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19 Oct 2009 09:05

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Culture: Jan Moir and The Daily Mail have a lot of complaints on their hands

  • one controversial article about the death of Boyzone’s Stephen Gately that blamed his homosexuality
  • 21,000 formal complaints about the Jan Moir article to the U.K.’s Press Complaints Commission since Friday source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 Oct 2009 04:37

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U.S.: More women than men hit by military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” rule

  • 56 women were dismissed from the military for being gay, versus 34 men
  • 36% of all discharges have been women since the rule was set in 1994 source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Aug 2009 18:01

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U.S.: Lutherans split over same-sex leaders in the church

Evangelical Lutherans at a gay rights parade
  • The decision Yesterday, leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted in favor of letting gay members of the church in same-sex relationships become leaders – a decision likely to cause division among members.
  • The reason The decision appears to emphasize a change in the cultural tide. The Rev. Stanley Olson, an ECLA leader, explained that the church is “committed to having the kind of leaders who will serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
  • Factions buildNot every congregation is happy with this decision, and some of those conservative churches have created an organization called Lutheran CORE, which threatens to take financial support away from the denomination. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

07 Aug 2009 10:30

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Music: Rapper homophobia evolves into “no homo” boasts on records

  • This is still a concession to homophobia, but one that enables a less rigid definition of the hip-hop self than we’ve seen before. It’s far from a coup, but, in a way, it’s progress.
  • Slate columnist Jonah Weiner • Who’s obviously thought way too hard about the role of homophobia in hip-hop. While it’s always been there, the latest mutation, the use of the phrase “no homo,” seems to at least offer a degree of wiggle room. “No homo tweaks this dynamic because it allows, implicitly,” he says, “that rap is a place where gayness can in fact be expressed by the guy on the mic, not just scorned in others.” Cam’ron, Lil’ Wayne and Kanye West (who has made statements denouncing homophobia) have all spouted the phrase on record. Is it really a turning point? • source
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05 Aug 2009 10:52

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U.S.: Florida police arrest deputy for allegedly sexually abusing immigrants

  • I can’t think of a worse betrayal of public trust. The fact is, he preyed on one of our most vulnerable communities.
  • Broward, Fla. Sheriff Al Lamberti • Discussing the charges against top deputy Jonathan Bleiweiss, an award-winning officer who allegedly preyed on illegal immigrants, sexually assaulting them. Bleiweiss, who is openly gay, previously was seen as a model police officer and has been the subject of newspaper articles praising his pioneering status in the community. • source
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04 Aug 2009 21:48

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Music: Transgendered musician Antony worked hard for his fame

  • I know that sounds ridiculous, but I have to keep that garden alive. I see myself as a microcosm – that’s the word – as one example of humanity and of the brokenness of humanity. I’m interested in exploring that on a very personal level in that it might be useful for my own attempt to evolve.
  • Antony Hegarty, the transgendered mastermind of Antony and the Johnsons • Discussing what he feels he does with his music. As you might imagine from a large-framed transgendered man with a voice akin to Nina Simone, he has an interesting life story, most of it taking place in New York. But a few lucky shakes, particularly from Lou Reed and Devendra Banhart, gave Antony eventual breakout success. Recently, his subject matter has turned from gender identity to pure optimism, optimism which peppers his most recent album, “The Crying Light.” This Pitchfork feature on the singer is a pretty killer read. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Jul 2009 14:11

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Politics: ESPN.com columnist: Don’t compare gay rights to civil rights

  • This is one of the main reasons why so many blacks bristle at the comparison of the two movements – everybody wants to sing the blues, nobody wants to live them.
  • ESPN.com columnist LZ Granderson • In a column on CNN comparing the gay rights movement to the struggle that blacks have faced. Granderson, an openly gay black male sportswriter (which is a pretty specific social segment), takes the movement to task for leaving out black people and complaining that President Barack Obama isn’t moving quickly enough. Granderson has a long history of insightful comments on gay rights, by the way. • source
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02 Jul 2009 11:45

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World: You can now be gay without fear of arrest in (a small part of) India

  • A ban on homosexual sex has been overturned. Today, a New Delhi court overturned section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which bans consensual gay sex. The decision, which only applies only in New Delhi, is a huge victory for the country’s gay rights movement. Religious leaders panned the decision, saying it was leading to further Westernization of the conservative-leaning country. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 7 Comments • Permalink

22 May 2009 15:46

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U.S.: Was Prop. 8 legal in California? The state supreme court weighs in

  • The backstory After the California Supreme Court overturned a law that made gay marriage illegal because it was discriminatory, those who opposed the law quickly put a ballot measure in place that would amend the constitution to define gay marriage as between a man and woman. Despite the gay rights movement’s best efforts, the law passed with 52% of the vote.
  • A second act? However, all may not be lost for gay marriage supporters. Immediately after Proposition 8 passed, it was challenged in court. The court heard summary judgments from both sides in March, and will decide whether the amendment was legal in the first place. The court will announce its decision Tuesday; rallies are planned no matter what happens. Get your popcorn ready. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 May 2009 09:15

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Offbeat: Love, immigration status tear mayor apart from Texas city

  • It’s true love, but his gay lover needs a visa. J.W. Lown, the mayor of San Angelo, Texas, stepped down from his position abruptly yesterday, preferring not to use his power to help his boyfriend in Mexico make it to the U.S. before others. Lown was a very popular mayor in San Angelo, and was last elected to office with 89% of the vote. He holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Mexico. source
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