Young Gays Reflect On Their First Prides — Glitter, Nerves, Hookups And All

First word, first step, first day at school, first kiss — there’s really only one natural life progression to hit next — first Pride!

Do you remember your first Pride? No? Then you probably did something right.

But it’s not always rainbow glitter and unicorn smiles. Pride can be overwhelming, messy and eye-opening.

Below, guys Whisper their first Pride experiences — all the glory and the defeat.

Dan Tracer

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Asia would see us as ‘decadent’ if we allow same-sex marriage: Australia minister

In stating his opposition to Australia legalizing same-sex marriage, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce warned that Asia could see Australia as ‘decadent’ and may potentially damage negotiations and our trading relationship in the region.

‘I think that what we have to understand is that when we go there [Asia], there are judgments, whether you like it or not, that are made about us and they see in how we negotiate with them whether they see us as – whether they see us as decadent,’ he is quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald as saying.

His comments come after fellow Liberal Party member and leader of the government in the senate Eric Abetz said last week that Australia should not legalize gay marriage because no Asian country has done so.

While marriage equality advocates say Australia is now lagging behind countries such as the US, Britain, New Zealand, and Ireland, Abetz questioned whether Australia should instead be following Asia on the issue.

‘The Labor Party and other journalists tell us time and time again that we are living in the Asian century, tell me how many Asian countries have redefined marriage?’ The Herald quoted Abetz as saying in an ABC radio interview.

‘Are we in the Asian century or not? It’s amazing how certain people try to pick and choose in relation to debates. All of the sudden the United States, which is usually condemned, is now being celebrated on this bizarre decision of a 5-4 decision in the Supreme Court.’

He added that legalizing same-sex marriage could open a ‘Pandora’s box’ of legalizing other unions, including polyamory, he said in a Sky News interview.

While no country in Asia has legalized same-sex marriage, many countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore recognize polygynous marriages under Sharia Law which applies only to Muslims.

Under Sharia law, a Muslim man can marry up to four wives.

Until February this year, Muslim men in India were able to have multiple wives until a Supreme Court ruled otherwise.

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome said Australia should instead be a leader of marriage law reform in Asia.

‘Most countries that have similar legal and political systems to Australia have all embraced marriage equality. It is important that Australia provides leadership and hope to our Asian neighbors on this important reform, especially with the growing campaign for marriage equality across Asia.’

A multi-party same-sex marriage bill is expected to be introduced when Parliament resumes in August.

The post Asia would see us as ‘decadent’ if we allow same-sex marriage: Australia minister appeared first on Gay Star News.

Sylvia Tan

www.gaystarnews.com/article/asia-would-see-us-as-decadent-if-we-allow-same-sex-marriage-australia-minister/

‘It’s for the glory of God,’ says Tennessee county clerk who quits over same-sex marriage licenses

Three employees in Decatur County Clerk Office in west Tennessee resigned last week due to their opposition to the recent US Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

County clerk Gwen Pope and employees Sharon Bell and Mickey Butler decided to quit than to have to issue same-sex marriage licenses, the Jackson Sun reports.

County Mayor Mike Creasy said the county has not received any requests for same-sex marriage licenses as of Thursday.

The resignations will not be effective until July 14.

Although clerks are legally allowed to refuse to perform the marriages, they must issue the licenses.

The newspaper also reported that local residents and those from nearby counties have telephoned or turned up at the office to thank and praise the three women for their ‘strength of their convictions,’ as one put it.

Pope, has worked on and off in the office since 1994 and has been the clerk since 2008, said the decision to step down wasn’t made to make news.

‘It’s kind of sort of like you don’t want to draw attention to yourself for any reason,’ she was quoted as saying in the Sun.

‘That’s not why we’re doing this. Not doing it in any way to draw attention to us. It’s for the glory of God. He’s going to get all the glory.’

The post ‘It’s for the glory of God,’ says Tennessee county clerk who quits over same-sex marriage licenses appeared first on Gay Star News.

Sylvia Tan

www.gaystarnews.com/article/its-for-the-glory-of-god-says-tennessee-county-clerk-who-quits-over-same-sex-marriage-licenses/

Religious groups looking to GOP to fight Supreme Court’s marriage decision

Organizations that have opposed marriage equality are now turning to the Republican Party to continue the battle.

While the Supreme Court made marriage legal in the entire country, groups like the Family Research Council, Heritage Foundation, and National Organization for Marriage are pushing for passage of the First Amendment Defense Act.

Utah Senator Mike Lee introduced the measure (S.1598) last month, before the Supreme Court’s marriage decision.

Idaho Representative Raul Labrador is sponsoring a similar bill (H.R. 2802) in the House of Representatives.

The proposal, essentially a freedom of religion measure, would would prevent federal agencies from blocking tax-exempt status to individuals, or businesses, who see marriage as the union between a man and woman.

According to The Hill, the legislation has the support of Senators Ted Cruz Marco Rubio, and Lindsey Graham, all in the hunt for GOP 2016 presidential nomination.

‘The freedom to live and to act in accordance with the dictates of one’s conscience and religious convictions is integral to human flourishing, serving as the foundation upon which America has produced the most diverse, tolerant and stable society the world has ever known,’  Lee said in a statement when he released the bill.

According to The Hill, the legislation presently has 63 co-sponsors in the House and 21 in the Senate.

The anti-marriage equality groups plan to press for the bill’s passage after the 4 July recess.

‘It doesn’t change the definition of marriage,’ said David Christensen, vice president of government affairs at the Family Research Council, said to The Hill.

‘It simply protects those who believe marriage is between a man and a woman,’ Christensen added.

‘There is a clear case to be made that the government is going after Christians,’ Andrea Lafferty, president of the Traditional Values Coalition, said to The Hill.

‘The issue is really about whether we have a right to live out our faith in public,’ she continued.

The post Religious groups looking to GOP to fight Supreme Court’s marriage decision appeared first on Gay Star News.

James Withers

www.gaystarnews.com/article/religious-groups-looking-to-gop-to-fight-supreme-courts-marriage-decision/