Talk Show Appearance Leads To Jail For Three Gay Men In Ghana

Talk Show Appearance Leads To Jail For Three Gay Men In Ghana
Oct 30, 2011 12:33 pm |

Three men, all lovers, appeared on a Jerry Springer-esque TV show in Ghana to dish about their romantic difficulties. The Ghanian police didn't like it. According to GhanaWeb: The police, who were shocked at what transpired, quickly apprehended the three... read more |

PinkPaperNews - Monday 31st 2011

Monday 31 October 2011
PM tells leaders aid is dependent on changing anti-gay policy Prime Minister David Cameron has told leaders of countries that continue to criminalise homosexuality that he plans to carry out his threat to withdraw aid, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia. Thousands demonstrate against anti-gay discrimination Tens of thousands of protestors have attended the annual gay Pride parade in Taiwan’s Taipei City with the aim of highlighting anti-gay discrimination in the country. Manchester's Spartans continue unbeaten rugby league run The North West’s only gay and inclusive rugby team, The Manchester Village Spartans, are currently top of their league following an unbeaten run so far this season. 18 year-old detained over death of Stuart Walker A teenager has been detained by police over the gruesome death of gay man Stuart Walker. Former MP rejected by advice bureau board over his anti-gay-marriage views A former Scottish National Party MP has failed in his bid to be re-elected onto the board of Dundee’s Citizens Advice Bureau. Commonwealth chief Kamalesh Sharma backs gay rights Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma made history earlier this week, when he backed gay rights at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth People’s Forum in Australia.
Singing ‘pilot’ aims to “cheer up America” A street performer is seeking to “cheer up America” by singing a number of Broadway hits in cities across the country. Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi announce plans for vegan restaurant in L.A. Comedienne Ellen DeGeneres and her actress wife Portia de Rossi have announced plans to open vegan restaurant in Los Angeles. Channel 4 to broadcast new trans documentary series Channel 4 have announced plans to broadcast a brand new documentary on gender identity. American Idol singer Kelly Clarkson rubbishes lesbian rumours The original winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, has once again publicly dismissed rumours that she is gay.

Project Bolo: Indian Lgbt Oral History Project

Project Bolo: Indian Lgbt Oral History Project

by globalqueerdesi

http://www.projectbolo.com/transcripts.htm PROJECT BOLO, meaning 'Speak Up', is an attempt to overcome this lacuna, by offering real life positive real-life role models by documenting LGBT persons - their lives, career, love and struggles. It is hoped that this will turn into a movement to empower LGBT persons across India. 'Project Bolo' records and documents individual profiles [...]

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Desi Grandma for Same-Sex Marriage

Desi Grandma for Same-Sex Marriage

by globalqueerdesi

http://sepiamutiny.com/blog/2008/10/07/prop_8_1/comment-page-1/#comment-287 Earlier this year, wedding bells in California started ringing for people in the gay and lesbian community when the California Supreme Court ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violates the promise of equality in the California Constitution. But all that might change on November 4th.

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Homosexuality in Pakistan

Homosexuality in Pakistan

by globalqueerdesi

http://tribune.com.pk/multimedia/videos/284671/

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How The Catholic Church Is Profiting In The German Erotic Novel Industry

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-10-28/europe/30331780_1_book-sales-german-catholic-church-bishops#ixzz1cHZ80q79

Here's How The Catholic Church Is Profiting In The German Erotic Novel Industry
Nick Jardine|October 28, 2011

One of Germany's largest publishing companies,
Weltbild, has over 2,500 erotic novels in its
online catalogue. Its owned 100 percent by the German Catholic Church.

Worldcrunch, summarizing an article by German
newspaper Die Welt, says that for over 10 years
Catholics have complained about the company,
which has been owned by the church for over 30
years. The high point of this opposition came in
2008, when a 70-page report on the book sales was sent to bishops.

Die Welt reports that the situation came to light
after a report this month mentioned the erotica
distributed by Weltbild. The publication also
said that over half of the bishops who were sent
the report in 2008 failed to acknowledge receipt of the document.

Weltbild has an annual turnover of €1.7 billion
($2.4 billion) and has a 20 percent market share
when it comes to selling books. That makes it the
second largest online retailer of books behind Amazon.

The church also owns a 50 percent stake in
publishing company Droemer Knaur, which also produces pornographic books.

.

www.welt.de/vermischtes/article13679586/Katholische-Kirche-macht-mit-Pornos-ein-Vermoegen.html
Katholische Kirche macht mit Pornos ein Vermögen
Bernhard Müller| 25.10.2011

.

The "Winchester Geese" were prostitutes in
Southwark, in brothels run by the bishops of
Winchester: so this church-owned
publishing-house is merely continuing the time-honoured tradition.

The "Welt" article says they also publish books
on sorcery and satanism. Is this part of a new ecumenical initiative?

__._

High School Gay Basher In Chillicothe May Receive Harsher Punishment

High School Gay Basher In Chillicothe May Receive Harsher Punishment
Oct 29, 2011 06:05 am |

New news from Unioto High School in Chillicothe, OH, where an alleged gay bashing was recorded on a cell-phone camera. As Andy reported on Thursday: A student at Union-Scioto High School ... was brutally beaten this week by another student... read more

50,000 March At Taiwan Gay Rights Parade

50,000 March At Taiwan Gay Rights Parade
Oct 29, 2011 09:17 am |

In Taipei, according to WashPo: Thousands of gay rights supporters have marched through Taiwan’s capital, calling for increased tolerance and the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation. The Saturday event is the ninth annual gay rights parade in Taipei, which has one... read more

When insults had class...

When insults had class...

These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.

· A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."

"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

· "He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr

· "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill

· "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow

· "He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

· "Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas

· "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

· "He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." - Oscar Wilde

· "I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend, if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

***

"Cannot possibly attend first night. Will attend second ... if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in response.

· "I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop

· "He is a self-made man and worships his creator."

- John Bright

· "I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." - Irvin S. Cobb

· "He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others." - Samuel Johnson

· "He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."

- Paul Keating

· "In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand

· "He loves nature in spite of what it did to him."

- Forrest Tucker

· "Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" - Mark Twain

· "His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - Mae West

· "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde

· "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

· "He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder

· "I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx

Absolut touts its decades of outreach to LGBT audience

Absolut touts its decades of outreach to LGBT audience
Pernod Ricard's Absolut vodka is unveiling a campaign celebrating the brand's 30th year in reaching out to gay consumers in the U.S., an appeal which began in 1981 when Absolut ran ads in two magazines read by gay men. The $4 million yearlong anniversary campaign is dubbed "Absolut Outrageous," and will have online and social media elements, as well as print and outdoor ads. The ads were produced by shops inside the TBWA Worldwide agency, which has handled Absolut creative since 1980. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (10/26)

Georgia university requires employees to sign anti-LGBT pledge

Gay employees banned at Ga.'s Shorter University

by Laura Douglas-Brown

October 26, 2011 12:50

Shorter University has adopted new "faith statements" that include an effective ban on gay people working for the Southern Baptist college, which is located in Rome, Ga.
New documents approved by the university's Board of Trustees on Oct. 21 include a "Personal Lifestyle Statement" for university employees, as well as other statements and new logo stressing the college motto of "Transforming Lives Through Christ."
Faculty and staff were told of the new policies on Monday, according to an Oct. 25 press release from the school.
The Personal Lifestyle Statement, which employees are required to sign, includes, "I reject as acceptable all sexual activity not in agreement with the Bible, including, but not limited to, premarital sex, adultery and homosexuality."
The statement, which can be read in its entirety here, also says that employees must be active members of a local church and includes statements about being loyal to the mission of Shorter; not using, selling or possessing illegal drugs; and not using alcoholic beverages in front of students or attending university events within six hours of drinking them.
Employees must sign the statement that stresses that they can be fired for violating the policy: "I have read and agree with the Personal Lifestyle Statement and will adhere to it in its entirety while employed at Shorter University. I understand that failure to adhere to this statement may result in disciplinary action against me, up to and including immediate termination."
In the press release, Shorter Trustee Chair-Elect Joe Frank Harris, Jr. explained why the university adopted the new statements.
“The ‘why’ is really simple: What you stand for matters. Proverbs 3:5-6 tell us to ‘Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.’ If we acknowledge Him, He will make this university’s path straight," he said.
The Southern Baptist faith has been among the most vocal opponents of gay equality, including organizing an unsuccessful boycott of Disney because of its alleged support for LGBT rights.
Leaders in other faiths, however, disagree with the interpretation that the Bible condemns homosexuality. You can read more about differing interpretations of Biblical texts here.

Catholics see difference in loyalty to faith, hierarchy

By David Gibson| Religion News Service, Published: October 24

WASHINGTON — American Catholics have by and large remained loyal to the core teachings and sacraments of their faith, but increasingly tune out the hierarchy on issues of sexual morality, according to a new study released Monday (Oct. 24)
The sweeping survey shows that over the last quarter-century, U.S. Catholics have become increasingly likely to say that individuals, not church leaders, have the final say on abortion, homosexuality, and divorce and remarriage.
That trend holds true across generational and ideological divides, and even applies to weekly Mass attenders, according to the survey, which has been conducted every six years since 1987.
“It’s the core creedal sacramental issues that really matter to American Catholics, more than the external trappings of church authority,” said Michele Dillon, a sociologist at the University of New Hampshire and a co-author of the report, in releasing the report at the National Press Club.
At the same time, the authors note, Catholic loyalty and identity remain remarkably strong, even as 83 percent of Catholics say the clergy sexual abuse scandal has hurt the bishops’ moral and political credibility.
“By and large, Catholics like being Catholic,” said co-author Mary Gautier of Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
The report identified two-thirds of U.S. Catholics as “moderately committed,” a group that inched up in size as the share of “highly committed” has shrunk from 27 percent in 1987 to 19 percent this year.
More than half (56 percent) say they would “never leave” the Catholic Church, and one in three say it is unlikely they would leave. Three-quarters of respondents said “being Catholic is a very important part of who I am.”
Across the board, Catholics tend to agree on four key markers — the resurrection of Jesus (73 percent), helping the poor (67 percent), devotion to the Virgin Mary (64 percent), and the centrality of the sacraments (63 percent) — as core to their Catholicism.
Opposition to abortion (40 percent) and to same-sex marriage (35 percent), and the authority of the Vatican (30 percent) and support for a celibate, all-male clergy (21 percent) were further down the list.
The issue of homosexuality showed one of the largest gaps between the pulpit and the pews. The portion of Catholics who say church leaders have “the final say” on homosexuality has plunged by half, from 32 percent to 16 percent, over the past 25 years, while those who say individuals make the final call has shot up from 39 percent to 57 percent.
Dillon noted that other issues have remained relatively stable, which leads her to conclude that Catholics are taking their cues from the larger culture, much like they did on birth control.
“They’ve made up their own minds on that issue and I think they see same-sex marriage in the same way,” she said. “It’s reflective of the culture but also indicative of Catholic autonomy.”
The survey also confirms that American Catholicism is also increasingly Latino, with about a third of Catholics in the United States identifying as Hispanic — a figure that has tripled in size in the past 25 years.
Even as Catholic loyalty persists, weekly Mass attendance continued to decline, from 44 percent to 31 percent. Those who go less than once a month grew, from 26 percent to 47 percent.
“Monthly Mass has become the new weekly,” Dillon said. “Catholics are still remaining in touch with the sacraments and the Mass even though they’re not saying they need to go because it’s an externally imposed mandate from the hierarchy.”
Ironically, while the bishops may not appreciate the growing distance between the pulpit and the pew, that gap may have helped shield American Catholicism from some of the fallout from the abuse scandal.
Roughly one in three Catholics give the bishops good-to-excellent marks in handling the crisis, with everyone else giving them poor-to-fair marks. Those numbers are only slightly better for weekly Mass-goers.
The loosening ties to the authority of the hierarchy may also parallel a diminishing commitment to the poor and to parish life.
In the 2011 survey, 60 percent of Catholics said you could be a good Catholic without donating time or money to help the poor, up from 44 percent in 2005. Similarly, three-quarters (74 percent) said you could be a good Catholic without donating time or money to a parish, up from 58 percent six years earlier.
Even among the “highly committed” Catholics, the importance of helping the poor fell from 39 percent to 30 percent in the past six years, which co-author William D’Antonio of Catholic University attributed to a “recession that they weren’t confronting in 2005.”
The survey also shows U.S. Catholics to be as discerning about their political leaders as they are about their bishops.
Some 57 percent of Catholics say they identify to some degree as Democrats, compared to 40 percent for the GOP. In recent elections Catholic voters have alternately backed George W. Bush and Barack Obama, confirming them as a large and crucial swing vote.
The new survey indicates that Catholics in the pews will continue to make up their own mind in the ballot box, as well as the bedroom.
Views on abortion and care for the poor continue to be the chief markers dividing Catholic Democrats and Catholic Republicans; nearly half (48 percent) of Republicans said the church’s teaching against abortion was very important, compared to just 35 percent of Democrats.
Catholic Democrats, on the other hand, were more likely than Republicans to say helping the poor was a religious priority, by a 72-61 percent margin.
The online survey of 1,400 adult Catholics (with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points) was conducted by D’Antonio, Gautier and Dillon in cooperation with the National Catholic Reporter, an independent newsweekly.

Don’t just prevent bullying, fix the bullies

Commentary: Don’t just prevent bullying, fix the bullies
Daniel Zingale, senior vice president at the California Endowment, writes that the flexibility in the state’s new anti-bullying law will give school officials room to enact policies aimed at both preventing bullying and rehabilitating those who bully. "Across California and across the country, schools are stepping away from zero tolerance and toward a new approach called restorative discipline. Restorative discipline teaches accountability by requiring bullies to 'make it right' with the kids they hurt," Zingale writes. Advocate.com (10/27)

Independent MP Rob Messenger accuses gay couples seeking marriage rights of 'heterophobia'

• by: Koren Helbig and Andrew MacDonald
• From: The Courier-Mail
• October 28, 2011 12:00AM

RESPECT ME: 'I will feel discriminated against if gay people try to interfere with my traditional cultural values', says Queensland MP  Rob Messenger.  Picture: Liam Kidston Source: The Courier-Mail

INDEPENDENT MP Rob Messenger has accused gay couples seeking marriage rights of "heterophobia" and said he would feel discriminated against if the controversial civil union Bill was passed.

In a speech in Parliament yesterday, the Member for Burnett said his opposition to Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser's private member's Bill did not mean he was homophobic and that homosexuals were "some of the most interesting, likeable, funny, talented, intelligent, caring, fascinating people in the world".
As the issue continued to dominate Question Time yesterday, Mr Messenger said homosexual couples should not be discriminated against, but his Christian beliefs meant he believed marriage should only occur between a man and a woman.
He called on gay people to respect his values and traditions, "just as I respect gay people's values and traditions".
"I will feel discriminated against if gay people, a minority group, try to interfere with my traditional cultural values and impose their own," he said.

"If gay people continue to attack my cultural values, knowing that it will cause myself and many others distress, then I will begin to think they are in fear of me and people who share my tolerant western Christian democratic values.
"They would then have to explain their heterophobia."
Queenslanders can now have their say on the bid to legalise same-sex unions with written submissions due by next Friday.
The committee will then present its findings to the House on November 21, ahead of a debate expected before Christmas.
In Parliament yesterday, Opposition Leader Jeff Seeney continued to accuse Mr Fraser of mounting a "desperate bid to cling to power with the support of the Greens" by introducing the Bill.
He called on the Bligh Government to rule out any policy-for-preferences deals with the Greens, which he said would give Queensland a government as "dysfunctional as the Greens-controlled Labor government in Canberra".
Mr Fraser, who insisted the Greens were more interested in claiming his Mt Coot-tha seat for themselves, promptly ruled out such a deal.
Mr Messenger also is facing suspension from Parliament for five sitting days after a Parliamentary Ethics Committee report found he had failed to ensure documents concerning a child were "tabled in a non-identifying manner" and had breached his duty to the House by referring to a matter before the District Court.

Nairobi's Gay Community on Edge After Terrorist Bombing

27 October 2011

REPORT: Nairobi's Gay Community on Edge After Terrorist Bombing

PHOTOS: AP, Reuters

At least one person is dead and many are injured after two grenade explosions in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday. The terrorist attacks at a bar and a bus stop followed warnings by Somalia's al-Qaeda-backed militant group al-Shabaab.

Kenya's burgeoning gay community is on edge. The bar targeted Monday morning was frequented by gay/bisexual men and male sex workers, reports Behind the Mask.

Denis Nzioka, editor of Kenya’s new LGBTI and sex workers magazine, Identity, explained that though not exactly a well known gay hangout like other bars in and around Nairobi, Mwaura’s was popular with male sex workers and men who have sex with men who liked the bar for its "cheap keg beer and mutura (an African blood sausage)."

Nzioka said, "Like any keg joint there were older men there looking for a shag from the younger ones. Most of the old patrons were mostly married, living in rural areas or were unemployed. There was also a noticeable presence of mid-level income earners especially from nearby offices, as well as students."

He added, "So far, no one I know from [the MSM or male sex worker community] has been hurt; however, I would confidently say that of the [people injured], there must have been some MSMs in there. There were some female sex workers who were hurt too.:

Nzioka however pointed out that due to differences with the management in 2010, many regulars from the MSM and male sex worker communities had stopped frequenting the bar for a time until recently when the management realised banning the queer element from the bar had had a negative impact on the profits and so had begun welcoming the community back.

At least 12 people were injured in the blast at the bar, three of them seriously, reports the Nairobi Star. The second blast at a downtown Nairobi bus stop killed one person and injured at least 15, reports Capitol FM.

Kenyan soldiers entered neighboring Somalia last week to fight al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militants the government blames for kidnapping a number of tourists and aid workers in Kenya.

Kenya's government is considered moderate on gay rights. They were the first African nation to include gay and bisexual men in their national HIV strategy. Two pro-LGBT justices were confirmed to the Supreme Court in June.

But there has been a backlash against calls to decriminalize homosexuality in the East African nation, such as one cabinet minister's proposal to scrap the nation's sodomy laws. Last November, Prime Minister Raila Odinga called for the mass arrests of gays at a political rally but later retracted his statements.

Some Background ...
KENYA: Pro-LGBT Justices Confirmed
Controversy in Kenya After Pro LGBT Nominees
Kenyan Prime Minister: "All Gays Should Be Arrested"
KENYA: Questions Surround Mandatory HIV Testing
AIDS 2010: Joel Nana on African Gay/Bi Men, HIV
WATCH: CNN Surveys Gay Rights in SA, Kenya, Cuba
Kenyan Gays Demand Protection After Brutal Assault
Kenya: "Things are Changing in Favor of Gays"
Homosexuality is Un-African?

Survey finds strong support for LGBT workers

Survey finds strong support for LGBT workers: The vast majority of heterosexual workers believe their gay colleagues should be judged on their work performance rather than their sexual orientation, according to the Out & Equal Workplace survey. Sixty-two percent of respondents also said they supported equal benefits for gay and lesbian workers. ThinkProgress.org (10/26)

Group aims to ban workplace discrimination against LGBT Americans

Group aims to ban workplace discrimination against LGBT Americans
Freedom to Work, a new organization whose sole aim is passage of a federal law protecting U.S. workers from anti-LGBT discrimination, said it plans to disband as soon as it accomplishes that goal. Though some states have enacted their own version of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, 29 still allow employees to be fired based on sexual orientation, and 35 permit terminating workers because of their gender identity. Washington Blade (10/26)

Cuomo calls for marriage equality nationwide

Cuomo calls for marriage equality nationwide
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week called for all states to allow gays and lesbians to marry, the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and the passage of a federal law to protect LGBT workers from employment discrimination. Cuomo, speaking at a fundraising event for the Empire State Pride Agenda, was introduced by N.Y. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who said Cuomo's election had "made all the difference in the world." The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (10/27)

Report details inequities for kids of gay parents

Report details inequities for kids of gay parents

By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer – 4 days ago 

According to her dads, life is good for Carrigan Starling-Littlefield, a spunky 5-year-old being raised by two gay men in South Carolina, which doesn't recognize their out-of-state marriage.
"We've found that being a family has created a lot of common ground with other families. We've not had many issues at all," said Tommy Starling, a partner in a food brokerage.
Yet he and his husband, Jeff Littlefield, who became parents through a California-based surrogacy program, remain wary as they contemplate Carrigan growing older and confronting challenges beyond their supportive community in Pawley's Island, S.C.
"We're cautious about where we go, because we don't want our daughter to see any negativity," said Starling, 39. "We have some longer-term apprehensions that she'll face issues as she gets older, and we're trying to prepare her for that ... I feel she's the type of person who will stand up for her family."
Carrigan is among a growing multitude of American children — possibly more than 1.2 million of them — being raised by gay and lesbian parents, often without all the legal protections afforded to mom-and-dad households.
Increasingly, the welfare of these children will be a core part of gay-rights strategies, as evidenced by a comprehensive report being released Tuesday. Compiled by an alliance of advocacy and child-welfare groups, it summarizes how laws and social stigma create distinctive challenges for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families.
"There are myriad ways that our families are discounted by government at all levels, and children are hurt the most," said Jennifer Chrisler of the Family Equality Council, one of the three groups authoring the report.
The other groups are the liberal Center for American Progress and the Movement Advancement Project, a gay-rights think tank. Among other participants in the project were the National Association of Social Workers and the Child Welfare League of America.
The U.S. census does not attempt to count the number of children being raised by gays and lesbians. Demographer Gary Gates of the UCLA School of Law's Williams Institute, who has been a consultant to the Census Bureau, estimates the number at 1.2 million, while the new report uses the figure of 2 million, including children with bisexual and transgender parents.
Whatever their numbers, the families are striking for their diversity — encompassing many low-income and minority households, and spread across about 96 percent of America's counties, according to data compiled by Gates and others.
Among the barriers and inequities they face, as detailed in the report:
—Many government safety net programs use definitions of family tied to marital status which may exclude same-sex partners.
—Because of lack of legal recognition for their unions, gay and lesbian parents can face heavier tax burdens, higher costs for health insurance, and diminished financial protections in the event of death or disability.
—When same-sex parents separate, one parent may lose custody or visitation rights, even in cases where he or she had been a child's primary caregiver.
Overshadowing all these problems is pervasive social stigma, according to the report.
"Many of the challenges LGBT families face stem from a society that assumes that everyone is heterosexual and comes from a family with two married heterosexual parents," it says.
For opponents of same-sex marriage, the issue of children can prompt nuanced responses.
"Certainly children in any household arrangement need to be protected — need full support and love," said Mary Ellen Russell, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Maryland. But she said such protections should be provided without redefining the traditional concept of marriage as between a man and woman.
Many of the obstacles and inequities outlined in the new report would be addressed if same-sex marriage — now legal in six states and Washington, D.C. — were legalized nationwide and recognized by the federal government. However, the report includes numerous recommendations for less sweeping changes that would benefit children with gay parents, such as:
—Broadening the definition of "family" to allow LGBT families to benefit fully from government safety-net programs, and revise the tax code to provide equitable treatment for these families. At present, even legally married same-sex couples who can file joint state tax returns must file separate federal returns.
—Enacting state-level parental recognition laws that would allow joint adoption by LGBT parents. Even with about 110,000 children in foster care who are eligible for adoption, some states and agencies refuse to place children with same-sex couples.
—Ensuring that LGBT families have access to health insurance on equal terms with heterosexual families, and eliminate inequitable taxation of these benefits.
—Ensuring that hospital visitation and medical decision-making policies are inclusive of LGBT families.
—Expanding education and training about LGBT families for social workers, health care providers and other professionals.
Jeff Krehely, director of the Center for American Progress's LGBT research and communications project, said the report is part of an effort to counter arguments that same-sex marriage is a threat to children.
"People who oppose marriage equality have used and exploited children in a very scare-mongering way," said Krehely, who hopes the report will increase public understanding and empathy.
The report, titled "All Children Matter: How Legal and Social Inequalities Hurt LGBT Families," is being presented Tuesday at event in Washington drawing some high-level government officials.
Bryan Samuels, commissioner of the federal Administration on Children, Youth and Families, is scheduled to be part of a panel discussion, and the opening speech will be given by Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler, a staunch gay-rights supporter in a state where lawmakers will be considering a bill to legalize same-sex marriage next year.
"Same-sex marriage is a pro-family measure," Gansler said in a telephone interview.
Lisa Polyak, chair of the statewide gay-rights group Equality Maryland, says there will be a concerted effort during the legislative debate to highlight the challenges facing children of gays and lesbians.
"If you care about children, you should care that the parents don't have the legal tools to take the best care of them," she said.
Polyak and her partner of 30 years, Gita Deane, were married earlier this year in Washington. They have two daughters, Devi, 12, and Maya, 15, who testified before lawmakers last year in support of same-sex marriage in Maryland.
"The root of my activism is denial of equal treatment of my children," said Polyak, citing instances where her daughters had been hurt by other people's comments.
"One child told my daughter she was not allowed to come over to our house because we weren't really a family," Polyak said. "For them, it's a constant source of sadness and hurtfulness."
___(equals)
Online:
The "All Children Matter" report: http://www.children-matter.org
Family Equality Council: http://www.familyequality.org/
Center for American Progress: http://www.americanprogress.org/
___(equals)
David Crary can be reached at http://twitter.com/CraryAP

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Children in LGBT households denied federal benefits

Report: Children in LGBT households denied federal benefits
Millions of children being raised by gay and lesbian parents in the U.S. lack federal benefits and protections afforded other families, according to a new report from a coalition of LGBT and child welfare groups. The report recommends that LGBT families be treated equally in health insurance and medical decision-making, and that social safety net programs be more inclusive. Google/The Associated Press (10/25)

Out troops go to court over spousal benefits

Out troops go to court over spousal benefits
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network this week filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking spousal benefits for gay and lesbian troops who are legally married under state laws. The suit takes aim at the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevents the Pentagon and other federal agencies from offering the same benefits that are available to married heterosexual service members to families of openly gay troops. "The case we are bringing is about one thing, plain and simple. It’s about justice for gay and lesbian service members and their families in our armed forces rendering the same military service, making the same sacrifices and taking the same risks to keep our nation secure at home and abroad," said Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN’s executive director. The Washington Post (10/27), Metro Weekly (Washington, D.C.)/Poliglot blog (10/27), Washington Blade (10/27)

Welsh Rugby Player Jed Hooper Comes Out of the Closet

Jed Hooper, a Welsh pro rugby player, has come out of the closet:
The 22-year-old back row forward came out to family and friends earlier this year. And Hooper has now spoken exclusively to the Evening Post in the hope that his story can help other young rugby players come to terms with their sexuality.
Said Hooper: "I met someone earlier this year who said he could not be with someone who was in the closet. That, basically, was the catalyst that I needed. Before that, I think I had already told about ten friends and their reaction was very positive so that gave me an inkling of what might happen. And I also thought if the crap really hits the fan then at least there are ten people on my side!...I was never going to do it bit by bit, that would have been too drawn out, so I decided to text everyone and also put it on Facebook. I was horribly nervous. I wrote and rewrote the text four or five times, and I had my finger on the 'send' button for ages before I finally pushed it. The text basically said something along the lines that 'I've been hiding it and fighting it for too long, and I can't hide any more. If you can accept me this way then great ... and if you can't then I don't need you and you can get lost!' I then cried my eyes out as I was thinking to myself 'what have you done?, but very quickly I must have had 40 replies and all of them were positive."
Old Redcliffians' skipper Jed Hooper happy to reveal that he is gay [evening post]
(via joe.my.god)

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2011/10/welsh-rugby-player-jed-hooper-comes-out-of-the-closet.html#ixzz1cBFx7uWs

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo Looks Nationally on LGBT Rights in Empire State Pride Agenda Speech

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo Looks Nationally on LGBT Rights in Empire State Pride Agenda Speech: VIDEO
Oct 28, 2011 04:47 am |

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke before a crowd of 1,200 last night at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers at the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA) dinner, and called for marriage equality across the country, the NYT reports:... read more |

Joplin, MO Teacher Who Said More Gay Kids Need to Die is Cleared, Claims Account Was Hacked

Joplin, MO Teacher Who Said More Gay Kids Need to Die is Cleared, Claims Account Was Hacked
Oct 28, 2011 06:12 am |

Earlier in the week, I posted about Jim Whitney, a teacher at Joplin High School in Missouri, whose anti-gay remarks on Facebook were brought to light. Whitney was commenting on a former student's link to an article about gay teen... read more

Lesbian Couple, Supporters Protest Ejection from Tim Hortons

Lesbian Couple, Supporters Protest Ejection from Tim Hortons: VIDEO
Oct 28, 2011 07:41 am |

Appproximately 20 people showed up to protest an incident that took place three weeks ago at a Tim Hortons restaurant in Blenheim, Ontario in which a lesbian couple was ejected from the restaurant for what they say was an innocent... read more

County Prosecutor Anticipates Filing Assault Charge Today Over Classroom Beating of Gay Ohio Teen

County Prosecutor Anticipates Filing Assault Charge Today Over Classroom Beating of Gay Ohio Teen: VIDEO
Oct 28, 2011 08:00 am |

More details are emerging with regard to the horrific video I posted yesterday showing a gay teen being beaten in his classroom by another student who taunted the gay teen on Facebook with homophobic remarks several days earlier. The school's... read more

UFC President Dana White Says There's 'Probably More than One' Gay Fighter and 'I Wish He Would Come Out'

UFC President Dana White Says There's 'Probably More than One' Gay Fighter and 'I Wish He Would Come Out'
Oct 28, 2011 09:45 am |

In mid-October, I posted about a letter written to Anheuser-Busch by longtime gay activist Cleve Jones, Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada Chair Derek Washington, Culinary Workers Union President Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Southern Nevada... read more

Man questioned over death of gay barman Stuart Walker

An 18-year-old man is being questioned in connection with the death of a gay barman in Ayrshire.
Police said the teenager was being “detained” over the murder of 28-year-old Stuart Walker.
Mr Walker was found dead with “horrible” injuries near an industrial estate in Cumnock. He had been beaten and burned.
A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: “We can confirm that an 18-year-old man is currently detained in connection with this inquiry.”
The man was taken into custody last night, reports said.
Mr Walker’s death is not currently being treated as motivated by homophobia, although police say they are keeping an open mind.
Few details of his injuries have been released but police said he had been subjected to an “extremely violent and sustained attack”.
Officers said the attack was not thought to be random and that it was likely Mr Walker knew his attackers.
Mr Walker was last seen alive near Glaisnock Street’s fire station at about 2.30am on Saturday October 22nd.
His body was found by a passerby two and a half hours later.

Sex change case tests France's gay marriage ban

Husband who became woman and is still with longtime wife seeks legal recognition of their union post-operation

RENNES, France — A French citizen who changed sex to become a woman but stayed with her wife of 15 years and their children is seeking legal recognition for her altered status, in a case that could reopen debate over France's ban on same-sex marriage.

Wilfrid Avrillon, a 41-year-old computer engineer, became Chloe Avrillon after a sex switch operation five years ago and still lives with wife Marie-Jeanne, a lesbian, and their three children in the west of France.
Avrillon presented her case to court officials in a closed-door hearing on Thursday and is now waiting for a ruling in mid-December, her lawyer said.
"We've been waiting for years for recognition of families like ours, which may be atypical but work well," Chloe Avrillon told reporters.
France's constitutional ban on same-sex marriages was upheld by the country's highest constitutional authority last January in a case brought by two women.
Avrillon's case is different to the extent that the wedding preceded the sex change.
Lawyer Emmanuel Ludot said judicial officials had raised no objections during Thursday's hearing to his client's request that her change of sex from male to female be recognized, and not suggested their marriage be nullified as a consequence.
The ruling conservatives are set against gay marriage, but Socialist Francois Hollande, who opinion polls show could defeat President Nicolas Sarkozy in next year's presidential election, favors changing to law to make it legal.

ACLU Battles to End School Censorship of LGBT Sites

By Neal Broverman

The American Civil Liberties Union went to court on Thursday to end a Missouri school district's policy of censoring all LGBT sites — including those of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Campus Pride, and PFLAG —while allowing students to view antigay websites.

The ACLU, along with the ACLU of Eastern Missouri, are seeking a preliminary injunction against the Camdenton R-III School District. The ACLU says the school has been warned many times that its filtering software keeps informative, non-sexual LGBT sites from students.

"School districts across the country have purchased filtering software that allows them to block sexually explicit websites without discriminating against LGBT-supportive content,” Joshua Block, staff attorney with the ACLU LGBT Project, said in a statement. “We all agree that it is appropriate to block students from accessing pornography or sexually explicit content. But Camdenton R-III insists on using its ‘do it yourself’ software even though other systems provide viewpoint-neutral filtering and are more effective at blocking actual pornography.”

The suit was filed on behalf of a Camdenton high school student, as well as the LGBT sites blocked by the district. Click here to hear more about the case.

October 27, 2011, 11:39 am

Microsoft and Yahoo Equalize Health Benefits for Gay Employees

By TARA SIEGEL BERNARD

The Cost of Being Gay

A look at the financial realities of same-sex partnerships.

With open enrollment season in full swing, several big companies have said that they would begin to reimburse gay employees for the extra taxes they pay on health insurance for their significant others. Now, two more technology giants, Microsoft and Yahoo, have decided to join in, starting Jan. 1.
Married heterosexual couples don’t have to pay the taxes because their unions are recognized by the federal government.
While Yahoo’s new policy will apply only to same-sex partners and their dependents, Microsoft said it would also begin to offer domestic partner insurance to workers with opposite-sex partners. And they will get the extra reimbursement, too.
The movement to equalize benefits has picked up speed in recent weeks, as companies revisit their employee benefit policies for the coming year. Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and American Express have also announced similar changes. There’s still a long way to go — most companies don’t “gross up,” as the reimbursements are known. But we’ve been closely tracking corporate America’s progress in this chart.
Under federal law, employer-provided health benefits for domestic partners are counted as taxable income if the partner is not considered a dependent. On top of that, the employees cannot use pretax dollars to pay for their premiums — unlike their opposite-sex married counterparts.
So while many big companies offer health insurance coverage for domestic partners, it costs employees more money to use it. To level the playing field between gay and heterosexual employees, more companies are digging into their own pockets to cover the extra expense.
Many of them choose only to cover same-sex couples since heterosexual domestic partners have the option to marry and avoid the extra taxes. That makes Microsoft’s new policy stand out as being particularly generous.
Is your company on our chart? If not, mention the name in the comment section below and we’ll ask the company if it has any plans to change its policy. We’re also curious to learn about any big companies that do not offer domestic partner health insurance.