Georgia State court rejects ‘gay panic’ claim in murder trial but can’t record death as hate crime

An Atlanta, Georgia court has convicted a man of murder despite his attempt to argue for a lesser charge by claiming that his victim made an unwanted same-sex pass at him.

19-year-old Marquavyian Gude shot and killed 17-year-old Devontavius McClain on or around April 20 in 2013 after the pair met online.

McClain had traveled from his home in Spalding County to meet Gude who he picked up in his car.

Gude would later claim that he had been deceived and that he had thought he was meeting a woman but that doesn’t explain why he got into McClain’s car when he saw that he was male – or why he drove around with his victim for several hours.

‘Gude confessed to murdering McClain but claimed it was in self-defense because the victim made a pass at him,’ district attorney Paul Howard told AJC.com on Wednesday.

Atlanta detectives identified Gude as a suspect after McClain’s telephone records showed the teens had been communicating with each other in the lead up to McClain’s death.

Gude was also spotted driving McClain’s car around and trying to use McClain’s credit card to make purchases.

It is likely that McClain’s body was in the trunk of the car at that time as his badly decomposed body was discovered in the car two months later.

Gude was already in jail over unrelated charges when he was charged over McClain’s death.

The Fulton County Superior Court jury convicted Gude of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, theft by taking and weapons offenses on Tuesday and Judge Craig Schwall sentenced him to life in prison plus five years.

However while rejecting the attempted ‘gay panic’ defense in the trial, McClain’s death will not be recorded as a hate crime as the state of Georgia currently has no laws recognizing crimes of prejudice against LGBTI people.

The post Georgia State court rejects ‘gay panic’ claim in murder trial but can’t record death as hate crime appeared first on Gay Star News.

Andrew Potts

www.gaystarnews.com/article/georgia-state-court-rejects-gay-panic-claim-in-murder-trial-but-cant-record-death-as-hate-crime/

Straight Man Writes About Being Raped By Another Guy In Horrific Detail

“So there’s no more denying I got raped,” Reddit user iwascrewdliterally writes in a thread titled I(22M, straight) got shitfaced and fucked in the butt by a man! It’s been messing with my head. “That much is clear. Rather than use force or coercion to overcome resistance, my rapist relied on me being unable to think or even function normally.”

According to iwascrewdliterally, the incident happened last year. After a hard night of drinking, he crashed at his friend Sam’s (not his real name) house. He details what happened next as best he can given his inebriated state of mind at the time:

Darkness, head spinning, ears ringing. Memory flash: I’m being felt up and fondle. Next flash, I’m with a guy and we’re both touching and ‘crossing swords’ … Next flash, I’m drunk and trying to sleep but “someone” keeps poking me, [later memory] “someone” telling me this is too much of a cock tease and insisting on removing my clothes… Next flash (even more vague), “someone” is literally trying to fuck me in the butt and it hurts! Ow!! Next flash, “someone” is sucking my cock. Gah! I don’t need a blowjob right now. I need to rest and let my liver process as much of this fucking alcohol as I can before it kills me.

The next morning, he woke up beside his alleged rapist.

Related: Male College Student Bravely Opens Up About Being Raped By Another Guy

“I realize my ass is sore,” he writes. “As I begin to grasp the situation, I quickly dress and flee to the bathroom to inspect the horror. Shaking, I realize I’ve just been fucked in the ass by a man with a fat cock, with spit for lube and no protection!”

The incident left him feeling “emasculated,” like he was “going crazy,” and “full of self-loathing and fear.” So he turned to Reddit for advice.

Over 200 people offered their support.

“You are not less of a man for what that piece of shit did to you,” one person wrote. “His actions are not the actions of a normal gay person. They are the actions of a depraved person.”

“No one should have to feel the way you do,” another person said. “And please remember it’s not your fault. I hope you sort this out but try not to bury it because it will be with you forever if you do not deal with it now.”

“You can control the healing part of this incident,” someone else added. “I hope you do get some help dealing with this and learning that it was not your fault no matter how much you think you remember participating. Your ‘friend’ took advantage and is a bad person. End of story.”

The comments continued pouring in for days. Afterwards, iwascrewdliterally updated his original post thanking everyone for their words of support.

“Accepting the fact of rape was a bit of a struggle,” he writes, “but I feel a bit freer to confront my thoughts on the implications of this.”

He continues: “It’s really heartening to see all the love and support. … At the end of the day I guess I still have some of the same worries, but I think they’ve lost lost their debilitating edge. I even looked up an anal porn scene and didn’t cringe, much. That’s about as far as I’ve got so far. I guess it’s not a thing to digest in a day. Counseling may be the way to go after all, but I’m feeling less crazy for now, so thanks.”

Related: WATCH: Gay Iraqi Man Describes Being Blackmailed By Ex, Raped In Prison

Graham Gremore

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/EjzKwrln1Z0/straight-man-writes-about-being-raped-by-another-guy-in-horrific-detail-20150813

Kristen Stewart's Glossary of Queer Innuendos

A brief list of homophobic terms used to describe Kristen Stewart and her ‘gal pal.’

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Daniel Reynolds

www.advocate.com/media/2015/08/13/kristen-stewarts-glossary-queer-innuendos

29 Sandycove Avenue West, Sandycove, County Dublin

Just a short walk from all amenities, this period three bedroom family home benefits from sitting in a stunning coastal setting.

Upon entering the property, guests immediately encounter a spacious living room; large windows and light interiors make the room feel elegant and open while drawing attention to its period features – including a stunning fireplace.

Neutral colors and copious daylight make the period features stand out as eyecatchers.

A family room just across the hall can be used as a second, smaller reception room; it also has access to the private, west-facing rear garden.

Mainly paved, the private garden features raised rockery and an ornamental pond, offering a quiet place to soak up the Irish sun or snuggle up by a fire in fall.

Like the rest of the house, the bathroom is flooded with daylight through large, west-facing windows.

The house’s rear is taken up by a communal bathroom as well as the large, L-shaped kitchen, which has enough space to host a dining area; white fronts and walls in warm greys give the kitchen an inviting, homey atmosphere.

The kitchen combines more traditional elements and modern design.

It also leads through into a small utility or sunroom with direct access into the rear garden.

Two of the property’s bedrooms are located on the ground floor.

The ground floor hosts two modern bedrooms; a spiral staircase, tucked away at the end of the hallway, leads to upstairs to the third bedroom which also features a modern en-suite bathroom and copious wardrobe space.

All bedrooms are decorated and furnished to feel bright and modern.

Throughout the property high ceilings, ceiling coving and picture rails highlight the property’s history; a well-kept railed front garden completes the period atmosphere.

Planning permission for an extension of 23 square meters of accommodation has been granted by the council.

Well-served by schools, Sandycove is one of Dublin’s most popular suburbs; the property is only a short walk from the village, offering a number of restaurants, shops as well as access to stunning coastal walks.

From sailing to taking a dip in the cold Irish sea, maritime activities are popular in Sandycove.

The Forty Foot is just a minute’s walk away from the property, while Dun Laoghaire Pier and Killiney Hill Park are also in walking distance.

A number of regular bus services as well as the DART from nearby Glenageary DART station provide quick access to central Dublin.

Sold through Knight Frank, the property clocks in at €805,000 (£572,847.52, $895,159.58).

The post 29 Sandycove Avenue West, Sandycove, County Dublin appeared first on Gay Star News.

Stefanie Gerdes

www.gaystarnews.com/article/29-sandycove-avenue-west-sandycove-county-dublin/

Excerpt: Matt Baume, Andrew Sullivan Revisit the '80s in 'Defining Marriage'

In this excerpt from Matt Baume’s book Defining Marriage, Andrew Sullivan discusses how hard it was to grasp the idea of marriage equality in the age of Bush I.

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Matt Baume

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/books/2015/08/13/excerpt-matt-baume-andrew-sullivan-revisit-80s-defining-marriage

Couples challenge Mississippi’s ban on gay adoption

Four lesbian couples on Wednesday filed a lawsuit to challenge Mississippi’s 15-year ban on gay couples to adopt or take children into foster care.

Backed by the Campaign for Southern Equality and the Family Equality Council, the suit alleges that the ban is unconstitutional given that the US Supreme Court has legalized gay marriage and legal benefits for gay couples nationwide.

The couples say the ban doesn’t put child welfare first and discriminates against same-sex couples who face risks because both parents don’t have legal status, according to an AP report.

‘The Mississippi adoption ban is an outdated relic of a time when courts and legislatures believed that it was somehow OK to discriminate against gay people simply because they are gay,’ reads the suit.

Republican Governor Phil Bryant said in a statement he still supports the ban and hopes for the attorney general to ‘vigorously defend the State of Mississippi against this lawsuit.’

Attorney General Jim Hood, a Democrat facing a tough re-election challenge, says his office was still examining the lawsuit.

Mississippi is the last state to ban adoptions by same-sex couples.

The law was implemented in 2000 and signed by then governor Ronnie Musgrove who later said in 2013 he regrets the decision.

‘The more I read the (US) Constitution, the clearer it became that you just can’t deny rights to a specific class of people just because some are uncomfortable with what they do not understand,’ said the attorney who is Southern Baptist and has been a deacon.

Lawmakers in Florida and Michigan reversed similar bans earlier this year while courts in Louisiana and Nebraska struck down rules or laws in those states.

The post Couples challenge Mississippi’s ban on gay adoption appeared first on Gay Star News.

Sylvia Tan

www.gaystarnews.com/article/couples-challenge-mississippis-ban-on-gay-adoption/

Could Australia see referendum on same-sex marriage?

Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday announced the Coalition will look at holding a plebiscite or referendum on same-sex marriage to solve the issue once and for all.

This is despite having argued against holding a referendum on the issue and saying parliament was instead the best forum for the issue to be resolved in May this year after people in Ireland voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage.

Earlier this week, the PM threatened to sack or demote ministers who decide to vote in support of marriage quality after lawmakers from Australia’s ruling Liberal and National parties have blocked their colleagues from voting with their consciences.

On Wednesday, Abbott suggested the issue should be put to the public through a national referendum following the next election, warning people not to ‘underestimate the magnitude’ of legalizing same-sex marriage.

He said a popular vote on the issue was justified because it was such a ‘personal’ and ‘contentious’ issue that has only recently gained widespread support.

‘Please, let’s not underestimate the magnitude of this as a cultural shift,’ he was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘Never before in this country or anywhere until very recently has this been regarded as an appropriate cultural norm.’

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison suggested a full constitutional referendum on the question of how to define marriage.

He said on ABC’s 7.30 program on Wednesday night that a referendum to change section 51 of the constitution would provide the opportunity for both sides of the debate to be put to the Australian people.

‘Where we got to the other night was to say that this question really ultimately, fundamentally is one that should be determined by the Australian people.’

‘The question at the next election is about who will decide this matter on the other side of the election and our view is the Australian people should decide that, not politicians, not judges, but the people of Australia.’

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has slammed the suggestion saying a national referendum would waste millions of taxpayers’ dollars and accused Abbott of being out of touch.

‘I think that millions of Australians will have woken up this morning, bitterly disappointed with Mr Abbott,’ he told Channel Seven.

‘I don’t understand for the life of me what Mr Abbott has against marriage equality. We shouldn’t have to wait for a referendum which by the way will cost tens of millions of dollars.’

‘I think Mr Abbott just needs to move with the times.’

According to the Australian Electoral Commission, if a referendum were to go ahead it would cost taxpayers an estimated A$121 million.

Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said in statement on Thursday that while a plebiscite is not ‘our favoured option’ but should there be one, ‘it has to be a fair question and a proper process so it can’t be hijacked by the opponents of marriage equality.’

‘We believe marriage equality is best dealt with by a cross-party free vote in parliament, but if there is to be a public vote we believe today’s proposal is the best model.’

He added that he is confident that a properly regulated plebiscite would return a resounding ‘yes’ vote for marriage equality.

The post Could Australia see referendum on same-sex marriage? appeared first on Gay Star News.

Sylvia Tan

www.gaystarnews.com/article/could-australia-see-referendum-on-same-sex-marriage/

Suit Challenges Mississippi's Ban on Adoption by Same-Sex Couples

Mississippi is the last state with such a ban.

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Trudy Ring

www.advocate.com/adoption/2015/08/12/suit-challenges-mississippis-ban-adoption-same-sex-couples

Australia’s youngest MP Wyatt Roy says he will defy Prime Minister to vote for same-sex marriage

Liberal MP Wyatt Roy says he will defy his party chief Prime Minister Tony Abbott to vote in favor of same-sex marriage.

His comments follow marathon six-hour Coalition meeting on Monday in which lawmakers from Australia’s ruling Liberal and National parties voted to block their colleagues from voting with their consciences.

The PM also warned his ministerial colleagues they would have to resign from the frontbench if they were to vote in support of same-sex marriage.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Coalition party room voted against having a conscience vote on same-sex marriage by about 60 votes to 30 on Tuesday night, but about half of Abbott’s frontbench voted against this position.

Roy said in a wide-ranging interview with Buzzfeed that he’s adamant the current bill won’t get to a vote but if it did, he would ‘feel quite comfortable‘ to cross the floor.

‘I’m from a very socially conservative Queensland electorate but I told my constituents when I was first elected, I’m for same sex marriage and nothing will change that,’ said the 25-year-old politician.

Roy, who represents the electorate of Longman, Queensland became the youngest person ever to be elected to an Australian parliament in 2010.

The post Australia’s youngest MP Wyatt Roy says he will defy Prime Minister to vote for same-sex marriage appeared first on Gay Star News.

Sylvia Tan

www.gaystarnews.com/article/australias-youngest-mp-wyatt-roy-says-he-will-defy-prime-minister-to-vote-for-same-sex-marriage/

Charlotte Council, Mayoral Candidates Back LGBT Rights

At a forum on LGBT issues, most candidates expressed support for an inclusive civil rights ordinance, after one failed in March.

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Trudy Ring

www.advocate.com/politics/2015/08/12/charlotte-council-mayoral-candidates-back-lgbt-rights