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HRC and Better World Campaign Host Event on Capitol Hill for Human Rights Day
The event brought together more than 80 people from Congress, the Obama Administration and advocacy organizations to learn about and discuss the global equality movement.
HRC.org
School Board Member Refuses To Resign After Making Offensive Homophobic Remarks
A member of the school board in Gurnee, IL, a suburb just outside of Chicago, has come under fire for making homophobic remarks during a meeting, CBS Chicago reports.
While discussing qualities the school board would like to see in a new superintendent during a meeting last week, board member Liz Biondi (pictured) took to the floor to say they should not, under any circumstances, hire a gay person.
“I have very good friends who are gay or lesbian,” Biondi said, “and I’m concerned that if we hired someone that we were not aware of that background, that they may be fighting more personal fires than superintendent fires.”
Say what?
How does having “very good friends” who happen to be gay have anything to do with anything?
Biondi went on to add that she “respects” gay people and that she, personally, would have “no problem” with a gay superintendent, but she fears “the community would.”
Under the 2006 Illinois Human Rights Act, it is illegal to discriminate against someone in employment matters on the basis of sexual orientation. But when Boindi was made aware of this, she didn’t seem to care.
“I was astounded that she would say that,” board President John Anderson said. “It was offensive in every sense of the word.”
Despite upsetting pretty much the entire community, Biondi has not issued an apology for her remarks, nor has she responded requests for comment by the press.
According to superintendent Roycealee Wood, because Biondi was elected to a 4-year term with 31 write-in votes in April 2013, she cannot be forced off the board.
“We’ve had a number of instances where people have committed crimes and been indicted, but unless they’re convicted they cannot be removed,” Wood said. Though, she added, she plans on meeting with the school district’s lawyers to discuss what other legal options the board may have.
“She’s creating a concern for the school district and bad publicity, and there’s no way that I can remove her.” Wood said. “And she knows that.”
In the mean time, mayor Kristina Kovarik is calling for Biondi to resign.
“She’s an embarrassment to this community,” Kovarik scolded. “The comments are outrageous, horrible, and she does not represent our community. That’s what’s most important.”
According to the Chicago Daily Herald, this isn’t the first time Biondi has caused problems for the school district. In February she made a scene at a meeting when she alleged “someone in the district” had wiretapped her telephone. And about a year ago, she said she was afraid for her safety after refusing to accept a district-issued iPad.
Related stories:
Teacher Nearly Vomits Over Marriage Equality, Tells Entire School District On Facebook
MD School District Busted Incorporating Reparative Therapy Into Curriculum
Gay Teen Suing School District For Failing To Protect Him From Bullying
Graham Gremore
Anti-Gay and 'Ex-Gay' Activists Challenge New Jersey's Ban On Conversion Therapy For Minors – VIDEO
Anti-gay and “ex-gay” activists have filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting a review of New Jersey’s ban on “conversion therapy” for minors, reports Gay Star News.
In September, a panel for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the ban is not a violation of free speech rights, stating “there is no credible evidence that [“ex-gay”] counseling is effective.”
Lawyers for the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) and the American Association of Christian Counselors filed the petition on December 3rd, which reads:
“The circuit courts of appeal are split as to whether a law restricting what counselors or health-care providers may say and what clients or patients may hear in the privacy of the counselor-client or doctor-patient relationship is speech protected by the First Amendment.”
Mat Staver with the Liberty Council, who in the past argued that the U.S. needs a third political party to stop gay marriage just like with slavery, has also filed a petition with SCOTUS asking the high court to review the Third Circuit’s ruling.
Washington, D.C. recently outlawed the use of “ex-gay” therapy for minors. California became the first state to issue such a ban in 2012.
Seen as a blow to a practice condemned by the American Psychological Association, in November the former director of Love In Action and Exodus International board member John Smid, married his same-sex partner.
Watch NARTH survivor Allen Rosenthal discuss his experiences of “ex-gay” therapy, AFTER THE JUMP…
Read the Liberty Council petition below, via Equality Case Files.
Jim Redmond
www.towleroad.com/2014/12/new-jersey-activists-challenge-ban-on-ex-gay-therapy-for-minors-video.html
LGBT history book and the Irish media being silly
WATCH: Va. Billboard Proclaims 'Nobody Is Born Gay'
A Richmond billboard purchased by Parents of Ex-Gays and Gays claims that studies of identical twins prove that there is no ‘gay gene.’
Sunnivie Brydum
www.advocate.com/ex-gay-therapy/2014/12/11/watch-va-billboard-proclaims-nobody-born-gay
High school athlete in Wyoming comes out in remarkable text to friends and family
‘I’ve held these feelings in for wayyyy too long. Longer than the normal person should hold a secret’
gregh
Join HRC in Calling on Michigan Senate
www.hrc.org/blog/entry/join-hrc-in-calling-on-michigan-senate?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed
Nick Jonas Finally Reveals His Character Is Gay On Kingdom
Is anyone out there watching DirecTV’s Kingdom? No? Anyone?
Well it might be worth a visit now that Nick Jonas‘ character has finally revealed that he’s gay in the season one finale.
It’s (reportedly) been hinted at all season — his mixed-martial artist character has previously had a freak-out upon discovering his physical therapist was gay, and froze up when he met a gay guy at the mall.
Nick also noted before the show aired that his character’s sexuality would be a major theme of the show.
So how did it happen in the show?
Well, first he gets ejected from a gay bar, and then he accepts an alley-way blowjob from a stranger.
“Byron [Balasco, Kingdom creator] told me before shooting began,” Jonas told BuzzFeed. “Everyone at Kingdom was really transparent about the character and some of the things the character would go through. And in my prep work, I wanted to be aware so I could properly tell this story.”
But just because he’s come out to Kingdom’s audience doesn’t mean any of the other characters know yet. Expect to see much more of Nick progressively coming out in season two.
Dan Tracer
News: Rick Perry, YouTube, Liam Hemsworth, NSYNC, Ocean Pollution
Rick Perry sounds off on a potential 2016 bid for the White House: “Running for the presidency’s not an IQ test”.
Liam Hemsworth shows off his lumbersexuality on the cover of Men’s Fitness.
One gay man’s personal story of why LGBTQ scholarships are so crucial. “When I reflect back to my high school ethics class debate, I still wonder if the people who argued against LGBTQ scholarships did not understand that the LGBTQ community needs assistance in building up strong, educated leaders. Could they not recognize that every community deserves to be healthy, vibrant and able to take pride in who they are?”
YouTube has just released it’s top 10 most watched videos of 2014.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, the top official in the US Air Force, has spoken out in support of allowing trans* servicemembers to openly serve.
Leaked Sony emails reveal Aaron Sorkin’s private thoughts about Michael Fassbender’s private parts: “‘He just makes you feel bad to have normal-sized genitalia’
Texas Monthly crowns Wendy Davis as its “Bum Steer of the Year”.
Outgoing Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has reiterated his opposition to gay marriage but hey, at least he says he’s eased his opposition to allowing civil unions.
Grassroots Conservatives in the UK are concerned David Cameron won’t win a majority in 2015 due to his push for gay marriage.
Angelina Jolie is having a bad week.
National Examiner claims Harry Styles had a gay affair with President Obama.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has filed notice that he will appeal a second gay marriage lawsuit to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Wilson remains the only AG in the 4th Circuit to continue fighting to uphold a state-level ban on same-sex marriage.
Nick Denton has stepped down as Gawker president.
Thought-provoking photos of the LGBT community.
HRC has named JoDee Winterhof as its new Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs.
Diva-in-training Ariana Grande reportedly demands her staff to carry her around like a baby because she doesn’t like walking.
Find out which *NSync-er won’t be able to attend Lance Bass’s upcoming wedding to Michael Turchin.
Bad news: More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are polluting the oceans.
Kyler Geoffroy
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