Category Archives: NEWS

A Prayer for LGBT People in Indiana

A Prayer for LGBT People in Indiana
As one who lived through a popular vote in Minnesota about whether my family is equal to others, is worthy of respect, and deserves protection under the law, I feel called to lift up a prayer for LGBT people in Indiana. I still remember how personal it felt when the legislature decided to have a referendum on marriage here, and it is because of that memory, that I offer this prayer.

Beneath the pandering, Behind the pundits,
Before the votes get counted in the next election,
Beside the ones who judge, or deliberate,
There you are.
You are the one on my mind, in my heart.
You, queer Hoosier,
You are the one for whom I offer this prayer.

You. You matter most right now. You.
You’re not a spectator, not a viewer while a political football gets tossed down the field,
not a potential voter exhibiting trends, not someone able to boycott your own life.
Because underneath all the lies and obfuscation, all the rhetoric, all the abstract speculation, it’s your life. It’s your worth and dignity. It’s your love and your identity being raked publicly. It’s your soul being punted and kicked and thrown.

You are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer.
You are a human being, living your life.
There you are.

You’re a busy parent, trying to make ends meet, with dollars and hours.
You’re a young adult, just coming out, excited to explore this new terrain.
You’re a middle school student, head down, trying to survive.
You’re an activist, brave name in the paper, scared at nightfall.
You’re quiet at work while others argue the pros and cons of this legislation.
You’re praying for religious freedom of your own, freedom from religion that excludes.
You’re wondering if you should retire somewhere else.
There you are.

You’re grateful for those offering support, but you don’t know what can change.
Sometimes you’re afraid. Sometimes you’re angry. Sometimes you’re sad.
Sometimes you feel a toxic bitterness you can’t stop, even as you reel from it.
You’re tired.
The righteous bully’s insult is an epicenter around which you waltz: Feeling hurt, refusing to feel hurt. Feeling alone, feeling accompanied. Feeling vulnerable, feeling tough.

This prayer is for you.
May you know you are a child of God, beautiful and beloved, just as you are.
May you know that your worth and dignity can never be voted away.
May you know your people, living, dead, not yet born, and hold them to you.
May you know that straight allies who hold you dear are aching with you.
May you feel the support of people you will never meet, of all orientations and genders.
May you refuse to be a witness in the trial against yourself and your people.
May you know that your love is the precious gift you have been given.
May you feel compassion for all the people, all around the world, who have been told they did not matter, and may that compassion sustain you.
May you live in love.

May you live in love.

God of love and justice, hold these queer Hoosiers close to you, each one precious and priceless. Whisper love songs in their ears. Replenish them when they are tired and give them strength to stand up proud and strong. Give them reason for hope and confidence that justice will come.
Amen.

www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-meg-riley/a-prayer-for-lgbt-people-_b_6994548.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

John Mellencamp Has A Heavy Heart Over Indiana’s Discrimination Against Gays And Lesbians

John Mellencamp Has A Heavy Heart Over Indiana’s Discrimination Against Gays And Lesbians

80109382In recent days I’ve been asked to give my opinion about what’s been going on in our state. Do I agree or disagree with the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act? What am I going to say, or do, about it? Am I going to cancel any of my upcoming Indiana shows? As many of the Star’s readers know, I have lived in Indiana since the day I was born, and I know firsthand that our state is populated with a great diversity of people who hold varying religious and political beliefs. The people in our neighborhoods are also racially diverse, live in different types of family units and also span a broad spectrum of sexual and gender identities. Indiana is now, in many ways, the American Melting Pot we all learned about in school. We are more than just tolerant, most of the time. We are welcoming.

So it is with a very heavy heart that I’ve watched the divisiveness that has occurred over our state government’s actions. I am not questioning the sincerity of those who believe they have acted in the interests of religious freedom, but I am resolutely stating my opposition to this misnamed and ill-conceived law. It is discriminatory, hurtful, and a stain on Indiana’s national reputation. I understand Governor Pence and the state legislature are working on some changes to the law’s language, and I can only hope that they will do the right thing for the people of our state.

I have thought seriously about canceling my upcoming shows, not wanting the resulting tax revenues from ticket sales, concessions and the like to help fill the same government coffers that would enforce this terrible law. But then I realized that I would be letting our government divide us again, keeping me apart from my most important audience: My Indiana fans who have been there for me from the very beginning. Our evenings together will be about music, and hopefully this situation will be made right by the time I see you in May.

My best to you all,

John Mellencamp

 

Rock icon John Mellencamp, who was born and still resides in Indiana, in a note posted to his official website about the state’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed by Gov. Mike Pence

Jeremy Kinser

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/cIIG-fJw3Uw/john-mellencamp-has-a-heavy-heart-over-indianas-discrimination-against-gays-and-lesbians-20150402

Arkansas Legislature Approves Revised Religious Freedom Bill, Sends To Governor

Arkansas Legislature Approves Revised Religious Freedom Bill, Sends To Governor
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 2 (Reuters) – The Republican-controlled Arkansas House of Representatives on Thursday approved a revised religion bill, changing sections in the previous measure that critics said targeted gays.

The bill now goes to Governor Asa Hutchinson, who had asked for the changes. He had also received a request from world’s biggest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which is based in the state, to veto the previous measure. (Reporting by Steve Barnes; Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by James Dalgleish)

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/02/arkansas-religious-freedom-passes_n_6995672.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

News: Robert Menendez, Iran, Coca-Cola, Curiosity, Winnie the Pooh

News: Robert Menendez, Iran, Coca-Cola, Curiosity, Winnie the Pooh

Road Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) indicted on corruption charges

Road Is Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig’s upcoming Lifetime movie A Deadly Adoption the greatest April Fools’ joke ever?

TimeRoad TIME cover story on the showdown between religion and gay rights. “The culture war over gay rights is largely decided; what remains is the mainly rhetorical question of whether a florist or baker or photographer can refuse, on religious grounds, to supply a wedding bouquet where there is no bride, or a celebratory cake without a groom on top…. But symbols count, and the ones at stake in this unexpected clash are significant in a number of ways… but it would be wise to brace for more conflict. As long as social conservatives are able to influence early presidential competitions in states like Iowa and South Carolina—while winning elections in polarized congressional districts—their voices will be heard. Their opponents, as we have seen in Indiana and Arkansas, are determined that those voices not be heeded.” 

Road Have Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield called it quits?

Road CNN digs into the Iran nuclear deal. 

Couple1Road British couple wins $1.5 million lottery twice in two years

Road Harry Reid says he’d rather be “beat with whips” than become a lobbyist after he leaves the Senate. 

Road Televangelist Robert H. Schuller dead at 88

Road Britney Spears proudly shows off her son Sean’s artwork. 

Road Disney is making a live action Winnie the Pooh

Road Coca-Cola releases anti-#RFRA statement. “Coca-Cola does not support any legislation that discriminates, in our home state of Georgia or anywhere else. Coca-Cola values and celebrates diversity. We believe policies that would allow a business to refuse service to an individual based upon discrimination of any kind, does not only violate our Company’s core values, but would also negatively affect our consumers, customers, suppliers, bottling partners and associates. As a business, it is appropriate for us to help foster diversity, unity and respect among all people. We advocate for inclusion, equality and diversity through both our policies and practices.Coca-Cola does not condone intolerance or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world.”

MarsRoad The Curiosity rover has hit a Martian mineral jackpot

Road How Russia’s ‘gay propaganda’ ban targets teachers

Road The 30 most anticipated movies of the summer. 

Road Matt Bomer continues to use New York City as his personal runway


Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2015/04/news.html

Russia's 'Gay Propaganda' Laws Are Targeting Teachers Amidst Rising Anti-LGBT Sentiment

Russia's 'Gay Propaganda' Laws Are Targeting Teachers Amidst Rising Anti-LGBT Sentiment
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Alevtina is one of several teachers who lost their jobs in St. Petersburg after being outed by an anti-gay activist. While most resigned quietly, the 27-year-old music teacher decided to fight her dismissal in court — an unusual step in Russia where gays have faced increasing pressure in recent years.

The rising anti-gay sentiment has coincided with the passage of a controversial Russian law that prohibits exposing children to gay “propaganda.” The law has made it easy to target teachers, because they work directly with children. The hardening of lines against gays is thrown into stark relief by an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. The survey found that Russians’ tolerance of gays has plummeted in recent years, with 51 percent of those surveyed late last year saying they would not want a gay neighbor. This was up from 38 percent in 2012.

A majority of 63 percent said gays should not be accepted in society, with only 20 percent saying they should be accepted. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.

The 2013 enactment of the gay propaganda law — which makes it illegal to provide information to children about homosexuality — was a turning point in the deterioration of Russian views of gays, said Nika Yuryeva, a spokeswoman for LGBT rights group Vykhod.

“I can see it even in my family, who are tolerant of my sexual choice, but now I also hear them speaking about the topic using the terms of Russian TV,” Yuryeva said. “To my mind, this law legitimizes the persecution of LGBT people, including the cases of their dismissals or forced resignations from schools.”

Alevtina, the music teacher, said she was stunned when the director of her school called her into his office last fall and urged her to quit.

“I left the director’s office almost in hysterics. I didn’t know what to do. I had so many creative plans with my students,” said Alevtina, who only gave her surname because she did not want her mother to know she was gay. “I’d put my soul into this work, and I also knew that I wasn’t guilty of anything.”

She refused to resign and was fired for “immoral behavior incompatible with pedagogical activities” — effectively ending her teaching career. The school director could not be reached for comment, despite repeated calls to his office.

Alevtina said only a few close friends knew she was lesbian and she never attended gay pride rallies. Her sexual orientation was exposed by Timur Isayev, an anti-gay activist representing an organization called Parents of Russia.

In the past year, at least six teachers who were either gay or gay rights activists found their jobs threatened after being targeted by Isayev, said Kseniya Kirichenko, a legal support specialist at Vykhod. Three resigned, and Alevtina was the only one to take legal action, Kirichenko said.

Isayev’s anti-gay campaigning was cut short in December when he was arrested on charges of stealing money from a firm where he worked in 2004. He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison.

His arrest, however, has not made things easier for Alevtina, whose appeal is pending. Her lawyer, Dmitry Bartenev, said the teacher is asking to be reinstated at the school and to receive compensation. The court hearings were closed to the public at the teacher’s request.

Homosexuality has increasingly been portrayed on Russian state television as part of a decadent, immoral Western culture that threatens traditional values. And the AP-NORC poll also showed a sharp rise in anti-Western sentiments.

Those reporting an unfavorable view of the United States rose to 65 percent from 25 percent in 2012, while those with an unfavorable view of the European Union rose to 49 percent from 11 percent.

_____

The AP-NORC Center poll was conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago with fieldwork for the in-person survey by GfK Russia from Nov. 22 to Dec. 7., 2014. It was based on 2,008 in-person interviews with a nationally representative random sample of Russians age 18 and older.

Funding for the survey came from NORC at the University of Chicago.

Online: AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research: www.apnorc.org

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/02/russia-gay-law-teachers_n_6994274.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Naked Prank Makes Office Coworkers Rethink Sushi Forever

Naked Prank Makes Office Coworkers Rethink Sushi Forever

If you’re fans of BuzzFeed’s perenially-nude “Try Guys” (and, really, who among us isn’t?), you were probably wondering how the playful boys would celebrate their favorite holiday, April Fool’s Day. Naturally, they found a new way to get naked, surprise their coworkers and potentially ruin sushi for everyone forever. As one of the guys says, “We have a weird job.” Indeed. Will their warm bodies turn the sushi into baked fish? Watch the video below to find out.

The Try Guys’ Naked Sushi PrankIt’s a “California Roll” reversal. The Try Guys provided their coworkers with a delicious sushi lunch. The twist? Instead of plates, everyone had to eat off the Try Guys’ bodies. #NailedIt

Posted by The Try Guys on Wednesday, 1 April 2015

Jeremy Kinser

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/wcNImSYedVg/naked-prank-makes-office-coworkers-rethink-sushi-forever-20150402

New York Boy Scouts Make History Hiring Openly Gay Eagle Scout to Serve as Youth Leader

New York Boy Scouts Make History Hiring Openly Gay Eagle Scout to Serve as Youth Leader

Pascal

18-year-old Pascal Tessier became one of the first openly gay youth to receive the rank of Eagle Scout back in February and has now been hired by the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America to serve as a leader at its scout camps this summer, Buzzfeed reports:

When asked on Wednesday if there was any change to the national policy regarding out gay adult leaders, Boy Scouts of America spokesman Deron Smith responded, “[T]here isn’t.” Smith did not immediately respond on Thursday to a request for comment regarding Tessier’s hire specifically.

The Greater New York Councils, however, is ready for Tessier to get to work.

“We’ve accepted him, he was put through the normal process,” Richard Mason, a board member of the Greater New York Councils and spokesman for the councils, told BuzzFeed News. “They have not, to my knowledge, rejected him, so, as far as we are concerned, this young man is coming to work, is ready to do so this summer.”

Prop 8 lawyer David Boies has already stepped up to represent Tessier should the BSA reject Tessier’s hire. Boises says he’s “hopeful” Tessier’s hire “signals the end of the last vestige of the Scouts’ discrimination.”


Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2015/04/boy-scouts.html