Priests broke confession confidentiality to out gay soldiers to military

A British politician has apologized after it emerged some chaplains with the British armed force told superiors about gay and bisexual military personnel in the 1990s.

The UK dropped its ban on openly LGB people serving in the armed forces in 2000. However, before this time, gay military personnel were routinely dismissed if their sexuality became known.

According to the Times, some chaplains reported LGB personnel to their superiors after hearing the information during confession.

Private confession, as practiced by several denominations of Christian faith, is when a person tells a priest of their sins or wrongdoings. It is supposed to remain confidential and repeated to no-one else.

The newspaper spoke to veterans who say they confided in their chaplain, only to be questioned days later by military police.

Related: Two trainee priests sent back to Ireland after being caught in bed together

It’s believed both Church of England and Roman Catholic chaplains were involved with the practice. It’s uncertain if the information led directly to soldiers being dismissed.

The breach of confidentiality was acknowledged on the weekend by the British government. Defence Minister, Johnny Mercer, MP, told The Times: “Our policy regarding LGB members in the military was unacceptable then, and as a defence minister, I personally apologize for those experiences.”

“Pastoral encounters between service chaplains and personnel should be strictly confidential.”

Related: Navy veteran discharged over sexuality is to get confiscated medal returned

He issued a similar apology last Thursday. At the Houses of Parliament, addressing an audience of veterans to mark 20 years since the gay ban was lifted, he said, “It was unacceptable then and it is unacceptable now, and as the minister for defence, people and veterans, I wanted to personally apologize to you today for those experiences.”

Campaigners say the UK military conducted a “witch hunt” to dismiss gay and bisexual service personnel before the ban being lifted.

Nowadays, all the main strands of the UK armed forces are represented at major Pride festivals, with service personnel marching in uniform. The Ministry of Defence also has its own LGBTQ employee network group, while rainbow flags were raised at several naval bases to mark the 20th anniversary of the ban being lifted.

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Young Conservative Who Protested Drag Queen Story Hour Dies by Suicide Hours After Going Viral

Wilson Gavin, a 21-year-old conservative at the University of Queensland who went viral on Sunday after protesting a drag queen story hour with a right-wing student group, died by suicide early on Monday morning.

Buzzfeed reported: “In the video posted to Twitter, Gavin and about a dozen other young people can be seen yelling ‘drag queens are not for kids’ at a storytelling event at Brisbane Square Library on Sunday morning. The video racked up hundreds of thousands of views and the protest was widely covered in the media. Prominent Australians condemned the protest and people tweeted in support of the drag performers using the #IStandWithQueens hashtag.”

The protest was denounced by the conservative party that Gavin’s club belonged to, as well as Trevor Evans, Queensland’s first openly gay MP, who called the protesters “ragbags.”

News.com reports: “A young man who was filmed protesting against a drag queen reading program in Brisbane has died after the controversial footage was shared. Wilson Gavin, 21 — president of the University of Queensland Liberal National Club, which organised the protest — was found dead in the inner suburb of Chelmer this morning. Queensland Police confirmed they were called to a situation involving a 21-year-old male at 7am. Queensland Ambulance Service told news.com.au that they arrived at the scene at 7.07am with multiple crews, including a critical care paramedic.”

Qnews reports: “His aunt described him as a very tormented soul. She said despite his ‘despicable behaviour’ at the library, she loved him.”

Gavin’s death has ignited debate. Reactions to Wilson’s death, many of which continued to bash the drag queens and the left, have appeared on social media.

The post Young Conservative Who Protested Drag Queen Story Hour Dies by Suicide Hours After Going Viral appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Young Conservative Who Protested Drag Queen Story Hour Dies by Suicide Hours After Going Viral

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: January 12, 2020

VIRGINIA VALUES ACT LEGISLATION UNVEILED TO PROTECT LGBTQ VIRGINIANS FROM DISCRIMINATION: “The Virginia Values Act will not only provide critical protections for LGBTQ Virginians, but expand existing civil rights laws to provide recourse for discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex and veteran status,” said HRC President Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid). “Virginia voters sent pro-equality majorities to Richmond to make this change, and we look forward to working with the House of Delegates and the Senate to pass the Virginia Values Act into law.” More from HRC and the Washington Blade. 

MONDAY MUST-READ — “WHY CAN’T ACCEPTANCE BE THE DEFAULT?” — MONNAA HASSAN ELSAYED ON BEING BISEXUAL AND MUSLIM: “I came out to my chosen family in 2017. Despite my fear, I was open about my identity as I created meaningful connections with Muslims who similarly struggled,” writes Elsayed (@Monnaaahh). “Now I’ve pieced together a few communities that I turn to for support. I have a group of comedians, childhood friends, and queer folks who raise me up when I need it most and don’t judge me for who I am.” Read more from NewNowNext. 

TODAY AND EVERY DAY, HRC SENDS LOVE TO OUR NON-BINARY COMMUNITY MEMBERS: More from HRC. 

Today & every day, we send love to our non-binary community members.

According to @HRC’s 2018 LGBTQ Youth Report, only 21% of non-binary youth feel like they can be themselves at home.

We must work to improve life for non-binary youth & adults alike. #IAmNonbinary

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) January 10, 2020

MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS RULES THAT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ARE NOT PROTECTED BY AN INTIMIDATION LAW: More from The Detroit News. 

FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS THAT A GAY MAN WHO WAS DEPORTED TO CHAD AFTER SEEKING ASYLUM IN THE U.S. SHOULD BE RETURNED: More from NBC Out. 

TENNESSEE COUNTY CLERKS WERE SENT A LETTER STATING THEY SHOULD NOT PERFORM SAME-SEX MARRIAGES: The letter was sent by David Fowler, general counsel for the anti-LGBTQ Family Action Council’s Government Defense Fund, and alsely aruged that county clerks were violating the state’s constitution. More from the Washington Blade. 

2020 STATEHOUSE ROUNDUP

KENTUCKY LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE BILL THAT WOULD BAN HARMFUL AND DISCREDITED PRACTICE OF CONVERSION THERAPY: More from Courier-Journal. 

GET CULTURED – Entertainment, arts and sports news!

CYNTHIA ERIVO, ROCKETMAN NOMINATED FOR OSCARS: See the full list of nominees from The Washington Post.

OPENLY GAY FOOTBALL PLAYER SCOTT FRANTZ PLANS TO ENTER THE NFL DRAFT THIS SPRING: More from Outsports. 

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

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Gay, conservative student kills himself after protesting drag queen story hour

A gay, conservative student has reportedly taken his life after footage of him and fellow protestors disrupting a drag queen story hour in Brisbane, Australia, went viral yesterday.

The event took place at Brisbane Square Library on Sunday afternoon. Drag queen story hours have grown in popularity in both the US and Australia, but have sometimes been met with protests from conservative groups.

Yesterday’s event was disrupted by 15-20 young protestors from the UQ [University of Queensland] Liberal National Club. However, the group is not formally connected to the country’s right-leaning Liberal National Party and was a college-based group of like-minded conservative students.

Related: Armed Trump supporter detained by police after bursting into library to protest drag queen storytime

On Friday, on its Facebook page, the group slammed local officials for allowing the event to go ahead.

“SHAME on Brisbane City Council for sponsoring this event. What people do behind the closed doors of a nightclub is their business, but this event is designed to indoctrinate and sexualize young children. Our kids deserve better than this! … Why is this moral filth being paid for by the taxpayer?”

Appearing to lead the protest, and filmed arguing with Diamond Good-Rim, one of the drag queens involved, was the club president, Wilson Gavin, 21. Fellow protestors behind him chanted “drag queens are not for kids.”

Footage of the demonstration quickly circulated on social media.

Singer Jessica Origliasso, of the Australian band Veronicas, was among those to share it on Instagram, slamming the protestors.

“A huge f*** you to the group of screaming UQ Young Libs who stormed a children’s storytelling event hosted by two drag queens,” she said, reported 7News.

“I am absolutely furious, our world is in need of love & healing, now more than ever.”

UQU President Ethan Van Roo Douglas said in a statement that the organization was “appalled” by the behavior of the students.

Sunday was not the first time Gavin, who was gay, had protested about LGBTQ-related issues. He was vocal in his opposition to same-sex marriage during the Australian postal vote in 2017, even appearing on TV news shows to argue against it.

Fronting a “You Can Say No” rally against same-sex marriage, he said, “I support what marriage really is and I’m gay.”

However, following footage of the protest going viral, Gavin is suspected of killing himself. An ambulance was called to Chelmer, Brisbane South, around 7am Monday morning local time. Mr Gavin was found with critical injuries.

Related: Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta, 45, found dead in apparent suicide

In the wake of the news, performer Diamond Good Rim issued the following statement: “’My thoughts and deep condolences are with his family and friends at this tragic time.

“We all need to band together at this awful, difficult time. Please, if any of you are feeling affected in any way by these recent events, reach out for support.”

Johnny Valkyrie, the other drag queen participating in the event, said, “If the family (of Mr Gavin) are reading this please know that I support you, and I am here to gather support and I know you are good people.”

The University of Queensland said it will offer support to other students affected by Gavin’s death and events of the last two days.

University of Queensland senator Drew Pavlou, a friend of Gavin’s, said he was, “at his core a very kind person that cared for others.

“I had the great privilege of seeing that side of him in life.

“He was hilarious and a riot to be around, his fame will always remain legendary.”

Sally Hugg, who campaigned for same-sex marriage in Australia, was among those to express sorrow at Gavin’s death.

“Wilson Gavin was gay.

“I don’t know why he campaigned against SSM. I don’t know why he was so angry at a drag queen. I don’t know why he took his life.

“But I wish he was still here so he could have found us all. We would love him and forgive him. We do love him and forgive him.”

Wilson Gavin was gay.

I don’t know why he campaigned against SSM. I don’t know why he was so angry at a drag queen. I don’t know why he took his life.

But I wish he was still here so he could have found us all. We would love him and forgive him. We do love him and forgive him.

— Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) January 13, 2020

If you are thinking about suicide or are feeling alone and need someone to talk to, please call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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