Some news items you might have missed:
• I’ve been meaning to feature the oh-so-handsome blond man above for some time, but I don’t know who he is. A reader sent his pic and I was quite smitten by the good looks. Anyone know who he is? #woof #BeardCameNice
• Folks have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a bronze plaque honoring Matthew Shepard at the Washington National Cathedral. The crypt where he lies isn’t open to the public, so folks would like to design and install a plaque in the chapel.
• This Chinese author was sentenced to 10 years in prison for including gay sex scenes in her latest novel.
• Woofy Prince Harry carries on the legacy of his mother, Princess Diana, by raising awareness for HIV. Check out the new PSA as he flips the script on HIV testing saying it’s something to be proud, not embarrassed, about.
• The Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, says religious schools in Australia should be accepting of gay teachers IF they keep their relationships hidden. He also thinks its better if they and their partners live far away from the school in which they teach.
• A gay councilman in Texas was removed from office after a homophobic political foe leaked his Grindr pics to the public.
• A new study by psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania found that too much Facebook can contribute to depression and loneliness. The study found those who cut back on their social media consumption found their moods improved.
• UK rugby legend Gareth Thomas was the victim of a hate crime by a 16-year-old in his hometown of Cardiff.
“Last night I was a victim in my home city of a hate crime for my sexuality,” Thomas told his Twitter followers. “I want to say thank you to the police, who were involved and allowed me to do restorative justice to the people that did this because I thought they could learn more that way.”
Restorative justice is a system that “that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large.”
It comes as no surprise that a champion of Thomas’ caliber would opt for the teaching experience of restorative justice. The approach is also helpful to those who are assaulted to see their assailant be held accountable.
Watch Thomas’ video below.
