The NBA, GLSEN, and Elliot Greene

I know, you're wondering who is Elliot Greene, right? Well, he's the captain of the Wildwood High School Ravens' basketball team at The Ravens Crossing, of course. Today, Andi Lea's Darci & Elliot story goes up at 8 AM. Join them at the Broussard Community Center Valentine's Dance. Since it's flash fiction, it will only take you a couple of minutes to read, and I promise this story is so worth your time! You can find archives of the previous stories on the side bars of the page, too.

Keeping with my ongoing celebration, today's blog is for Elliot. Since I know Elliot is an inclusive kind of guy, with numerous friends in the LGBT community, I feel pretty certain he will be thrilled by the NBA's recent partnership with The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

The organizations partnered with several others to create a series of PSA's featuring Phoenix Suns stars Grant Hill and Jared Dudley about the use of anti-gay language among teens. The announcements promote the Think B4 You Speak campaign and their "Changing the Game" initiative. 

In an article on the GLSEN website, Kathy Behrens, NBA Executive Vice President of Social Responsibility and Player Programs, said, "The NBA is honored to work on this important campaign in partnership with GLSEN and the Ad Council...NBA players like Grant Hill and Jared Dudley know that words are powerful, and they understand the impact they can have by encouraging young fans to think before they speak."

So, thanks Grant and Jared, and everyone involved with this project! I'm sure Elliot is as thrilled as I am. Check out one of the PSA's: 

And the Winners Were...

Today, our first F/M story by Andi Lea posts over at The Ravens Crossing. Go read all about Darci & Elliot and their photography class. Plus, you really don't want to miss West Thornhill's first story about the triplets, Kazuki, Raiden, and Tesuya. All of the stories are free flash fiction style YA LGBTQIA Fantasy Sci Fi Adventures. They each work individually and together since they are set in the same world. Plus, you have SIX chances to WIN A KINDLE Touch just by reading and commenting on all the stories this week. Congrats ladies on seeing your characters come out into the light. It's a fantastic feeling!

And speaking of light, in Darci's honor, I thought I would share with you the winners in the 13-16 year old category of the First Annual International Teen Photography competition over at Photography Comptitions.net. These are some seriously talented teens. My conratulations to them all!

First Prize went to Max Wolens of Texas

Second Prize went to Sophie Shwartz of Ohio

Third Place went to Halbert Bai of Texas

 Honorable Mentions went to:

Emelia Zevallos of Virginia

Evan Walsh of Pennsylvania

and Talia Feinberg of California

Again, congratulations to all the winners! You can see the rest of the winners in the older division here!