"We won't allow these sick people to hold gay parades in our country. It's against our traditions and our morals." Zhuzhuna Tavadze, speaking to Reuters as she and thousands others confronted an LGBT-rights rally marking the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) and Transphobia in Tbilisi, Georgia, earlier today. About 50 pro-LGBT activists were forced to flee the scene as ... [Read]
“I urge you to continue your advocacy to further the cause of fair housing for LGBT individuals – and all Americans denied equal protection under the laws. Together, we can we ensure our nation’s continuing and full evolution on this issue.” U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, speaking yesterday in D.C. at the midyear meeting of the ... [Read]
English: Andy Murray, Australian Open 2010 Quarterfinals. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) “I would hope there are no issues on the tour. You know, there have to be some players who are probably gay but I don’t think other players have any issues with it.” -- British tennis player Andy Murray, ranked No. 2 in the world, responds to a ... [Read]
"This is the equivalent of authorizing homosexual marriage in Brazil.” Raquel Pereira de Castro Araujo, who heads the human rights committee of the Brazilian Bar Association, responding to today’s ruling by the country’s National Council of Justice that same-sex couples cannot be denied marriage licenses. The council, headed by the chief justice of Brazil’s Supreme Court, oversees the country’s ... [Read]
"The debate in Indian country is very similar to the debate in the United States in that you have strong feelings going both ways. What you see in Indian country is this struggle between the historical accepting of the two-spirit individuals versus the relatively new but yet very strong Christian influences." -- Elizabeth Ann Kronk, member of the Sault Ste. ... [Read]
"He was raped with beer bottles and had his skull smashed with a stone." Natalia Kunitskaya, spokesperson for investigators for the Russian city of Volgograd, on the brutal murder of a 23-year-old man. She confirmed that the attack was believed to be a hate crime. Two men, aged 22 and 27, have been detained; they had been out drinking with ... [Read]
Pioneering DJ and dance music producer Peter Rauhofer has passed away. It was announced in April that he had been hospitalized with a serious brain tumor. According to his Facebook fan page, Rauhofer was 48. A post attributed to his manager, Angelo Russo, had this final update: "Today the music industry has lost one of its true heroes. "With a heavy heart I must ... [Read]
Continue reading DJ Peter Rauhofer dies at 48.
Antoine Dodson, the flamboyant "YouTube sensation," went on another media blitz this week to discuss his alleged renouncement of homosexuality and materialism. His many statements painted an unclear picture about his intention to marry a woman and if he might still be more attracted to men than women. He made it plainly evident, though, that he was on some type ... [Read]
Continue reading YouTuber Antoine Dodson: Not homosexual but still attracted to men?.
"If you see a man trying on dresses, you’re going to feel uncomfortable.” So says the owner of Jenny's Bridal Boutique in Saskatoon, Canada, to CBS News, after refusing to help Rohit Singh, a trans woman, shop for her wedding dress. According to Singh, who has lodged a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, the owner refused to let ... [Read]
“I’m just so happy that our club is finally going to be allowed to meet. There’s only about a month left of school, but that’s still a month we can use to start doing the work to make this school a safer and more welcoming place.” Bayli Silberstein, an 8th-grader at Carver Middle School in Leesburg, Fla., commenting after ... [Read]
"He disagreed, and I said, 'We agree to disagree' and he said 'No, I'm right and you're wrong.'" LeRoy Butler, a former safety with the Green Bay Packers, recalling a conversation this week with an unnamed pastor. Butler was booked for $8,500 to speak at an anti-bullying event at the unnamed pastor’s church, but that invitation was canceled after ... [Read]
"Our commitment doesn't change, but we will have a burden lifted off our shoulders. Loving and committed couples need legal protections." Anna Simon, who with her partner, Fran Simon, was the first to receive a Colorado civil union certificate, at 12:02 a.m. today, Denver time, one minute after the law took effect. (Associated Press) ... [Read]
“[G]ay people can just grow their own food.” An unidentified staffer for Washington state Sen. Sharron Brown (R), who has introduced a bill to grant businesses the right to deny services to any individual based for religious reasons, answers the question of what gays who live in rural areas are refused service by the only local grocery store. Source: The ... [Read]
“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay. … I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation.” Jason Collins, of the Washington Wizards, coming out in the May 6 issue of Sports Illustrated. (Sports Illustrated) ... [Read]
"The truth is we don't have enough openly gay and lesbian MPs being selected for parliament; just as we don't have enough black and minority ethnic MPs and we don't have enough women MPs. Parliament ought to represent the country -- it ought to look like the country that we stand for and represent." -- Shadow Home Secretary and ... [Read]
"Just an FYI. I am NOT a part of the NFL draft. I am training right now with hopes of landing a tryout at a training camp in a couple months!" -- A tweet by Alan Gendreau, the 23-year-old openly gay former Middle Tennessee State placekicker who created a buzz earlier last week when it was thought he might ... [Read]
"[Regular exercise] released boys tensions and thus avoided homo-sexuality (sic)" So says a UK councillor candidate, John Sullivan, member of the UK's right-wing UKIP party. In a recent Facebook post -- now deleted -- Sullivan opined on the merits of regular physical exercise in his youth, continuing his thoughts with a reflection on the Victorian's reasons for regular exercise ... [Read]
UPDATE: On May 7, 2013. San Francisco Pride updated its Facebook page with regards to Bradley Manning being selected as Grand Pride Marshal. In part, the group said: The SF Pride Board recognizes and regrets the recent error in the announcement of Mr. Bradley Manning as the Electoral College’s Community Grand Marshal. The Electoral College was not the appropriate forum for his ... [Read]
"These results do not change the fundamental view that an AIDS vaccine remains critical to any long-term strategy to end the AIDS epidemic." Matthew Rose, a D.C. participant in the HVTN 505 HIV-vaccine trial, which was halted today. The trial was called off after an independent review board found the vaccine neither prevented HIV infections nor reduced the amount ... [Read]
"I've come to the conclusion that you really can't talk to those folks. You cannot reason with them, because they are so invested in the crazy story that they've gotten a hold of -- like a Rottweiler -- and bitten it and chewed it until it became a really bloody, big lie. The better way is to just use the ... [Read]
"The April 23, 2013, vote marks a new step toward equality for all couples and all families." Inter-LGBT, an umbrella organization of several French LGBT groups, from a statement released after the French National Assembly passed marriage equality 331-225, with 10 abstentions, amid increasing opposition demonstrations. According to the BBC, President Francois Hollande, a backer of the bill, is expected ... [Read]
"Ooh, boy, I have so many. Josh Gad. Brian Williams. Patrick Stewart. Nathan Fillion. Kobe Bryant. Chaz Bono. . . . I'm not picky." Community star Joel McHale, in an interview with The Advocate, who asked if he had a "dude crush." McHale noted that he finds "it really weird when guys flip out over someone thinking they might ... [Read]
"I no longer support the ex-gay movement or efforts to attempt to change individuals -- especially teens who already feel insecure and alienated. I feel great sorrow over the pain that has been caused when my words were misconstrued. I have worked at giving generously to the gay community in Portland where I work and live. I am working ... [Read]
"I always had dreams and plans of doing my own thing and creating my own image, so it came a little sooner than I thought it would, but this is still something I knew I would be going through and would have to experience." E.J. Johnson, son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, on his recent coming out via paparazzi ... [Read]
"Nothing about being gay makes one inherently more or less prone to meningitis; likewise nor does being straight lower risks." Health editor James Hamblin on the fears among some in the gay community about the diseases, which most recently killed a Los Angeles lawyer. Hambling notes that meningitis, which is transmitted through the nose and mouth, is no more ... [Read]
[Update: Peter Rauhofer passed away on May 7, 2013.] Hundreds of Peter Rauhofer's fans expressed well wishes for the famed dance music producer and DJ after it was announced that he is suffering from a "large brain tumor." His manager, Angelo, wrote today: Peter Rauhofer (Photo by Aaron Cobbett) As Peter Rauhofer's manager and dear friend for many years, it ... [Read]
"In our society, the meaning of marriage is universal -- it's a declaration of love and commitment to a special person. Nothing could make me more proud to be a New Zealander than passing this bill." New Zealand Member of Parliament Louisa Wall, sponsor of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New Zealand. It's the 13th nation in the ... [Read]
"When visitors or residents are subjected to discrimination, they suffer the sting of indignity, humiliation and outrage, but we are all demeaned and our society diminished by unlawful discrimination." William Hoshijo, executive director of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, commenting on the case of a California couple who sued a Hawaiian bed and breakfast for denying them a room ... [Read]
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