“Apple made a wise and responsible decision to dump an offensive app that demonized gay and lesbian people,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “The real winners today are LGBT youth who are safer and less at risk for receiving Exodus’ malice and misinformation.”

“We’re thrilled that Apple has removed this ‘gay cure’ app from the iTunes store after more than 146,000 people signed this petition,” said Mike Jones, Editor at Change.org, the platform used by Truth Wins Out to launch the petition. “The message Apple is sending here is clear: there is no place for ‘ex-gay therapy’ on the Apple platform.”

Exodus’ app was not only offensive, but it relied on twisting legitimate research in its effort to dehumanize LGBT people. For example, Gary Remafedi, a researcher from the University of Minnesota, asked Apple earlier in the week to remove Exodus International’s app from its online store because he claimed it grossly distorted his work.

Apple’s move to drop the app brings it in line with every respected mental health organization in the nation. The American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and American Counseling Association have all rejected “ex-gay” therapy, saying that it can result in serious harm to the mental health of its victims.

“This is not a question of free speech, but of stopping a virulently anti-gay organization from peddling false speech at the expense of vulnerable LGBT youth,” said John Becker, Truth Wins Out’s Director of Communications and Development. “Exodus may pose as the victim, but they are a victimizer that has left a trail of shattered lives and broken families. We are grateful that Exodus has lost at least one platform with which to disperse its dangerous message.”

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism and the “ex-gay” myth. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.

Change.org is the world’s fastest growing platform for social change, with more than 3 million readers a month. Change.org provides daily news and information about important social issues and empowers people to take action.

Launched as Fabulis.com seven months ago, the renamed and newly expanded Fab.com:

• Now has more than 110,000 members with 40% logging in at least 10 times per month, 25% visiting more than 50 times per month, and upwards of 5,000 new users joining on a weekly basis.
• Just introduced the largest worldwide directory of gay-friendly places with accompanying rankings, reviews, tips and photo uploads, complementing the site’s interactive profiles and extensive database of gay-relevant events.
• Offers a full-featured iPhone app including the ability to check in, identify your current location, name the people you’re with, upload images, rate places, provide tips, and perform all other functions available from the Web.
• Just closed the first $1.75 million Series A financing with investors including First Round Capital, The Washington Post Company, Baroda Ventures, and Zelkova Ventures, adding to an earlier $1.25 million in angel financing.

“Before Fab.com, people thought of gay social networks as dating sites. Fab has a completely different mission,” said founder and CEO Jason Goldberg. “We help gay men meet new friends anywhere in the world, find places to go and things to do that suit gay tastes, share their experiences through reviews and rankings, and in general expand their social circle in a way that fits the gay social graph.”

Passport to the Gay World

Goldberg, a serial entrepreneur who previously founded the social news site Socialmedian that was sold to XING AG in 2009 as well as the employment website Jobster, was inspired to create Fab after encountering difficulty in finding gay-centric online recommendations while working in Europe.

He set out to fill the void with a new platform that would serve as a central clearinghouse of gay-oriented activities and destinations as well as providing a safe forum for gay conversation removed from Facebook communications with family and co-workers.

In a unique approach to promoting member interaction, Fab builds user profiles by adding content based on the member’s check-ins and answers to questions posed by other users – whether they know each other or not. The site currently handles more than 15,000 user-answers to questions every day, essentially hosting dozens of freeform conversations that help “Fabbits” get to know each other as well as exchange advice on navigating the gay environment.

Users can check in directly on Fab or import their Facebook check-ins, search for gay-oriented events by city and date, filter those searches by Fab followers if desired, and view lists of top-ranked Fab people, cities and tags (e.g. writer, activist, gamer, foodie, musician, blogger, etc.) to quickly zero in on people with common interests.

With the new Fab Places feature, members can also browse a database of more than 50,000 gay-rated locations in categories ranging from travel, food, nightlife and bed and breakfasts to arts, shopping, buildings and outdoors – complete with comments that meet gay needs in a way that reviews like those on TripAdvisor and Yelp cannot.

“If you’re going to Boston next week and you post that on your Facebook wall, it’s not going to help you when you get there. With Fab, you can find out what events are going on in Boston, who’s going to be there, arrange to meet, and research gay-friendly hotels and restaurants – all in one place,” said Bradford Shellhammer, co-founder and chief creative officer. “Facebook still helps you communicate with your current friends, but Fab gives you a whole new channel for expanding your horizons and connecting with the gay community wherever you go.”

What could be more fab than that?

About Fab.com

Fab.com – the fun way to discover the gay world – is the definitive resource for gay men, helping them find “fab” places to go, things to do and people to meet. Fab’s website and mobile applications provide instant access to the largest global index to gay-centric places and events, unique interactive profiles that assist in making new friends, and other features that quickly connect members to the best of gay life. The company is headquartered in New York and has development operations in Pune, India and Deinze, Belgium.

Photo Credit: Sue Cassidy

Hey girls and boys!  So a couple months back I over heard this 5’10″, 155lbs, auburn, hazel eyed man talk about this thing called Down Tag and it intrigued me.  For those of you all who know me when I’m intrigued I must know more!!  So sure maybe it was those hazel eyes that first caught my attention (but damn he’s straight!!) but I was really interested in this product that he created to save lives.    You know Lady V is all about making a difference and saving lives!   So I finally womaned up to ask Shane for an interview. Without hesitation Shane agreed and invited me over his place.  I would meet with him at his home for the interview making sure that I do not get excited whilst looking into his face.

Upon arriving to his place in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, I was taken aback by the attention to detail. Envision myself and Shane in a cozy room with intimate lighting, a bouquet of white Casa Blanca Lilies, champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and lush, fluffy pillows on the living room floor.   Shane was a true gentleman as he looked deep into my eyes and says,“Are you ready Lady VaJayJay?”    My heart skipped then stopped several beats as I gracefully looked at Shane and asked in a womanly deep tone of voice, “Ready for what?” he replied with a hint of a smile,“ For the interview.”   (Ahhh snap…back to reality!!)

I took a deep breath and started with my intimate interview with Shane.

Lady V: What’s your full name?

MSH: “My full name is Michael Shane Hill, although starting back in high school, I’ve been going by my middle name…so Shane will do.”

Lady V: What is it that you do for a living?

MSH: “For about 10 months now, Downtag encompasses and drives everything I do. Most recently though, prior to Downtag, I was the Director of Operations for The Babb Group (www.TheBabbGroup.com) for the past three years.”

Lady V: What is Downtag?

MSH: “Downtag is the culmination of my passion for helping people and years of riding motorcycles.”

Lady V: How does Downtag actually help someone?

MSH: “Downtag, for all sakes and purposes, is a guardian angel that watches over you and steps in to help in case of an emergency. Whether you are journeying alone or traveling with a group of friends, should you find yourself in a life threatening emergency, the Downtag system is setup to not only recognize that situation but initiate the response of first responders like Police, Fire, and EMS to your location. A secondary and tertiary result of the system is that the medical personnel at the hospital will be able to access your pertinent medical information within the golden hour and our dispatchers will be able to contact you emergency contacts, allowing them to meet you at the hospital much sooner than with current available methods.”

Lady V: What’s the Golden Hour you just mentioned?

MSH: “The Golden Hour is defined as the time period of one hour in which the lives of a majority of critically injured trauma patients can be saved if definitive surgical intervention is provided. Only 60 minutes from the moment of injury to notify the police; dispatch an ambulance to the scene; transport the victim to a hospital; summon the appropriate surgical and support staff; and perform the necessary life-saving surgery. From an EMS standpoint, those 60 minutes pass very quickly. Time is, literally, of the essence!”

Lady V: Who are Downtag’s customers?

MSH: “Downtag’s current target clientele is motorcyclists, although literally anyone can benefit from the services Downtag will offer. Whether you are a backpacker, mountain climber, motorcyclist, or just your “average joe”, Downtag will make your life safer.”

Lady V: Why focus on motorcyclists and not backpackers?

MSH: “The reason for singling out motorcyclists for our launch is twofold; launching a new business is easier when you can target a single demographic and, as a daily motorcycle rider, I know the market and understand the need for such a product and service as Downtag.”

Lady V: What is the coverage area for Downtag?

MSH: “Downtag will initially only be available within the United States, although I already have emails coming in requesting we scale the coverage to the international level. Motorcyclists from Canada, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Australia have written in pleading that I bring Downtag to their areas right away, which will obviously happen the minute the business supports such a move.”

Lady V: How did you come up with the name?

MSH: “The term ‘went down’ is often used as a way of saying that a motorcyclist was involved in an accident. As unoriginal as the name may be, ‘Downtag’ is the tag that may save your life, should you ‘go down’.”

Lady V: What inspired you to do this?

MSH: “Due to the downed economy, a business partner and I were selling off a handful of investment properties in Arizona late last year. To facilitate the sales, I was literally living in both Arizona and California for about six months. This living situation required me to travel back and forth between Orange County and Mohave Valley, AZ, sometimes up to three times per week. I made the trip, every time, on my motorcycle. To cut down on traffic and construction delays on the interstate, I almost always made the trip in the middle of the night. Riding alone, in the dark, on desolate highways brings with it a very eerie feeling and lots of time to contemplate “what would happen if I crashed right now”. After searching for a product that would allow EMS workers to access my medical history and a tracking service so I wouldn’t “be alone” on my trips, I found that there isn’t a single product/service out there that allows for this. Necessity being the mother of invention, I decided that I’d step up to the plate. Granted, the original idea stemmed from a selfish need; but after doing market research, I found out that I’m not the only person out there that has wanted this problem solved. I’ve had everything from backpackers to scuba divers to motorcyclists to single parents that want to sign up as soon as we are operational.”

Lady V: How long did it take you to manufacture the product?

MSH: “Well, there isn’t a product quite yet. We’re still looking for funding to launch. The tag itself will be laser etched in-house and takes about 60 seconds to manufacturer. The tag, of course, being one small piece of the much bigger whole that is Downtag.”

Lady V: If I get lost and if I had this tag on, would you come and rescue me?

MSH: “If I was the closest emergency responder to you, absolutely!”

Lady V: What is your mission with Downtag?

MSH: “In short, to save lives. As broad and undirected as that may sound, that is exactly what Downtag boils down to – a product and combination of services that will allow people to enjoy their life with the peace of mind that should something happen, they won’t be alone, even if there is nobody around them when the situations takes a turn for the worse.”

Lady V: I’ve done some research and saw that you have applied to win some funds to launch Downtag. How is it coming along?

MSH: “Ah, you must be referring to the Pepsi Refresh Project. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the contest. Although the idea that Pepsi came up with is a novel one, it’s near impossible for the “little guy” to compete against the larger companies and organizations that are vying for the same grant. No matter how well received Downtag has been, it’s a near impossible fight for a single guy like myself to go up against entire cities, county school districts, or nationwide non-profit organizations. That didn’t stop me from trying, however; I knew what I was up against when I signed up. I’m considering not winning the grant as “part of the journey” and not necessarily a loss or hurdle that I had to overcome.”

Lady V: How can the community as a whole be of help to you in launching your product nation/worldwide?

MSH: “Imagine a racehorse, well trained, knowing what needs to be done, anxiously waiting in the gates, ready for door to open so it can take off down the track and blow the competition away. I am that horse! What’s needed to get that gate open is the funding to launch, which I am fighting against the current economy to find. If anyone out there would be interested in making a substantial return on their investment and wouldn’t mind helping me save some lives, I’d love to hear from them. Even just helping me connect to a potential investor or investment group would be an answer to many prayers!”

Lady V: What other potential uses is Downtag capable of?

MSH: “That’s a great question. Although a majority of future Downtag clients will undoubtedly be people who enjoy extreme activities, like riding motorcycles or mountain climbing, another group that would find tremendous benefit would be children and their parents. Without question, with today’s available technology, the traditional identification bracelets that are still sold in elementary schools are a bit dated; and dare I say ,even obsolete. Downtag carries the potential of revolutionizing what is considered standard identification for school age children. As an ex-latchkey child myself, I know what it means to be that child walking to or from school, alone, without any real identification, wondering how long it would take for an adult to contact my mother should something happen to me…wondering how they would even know who my mother was.”

Lady V: Does Downtag come blinged out or in variety of colors?

MSH: “The physical tag, again, being one piece of the full puzzle that is Downtag, will be available in various colors. I’m even entertaining the potential of having the option for gold, silver, and platinum tags, for those who want to be safe without giving up style.”

Lady V: What is the cost to the your customers going to be?

MSH: “Well, without being operational, I can only speculate as to how much this is going to cost the consumer. What I can tell you is that the cost will be considerably less than what most people spend a year on their Auto Club membership or even Starbucks, for that matter, and will carry a considerable amount of benefits beyond just towing your car or helping you stay awake for an additional couple of hours. Also, a goal of mine is to get motorcycle insurance companies to help mitigate the cost to the consumer by providing each person with a discount on their yearly premiums, equal to or greater than the out of pocket cost for a Downtag membership. In theory, if I can get companies like Geico and Progressive to provide a $60 per year discount on your premiums and our membership costs $60 per year, you’re not paying anything. If Downtag costs $40 per year, you’re saving $20 every year and are considerably safer than you would be without Downtag.”

Lady V: Is Downtag currently a product and service available to the public?

MSH: “Not yet, unfortunately. Once I am able to secure funding to launch, it will take about 90 days to get all of our systems developed, the dispatch center operational, have all of the security measures put into place, etcetera before we will be officially ‘open for business’.”

Lady V: How do we go about ordering them?

MSH: “Once we are up and running, the quickest way to sign up will be by visiting our website, www.TheDowntag.com. There isn’t much need for a physical store for a product and service like Downtag, so online, mail order, and phone orders will be the primary methods of signing up. We are accepting pre-orders at this time.”

Lady V: Alright enough of the strawberries are hitting me now! Let’s get into some real Q&A!

MSH: “Strawberries? I love strawberries! Wait, we are talking about the fruit, right?” [laughing]

Lady V: What are your stats?

MSH: “Stats? Wow, this interview is taking me back to the days of AOL chat rooms. I’m 28, going on 45, 5’10” and 155 lbs., with auburn hair and hazel eyes.”

Lady V: Are you single?

MSH: “Currently I am single, if we’re talking about another physical person being in my life. I don’t know if my mistress, Downtag, would allow me the time to actually go out and date anyone though.”

Lady V: Why are you stalking me so much?

MSH: “How am I supposed to keep you safe if I don’t keep my eye on you?” [laughs out loud]

Lady V: Anything else you would like to add?

MSH: “Outside of badly needing to find investors to turn a life saving idea into a life saving reality, as a shameless plug for a pet project that I started, I am heading a walk-a-thon team for Autism Speaks. Your readers can learn all about it by visiting www.BlakesWarriors.com.”

My closing remarks about this interview is that I wished I was at his house and he was feeding me strawberries. Oh well that’s why it’s The World According to Lady VaJayJay.   Please make sure to look Shane up and see watch for the upcoming release of the DownTag product!  Who doesn’t love a guy trying to save lives….

Just as with other versions, Grindr for iPad utilizes GPS and other technologies to allow users to locate gay, bi, or curious men nearby, view profiles and photos, and instantly connect via chat. However, with Grindr for iPad, the experience of making those connections between users has been optimized to take full advantage of the iPad.

Thanks to iPad’s sharp, 9.7-inch, LED-backlit screen and ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angle, images of Grindr users can now be displayed in crisp, crystal clear color. Similarly, because the detail information in user profiles is no longer superimposed over user images, but is instead listed below the profile photo in much larger type than has been seen in any other version of Grindr, users can review profiles with greater clarity. And, best of all, when users double tap on a profile image, it is now magnified to nearly the full size of the iPad screen. Grindr for iPad also allows users to seamlessly sync profiles and favorites with other Grindr compatible smartphones and jump back and forth between their iPad, iPod and iPhone devices. All of these enhancements taken together not only optimize the look and feel of Grindr, but also markedly improve the overall quality of user interaction.

“We are extremely excited about the release of Grindr for iPad,” says Joel Simkhai, founder and CEO of Grindr. “This new version truly takes the Grindr experience to the next level for iPad users and launching it is in keeping with both our commitment to staying in step with the latest trends in technology as well as our ultimate goal of making our social networking service as widely available to as many users around the world as possible.”

Grindr for iPad is available as a free download on iTunes and on www.grindr.com/ipad. Users can also opt for Grindr X(tra), an ad-free premium subscription service that allows viewing of more user profiles in addition to other added features for $2.99/month.

Currently, Grindr is available on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and will be available soon on the following Blackberry models: Curve 8300, Curve 8310, Curve 8320, Curve 8330, Curve 8330m, Curve 8350i, Curve 8520, Curve 8530, Curve 8900, Bold 9000, Tour 9630, Bold 9650, Bold 9700.

For more information, visit www.Grindr.com

The application employs a patent-pending method that uses the device’s Bluetooth radio to broadcast a special signal that can be picked up by other nearby users with a similarly-equipped device. The end result turns your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch into an actual “gaydar detector” with a range of up to 100 feet.

“What gay man hasn’t at one time thought, ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be great if there was some kind of gaydar detector that would tell you if someone was gay or not’,” says Oscar Flemming, lead developer at ACME AtronOmatic. “With this app in your pocket, you can have exactly that.”

The free application, now available on the iTunes App Store, allows users to create a public profile along with a photo. Then, in order to use the gaydar feature, the user starts the app, turns on their “gaydar beacon”, and places the device in their pocket. Whenever they walk within range of another user also running the app, the device will “ping” or vibrate (depending on the device’s volume settings) to let you know that another gay person is nearby. A quick check of the display shows the profile of the user (or users) in range.

“It’s perfect for those occasions when you’re out in a public setting, say a gym, or a grocery store, a concert … or even a subway, and you want to know if anyone else nearby is playing for your team,” says Flemming. “Want to know if that hot guy you just passed in the airport is gay? Break out your Bandana!”

The application can function in areas without Internet connectivity; any contacts made with the Bluetooth radio are stored offline, and can be reviewed later when the network is available. This allows the device to function in places like a subway or other location where Internet access is not available.

Aside from the gaydar feature, the app also supports profile browsing and private one-on-one chatting commonly found in other gay-oriented apps. Users can further customize their profile by selecting “interests”, allowing users to search for profiles based on matching interests.

The app also has a “confirmed gay” feature, allowing users to configure privacy settings such that their gaydar signal is only detectable by other “confirmed gay” users. In order to become a “confirmed gay” user, you must be approved by an already-existing “confirmed gay” user.

To download the app visit netbandana.com.

“The introduction of Kevin is just about keeping the world of Archie Comics current and inclusive. Archie’s hometown of Riverdale has always been a safe world for everyone. It just makes sense to have an openly gay character in Archie comic books,” stated Archie Comics Co- CEO, Jon Goldwater.

VERONICA #202 features the full-issue story, “Isn’t it Bromantic?” that introduces Kevin, Archie Comics’ first openly gay character. Kevin Keller is the new hunk in town and Veronica just has to have him. After Kevin defeats Jughead in a burger eating contest at Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe, she desperately latches onto him. Mayhem and hilarity ensue as Kevin desperately attempts to let Veronica down easy and her flirtations only become increasingly persistent.

In addition to the new ongoing achievements at Archie Comics–the #4 iPad book app and most downloaded comics on iTunes, the launch of Stan Lee Comics, Archie’s Red Circle superheroes at DC, and exciting new partnerships with Abrams, Dark Horse and IDW–the introduction of Kevin as an openly gay character is part of the commitment to keep Archie properties reflective of the current world of teens and teen media.

Kevin arrives in VERONICA #202‘s “Isn’t it Bromantic?” this September, in comic shops 9/1/2010 and on newsstands 9/14/2010.

Steve Jobs hold up new iPad during announcement in San Francisco

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

iPad features 12 next-generation Multi-Touch applications. Every app works in both portrait and landscape, automatically animating between views as the user rotates iPad in any direction. The precise Multi-Touch interface makes surfing the web on iPad an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer. Reading and sending email is fun and easy on iPad’s large screen and almost full-size “soft” keyboard. Import photos from a Mac®, PC or digital camera, see them organized as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad’s elegant slideshows. Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple’s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.

iPad runs almost all of the over 140,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®. The iTunes® Store gives you access to the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 11 million songs, over 50,000 TV episodes and over 8,000 films including over 2,000 in stunning high definition video. Apple also announced the new iBooks app for iPad, which includes Apple’s new iBookstore, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. The iBookstore will feature books from major and independent publishers.

Apple also introduced a new version of iWork® for iPad, the first desktop-class productivity suite designed specifically for Multi-Touch. With Pages®, Keynote® and Numbers® you can create beautifully formatted documents, stunning presentations with animations and transitions, and spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulas. The three apps will be available separately through the App Store for $9.99 each.

iPad syncs with iTunes just like the iPhone and iPod touch, using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable, so you can sync all of your contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications and more from your Mac or PC. All the apps and content you download on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.

iPad’s brilliant 9.7-inch, LED-backlit display features IPS technology to deliver crisp, clear images and consistent color with an ultra-wide 178 degree viewing angle. The highly precise, capacitive Multi-Touch display is amazingly accurate and responsive whether scrolling web pages or playing games. The intelligent soft keyboard pioneered on iPhone takes advantage of iPad’s larger display to offer an almost full-size soft keyboard. iPad also connects to the new iPad Keyboard Dock with a full-size traditional keyboard.

iPad is powered by A4, Apple’s next-generation system-on-a-chip. Designed by Apple, the new A4 chip provides exceptional processor and graphics performance along with long battery life of up to 10 hours.* Apple’s advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging technology deliver up to 1,000 charge cycles without a significant decrease in battery capacity over a typical five year lifespan.**

iPad comes in two versions–one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. Apple and AT&T announced breakthrough 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad with easy, on-device activation and management.

Continuing Apple’s dedication to designing and creating environmentally responsible products, each iPad enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy-efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iPad contains no brominated flame retardants and is completely PVC-free.

Apple today released a new Software Development Kit (SDK) for iPad, so developers can create amazing new applications designed to take advantage of iPad’s capabilities. The SDK includes a simulator that lets developers test and debug their iPad apps on a Mac, and also lets developers create Universal Applications that run on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

Pricing & Availability

iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date. iBookstore will be available in the US at launch.

*Apple tested wireless battery life by browsing web pages and receiving email over an AirPort® network, never letting the system go to sleep during the test, and keeping the display at half brightness. This is a typical scenario of use on the go, resulting in a battery performance number that is very relevant to mobile users.

**A properly maintained iPad battery is designed to retain 80 percent or more of its original capacity during a lifespan of up to 1,000 recharge cycles. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

Website names and email addresses ending in .GAY – such as www.yourbusinessname.gay, www.londonbars.gay, www.news.gay and millions more – will create a new Internet community of self-identified LGBT businesses, individuals and organizations and all those who wish to communicate with them. And .GAY will be a community that gives back: A majority of all profits will be returned to the LGBT community to fight for equality in the US and around the world.

Everyone is familiar with generic web addresses (known as top-level domains) ending in .com, .org, .net, .edu and .gov. There will soon be many more when early next year the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will begin accepting applications for new web addresses from cities, companies, organizations and entrepreneurial ventures that want to create their own.

 Prominent supporters of the Dot Gay Alliance include:
  –  New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn
  –  Daniel O’Donnell, Member of New York State Assembly
  –  Edmund White, Award-winning author and professor of Creative Writing, Princeton University
  –  Paula Ettelbrick, Civil rights lawyer, advocate, and non-profit executive
  –  Michelle Kristel, Executive Director of In The Life Media
  –  Sunil Babu Pant, the first openly gay member of the Nepal Parliament

The Dot Gay Alliance is led by Founder & Executive Director Joe Dolce, whose media strategy firm, DolceGoldin, provides communications services for the Alliance. The technical infrastructure is provided by Minds + Machines, the international Internet consulting group that is working with a number of new top-level domain efforts, including .NYC www.dotnyc.net with former New York City mayor Ed Koch, and .ECO www.supportdoteco.com with the Sierra Club and Al Gore’s Alliance for Climate Protection.

“The LGBT community has always supported itself and its causes – no one was there to help us,” Dolce said. “We’ve made amazing progress in the 40 years since Stonewall. Now in the digital era a .GAY top-level domain is a logical evolution in our history of self sustenance.”

“We are delighted to be working with the Dot Gay Alliance to create .GAY. Their philanthropic business model represents what’s best about the Internet. The LGBT community will gain an unmistakable, positive presence on the Internet and we’re proud to be a part of that,” said Antony Van Couvering, CEO of Minds + Machines.

The Dot Gay Alliance philanthropic plan will provide funding for LGBT civil rights groups in the US and abroad. Paula Ettelbrick, the well-known lawyer and civil rights advocate, serves as the philanthropic advisor for the Dot Gay Alliance.

This application is designed to help you find and connect with members of the Gay and Lesbian community via location based technology.

The software lets you use the navigational ‘Gaydar’ function to find people in your local area.  Or if you are looking to travel, simply search the destination ahead of time and see if there is anyone around that you would like to catch up with when you arrive, to show you around the gay friendly cafes restaurants and clubs.

The Gay Community App is the perfect way to open your social circle, meet like minded people and discover more about your local area.  Easy to use, simply create your profile, upload a few pictures, then get ready to connect with the Gay and Lesbian community via your iPhone today!

*Upload up to 4 profile images and view other’s images
*Real time messaging and mailing system
*Facebook and twitter style profile updates
*Buddy list to keep track of your friends
*Location mapping system to show people your location via Google maps (totally safe and secure, only people that you allow to view your location will be able to do so)

To celebrate the launch of The Gay Community App and to coincide with the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, The Gay Community App is available FREE for a limited time only, so please join our community today!

Spread the word, and get your friends and partners to join…the more the merrier!

Shout out to our members!

Firstly THANKS SO MUCH for all your wonderful feedback, we are taking each and every comment on board, and it’s so nice to know you’re the founders for what we hope will be a really strong gay community.

Features that we are working on for future releases are:
* Changed profile options to match feedback from the community
* About me section
* Picture comments

The ap I’m in love with at the moment is I Heart Radio (also available for the IPhone).  I Heart Radio is an ap that turns your phone into a radio with over 750 stations streaming live from around the country.   I’ve spent time in San Diego and missed the morning broadcast of AJ’s Playhouse on 93.3…well I don’t have to miss AJ and friends anymore!    There is  a large selection of different channel choices and music types from country, rap, dance and   talk radio.   The quality is pretty great considering it’s coming through your phone.    One suggestion….check your phone plan and make sure you’re on an unlimited plan.  Since you’re streaming live and using the internet connection when you’re listening to the radio on your phone I imagine you can rack up data usage quickly.

To check it out the Ap World or I Heart Music visit the Blackberry Ap World or IHeartMusic.com.