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Illinois Bill Protecting LGBT Youth from Dangerous Conversion Therapy Moves to Governor
Moments ago, the Illinois State Senate voted 34 -19 to pass House Bill 217, the Illinois Youth Mental Health Protection Act that will protect LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and discredited practices of conversion therapy.
HRC.org
Lesbian Posing As Gay Man Killed Closeted Married Lawyer During Fake Hookup
David Messerschmitt
When 30-year-old lawyer David Messerschmitt got a response to his Craigslist ad seeking some male affections outside his heterosexual marriage, he never could have expected the danger he’d be walking into.
Here are the details that show just how bizarre the case is: Messerschmitt went to meet “Chris Sanchez” at a hotel in Washington, D.C. in February, but little did he know that Sanchez was actually Jamyra Gallmon, 21, and her 19-year-old girlfriend Dominique Johnson posing as the fictitious gay man. The women used a photo of a male torso to seal the deal.
Related: Married D.C. Lawyer May Have Been Murdered During Secret Gay Hookup
Gallmon entered Messerschmitt’s room at the unnamed hotel and attempted to rob him. We’d say “that’s when things went wrong,” but this whole mess was clearly wrong from the very beginning.
The young woman claims that Messerschmitt trapped her in the room, triggering a previous trauma from a past assault.
At least that’s the argument she’s using in court to try and explain how she came to stab Messerschmitt seven times in the abdomen, groin and heart, killing him.
She made it out of the room with $40 cash and Messerschmitt’s metro card, and walked hand-in-hand with Johnson to a bus stop. Housekeeping found Messerschmitt’s body the next day, his arms bound in rainbow-colored zip ties.
We have to wonder how Messerschmitt could have trapped Gallmon while his arms were bound, unless of course her story is completely made up.
And it would appear that it is, as she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in court on Thursday.
Gallmon faces 18 to 25 years in prison and Wilson up to five.
Dan Tracer
United States Ranks the 26th Best Place in the World to Be Gay: LIST
A survey by dating and community site PlanetRomeo shows that the United States ranks 26th in the Gay Happiness Index, reports the Washington Post.
The Netherlands-based company collaborated with the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany to carry out an online survey of 115,000 gay men around the world.
The survey combines rankings on public opinion, public behavior and life satisfaction to provide a worldwide ranking on gay happiness.
While Iceland tops the list and the United States comes in at 26th, the ten worst countries are Kazakhstan, Ghana, Cameroon, Iran, Nigeria, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda.
The survey also found that in the top 20 countries, 37 percent of respondents were currently in a committed relationship with another man, while 3 percent were in a relationship with a woman.
Several countries, including Uganda, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan, Nigeria and Ethiopia, Russia, Turkey and Hungary show a negative trend in the index.
Coming in at 127th on the index, Uganda is the worst place to be gay in the countries surveyed.
Although Ireland is one place ahead of the U.S. at 25th, it is likely to improve following the successful referendum on same-sex marriage.
See the full rankings, AFTER THE JUMP…
Jim Redmond
www.towleroad.com/2015/05/united-states-is-the-26th-best-place-in-the-world-to-be-gay.html
OutNYC Co-Owner Cut $2,700 Check to Ted Cruz
Ian Reisner first said the dinner he hosted for Ted Cruz was not a fundraiser, but he was just caught giving money to the candidate.
Neal Broverman
www.advocate.com/politics/politicians/2015/05/29/outnyc-co-owner-cut-2700-check-ted-cruz
Healing Homophobia
Homophobia
noun ho·mo·pho·bia ˌhō-mə-ˈfō-bē-ə
irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals
I saw it again today in a comment on Facebook. “I’m not homophobic because I’m not afraid of gays — but I just don’t think homosexuals should raise kids.”
News Flash: According to the definition in Merriam-Webster you are. Homophobic, that is. Because by definition the word “homophobia” transcends simple “irrational fear” to include “irrational aversion to” and “irrational discrimination against” homosexuality or homosexuals.
And discrimination against gay or lesbian parents raising children is inarguably irrational, as it flies in the face of all the data we have on effective parenting. Considering 75 peer-reviewed studies, Columbia Law School concluded “this research forms an overwhelming scholarly consensus, based on over three decades of peer-reviewed research, that having a gay or lesbian parent does not harm children.”
Then there was this. “Just because I’m against gay marriage doesn’t make me homophobic. Marriage should only be between one man and one woman because the idea of two men getting married just creeps me out.”
It’s a free country, and you are absolutely entitled to be creeped out about whatever you choose to be creeped out about. You are not, however, entitled to use that aversion (a dictionary word for “creeped out”) to keep other Americans from the equal protection guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. So yes — according to Merriam-Webster — discrimination against the married couple next door just because they are a same-sex couple does, indeed, land you in the homophobic category.
Now, all of this is not to argue for throwing around the word homophobic in our discourse as we continue to work for the end to discrimination against LGBT people. As tempting as it might be, calling out your Facebook friend or debate opponent as a homophobe is pretty much guaranteed not to go anywhere productive.
It is, however, to argue that homophobia is a deeply ingrained, powerfully insidious reality we can and must continue to challenge by education and engagement. And just because it doesn’t look like the overt fear and hatred exemplified by folks like the Westboro Baptist bunch, doesn’t mean it isn’t exercising a pervasive influence. The good news is it is an influence that can be overcome like an infection that can be healed.
Here’s a great example — from a straight ally on my own Facebook page this morning:
Over the past 25 years I’ve pretty much been healed of my heterosexism. But I have to say that all of the “talk” in the world would not have brought me to where I am today — still learning and, I hope, a genuine advocate of equal rights across the entire spectrum.
So if it wasn’t talk that did it, what did? It was the brave men and women who had the courage to embrace me and to let me see them for who they really are, and I fell forever in love. I confess, I am far more impatient with this subject than many of my gay friends are, and THAT does puzzle and humble me.
I sometimes wish I had the grace to be more patient, but frankly, I do not. Let’s get on with this.
And there you have it. The “this” she refers to “getting on with” is full marriage equality in the Episcopal Church — something we’ll be working toward at our upcoming General Convention (June 22-July 3 in… wait for it… Salt Lake City.) But for me, this is “Exhibit A” of one of my most deeply held convictions:
Homosexuality is not what needs healing — homophobia is. And it not only can be healed, it is being healed… as exemplified in the story of my Facebook friend. So — like she said — Let’s get on with it.
— 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.
Gay “Big Brother UK” Housemate Fired For Mounting Straight Housemate
It was all fun and games until someone got hurt.
Openly gay Big Brother UK houseguest Aaron Frew (pictured) has been ousted from the show for “inappropriate behavior” and making unwanted sexual advances towards one of his straight housemates.
It all started when the 24-year-old and his fellow housemate, Joel, engaged in a a drunken game of “truth-or-dare” and Aaron, who was wrapped in a towel, offered Joel an impromptu peep show.
“Stop it, please,” Joel replied. “I don’t want to see your bottom.”
Instead, Aaron ripped off his towel, exposing himself, then chased Joel, attempting to mount him.
Related: Meet Big Brother’s New Alleged Homophobe Racist, Cowboy Caleb Reynolds
“This is insane!” Joel cried. “You need to control your behavior!”
That’s when producers stepped in. They told Aaron to cool off in the Diary Room, where he downplayed the incident as “banter” and apologized, saying: “I really apologize for what I did. … I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to offend him or you guys.”
But Joel remained traumatized. When it was his turn to hit the Diary Room, he told producers he felt “terribly awkward” and that his “personal space was violated.”
Related: Former “Big Brother” Winner Says He Was Kicked Off Show For Being HIV-Positive
The next day, Aaron was asked by producers to leave the show. Before departing, he once again apologized for the incident.
“I’m so sorry,” he said through tears. “That’s all I can say. … I’m really so upset.”
While there’s no denying Aaron may have gone too far, writer Trey Speegle over at World of Wonder poses an interesting question: If he weren’t gay, and the exchange had happened between two straight housemates who were just horsing around, would it have still resulted in one of them being fired?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below…
h/t: World of Wonder
Graham Gremore
News: Lincoln Chaffee, Cuba, NPH, Key West, Manhattanhenge
Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chaffee to officially enter presidential race June 3.
Meet 2015’s Scripps Spelling Bee co-winners Gokul Venkatachalam and Vanya Shivashankar.
Mariah Carey calls her time as feuding American Idol judge the “worst experience of my life.”
Creationist museum supporter stumbles across major 60-million-year-old fossil find, remains convinced Earth is only around 6,000 years old.
Embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter re-elected to fifth term.
John Mayer might be helping Katy Perry write a revenge song about Taylor Swift.
Gay U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Rufus Gifford cheers Towleroad’s report on the legalization of same-sex marriage in Greenland.
Adam Lambert covers Frontiers magazine, says he’s ready to take his career to the next level.
You may want to put away your XBOX now that Ted Cruz has revealed he’s a secret video game addict. “At the moment, Cruz is playing “Plants vs. Zombies,” a game where users collect sunlight points to feed plants who fight off waves of zombies; “Candy Crush,” the puzzle game where he claims he’s in the 217th level; and “The Creeps!,” a tower defense game. His video game addiction is so severe, Cruz says, he has to proactively deny himself the ability to spend time on it.”
Neil Patrick Harris to guest judge on America’s Got Talent this summer.
Ed Sheeran is relieved to discover his wax figure has a bulge.
The journal Science formally pulls discredited study on changing attitudes towards gay marriage.
BBC defends upcoming ‘Hunger Games’ style reality show pitting unemployed and low-paid workers against each other for a cash prize.
New Jersey man named Bacon arrested in fight over sausage.
U.S. continues to thaw its icy relationship with Cuba by taking the island off its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Key West installs permanent rainbow crosswalk on Duval Street (photo via Twitter).
Islamic State clams responsibility for bombings outside Baghdad hotel that killed 10.
Iowa State Rep. Greg heartsill doesn’t know what LGBTQ stands for but knows he’s against it.
Going to be in NYC this weekend? Don’t miss Manhattanhenge, the moment when the sunset aligns with the street grid in Manhattan.
Kyler Geoffroy
WATCH: Funny or Die Envisions Parental Response to Josh Duggar's Sex Abuse Scandal
Josh Duggar just made a mistake — not like those hellbound homosexuals, Michelle and Jim Bob say in this Funny or Die spoof.
Raffy Ermac
'11 Things To Never Ask A Transgender Person' Released By BBC Free Speech
Talking about transgender issues and experiences can be tricky, unless you have the right language to talk about them.
Understanding how to talk to transgender people starts with educating yourself — and doing a whole lot of listening! — and this new video from BBC Free Speech is here to help. “Things Not to Say to a Trans Person” brings together a slew of people from the United Kingdom across the gender identity spectrum to discuss frequent — and often inappropriate — questions they often get as trans individuals.
Some of these questions may be obvious, such as “Did you get the operation?” (“which one?”) or “how do you have sex?” (“Fabulously!”).
Others, such as “Are you a drag queen?” or “Which bathroom do you use?” can come from a place of genuinely wanting to understand and be informed, but they can still be offensive or triggering for a transgender individual.
“I am out and proud of being trans,” one interviewee notes in the above video. “T-R-A-N-S — I’m trans! Get over it!”
Check out the video above to learn some more things that probably aren’t the best to ask a transgender person. Have more questions about trans identity? Head here to read a brilliant blog that breaks down “Transgender 101.”
— 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/2015/05/29/bbc-free-speech_n_7470210.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices
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