Friday, May 31, 2013
Rev. Ed Bacon of All Saints Church Talks Same-Sex Marriage With Oprah Winfrey
The Rev. Ed Bacon of the 4,000-member All Saints Church in Pasadena, Calif., told Oprah Winfrey this past Sunday that, if same-sex marriage were to become a dominant force in the United States, the institution of marriage would be "enriched" and not crumble, as some might fear.
"So a lot of people were afraid that this meant that the institution of marriage as we know it would fall apart," Winfrey told her panelists on this past weekend's "Super Soul Sunday" program. "Does this mean if gay marriage is legalized in more than 12 states, if it becomes a dominant force in the United States, does that mean that the institution of marriage has to be reexamined?"
"It's gonna be enriched," said the Rev. Bacon, who told Winfrey in 2009 that "being gay is a gift from God."
"I've never had a straight couple come to me and say, 'My marriage is in trouble because of the gay couple living next door.' To the contrary, I've had people come to me and say, 'Because of the love between Bob and Joe, I have learned how better to love my wife or my husband," he added.
The Episcopal priest, who was joined on the OWN network program by fellow guests Elizabeth Lesser and Mark Nepo, said he has officiated wedding ceremonies for "lots of" gay couples. Citing examples from his own parish, Bacon added that he believes exposure, such as heterosexual and homosexual couples worshipping together, helps to facilitate acceptance of the "other," in this case, gays and lesbians.
"The institution of marriage is already in trouble, long before gays were getting married," added Lesser, with Winfrey adding that "maybe the gay people can help it."
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Mass. high school awards Prom Queen title to transgender student
Cody Tubman, a high school student in Middleborough, Mass., became her school’s first transgender prom queen after being selected by her classmates on Tuesday.
Cody began transitioning during her sophomore year and said her high school was responsive to her needs, allowing her to use the female bathrooms and locker rooms.
But, she said, being named prom queen “was surprising and it was exciting, cause I was like, we’re coming really far.”
Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
New National Holiday in 2014: Michele Bachmann Retiring From Congress In 2014
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) announced early Wednesday that she will not seek a fifth term in office.
Gay Catholic Priest Comes Out of the Closet
Rev. Gary Meier, a Missouri priest, has come out of the closet in the reprinting of a book he originally published anonymously. Meier originally published the book anonymously in 2011.
But last week, he republished it with his own name on the cover. Meier released a video last week celebrating his 15 years at a priest and talking about the LGBT community within the church.
But last week, he republished it with his own name on the cover. Meier released a video last week celebrating his 15 years at a priest and talking about the LGBT community within the church.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Robbie Rogers Takes Field and Gets Standing Ovation
Robbie Rogers made history on Sunday as the first openly gay man to play in a game in U.S. professional sports. If there was any concern about whether fans would be supportive, it was eased as the crowd stood and cheered wildly when Rogers took the field during the second half of the L.A. Galaxy's 4-0 win over the Seattle Sounders.
Rogers signed with the Galaxy on Saturday after training with the team for a month, and his first game came the next day in front of more than 24,000 fans. Upon coming out in February, Rogers had retired from the sport, saying it was time to "discover myself."
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Nevada Assembly approves marriage-equality amendment
A constitutional amendment that would repeal a ban on same-sex marriages and remove references to gender in the state's marriage law passed in the Nevada Assembly this week. An identical measure must be approved in the 2015 legislative session before the question can be put to the state's voters. Assemblyman James Healey, who is openly gay, told his colleagues about his partner who was killed in a motorcycle accident three years ago. "I stood up at Eddie's funeral and I promised his mother and his family that I wouldn't stop fighting until we had this," Healey said.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
'Intolerant Left' for Bullying 'Sexual Morality' Out of the Boy Scouts
Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) took the floor in the House this week to rip the "intolerant Left" for bullying the sexual morality out of the Boy Scouts by campaigning for an end to their discriminatory policies.
BOY SCOUTS VOTES TO LIFT BAN ON GAY MEMBERS, RETAIN BAN ON GAY LEADERS
At their convention in Dallas, the 1,400 voting members of The Boy Scouts of America have voted 61% to 38% to approve a resolution lifting a ban on gay scouts. The ban would remain on gay leaders.
Illinois Will Pass Marriage Equality Bill, Sponsor Says
Rep. Greg Harris of Illinois predicts success for the state's marriage equality bill, which coincidentally today picked up Bill Clinton's endorsement.
May could become an even more spectacular month for marriage equality: The sponsor of the Illinois bill predicts it will pass by the month’s end, which is also the end of the legislative session.
Rep. Greg Harris, the chief sponsor, said he will “absolutely” call a vote on the marriage equality bill by May 31, and “it’s going to win,” Chicago’s Windy City Times reports. Harris has previously said he would not bring the measure to a vote in the House of Representatives unless he was sure there was enough support to pass it. The state Senate approved it Valentine’s Day, and Gov. Pat Quinn has vowed to sign it.
The bill picked up an endorsement today from former president Bill Clinton, who issued a statement invoking another president. “Since the days of Abraham Lincoln, Illinois has stood for the proposition that all citizens should be treated equally under the law,” President Clinton said in Tuesday’s statement.“Lincoln himself came to Springfield in search of opportunity, and he dedicated his life to securing equal opportunity for all citizens. I believe that for Illinois and for our nation as a whole, in the 21st century that must include marriage equality.”
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Same-sex marriage bill clears UK House of Commons
Britain’s House of Commons has passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales.
The legislation, backed by Prime Minister David Cameron, passed by a vote of 366 to 161 on Tuesday.
The bill will now move to the House of Lords, whose approval is also required. Members there are expected to hold their first debate in July.
If approved, the law is expected to take effect in 2015, and enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious ceremonies, provided the religious institution they choose consents.
Such a law also would allow couples who had previously entered into a civil partnership to convert their relationship to a marriage.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Obama Tells All-Male Morehouse College Grads: 'Be the Best Husband to your Boyfriend...or Your Partner'
The crowd at the Morehouse College commencement ceremony over the weekend seemed momentarily stunned when Obama directed the gay men in the audience to be the best husband to their partners, but Obama held up one finger and stifled any dissent:
And that’s what I’m asking all of you to do: Keep setting an example for what it means to be a man. Be the best husband to your wife, or you’re your boyfriend, or your partner. Be the best father you can be to your children. Because nothing is more important.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Arizona House Passes Religious Freedom Pro-Discrimination Bill By Wide Margin
The Arizona House yesterday passed a bill that would allow anyone to discriminate against anyone for any reason, especially on the grounds of religious liberty. The bill, designed to allow private businesses the legal right to discriminate against LGBT people by citing their personal religious objections to homosexuality, overrules Arizona’s current anti-discrimination statutes. The bill, whose chief sponsor is Rep. Steve Yarbrough (image, above,) passed the House by a 32-24 vote, and has been transmitted to the Arizona Senate. All House Democrats voted against the bill.
The bill could be considered the religious liberties version of a “stand your ground” law, allowing an automatic “out” to defend anyone’s “practice or observance of religion.” In other words, it would give Arizona residents and businesses the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason, including because they are LGBT.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Matt Barber tweets homophobic Boy Scout cartoon
Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel tweet this cartoon implying that a gay Boy Scout troop leader would sexually assault his scouts:
GAY MARRIAGE AUTHORIZED NATIONWIDE IN BRAZIL
Brazil's top judicial panel has authorized notaries to begin approving same-sex marriages nationwide, AFP reports:
The National Council of Justice, which oversees the Brazilian judicial system and is headed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, said government offices that issue marriage licenses had no standing to reject gay couples.
The Supreme Court "affirmed that the expression of homosexuality and homosexual affection cannot serve as a basis for discriminatory treatment, which has no support in the Constitution," said Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa on the council's website, referring to a 2011 ruling by the top court.
Barbosa also said there was no reason for the government's marriage licensing offices to wait for the Brazilian Congress to pass a law authorising same-sex marriage.
The Supreme Court "affirmed that the expression of homosexuality and homosexual affection cannot serve as a basis for discriminatory treatment, which has no support in the Constitution," said Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa on the council's website, referring to a 2011 ruling by the top court.
Barbosa also said there was no reason for the government's marriage licensing offices to wait for the Brazilian Congress to pass a law authorising same-sex marriage.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Minnesota Gov. Signs Marriage Equality Into Law
On the front steps of the state capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota governor Mark Dayton signed a marriage equality bill into law Tuesday at 5 p.m. Central time, just one day after the state House approved the legislation with one Republican joining the entire Democratic caucus in supporting the bill.
When same-sex couples in Minnesota begin marrying August 1, Minnesota will officially become the 12th state — in addition to Washington, D.C. — in the U.S. to enact marriage equality. With the governor's signature, Minnesota also becomes the first Midwestern state to legalize same-sex marriage through the legislature, since marriage equality came to Iowa as the result of a unanimous ruling by the state Supreme Court in 2009.
The Minnesota House of Representatives approved House File 1054, the marriage equality bill, by a bipartisan vote of 75-59 last Thursday. Four House Republicans joined Democrats voting in favor of the bill.
In November 2012, Minnesota voters rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have banned marriage for same-sex couples, only the second time an electorate had rejected such an antigay proposal.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
We’re Here, We’re White, Get Used To It!
The National Policy Institute is a white supremacy? think tank whose aim is to protect and promote white, Christians of European ancestry. They call themselves “an independent research and educational foundation,” and they’re headquartered in Whitefish, Montana.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Virginia football star Kevin Grayson comes out as gay
Kevin Grayson, a star wide receiver for the University of Richmond from 2008-2011, and one of the most decorated football players in Central Virginia history, has come out as gay.
Kevin Graysonvia Facebook
In an exclusive interview with WTVR-TV in Richmond, Va., Grayson said he is putting an end to the secret he as carried for so long, because being closeted “eats away at you like its own cancer.”
In college, Grayson helped the University of Richmond Spiders win the Football Championship Subdivision national title in 2008, and while playing professionally in Italy last year he was named MVP of his league’s super bowl.
Minnesota Religious Community Held Vigils Last Night To Support Marriage Equality Vote
The Minnesota religious community gathered in churches last night and held vigils to support passage of a same-sex marriage bill the House is voting on today. Just six months ago, voters rejected a constitutional amendment banning same-gender marriage, and supporters are optimistic today’s House vote will be successful, and seem to be even more confident about Monday’s Senate vote.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Minnesota appears poised to be next state to legalize same-sex marriage
Minnesota appears poised to legalize same-sex marriage, as the Democratic speaker of the state House said Tuesday that a marriage equality bill endorsed by the governor and likely to pass in the state Senate also now has enough backing in his chamber.
The House will vote on the measure Thursday, and if it passes, the Democratic-led Senate could vote on it as soon as Saturday.
Delaware Governor Signed Same-Sex Marriage Bill Into Law
The Democratic governor of Delaware, Jack Markell, in a surprise move, wasted no time in signing a same-sex marriage bill the state senate passed minutes earlier. The bill, which allow same-sex couples to marry on July 1, was passed by the senate in a 12-9 vote. Delaware is the eleventh state to extend marriage to same-sex marriage.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Gays Can Change Just Like Murders, Rapists and Thieves
Commenting on a case in Ecuador in which a lawmaker was found guilty of discrimination over his anti-gay remarks, Pat Robertson expressed anger that speaking out against gays can be considered a hate crime.
Howard Kurtz on His Erroneous Jason Collins Column
"On Monday, I read the ‘Sports Illustrated’ article by Jason Collins, the first pro male-team athlete to come out publicly as gay. I read it too fast and carelessly missed that Jason Collins said he was engaged previously to a woman and [I] then wrote and commented that he was wrong to keep that from readers when, in fact, I was the one that was wrong...My logic between what happened between Jason Collins and his former fiance and what was and wasn’t disclosed — in hindsight, well, I was wrong to even raise that and showed a lack of sensitivity to the issue. Also, I didn’t give him a chance to respond to my account before I wrote it and in addition my first correction to the story was not as complete and full as it should have been."
CATHOLIC SCHOOL REJECTS NEWLY-APPOINTED PRESIDENT OVER SPECULATION HE'S GAY
On April 4, Regis Catholic Schools in Wisconsin announced that its new president would be Tim Nelson. Then last week, they reportedly revoked that decision last week because of speculation that he's gay.The Leader Telegram reports:
Regis officials indicated someone had given them information showing that a man's name was listed in parentheses behind Nelson's in the survivor list of his father's obituary 2½ years ago, and they told him that is typically the way a gay partner is listed in an obituary, Nelson said. Nelson said he explained to Konopa that he considered the man his best friend and that the man was close to Nelson's family.
Nelson...said Friday he was "flabbergasted" when system officials informed him nearly three weeks later they intended to revoke his contract because of concerns about his sexual orientation.
Monday, May 6, 2013
For Some Strange Reason Rick Perry Compares Supporting Scouts' Gay Ban to Opposing Slavery
Texas governor Rick Perry speaks on the Family Research Council's "Stand With Scouts Sunday" program and somehow brings up pop culture and slavery into a discussion on the Boy Scouts' ban on out scouts and leaders.
Perry said that the Scouts should not be swayed by "pop culture" to allow openly gay scouts or troop leaders (the organization may soon allow the former). He also began rambling about how former Texas governor Sam Houston opposed slavery and it cost him his governorship.
Newt Gingrich Complains That Gays Have Made Catholics Outlaws
Newt has to know what he is saying is untrue... so what is his motivation?
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Rhode Island has become the 10th State to join the force of marriage equality.
R.I. Governor Chafee has just signed the Marriage Equality Act into law. Rhode Island has become the 10th State to join the force of marriage equality.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Rhode Island Governor Promises To Sign Marriage Bill Thursday Afternoon At 5:45
Governor Lincoln Chafee says he will sign Rhode Island‘s marriage equality bill into law at 5:45 PM EDT on Thursday.
The House will vote and is fully expected to pass the bill on Thursday. The vote, called “largely procedural,” ties up a few loose ends after last week’s Senate passage, with a 26-12 vote.
The full House already passed the bill in January, by a 51-19 vote.
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