school, had musical practice, came home, now to sleep :)
6:42 p.m. Wade Comeaux takes in an evening game.
6:45 p.m. Jeannie DiClementi reads a bedtime story.
6:46 p.m. Gay Men's Chorus LA @GMCLA, and the mayor of Oxford, Ohio, declares It Gets Better Week. @GMCLA #itgetsbettertour
7:05 p.m. "A shot, of a shot, of us together. I am home studying, and he is off to class. He is, we are, each other's everything. 771 days ago he entered my life, and has never left. I went from me, to us, and I love every second of it. We are more than partners; we are simply each other's best friend. He is my definition of love! He was my missing piece." -- Christopher Ackley in Philadelphia
7:15 p.m. "In this photo, I am making phone calls for a queer-themed short film I am making called Speak in Rounds. I had just found out that an actor I had cast decided to drop out of a role, only a week before we are supposed to start shooting. This is after a year of planning, of which included many calls and emails to recruit actors. Having exhausted all my other resources, today I took to calling friends to see if anyone knew of someone who could act on short notice. I have had an especially difficult time making this film due to its gay themes." -- Jeffrey Cote, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Wash.
7:15 p.m. Mark Andersen writes from the International Artists Recording Studio: "Just finished recording a new CD album of original music for harp to commemorate my marriage, our love, and the fact that in this day and age we can openly love one another."
7:20 p.m. Waymon Hudson writes, "My husband @LawProfAnt, Assoc Dean of @JMLSChicago, representing the Vet's Clinic at @chicagobulls game!"
7:21 p.m. Alina Langolf + Pet = Selfpettie
7:30 p.m. Julie Christiansen in Whitewater, Wis. Monday night poker faces with the neighbors!
7:40 p.m. Michael Matson writes: "Spend most days in bed, but was joined today by the @BrookeShields doll (she's so pro-gay)."
7:46 p.m. Jon Z writes: "My boyfriend and I just got back together today after a three-month breakup. I'm so happy:)"
7:47 p.m. David Perez and partner in a birthday dinner pic.
7:49 p.m. "Playing #jenga while waiting for our table" -- Brian Zavala
7:57 p.m. Just another #dayinlgbt with the first tenors of the #DaytonGayMensChorus. #snap! Practicing their moves.
8p.m. Douglas Pawson and his husband were at a bachelorette party in Hamilton, Ontario, for a friend who is getting married this weekend.
8:02 p.m. Amy Milligan is hanging out with the students in her Queer Theory class.
8:10 p.m. Teri Kwant Talley sends us this from the KittyCam.
8:26 p.m. Julie Girard and her partner, and cat, after dinner, settling in to watch the news.
8:23 p.m. Laurel writes, "Dinner with the cast of It Gets Better was amazing. I'm definitely never going to forget this:)"
8:30 p.m. Professional dog walker Daniel Lilly at Little Rock River Market District, Little Rock, Ark.
8:30 p.m. "We ended our wonderful date night at Starbucks." -- Iesha McNair
8:40 p.m. "He gave me a piggy back ride." -- Dan Mallow
8:43 p.m. Cory Blake is uploading his next vid, guys!
8:59 p.m. Natalia Zuckerman writes, "Bag still unpacked and writing a new song. Gotta listen when it calls."
9 p.m. From Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland, Texas, Mark Cross writes: "I'm a bisexual truck driver with mild Asperger's syndrome in the West Texas oilfield. I am a former teacher of 12 years. I am a keen observer and I think a lot about how to help LGBT people improve their lives. I took my friend Victoria to work tonight, and in return she snapped a few pictures of me."
9:02 p.m. Michael J.D Braccoh had a blast today. #SweetEnding #birthdaycelebration
9:05 p.m. Jimmy Nguyen cooked dinner at home with boyfriend Neil for a quiet Monday night.
9:06 p.m. Sergio Velasquez writes, "Finishing off the day watching a movie with my handsome partner. I love him so much."
9:10 p.m. Creative director Rachel Rosenthal in Tampa, Fla., writes: "Like most evenings I am checking my Tumblr blog. Tonight I'm reading comments about a selfie I just posted in a convertible with the top down. This photo is me in the pic submitted here. While it seems like a mundane photo, it's very significant to me. It's been one year since I came out to my family, friends, and coworkers as transgender. Missing an active, visible trans* community, during this sometimes lonely and painful year I found support and inspiration with online communities. I found happy, confident young trans folk who inspired me. I am eternally grateful for this, one year later, I am more confident and comfortable living my truth. In the photo seen here in my Tumblr page I had just left friends and was taking the long way home to savor the moment out and open in the beautiful Tampa night."
9:15 p.m. Cocoa with brandy, cookies, fireplace, and the doggie (who looks very focused on those cookies). Perfect #dayinlgbt
9:22 p.m. Peter Criswell sends a photo of Charles Beale rehearsing the men of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus at P.S. 41 Greenwich Village School in New York City for their upcoming holiday concert.
9:34 p.m. Ted Timboy went to Hooters ("Yes, we did") to have chicken wings before dropping a friend off at work.
9:35 p.m. "In our home, Rockford Ill., my partner, Gary, and our grandson Kaiden at the end of the day. Kaiden lives with us and his mother. The three of us are raising him. He calls us both his Pop Pops. He does not know that we are a gay couple. We are just his Pop Pops." -- Matthew Fields
9:40 p.m. Krissy McGuire gives her partner all her love in Royal Oak, Mich.
9:45 p.m. Pam Sunderbuck's wife rescues "yet another lost doggie."
9:47 p.m. Cameron Thrower: "At Homo Depot!"
10 p.m. Kevin Ramirez-Hinson in his bedroom: "One year ago, I submitted a photo for a Day in Gay America as an undergraduate nervous about what to do after college. Today, I work as an R&D chemist in the oil & gas industry, and although I can't show you-all where I work (for confidentiality reasons). I can show you-all what an off duty chemist looks like!! So here I am, watching TV under a picture of my Army veteran husband and me. Happy Veterans Day, Cpl. Hinson. I love you, hubby bear!"
10:10 p.m. Robert Porco cuddles with his most loyal companion, Rosie Lola, in High Park, Toronto.
10:11 p.m. Matt Baume writes: "Here's a shot I took of some gays and straight allies signing together at Musical Mondays, a weekly musical-theater-themed party at Eleven Nightclub in West Hollywood hosted by Ryan LaConnor. In this shot, the participants are performing songs from Little Shop of Horrors live, as the movie plays on screens around the bar."
10:43 p.m. Sandra Phillips is studying her lines.
10:48 p.m. Jim Reeves, 911 operator, pauses between emergencies.
11:30 p.m. "Energy to help with some online training :)" -- Heather Davis
11:40 p.m. Travis Mayfield and company await the arrival of their twins.
Viral post saying Republicans 'have two daddies now' has MAGA hot and bothered