I’ll leave my own political commentary out and just point you to some great video that says it all…
But perhaps best of all…
But what exactly is Nancy Pelosi wearing?
Tomorrow we’ll post Obama’s speech and more…
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The Christian Science Monitor is reporting a rise in Gay tourism in Israel, and its repercussions for the economy and religious tourism in the holy land.
Rise in gay tourism stirs unease in Israel
So-called ‘pink dollars’ are flowing into the economy, but may deter traditional pilgrims.
By Danna Harman | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
from the August 13, 2008 edition
Tel Aviv - There is something incongruous about the stretch of beach just under the Hilton Hotel’s high perch. For there, below the bluff, are two so-called “specialty beaches.” (more…)
Sphere: Related ContentLast week, Massachusetts repealed a 1913 law that prohibited non-resident couples from getting married in that state. Unenforced for decades, the law recently surfaced again and was used to deny out-of-state same-sex couples from marrying there.
The law has now been repealed, making Massachusetts a fully LGBT friendly state (at least legally.)
Our own Gabriel Blau, founder of this site, was featured in the New York Times this past weekend as one of the New York couples that would benefit from this new law.
Do you have any plans or know of anyone with plans to head out to MA?
Sphere: Related ContentGLAAD is calling on the community to condemn FX Networks for refusing to correct statements on its show made by anti-gay activist and bigot Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council.
“Homosexuality is associated with higher rates of sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and child sexual abuse, and those are all reasons for us to be concerned about placing children into that kind of setting.”
-Sprigg in the show
GLAAD is asking you to take action:
GLAAD, the Family Equality Council and Children Of Lesbians And Gays Everywhere (COLAGE) are urging their members and the community to contact FX Networks, and 20th Century Fox, to express their concerns over providing a platform for such an inaccurate, misleading claim by the Family Research Council. Community members should let FX Networks know that it is irresponsible and unacceptable to put forth such a damaging, defamatory assertion about lesbian and gay parents, and worse, refuse to include the voices of credible experts to dispute it. GLAAD, the Family Equality Council and COLAGE honor the gay and lesbian parents and their children who are featured in this episode for sharing the real stories of their lives, and especially Dennis and Thomas and their family for opening up their home and the hearts and minds of millions through their participation on 30 Days.
FX Networks:
Nick Grad
Executive Vice President of Original Programming
(310) 369-0949
ngrad@fxnetworks.comEric Shrier
Executive
eric.shrier@fxnetwork.comScott Seomin
Vice President of Public Relations
(310) 369-0938
scott.seomin@fxnetwork.com
Click Here for GLAAD’s Release
Sphere: Related ContentNice. It’s All Because (The Gays Are Getting Married)
This is a very funny video from Oded Gross. We felt the “other side” of the Marriage Equality debate should be heard, and that the hard evidence of the curse that Gay Marriage is on society should be presented. You know, cause we’re fair and balanced.
Enjoy the video after the jump… (more…)
Sphere: Related ContentThe Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) was voted on, and passed, by the New York State Assembly yesterday. Yay!
Here’s the press release from the Empire State Pride Agenda:
New York State Assembly Passes Bill Banning Transgender DiscriminationSphere: Related ContentAlbany, New York, June 3, 2008 – Today the New York State Assembly voted 102-33 to amend the state’s human rights law to include anti-discrimination protections based upon gender identity and expression. The bill (A.6584a), known as the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) bans discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, credit, public accommodations, and other areas of everyday life.
“The Assembly has solidly demonstrated once again that it is the leader on civil rights and providing equality for our community where it didn’t exist before in New York,” said Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle. “We thank Assemblymember Richard Gottfried for his sponsorship and steadfast support of this bill. We also thank Speaker Silver and the Assembly Majority, the 74 cosponsors and the 102 Assemblymembers who passed this bill and understand the importance of providing an umbrella of anti-discrimination protection for all New Yorkers.”
First introduced in 2003, GENDA has a record 74 co-sponsors this year in the Assembly, up from 69 last year. The Pride Agenda, the over 200 organizational members of the GENDA Coalition and the LGBT community have been working closely with Assemblymember Gottfried and other Assembly supporters to build the momentum for passage that resulted in today’s vote.
“Transgender New Yorkers are in constant fear that they will lose their jobs, get kicked out of their home, or simply be denied service when they go into a restaurant. It goes without saying that these members of our community should be able to go about the business of living their lives openly and without fear,” said Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle.
Transgender activist Melissa Sklarz of New York City said about today’s vote, “Thank you New York State Assembly for standing up to say ‘no’ to discrimination against transgender New Yorkers. I can think of years of personal struggle in the job market and workplace without any legal protection and am now hopeful that there is a real chance that the next generation of transgender New Yorkers will not face these same difficulties.”
In terms of the Senate, the Pride Agenda’s Van Capelle said, “We now look to the New York State Senate to close this gaping hole in the New York State Human Rights Law. Governor Paterson has already said that he will sign this bill into law once the Senate acts.”
“My message to the Senate Majority is this: It’s now time to do what 78 percent of New York voters believe is the right thing to do and end this discrimination once and for all this year. Thirteen other states already have laws providing protections based upon gender identity and expression, along with 96 cities and counties. We also know that the private sector is far ahead of government with 153 Fortune 500 companies, including 26 based here in New York having policies in place that protect their transgender employees. Clearly, our state is lagging behind.”
In the Senate, GENDA (S.3753a) is sponsored by Senator Tom Duane and has 17 cosponsors, up from 14 last year. While none of the cosponsors are members of the Republican Majority, the Pride Agenda’s legislative scorecard shows GENDA to have the support of 27 Senators, including three Republicans.
Many of you will be reading this article after one of this month’s many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride events. First established to commemorate the Stonewall Rebellion of June 27-28, 1969, GLBT (or LGBT) Pride is now observed worldwide as a community-wide celebration that unites all genders, races, classes and lifestyles. By taking part in Pride events, we assert who we, as individuals and as a people. We contribute all that is good in us to Pride events and in return Pride makes us feel good about ourselves and others like us. In short, Pride is a tremendous morale boost and an antidote to self-hatred and internalized heterosexism and homophobia.
Unfortunately, Pride events are usually followed by all-too real and not very proud reality. After Pride ends, we must return to a world that hates us as much as it did before Pride began. Back in the eighties, bad news always seemed to follow a Pride celebration. (more…)
Sphere: Related ContentThey died hugging each other.
On Friday
morning, Rukmani went to Malar’s house after their husbands had left for work.
Not finding Rukmani for a long time, her relatives started searching for her and
finally found her in Malar’s house. In front of several people, they abused her
for having a “physical relationship” with Malar, whose family members also
started shouting at the two
friends.
“Around midnight, they
poured kerosene on their body and set themselves on fire. They appear to have
hugged each other during the final moments of their life,” an investigation
officer who inspected the scene
said.
Based on a complaint by
Rukmani’s elder sister Padmavathy, Sathangadu police have registered a case and
further investigations are on. The case has been handed over to the revenue
divisional officer (RDO), as Rukmani died within seven years of her marriage
with Vijayan.
“We will proceed
with the case after getting the RDO’s report,” a senior police officer
said.
Reacting to the incident,
lawyer and activist Sudha Ramalingam said it was time Section 377 of IPC
(unnatural offence) was scrapped. “We have reached a stage where one has to
accept relationships which are not termed normal. Everyone has the right,
especially two consenting adults, to choose their way of life,” she said. All
India Democratic Women’s Association leader Vasuki said suicides are not a
solution to any problem. “Same sex relationships are coming to the fore these
days, and we do not have a coping mechanism in place,” she told The Times of
India.
Vasanthi Devi, former
Chairperson, State Women’s Commission, said, “In India, same sex relationships
are not in any way accepted, and even talking about it is considered taboo.
Since it is perceived to be unnatural and unacceptable, a lot of sensitivity is
required in handling the issue. Sadly, counselling is virtually unknown in our
society, be it for students or adults. If we had counsellors to guide, any
number of tragedies can be avoided.”
Read the details at The Times of India…
Anti Semitic? Homophbic? I don’t think so - just funny. But perhaps you’ll disagree…
Check out the video after the jump…
Just a couple of hours ago it was announced that the California Supreme Court rejected the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. The court’s ruling, saying the ban was unconstitutional, makes California the second state to offer marriage equality. The first is, of course, Massachusetts.
The ruling cannot be overturned by a federal court because there are no federal laws at issue here. Also, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said “I respect the court’s decision, and as governor I will uphold its ruling.”
The ruling comes as a result of a lawsuit filed by several Gay rights groups, the city of San Francisco, and a group of Gay and Lesbian couples.
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