Bellevue, Idaho Passes LGBT Non-Discrimination Ordinance

Sean Mandell

www.towleroad.com/2015/06/bellevue-idaho-passes-lgbt-non-discrimination-ordinance-1.html

The New Girl In School: Transgender Surgery At 18
In a cozy cottage decorated with butterflies to symbolize transformation, Katherine Boone was recovering in April from the operation that had changed her, in the most intimate part of her body, from a biological male into a female.

It was not easy. She retched for days afterward. She could hardly eat. She did not seem empowered; she seemed regressed.

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www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/17/transgender-surgery-18_n_7604112.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Southern Baptists Officially Declare “War” On Gay Marriage

Pastor Ronnie Floyd

This just in: The Southern Baptist Convention has declared “war” on gay marriage.

What does this mean exactly? Your guess is as good as ours. But the group said that if the Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage across the United States later this month, as it is widely expected to do, things are gonna get ugly. Real ugly.

“We are in a spiritual warfare,” Ronnie Floyd, the convention’s president and senior pastor at Cross Church in Arkansas, said during a rousing hate speech at yesterday’s convention in Columbus, OH. “This is not a time for Southern Baptists to stand back!”

He continued: “The Supreme Court is not the final authority, nor is the culture itself! I declare to everyone today as a minister of the Gospel: I. Will. Not! Officiate. Over. Any. Same. Sex. Unions. Or. Same. Sex. Marriage. Ceremonies!”

To which he was met with thunderous applause from the peanut gallery.

Related: Christian Couple Threatens To Get Divorced If Gay Marriage Is Made Legal

The convention, which claims to have around 16 million members, also passed a resolution to “recognize that no governing institution has the authority to negate or usurp God’s definition of marriage.”

The resolution reads, in part: “The Southern Baptist Convention calls on Southern Baptists and all Christians of like-mindedness to stand firm on the Bible’s witness on the private purpose of marriage, which is to unite man and woman as one flesh; and the public purpose of marriage, which is to secure the basis for the flourishing of human civilization.”

But don’t get the wrong idea, folks. Just because the organization has declared war on gay marriage and may potentially refuse to acknowledge the Supreme Court’s ruling, it still loves everyone equally.

“Southern Baptists love our neighbors and extend respect in Christ’s name to all people,” the resolution adds,” including those who may disagree with us about the definition of marriage and the public good.”

That’s why it also voted to kick out one of its member church for supporting same-sex marriage.

Gay Marriage, if you’re reading, you might want to stock up on canned goods and bottled water and hunker down somewhere because the Southern Baptists are coming for you!

Related: 10 Bible-Based Reasons Why Christians Should Love Homosexuality

h/t: AL.com, GayStarNews

Graham Gremore

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These 'Dreamboys' Will Make Your 'Magic Mike' Dreams Come True: PHOTOS

Sean Mandell

www.towleroad.com/2015/06/these-dreamboys-will-make-your-magic-mike-dreams-come-true-photos.html

Could Antigay Violence Like France's Happen Here?

A revolution on Paris streets is backlash against marriage equality, and two years in, the violence is unabated.

read more

Dawn Ennis

www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2015/06/17/could-antigay-violence-frances-happen-here

Miley Cyrus Makes A Statement In More Ways Than One At The amfAR Gala
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Miley Cyrus shifted from attention-loving pop star to someone who was using their platform for the betterment of others, but it’s pretty clear that any attention Cyrus is drawing to herself these days is doing the world a lot of good.

The 22-year-old recently launched the Happy Hippie Foundation to help homeless and LGBT youth, and this past week, she teamed up with Instagram to launch a revolutionary campaign called #InstaPride, which spotlights people whose identities span across the gender spectrum.

On Tuesday night, Cyrus brought that pride with her to the amfAR Inspiration Gala in New York. Her date for the evening was Tyler, who she described on Instagram as a “queer, biracial, agender person, whose pronouns are they/them/theirs.” And together, they killed it on the red carpet. Cyrus went for the over-the-top glam route in a bright red gown covered in sequin hearts with a massive bow on the back, while Tyler wore a plunging black dress paired with red Doc Martins.

Both the singer and “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen were honored at the event for their fight against AIDS.

Y we so kiewt doe?!?! @tywrent @happyhippiefdn @amfar @itsjeremyscott #instapride

A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on Jun 16, 2015 at 6:39pm PDT

@mrbrainwash life IS beautiful @amfar

A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on Jun 16, 2015 at 11:04pm PDT

Dreams come true

A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on Jun 16, 2015 at 10:27pm PDT

@itsjeremyscott @moschino @amfar

A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on Jun 16, 2015 at 11:05pm PDT

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/17/miley-cyrus-amfar-gala_n_7602442.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Dove Celebrates Father’s Day with New Ad Featuring Same-Sex Couple

In honor of Father’s Day and their #RealStrength campaign, Dove has released a new ad featuring a same-sex couple.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/dove-celebrates-fathers-day-with-new-ad-featuring-same-sex-couple?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Major League Baseball’s Only Openly Gay Umpire Describes Life After Coming Out

Last December, Dale Scott took a leap of faith and decided to come out publicly as gay. It’s a big decision for anyone to make, but as an umpire for Major League Baseball, Dale was risking potential backlash on and off the field. Homophobia in sports has come a long way, but the problem still persists.

Related: MLB Umpire Doesn’t Need Three Strikes To Be Out And Australia Welcomes A Gay Bobsledder

But when a magazine decided to profile his life and career, Dale didn’t feel right about omitting his long-term relationship with Michael Rausch. A photo of the two arm in arm described them as “longtime companions.”

In an interview with OutSports shortly after, Dale said:

“The first 10 years of my Major League umpire career, I would have been horrified if a story had come out that I was gay.”

So what’s life like for Dale six months later? We’re thrilled to report that his update couldn’t be better.

In a followup with OutSports, he said:

“The reaction has been business as usual.

Since spring training I’ve had two players and one base coach congratulate me for being honest about who I am, but that’s been it.

The lack of reaction says a lot to me, that we’re getting closer and closer to an announcement like this being no news as all, the way it should be.”

He also spoke of being contacted by a closeted 17-year-old who wants to be an umpire. The teen said Dale’s story inspired him to believe that his own sexual orientation won’t be a barrier in fulfilling his dreams.

Dale took him out to lunch to offer advice and added, “He’s got a great head on his shoulders, I was glad to have met him. It is still very humbling to hear from people who say my story has given them more confidence in their lives.”

From the looks of it, Dale has quite the head on his shoulders as well.

Related: High School Jock Comes Out By Slow Dancing With The Homecoming King

Dan Tracer

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