Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Direct Democracy Is 'Clearly Flawed'
The Daily Show took on California's ballot initiative system with a segment called "California's Direct Democracy Troubles."
Dorothy's Ruby Slippers on Auction Block
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
‘Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights’
In an historic policy speech delivered Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for LGBT human rights protections around the globe.
Clinton outlined several steps the United States government will take to advance equal treatment of LGBT people under the law, and outlined in a Presidential memo that was released today by the White House.
More Than 100K Sign Petition to Reconsider Gay Marriage in Maine
"Gay-rights activists in Maine gathered more than 35,000 signatures on Election Day to support a 2012 ballot imitative that would allow same-sex couples to get marriage license, reported Equality Maine.
In 12 weeks volunteers were able to collect more than 100,000 signatures.
"Not only were we incredibly successful at gathering signatures at the polls today, but volunteers all over the state met voters who have changed their minds on this issue in the last two years," said Betsy Smith, EqualityMaine executive director.
In 12 weeks volunteers were able to collect more than 100,000 signatures.
"Not only were we incredibly successful at gathering signatures at the polls today, but volunteers all over the state met voters who have changed their minds on this issue in the last two years," said Betsy Smith, EqualityMaine executive director.
NY Woman Sues School District for Failing to Stop Bullying of Her Gay Son
Traci Lanzone, the mother of a Marion, NY high school student is suing the school district, claiming that the school has failed to address the anti-gay bullying of her son, WHAM13 reports:
Traci Lanzone filed the lawsuit in federal court last week. She claims her son, who is not identified in court papers, has been relentlessly bullied over the last two school years. The harassment ramped up when he told classmates he is gay.
“Everything from being pushed, kicked, having food thrown at him, his clothes being hidden…it was just relentless,” Lanzone said.
Lanzone said she complained to Marion officials at least 30 times about the bullying. Her son also complained, but Lanzone said the harassment continued. Court papers say classmates carved anti-gay slurs into desks and yelled obscenities.The boy remains a student in the high school.
Obama Directs International Agencies to Ensure Rights and Protection of LGBT People Abroad
President Obama today issued a memorandum directing the heads of Executive Departments and Agencies abroad to advance the human rights of and ensure the safety of LGBT people.
Writes Obama in the memorandum, which you can read below:
Writes Obama in the memorandum, which you can read below:The struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons is a global challenge, and one that is central to the United States commitment to promoting human rights. I am deeply concerned by the violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world -- whether it is passing laws that criminalize LGBT status, beating citizens simply for joining peaceful LGBT pride celebrations, or killing men, women, and children for their perceived sexual orientation. That is why I declared before heads of state gathered at the United Nations, "no country should deny people their rights because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere." Under my Administration, agencies engaged abroad have already begun taking action to promote the fundamental human rights of LGBT persons everywhere. Our deep commitment to advancing the human rights of all people is strengthened when we as the United States bring our tools to bear to vigorously advance this goal.
By this memorandum I am directing all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Bachmann Left Speechless After Encounter With 8-Year-Old Boy
At a book signing in South Carolina, an 8 year-old boy named Elijah whispered to Michele Bachmann, "Miss Bachmann, my mommy's gay but she doesn't need any fixing."
I Will Stop Judges From Telling People What The Law Says
Michele Bachmann on Fox News Sunday told host Chris Wallace that as president she will stop judges from telling people what the laws are, tying into the very essence of what the Tea Party stands for: Don’t tell me what to do.
As any ten year old knows, the job of a judge, especially, say, judges on the Supreme Court, is to interpret and explain laws and pass judgment based on those interpretations.
As any ten year old knows, the job of a judge, especially, say, judges on the Supreme Court, is to interpret and explain laws and pass judgment based on those interpretations.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Kentucky Congregation Overturns Ban On Interracial Couples
An eastern Kentucky church under a firestorm of criticism since members voted to bar mixed-race couples from joining the congregation overturned that decision Sunday, saying it welcomes all believers.
Stacy Stepp, pastor of the Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church in Pike County, told The Associated Press that the vote by nine people last week was declared null and void after it was determined that new bylaws can't run contrary to local, state or national laws. He said the proposal was discriminatory, therefore it couldn't be adopted.
Stepp said about 30 people who attended church services voted on a new resolution that welcomes "believers into our fellowship regardless of race, creed or color."
The issue came up at the tiny all-white Appalachian church after the daughter of church secretary Dean Harville visited over the summer with her boyfriend, who is from Africa, and the two sang for the congregation.
Harville said he was approached in August by Melvin Thompson, the church member who crafted the resolution to bar mixed-race couples, and was told that his daughter and her boyfriend were no longer allowed to sing at the church.
Thompson has said he is not racist and called the matter an "internal affair."
Stacy Stepp, pastor of the Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church in Pike County, told The Associated Press that the vote by nine people last week was declared null and void after it was determined that new bylaws can't run contrary to local, state or national laws. He said the proposal was discriminatory, therefore it couldn't be adopted.
Stepp said about 30 people who attended church services voted on a new resolution that welcomes "believers into our fellowship regardless of race, creed or color."
The issue came up at the tiny all-white Appalachian church after the daughter of church secretary Dean Harville visited over the summer with her boyfriend, who is from Africa, and the two sang for the congregation.
Harville said he was approached in August by Melvin Thompson, the church member who crafted the resolution to bar mixed-race couples, and was told that his daughter and her boyfriend were no longer allowed to sing at the church.
Thompson has said he is not racist and called the matter an "internal affair."
What's going on...
Many of us have experienced the pain of teen bullying first-hand, and we’d reel from its effects in our room, hidden to the world. Thanks to a little thing called YouTube, bullied 14-year-old Jonah Mowry is going viral on the internet.
Hershey School Rejects HIV-Positive Philly Boy
The AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit on behalf of the unidentified boy in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia on Wednesday, claiming the Milton Hershey School for disadvantaged students violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
School officials acknowledged that the 13-year-old boy was denied admission because of his "medical condition." They said they believed it was absolutely necessary to protect the health and safety of the 1,850 others enrolled in the residential institution, which serves children in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade and where students live in homes with 10 to 12 others."
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Britain's Manliest Man Bares All For Elton John Charity
Rugby star Sacha Harding has bared all for a photo shoot for the U.K. magazine Gay Times to support Elton John’s AIDS foundation.
“AIDS is such a devastating disease for so many people around the world and I was honored to get this opportunity to try and do my part to help raise awareness of the disease and ultimately save lives," Harding says.
Last year Harding, who plays with Bedford Blues, was also voted "Britain’s manliest man" after winning a nationwide competition organized by men’s grooming brand the Bluebeards Revenge.
Harding is one of 54 men to appear in the magazine's annual "naked issue." Darren Scott, the editor of Gay Times, says in a statement that he was delighted to feature Harding on the front cover. "How could we not have Britain's manliest man on our cover?" he asks. "Our readers do like their men to be real men! It's an absolute joy to have a straight rugby player be so willing to take part in a shoot for Britain's longest-running gay magazine."
Harding is happy to help a cause he believes in. “I know I’m going to get some stick from the lads at Bedford but it’s all good fun and the whole campaign has a very serious message which needs promoting,” he says.
Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans with HIV don’t have infection under control
Part of the reason is that about 20 percent of those infected with HIV don’t know it. People can have an infection for years without developing symptoms."
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