Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Monday, August 4, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014
Gay Men Who Are Making The World A Better Place
Jonathan Bodrick
Remember how we were just complaining about how there aren’t enough gay male oriented reality shows? Well, Bodrick is going to add one to the list when he stars in B.O.R.N. to Style on the brand new FYI Network on July 15th at 10 p.m. Bodrick is well-known in the NYC fashion scene, and his Harlem clothing store B.O.R.N. (which stands for borrowed, old, refurbished, new) has been a 125th street staple for years. B.O.R.N. to Style will follow Bodrick and his team as they transform people in desperate need of a new look. We’ve been big fans of Bodrick and his style for years, and we’re glad the public is finally going to get a chance to catch up.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Gay Men Who Are Making The World A Better Place
Shane Bitney Crone
You may know him from his heartbreaking viral video about the demise of his former partner, orthe amazing documentary Bridegroom that came as a result of it, but he’s not just resting on his laurels. Crone is taking the lead on a national project to help combat the FDA’s guidelines that still deny gay men the right to give blood. Though gay men are still banned from giving blood, Crone wants them to bring allies to donate in their place in order to bring attention to the ban while still contributing to the supply of blood that is available to those who need it. The drive will happen on July 11th, and you can find more information at www.gayblooddrive.com.
Gay Men Who Are Making The World A Better Place
Robert Garcia
Besides being very good looking, he is only 36 years old. And, oh yeah he just became the first openly gay mayor of Long Beach, CA as well as their youngest mayor ever. Not content to just coast by on his good looks, the Peru native also holds multiple degrees in public policy and communications and has paid homage to activist forefather Harvey Milk by getting a park named after him. Good looks, education, and altruism? He may just be in a dead heat race within 20 years with Brian Sims for the title of first gay president. We suggest that a good old-fashioned shirtless mud wrestling match should determine who to throw our weight behind.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Gay Men Who Are Making The World A Better Place
Kevin Truong
Truong is a very talented photographer, but rather than focusing on high fashion and models on the catwalk, he’s turned his lens on a very different group: other gay men. As the founder of The Gay Men Project, he’s photographed gay men all across America and in multiple other countries. In fact, his kickstarter-funded idea to expand the project to even more countries hit its goal back in April, and now he’s heading on the U.S. leg of his trip before heading overseas where he will spend the next 6-8 months photographing other gay men. His goal is to have the largest photographic archive of gay men in history. It’s definitely a goal worth achieving, and Truong is the guy to do it.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Gay Men Who Are Making The World A Better Place
Rep. Brian Sims
As the only openly gay member of the state legislature of Pennsylvania, the out politician has been fighting for the LGBT community for years, starting when he came out as a college football player at Bloomsburg University. Since then, he’s been a vocal activist and advocate for LGBT rights and was a big part of the movement for marriage equality in Pennsylvania. And, yes, he’s been doing so while basically looking like someone that just stepped out of some laboratory to create the perfect bear. Sims is somehow still single, but we’re sure there are plenty of PA residents that are more than willing to make that walk down the aisle with him.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Seven-Year-Old Boy Launches Anti-Bully Club
A seven-year-old boy in Beaumont, CA is employing a bit of “positive peer pressure” to help his classmates understand the damaging effects of adolescent bullying.
Cameron Thompson, a second-grader at Tournament Hills Elementary school, recently found himself in hot water after making fun of another boy for bringing a Barbie doll to school for show-and-tell. “I didn’t really mean to tease him so much that I made him cry,” Cameron.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Bill Maher Challenges Ralph Reed on Slavery and Stoning
Real Time host Maher asks the conservative Christian leader how he can justify a literal reading of the Bible, given these 'wack' passages.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Everyone Should Be Able To Be ‘Out Holding Hands"
Allstate Insurance has rolled out a new Pride Month ad campaign that features the new original song “Safe In My Hands“ by singer Eli Lieb. Eli, who is gay, is best known for his 2013 breakout single “Young Love.”
The Allstate ad campaign, Out Holding Hands, brings a spotlight to the message that no one should be afraid to be who they are.
“We believe everyone should be treated with respect and without judgment no matter who they love.” says the Allstate promotional statement accompanying the video.
The Allstate ad campaign, Out Holding Hands, brings a spotlight to the message that no one should be afraid to be who they are.
“We believe everyone should be treated with respect and without judgment no matter who they love.” says the Allstate promotional statement accompanying the video.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Tea Party Republican OK With Stoning The Gays: ‘We Would Totally Be In The Right’
A conservative Christian Tea Party Republican candidate running for the Oklahoma House of Representatives says he is OK with stoning gays to death. Scott Esk reportedly said in a Facebook conversation, “I think we would be totally in the right” to stone gay people to death. He also quoted the bible — including Leviticus 20:13 — and added, “ignoring as a nation things that are worthy of death is very remiss.”
The Facebook conversation was ignited by a posting of Pope Francis’ “Who am I to judge?” comments last year. Esk apparently believes he is capable.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Judge Rules Conversion Therapists Can Be Sued For Consumer Fraud
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Peter F. Bariso Jr. has refused to dismiss a first of its kind lawsuit seeking damages against the conversion therapists of Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, (JONAH).
R. Kelly's Youngest Child Comes Out as Transgender
R. Kelly's youngest child, 13 and named Jaya at birth but now goes by Jay, has come out as transgender, InTouch reports:
As of three months ago, Jay said his father was unaware of his new identity, but added his mother—Drea, who stars on the reality series Hollywood Exes—has been extremely supportive.
“[My mom] was like, ‘Baby, you know I love you if you were bi, gay, [lesbian], you name it and I would still love you so much,’” he wrote on his Ask.fm page, which is a social platform that allows users to answer anonymously submitted questions.
“She was very proud of me, I was like, ‘Thank you mum for accepting the fact that I’m a transgender.’
“And same with my sister, she told me that she was proud of me, and respects me by calling me handsome and calling me her little brother now, and I love her for that, so you know it was great for me.”
Jay says he is looking forward to being truly comfortable at some point in the future after gender reassignment surgery and testosterone treatments.
RUBEN DIAZ IS BUSSING PEOPLE TO NOM'S ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE MARCH BUT NOT TELLING THEM
The National Organization for Marriage has organized the "2014 March for Marriage," to take place on June 19th, and they toot that New York Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., a speaker at the march and a longtime anti-gay activist, is set to bring thousands of African-American and Latino constituents to Washington, DC to take part. Too bad he Diaz not mention the organization or the march in the video advertisement he's released.
Discrimination Against Blacks, Jews ‘Fundamentally Different’ From Gays
Liberty Counsel head Mat Staver testified before a House sub-committee hearing on religion this afternoon, telling Congress that discrimination against Black people and Jewish people is wrong, but against gay people is acceptable. Today’ hearing, The State Of Religious Liberty In The United States, was chaired by Tea Party extremist and birtherRep. Trent Franks (R-AZ).
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) grilled Staver, whose law firm is closely affiliated with Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. Staver is also the Dean of Liberty University School of Law .
Staver told Nadler he thinks that a photographer, based on her religious beliefs, refusing to take photos at a wedding of Black people is “fundamentally different” from a photographer refusing to take photos at a wedding of gay people.
This Week in Marriage News
Wisconsin's marriage ban is unconstitutional. There've been more big defeats for the National Organization for Marriage. Utah officials resist a ruling that they must recognize the marriage licenses that the state issued to gay and lesbian couples last winter. And Pennsylvania voters show their support for the freedom to marry.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Tony Perkins calls on parents to remove kids from public schools after principal comes out
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins is urging parents across the country to pull their children out of public schools in response to a Washington, D.C., principal’s decision to come out to his students and school staff.
The principal of Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington D.C.publicly announced that he is gay at a Pride Day event on Wednesday, thanking students and community members for their support.
Perkins was of course appalled, urging his Washington Watch listeners yesterday to pull their kids from public schools:
“If you have your children in the public schools, unless you’re in a district where you know exactly what’s going on in some rural part of the country where values are still embraced, you really need to think about whether or not you want to expose your kids to what’s happening in our public school system. I would encourage you to look for other alternatives.”“Eighty-three percent of the students coming out of the District of Columbia are not proficient in reading skills, but they know how to celebrate gay pride,” Perkins said. “As we drop further and further in the global ranking of math and science scores, at least our kids will understand sex-ed. Amazing.”
This Newlywed Gay Couple In Wisconsin Got An Amazing Surprise At Dinner
Late last week, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb overturned Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage, saying that "[gay couples] are entitled to the same treatment as any heterosexual couple." After the news broke, dozens of gay couples made their way to courthouses across Wisconsin to tie the knot and finally become legally recognized by the state.
This was exactly what Christopher Graham and his partner Andrew Cappelle had in mind when they drove down to the courthouse to get their license.
Graham explains:
"After we stayed at the courthouse, we went out for dinner to Transfer Pizzeria & Cafe. We talked with our server about what had just happened down at the courthouse -- we got married and witnessed to several other marriages -- and to help us celebrate, the staff at Transfer bought our dinner!"
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Wilson HS Principal Pete Cahall Coming Out as Gay to His School
Principal Pete Cahall at Wilson High School in D.C. shocked his students when he came out of the closet at a school Pride event.
Here's some great video of Cahall making the announcement, his hands shaking, then doubling over with relief as his students cheer and then rush the stage to give him hugs.
Cahall is 50 years old. He told ABC7 that he felt it would have been hypocritical for him to host a school Pride event while holding on to his secret.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Appeals court keeps recognition of same-sex marriages in Utah on hold
More than 1,000 couples who rushed to wed after a judge overturned Utah’s gay marriage ban will have to keep waiting for many of the legal benefits of being married following an appeals court decision Thursday.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted Utah’s request to delay the implementation of a ruling that ordered state officials to start recognizing the marriages next week.
The Denver-based judges gave the four same-sex couples who sued Utah until next Thursday to file papers laying out why the order should be implemented. The court must next choose whether to lift or extend the temporary stay.
We’re Living On The Edge Of The Rapture
Franklin Graham exposed his soul to religious broadcaster Jan Crouch last week, telling the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) co-founder that he believes we’re living on the edge of the Rapture.
“Where ever I go everyone says, ‘Franklin, do you think we’re close?’,” Graham claimed. “And I’ll say, ‘I feel that way.’ and they’ll say, ‘We do too. We feel that we’re on the edge, that the lord Jesus Christ could come back at any moment.’”
“We know that Christ is coming back, we know that there’s a Rapture,” Graham, the son of the far-more endearing Rev. Billy Graham, told Crouch.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Texas GOP Platform Embraces ‘Reparative Therapy’ to ‘Escape Homosexual Lifestyle’
The Republican Party of Texas has drafted a new platform for 2014 which embraces so-called “ex-gay” or “reparative therapy,” a practice that has been deemed ineffective, harmful, or even dangerous by every major medical organization.
“We recognize the legitimacy and value of counseling which offers reparative therapy and treatment to patients who are seeking escape from the homosexual lifestyle,” thefirst draft, according to the Houston Chronicle, reads. “No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.”
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Judge Tells Florida Anti-Gay Groups Same-Sex Marriage Doesn’t Affect Them
A state court judge has just denied a request by three anti-gay organizations who asked to be given standing to defend Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage. Circuit Court Judge Sarah Zabel ruled that Florida Family Action, Inc. (FFAI), Florida Democratic League Inc. (FDL), and People United to Lead the Struggle for Equality, Inc. (PULSE) did not have standing and would not be allied to be parties to the case because they “will not be directly and immediately affected if others enter into a same-sex marriage, or are prevented from entering into a same-sex marriage.” The judge added that the “validity of their own marriages will not be affected,” regardless of the trial’s outcome.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Request for full-court review of decision overturning Idaho’s same-sex marriage ban
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is asking the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to send Idaho’s same-sex marriage case directly to a full, 11-judge panel of the court, rather than the usual three-judge panel.
“Because the marriage issue is so passionately contested and so divisive among the citizenry, the perception of the legitimacy of this court’s resolution of it must be of paramount concern,” attorneys for the governor argue in their motion. “A decision by an 11-judge panel stands far higher and stronger than does a decision by a three-judge panel, just as a decision by a three-judge panel stands far higher and stronger than does a decision by a single judge.”
Fox's Juan Williams Asks Whether Phil Robertson Is Face of GOP Outreach
When asked on Fox News whether having Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson speak at the Republican Leadership Conference was a good idea for the GOP, commentator Juan Williams didn't hold back.
“No! Where does it say…that the GOP makes a hero out of a guy who says blacks were happy with slavery and segregation and gays are to be damned?" said Williams on the May 31 edition of Cashin’ In "I mean that’s just… is he the chief of outreach for the GOP, or is he the chief of internal self-satisfaction?”
Robertson spoke at the Republican Leadership Conference on Thursday. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Prebus, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson also took the stage at the conference held in New Orleans.
When asked on Fox News whether having Duck Dynastypatriarch Phil Robertson speak at the Republican Leadership Conference was a good idea for the GOP, commentator Juan Williams didn't hold back.
“No! Where does it say…that the GOP makes a hero out of a guy who says blacks were happy with slavery and segregation and gays are to be damned?" said Williams on the May 31 edition of Cashin’ In "I mean that’s just… is he the chief of outreach for the GOP, or is he the chief of internal self-satisfaction?”
Robertson spoke at the Republican Leadership Conference on Thursday. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Prebus, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson also took the stage at the conference held in New Orleans.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Melissa Etheridge Marries Linda Wallem, Is 'So Blessed'
Melissa Etheridge and Linda Wallem got married Saturday, May 31, in California two days after their shared birthday. Etheridge took to Twitter to say she feels "so blessed."
According to People, Etheridge and Wallem had been friends for over a decade before they began dating in 2010.
Sarah Palin Introduces Phil Robertson At Religion-Focused Republican Conference
Could there be any greater snapshot of just how in trouble the Republican Party is today than to have its former vice presidential nominee turned reality TV show host and political pundit, Sarah Palin, invited to introduce the Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson at the Republican Leadership Conference? The Republican Leadership Conference is one of the first stops for all potential GOP presidential candidates, and one of many opportunities Republican politicians are given to establish their bona fides with the party’s base.
And it was Robertson, not Palin, who was the keynote speaker of the evening, kicking off the three-day event in New Orleans.
Burgess Brothers Fight Homophobia in Sport
"I think discrimination in sport is old fashioned. We're very passionate about the game. We have lots of gay friends."
Sam and Thomas Burgess, who play for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, released a video in conjunction with the Bingham Cup's 'Out in the Field' study of anti-discrimination in sports.
Sam and Thomas Burgess, who play for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, released a video in conjunction with the Bingham Cup's 'Out in the Field' study of anti-discrimination in sports.
Obama issues proclamation declaring June LGBT Pride Month
The White House on Friday issued a proclamation by President Barack Obama, declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, saying his administration “stands alongside all those who fight for LGBT rights.”
“As we mark 45 years since the patrons of the Stonewall Inn defied an unjust policy and awakened a nascent movement, let us honor every brave leader who stood up, sat in, and came out, as well as the allies who supported them along the way,” said Obama, in this, the sixth consecutive year he has issued the proclamation.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
The Mayor Of Pittsburgh Is Throwing A Same-Sex Group Wedding
he Republican governor of Pennsylvania has announced he will not appeal a federal judge’s ruling striking down the state ban on same-sex marriage, and Pittsburgh’s Democratic mayor has decided to celebrate.
Mayor Bill Peduto has announced he will not only officiate, he will pick up the tab for the weddings and receptions of up to twenty same-sex couples during Pride Fest next month.
Gallup's Values And Beliefs Poll Finds Americans Are Still Split On Homosexuality's Origins
Despite national advances in the fight for same-sex marriage, Americans remain sharply split on the origins of homosexuality, a new Gallup survey has revealed.
New data from Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs poll found that 37 percent of Americans believed that people became gay or lesbian as the result of favors like upbringing and environment, compared with 42 percent who said that people were born gay. Interestingly, the latter result is down 5 percentage points from 2013, when 47 percent of respondents said they believed people were born gay or lesbian.
The poll revealed some religious, political and demographic splits, too: those with college educations, whites, females, liberals, Democrats, high-income earners, and those who seldom or never attend church were the most likely to believe that being gay or lesbian is something people are born with.
The results of the poll were based on a random sample of 1,028 adults, age 18 and over, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Results from an earlier Gallup poll found that support for marriage equality had reached an all-time high in the U.S., with 55 percent of respondents in favor of recognizing same-sex unions.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Duck Dynasty Dad Phil Robertson To Share His Views With Republican Leadership Conference
“Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson will share his views tonight as the guest speaker at the opening night of the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans.
Here’s the promo video released two weeks ago showing clips from 2011 of Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann and Allen West claiming victory in 2012.
Here’s the promo video released two weeks ago showing clips from 2011 of Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann and Allen West claiming victory in 2012.
Gay Marriage Will Become Law Of The Land
Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch conceded Wednesday it's only a matter of time before gay marriage is legal across the country, even though he doesn't think that's the right way to go.
Hatch said people who can't see what's happening aren't living in the real world. He made the remarks during an appearance on KSL-Radio's Doug Wright Show (http://bit.ly/1koFdlh).
"Let's face it: anybody who does not believe that gay marriage is going to be the law of the land just hasn't been observing what's going on," said Hatch, a seven-term Republican senator who has been a proponent of keeping marriage exclusively between a man and a woman.
Ryland's Story
Two of the greatest things a parent can give a child in this life are unconditional love and acceptance, and the Whittingtons have done just that.
Incredible Story Of Transgender Son Will Have You Crying... And Then Cheering
Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Charlie Dent Comes Out For Gay Marriage
Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) came out in support of gay marriage on Wednesday in an interview with The Washington Post.
"Life is too short to have the force of government stand in the way of two adults whose pursuit of happiness includes marriage," Dent told the Post. "As a Republican, I value equality, personal freedom and a more limited role for government in our lives... I believe this philosophy should apply to the issue of marriage as well."
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Supreme Court Wades In To Oregon Marriage Ruling
Late yesterday, the National Organization For Marriage officially requested the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the ruling by a federal judge that found Oregon‘s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Today, Justice Anthony Kennedy responded, requesting information from both parties in the case.
That means Justice Kennedy may intervene in the case, stay the ruling, and halt any future marriages, or he may decline to accept NOM’s motion, or he may pass the entire case to the full Court, which would then make a determination to proceed or to decline to intervene.
Court watchers believe that NOM does not have standing to defend Oregon’s marriage ban, and that Judge Michael McShane appropriately ruled on the case when he handed down his decision nine days ago. NOM had waited eight days to make the formal request.
Houston Passes Wide-Reaching Non-Discrimination Ordinance
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The Houston city council this evening passed an historic non-discrimination ordinance that bans discrimination on the basis of “sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, familial status, marital status, military status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or pregnancy.” Houston, a city of more than 2.1 million people and America’s fourth-largest, had been the only major U.S. city without a non-discrimination ordinance. The vote was 11-6.
‘We don’t serve fags’ at Big Earl’s in Pittsburg, Texas
A same-sex couple says they were told not to come back to a restaurant in East Texas because Big Earl’s “doesn’t serve fags.”
Collin Dewberry and Kelly Williams said tehy had breakfast at Big Earl’s in Pittsburg, Texas, and “everything seemed to be going fine” until after they paid their check. That’s when they were approached by “Big Eaarl’s” daughter and told them not to return.
Cheney said it was the couple’s behavior — “touching legs” — that violated the restaurant’s policy, not their sexual orientation, but admits that his daughter used the gay slur.
“She’s a young lady, didn’t know what else to say, and they just kept on and she finally said we just don’t like fags,” he explained.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
HRC Links Antigay Americans to Russia's Anti-LGBT Climate
A new video from the Human Rights Campaign takes American antigay activists to task for stoking the flames of LGBT hatred in Russia.
Friday, February 21, 2014
ARIZONA SENATE PASSES BILL ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO REFUSE SERVICE TO GAYS BASED ON RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
The 17-13 vote along party lines, with Republicans in the majority, came after supporters defeated an attempt to extend existing employment laws that bar discrimination based on religion and race to also include sexual orientation. Sen. Steve Yarbrough (pictured), R-Chandler, said that's a separate issue from what he is trying to do.
"The bill opens the door for discrimination against gays and lesbians," he said.
Yarbrough, however, said foes of SB 1062 are twisting what his legislation says.
"This bill is not about discrimination," he said. "It's about preventing discrimination against people who are clearly living out their faith."
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Anglican Bishops Bar Priests From Celebrating Same-Sex Marriages
Just days after the head of the Church of England warned its bishops that opposing LGBT rights would paint the church in a bigoted light, the bishops adopted new guidelines saying priests should not bless same-sex unions.
With same-sex marriages set to begin in March in England and Wales, the House of Bishops drafted new guidelines that warn "blessing should not be provided" to same-sex weddings but suggests that priests "should respond pastorally and sensitively in other ways."
The guidelines, posted on the church's website Saturday, appear to be somewhat at odds with a bishops' report issued last year, which said priests "should be free to mark the formation of a permanent same-sex relationship in a public service," although they would not be obligated to do so. The Saturday posting states that an "informal kind of prayer, at the request of the couple, might be appropriate," with "the assumption that any prayer will be accompanied by pastoral discussion of the church's teaching and their reasons for departing from it."
Individuals married to a person of the same gender will continue to be barred from ordination, and the rules also prohibit "someone in holy orders" from entering a same-sex union.
Last week Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual head of the world's 77 million Christians in communion with the Anglican Church, warned that opposition to LGBT rights would have a negative impact on how some view the faith.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
‘Juno’ And ‘Inception’ Star Ellen Page Announces ‘I Am Gay’
Ellen Page, best known for portraying intelligent and quirky characters in hit films including “Juno,” “Inception,” and “X-Men: The Last Stand,” Friday told an audience attending HRC’s Las Vegas conference for LGBT teens, “I’m here today because I am gay. And because maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility.”
Kansas Senate Rejects House ‘Freedom To Discriminate’ Bill
The Kansas State Senate has refused to consider a House bill that would make it legal to refuse service to gays due to “sincerely held religious beliefs”. Senate Republicans say the bill is too extreme.
House Bill 2453, which passed the House by a lopsided 72-49 vote, would have allowed anyone with religious objections to homosexuality to discriminate against gays at any time. Doctors. Teachers. Firefighters. Ambulance drivers.
From HB 2453:
“if it would be contrary to the sincerely held religious beliefs of the individual or religious entity…no individual or religious entity shall be required by any governmental entity to…[p]rovide any services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, or privileges; provide counseling, adoption, foster care and other social services; or provide employment or employment benefits, related to, or related to the celebration of, any marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement; solemnize any marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement; or treat any marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement as valid.”
The Kansas Senate, with its 32-8 Republican majority, was expected to rubber stamp the legislation, but sanity has prevailed. Senate President, Republican Susan Wagle, told the Wichita Eagle that allowing government employees to discriminate went too far:
“I believe that when you hire police officers or a fireman that they have no choice in who they serve. They serve anyone who’s vulnerable, any age, any race, any sexual orientation. Public service needs to remain public service for the entire public.”
Lawmakers Cheer As Ugandan President Declares ‘War With The Homosexual Lobby’
After admonishing the Parliament of his own nation late last year for “repeatedly” breaking the law by passing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill without the required quorum, and strongly suggesting he would not sign it, the President of Uganda announced at his national party retreat last week that he will sign the bill.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill mandates jail sentences — including life in prison — for those accused of having sex with members of their own gender, and for those who know LGBT people but do not report them to authorities. Jail is also mandated for those who support LGBT civil rights and the LGBT community.
Watch this video as the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, tells the lawmakers of his party he will sign the bill. Watch as he announces, “We shall have a war with the homosexual lobby, in the world, backed by these people and you.”
Watch as the stand, applaud, and cheer.
Anti-Gay Prejudice Is Killing Gay People
A study just released by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health finds that gay people living in communities entrenched with high levels of anti-gay bigotry, prejudice, and hate, are expected to die 12 years earlier than their peers living in more progressive and accepting environments.
“Shorter life expectancy of 12 years on average for LGB individuals in communities with high vs. low stigma,” a statement on the study reads.
“Our findings indicate that sexual minorities living in communities with higher levels of prejudice die sooner than sexual minorities living in low-prejudice communities, and that these effects are independent of established risk factors for mortality, including household income, education, gender, ethnicity, and age, as well as the average income and education level of residents in the communities where the respondents lived,” the study’s lead author, Mark Hatzenbuehler, PhD, assistant professor of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia, said in a statement. “In fact, our results for prejudice were comparable to life expectancy differences that have been observed between individuals with and without a high school education.”
The study looked at data from 1988 to 2008.
“In order to examine the relationship between prejudice and mortality, the researchers constructed a measure capturing the average level of anti-gay prejudice in the communities where LGB individuals lived… This information on sexual orientation and community-level prejudice was then linked longitudinally to mortality data via the National Death Index, through 2008. Thus, the authors were able to examine whether mortality risk differed for LGB individuals who lived in communities that were characterized by high versus low levels of prejudice. By the end of the study, 92% of LGB respondents living in low-prejudice communities were still alive; in contrast, only 78% of the LGB respondents living in high-prejudice communities were still alive.” [Bolding ours]
LOS ANGELES SEVENTH GRADER MAKES POIGNANT STOP-MOTION MOVIE IN SUPPORT OF GAY MARRIAGE
Scarlett Dennis, a 7th grader from Los Angeles, has created an artistic statement in support of same-sex marriage that demands to be seen. HuffPost reported on the young artist, whose minute-long stop-motion animated film, "The Story of Larry and Gerald," is a poignant and emotional call for gay rights. Larry and Gerald refuse to compromise their love, despite the protests they meet along the way, and something tells us that Ms. Dennis will be a similarly staunch advocate and ally for years to come.
Monday, February 17, 2014
First Openly Gay Eagle Scout
A Maryland teenager has become the first openly gay Boy Scout to achieve the youth organization’s highest rank.
Pascal Tessier, 17, accepted the Eagle Scout badge Monday night in Chevy Chase, Md. Tessier, who received the honor at a meeting of Boy Scout Troop 52, is the first known out scout to attain the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank since the organization's national council voted to lift its ban on gay members (but not adult leaders) last May. The new policy went into effect January of this year.
“It’s just really amazing, and it honestly hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Tessier told The Washington Post. “We didn’t know if it was going to happen at all.”
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