Category: Uncategorized

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GLAAD President Herndon Graddick resigns

Via press release we learn that GLAAD President Herndon Graddick has resigned, after a bit more than a year in the position, effective immediately:

“I’m proud to leave GLAAD with a stronger, more efficient organization and an incredibly talented and experienced Board and staff,” Graddick said in a statement to the press.

“I’m happy the role I was able to play in advancing the need for our community to fully support the rights of our transgender brothers and sisters. Our movement is benefited by the leadership not only of heroes like Evan Wolfson, Chad Griffin, Mara Keisling, and Kate Kendell, but of the necessary and vital blogger and grassroots communities.  I look forward to returning to a private life and supporting the fight from behind the scenes.”

GLAAD’s Chief of Staff Dave Montez will serve as Acting President.

Under Herndon’s tenure, GLAAD began campaigns including a national call for the Boy Scouts of America to end their ban on gay scouts and scout leaders. 

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France clears final hurdle in legalizing marriage equality


After months of sometimes violent street demonstrations,  France’s Constitutional Council gave the go-ahead to a law that will make France the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage, in line with an election promise by Socialist President Francois Hollande.

“The law allowing same-sex marriage conforms with the constitution,” the council said in a statement.

The first gay weddings could take place as early as June, although some mayors across the country have refused to administer the ceremonies.

France, a predominantly Catholic country, follows 13 others including Canada, Denmark, Sweden and most recently Uruguay and New Zealand in allowing gay and lesbian couples to wed.

In the United States, Washington D.C. and 12 states have legalized marriage equality.

(source)

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Andrew Sullivan on GOP claims of “worst Washington scandal since Watergate”

“Has this president broken the law, lied under oath, or authorized war crimes?

“Has he traded arms for hostages with Iran?

“Has he knowingly sent his cabinet out to tell lies about his sex life?

“Has he sat by idly as an American city was destroyed by a hurricane? Has he started a war with no planning for an occupation?

“Has he started a war based on a lie, and destroyed the US’ credibility and moral standing while he was at it, leaving nothing but a smoldering and now rekindled civil sectarian war?

“So far as I can tell, this president has done nothing illegal, unethical or even wrong.” – Andrew Sullivan, in response to conservative claims that “We are in the midst of the worst Washington scandal since Watergate.”

(h/t JMG)

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How DOMA hurts families – David and Jason

The anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act keeps legally married same-sex couples from having their relationships recognized by the Federal Government. Over 1,100 rights and benefits are denied these couples.

As an American, you are granted the right to obtain a green card for a foreign-born spouse – unless you are gay.

The DOMA Project works to stop deportations, separations, and exile of gay and lesbian binational couples caused by DOMA.

Meet David and Jason, a binational couple who have been separated 17 times under DOMA rules — despite being legally married in New York.

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Map: Human rights for LGBT people in Europe

Click the pic to enlarge

ILGA Europe has released an updated map showing the state of human rights for LGBT people in Europe in May 2013.

The scale goes from dark green (full equality, respect of human rights) to dark red (gross violations of human rights, discrimination).

The United Kingdom received the highest rating of the 49 nations in the report, earning a 77% score, followed by Spain, France, Norway, Sweden and Portugal. Russia got the lowest score at 7%.

Ratings and graphs for individual nations can be downloaded here.

(via Towleroad)

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ACLU starts campaign to see “Modern Family” gay couple get married

The ACLU is would really, really like to see ABC to have the gay characters on Modern Family get married.

Having two main characters in a wildly popular show get married would put the issue of marriage equality in living rooms across the country and generate conversations about the importance of allowing same-sex couples to marry – the kinds of conversations that we know change hearts and minds.

And because it’s a weekly series, the message won’t go away during the closing credits. It will be back next week, and the weeks after that, and again during summer reruns. The wedding would demonstrate that marriage — with its unique recognition of love and commitment — matters. And it’s a choice that should be readily available.

Here’s the link to the petition.

(via JMG)

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EU poll shows discrimination and violence targeting LGBT people

A survey of 93,000 Europeans taken by The European Union’s Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and released to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia indicates that most LGBT Europeans are living in fear.

Check out the results of the survey in an interactive map.

According to the data collected:

• LGBT people start facing difficulties early at school, where they regularly experience bullying and harassment

• 47% of all respondents felt they had been discriminated against in the year preceding the survey, but 90% of those did NOT report to the authorities

• LGBT people face discrimination in many other walks of life, including work, housing, social services, and in access to goods and services

• LGBT people are frequently victims of hate crime and harassment: About a quarter of all respondents said they had been attacked or threatened with violence in the last five years.

• 2/3’s of the respondents were scared of holding hands in public with their same-sex partner. For gay and bisexual men this rose to about 75%.

• Half of the respondents avoided public places

• 80% were aware of hearing jokes being made about LGBT people

More from EuroNews:

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And the American Idol winner is…

I haven’t watched the show in years.

I did post one performance earlier this season which happened to be the eventual winner.

If you’re looking to find out who won, hit the clip above.

And below, you can watch one of the highlights – Candice Glover sing with Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson:


American Idol Finale ~ Candice Glover… by HumanSlinky