Washington DC gets permanent LGBT Affairs office

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According to an article published by the Washington Blade, legislation which makes permanent the mayor's LGBT Affairs office has passed the Washington DC City Council and has been signed by the mayor. According to the article:

His decision to sign the bill, introduced by gay Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), put to rest a dispute between Williams and the Council in which the mayor initially opposed the legislation on grounds that it would interfere with his authority to pick the leader of the office. Williams created the office by executive order two years ago.

Some LGBT activists and politicaly involved citizens didn't like the idea of having an office for LGBT people in a city where LGBT citizens have gained some political influence. Another argument used against the creation of the office was that LGBT citizens already had secure channels within the City Government in which their views, issues and concerns could be heard. A small but influential LGBT group, the Gay and Lesbian Acitivists Alliance opposed the group saying that it would become a "patronage plum for an incumbent mayor and would have little impact on the needs of the gay community." Technorati Tags: gay affairs, gay, lgbt, gay rights, washington dc

Anti-gay bill banning gay-straight student clubs passes Virginia House

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According to an AP article published by the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, VA), a bill which would ban all gay-straight student groups from Virginia schools has received approval from the Virginia House of Delegates. The bill, sponsored by Delegate Matthew Lohr, follows a similar bill which easily passed in the House 95-0 but later died in the Senate Education and Health Committee. Gay-straight student clubs (most commonly known as "gay-straight alliances" or "GSAs") have been caught up in a firestorm of controversy around the country. Many state governments have been trying desperately to find ways to get around the Federal Equal Access Act (1984) which guarantees students' rights to form groups on campus. Under the FEA schools cannot censor the student-initiated clubs on the basis of their religious, political or philosphical speech or content. Delegate Lohr's House Bill 1308 bans all student clubs which would promote teen promiscuity... that is, no club which advocates sexual activity between unmarried teens can exist in the schools. (Too bad they don't realize GSAs aren't about sex). According to the article:

Monday, lawmakers appeared split over the bill, some arguing it unfairly singled out gay groups while others countered the legislation targeted no one. "This bill is not aimed at one particular group," Lohr told House members. "The intent is to give local school boards more control over the types of groups which use the buildings." But when pressed by Del. James Scott, D-Falls Church, about which groups could be interpreted as addressing sexual issues, Lohr referred to a situation involving a Chesterfield County gay-straight student alliance last year. In that case, Lohr said school officials canceled a planned book signing by a gay author after it was learned the author would be including a steamy novel about gay fraternity sex. Lohr argued school officials should have been able to quash the group entirely. "Whether it be homosexual or heterosexual, school is just not the place to be talking about sexual activity," said Lohr, adding he would encourage schools to disband heterosexually oriented groups that promoted teen sex. But gay-straight alliances are focused on helping teens sort out their sexuality - not telling them how to act on it, argued Ebbin, the state's first openly gay House member. "What troubles me is the targeting of student groups because they (acknowledge) the idea that gay people exist," he said.

Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, gay-straight alliance, virginia, House of delegates, matthew lohr, hb 1308

Charlotte gay youth perform stories of discrimination, coming out, family issues

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According to an article published by CRN Interactive, ten gay youth in Charlotte performed stories of discrimination, coming out and dealing with families. The performance was held at the Actor's Theatre of Charlotte. According to the article:

The script was created in workshop as collaboration between Fringe Benefits, a theatre education group based in Los Angeles, and Time Out Youth, a Charlotte organization offering support and emergency housing to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. Time Out Youth provided more than 130 nights of shelter in 2005 for LGBT teenagers who were turned away by their families.

The stories in the performance were inspired by the real life experiences of LGBT teens in Charlotte. ===== uh... Can we get something like that up here in the Triad... especially in Winston-Salem, because God knows they have some issues over there when it comes to protecting LGBTQ youth. Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, time out youth, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, charlotte, north carolina

Graffiti Ads & ART ad controversy may be heading to press

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I got an email today from a reporter at the News and Record about the recent Graffiti Ads/ART advertising controversy. Apparently, she had been trying to get in touch with me all weekend but for some reason the N&R email servers kept messsing up. Last week, I also received an email from a reporter at Q-Notes. Today I emailed both reporters the official statement released by the Alternative Resources of the Triad Board of Directors, which is for some reason not yet posted on OUTGreensboro.com (Which reminds me... I should probably ask that that get done). I would, right now, like to take the time to say a couple things about this controversy. These, of course, are MY PERSONAL OPINIONS as a gay rights activist and self-proclaimed loudmouth... Discrimination against LGBT people or groups is something which I find very disgusting. America is supposed to be a place where all people are equal but as so often is the case, LGBT Americans are routinely discriminated against. LGBT Americans are discriminated against in employment, housing, adoption, healthcare, medical decisions for partners, marriage, insurance, banking, education and in oh so many other places and areas. LGBT Americans face some of the most harsh prejudice, bigotry and hate. In my opinion as an activist, the actions of Graffiti Ads did nothing more but add to the already abundant and evil discrimination and prejudice against LGBT people. Over on Sue's blog, commenter Chip Atkinson (who said QCYNT "smacked of pedophilia" on his blog) said that both Sue and I owed an apology to Graffiti Ads. I think Sue said it for me when she responded to Mr. Atkinson saying:

Just like you still can't spell my name, you still can't understand what I wrote. So I won't try to explain it again this time. You're never going to "get it," I fear.

I will not apologize for defending a group with which I work and my community from discrimination and prejudice... what Graffiti Ads did to ART and to the LGBT community was discrimination pure and simple. Their decisions, in my opinion, were influenced by homophobia and anti-gay politics. It doesn't matter whether they are homophobic or anti-gay themselves or not. Even if Graffiti Ads isn't homophobic or anti-gay, their decisions and business dealings are influenced by those factors and, in my book, that makes them just as bad as those who really are homophobic and anti-gay. I can almost guarantee you that if Graffiti Ads had told a group like the Black Child Development Institute that an ad for them would be "too controversial" the community would have been in an uproar. Racism would not have been tolerated whatsoever and Graffiti Ads would have been bankrupt last week. If we don't tolerate racism and hate based on someone's skin color, why do we tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation, no matter the underlying reasons? I guess I might just never understand how some people think. Like I said in an earlier post (Quick update on Graffiti Ads' anti-gay discrimination), the controversy between ART and Graffiti Ads is indicative of so many larger issues in our current political and social culture. I thank those of you in the community -- both gay and straight -- who are able to understand this. For those of you who can't understand it, and especially if you are gay and can't understand it... I pray for you. Related Posts:

• Triad company refuses to work with LGBT group; refuses ad for community resources and movie festival 01/26/06
• Gay Greensboro business owner responds to Graffiti Ads bias in refusing LGBT ad 01/27/06
• Quick update on Graffiti Ads' anti-gay discrimination 01/28/06
• http://matthillnc.blogspot.com/2006/01/killian-makes-great-point-on-civil.html 01/29/06

Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, graffiti ads, alternative resources of the triad, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, north carolina

Gay North Carolina couple refuses to pay taxes in protest to gay marriage ban

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According to an article published by 365gay.com, a same-sex couple in Hendersonville, NC, is refusing to pay Federal and North Carolina State income taxes in protest of bans against marriage for same-sex couples. According to the article:

Merrill, a 71-year-old artist and gay activist says the protest will involve about million dollars worth of stock sales and income. "I have no intention of paying Federal and State Income taxes because my same sex partner and I cannot be legally married and receive the same tax benefits as other married couples," Merrill said in a statement on Monday. The IRS says it is legally bound by the Federal Defense of Marriage Act to treat same-sex partners as single. North Carolina also has a DOMA... "By not paying taxes, this is a deliberate act of civil disobedience towards a President that wants to make an amendment to the Constitution to only allow marriage between a man and woman, rather than two people who love each other, and that discriminates against us as full citizens of the United States," said Merrill.

====== Ahhh... Civil disobedience ariseth from the grave. Although this protest is a little questionable and more than illegal, I do think it will make a point. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah... I know: It won't change anything, but like I said it will make a point. The couple makes a good point too... one that needs to be made: Why should they have to pay taxes to a government that has specifically singled them out and placed them in a second-class citizenship status. Let's just pray that this doesn't backfire on them... we don't need a 71 year old in prison on federal or state tax evasion, lol. Technorati Tags: gay, lgbt, gay rights, marriage equality, taxes, protest, hendersonville

UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor James Moeser stands in support of GLBT-SA & 'Ally Week'

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I just received an email containing a letter to the editor of The Daily Tar Heel. The letter was published today and was written by UNC Chancellor James Moeser. In the letter Chancellor Moeser stands in support of UNC's LGBTQA student group, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender-Straight Alliance (GLBT-SA). The group is holding events this week to highlight straight allies and the support that they bring to the LGBT community and LGBT Rights Movement. Here's the letter:

Chancellor and GLBTSA are united for the oppressed Issue date: 1/30/06 Section: Letters to the Editor TO THE EDITOR: The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender-Straight Alliance is hosting activities this week to highlight the need for allies in their efforts to fight discrimination. I am happy to be listed as an ally. In doing so, I think back to the darkest days of World War II and the German occupation of Denmark. When the Nazis tried to round up Jews to send them off to the camps, the Danes, led by their king, all wore stars of David to demonstrate their solidarity with the Jews - saying in effect, "We are all Jews." That required great courage. It is easier, though no less important, for us to stand in solidarity with those today who might be oppressed. Thus, I say to my friends and colleagues on this campus, I am your ally. You are part of our community, and we value your presence. James Moeser Chancellor The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The GLBT-SA's "Ally Week" starts today with film screening and an "Ally Panel" will be held tomorrow. On Thursday, UNC Student Body President Seth Dearmin will be holding a forum with the GLBT-SA. You can find out more information about UNC's "Ally Week" at http://www.unc.edu/glbtsa/. P.S. - Hello, Chancellor Sullivan??? Would you openly support UNCG PRIDE? Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, unc-chapel hill, chancellor james moeser, glbtsa, straight allies, daily tar heel, north carolina

University compares homosexuality to smoking and tobacco use

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According to an article published by 365gay.com, a small, Christian university is comparing the expulsion of a gay student to a hospital asking a smoker to leave. On January 13, John Brown University expelled Michael Guinn for violating "campus lifestyle guidelines". Guinn says that he was required to abide by a code of behavior that no other student was required to follow. The school found out about his sexual orientation, supposedly, through an email to school administrators pointing them to Guinn's online journal. According to the article:

According to Guinn, he was required to sign a pledge that he would not dress in women's clothing, not slap others on the buttocks if he was a member of a sports team, not hug or shake hands with other men for too long, not "broadcast his lifestyle", and not tell other students he was gay until he knew them well. Guinn said it was difficult to make friends under the restrictions. On the weekend the university released a statement to correct what it called "misconceptions" in Guinn's account. The statement however did not address the specifics of Guinn's allegations, except to say that it did not have separate "lifestyle" contracts for difference students. "We can say in general, however, that Guinn’s repeated and knowing violation of the standards laid out in the community covenant that he signed warranted our disciplinary decision, which is consistent with other cases of student discipline in the past," the statement said. It went on to say that hospitals ask anyone smoking to leave and notes that airports remove anyone making threats, so too, the statement said, the university has the obligation to expel anyone violating its rules of conduct. "As a Christian university we believe that scripture sets our standards for the ways in which we should live our lives. We articulate those standards for our undergraduates in our community covenant. We do not have separate covenants for different undergraduates on campus, and we discipline on the basis of behavior, not on the basis of identity," the statement said.

====== So... the next time that Christian fundamentalists try to break the First Amendment by getting government to endorse religion, does that mean that we, as Americans, have the "obligation to expel anyone violating" our "rules of conduct"? Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, michael guinn, john brown university, expulsion

Fort Bragg begins investigation into possible gay porn participation by NC soldiers

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According to an article published by CNN, Army officials at Fort Bragg in North Carolina have begun investigations in regards to allegations that members from the celebrated 82nd Airborne appeared on a gay porn website. The military-themed porn website belongs to a registered owner living in Fayetteville, NC, the city next to Fort Bragg. According to the article:

Authorities at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, have begun an inquiry into whether the soldiers' actions violated the military conduct code. Division spokeswoman Maj. Amy Hannah declined to say how many paratroopers are involved or identify their unit within the division. A defense official speaking on condition of anonymity said up to seven soldiers are involved. Hannah said soldiers questioned will be allowed to seek legal assistance, but she declined to say if any one had been charged. "Once the investigation is complete, the chain of command will take appropriate action," Hannah said. The military-theme Web site does not appear to make any direct reference to the 82nd Airborne or Fort Bragg. The registered owner of the Web site's domain name lists an address in Fayetteville, the city that adjoins Fort Bragg. E-mails to the registered owner were returned Friday as undeliverable, and the phone number listed on the domain-name registration is no longer in service. The Web site includes a disclaimer, asking users to agree that they are not agents of the U.S. government, Department of Defense, members of law enforcement or reporters.

The soldiers involved could face being discharged from service. Technorati Tags: gay, lgbt, gay rights, don/'t ask don/'t tell, greensboro, fort bragg, fayetteville, 82nd airborne, north carolina

Killian makes a great point on civil rights and business

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In a comment to the prio post (http://matthillnc.blogspot.com/2006/01/quick-update-on-graffiti-ads-anti-gay.html), Joe Killian (visit his blog at joekillian.blogspot.com0, makes a great point concerning Mr. Zimmer and his letter written in support of discrimination:

In my opinion Zimmer seems like a nice guy who means well but has bought into the idea that controversy and the threat of diminished revenue trumps principle. If the people of the company are truly as opposed to homophobia as he says they have no business catering to homophobes at the expense of homosexuals who want the same options and services as heterosexuals. A major cornerstone of the civil rights movement was the demand that businesses rise above "controversy" created by the small minded to stand on principle and treat all people with dignity.

I also probably need to take the time now to apologize for any personal attack which might have been perceived in my post concerning Mr. Zimmer and his letter. Roch, another commenter, and Killian both make good points about that as well. As an activist who has worked for years in the struggle for equality it struck me as deeply offensive and hurtful when I read Mr. Zimmer's words. Killian commented:

Of course - it's easy for me as a straight white guy to say you shouldn't react emotionally to a gay man telling you he thinks a discriminatory policy is okay if it makes a company more money. Beyond my feeling passionately on the subject I don't have a dog in this fight.

I have to admit... yes... I reacted emotionally to another gay American defending the wrong and biased actions of a company. And... going on a tangent: Yes, Killian, you do have a "dog in this fight" because you are a straight ally - that is a person who is straight but who is also supportive of LGBT people and equality. Without straight allies our movement will never be won. So... yeah... forgive me for what some of you might have seen as a "personal attack". I just kind of wish that I wouldn't have had to hear one of my fellow gay Americans defend discrimination and work against equality for all. Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, alternative resources of the triad, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, uncg, north carolina

Quick update on Graffiti Ads' anti-gay discrimination

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Sue has posted a letter from an employee of Graffiti Ads, LLC. The employee says he is a gay man and he tries to defend the actions of his company. At first I wasn't going to post about this... I did receive his email as one of the first groups of people he sent it to. I was going to just let it pass and ignore the stupidity of the letter. After some thinking on it though, I decided I just have one thing to say: I think it is shocking that a gay man would sit in defense of a company which discriminated against the LGBTQA community based solely on the fact that gay is seen as "too controversial". This man evidently has some internalized homophobia. This issue, believe it or not... is bigger than ART and Graffiti Ads. This issue is indicative of a larger one which affects more Americans than most people think. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation needs to be outlawed, just as discrimination based on race is. I call on the Cities of Winston-Salem and Greensboro to amend their anti-discrimination policies to reflect that LGBTQ and straight people deserve protection from those who would treat them unfairly and discriminate against them based solely on one personal, innate characteristic. And... one more thing: This issue is not over (Sorry, Sue). This issue won't be over, at least for me (and this comes from my personal perspective as an activist) until Greensboro and Winston change their policies and welcome LGBTQ people in the community. See also: Graffitti Ads LLC employee says his company isn't homophobic...just cowardly Joe Killian Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, alternative resources of the triad, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, north carolina

Gay Greensboro business owner responds to Graffiti Ads bias in refusing LGBT ad

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A gay business owner in Greensboro has responded to the bias shown in business dealings by Graffiti Ads, a marketing/advertising group based in Winston-Salem, NC (See prior post, Triad company refuses to work with LGBT group; refuses ad for community resources and movie festival). John Johnson, owner of the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel in Downtown Greensboro, wrote this email to Graffiti Ads, LLC, yesterday.:

Dear Graffiti Ads, I just wanted to say how disappointed that I was when I heard that you would not place an ad for Alternative Resources of the Triad (A.R.T.) due to it being a Gay & Lesbian Non Profit group. The reason that you gave was completely absurb for anyone to use. I own the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel and was getting ready to run ads on your spaces across the city but after hearing that you considered A.R.T. to be controversial in subject or graphic presentation I definitely will not run an ad with your company at this point. I have seen the ad that they were wanting to advertise with you and there is no way that any person could have found this to be graphic or controversial. Shame on you for being homophobic. I must agree with the groups responses that have been contacted in regards to your response that you sent back to Alternative Resources of the Triad. The GLBTQA and friends of gay people of Greensboro do most certainly need to start a protest against any company that uses you to do advertising until they remove your ads from their properties and for companies to stop advetising on your bill boards as well. I was wondering if you realized how many gay owned businesses that are in Greensboro that has your little adds hanging in their bathrooms and how many gay businesses actually advertise on the boards. I for one would like to be the one to inform you that the answer is "MANY". With an insult like what you have emailed back to Alternative Resources of the Triad is an insult to many in this city I assure you. Sincerely, John Johnson, Owner Biltmore Greensboro Hotel

While it is true that Mr. Johnson is a member of ART's Board of Directors and serves as its Vice President, his letter to Graffiti Ads, LLC, represents his perspective about the situation as a gay citizen and gay business owner. I think it is absolutely ironic that the ad from ART was deemed "controversial". If the company had just accepted the ad, none of the controversy currently surrounding the situation would exist. Not accepting the ad, I think, has turned out to be more controversial than Graffiti Ads could have ever imagined. Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, alternative resources of the triad, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, north carolina

Triad company refuses to work with LGBT group; refuses ad for community resources and movie festival

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MattHillNC.com Exclusive Originally posted 12:30pm, 01/26/2006 Last Updated: 1:45pm, 01/27/2006 See also Gay Greensboro business owner responds to Graffiti Ads bias in refusing LGBT ad Grafitti Ads, LLC, (www.graffitiads.com) a company based in Winston-Salem, NC, has refused to work with a local Triad LGBT group. Alternative Resources of the Triad (www.OUTGreensboro.com), on whose Board of Directors I sit, approached the company asking for a price guide for placing ads with them. "Graffiti Ads" are small ads which are placed alongside others in framed pictures. Mostly, the ads are hung in restrooms, bars, cafes and restaurants. The company responded with this email:

Thanks for inquiring about advertising with graffiti ads. We normally do not run ads that may be considered controversial in subject or graphic presentation. Before we discuss our rates, can you provide an idea of what you would want to feature on the ads? Thanks! Name Removed graffiti ads, LLC 445 Springdale Ave. Winston-Salem, NC 27104

After receiving this email, one of the Alternative Resources of the Triad (ART) Board members responded to the company with the ad and answering the questions of the company. The ad which ART wanted to place with Graffiti Ads (pictured right, click for larger image) is in no way controversial. It includes no material of a political nature and its sole purpose is to make the community aware of LGBT-inclusive entertainment (Greensboro, OUt at the Movies) and resources for LGBT and straight allied college students and youth (QCYNT). The ad's main focus is ART's community resources website, OUTGreensboro.com. Even still, Graffiti Ads claims the content of the ad is too controversial. In a second email, the company reiterated their claim:

I discussed this with my partner, and unfortunately, we are afraid the subject is just too controversial for graffiti ads at this time. We will keep you in mind in case things change in the future. Thanks again for your interest. Regards, Name Removed graffiti ads, LLC 445 Springdale Ave. Winston-Salem, NC 27104

I do not believe for one second that they really think that the "subject is too controversial" because there is nothing controversial about the ad. Just like every other company or group ad, the ART ad is targeted toward a certain portion of the population. Those who are interested in the ad will read it and take in the information. Those who are not interested in the ad will glance at it and move on with their lives. In my opinion, Graffiti Ads is using the "controversial" claim as a way to get around what is obviously a bias toward LGBT people and LGBT-inclusive groups. What Graffiti Ads should have said, because this is what they really mean, is: "We do not want to accept an ad from an LGBT group because we do not agree with the aims of your group and we are not tolerant or accepting." Homosexuality may, in fact, be a controversial issue to some, but the great majority of people in Greensboro are tolerant and many are also accepting. The purpose of ART and the purpose of the ad is not to be controversial and we do not include anything controversial. I could definitely see being refused for an ad if we had included something relating to homoseuxality in a political manner, but we didn't. Because ART is a community resource, support, awareness and education group, we do not engage in political and controversial issues. Graffiti Ads (www.graffitiads.com) distributes their ads in numerous locations in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Their distribution points can be viewed on their website at www.graffitiads.com/dist_points.php. It is important to note that many of their distribution points are businesses which are also listed on the community resources section of the OUTGreensboro.com website. The company also states: "Our boards allow you to target your customer by age, gender, income, lifestyle, geographic location and interest." They continue with: "You maintain complete control over where your ads are placed, the number of ads placed and the length of time they are displayed." Graffiti Ads' concern over the ART ad being "too controversial" is a horrible excuse for being bias. The Art ad targets certain customers by age, gender, income, lifestyle, geographic location and interest... just like every other company. If Graffiti Ads is worried about making others upset with this "controversial" ad then they are worrying too much. Since advertisers "maintain complete control" over the placement of the ads, do you think that ART would place the ad in a business known to be un-friendly, intolerant or unaccepting of LGBT people? I urge any person who reads this to urge Graffiti Ads' distribution points (listed on their website at www.graffitiads.com/dist_points.php) to stop allowing Graffiti Ads to place their products in their businesses. Graffiti Ads is not a tolerant or accepting business. EDIT: 11:48pm, 01/26/2006: There is a difference between Alternative Resources of the Triad (ART), Greensboro OUT at the Movies and QCYNT. Alternative Resources of the Triad is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit which sponsors and helps to coordinate Greensboro OUT at the Movies, an on-going LGBTQ and straight allied movie festival. QCYNT is also a project of ART. QCYNT has just been established in recent months and is overseen by an Advisory Board comprised, currently, of college students. QCYNT is also overseen by the ART Board of Directors, seeing as though QCYNT is a project of the group. Maybe this little edit will clarify things for some people out there in the "blogosphere". Other bloggers covering the issue:

• W-S company refuses to work with GLBT group in Greensboro Sue Polinsky
• Is Outgreensboro a Network For Youth? WARNING: This is a post from the "other side of the aisle"... be prepared for some very ignorant statements
• Graffiti Ads or The Power of Bloggers Beth, Greensboring.com
• Tell your buddies at Skybar you think gay youth groups are too controversial...jackasses Joe Killian, Automatic Writing
• Market place of (some) ideas Ed Cone

Technorati Tags: gay, lgbt, gay rights, alternative resources of the triad, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, north carolina

US joins other anti-gay countries in rejecting UN affiliation for international LGBT groups

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According to an article published by the Washington Blade, the United States has aligned itself with such countries as Iran, Zimbabwe, China, Cameroon and other traditional US rivals in a vote on whether to allow the International Lesbian and Gay Association and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians to join the United Nation's Economic and Social Council. The International Lesbian and Gay Association has tried for numerous years to be recognized by the U.N. According to the article:

The Brussels-based International Lesbian & Gay Association and the Danish Association of Gay & Lesbians applied for consultative status on the council, giving the organizations an avenue as non-government groups to participate in discussions among members of the U.N. Nearly 3,000 groups enjoy this status. The U.S. voted to reject the applications, a reversal of its 2002 position when it moved to support the International Lesbian & Gay Association's request to have its status reviewed. Officials gave no explanation for the change. “It is deeply disturbing that, at the U.N., the United States has shifted gears toward an aggressive stance against human rights for LGBT people,” said Paula Ettelbrick, executive director of the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

===== Could some body tell me how the United States can call itself the bastion of freedom, democracy and liberty when it votes to restrict the freedom of others and make certain portion's of its own population and the world population second-class citizens? Don't get me wrong... I love the United States. I'm one of the most patriotic persons you might ever meet in your life. There comes a point, however, in which a person starts to realize that our ideals of liberty and justice for all have not yet been met. At that point it is up to every individual to continue to strive for the goal where all people will at last be free. Shame on the United States. Technorati Tags: gay, lgbt, gay rights, united nations, united states, un economic and social council, international lesbian and gay association

Teachers refuse to post 'safe space' posters

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Updated 01/25/2006 4:30pm: Picture courtesy of Garibaldi Gay According to an article published by the San Franciso Gate, five teachers have refused to comply with a district order to post safe space posters in their classrooms. The teachers, who work at San Leandro High School, refuse to put up the rainbow-colored poster which wasd designed by the school's Gay-Straight Alliance and reads: "This is a safe place to be who you are." The Principal of the school, Amy Furtado, said that the teachers hold that homosexuality violates their religious beliefs. According to the article:

The high school's Gay-Straight Alliance designed the poster, which includes pink triangles and other symbols of gay pride. In December the school board approved a policy requiring all district teachers to hang the posters in their classrooms. District officials said the poster is an effort to comply with state laws requiring schools to ensure students' safety and curb discrimination and harassment. They say that too often teachers do not reprimand students who use derogatory slurs or refer to homosexuality in a negative way. "This is not about religion, sex, or a belief system,'' said district Superintendent Christine Lim, who initiated the poster policy. "This is about educators making sure our schools are safe for our children, regardless of their sexual orientation." Teachers who refused to display the posters, which were distributed Monday, could not be reached for comment.

===== I don't care if it is against your religious beliefs or not! You are an employee of the state and you MUST treat all people equally and provide for the safety and general welfare of all students. If the disctrict passed the policy then they should follow it. I'm sure those teachers would have been the same type of people who violated the Constitution and continued to lead prayers in the classroom after that was banned. If they don't want to treat everyone fairly and provide for the safety and welfare of marginalized sections of the student population, then I say fire them and hire some people who will. Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, san franciso, san leandro high school, gay straight alliance, poster, california

Police in North Carolina town investigate possible anti-gay hate crime

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Police in Hendersonville, NC, are investigating a crime which may very well be an anti-gay hate crime:

Hendersonville Investigators are now looking into whether the recent beating of a gay man could be a hate crime. The problem though is North Carolina does not have the hate crime law on it's books. The victim says as he walked down the road he met three men who needed help moving boxes at the Star Motel on Asheville Highway. He then told investigators the three men drove him out to a Clear Creek Road and Hyder Farm Road. That's where he says the men beat him with a rock, robbed him, and made fun of his homosexuality. Right now the case is still under investigation but detectives say the alleged attack was not random.

In an earlier post of mine I discussed employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and how this type of bias in employment and hiring is still legal in North Carolina. This possible hate crime shows us another shortcoming in North Carolina law. This shortcoming, however, is a life-or-death issue. Without hate crimes protections LGBT people are worse off. Any crime motivated by hate of an unchangeable characteristic of another person is worse than murder for, let's say... because someone cheated you out of money or something. If EqualityNC hasn't picked up on this story yet, I sure hope they do so soon. Technorati Tags: hate crime, gay, lgbt, gay rights, hendersonville, north carolina

Anti-gay groups fighting against gay straight student groups

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The Following is a post from Good As You regarding Gay-Straight Alliances and the attempts of some abnti-gay groups to stop them from existing and keeping teens from joining them:

Regarding a proposed bill that would require Georgia parents to be notified before their children could join a school club, the Concerned Women for America have mustered the audacity to actually try and convince folks that the measure has absolutely nothing to do with preventing Gay-Straight Alliances in the states' schools. In a piece compiled by Concerned Intern Beth Andersen, CWA quotes the Washington Blade's assertions that the bill is intended to thwart GSAs, then immediately work to refute the Blade's claims, with Gerogia-based Concerned Woman Tanya Ditty saying "the issue is not homosexuality; it is about realizing that parent involvement is the key to a child succeeding educationally." They then jump to a benign quote culled from an unreferenced speech delivered by bill sponsor Sen. Nancy Schaefer [(pic.) who they admit is working with CWA], in which Schaefer also paints the bill as if gays haven't the SLIGHTEST thing to do with it.

Only problem? THEY'VE ALL ADMITTED IT'S DUE TO THE GAYS!

• NY Times, June 9, 2005 -- Sen. Schaefer, regarding her impetus for proposing the bill: "I just don't feel like homosexual clubs have anything to do with readin', writin' and 'rithmetic,"

• Athens Banner-Herald, September 19, 2005 -- Sen. Ralph Hudgens, who last year introduced his own proposal and this year is backing Scahefer's bill, is quoted as saying: "From my perspective, homosexuality is a perversion," he said. "I would want to know if my child is joining the club and why is he joining the club," with the paper adding, "Hudgens said he hopes the bill will discourage membership in gay-straight clubs by alerting parents to their childrens' participation."

• Agape Press, March 26. 2005, Senator Hudgens again:

Senator Hudgens believes the rule, if adopted, would provide a strong deterrent to student involvement in pro-homosexual clubs. "If this was the Spanish club, or the French club, or the Engineering club, or the Future Farmers of America club, then I probably wouldn't have a lot of concern about it," he says. "But homosexuality, as far as I'm concerned, is a learned behavior. It's not genetic -- they've never been able to prove that there's a gene that causes this. It's something that is learned."

• Eagle Forum of Georgia's Georgia Insight, March 11, 2005 -- The conservative group doesn't even try to hide that gay-straight alliances are the core issue, subtitling a piece they did on the bills "Parents are the only group legislators aren’t listening to in this debate about whether parents should give permission before children join clubs mainstreaming homosexuality in schools." They then encourage their followers to write various officials, and just for background, they give a handy "Time-Line of Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Club Growth in Georgia Schools."

And there are certainly many more, which we will add as we find them.

Look folks, we all know you guys don't dig on queers -- at least have the cajones to admit it! If these students have the guts to form GSAs in one of America's most conservative states, you, as grown adults, can at least show a little backbone and admit the true intent behind wanting to scuttle their endeavors. We know that washing your hands clean of the discriminatory nature of your actions is the modus operandi of you "pro-family" folks (i.e, calling it "marriage protection" instead of "marriage discrimination," saying "it's a choice" in order to justify why it's okay for you to show bias towards a sect of the population), but folks are quickly catching on to this strategy. Now, if you want to fight in this so-called "culture war" -- a moniker coined by your team, by the way -- then, by all means, you should get on the front lines and stand up for your beliefs; just stop shooting duplicitous bullets.

Be sure to keep an eye out for later CWA pieces, in which we hear they'll try to present their support of marriage-banning legislation as if it's really just a way to help gays save money.

CWA of Georgia Works to Give Public-School Parents a Voice [CWA]

Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, concerned women for america, winsgood as you

Virginia marriage amendment heading to November ballot

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In the ultimate sign of bigotry and prejudice, the Virginia Senate today approved a constitutional amendment which would ban gay marriage in the Commonwealth as well as ban other civil commitments from being recognized. The Virginia House of Delegates had already approved teh measure when the Senate voted today by a margin of 28 to 11. The measure will head to voters in November when it will be placed on the ballot. Looks like majority stupidity will once again rule the day. Imagine putting slavery on to a ballot for voters to decide. What woul dhave happened there? How about women's suffrage or child labor or the aims of the Civil Rights Movement? I'm sorry to say this, but I have said it before... sometimes the majority is stupid and does not know what is best. That is why, in America, the majority may rule, but not at the expense of the minority. The minority has rights too. Today is a sad day for the LGBT and straight allied citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Maybe my prediction of the amendments approval by the People will prove false. Equality Virginia... time to get to work! Technorati Tags: gay marriage, gay, lgbt, gay rights, vriginia, senate, amendment

The UNC system student government, diversity & LGBT students

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As many of you know, I have served in the Student Government Association of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, since my freshman year here. I started out in August 2004 as an at-large Senator and then became the Organizational Senator for UNCG PRIDE!, our campus LGBTQA student organization. During my time in Student Government and even now while I serve as Chair of the Student Senate Legislative Committee, I have made sure to represent the very often overlooked needs and concerned of the most marginalized sections of the student popultion. By marginalized students I mean African-Americans (especially males), Hispanics, Low income students and, of course, LGBT students. To me, the most marginalized student group in that broad category includes those students who are LGBT. I was fortunate enough to attend the General Assembly meeting of The University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments this weekend. The Assembly was held at UNC-Charlotte and, astonishingly, all 16 campuses of The University of North Carolina were present at the meeting. For those of you who don't know, the UNCASG serves as the UNC System Student Government. On top of advocating for the students within the North Carolina State Legislature, UNCASG also serves to represent the concerns of all of its 16 constituent campuses and all the students within the system. During the beginning portions of the General Assembly meeting on Saturday morning, UNCASG President Zachary Wynn held an open discussion on where UNCASG has been, where we are now and where we should be going. Sadly, much of the debate that morning surrounded diversity and the inclusion of marginalized students. It seems to me as though the issue of diversity would have been resolved by now. Since all 16 campuses were at the meeting, all of UNC's historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were also present. Many of the HBCU representatives and their guests were concerned about inclusion. Many of them voiced concerns that the issues of HBCUs were not being adequately or appropriately addressed within the UNCASG General Assembly. I also took my turn in speaking during the Assembly meeting, although I could not vote, as I was only a guest of our UNCG President. I stood up, as one of very few openly LGBT persons there that day, in support of advocacy for LGBT students and their issues. The Association, no doubt, is a wonderful and effective group when it comes to lobbying the Legislature on issues surrounding tuition and fees. What the Association fails at is advocacy and lobbying pertaining to issues which affect and are important to marginalized sections of the UNC student population. Of course, as mentioned above... I feel most strongly about advocating for LGBT students (big surprise there). The Association needs to pay more attention to the needs, issues and concerns of LGBT students. One thing that the Association could do in its attempts to address these issues would be to first accept and include LGBT students in their own group. The Constitution of the UNC Association of Student Governments includes an equal opportunity clause. Two things missing from that clause are sexual orientation and gender. The General Assembly of the UNC Association of Student Governments should take immediate action to correct their equal opportunity clause. LGBT students and even students who are straight but are perceived as being LGBT need protection, inclusion and advocacy in the organization which is designed to advocate for students and get their issues and concerns heard by the State Legislature. The Association also needs to take more pro-active stances on issues surrounding anti-LGBT harassment and discrimination at our 16 campuses of The University of North Carolina. Just last year a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill, Thomas Stockwell, became the victim of an anti-gay hate crime when he was attacked on Franklin Street in the early hours of the morning. It is nothing short of a miracle that more damage wasn't done to him and he is lucky to be able to claim that he is a survivor. Few others get that opportunity. As a student who is heavily involved in my campus Student Government and now that I am involved with the Association of Student Governments I pledge to all of my fellow LGBT students and straight allies that I will do all I can within the power and ability granted to me by the Constitution of the UNCG Student Government and that of the Association's Constitution in order to ensure that LGBT students are protected from harassment and discrimination. The ideals which make America great are the same ideals which are broken and destroyed when harassment and discrimination takes place. Related articles/sources:

• Criticisms fly at UNC Association of Student Governments General Assembly Meeting, UNCG Student Rights Awareness Council
• Wynne targets campus supportThe Daily Tar Heel

Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, uncasg, unc system, unc, discrimination, north carolina

NBC cancels 'Book of Daniel'

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According to an article published by 365gay.com, NBC has pulled "The Book of Daniel" from its Friday night lineup. With a simple blog entry by creator Jack Kenny, no explanation on the decision made was given from NBC. When "The Book of Daniel" was first announced a firestorm of controversy erupted, mainly from the anti-gay, radical Right group, the American Family Association. The AFA fought bitterly to get the show pulled from local NBC affilaites. Their efforts were succesful in about five markets, including Nashville, TN, and Wilmington, NC. Surprisingly, the local affiliate in the Triad area, WXII 12, which is based in Winston-Salem, NC, never pulled the show from its lineup. According to the article:

The series was immediately targeted by the Christian right. The American Family Association called on its members to pressure stations to drop the series and issued veiled boycott threats against advertisers.. A number of stations throughout the Bible Belt refused to air the series, and several sponsors pulled out. But NBC insists it was ratings and not pressure from conservative Christians that sank the show. "The Book of Daniel" lost about a quarter of its viewers over its few weeks on the air. Nevertheless, the AFA declared victory. “This shows the average American that he doesn’t have to simply sit back and take the trash being offered on TV, but he can get involved and fight back with his pocketbook,” said AFA Chair Donald E. Wildmon in a statement Tuesday. "We want to thank the 678,394 individuals who sent emails to NBC and the thousands who called and emailed their local affiliates." The AFA has a long history of boycotts and threats against companies that are perceived as gay friendly.

===== Darnit... that was like the only television show I was probably ever going to watch on an on-going basis. Now I'm sad. :( Technorati Tags: book of daniel, gay, lgbt, gay rights, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, nbc, north carolina

Administration ignores request of LGBT groups

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According to an article published by 365gay.com, the Administration has refused to honr the Freedom of Information Act request made by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network after it learned that the FBI might have used its power to spy on LGBT groups in America. According to the article:

The reports said that the Pentagon had spied on New York University law school’s LGBT advocacy group OUTlaw and gay groups at the State University of New York at Albany and William Patterson College in New Jersey. The FOIA request included a demand for “any and all documents” concerning meetings and communications within and between LGBT organizations, including SLDN. The filing included a request for “reports, video recordings, audio recording and photographs” obtained through Pentagon surveillance. Joining SLDN were Gays & Lesbians Against Defamation; the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association; the Human Rights Campaign; the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission; the Los Angeles Lesbian & Gay Center; the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund; Lambdas, Chicago-Kent College of Law; the Mautner Project; the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects; the National Youth Advocacy Coalition; Outlaws, University of Michigan School of Law; Pride at Work, AFL-CIO; QLaw, University of Wisconsin School of Law; and OUTLAW, Stanford Law School.

While the Administration did respind, it didn't do so with an answer we all would have wanted. The AMdinstration is refusing to turn over any material and says that the groups did not "reasonably describe" the materials which they were seeking. According to the article, "The Department of Defense turned down the request saying that SLDN is not an organization primarily engaged in disseminating information to the public and that there is no imminent loss of substantial due process rights." SLDN vows that it will continue to try to get the documents. ======= After all that has happened with the Bush Administration it would not surprise me if they had actually spied on LGBT groups just because they were LGBT groups. Yeah, they could probably come up with some lame excuse to try to justify it like they always do but LGBT Americans would still feel betrayed and our rights would have been violated. I guess the reason why they want to hide these documents so badly is becuase they know they have done wrong and broken the law. Maybe they just want to stay out of trouble... and no one can blame the Bush Administration for that; I mean, come on... every tyrant in history has been given a chance to save himself. Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, domestic spying, new york university, albany, servicemembers legal defense network, bush, freedom of information act

Just a thought... on what the anti-gays really think

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I saw this interesting quote on the blog of 16 year old gay rights activist and personal friend Tully Satre:

"We don’t believe they have the right to marry. In fact, we don’t think they have the right to exist." - Douglas Sadler, member of the Ku Klux Klan, in protesting attempts to legalize same-sex marriage in Iowa

I'd just like to pause for a moment and say something... I promise I won't take much of your time. I also can almost assure you that my following statement is really going to upset a lot of people. I pretty much think that the feelings voiced by Mr. KKK Sadler are indicative of the beliefs belonging to the majority of Americans who I call anti-gay... people who don't like gay people and people (ah-hem...Senator Rick Santorum) who do anything in their power to take away our civil rights or make sure that we never have them to begin with. Ok... I'm done. Technorati Tags: gay marriage, gay, lgbt, gay rights, kkk, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, north carolina

More Upcoming LGBT NC events - EqualityNC

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Equality North Carolina

According to an website of EqualityNC some more LGBT events in and around NC are coming up pretty soon. One of them is tonight actually. Equality North Carolina will hold a screening of "Remembering Our Rights", a film described on the EqualityNC site as A film... celebrating Roe v. Wade, Lawrence v. Texas and our sexual and reproductive freedom". Tonight's film screening will be held at Broad Street Cafe, 1116 Broad Street, Durham, NC, at 7:00pm. On February 4, 2006, there will be a reception with the EqualityNC Board of Directors. This event will be held 6:30-8:30pm in Wilmington at Costello's, 211 Princess Street. Tickets are available on the EqualityNC website and are $50 per person. Equality NC will also hold an event to honor openly gay, former Mayor Mike Nelson on Sunday, February 12, 5:00-7:00 PM at the home of Jesse White, 38 Mount Bolus Road, in Chapel Hill. Again, tickets are available via the site and are $50 per person. For more information, please visit www.EqualityNC.org Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, remembering our rights, equality nc, movie, durham, north carolina

ART to host YES! Weekly group interview on Brokeback Mountain TONIGHT!

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OUTGreensboro.com

According to an email I received from our Vice President at Alternative Resources of the Triad (which runs the OUTGreensboro.com website and coordinates QCYNT, the Queer College & Youth Network of the Triad), YES! Weekly will host an interview for those people in the community who have seen Brokeback Mountain. Alternative Resources of the Triad is hosting the large group interview at 7:00pm tonight, January 24th, 2006. According to the email:

John Johnson, Vice-President of Alternative Resources of the Triad here. I have been contacted by Yes! Weekly newspaper and they are looking to interview people that have seen the movie "BrokeBack Mountain" and that they feel it has made a difference to our community. I am emailing each one of you to see if you would be interested in doing a group interview with Yes! Weekly newspaper. I am setting the meeting up for Tuesday, January 24, 2006 evening at 7pm. If you are not interested in doing so please pass this request on to another person. For more info contact me at 336-324-6092. I am hoping that you will all be interested in help out the GLBTQA community and its friends. We need your help, please give your time and help in this matter.

Again, for all those interested please call our ART Vice President at 336.324.6092. Sadly, I won't be able to make the group interview with YES! Weekly as the UNCG Student Government has our President's State of the Campus Address tonight. I guess I have to attend that, lol; kind of goes with the territory of being involved with the Student Government. For more information about Alternative Resources of the Triad and its projects, including OUTGreensboro.com and QCYNT, vist OUTGreensboro.com Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, brokeback mountain, yes weekly, alternative resources of the triad, qcynt, greensboro, triad, north carolina

UNCG PRIDE! to focus on the "T" in "LGBT"

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Click to visit UNCG PRIDE!

According to the website of UNCG PRIDE!, the group will hold a meeting to focus solely on transgender issues. On Thursday, January 26, 2006, UNCG PRIDE!, the LGBTQA student group at UNCG, will hold its meeting, entitled "Transgeneration". Two guest speakers will help to educate the group about transgender issues and engage them into a discussion about those issues. According to the website:

Please join PRIDE! and our two guest speakers as we discuss and educate ourselves on transgender issues... Transgender individuals (the all important "T" in "LGBT") are, sadly, often overlooked in the LGBT Movement and LGBTQA organizations. We hope you'll join us for this meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 7:30pm in Cone Ballroom B of the Elliott University Center.

Nominations for Vice President, Program Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator will also be open. Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, transgender, greensboro, uncg, north carolina

'Will & Grace' cancelled by NBC

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According to an article published by United Press International, NBC has cancelled "Will and Grace", a sitcom surrounding two gay men and their two female friends. According to the article:

The Emmy-winning comedy series "Will & Grace" will finish its eight-year run on NBC in May, the network announced Sunday. NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly said the show will wrap up on May 18, with an hourlong retrospective, followed by a one-hour series finale. "It is a bittersweet moment for all of us at NBC to confirm that this will be the final season of the comedy 'Will & Grace,'" said Reilly. "Will & Grace" has been nominated for 73 Emmys, 27 Golden Globes, 19 Screen Actors Guild Awards and 12 People's Choice Awards. It has won 14 Emmys -- including best comedy series in 2000.

"Will and Grace" was, indeed, a groundbreaking show when it first came to television. Despite what many would have thought, "Will and Grace" reached out to millions of Americans: both gay and straight, liberal and conservative, religious and non-religious. A few years ago a few reports even claimed truck drivers loved the show. "Will and Grace" will definitely be missed but it did its job while it was here: promoting equality and acceptance. Technorati Tags: gay, lgbt, nbc, will and grace

Gay ex-Governor of New Jersey begins writing for blog

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According to an article published by 365gay.com, the openly gay former New Jersey Governor, James McGreevey, is now writing for the Huffington Post, a political blog. According to the article:

Former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, who resigned from office in 2004 after acknowledging a gay affair while married, has written a blog with gay rights activist and author David Mixner. Their first topic was about efforts to combat poverty in McDowell County, W.Va., and focused on the odyssey of one local woman who survived two battered marriages and now is part of that work. "The Amazing Marsha Timpson" is a five-part article that runs to nearly 9,000 words on Huffingtonpost, a news and opinion Web site launched last year by political commentator Arianna Huffington, a one-time candidate for California governor.

You can view the blog with former Governor McGreevey at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-mixner-and- james-mcgreevey/the-amazing-marsha- timpso_b_13627.html Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, james mcgreevey, governor, new jersey, blog, huffington post, david mixner

EqualityNC gets new website design; starts working toward 2006 mid-term elections

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Click to go to EqualityNC

I was checking out the website of Equality NC today and after seeing it just a few days ago with its all too familiar design (the one they've had for years), I was a bit surprised when the page opened up. EqualityNC got a new website design! And its a handsome one too. More professional, cleaner and I think the information is easier to find. The new site design also lets the gorup more easily highlight their action alerts, event announcements and news. Overall I really like it and I think you should check it out at www.EqualityNC.org. Oh... and while you're there, make an online donation; the work EqualityNC does for LGBT North Carolinians is important! Also check out their news item on the upcoming 2006 mid-term elections. While no statewide elections are going to be held, local elections will be VERY IMPORTANT in getting allies into the the General Assembly. For the past two legislative sessions North Carolina has been able to kill a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. We are the ONLY state in the South to not put an amendment through our legislature or to our people. We must keep it that way! Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, equalitync, website, north carolina

Maryland judge rules in favor of gays seeking marriage

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According to an article published by the Washington Blade, a Maryland circuit court judge has today ruled that a 1973 Maryland law limiting marriage to unions of a man and woman only is unconstiutional. According to the article, Circuit Court Judge Brooke M. Murdock stated in her ruling:

"Family law 2-201 violates Article 46 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights because it discriminates, based on gender against a suspected class; and is not narrowly tailored to serve any compelling governmental interests."

The suit, Deane vs. Conaway, was file din July 2004 and brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of nine gay couples and one man whose partner had already passed away. Arguments in the case had been originally heard in August. Both sides in the case expect it to be appealed to the Maryland Court of Appeals. ====== YAY!!! Maryland might just find itself with marriage equality like Massachusetts!!! Watch out you radical, religious Right folks... equality is heading South! Technorati Tags: gay marriage, gay, lgbt, gay rights, deane vs conaway, maryland, circuit court, aclu

Civil Rights... beyond race

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The following is a letter to the editor written by 16 year old Tully Satre, Executive Director of Equality Faquier/Culpeper (www.efcva.org). I think his words are important and I congratulate him on his activism:

Civil rights go beyond race Thursday, January 19, 2006 Culpeper Citizen Nearly 38 years ago, one of history's most well-known civil rights activists was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn. Every January, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born on Jan. 15, 1929. As Dr. King once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Today, the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people are being threatened in Virginia. On Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006 - the first day of the Virginia General Assembly session - the House's Privileges and Elections Committee passed the Virginia Marriage Amendment. Two days later, the amendment was taken to the House floor and passed 73-22. The vote moves the legislation one step closer to amending the Virginia Constitution to define marriage between a man and a woman, one step closer to writing discrimination into the constitution of one of the nation's founding states, and one step closer to the injustice that Dr. King actively opposed throughout his life. The fate of Virginians now lies with the Virginia Senate. Perhaps we can make this year's MLK Day, a day not only to remember the life of an American hero, but also a day to follow Dr. King's example of standing up for human dignity. Tully Satre Executive Director Equality Fauquier/Culpeper

Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, equality, virginia, tully satre, civil rights

Sullivan appears on Comedy Central's Colbert Report

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From GAWKER: Andrew Sullivan Makes Sweet, Bloggy Love to Stephen Colbert Blogstar Andrew Sullivan — who’s now posting his blog on Time.com — took his funny accent to The Colbert Report last night, where pressing issues were deftly tackled:

Colbert: So edumacate me here: A blog is what? I know the kids do it, I hear it all the time with, like, iPod, I hear those two terms thrown around a lot. Sullivan: It’s almost like you have truth that you give us every night. But some of us, we just struggle every day to put whatever little bit of truth we can find on the internet and call it a blog. It’s literally a web log, it’s a log of your random, incessant thoughts, on the web. C: So a blog is web log? Is there an apostrophe, or do you guys not even have the strength for that? You’re just gonna jam two words together?

After the jump, Sullivan’s impressive answer and truthiness for the Times.

S: Over time it just became a “blog.” C: “Blog.” It’s a beautiful word. It’s musical. So, uh, you type your thoughts and they appear on a screen instantly and that’s it. That’s what you do? S: That’s what I do. C: They used to call that typing. I don’t trust you guys, because anybody could do that, right? S: You don’t. The only way you can trust anybody who blogs is by following them and making sure they’re not full of it all the time. The one sign of a good blogger is that he immediately corrects a mistake. And unlike the New York Times, where they can put all of their millions of mistakes in a little box in the corner every day which you never read, a blogger has to fess up, right there, just like you do every night. C: Actually, I read the New York Times corrections. It’s the most entertaining part of that paper.

Technorati Tags: gay, lgbt, gay rights, andrew sullivan, comedy central, colbert report

Over 100 gay families signed up for White House egg roll; McClellan dodges question

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Family Pride is coordinating the effort for LGBT family visibility at the White House. For more information, click here.

According to an article published by the Washington Blade, over 100 LGBT families have signed up to attend the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on APril 17, 2006. Family Pride, an LGBT family group, has been advocating the participation of LGBT families in the event. When asked at a press conference about how activists were "pushing their agenda on the rest of us", Bush Administration Press Secretary Scott McClellan dodged the question by stating:

"Well, this event is a time to celebrate Easter and to have a good family celebration here at the White House," McClellan replied. "And in terms of any other details about it, I think it's still a few months off, so we'll talk about it as we get closer. I've seen a couple of reports about it; I don't know how extensive that reporting has been. But this has been a family event for a long time and the President always looks forward to this event."

====== Okay... so I just have to say something: Since when did inclusion of all types of families become an acting of "pushing" our "agenda" on the "rest of you"??? The Bush Administration wants to make this a family event... well, they should include all families. Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, gay families, bush, white house, egg roll, scott mcclellan

Q&A columnist answers question of gay college student

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The following is from an advice column published by the Toronto Star. A gay, 19 year old college student seems to have found himself in a bit of a "queer predicament":

Gay teen should think about coming out Jan. 19, 2006. 01:00 AM Q: I'm a college student, 19, and I'm gay and fine with that. My problem is not one of identity or lifestyle but, rather, with a girl who continually finds excuses to talk to me and sit next to me. My friends have noticed this (she's attractive and most of the other guys in the class pay attention to where she sits). They're pestering me for a reason why I'm not dating her. I feel that by ignoring the situation that I'm leading her to think I'm interested. I'll be working closely with these people over the next few years and don't want to alienate anyone. I'm not ready to "come out" yet but I also don't want to date someone I'm not attracted to. How do I tell her I'm not interested? ~Queer Predicament A: It's great that you've got it together on who you are; now's the time to start getting comfortable with how you're perceived. This girl likely feels an ease with you precisely because she senses you're not going to hit on her. Treat her casually and use the "friend" word in conversation, she'll get the message. Tell those pestering guys you're just not into her, period. Then change the subject. And so will I...to "coming out." I agree you need to feel ready and it should start with close people. This is a good time to think through how and when. A book I like that provides good information on coming out, is also a primer to give interested non-gay people: Is It A Choice? by Eric Marcus. He writes, "Those gay and lesbian people who choose to tell their friends, family and colleagues about their sexual orientation...do it primarily because they want to be themselves, because they want to be honest with those they love and trust, and because it can be difficult, exhausting, and personally destructive to pretend to be someone you're not."

Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, coming out, toronto

UNCG's 'On Faith' column features gay Catholic

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Last semester the UNCG student newspaper, The Carolinian, started a new feature called "On Faith". In the first issue of the Spring 2006 semester, the On Faith column features a gay Catholic. The column was written by one of the Carolinian's regular columnists, Garon Anders, who usually writes in his column entitled "Left Turn Only":

ON FAITH: Why I'm a gay Catholic By: Garon Anders Issue date: 1/17/06 Section: Life The Carolinian, UNCG Those closest to me know that I love the Catholic faith. Throughout college, I have continued to practice my faith by regularly attending Mass and participating in various church activities. The question most often asked of me is, "Why would you continue to belong to an organization that declares homosexual persons as 'intrinsically disordered?'" It is a difficult question to answer. For those of us who identify ourselves as Christians, we strive not to be relativists. I do not want to view my faith as some sort of doctrinal buffet where I pick and choose the precepts of faith that mesh with my own reasoning while disregarding those that I find outdated and wrong. However, that is where I find myself. I believe this to be the case for many Christians and members of other religious traditions. I have to say that over the years, I have found the Catholic Church welcoming. I have never been the target of discrimination by the church or my fellow parishioners. Even the church's priests have been understanding of my confusion and, for lack of a better word, condition. At the age of seventeen, I went to confession and said, "Father, I'm gay." He looked at me and said, "Well, that's okay. I have lots of friends that are gay." He went on to advise me of the church's teachings with respect to homosexuality; that is, homosexuals are to be loved, accepted, and treated with respect. Rather than towing the church's doctrinal line, he said, "Garon, be the best person you can be. Live a life that is Christ-like and pray for change." Since that time, I have not felt alienated by my faith. So, what is it that keeps me coming back to the church week after week? For me, it is the message of hope. The Mass prayers are beautiful and optimistic. They inspire me to be the best person that I can be - to live as justly as possible and treat others with respect. When I attend mass, I do feel different from others that are around me. My church is filled with young, beautiful couples. I closely watch the young families that attend my church, knowing that most likely I will never share their experience in the church. Despite that, I feel a unity with them. More so than any other tradition in the church, the Mass symbolizes the unity of the church's people throughout the world. I do pray for change. The sex abuse scandals of the past few years have hurt the church quite a bit. An odd paradox has recently arisen from the sex abuse scandals. The church teaches that it is not a sin to be gay. In fact, the church has embraced the notion that sexuality is something to which we are predisposed. What the church finds to be gravely sinful are "acts of homosexuality." I take this to mean relationships and sex. By this rationale, gay persons are called to lead a life of celibacy. For many homosexual men, this meant that one way to escape temptation was to become a priest. Since the sex abuse scandals, the Vatican has issued a document stating that homosexual persons should not be admitted to the clergy. However, the issuance of such a statement with respect to the priesthood and homosexuality has caused me to be concerned for the state of the church. For now, I continue to pray for change and do my best not to lead a life of doctrinal relativism. I fear, however, that I am woefully failing.

Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, catholic, greensboro, carolinian, uncg, north carolina

LGBTQA college and youth group board members named

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The following is an article, printed in the most recent issue of Q-Notes, regarding QCYNT, the group I am working to help coordinate and establish with Alternative Resources of the Triad. More updates will be following soon. QCYNT had its first Advisory Board meeting on January 12, 2006.

Advisory board named GREENSBORO — The first members of the Queer College Youth Network of the Triad (QCYNT) Advisory Board were announced on Dec. 19. They are Marcia Smith-Fischer (University of North Carolina-Greensboro), David Norton (Guilford College) and Samantha Korb (University of North Carolina-Greensboro). QCYNT (pronounced “Q-cent”), is a networking group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer and allied (LGBTQA) college student organizations, their members and other LGBTQA youth in the Triad area. The first Advisory Board meeting is slated for this month. A date, time and place has not yet been determined. Persons not serving on the board will still be welcome to attend the meetings to give input, suggestions, ideas, etc. For more information about QCYNT and the Advisory Board visit www.outgreensboro.com and click on the “QCYNT” link on the navigation menu. If you are interested in serving on the Advisory Board email Matt Hill at mmhill3@uncg.edu. Original Source

Technorati Tags: gay youth, gay, lgbt, gay rights, qcynt, alternative resources of the triad, greensboro, winston-salem, triad, north carolina