That’s Amore: Same-Sex Civil Unions Move Forward in Italy

Earlier today, Italy’s parliament voted 369-193 in favor of same-sex civil unions.

Before this vote, Italy was the only country in Western Europe with no legal form of recognition for same-sex couples.

While the new law includes tax, inheritance and welfare protections for same-sex couples, according to The Telegraph, they will not be able to adopt their partner’s biological children.

“The glass is half-full,” Gabriele Piazzoni, national secretary of the Arcigay organization, said in a statement. “The text contains the recognition and protection many gays and lesbians have been waiting for all their lives… (but) everything this law has failed to guarantee leaves a bitter taste.” 

The country has lagged behind its European neighbors in LGBT equality because of resistance from the Catholic Church hierarchy. 

The Catholic Church does not perform or recognize same-sex marriages, yet the Catholic laity have been increasingly vocal in their support for marriage equality. Lay organizations, including Catholics for Marriage Equality, played a key role in the United States during the 2012 elections, and have maintained an active presence since then.

There are currently only 20 countries that have full marriage equality.

www.hrc.org/blog/thats-amore-same-sex-civil-unions-move-forward-in-italy?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Manny Pacquiao Considering Run for President in Philippines (Video)

www.advocate.com/world/2016/5/11/manny-pacquiao-considering-run-president-philippines-video

Ronan Farrow Breaks Silence, Demands Woody Allen Confront Sexual Abuse Allegations (Video)

www.advocate.com/people/2016/5/11/ronan-farrow-breaks-silence-demands-woody-allen-confront-sexual-abuse-allegations

Nyle DiMarco Serves Sexy Same-Sex Tango In “Dancing With The Stars” First

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/_ya3I60BTJg/

Michael Henry Teaches How To Make A Straight Guy Jealous

According to comedian Michael Henry‘s latest video, the key to keeping a straight guy’s interest is giving him a little taste of jealousy.

Apparently he’ll go from “I told you, I’m not gay,” to “Want to wipe this banana off my face?!” in no time.

Related: That Awkward Moment When You Realize You Hooked Up With Your Friend’s Boyfriend

All it takes is showing him he’s not the only fish to objectify in the sea.

While the below video is delightfully over-the-top, we’d be lying if we said we hadn’t observed the dynamic it’s lampooning in the wild (aka mixed bars and house parties):

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/0cH7Vd5EC88/michael-henry-teaches-make-straight-guy-jealous-20160511

PGA Player Strips Down to His Skivvies To Save a Baby Bird – WATCH

PGA player Greg Owen became something of a viral sensation on Tuesday when video of him stripping down to his underwear to save a drowning baby bird began to circulate online.

The video has been viewed 170,000 times on Facebook as of this posting. In the video, Owen dives into a water feature to save a bird that has fallen out of its mother’s nest.

PGA.com writes:

Owen, one of the all-time “good guys” on Tour, took time away from his Players Championship preparation at TPC Sawgrass on Monday to make a rescue.

Walking off the 16th tee with Brandt Snedeker, Owen noticed a baby blue jay fell out of a tree and into the pond. The bird was struggling to get across the pond. Without hesitation, Owen stripped down to his skivvies and walked into the pond to save the bird.

The video was uploaded by Owen’s instructor, Tony Ziegler of Ziegler Golf School. He wrote on Facebook,

Working with Greg Owen during his practice round at TPC Sawgrass today for the Players Championship. Walking off the 16 th tee with Greg and Brandt Snedeker when a baby blue jay falls out of a tree, tries to fly across a pond only to make it half way across. What does the 6’5 210 lb big man do? Jump in and save the bird of course!!  #bigheart

Watch, below.

The post PGA Player Strips Down to His Skivvies To Save a Baby Bird – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

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Over 100 United Methodist Clergy Come Out As Gay To Protest Ban On ‘Practicing Homosexual’ Pastors: VIDEO

Dozens of United Methodist clergy members came out as gay or bisexual on Monday in reaction to the church’s ban on “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” serving in ministry.

A letter sent by the LGB clergy was also signed by intersex and transgender pastors, who are not technically excluded from ministry.

In the public letter posted online, 111 pastors, deacons, elders and candidates for ministry said church rules require “that we not bring our full selves to ministry, that we hide from view our sexual orientations and gender identities.” The letter essentially dares their supervisors to discipline them.

111 LGBTQI clergy say, “you cannot legislate God’s call.” #UMCGC #ItsTime #CalledOUT pic.twitter.com/A9c6xAuYjT

— RMNetwork (@rmnetwork) May 9, 2016

According to CNN, the letter also states:

“While some of us have been lucky to serve in places where we could serve honestly and openly, there are others in places far more hostile, who continue to serve faithfully even at tremendous cost to themselves, their families, and yes, even the communities they serve, who do not receive the fullness of their pastor’s gifts because a core part must remain hidden.”

A spokesman for Reconciling Ministries Network (RNN), an LGBT advocacy group that organized the letter, said that around 80% of the 111 signatories are coming out to their supervisors for the first time.

RELATED: Methodist Pastor Who Came Out As Gay in Sermon Faces Possible Discipline – VIDEO

The #CalledOut hashtag caused RMN’s servers to crash yesterday.

The letter was issued just before the United Methodist Church’s quadrennial General Conference, which began in Portland, Oregon yesterday. Conference delegates are expected to debate changes to church policy, including the possibility of lifting bans on LGBT ministers and same-sex marriages.

The RMN website is up and running again! Our server has been upgraded after #CalledOUT 111 broke the internet. 😉 pic.twitter.com/m0hj02t565

— RMNetwork (@rmnetwork) May 11, 2016

Watch a PBS report on homosexuality and the United Methodist Church below.

The post Over 100 United Methodist Clergy Come Out As Gay To Protest Ban On ‘Practicing Homosexual’ Pastors: VIDEO appeared first on Towleroad.

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The Legal War Over North Carolina’s Bathrooms Takes A Bizarre New Twist

Anonymous students and parents with anti-trans beliefs feel like they’ve been given an ultimatum: lose educational funding or get raped.

The post The Legal War Over North Carolina’s Bathrooms Takes A Bizarre New Twist appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2016/05/11/3777256/adf-suit-north-carolina-hb2/

School Board OKs Policy Allowing Pepper Spray, Suggests Trans Students Could Be On Receiving End

Trans students, or anyone who is guessed to be trans, may end up getting pepper-sprayed thanks to this new policy.

The post School Board OKs Policy Allowing Pepper Spray, Suggests Trans Students Could Be On Receiving End appeared first on ThinkProgress.

thinkprogress.org/education/2016/05/11/3777192/school-board-oks-pepper-spray/