ISIS Throws Two 'Gay' Men to Deaths from Tower
As ISIS begins to lose its early military gains, the extremist group has stepped up its executions of gays and others charged of “morals crimes.”
Thom Senzee
www.advocate.com/world/2015/01/20/isis-throws-two-gay-men-deaths-tower
State of Our Gay Military Unions
It was an honor and privilege to be a personal guest of the First Lady for President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union address. I was selected because I co-founded an organization called the Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC), a non-profit organization to focusing exclusively on LGBT military families following the 2012 repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell. My wife Brigadier General Tammy Smith, the nation’s first openly gay military general/flag officer, attended the White House reception with me and we were greeted by Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.
The state of our gay military unions has transformed considerably since I represented military families at this event. In 2013, I personally witnessed the President make this promise: “We will ensure equal treatment for all servicemembers, and equal benefits for their families — gay and straight.” The President’s words were powerful, and I was eager to hear them. I stood up and cheered at his words.
The repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell (DADT) was incredibly significant. Gay and lesbian Servicemembers could finally serve the nation without fear of discharge. But repeal was neutral for gay military families. Despite the Department of Defense commitment to provide a safety net and benefits for all military families, gay military families were excluded regardless of DADT repeal. We remained second-class families, supporting our Servicemembers without the support of the military institution.
This situation was bittersweet. We were collectively relieved that there was no longer a fear of discharge from the military for simply being gay or lesbian, but our families did not exist legally. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) cornered us into the second-class citizen status.
After the State of the Union address, I met face to face with President Obama. He looked me in the eye and promised that gay military families would have access to military benefits and he assured me: “We are going to get this done.”
He was right, and the Windsor Supreme Court DOMA case triggered the amazing change for gay military families. In record time for a bureaucracy, the Pentagon issued a statement that it would recognize same-sex married couples for purposes of family status and benefits. The Department of Defense put in place procedures to recognize married couples regardless of gender combinations following the Windsor decision. On September 3, 2013, I went to a Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) site at Ft Bragg, North Carolina and was declared “equal” to all married military couples. I received my military family member identification card. I was no longer a second-class citizen. This simple act that straight couples take for granted was a moment of celebration for my wife and me.
Since the 2013 State of the Union our gay military families continue to experience many firsts — our military families are now living on military installations in family housing. We are bearing children in military hospitals with our wives at our side. Servicemembers discharged under DADT have rejoined the military and reaffirmed the oath with their spouse looking on. Our spouses have been recognized at change of command ceremonies, promotions and retirements. Gay and lesbian Servicemembers have attended unit organizational days and also invited Ally Servicemembers to help plan pride celebrations at their installations.
We have so much to be grateful for in 2015, but we are not finished. We still have pockets of second-class citizen status. Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) still limit access to assignments with same-sex families in certain countries, creating unequal access to competitive assignments. Certain military chaplain denominations are working to exclude interacting with us, even to perform last rites on the battlefield, under the outrageous banner of “religious liberty.” Our transgender brothers and sisters still suffer silently, completely unaffected by our forward progress. Neither Servicemembers nor families have status as a protected class within an Equal Opportunity category, leaving space for discrimination without recourse. This is unacceptable for Americans who choose to serve their country. We need to hold on to our victories but we must continue to push forward, working until the President’s words “equal treatment” become a reality for all our military families.
I am thankful that I got to look President Obama in the eye and hear him promise me that our families would be treated equally in the future. He made good on that promise, with some help from the Supreme Court. As I reflect on the State of our Unions, I know that the State of Our Gay Military Unions are strong. We have made amazing progress since 2013. Our families must commit to being out, being visible, and integrating fully into military communities. Together we must break the barriers remaining that result in a second-class citizen status, and we must continue to fight until all military families are treated equally.
Scotland Holds It’s First-Ever Pagan Same-Sex Wedding In Spooky 16th Century Cellar
Bible thumpers are going to have a field day with this one.
A gay couple in Edinburgh tied the knot over the weekend in Scotland’s first-ever pagan same-sex wedding ceremony complete with handfasting, sharing of mead, and jumping the broom.
Tom Lanting and Iain Robertson identify as hedge witches. They have been together for 12 years.
“As hedge witches we always wanted to have a pagan marriage ceremony in line with our beliefs and it was really important to us to be able to share this ceremony with our friends and family,” the couple told BBC News.
The wedding happened deep down in the depths of a 16th-century vaulted stone cellar of Edinburgh’s Marlin’s Wynd, which once served as an underground market of sorts with a variety of shops, stalls and dwellings.
“Getting married in a legal pagan ceremony means so much to both of us,” the couple said.
Scotland is the only part of the U.K. where pagans, as well as other minority religious groups, are allowed to duly perform legal weddings.
Louise Park, the presiding officer for the Pagan Federation (Scotland), officiated last weekend’s ceremony. The Pagan Federation (Scotland) has been conducting mixed-sex pagan weddings since 2005.
“Equality for people of all faiths is something that is very dear to the vast majority of pagans,” she said, “and the Pagan Federation (Scotland) has made equal marriage for all pagans in Scotland one of our biggest campaigns over the last 10 years.”
Park continued: “We feel that, if any couple wish to, they should be able to make their marriage vows before their own personal Gods, friends and family, in a religious ceremony tailored to suit their own beliefs.”
Tom French, policy and public affairs coordinator for the Equality Network, told BBC News he was “delighted” to be in attendance for the U.K.’s first pagan same-sex marriage.
“Religious and belief groups played an important role in the campaign for equal marriage and this ceremony is a mark of equality and freedom of belief in Scotland,” he said.
Related stories:
Was Bewitched The Most Progressive Gay Series Of Its Time?
Pastor Claims Gay People Are Possessed By “Fart Demons” That Can Drive Pigs To Suicide
Satanic Temple Makes Deceased Westboro Baptists “Gay Forever” In Pink Mass Ceremony
Graham Gremore
Virginia Introduces Bill Banning Conversion Therapy For Minors
Conversion therapy has been proven time and again to not only be ineffectual in changing an individual’s sexual orientation from gay to straight, a sentiment even endorsed by former “ex-gay” leaders, but is instead likely to be harmful, particularly to minors. As this truth has permeated through society, state after state has begun introducing bans on the quackery, forbidding it to be administered to minors. Legislators in Virginia are joining the movement with the introduction of a bill today that – much like in New Jersey, Illinois, and California – forbids enrolling minors in conversion therapy.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights issued a statement on the proposed bill:
“Today, more than ever, it is clear that state legislatures need to step up to the plate to protect LGBT youth from the dangerous and discredited practices of conversion therapy,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights Staff Attorney and #BornPerfect Campaign Coordinator Samantha Ames. “We commend Delegate Hope and Senator Lucas, as well all the local organizers who have worked tirelessly to get this bill introduced and ensure all Virginian children are able to grow up in communities and families where they are loved for exactly who they are.”
A similar bill failed to pass in the state House last year, so Delegate Patrick Hope and Senator Louise Lucas may have a fight ahead of them to get this one through.
Christian Walters
www.towleroad.com/2015/01/virginia-introduces-bill-banning-conversion-therapy-for-minors.html
JNU with LGBT rights
Comrade Debottam speaks on the importance of LGBT rights.
WATCH: Subway Singer Uses 'Golden Ticket' to Drown Out Homophobia
One subway passenger was ranting against homosexuality and picking on a lesbian couple, so a fellow rider decided to sing over the hate.
Stevie St. John
New Kids On The Block's Jonathan Knight Joins Cast Of 'Amazing Race' With Boyfriend
Jonathan Knight and his boyfriend are taking their relationship “Step by Step” around the world.
Knight and Harley Rodriguez will join the cast of “The Amazing Race” for Season 26. The new season will be the first ever all-dating couples season, with five of the teams actually going on blind dates.
After the news of the casting was announced, Knight tweeted about his excitement:
So happy to finally be able to officially say Harley and I will be on season 26 of the amazing race! t.co/R6OD30cWI6
— Jonathan Knight (@JonathanRKnight) January 20, 2015
Knight said it’ll be “interesting” doing the competition with Rodriguez, adding, “This is probably going to be the most time that we’ve been together continually,” according to People. The NKOTB singer went on to say that if there’s a tough situation they wouldn’t argue, however, and would instead “help each other through it.”
In addition to Knight, the cast also includes Olympic bronze medallist Aly Dudek and bobsledder Steven Langton:
“The Amazing Race 26” premieres Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
For more, head to TV Guide.
Massachusetts Advocates Prepare for Legislative Session
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), MassEquality, and other groups are working together to urge the Massachusetts General Assembly to add public accommodations protections based on gender identity.
HRC.org
Russell Brand Calls Scrutiny Over Bruce Jenner’s Appearance “Bullying” And “Transphobic”
Transphobia seems to be the most recent and encouraged form of prejudice, now that racism and homophobia are not tolerated. It’s such a celebration of the worst aspects of human values. What this does is it sanctions people being judgmental and cruel toward transgender folks. This is bullying. Stop. Stop. Bruce Jenner is a human being. If you want to learn more about transgender issues, look at GLAAD.org.”
— Comic actor Russell Brand referring to the offensive InTouch cover which featured Bruce Jenner photoshopped and wearing lipstick and blush
Jeremy Kinser
Illinois Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Harmful Gay 'Conversion Therapy' for Minors
LGBT advocates in Illinois today announced plans to launch an initiative intended to facilitate passage of a bill introduced on Friday in the General Assembly which would ban gay “conversion therapy” for minors, Equality Illinois reports:
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (pictured) of Chicago introduced the bill on Friday. House Bill 217, the Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act, would make it illegal for mental health care providers to engage in sexual orientation change efforts with anyone under the age of 18. A Senate version will be introduced soon, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston.
“Illinois should be at the forefront of banning this failed and discredited non-therapy that attempts to change the unchangeable, our innate sexual orientation and gender identity,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest civil rights organization advocating for LGBT Illinoisans.
“It is tragic,” said Rep. Cassidy, “that LGBT youth suffer at the hands of so-called experts whose therapies have been refuted by every legitimate medical and mental health organization. That is why my bill would label the therapy as ‘unprofessional conduct’ and subject the perpetrator to disciplinary action.”
Bans on so-called “conversion therapy” have been passed in D.C., New Jersey, and California. An effort to pass one in New York state failed last June after GOP leaders blocked the bill from coming to the floor for a vote.
Andy Towle