Friday, November 12, 2010
Gay Pride flag burned on Michigan College campus
Montana Attorney General seeks to dismiss gay rights lawsuit
Montana’s Attorney General has filed a motion seeking to dismiss a lawsuit aimed at granting same-sex couples the same legal rights as married couples.
Spousal benefits are limited by definition to married couples, and the Montana Constitution defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, said Attorney General Steve Bullock.
The court does not have the authority to require the state to extend spousal benefits beyond that definition, Bullock said in his motion to dismiss.
The suit, Donaldson and Guggenheim v. State of Montana, claims same sex couples are being denied their rights of privacy, dignity and the pursuit of life’s basic necessities as provided for in the Montana Constitution.
Because there is a constitutional amendment in Montana barring same-sex marriage, the couples in the lawsuit are seeking the protection of state-recognized domestic partnerships, similar to those in place in several other states.
Spousal benefits are limited by definition to married couples, and the Montana Constitution defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, said Attorney General Steve Bullock.
The court does not have the authority to require the state to extend spousal benefits beyond that definition, Bullock said in his motion to dismiss.
The suit, Donaldson and Guggenheim v. State of Montana, claims same sex couples are being denied their rights of privacy, dignity and the pursuit of life’s basic necessities as provided for in the Montana Constitution.
Because there is a constitutional amendment in Montana barring same-sex marriage, the couples in the lawsuit are seeking the protection of state-recognized domestic partnerships, similar to those in place in several other states.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
DOMA Lawsuits Filed By Gay Civil Rights Groups
Gay civil rights groups trying to build momentum for a possible Supreme Court showdown filed two lawsuits Tuesday that seek to strike down portions of a 1996 law that denies married same-sex couples federal benefits.
The lawsuits were filed in federal courts in Connecticut and New York and come just months after a federal judge in Boston struck down a key component of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
The legal actions seek judicial declarations that the law enacted by Congress in 1996, when it appeared Hawaii would soon legalize same-sex marriage, was unconstitutional because it prevents the federal government from affording pension and other benefits to same-sex couples. Since 2004, five states – Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts – and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage.
In Hartford, Conn., the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders sued the federal government on behalf of a Connecticut widower and married couples from Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. The other lawsuit was filed on behalf of a New York woman, Edith Schlain Windsor, who met her late spouse, Thea Clara Spyer, nearly a half century ago at a restaurant.
"No one should have to fight with the government after losing the person she's loved for more than four decades," said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. "Edie and Thea made the same lifelong commitment that other married couples make, and their marriage deserves the same dignity, respect and protection afforded other families."
The lawsuits were filed in federal courts in Connecticut and New York and come just months after a federal judge in Boston struck down a key component of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
The legal actions seek judicial declarations that the law enacted by Congress in 1996, when it appeared Hawaii would soon legalize same-sex marriage, was unconstitutional because it prevents the federal government from affording pension and other benefits to same-sex couples. Since 2004, five states – Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts – and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage.
In Hartford, Conn., the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders sued the federal government on behalf of a Connecticut widower and married couples from Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. The other lawsuit was filed on behalf of a New York woman, Edith Schlain Windsor, who met her late spouse, Thea Clara Spyer, nearly a half century ago at a restaurant.
"No one should have to fight with the government after losing the person she's loved for more than four decades," said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. "Edie and Thea made the same lifelong commitment that other married couples make, and their marriage deserves the same dignity, respect and protection afforded other families."
CNN Looks at Minnesota Archbishop Nienstedt's Obscene 'Traditional Marriage' DVD Campaign
In early October Andrew posted about Minnesota Archbishop Nienstedt's "traditional marriage" DVD campaign, in which 400,000 discs containing an "urgent message" were sent to Minnesota Catholics. CNN talks to some of the campaign's supporters, and its opponents, in a recent segment.
Mexico House of Reps Backs Benefits for Gay Couples
In a 232 to 58 vote, the house endorsed a rule change for the Social Security Institute, which provides benefits to both private and government employees. The senate has yet to vote on the measure.
In August the Mexico supreme court upheld a law granting marriage equality in Mexico City. Unions performed in the Mexican capital must also be recognized in all 31 Mexican states, the court ruled, though no state is required to sanction gay marriages performed outside Mexico City.
Mich. asst. AG accused of harassing student fired
An assistant state attorney general accused of harassing the gay student assembly president at the University of Michigan was fired Monday.
Andrew Shirvell, 30, went on leave about a month ago after national criticism erupted over a blog he wrote characterizing student leader Chris Armstrong as a "racist" and a "liar" who promoted a "radical homosexual agenda."
Shirvell's attorney has said his actions were constitutionally protected as free speech. Shirvell had attended the first day of a disciplinary hearing Friday and expected that hearing to continue later this week, but then was called in and fired.
Cox said the firing came after a state investigation revealed that Shirvell "repeatedly violated office policies, engaged in borderline stalking behavior and inappropriately used state resources."
"To be clear, I refuse to fire anyone for exercising their First Amendment rights, regardless of how popular or unpopular their positions might be," Cox said in a statement.
But he said Shirvell's conduct went beyond free speech when he showed up three separate times outside Armstrong's Ann Arbor home, including once at 1:30 a.m.
"That incident is especially telling because it clearly was about harassing Mr. Armstrong, not engaging in free speech," Cox said.
Armstrong, 21, has accused Shirvell of videotaping a late-night party at his off-campus house, showing up at campus appearances with a sign that read "racist" and "liar," and lambasting him on his blog. Armstrong had filed for a personal protection order against Shirvell but withdrew that request late last month.
His lawyer applauded the decision and said the state should go further and revoke Shirvell's law license.
Andrew Shirvell, 30, went on leave about a month ago after national criticism erupted over a blog he wrote characterizing student leader Chris Armstrong as a "racist" and a "liar" who promoted a "radical homosexual agenda."
Shirvell's attorney has said his actions were constitutionally protected as free speech. Shirvell had attended the first day of a disciplinary hearing Friday and expected that hearing to continue later this week, but then was called in and fired.
Cox said the firing came after a state investigation revealed that Shirvell "repeatedly violated office policies, engaged in borderline stalking behavior and inappropriately used state resources."
"To be clear, I refuse to fire anyone for exercising their First Amendment rights, regardless of how popular or unpopular their positions might be," Cox said in a statement.
But he said Shirvell's conduct went beyond free speech when he showed up three separate times outside Armstrong's Ann Arbor home, including once at 1:30 a.m.
"That incident is especially telling because it clearly was about harassing Mr. Armstrong, not engaging in free speech," Cox said.
Armstrong, 21, has accused Shirvell of videotaping a late-night party at his off-campus house, showing up at campus appearances with a sign that read "racist" and "liar," and lambasting him on his blog. Armstrong had filed for a personal protection order against Shirvell but withdrew that request late last month.
His lawyer applauded the decision and said the state should go further and revoke Shirvell's law license.
Joy Behar: Gay Georgia Mega Church Pastor Comes Out To Battle Gay Teen Suicides
Pastor Jim Swilley, twice married, father of four, as we reported two weeks ago, came out as gay to his congregation in the hope of stemming the tide of the gay teen suicides.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Moms of 'Daphne' and 'Princess Boy' Speak Out
The mothers of 'Daphne' and 'Princess Boy' sat down with Meredith Vieira today to talk about their children, and accepting them for who they are.
Brandon Bitner: Anti-gay bullying leads to another tragic teen suicide
Brandon Bitner, 14, of Mount Pleasant Mills, Penn., walked 13 miles from his home early Friday morning to a busy intersection and threw himself in front of an oncoming tractor-trailer after leaving a suicide note at his home, according to The Daily Item.
There seems to be little doubt in the students’ minds why Bitner did what he did.
“It was because of bullying,” friend Takara Jo Folk wrote in a letter to The Daily Item.
“It was not about race, or gender, but they bullied him for his sexual preferences and the way he dressed. Which,” she said, “they wrongly accused him of.”
Brandon’s suicide note reportedly explained that he was constantly bullied at Midd-West High School in Middleburg, where he was a freshman.
Bullies allegedly called Brandon gay, girly, fag, and geek. He stated in the note that a humiliating event in school this past week was the “straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Brandon was an accomplished violinist, having been a member of the Susquehanna Youth Orchestra in 2009.
His death came just days after an anti-bullying assembly at the high school, which, according to district Superintendent Wesley Knapp, was not held in response to any specific problems at the school, but because it is an issue Principal Cynthia Hutchinson has always felt strongly about.
After the assembly, according to student Briana Boyer in another letter to The Daily Item, “No one took it seriously, and joked around about it.”
Alameda County voters elect country's first transgender judge
Hawaii positioned to pass same-sex civil unions
Hawaii voters opened the way for same-sex civil unions to become state law next year, with an election that gave victory to a pro-gay rights gubernatorial candidate and rejected many church-backed candidates.
The state House and Senate retained the Democratic majorities that approved a civil unions bill this year before it was vetoed, and Democratic Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie has said he will sign a similar law if passed by the Legislature.
The move would make Hawaii, long a battleground in the gay rights movement, the sixth state to grant essentially the same rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself.
“I’m hopeful, but I would never want to call any shots until the final vote is taken,” said Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, who is gay. “While I remain optimistic, there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
The state House and Senate retained the Democratic majorities that approved a civil unions bill this year before it was vetoed, and Democratic Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie has said he will sign a similar law if passed by the Legislature.
The move would make Hawaii, long a battleground in the gay rights movement, the sixth state to grant essentially the same rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself.
“I’m hopeful, but I would never want to call any shots until the final vote is taken,” said Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, who is gay. “While I remain optimistic, there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Pentecostal minister calls on christian faithful to use the word ‘fag’
[YouTube removed the video due to its policy on hate speech]
Manning also stated that equality rights for LGBT Americans who practice the “biblical abomination” of homosexuality will lead to the legalization of bestiality, citing an example of the potential for the video’s viewership to possibly have a loved one desire to marry a dog or a goat.
Manning is no stranger to controversial declarations. Not long after the current President of the United States, Barack Obama, was elected, he called Obama’s mother “white trash” for becoming pregnant by a black man out of wedlock.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Pope Rails Against Same-Sex Marriage In Spain
Pope Benedict XVI strongly defended traditional families and the rights of the unborn Sunday, directly attacking Spanish laws that allow gay marriage, fast-track divorce and easier access to abortions as he dedicated Barcelona's iconic basilica, the Sagrada Familia.
It was the second time in as many days that Benedict had criticized the policies of Spain's Socialist government and called for Europe as a whole to rediscover Christian teachings and apply them to everyday life.
As he headed to the basilica, about 200 gays and lesbians staged a 'kiss-in' to protest his visit and church policies that consider homosexual acts "intrinsically disordered." Later, a few hundred women marched to protest their second-class status in the church and the Vatican's opposition to birth control.
It was the second time in as many days that Benedict had criticized the policies of Spain's Socialist government and called for Europe as a whole to rediscover Christian teachings and apply them to everyday life.
As he headed to the basilica, about 200 gays and lesbians staged a 'kiss-in' to protest his visit and church policies that consider homosexual acts "intrinsically disordered." Later, a few hundred women marched to protest their second-class status in the church and the Vatican's opposition to birth control.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pink Celebrates Marriage Equality in New Video
Pink celebrates marriage equality in the video for her new song, "Raise Your Glass."
Christine O'Donnell Ambushed by Canadian Comic — 'You're So Dense That Light Bends Around You'
Said Walsh: "I just wanted to say good luck from Canada, and to suggest perhaps you need your own constitution with a first amendment that guarantees the separation between your thought and speech." Adding, "Miss O'Donnell, the Canadian press is saying you're so dense that light bends around you. Do you have any reaction to that?"
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Cites LGBT Rights in Victory Speech
Said Gillibrand: "We must protect civil rights for all Americans. That means full marriage equality, and men and women can serve in our military and not be dismissed for who they love."
3 Iowa justices removed after gay marriage ruling
Iowa voters have voted to remove three state Supreme Court justices, siding with conservatives angered by a ruling that allowed gay marriage.
The vote Tuesday was the first time Iowa voters have removed a Supreme Court justice since the current system began in 1962.
The three who weren’t retained were Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and justices David Baker and Michael Streit. They were the only justices up for retention this year.
They were on the court of seven justices who unanimously decided last year that an Iowa law restricting marriage to one man and one woman violated the state’s constitution.
Gay marriage opponents spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the campaign. A group of former governors, lawyers and judges said the justices’ removal would threaten Iowa’s independent judiciary.
The vote Tuesday was the first time Iowa voters have removed a Supreme Court justice since the current system began in 1962.
The three who weren’t retained were Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and justices David Baker and Michael Streit. They were the only justices up for retention this year.
They were on the court of seven justices who unanimously decided last year that an Iowa law restricting marriage to one man and one woman violated the state’s constitution.
Gay marriage opponents spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the campaign. A group of former governors, lawyers and judges said the justices’ removal would threaten Iowa’s independent judiciary.
Same-sex couple on Israel’s `Dancing With Stars’
Israel is the first country to feature a same-sex duo on its version of the popular television competition “Dancing with the Stars,” and the two women have already resolved the toughest question they face: Who will lead?
One, a gay television presenter, and the other, a straight professional dancer, are going to take turns.
“The leader and the follower – we change all the time,” said Dorit Milman, the professional dance partner of TV sportscaster Gili Shem-Tov. “One time I lead her and one time she leads me. But we continue to court.”
The dance partners, who appear on the sixth season of the popular Israeli version of the dancing competition, bring attention to the surprising tolerance of gays in an otherwise homophobic region. Although activists cite dozens of laws that discriminate against them, gays serve openly in Israel’s military and the buzzing seaside metropolis Tel Aviv is one of the gay-friendliest cities in the world.
Shem-Tov said she requested a female dance partner when she was invited onto the show, saying it felt more natural for her as a lesbian.
“I live with my girlfriend and we are raising my 1-year-old son together. It felt natural for me to dance with a woman. That’s my way of life,” Shem-Tov told reporters Tuesday, the day she made her televised dancing debut.
Program producers said they were initially startled by the request, but then embraced it. It’s the first time that a same-sex couple appears on any of the local franchises of the dancing competition, said Cristina Dunn of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the British broadcaster, which distributes the program.
Milman said a same-sex coupling was very different from the strict gender division of roles for men and women in dance. Still she said the nature of the moves wouldn’t change.
One, a gay television presenter, and the other, a straight professional dancer, are going to take turns.
“The leader and the follower – we change all the time,” said Dorit Milman, the professional dance partner of TV sportscaster Gili Shem-Tov. “One time I lead her and one time she leads me. But we continue to court.”
The dance partners, who appear on the sixth season of the popular Israeli version of the dancing competition, bring attention to the surprising tolerance of gays in an otherwise homophobic region. Although activists cite dozens of laws that discriminate against them, gays serve openly in Israel’s military and the buzzing seaside metropolis Tel Aviv is one of the gay-friendliest cities in the world.
Shem-Tov said she requested a female dance partner when she was invited onto the show, saying it felt more natural for her as a lesbian.
“I live with my girlfriend and we are raising my 1-year-old son together. It felt natural for me to dance with a woman. That’s my way of life,” Shem-Tov told reporters Tuesday, the day she made her televised dancing debut.
Program producers said they were initially startled by the request, but then embraced it. It’s the first time that a same-sex couple appears on any of the local franchises of the dancing competition, said Cristina Dunn of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the British broadcaster, which distributes the program.
Milman said a same-sex coupling was very different from the strict gender division of roles for men and women in dance. Still she said the nature of the moves wouldn’t change.
Obama's Latest DADT Promise
The president reiterated his support for repeal and said he expected that Defense secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs chair Adm. Mike Mullen would have "something to say" about the Pentagon's study of repeal when it comes out in December. "But that will give us time to act in -- potentially during the lame duck session to change this policy," he said.
Leaving the policy open to the back and forth in the courts, Obama added, would disrupt unit cohesion. “We need to provide certainty and it’s time for us to move this policy forward,” he said.
Obama also stated that "the overwhelming majority of Americans" feel gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly. "This should not be a partisan issue," he told CNN's Ed Henry, who had posed the question. But he diligently avoided answering the crux of Henry's question, which was whether he might have to admit defeat on the matter to his base now that the Democratic majority in the Senate has been cut to fewer than a handful of seats in the next Congress.
College Responds to Hateful Editorial
The editors of the College of DuPage's student newspaper plan to run a response to a letter to the editor the paper ran from an antigay group last week titled, "Homosexuality isn't a human right."
Wayne Lela of the group Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment, wrote that homosexuality is immoral, and that it is a choice, not an innate trait. The editorial, which was posted Tuesday on Towleroad.com, was originally published October 29 in The Courier, the newspaper for the suburban Chicago college.
The paper's editor, Vikaas Shanker, sent the following e-mail to Towleroad: "The Courier will print an editorial in this Friday’s issue (Nov. 5) which will address the decision to print Mr. Lela’s letter in the Oct. 29 issue. Due to space issues, we will not be able to print all letters to the editor, but we will print the petition sent to us and some letters from the college community. Most other letters will go on the web in a viewable PDF format. All letters are subject to editing for grammar, style, language, length and libel as stated in our Courier policy."
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Look Who's Stalking
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Look Who's Stalking | ||||
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Georgia Mega Church Pastor To Congregation: “I’m Gay.”
Jim Swilley, 52 year-old bishop of Conyer’s Church in the Now, has officially announced to his mega church congregation, in Rockdale County, Georgia. that he is gay.
Swilley, now divorced, was married to Debye, who became his associate pastor after founding the church 25 years ago, they had four children. His ex-wife supposedly knew his secret of being gay from the very beginning and kept it a secret for 21 years.
“I think some women marry gay men because they really think they can change them,” Swilley said.
He has told his whole congregation and most of them are being very supportive. There are, however, some conservative Christians that are bad mouthing this man’s moment of truth. He has been called an “instrument of the devil” by one conservative blogger.
He says that the reason for his sudden outburst of the truth was the rash of gay teen suicides. “To think about saving a teenager yeah, I’ll risk my reputation for that.”
Swilley, now divorced, was married to Debye, who became his associate pastor after founding the church 25 years ago, they had four children. His ex-wife supposedly knew his secret of being gay from the very beginning and kept it a secret for 21 years.
“I think some women marry gay men because they really think they can change them,” Swilley said.
He has told his whole congregation and most of them are being very supportive. There are, however, some conservative Christians that are bad mouthing this man’s moment of truth. He has been called an “instrument of the devil” by one conservative blogger.
He says that the reason for his sudden outburst of the truth was the rash of gay teen suicides. “To think about saving a teenager yeah, I’ll risk my reputation for that.”
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