Castro: I’m responsible for past anti-gay persecution
In an Aug. 31 interview with the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, Fidel Castro accepted responsibility for Cuba’s persecution of homosexuals decades ago.
From 1959, when the previous government was overthrown in an armed rebellion, until the 1970s, gays were branded counterrevolutionaries and forced into labor camps.
“Those were moments of great injustice,” Castro told La Jornada. “A great injustice! ... If anyone is responsible, I am.
“It’s a given that at that time, I couldn’t occupy myself with this matter. I found myself immersed primarily in the October Crisis (Cuban missile crisis), the war, political questions (but) I’m not going to toss the bl…
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Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Gay Games comming to London in 2018?
London is bidding to host the tenth Gay Games in 2018. The Gay Games, recently held in Cologne, are one of the largest sporting and cultural events in the world.
London coordinator, Jonathan Harbourne, is the founder of the London Raiders softball team and member of the LGBT Sports Network. In a press release he wrote: "Cologne was so inspiring, they put on an amazing Games. Many Brits came home with medals and the LGBT Sports Network is looking forward to putting on a party to welcome home all the athletes.
"We?ve come back fired-up to bring the Games to London ? taking it to the next level. London is in such a strong position to host the games in 2018. The 2012 Olympics will provide the best facilities in the world . . . this is going to be great for LGBT people, great for sport, and great for London."
The London 2018 Gay Games Bid committee are seeking volunteers to join their team, at all levels, to produce a winning bid. A public meeting is planned for January 2011 to bring together all potentially interested parties.
The website launches at the end of next month.
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
source:http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/08/13/london-announces-bid-to-host-tenth-gay-games-in-2018/
View Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
London coordinator, Jonathan Harbourne, is the founder of the London Raiders softball team and member of the LGBT Sports Network. In a press release he wrote: "Cologne was so inspiring, they put on an amazing Games. Many Brits came home with medals and the LGBT Sports Network is looking forward to putting on a party to welcome home all the athletes.
"We?ve come back fired-up to bring the Games to London ? taking it to the next level. London is in such a strong position to host the games in 2018. The 2012 Olympics will provide the best facilities in the world . . . this is going to be great for LGBT people, great for sport, and great for London."
The London 2018 Gay Games Bid committee are seeking volunteers to join their team, at all levels, to produce a winning bid. A public meeting is planned for January 2011 to bring together all potentially interested parties.
The website launches at the end of next month.
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
source:http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/08/13/london-announces-bid-to-host-tenth-gay-games-in-2018/
View Australian Queer News on the web at Gay News Blog
FAIRIES WITH CHILDREN OPENS TO FIGHT FOR GAY EQUALITY -- (Drag Musical Spoof focuses on the Suburban Conservative as the key to changing hearts and minds of all Americans)
(09-10-10) -- The new musical spoof "Fairies With Children, The Yes On Hate Episode" will open October 22nd at the Meta Theatre 7801 Melrose Avenue for a six week run, Friday and Saturday only at 8pm. The show exposes the anti gay agenda prevalent in the suburbs of California. The gender bending parody is being produced by WideStance Productions (The Golden Gays). A percentage of the proceeds from the show will go to fight for marriage Equality. Tickets will be $30.00 and available on many discount ticket sites as well. More details available at
www.fairieswithchildren.com
www.fairieswithchildren.com
Tell me more about my gay genes!
So I'm gay. Turns out a lot of folks in my extended family are as well. What are the odds? Has anyone studied extended family charting specifically? So I'm gay. Turns out a lot of my extended family are as well.
I had an long conversation with a distant cousin the other day. She was talking about problems my 2nd cousin (my father's first cousin's daughter) has had since she came out as a lesbian. We then started talking about various family members and she threw something my way that blows my mind.
Turns out, out all of the offspring of my Grandad's generation (there were 9 of them born between 1895 and 1910 who lived into adulthood and had kids) there are 30+ people in my generation, 10+ of whom are gay and a number of whom are closeted for a number of reasons. There were a handful in the last generation as well. None of us has a gay sibling. Maybe everyone's family is like this and I just know all of these distant people, but this seems like it should be interesting to somebody besides me.
Has this been written about? Where can I find good, solid scientific links on homosexuality in family lines? Yes, I have googled, and am working my way through the links there, but I would really appreciate more info if you guys know of specific studies/articles.
Also (but not necessary): So what should I do? My inclination is to call a research institute and try to corral everyone into genetic testing, but that seems like a stretch, as does my fantasy of a gay family mafia!
Sorry for the breathless-ness of the question. I grew up with a lot of homophobia, it is something I try to recognize and avoid, and so this THIS! got me really excited - the information I am getting could really put a huge dent in the fear and misrepresentation on that side of the family and maybe even help Science! at the same time.
Bare-Bones tl;dr: Links to extended family tree genetic research as it relates to homosexuality, please.
I had an long conversation with a distant cousin the other day. She was talking about problems my 2nd cousin (my father's first cousin's daughter) has had since she came out as a lesbian. We then started talking about various family members and she threw something my way that blows my mind.
Turns out, out all of the offspring of my Grandad's generation (there were 9 of them born between 1895 and 1910 who lived into adulthood and had kids) there are 30+ people in my generation, 10+ of whom are gay and a number of whom are closeted for a number of reasons. There were a handful in the last generation as well. None of us has a gay sibling. Maybe everyone's family is like this and I just know all of these distant people, but this seems like it should be interesting to somebody besides me.
Has this been written about? Where can I find good, solid scientific links on homosexuality in family lines? Yes, I have googled, and am working my way through the links there, but I would really appreciate more info if you guys know of specific studies/articles.
Also (but not necessary): So what should I do? My inclination is to call a research institute and try to corral everyone into genetic testing, but that seems like a stretch, as does my fantasy of a gay family mafia!
Sorry for the breathless-ness of the question. I grew up with a lot of homophobia, it is something I try to recognize and avoid, and so this THIS! got me really excited - the information I am getting could really put a huge dent in the fear and misrepresentation on that side of the family and maybe even help Science! at the same time.
Bare-Bones tl;dr: Links to extended family tree genetic research as it relates to homosexuality, please.
Out Houston mayor gets high marks on job performance
Houstonians are pleased with the job Mayor Annise Parker is doing for the city, according to a new poll from KUHF and Houston -More-
Christine O'Donnell: Homosexuality 'is an Identity Disorder'
Think Progress reports on more unspooling of Delaware GOP Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell's anti-gay positions:
"O?Donnell has said she ?cannot understand? why gay people are offended by homosexuality being called a 'deviant sexual orientation,' and has claimed that gay people are 'attacking the very center of what is America ? freedom to have different views.' But in a 2006 quote uncovered by the Washington Post?s Greg Sargent, O?Donnell took an even harsher stance: 'People are created in God?s image. Homosexuality is an identity adopted through societal factors. It?s an identity disorder.'"
O'Donnell spoke over the weekend at the Values Voters Summit.
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
"O?Donnell has said she ?cannot understand? why gay people are offended by homosexuality being called a 'deviant sexual orientation,' and has claimed that gay people are 'attacking the very center of what is America ? freedom to have different views.' But in a 2006 quote uncovered by the Washington Post?s Greg Sargent, O?Donnell took an even harsher stance: 'People are created in God?s image. Homosexuality is an identity adopted through societal factors. It?s an identity disorder.'"
O'Donnell spoke over the weekend at the Values Voters Summit.
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
ACLU Sues Mississippi School For Excluding Teenager Wearing Tuxedo From Yearbook
Group Charges Gender Discrimination
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
JACKSON, MS – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Mississippi today filed a lawsuit against a Mississippi high school that excluded a female student's name and senior portrait from the yearbook rather than publish a photo of her in a tuxedo. The lawsuit charges that Ceara Sturgis was unfairly discriminated against by the Wesson Attendance Center based on her sex and unfair gender stereotypes.
"I went to school with my classmates my whole life, and it hurts that I'm not included in my senior yearbook as part of my graduating class," Ceara said. "I never thought that my school would punish me just for being who I am."
Ceara was an honor student and a member of several sports teams at Wesson, where she attended school from kindergarten through her senior year. At home and at school, she dresses in clothing that is traditionally associated with boys, and had previously not encountered any problems from her peers or teachers. When she had her formal senior portrait taken, she opted to wear a tuxedo, rather than a drape that gives the appearance of wearing a dress or a blouse. Because of her attire, the school refused to publish her photo and name as part of the senior year class.
The lawsuit charges Ceara's rights were violated under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex and sex stereotypes, and the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection.
"Inclusion in the senior yearbook is a rite of passage for students, and it is shameful that Ceara was denied that chance," said Christine P. Sun, senior counsel with the ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project. "It's unfair and unlawful to force students to conform to outdated notions about what boys and girls should look like without any regard to who they actually are as people."
Ceara tried posing with the drape, but felt extremely uncomfortable and had her mother request that she wear the tuxedo instead. The photographer permitted Ceara to do so. It was only after the portrait was taken that the principal informed Ceara that he would not allow the photo to be published. Despite efforts to resolve the issue by Ceara's mother and the ACLU, Ceara received her yearbook without her portrait, or even her name, included in the senior class portrait section.
"This should never have been an issue. Title IX and the Constitution prohibit school officials from forcing students to conform to gender stereotypes. Ceara should not have been expected to compromise her everyday appearance and identity for her senior portrait," said Bear Atwood, interim Legal Director for the ACLU of Mississippi. "The school's actions are discriminatory, unlawful and mean-spirited."
Attorneys on the case include Sun of the ACLU, Atwood of the ACLU of Mississippi and Norman C. Simon, Joshua Glick, Jason Moff and Lee Strock of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
The ACLU's complaint can be read here: www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/sturgis-v-copiah-county-school-district-complaint
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org
JACKSON, MS – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Mississippi today filed a lawsuit against a Mississippi high school that excluded a female student's name and senior portrait from the yearbook rather than publish a photo of her in a tuxedo. The lawsuit charges that Ceara Sturgis was unfairly discriminated against by the Wesson Attendance Center based on her sex and unfair gender stereotypes.
"I went to school with my classmates my whole life, and it hurts that I'm not included in my senior yearbook as part of my graduating class," Ceara said. "I never thought that my school would punish me just for being who I am."
Ceara was an honor student and a member of several sports teams at Wesson, where she attended school from kindergarten through her senior year. At home and at school, she dresses in clothing that is traditionally associated with boys, and had previously not encountered any problems from her peers or teachers. When she had her formal senior portrait taken, she opted to wear a tuxedo, rather than a drape that gives the appearance of wearing a dress or a blouse. Because of her attire, the school refused to publish her photo and name as part of the senior year class.
The lawsuit charges Ceara's rights were violated under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex and sex stereotypes, and the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection.
"Inclusion in the senior yearbook is a rite of passage for students, and it is shameful that Ceara was denied that chance," said Christine P. Sun, senior counsel with the ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project. "It's unfair and unlawful to force students to conform to outdated notions about what boys and girls should look like without any regard to who they actually are as people."
Ceara tried posing with the drape, but felt extremely uncomfortable and had her mother request that she wear the tuxedo instead. The photographer permitted Ceara to do so. It was only after the portrait was taken that the principal informed Ceara that he would not allow the photo to be published. Despite efforts to resolve the issue by Ceara's mother and the ACLU, Ceara received her yearbook without her portrait, or even her name, included in the senior class portrait section.
"This should never have been an issue. Title IX and the Constitution prohibit school officials from forcing students to conform to gender stereotypes. Ceara should not have been expected to compromise her everyday appearance and identity for her senior portrait," said Bear Atwood, interim Legal Director for the ACLU of Mississippi. "The school's actions are discriminatory, unlawful and mean-spirited."
Attorneys on the case include Sun of the ACLU, Atwood of the ACLU of Mississippi and Norman C. Simon, Joshua Glick, Jason Moff and Lee Strock of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
The ACLU's complaint can be read here: www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/sturgis-v-copiah-county-school-district-complaint
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