Pope Francis opens bishop synod with speech suggesting the Vatican won’t budge on LGBTI inclusiveness

Pope Francis opened the bishop’s synod today (Sunday October 4) in Vatican City to discuss the Catholic church’s approach to family issues.

It was hoped the discussion would result in the church taking a more progressive approach to LGBTI catholics.

Those who hoped this may find themselves disappointed: in his opening speech, he dedicated much time to praising the makeup of the heterosexual family.

‘This is God’s dream for his beloved creation: to see it fulfilled in the loving union between a man and a woman, rejoicing in their shared journey, fruitful in their mutual gift of self,’ he said.

He put the importance of procreation at the center of family discussion, but Dr Richard O’Leary of Faith in Marriage Equality says this is not the approach the Catholic church should take.

‘Marriage is not primarily about procreation but about love and commitment and these qualities are also evident in same sex relationships,’ he said.

The synod will continue until October 25, during which the delegates, who come from around the world, will discuss such family-oriented topics as family planning, divorce and LGBTI inclusion.

A similar report from June was not encouraging. It said the church should be understanding of LGBTI followers, but went no further.

The Vatican is currently reeling from the controversial coming out of a senior priest on Saturday.

The Polish priest Father Krysztof Olaf Charamsa told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera it’s time the church ‘opened its eyes’ to its gay followers.

The same day, Charamsa was sacked from his post at the Holy Office and as a teacher at church-affliated universities.

A case was made however he was fired for having a partner, though priests – gay or straight – vow to be single.

The post Pope Francis opens bishop synod with speech suggesting the Vatican won’t budge on LGBTI inclusiveness appeared first on Gay Star News.

Jack Flanagan

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Pope Francis, Kim Davis Join Miley Cyrus And Other Controversial Newsmakers For SNL Opener

As pansexual pop star Miley Cyrus opened the 41st season of NBC’s Saturday Night Live with a rendition of the standard “My Way,” an array of the past summer’s most controversial — and in some cases, widely-despised — figures joined her onstage to hopefully bid adieu not only to summer but to headlining news stories. Among them are such trifles as the beef between rappers Drake and Meek Mill, Ariana Grande’s “Donutgate,” and Lenny Kravtz’ wardrobe malfunction to the more perplexing like transracial poster girl Rachel Dolezal (where’s she been, btw?) to the deadly serious such as Walter Palmer, the big game-hunting dentist, as well as Pope Francis and his antigay pal Kim Davis. As much as we wish it weren’t true, our intuition tells us we haven’t heard the end of those last two.

Watch these folks take what we hope are their final bows below.

Jeremy Kinser

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Judges in 9 of 67 Alabama Counties Won’t Issue Marriage Licenses to Anyone, Just to Avoid Gays

Judges in nine of Alabama’s 67 counties are using a forgotten segregation-era law to undermine the authority of the Supreme Court and deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples by refusing to issue any marriage licenses at all.

Judges are using the 54-year-old law, which made it optional for counties to issue marriage licenses to interracial couples during segregation, citing language that says probate courts “may” issue a marriage license instead of “shall,” the AP reports.

As many as 78,000 Alabama couples live in an area where they can’t obtain a license, forcing many to travel out of their way to a county that will issue them.

Currently no one has thrown a lawsuit at the judges denying licenses. Former Alabama Gov. Albert Brewer, who was a House member back in 1961 when the law in question was passed, reiterated that the law’s language is what allows the rebellious judges to apply it to same-sex marriage:

“Certainly they were talking about miscegenation at the time…There’s a big difference between ‘may’ and ‘shall.’”

Anti-gay Alabama officials have repeatedly attempted to undermine the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision, even pursuing a bill that would’ve prevented the entire state of Alabama from issuing marriage licenses to anyone. Fortunately, the bill failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds house vote. However, Alabama probate judges, like Washington County’s Nick Williams, are refusing to budge, stating that their religious beliefs are being violated, in the vein of Rowan, Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis.

The post Judges in 9 of 67 Alabama Counties Won’t Issue Marriage Licenses to Anyone, Just to Avoid Gays appeared first on Towleroad.

Anthony Costello

Judges in 9 of 67 Alabama Counties Won’t Issue Marriage Licenses to Anyone, Just to Avoid Gays

At Synod Opening Pope Francis Reminds Everyone That The Catholic Church Is Against Gay Marriage

Pope Francis on Sunday reaffirmed Catholic opposition to gay marriage as he opened a three-week gathering of bishops from around the world but said the Church had to show love and understanding towards all.

Francis presided at a solemn Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to open the meeting, known as a synod, on the theme of the family in the modern world.

But the run-up to the synod, attended by some 300 bishops and other delegates, has been dominated by gay issues.

On the eve of the gathering, the Vatican dismissed a Polish priest from his Holy See job after he came out as gay and called for changes in Catholic teachings against homosexual activity.

Conservative Catholics held a conference in Rome just before the synod started on how homosexuals can live by Church’s rules that they should be chaste while Catholic gay activists held another demanding full acceptance of active gays in the Church.

Francis dedicated one third of his homily to the topic of love between man and woman and its role in procreation.

“This is God’s dream for his beloved creation: to see it fulfilled in the loving union between a man and a woman, rejoicing in their shared journey, fruitful in their mutual gift of self,” he said.

He also spoke of the “true meaning of the couple and of human sexuality in God’s plan,” a clear reference to heterosexual marriage.

But Francis also stressed that the Church must be more welcoming, charitable, compassionate and merciful to all people, particularly those whose lives have been wounded and who those find it difficult to adhere to all of the Church’s regulations.

The leader of the 1.2 billion member Church said the person “who falls or errs must be understood and loved.”

“The Church must search out these persons, welcome and accompany them, for a Church with closed doors betrays herself and her mission, and, instead of being a bridge, becomes a roadblock,” he said.

In its explanation of the firing of the Polish monsignor on Saturday, the Vatican said his very public coming out was intended to put undue media pressure on the synod on gay issues, which are expected to be only a small part of the bishops’ discussions.

The story made the front page of nearly all Italian newspapers, with one headline calling it “An Earthquake in the Vatican”.

At a preliminary synod last year, bishops watered down a initial statement that was seen as a major change of tone toward homosexuals. That statement spoke of “gifts and qualities” of homosexuals but was changed after a backlash by conservatives.

One key topic at the synod will be how to reach out to Catholics who have divorced and remarried in civil ceremonies.

They are considered by the Church to be still married to their first spouse and living in a state of sin. Some bishops want a change to the rules that bars them from receiving sacraments such as communion.

Last month, Francis made it simpler and swifter for Catholics to secure a marriage annulment, the most radical such reform for 250 years, and told bishops to be more welcoming to divorced couples.

(Reporting By Philip Pullella. Editing by Jane Merriman)

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HRC Celebrates Another Historic National Dinner

This weekend, HRC celebrated another exciting National Dinner in Washington, D.C.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrc-celebrates-another-historic-national-dinner?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Guys Reveal What It’s Like To Be ‘Gay For Pay’

Capitalism has some strange outcomes.

Destroying the planet and suppressing the poor aside, many guys have realized they can earn money — even build a career — by tapping into the gay market — all it takes is a little emotional detachment. Easy!

Below, guys let off a little built up tension at their gay-for-pay lifestyles on Whisper. Maybe you’ve seen some of their work:

Dan Tracer

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Apple CEO Tim Cook Tells HRC That the Fight to End Discrimination is Not Over: WATCH

Apple CEO Tim Cook received the Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign.

“I love to see the iPhones,” Cook smiled, striding to the podium.

Cook then talked about coming out last year, in an article he wrote for Bloomberg Businessweek.

“I did not do it for attention. I’m a private person by nature. Growing up I was taught that you distinguish yourself in life by what you do, not by what you say or how loudly you say it, but sometimes you just have to be loud. Because people need to hear that being gay is not a limitation. People need to hear that being gay doesn’t restrict your options in life. People need to hear that you can be gay or transgender and be whatever else you want to in life – a CEO or a senator, an olympic athlete, an awarding actor or actress, and amazing husband, wife, father, or mother.”

RELATED: Apple CEO Tim Cook: ‘I Consider Being Gay Among The Greatest Gifts God Has Given Me’

Cook went on to blast discrimination and the homophobia that still harms gay and questioning youth:

“Thirty-one states, more than half the stars on our American flag, have no laws to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination. No state legal protection from being fired or evicted because of who you are or who you love. That day is not here yet because kids are still being told they’ll never amount to anything, or get sent to reparative therapy for a cure, or get bullied to the brink of suicide, or get pushed into believing they’re somehow defective when they’re just the way that God made them. That day is not here yet when some people claim exemption from what’s written in the constitution that no state shall deny Americans the equal protection of the laws. That day is not here.”

Watch:

The post Apple CEO Tim Cook Tells HRC That the Fight to End Discrimination is Not Over: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Andy Towle

Apple CEO Tim Cook Tells HRC That the Fight to End Discrimination is Not Over: WATCH

I Am A Trans Woman. Will Facebook Censor My Breasts?

I’m going to make this awkward for both of us: A few weeks ago, my nipples started to ache. They told me it would hurt, but that didn’t prepare me for the constant dull throbbing and occasional burning sensation I feel when my shirt rubs across my chest the wrong way.

I’m going to sound like a masochist, but every little pain is followed by a slight smile. “I’m actually doing it,” I think. “This is actually happening.”

— 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.

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Shape Up: We Want Big Butts And We Cannot Lie, Part Three

Part 3 of 3

Alright, athletes of Queerty.  You’re mobile as per the BUTT rule, you’re SASSY and activated, and now you’re ready to get a strong-ass…ass!  The time has come to move a lot of weight around, and I don’t mean the current junk in your trunk; I mean BARBELLS. Below, I’ll rate the best barbell movements for developing a strong butt (and, spoiler alert: it’s not just about squats anymore) as well as sub-types and common faults to avoid. 

[But first, a necessary but admittedly annoying preface: I am by no means encouraging you or anyone else to attempt these fairly precise and complex barbell lifts with zero experience. Please seek hands-on guidance from a fitness professional certified in strength training (that is, a Certified Personal Trainer or Crossfit-certified coach who uses barbells themselves; not a spin, barre, pilates, or yoga instructor; and definitely not your gym buddy). Phew. OK, now for the fun stuff!]

The following table is inspired by science!  Read more here and here. 

*Try as we might, a back squat will never have more glute activation than itself.

And there you have it, athletes, a three-part series about butts. It is my hope you’re now inspired to “get up off that thang” and become your strongest, from the bottom up. 

For more information or to book a class, visit www.phoenixeffectla.com.

The Phoenix Effect, a functional group fitness studio that gets you in shape fast, is offered exclusively at 7264 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA.

Jeremy Kinser

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Hillary Clinton Serves Up the Jokes as Bartender to Herself on SNL: WATCH

As expected Democratic presidential candidate and former first lady Hillary Clinton showed up on SNL. Clinton played a bartender named Val forced to listen to Hillary Clinton (as played by Kate McKinnon) pour her heart out about the 2016 presidential race over a “scalding hot vodka.”

Clinton and McKinnon knocked it out of the park in a sketch that includes a bit of Donald Trump mockery, and even Bill shows up at one point.

“Why won’t the people just let me lead? Give me the hammer and nails and let me fix it all?”, McKinnon’s Hillary wails at the beginning of the sketch.

Soon she’s joined by Val, and a bar patron who interrupts their conversation:

Bar Patron: “Hi Mrs Clinton, I’m sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to say my sister’s gay, so thanks for all you’ve done for gay marriage.”

Val (Clinton): It really is great how long you supported gay marriage.

Clinton (McKinnon): Yes. I could have supported it sooner.

Val (Clinton): Well you did it pretty soon.

Clinton (McKinnon): It could have been sooner.

Val (Clinton): Fair point.

RELATED: Hillary Clinton Promises to Fight for LGBT Equality in Human Rights Campaign Speech

Watch:

Trump had something to say about her performance:

“@scottferson: .@TaranKillam plays a way better fake @realDonaldTrump than a real @HillaryClinton plays herself @nbcsnl“

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 4, 2015

But Hillary won the night:

A vote for Hillary is a vote for four more years of Kate McKinnon’s impression. #citizens pic.twitter.com/8WFlf1dy9n

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 4, 2015

The post Hillary Clinton Serves Up the Jokes as Bartender to Herself on SNL: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

Andy Towle

Hillary Clinton Serves Up the Jokes as Bartender to Herself on SNL: WATCH