Judge Walker, the Chief Justice who ruled the ban on gay marriage be lifted in California last week, is deciding today whether or not gay marriages can resume today. If he does decide they may resume counties, such as Los Angeles, will perform weddings today on a first-come, first-serve basis. The lines as of right now are already forming! The BBC News article about this can be found here!
Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for up to date information about Judge Walker's decision!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Mexican Supreme Court Rules That States Must Honor Gay Marriages
On Tuesday the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that gay marriages performed in the country's capital, Mexico City, have to be honored by all Mexican states. The court made it clear that other states did not have to enact or perform gay marriages themselves, but had to honor those that were performed else-ware in the country. Justice Arturo Zaldivar stated, "“What’s going to happen to a same-sex couple” who marry in Mexico City “when they cross the border” to another state? Does this marriage disappear? They go on vacation and they’re no longer married?"
However, the court, in their ruling, left uncertain as to which marital rights would transfer.
The New York Times article on this subject can be found here!
However, the court, in their ruling, left uncertain as to which marital rights would transfer.
The New York Times article on this subject can be found here!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Happy Tuesday!
While perusing the internet today I came across an article on FoxNews.com (Yes, that Fox News. Bear with me...) titled "My Fellow Conservatives, Think Carefully About Your Opposition to Gay Marriage" by Margaret Hoover. It first goes on to summarize the Prop 8 trial, noting that, "Surprisingly, the defense’s two lone witnesses also offered compelling reasons to favor of marriage equality."
Hoover goes on to address the article by a Notre Dame law professor which was posted on FoxNews.com which implied through speculation that Judge Walker's rumored homosexuality caused him to decide the case before even hearing it. She wrote, "We conservatives have a well-founded narrative about judges and the courts. It is true that the federal bench is populated with liberals who view their role not as interpreting the law as it is written, but as policy makers empowered to sculpt social outcomes with which they agree. The irony of this case is that Judge Walker is not a liberal activist judge but one whose career has proven him to be a tempered judge, true to the Reagan-Bush conservative jurisprudence that he was nominated to represent on the bench." She also writes,"Conservatives cannot deny that our Founders intended the judiciary as an equal and independent branch of government purposed to ensure the protection of every citizen’s rights."
Further, Hoover writes that opposing gay marriage could land conservatives on the wrong side of civil rights history yet again, with the consequence of alienating a whole generation of voters (the majority of Americans under 30 support gay marriage). The full article can be found here!
Hoover goes on to address the article by a Notre Dame law professor which was posted on FoxNews.com which implied through speculation that Judge Walker's rumored homosexuality caused him to decide the case before even hearing it. She wrote, "We conservatives have a well-founded narrative about judges and the courts. It is true that the federal bench is populated with liberals who view their role not as interpreting the law as it is written, but as policy makers empowered to sculpt social outcomes with which they agree. The irony of this case is that Judge Walker is not a liberal activist judge but one whose career has proven him to be a tempered judge, true to the Reagan-Bush conservative jurisprudence that he was nominated to represent on the bench." She also writes,"Conservatives cannot deny that our Founders intended the judiciary as an equal and independent branch of government purposed to ensure the protection of every citizen’s rights."
Further, Hoover writes that opposing gay marriage could land conservatives on the wrong side of civil rights history yet again, with the consequence of alienating a whole generation of voters (the majority of Americans under 30 support gay marriage). The full article can be found here!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Friday!
Happy Friday, everyone! This week has surely been an exciting one, with Prop 8 being declared unconstitutional by a federal judge, Kagan being confirmed by the Senate for the Supreme Court, and the Mexican Supreme Court deeming that gay marriage in their capital is constitutional! It's been a great week and as Lt. Dan Choi tweeted, "If this is a movement, it must keep moving. Let's keep pushing for what we know is justice, for what we know is love."
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Judge Walker's Prop 8 Verdict!!
By now everyone most-likley knows the outcome of the Proposition 8 case that was announced yesterday! Judge Walker ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutional in his 136 page opinion which is a first step in what will probably be a lengthy fight. In this opinion he stated, "Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples." He gave both sides until tomorrow (Friday) to respond to the order.
Articles relating to the Prop 8 outcome can be found by clicking the links below!
CNN- Judge overturns California's ban on same-sex marriage
LA Times- Republican mayor of San Diego "thrilled" by Prop 8 ruling
TODAY- Celebrities react to overturning of California's Prop 8
Articles relating to the Prop 8 outcome can be found by clicking the links below!
CNN- Judge overturns California's ban on same-sex marriage
LA Times- Republican mayor of San Diego "thrilled" by Prop 8 ruling
TODAY- Celebrities react to overturning of California's Prop 8
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Prop 8 Ruling TODAY!
Hey everyone! I know that this was posted on our Twitter and Facebook this morning, but it's pretty much all I have been thinking about today (hence this blog post...)! U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco is going to electronically release the ruling of the Prop 8 case on the district's website today between 1pm and 3pm Pacific time. Proposition 8 banned gay marriage in the state of California only 5 months after it was legalized. This ruling will be the first federal trial decision on the legality of a gay marriage ban.
To find out the decision as soon as it happens text EQUAL to 69866!
To find out the decision as soon as it happens text EQUAL to 69866!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Campus Climate Index
While perusing the internet I recently (and by recently I mean this morning) found the Campus Pride's LGBT Friendly Campus Climate Index. I found it to be pretty interesting and worth taking a look at. They use a ranking system of a five star continuum for LGBT friendly practices, policies, and programs. There is a score for both sexual orientation and gender expression, and they break down their ratings by LGBT policy inclusion, LGBT support and institutional commitment, LGBT student and academic life, LGBT housing and residential life, LGBT campus safety, LGBT counseling and health, and finally LGBT recruitment and retention efforts. My school, Bryn Mawr College, has a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. How does your school rate? Do you agree with their score?
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index
LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index
Monday, August 2, 2010
Breaking Glass Ceilings
Hello Readers!
Just a few news stories to present today on this Monday of Mondays.
First, July 31 was the kick-off of the Cologne Gay Games 2010. For those less familiar with this event, the Gay Games are an Olympics of sorts created especially for out athletes and allies. Professional sports are notorious for discrimination and homophobia, and the Gay Games offer an event where all athletes are welcome, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, nationality, etc. Attending the Cologne Gay Games VIII is out athlete and Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham, who represents the competition as an Ambassador.
Links:
http://www.games-cologne.de/en
http://www.gaygames.com/index.php?id=en
In other news, the House of Givenchy has recently featured a transgender model in an Haute Couture fashion show and photo campaign. The model, Lea T, was the former muse of Riccardo Tisci, the Givenchy creative director. Lea T. has also appeared in Italian Vogue, nude.
Link here (with a couple other stories):
http://www.365gay.com/topics/news_politics/weekend-watercooler-transgender-supermodels-and-catholic-disconnect/
Just a few news stories to present today on this Monday of Mondays.
First, July 31 was the kick-off of the Cologne Gay Games 2010. For those less familiar with this event, the Gay Games are an Olympics of sorts created especially for out athletes and allies. Professional sports are notorious for discrimination and homophobia, and the Gay Games offer an event where all athletes are welcome, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, nationality, etc. Attending the Cologne Gay Games VIII is out athlete and Olympic gold medalist Matthew Mitcham, who represents the competition as an Ambassador.
Links:
http://www.games-cologne.de/en
http://www.gaygames.com/index.php?id=en
In other news, the House of Givenchy has recently featured a transgender model in an Haute Couture fashion show and photo campaign. The model, Lea T, was the former muse of Riccardo Tisci, the Givenchy creative director. Lea T. has also appeared in Italian Vogue, nude.
Link here (with a couple other stories):
http://www.365gay.com/topics/news_politics/weekend-watercooler-transgender-supermodels-and-catholic-disconnect/
Friday, July 30, 2010
Happy Friday!
Happy almost weekend everyone! This week our posts were about Latino Catholics views on same-sex marriage, Senator Kerry's call to repeal the ban on gay men donating blood, the 6 gay couples filing a lawsuit in Hawaii for equal rights, and why Equality PA is not supporting counter protests against NOM. More stories and posts can be found on our Facebook and our Twitter pages (Just follow the links!)! Have great weekends, everyone!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
6 Gay Couples File Lawsuit in Hawaii
Three weeks ago Hawaii's Governor, Linda Lingle, vetoed the civil unions bill that made its way to her desk after stating it was the voters right to decide whether marriage should be between a man and a woman. As a result, 6 gay couples have filed a lawsuit asking for the same rights as married couples. They are not asking for the label "civil union" or "marriage", but are rather for the state to extend the benefits and responsibilities of marriage based on Hawaii's Constitution ban against sex discrimination. Jennifer Pizer, senior counsel for Lambda Legal, stated "This case is not about marriage. It's about the right of same-sex couples to at least have a system that is understandable and complete...The state's equality guarantee at least has to mean same-sex couples should have the same rights and responsibilities, even if it's segmented off into a system that isn't as respected, understood and revered as marriage."
Source- The Associated Press: Hawaii lawsuit seeks equal rights for gay couples by Mark Niesse
Source- The Associated Press: Hawaii lawsuit seeks equal rights for gay couples by Mark Niesse
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Senator John Kerry Calls for Repeal on Gay Blood Ban
Senator Kerry reiterated his stance on the FDA's policy that bans gay men from donating blood Monday at the Blood Products Advisory Committee hearing. The current policy bans any man who has had sexual relations with another man since 1977. This same policy allows heterosexual men and women who have had sexual relations with a HIV-positive partner to donate blood after a one year waiting period. Kerry stated, "The science regarding HIV/AIDS contraction has advanced dramatically in the last three decades, and our understanding of what constitutes high risk behavior has grown far beyond the ignorant idea that sexual orientation is an indicator in itself. I trust that, as we move forward in this process, we will be guided by science rather than the past in determining the best screening policies to help make our blood supply even safer for all who depend on it.”
The Advocate article Kerry Calls for Gay Blood Ban Repeal by Michelle Garcia can be found by following the link!
The Advocate article Kerry Calls for Gay Blood Ban Repeal by Michelle Garcia can be found by following the link!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Why EqualityPA is NOT supporting counter protests against NOM
The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) kicked off their "One Man, One Woman" tour on July 14th. At each stop where there have been counter protests or attendance by pro-equality supporters, they have disrespected or mocked them and attempted to provoke them into screaming or yelling. Their goal in doing this is to make our side look foolish and hostile. We have also seen that they like to play a numbers game where if we have even a few less attendees than at their event, they will claim that the momentum is moving in their direction. We know from the recent polling numbers and the pathetic turnout their rallies have been recording, that this simply isn't the case.
We are working hard to advance equality and will continue to do so long after they leave town. While we may be upset by their rhetoric, we can't get caught up in retaliation when we need to remain focused on what needs to get done to win! Putting our energy into showing up at their event does not help to move us forward. What will help to advance equality in Pennsylvania is if we use them coming to town as an excuse to mobilize local activists and build our network.
So after NOM finishes their ranting and heads to the next town, we will be out there getting it done! We are holding a terrific event in Harrisburg on August 12, the night before they arrive, around a special showing of the movie "Stonewall Uprising" with a panel on youth activism afterward. We encourage everyone who can, to attend.
Not only is this a great movie, but this public conversation will increase our network and identify new volunteers and supporters. Please do what you can...attend, make a donation or just plain follow our activities. But please, ignore NOM when they come to town and don't interact. Attention is exactly what they want, and why should honest people who hold equality close to their hearts be tricked into supporting their sad little charade.
We are working hard to advance equality and will continue to do so long after they leave town. While we may be upset by their rhetoric, we can't get caught up in retaliation when we need to remain focused on what needs to get done to win! Putting our energy into showing up at their event does not help to move us forward. What will help to advance equality in Pennsylvania is if we use them coming to town as an excuse to mobilize local activists and build our network.
So after NOM finishes their ranting and heads to the next town, we will be out there getting it done! We are holding a terrific event in Harrisburg on August 12, the night before they arrive, around a special showing of the movie "Stonewall Uprising" with a panel on youth activism afterward. We encourage everyone who can, to attend.
STONEWALL UPRISING
Thursday, August 12 7pm $7 at the door
The Midtown Cinema
250 Reily Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Click here to view the Facebook event!
Thursday, August 12 7pm $7 at the door
The Midtown Cinema
250 Reily Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Click here to view the Facebook event!
Not only is this a great movie, but this public conversation will increase our network and identify new volunteers and supporters. Please do what you can...attend, make a donation or just plain follow our activities. But please, ignore NOM when they come to town and don't interact. Attention is exactly what they want, and why should honest people who hold equality close to their hearts be tricked into supporting their sad little charade.
Majority of Catholic Latinos Support Same-Sex Marriage
According to a recent piece by Joseph M. Palacios for the Washington Post, Catholic Latinos in the United States may not be as conservative as they are generally perceived to be. This work states that 57% of Latino Catholics would vote for the legalization of gay marriage, as opposed to 23% of Latino Protestants. It also mentions how Latino Catholics "say they trust the parents of gay and lesbian children more than their own clergy as a source of information about homosexuality." This may be because Catholics are neither fundamentalists nor literalists when it comes to the Bible and use the complex and ambiguous mix of the Bible, church teachings, and social reality to base their moral decisions. The article also goes on to state, "Recently same-sex marriage and adoption rights were legally approved in the Catholic countries of Argentina, Spain, and Portugal, as well as Mexico City. It is important to note that modern Latin Catholicism has a dual nature: it is "conservative" in the sense of family communalism and tradition that the church offers, yet it is classically "liberal" in the sense of not wanting the Catholic Church to have power in political life-- particularly after the long historical experience of the Latin American Church "meddling in politics.""
The full article can be found here!
The full article can be found here!
Friday, July 23, 2010
DADT, GLAAD, TV, and Brian Sims
Friday!
Just a few things today – it seems to be a slow Friday, but news is reactionary, so nothing to do about that.
Lt. Dan Choi has officially been issued an honorable discharge from the US military. His discharge actually has been effective since June 29. Choi says he will continue to be a voice for those who cannot speak up.
CNN link here:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/22/choi.discharged.army/?hpt=T2
In TV news, GLAAD has issued its Network Responsibility Index (NRI) to mark positive steps in LGBT recognition and inclusion on the small screen. The results are somewhat surprising. In a historic first, MTV received GLAAD’s first ever “excellent” rating, with shows like “The Real World” and “America’s Best Dance Crew” cited as shows that “…offered richly diverse portrayals of gay and transgender people that help Americans better understand and accept our community” (Jarret Barrios, president of GLAAD). Evidently 42% of MTV’s primetime schedule is LGBT inclusive.
Also up there in ratings were the CW and FOX, due primarily to “90210” and “Glee”, respectively. And falling behind were ABC, who had been in previous years at the top of the list, and CBS and NBC.
I’d like to put the question out there to our readers – how do you feel these networks fared? Does MTV really deserve an “excellent”?
A few links to chew over:
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=11232760
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-glaad-20100723,0,2885944.story
http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=6091&MediaType=1&Category=16
And finally, a shout-out to Equality PA Board President Brian Sims, who received recognition from the National LGBT Bar Association as one of the best LGBT lawyers under 40! Congrats Brian!
Just a few things today – it seems to be a slow Friday, but news is reactionary, so nothing to do about that.
Lt. Dan Choi has officially been issued an honorable discharge from the US military. His discharge actually has been effective since June 29. Choi says he will continue to be a voice for those who cannot speak up.
CNN link here:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/22/choi.discharged.army/?hpt=T2
In TV news, GLAAD has issued its Network Responsibility Index (NRI) to mark positive steps in LGBT recognition and inclusion on the small screen. The results are somewhat surprising. In a historic first, MTV received GLAAD’s first ever “excellent” rating, with shows like “The Real World” and “America’s Best Dance Crew” cited as shows that “…offered richly diverse portrayals of gay and transgender people that help Americans better understand and accept our community” (Jarret Barrios, president of GLAAD). Evidently 42% of MTV’s primetime schedule is LGBT inclusive.
Also up there in ratings were the CW and FOX, due primarily to “90210” and “Glee”, respectively. And falling behind were ABC, who had been in previous years at the top of the list, and CBS and NBC.
I’d like to put the question out there to our readers – how do you feel these networks fared? Does MTV really deserve an “excellent”?
A few links to chew over:
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=11232760
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-glaad-20100723,0,2885944.story
http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=6091&MediaType=1&Category=16
And finally, a shout-out to Equality PA Board President Brian Sims, who received recognition from the National LGBT Bar Association as one of the best LGBT lawyers under 40! Congrats Brian!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
A few things to keep an eye on...
A few stories today – some positive, some saddening, and all uplifting.
Yesterday, the judge who wrote the law allowing Massachusetts same-sex couples to marry announced her retirement. Chief Justice Margret Marshall, the first ever woman to hold that position in the MA court, will retire at the age of 70 to spend more time with her husband. Her remarkable tenure as Chief Justice will be remembered.
Link here:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBJ16yGsP6s2tHjJ8nEqDda20tqAD9H3NN5G0
Next, according to the Los Angeles Times, 1 in 4 Californians have become more supportive of gay rights over the last five years. The statistic is taken from a poll conducted by the DC based non-profit Public Religion Research Institute. Over 3,300 Californians were surveyed, and the results were overwhelmingly positive towards gay rights.
Link here:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0722-samesex-poll-20100722,0,1066909.story
And finally, for the first time in Oklahoma, a transgender candidate, Brittany Novotny, is running for a seat in the state house. Novotny is running for the same seat currently held by Sally Kern, the Republican who stated that homosexuality is a bigger threat than terrorism. While Kern says she will not make Novotny’s gender identity part of her campaign, Novotny expects that Kern’s supporters will.
Link here:
http://www.365gay.com/news/transgender-candidate-in-oklahoma-faces-socially-conservative-opponent/
Yesterday, the judge who wrote the law allowing Massachusetts same-sex couples to marry announced her retirement. Chief Justice Margret Marshall, the first ever woman to hold that position in the MA court, will retire at the age of 70 to spend more time with her husband. Her remarkable tenure as Chief Justice will be remembered.
Link here:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iBJ16yGsP6s2tHjJ8nEqDda20tqAD9H3NN5G0
Next, according to the Los Angeles Times, 1 in 4 Californians have become more supportive of gay rights over the last five years. The statistic is taken from a poll conducted by the DC based non-profit Public Religion Research Institute. Over 3,300 Californians were surveyed, and the results were overwhelmingly positive towards gay rights.
Link here:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0722-samesex-poll-20100722,0,1066909.story
And finally, for the first time in Oklahoma, a transgender candidate, Brittany Novotny, is running for a seat in the state house. Novotny is running for the same seat currently held by Sally Kern, the Republican who stated that homosexuality is a bigger threat than terrorism. While Kern says she will not make Novotny’s gender identity part of her campaign, Novotny expects that Kern’s supporters will.
Link here:
http://www.365gay.com/news/transgender-candidate-in-oklahoma-faces-socially-conservative-opponent/
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Prom, Protest, and Gaga
Hello Readers,
Another day, another blog update!
Constance McMillen was awarded $35,000 in the lawsuit by the ACLU against the Mississippi school district. The judge ruled that the high school’s refusal to let McMillen enter the prom in a tuxedo with a girl violated her First Amendment rights. The decision set an important precedent, claims Christine Sun, senior counsel with the ACLU. The agreement should put an end to the case, which sparked national press.
Link here:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/20/mississippi.lesbian.settlement/?hpt=T2
Garden State Equality (one of Equality PA’s Equality Federation fellow organizations) held a protest yesterday outside New Jersey’s statehouse. The protest countered a demonstration by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), originally there to organize against the appeal to grant same sex couple marriage rights. Currently New Jersey allows same sex civil unions, but in March six couples appealed to the Supreme Court for full marriage rights. The NOM protesters were greatly outnumbered by the Garden State Equality congregation.
Link here:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/07/21/protests-in-new-jersey-over-gay-marriage/
And finally, twitter is now a tool against hatred! Or at least, that is how Lady Gaga used it last Saturday at her St. Louis Monster Ball concert. In response to the Westboro Baptist Church protest, Lady Gaga implored her fans to ignore the protesters, to somewhat success. After the concert, Gaga tweeted ““Tonight love and hate met in St. Louis…And love outnumbered the hate, in poetic thousands. Hate left. But love stayed. + Together, we sang.”
Link here (plus a few other updates from 365gay.com)
http://www.365gay.com/news/tues-watercooler-gaga-fans-clash-with-anti-gay-protestors/
Greg S.
Another day, another blog update!
Constance McMillen was awarded $35,000 in the lawsuit by the ACLU against the Mississippi school district. The judge ruled that the high school’s refusal to let McMillen enter the prom in a tuxedo with a girl violated her First Amendment rights. The decision set an important precedent, claims Christine Sun, senior counsel with the ACLU. The agreement should put an end to the case, which sparked national press.
Link here:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/07/20/mississippi.lesbian.settlement/?hpt=T2
Garden State Equality (one of Equality PA’s Equality Federation fellow organizations) held a protest yesterday outside New Jersey’s statehouse. The protest countered a demonstration by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), originally there to organize against the appeal to grant same sex couple marriage rights. Currently New Jersey allows same sex civil unions, but in March six couples appealed to the Supreme Court for full marriage rights. The NOM protesters were greatly outnumbered by the Garden State Equality congregation.
Link here:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/07/21/protests-in-new-jersey-over-gay-marriage/
And finally, twitter is now a tool against hatred! Or at least, that is how Lady Gaga used it last Saturday at her St. Louis Monster Ball concert. In response to the Westboro Baptist Church protest, Lady Gaga implored her fans to ignore the protesters, to somewhat success. After the concert, Gaga tweeted ““Tonight love and hate met in St. Louis…And love outnumbered the hate, in poetic thousands. Hate left. But love stayed. + Together, we sang.”
Link here (plus a few other updates from 365gay.com)
http://www.365gay.com/news/tues-watercooler-gaga-fans-clash-with-anti-gay-protestors/
Greg S.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
UN Accredits Commission for Lesbian and Gay Rights
Yesterday, the ESOCO (UN Economic and Social Council) voted in a 23-13 favor of the accreditation of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, based in the United States. The organization has been working since 2007 to attain this position, and the success is credited to the strong lobbying of the Obama administration for the organization.
Two links:
365gay.com here
http://www.365gay.com/news/us-gay-rights-group-gets-un-accreditation/
The Associated Press here
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJYNH2s-C9t79VHX2SYvl7VNQkzQD9H2FJBO0
Two links:
365gay.com here
http://www.365gay.com/news/us-gay-rights-group-gets-un-accreditation/
The Associated Press here
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gJYNH2s-C9t79VHX2SYvl7VNQkzQD9H2FJBO0
Monday, July 19, 2010
VAFC update
Equality Pennsylvania welcomes the All Souls Ecumenical Church into our Value all Families Coalition (VAFC). All Souls, located in Reading, PA, is a diverse, accepting, and open church, specifically towards LGBT people of faith. Equality PA is proud to have All Souls as part of our state wide coalition, VAFC, joining other organizations of all types dedicated towards greater equality for the LGBT community in Pennsylvania. For more information about the VAFC please contact Stephen Murtaugh at (215) 731-1447 x17, or equalitypaintern@gmail.com.
Euro Pride and a Somewhat Disappointing Apology
Hello Readers!
What a weekend! To those of you readers who stopped by our table at Reading Pride, thank you for your support! Unfortunately, the weekend is over, and the work week begins again. Two news stories today – one positive and the other somewhat less – for this temperamental Monday.
First, one of the less known Pride events, especially stateside, is EuroPride, which took place this past weekend in Warsaw, Poland. Over 8,000 participants marched and celebrated at this historical event, made even more special due to Poland’s relatively rocky history in terms of equality towards its LGBT community. The former communist bloc country, still socially conservative and with a large conservative Catholic community, had banned the parade five years earlier. The ban was lifted after an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. While the event still sparked controversy and counter protests, and even though the event drew less marchers than Pride events in other European countries, the success of EuroPride 2010 hints towards a slow but steady progression of LGBT rights in Poland, and a continuing push for LGBT rights in Europe, both East and West.
For the full article on EuroPride 2010, thanks to VOAnews.com, click here:
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Poland-Hosts-Post-Communist-Europes-First-Gay-EuroPride-Parade-98706174.html
For more information on EuroPride, here is the EuroPride Webpage, as well as a wiki link:
http://www.europride.info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europride
Next, here’s an update on the controversy of the comments made on The View recently about HIV/AIDS in the black gay community. On June 22, hosts on The View made several comments concerning this topic that angered some in the LGBT community. Guest host D.L. Hawkins statement;
“When you look at the prevalence of HIV in the African-American community, it’s primarily young women who are getting it from men who are on the down-low.”
Drew a full page ad response from GLAAD in Variety Magazine, calling for ABC to publicly apologize for the comments and give the true information on the subject. ABC’s response, which came recently, claimed that “…The topic of HIV/AIDS has been raised many times over the show’s 13 years, with many voices and opinions contributing to a conversation that we expect to continue as long as The View is on the air.” GLAAD then issued a statement calling the response “evasive”, and asking that The View “Talk about the tough issues with a commitment to honesty, accuracy and fairness.”
For the full article, from 365gay.com, click here:
http://www.365gay.com/news/glaad-disappointed-with-abc%E2%80%99s-statement-on-down-low-comment/
Greg S.
What a weekend! To those of you readers who stopped by our table at Reading Pride, thank you for your support! Unfortunately, the weekend is over, and the work week begins again. Two news stories today – one positive and the other somewhat less – for this temperamental Monday.
First, one of the less known Pride events, especially stateside, is EuroPride, which took place this past weekend in Warsaw, Poland. Over 8,000 participants marched and celebrated at this historical event, made even more special due to Poland’s relatively rocky history in terms of equality towards its LGBT community. The former communist bloc country, still socially conservative and with a large conservative Catholic community, had banned the parade five years earlier. The ban was lifted after an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. While the event still sparked controversy and counter protests, and even though the event drew less marchers than Pride events in other European countries, the success of EuroPride 2010 hints towards a slow but steady progression of LGBT rights in Poland, and a continuing push for LGBT rights in Europe, both East and West.
For the full article on EuroPride 2010, thanks to VOAnews.com, click here:
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Poland-Hosts-Post-Communist-Europes-First-Gay-EuroPride-Parade-98706174.html
For more information on EuroPride, here is the EuroPride Webpage, as well as a wiki link:
http://www.europride.info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europride
Next, here’s an update on the controversy of the comments made on The View recently about HIV/AIDS in the black gay community. On June 22, hosts on The View made several comments concerning this topic that angered some in the LGBT community. Guest host D.L. Hawkins statement;
“When you look at the prevalence of HIV in the African-American community, it’s primarily young women who are getting it from men who are on the down-low.”
Drew a full page ad response from GLAAD in Variety Magazine, calling for ABC to publicly apologize for the comments and give the true information on the subject. ABC’s response, which came recently, claimed that “…The topic of HIV/AIDS has been raised many times over the show’s 13 years, with many voices and opinions contributing to a conversation that we expect to continue as long as The View is on the air.” GLAAD then issued a statement calling the response “evasive”, and asking that The View “Talk about the tough issues with a commitment to honesty, accuracy and fairness.”
For the full article, from 365gay.com, click here:
http://www.365gay.com/news/glaad-disappointed-with-abc%E2%80%99s-statement-on-down-low-comment/
Greg S.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Two Steps Toward Equality
Hello!
Our usual blogger, Rebecca, is taking what sounds like a wonderful vacation to the Poconos for a week, so in her absence I will be trying my best to follow her blog-steps as best as possible. With that in mind, I’ve chosen two uplifting stories to highlight today.
First, as blogged yesterday, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize same sex marriage. Now, some are estimating that about a quarter of a billion people in total have that right! What an incredible step towards equality world-wide! Check out the nifty chart, courtesy of the Maddow blog here.
Second, all charges have been dropped against Lt. Dan Choi, Capt Jim Pietrangelo, and four others who all chained themselves to the White House fence in protest of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – the law that forces gay and lesbian soldiers in the military to hide their sexuality. The charges were dropped because, apparently, the protesters were standing on a ledge when they attached themselves to the fence, and thus not blocking pedestrians. The full article, via PinkNews, here.
Greg S.
Our usual blogger, Rebecca, is taking what sounds like a wonderful vacation to the Poconos for a week, so in her absence I will be trying my best to follow her blog-steps as best as possible. With that in mind, I’ve chosen two uplifting stories to highlight today.
First, as blogged yesterday, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize same sex marriage. Now, some are estimating that about a quarter of a billion people in total have that right! What an incredible step towards equality world-wide! Check out the nifty chart, courtesy of the Maddow blog here.
Second, all charges have been dropped against Lt. Dan Choi, Capt Jim Pietrangelo, and four others who all chained themselves to the White House fence in protest of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – the law that forces gay and lesbian soldiers in the military to hide their sexuality. The charges were dropped because, apparently, the protesters were standing on a ledge when they attached themselves to the fence, and thus not blocking pedestrians. The full article, via PinkNews, here.
Greg S.
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