Is Obama actually going to use a Supreme Court nominee to advance the cause of the closet (as well as kill any court imposition of marriage equality)? And can we have a clear, factual statement as to the truth? In a free society in the 21st Century, it is not illegitimate to ask. And it is cowardly not to tell.
Super-blogger Andrew Sullivan • Breaking into detail about a question referring to Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan: “So is she gay?” Sullivan, isn’t exactly trying for the homophobia card or anything like that – dude’s HIV-positive and long-openly-gay, so his cards are already on the table. But he raises a good point. If the never-married Kagan is in fact gay, this means that she could be in a position to shape gay rights a certain way as a Supreme Court justice. And Obama should be forthright about this. (For balance purposes, we should note that Hanna Rosin of Slate’s Double X suggests this debate is in fact not OK.) source
stupid Virginia’s attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli II, orders state universities to remove language from their anti-discrimination codes protecting gays and lesbians, saying only the state legislature can do that. People are PISSED.
better Hoping to quell the landmine Cuccinelli just stepped in, Gov. Bob McDonnell issues a directive saying that discrimination against gay and lesbian state employees is prohibited, and he’ll fire anyone he catches. It’s a good start.
This ad is gonna be sooooooo controversial. Nothing like a gay men’s dating site to make the Tim Tebow anti-abortion ad seem pretty tame. Unfortunately for ManCrunch, CBS is slow to approve the ad, which could prevent it from being shown at all. If they approve the Tebow ad but don’t approve this, we know the truth. CBS is full of hypocrites. source
There's a possible chance that Anderson Cooper is gay. There's also a possible chance that you're gay. As well as us. We could possibly be gay. But here's the thing, and this is what Gawker doesn't get: It's our choice whether or not anyone knows about it. And even if we tell the world, it shouldn't be treated like a big deal.
Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have.
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Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have.
How it affects him Anderson Cooper has a career to think about, which we’re sure is why Gloria Vanderbilt’s son is holding back (if he is). But think about it. You have this journalist who’s done a pretty good job of being the objective face of CNN. And if he comes out, he’s the story. That’s not fair to him. If he wants to come out, let him do it. Don’t constantly prod or push. source
Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have.
How it affects him Anderson Cooper has a career to think about, which we’re sure is why Gloria Vanderbilt’s son is holding back (if he is). But think about it. You have this journalist who’s done a pretty good job of being the objective face of CNN. And if he comes out, he’s the story. That’s not fair to him. If he wants to come out, let him do it. Don’t constantly prod or push.
Does it matter? Some would argue that the gay rights movement needs people to come out to help further its goals. We argue that there are better places to push. There’s nothing wrong with being proud about it. There is something wrong with pulling a blanket off someone when they’re naked underneath. That’s what Gawker is doing right now. And it’s wrong. source
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. source
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.” source
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 build Not 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
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
What was it? The riots happened at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The fight, the result of a failed raid by police, escalated in a violent fashion, with hundreds of protesters outnumbering officers, throwing bricks and beer bottles, and setting the bar on fire. Four officers were hurt in the melee. source
What was it? The riots happened at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The fight, the result of a failed raid by police, escalated in a violent fashion, with hundreds of protesters outnumbering officers, throwing bricks and beer bottles, and setting the bar on fire. Four officers were hurt in the melee.
Why this was big Before this altercation, the gay rights movement had not fought back against the police officers who had gone out of their way to shut down bars they frequented and attacked gays and lesbians. The riot was spontaneous and a culmination of dealing with years of abuse. Simply put, they got sick of having to live in fear. source
What was it? The riots happened at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The fight, the result of a failed raid by police, escalated in a violent fashion, with hundreds of protesters outnumbering officers, throwing bricks and beer bottles, and setting the bar on fire. Four officers were hurt in the melee.
Why this was big Before this altercation, the gay rights movement had not fought back against the police officers who had gone out of their way to shut down bars they frequented and attacked gays and lesbians. The riot was spontaneous and a culmination of dealing with years of abuse. Simply put, they got sick of having to live in fear.
The end result The altercation, which created tensions for days afterward, led to organization that the LGBT movement didn’t have until that point. Every major moment of the gay rights movement – including protests, gay-themed publications, gay pride parades and the rise of Harvey Milk – can trace its roots to that night. source