Tag: LGBT

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Queer Lisboa 17 promo

It’s time for Queer Lisboa’s annual fab promo for the gay and lesbian film fest there.

From Buzzfeed’s Copyranter:

Every September, Lisbon hosts Queer Lisboa, “the sole Portuguese Film Festival dedicated exclusively to screening gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual themed films.”

And every year, for several years now, Queer Lisboa comes out with an epic promo video ad. Last year, it was “The Death of the Gay Cliche.” In 2011, it was “Mister Pink,” a brilliant redo of the famous scene from Reservoir Dogs. Now this year, William Wallace gradually gets queenier (as do his charges) as he gets more impassioned.

(via JMG)

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Pope Francis: Church should not interfere in the spiritual lives of gays and lesbians

In yet another in a series of uncharacteristically tolerant statements regarding gays and lesbians on behalf of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said today that the church should not interfere in the lives of the LGBT community:

“Religion has the right to express its opinion in the service of the people,” Francis told Jesuit Roman journal La Civilta Cattolica in an interview published Thursday and previewed by CNN. “But God in creation set us free: it is not possible to interfere spiritually in the life of a person.”

The Human Rights Campaign’s Chad Griffin hailed the comments as a “reset” for the Catholic Church’s treatment of gays and lesbians:

“With these latest comments, Pope Francis has pressed the reset button on the Roman Catholic Church’s treatment of LGBT people, rolling back a years-long campaign at the highest levels of the Church to oppose any measure of dignity or equality.

“Now, it’s time for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to catch up and drop their opposition to even the most basic protections for LGBT people. Otherwise, they risk being left far behind by American Catholics and this remarkable Pope.

“At a moment when Pope Francis is re-dedicating the Church to tirelessly helping the poor, it’s unacceptable for American bishops to continue wasting millions of parishioner dollars on harmful anti-LGBT political campaigns that target members of their own flock. For the sake of LGBT Catholics, it’s essential that Pope Francis’ inspiring words lead to transformative change throughout the Church hierarchy.”

(via Advocate.com)

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Labor Department says same-sex married couples entitled to employment/pension benefits

The effects of repealing DOMA continue to show up as the Labor Department steps up with new guidance on employment benefits:

The Labor Department now says that same-sex married couples are entitled to the same employment benefits as straight married couples regardless of where they live. What this means is that your spouse can now participate in your company’s retirement plan, such as a 401K plans.

Labor Secretary Thomas Perez called the ruling a “historic step forward.” Previously, Perez had hedged on whether the ruling from the Labor Department, which regulates private retirement plans, would apply in states that hadn’t legalized marriage equality. The new ruling clears that up.

“By providing greater clarity on how the Supreme Court’s decision affects one of the laws we enforce, we are contributing to greater equality and greater protection for America’s working families,” EBSA Assistant Secretary Phyllis Borzi said.

The guidance does make note that these provisions are reserved for married couples, not those in civil unions or domestic partnerships.

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White House to hold briefing on ObamaCare and the LGBT community

The Affordable Care Act could truly transform the health and well-being of the LGBT community for generations to come, and the upcoming open enrollment period in the Health Insurance Marketplace – from October 2013 to March 2014 – provides an important opportunity to get folks enrolled.

That’s why the White House Office of Public Engagement and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are teaming up to host a Briefing on Obamacare and the LGBT Community, this Thursday, September 13th.

And you can watch it live from home! Tune in to http://whitehouse.gov/live on Thursday, September 13th, starting at 1:15 p.m. EDT.

(via press release)

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President Obama to meet with Russian LGBT activists during G20 summit

Following his cancellation of a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Barack Obama may infuriate the Kremlin further by meeting Russian human rights activists, including LGBT rights groups, during his upcoming trip to St. Petersburg for the G20 summit.

Four Russian non-governmental organizations told BuzzFeed Monday they had been invited to the meeting, scheduled for this Thursday at St. Petersburg’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Obama was due to hold a one-on-one meeting with Putin in Moscow before heading to the summit, but abruptly called that off last month in the wake of deteriorating relations and Russia’s sheltering of NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden. Putin has repeatedly accused members of Russia’s civil society as being in the pay of the U.S. State Department.

Thursday’s meeting is not unique or unprecedented. Obama met with civil society and opposition activists during his last visit to Russia in 2009. George W. Bush met with NGOs during the G8 summit in 2006.

(source)

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New York Times Op-Doc: An Attack on Equality

New York is regarded as a gay-friendly city in a state that has legalized gay marriage, but this Op-Doc video shows that it can still be dangerous for a same-sex couple to walk down the street holding hands.

On May 5, 2013, a young couple was attacked outside Madison Square Garden in broad daylight. Nick Porto and Kevin Atkins were walking hand in hand when a group of several men, clad in Knicks jerseys, called them “faggots” and pushed them to the ground, beating them to the point of a torn ligament and a broken nose. In this video, Mr. Porto and Mr. Atkins tell their story.

Read more at NYTimes.com

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Marriage equality begins at midnight in MInnesota and Rhode Island

Congratulations to the LGBT communities in Minnesota and Rhode Island as marriage equality becomes a reality at midnight tonight.

In Rhode Island, Lee Swislow, GLAD’s executive director made the following statement: “Congratulations to all of the loving, committed Rhode Island couples who can now marry and enjoy the dignity and security of having their marriage recognized at home and by the federal government. We are joyful and proud that each of the six New England states recognizes the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.”

GLAD was an active part of the coalition that worked for many years to secure marriage rights for same-sex couples in Rhode Island through legal work, public education, and providing strategic expertise.

Some people in Rhode Island can’t see the writing on the wall, though, as one man tried to get a temporary restraining order in place to stop the upcoming nuptials:

Ronald L’Heureux, a cofounder of the Faith Alliance to Preserve the Sanctity of Marriage as Defined by God, brought a petition and complaint to the court on Tuesday morning and sought a temporary restraining order to stop the law from taking effect. Judge Daniel A. Procaccini denied the request, saying L’Heureux had fallen “far short” of the criteria needed to obtain a temporary restraining order, said court spokesman Craig Berke.

Instead, Procaccini scheduled a preliminary hearing for Aug. 9.

L’Heureux’s complaint, which names Governor Chafee, state Department of Health Director Michael Fine and 75 state lawmakers who voted for same-sex marriage as defendants, argues that legalizing same-sex marriage will violate religious freedoms guaranteed by the state Constitution, forcing people to accept, in public spheres such as schools, a practice that they oppose based on their faith.
“It violates the Constitution and causes irreparable harm, and once it passes they’re going to teach my children and grandchildren conduct that’s reprehensible to my faith,” said L’Heureux, who represented himself in court.

With gay marriages becoming legal in Minnesota on Thursday, courthouses in major cities across the state will be open after midnight to accommodate dozens of same-sex couples eager to tie the knot.

“It’s good for our business,” says Ron Stein, a jeweler in Minneapolis, where the mayor plans to conduct weddings for approximately 40 couples. “We’ve had orders already.”

NPR Minnesota reports that the city of Minneapolis is hosting an extravaganza at City Hall tonight where Mayor R.T. Rybak will officiate at the marriage of 42 same-sex couples. The celebration, which will stretch well into Thursday morning, includes performances by local musicians, a brass quintet and a reception at the nearby Hotel Minneapolis.

In recent days, the Minneapolis Star Tribune has published articles about the coming “boon” to the state’s wedding industry, as well as the phenomenon of same-sex couples facing the same sort of pre-wedding “jitters” long known to straight couples.

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Ken Cuccinelli reaffirms calling LGBT Virginians “soulless” and “self-destructive”

(L to R) Ken Cuccinelli, Terry McAuliffe

In their first gubernatorial debate in Virginia, Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe didn’t shy away from calling GOP nominee Ken Cuccinelli out on his many anti-gay statements.

From ThinkProgress:

McAuliffe repeatedly attacked Cuccinelli throughout the Virginia Bar Association debate in Hot Springs, VA for his record of demonizing science, women’s health, and LGBT people. Twice, McAuliffe noted that Cuccinelli had called LGBT Virginians “soulless” and “self-destructive” and that his attempts to rescind non-discrimination protections have hurt Virginia’s business climate.

Cuccinelli consistently ignored the attacks until moderator Judy Woodruff asked him directly about his previous comments. Cuccinelli responded briefly, saying, “My personal beliefs about the personal challenges of homosexuality haven’t changed.” He then said that as governor he he would “create an environment” economically every Virginian has opportunity.

In contrast, McAuliffe reaffirmed his support for marriage equality, promised to sign an executive order banning discrimination in employment, and said while Virginia’s constitutional ban and Republican legislature make it unlikely, he would sign a marriage equality law if it came to his desk.

According to a recent Quinnipiac University survey, McAuliffe currently leads Cuccinelli 43% – 39%.

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Music video: “Everyone is Gay”

From the YouTube description:

We are so proud and excited to release the new music video for our song “Everyone Is Gay.”

A while ago, our friends Kristin and Dannielle (who run a website called EveryoneIsGay.com that offers advice to LGBTQ youth) challenged us to write the “gayest song ever” for a compilation. And this song was the result!

We believe in their mission and stand by all those who live in fear of being their authentic selves. NO ONE deserves to be bullied or treated unfairly based on sexual preference. Diversity should be celebrated!

(h/t JMG)

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California: Supreme Court says “no” to request to block same-sex marriages

In a one-line order, the Supreme Court, without comment, denied a request to immediately block county clerks from issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. The court will now consider ProtectMarriage.com’s broader legal argument that Proposition 8 should remain in force in California, considered a longshot by most legal experts.

Proposition 8 backers last week asked the state Supreme Court to intervene, arguing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June did not end the legal battle over California’s 2008 voter-approved gay marriage ban.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court found the ballot measure’s sponsors did not have a legal right to defend the law in place of the governor and attorney general, both of whom consider it unconstitutional. As a result, the case reverted to a federal judge’s 2010 ruling striking down Proposition 8 because it violated the equal protection rights of same-sex couples.

(via Mercury News)