A typical person has 3 different types of cones in their eyes, for those that don’t know… (and I just learned about this last week) cones help you see colour, and in your eyes, you have lots of cones and lots of rods (rods help with the light).

People with colour blindness (dichromat) tend to only have 2 cones. Colour blindness is also hereditary and sticks on the x chromosome (sorry guys).

Here’s a little test to see if you have colour blindness (mouse-over for answers)

[caption id=”” align=”aligncenter” width=”500” caption=”Roll over for answers”][/caption]

So why are women less susceptible to having 2 cones?

Children and mothers of colour-blind men tend to have the 3 typical cones along with an extra cone. So what’s so great about having 4 cones (tetrachromat)? Not much, up until recently, there has never been any evidence that having an extra cone had any benefits.

Researcher Gabrielle Jordan has discovered a woman who’s fourth cone gives her a superhuman ability, she can see 99 million more colours than the average human being.

Because she is an anomaly, she is able to see colours that almost the rest of the population cannot even begin to imagine. There are no ways for her to identify or even name these colours without it seeming redundant or useless to the rest of the world.

For more information on how the research process, check it out here : http://discovermagazine.com/2012/jul-aug/06-humans-with-super-human-vision/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C=

Original Article

So another famous wedding is in the process!

Northstar, the first superhero to come out in comic book history is finally getting married!

This will be happening in the upcoming 51st issue of Astonishing X-Men!!

“When gay marriage became legal in New York State, it raised obvious questions since most of our heroes reside in New York State. Northstar is the first openly gay character in comics and he’s been in a longterm relationship with his partner Kyle so the big question was – how would this change his relationship?,” says Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Axel Alonso. “Our comics are always best when they respond to and reflect developments in the real world. We’ve been doing that for decades, and this is just the latest expression of that.”

(taken from Rolling Stone Magazine )

Enjoy!

Original Article

So are you a dude who doesn’t like beer and sick of taking shots?

Do you also like mixed drinks, but don’t want to order “girly” drinks?

Check out this list from Shave Magazine :

• Kamikaze
• Captain and coke
• Jager bombs
• Martini
• Gin and tonic
• Irish car bomb
• Scotch and soda
• Manhattan
• Old fashion
• Black and tan

Recipes to all these drinks are on their website!

Original Article

This post is in memory of all the LGBT teens out there who have taken their lives because of bullying and harassment.

“This story is for the young people who might be holding the gun tonight or the rope or the pill bottle. … Please stick around to make those happy memories for yourself. It may not seem like it tonight, but they will. And the attitudes of society will change. Please live long enough to be there to see it.” - Joel Burns

A full transcript can be found here

Things need to change, and it starts with you.

Original Article

“How could I deny anyone the right to have that incredible bond with another individual in life.”

Maureen Walsh was one of two Republicans to vote for Gay Marriage.

Transcript after the jump (courtesy of buzzfeed):

I don’t wax as eloquently as most of the people on the floor here, but I have allowed my heart and mind to guide me on a lot of different decisions I’ve made in the legislature. I think sometimes that’s what we have to do.

I too don’t want to wag my finger at anybody about which way to vote on this. It’s certainly an issue of consciousness for me that I’ve been weighing very heavily for the past few weeks.

You know, I was married for 23 years to the love of my life and he died 6 years ago. I think of all the wonderful years we had and the wonderful fringe benefits of having 3 beautiful children. I don’t miss the sex, and to me that’s kind of what this boils down to. I don’t miss that… I mean I certainly miss it, but it’s certainly not the aspect of that relationship, that incredible bond I had with that human being, that I really really genuinely wish I still had. And so I just think to myself: how could I deny anyone the right to have that incredible bond with another individual in life. To me it seems almost cruel.

Years ago my daughter went to elementary school. Many of you have met my daughter she’s a fabulous girl, she’s wonderful, my boys are great too, but she’s really something special. She was the light of her father’s eye.

So she went to school and there were a whole group of kids picking on another kid, and you know, my daughter stuck up for that kid. Even though it wasn’t the popular thing to do it was the right thing to do. I was never more proud of my kid than knowing she was speaking against the vocal majority on behalf of the rights of the minority. And to me, it is incumbent upon us as legislators in this state to do that. That is why we are here.

And I shudder to think that if folks who had preceded us in history did not do that, frankly I’m not sure I would be here as a woman. I’m not sure other people would be here due to their race or creed. And to me that is what’s disconcerting.

And someone made the comment that this is not about equality. Well yes it is about equality. And why in the world would be not allow those equal rights for individuals who are truly committed to one another in life to be able to show that in the way of a marriage.

My daughter came out of the closet a couple of years ago and you know what I thought I was going to agonize about that. Nothing’s different. She’s still a fabulous human being and she met someone she loves very much. And some day, by God, I want to throw a wedding for that kid. And someday I hope that’s what I can do. I hope she will not feel like a second-class citizen involved in something called a “domestic partnership” which frankly sounds like a Mary Maids franchise to me.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. That’s all I want to say.

Stand Against Homophobia

Original Article

Here’s a video created by “BeLonG To Youth Services”.

BeLonG To is a national youth service for Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) young people in Ireland. We believe that LGBT young people need to be respected and cared for on the same basis as all other young people, and that when they are safe and supported in their families, schools & society they will thrive as healthy and equal citizens.

http://www.belongto.org/home.aspx

Original Article

Here are some healthy alternatives to that bag of chips you’re thinking of opening right now.

Baked Pita/Tortilla Chips

• Pita or Tortilla
• Salt *optional*
• Olive Oil *optional*
• Seasoning *optional*

Baked Kale Chips

• Kale
• Salt
• Olive Oil

Roasted Chickpeas

• 1 can of chickpeas
• olive oil
• salt
• seasoning *optional*

Original Article

Pictures from Stirling Inn and Spa, one of the top rated hotels in Niagara Falls.

[gallery orderby=”rand”]

This hotel was BEAUTIFUL, the restaurant located inside the hotel is rated the top restaurant in Niagara Falls.

The package that we got for this came from Groupon, it came with a 50$ gift card to their restaurant, as well as 5 wine tasting tour vouchers.

Oh yea…there’s also breakfast in bed.

Original Article

On February 7th, two transgender women were appointed into positions of power in India.

Indian transgender women are known as hirja. Some live in specialized communities led by a guru and perform a role blessing birth ceremonies and weddings. Though many of them live on the edge of society, because employment opportunities are limited.

The appointment of these two transgender women gives hope to many of the hirjas in India.

 ——

On Feb. 28th, the government is fully supporting the decriminalization of gay sex that was passed in 2009.

Original Article