Best Gay Blogs » Equal Rights

Coming OUT in Sports

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:38:17 +0000

But this isn’t the type of coming out you may think it is as Isiah Thomas, former Detroit Piston and now adviser for the New York Nicks and head coach for FIU Basketball, is straight.

But that hasn’t kept him and his son Joshua from giving it to us straight about equality and that’s why they both have appeared in Adam Bouska’s NOH8 campaign.

According to a post on ESPN’s College Basketball Nation Blog:

“We are Isiah and Joshua Thomas. We posed for the NOH8 Campaign because we believe that all hate and discrimination is wrong. It is time for full equality and equal rights for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, or gender.”

Read more here!

Cynthia Nixon Is Fighting Back

James — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:00:45 +0000

“I’m supporting Fight Back New York so we can finally show these anti-equality senators that there are consequences to their actions. That they can lose their seats for voting against our rights. Fight Back New York is smart, strategic political action committee with the sole purpose of defeating senators who voted ‘no’ on equality.” – Cynthia Nixon

Are you ready to help Cynthia Nixon Fight Back? Click here for more information!

Just One Line….

Jason Shaw — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:33:57 +0000

Wednesday night US President Barack Obama gave the 221st State Of The Union speech live to America, it was also carried by rolling news channels all over Europe and beyond.

Being at least 5 hours ahead of US Eastern time, it was the middle of the night for us British folk, but, it was worth staying up for.

Obama has always been a great orator, a true man of words, and last night was no exception. His address was exciting, information, reassuring, it was also inspiring, moving and appeared beyond much doubt, heartfelt.

As an outsider, looking in on the world of American politics, I feel nothing but admiration for Obama and his regime. He’s already gone further in one year than most politicians do in four, and without doubt, raised if not the world’s, then certainly Europe’s opinion of America. Which, can honestly only be a good thing. His address touched on many subjects, however, it’s just one line that springs to mind, that could, would, and hopefully will change the lives of many people, desperate to show the country they love what they can do. That line was “This year I will work with congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are”

It’s just one line, but it’s been a long time coming, 17 years in fact, yep, if my memory is right it’s been 17 years since Bill Clinton, another democrat, first promised to lift the ban on gays serving in the military. Of course, that didn’t happen, congress saw to that and the rather silly compromise of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was introduced. Which as an outsider, seem pretty odd, discriminative and absurd. To me it basically said, it’s OK to be gay and in the military as long as you don’t tell anyone, don’t have feelings for anyone, don’t fall in love with anyone, don’t have a personal life, don’t even breathe in a pink way, but do lie, do be dishonest, do live with the constant danger of being outed, of saying or doing the wrong thing.

In the UK, openly gay men and women have been allowed to serve in the armed forces since the start of the decade and since 2008 have been allowed to attend gay pride events and marches in uniform. Indeed, there are even army, navy and air force recruiters at some pride events up and down the country! There are at least 30 other countries that don’t have any bans on gays serving in the forces, including Spain, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Whilst the list for those countries that don’t allow gays in the military is much smaller, at last count, 17 I think, including the USA!

In 2008, 100 retired generals and admirals urged the US congress to over turn Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, it’s estimated there are some 65,000 gays already serving in the forces and also 600 people each year are discharged for coming out and revealing their sexuality. So, yes, it may only be one line in his first State Of The Union speech, but it’s going to have far reaching implications for a great many people, a change for the better is coming! It’s been a long time coming!

Jason Shaw, Brighton, England.

Elliott, he’s a fan! “Jason Shaw – writes my socks off!”

Stay Informed on Prop 8

James — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:00:27 +0000

If you’re like a majority of the LGBT community, you’ve been anxiously awaiting the trail of Prop 8 where those who oppose the California ban on same-sex marriage are attempting to overturn the voter approved measure.

The trial was to be aired (delayed) on YouTube, but due to an “emergency appeal” from those defending Prop8, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not permit taping.

So, for the latest in what’s happening, make sure you check in at American Foundation for Equal Rights, where they are providing up to the minute feed coverage of the trial. Stay informed!

DOMA DOA in 2010?

James — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:00:02 +0000

Obama is not alone; openly gay Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank has come out as not in support of another bill in Congress called The Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA and protect marriage. All marriages, that is–by granting federal-level recognition to families, gay or straight, who had been married in any jurisdiction. “It’s not anything that’s achievable in the near term,” Frank told the media, saying that a host of other, more easily achievable objectives ought to take precedence.

More at: Edge Boston!

Obama Disses DOMA

James — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:12:05 +0000

President Barack Obama insisted Monday he still wants to scrap what he calls a discriminatory federal marriage law, even as his administration angered gay rights activists by defending the it in court.

The president said his administration’s stance in a California court case is not about defending traditional marriage, but is instead about defending traditional legal practice.

Justice Department lawyers filed new papers Monday seeking to throw out a lawsuit brought by a gay couple challenging the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA. Gay rights groups say that by doing so, the administration is failing to follow through on campaign promises made by Obama last year to work to repeal the law.

Read more at: KMBC.com

ABA Calls For Equal Benefits

James — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:00:44 +0000

The American Bar Association says it’s time to make sure same-sex couples are eligible for the same federal benefits as couples in heterosexual marriages.

Meeting in Chicago on Monday, the ABA House of Delegates approved on a voice vote a resolution urging repeal of a portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman.

Proponents say that if Congress eliminated that language it would clear the way for same-sex spouses to get equal treatment in terms of Social Security and other federal benefits.

Read more at: CBS2Chicago

Summer of Stonewall

James — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:39:59 +0000

This summer, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, IN THE LIFE is proud to present Summer of Stonewall – a three-part series commemorating that 1969 seminal event marking the beginning of the modern gay movement. Kicking off with this special hour-long show, “40th Anniversary of Stonewall,” the series features stories and firsthand accounts from the activists who have worked in the movement over the last 40 years, and with the young ones inspired by our current political climate; we’ll explore the pivotal moments shaping the history of LGBT civil rights and the many contributions along the way that the gay people have made to American life.

The State of the Movement — A Look at its Past, Present, Future
How do we measure our progress? IN THE LIFE speaks to activists young and old to explore where we have come from and how far we have left to go.

Youth Now — The Cost of “Coming Out” Young
Not many can say for certain who ignited the spark that led to the Stonewall Riots, but what is certain is that many of the instigators were young, some transgender, and a few homeless: youth, with nothing to lose and everything to fight for. 40 years later, there’s been tremendous growth in the number and diversity of LGBT youth services available in this country. Yet, as providers will tell you — at a time when the average age of “coming out” has dropped from early twenties to early teens — these are the best and the worst of times for our young people.

The Written Word — Queer Communication: From Flyers to HTML
Before the 1950s, men and women who identified themselves as gay or lesbian had little print media of their own. Comparing how we once communicated to how we connect today, it is clear that the Internet has radically altered our ability to reach each other and to publish our testimonies and opinions.

A Conversation With… activist, writer Larry Kramer (co-founder of ACT-UP, GMHC) and performer, DJ, and pop-icon Lady Bunny
These longtime partners-in-activism discuss the advancements and setbacks of the LGBT movement, and share their fears and hopes for the future of LGBT activism. Revealing some little-known details about sexual preferences of past U.S. presidents, they also discuss why gay history needs to be taught in schools.

The Gay Betsy Ross — The Rainbow Flag, Its history, and how it inspired the movement to adopt a new symbol
Gilbert Baker is the man behind the most visible and recognizable symbol of gay pride: the rainbow flag. An unsung hero and historian of the LGBT movement, Baker was asked by Harvey Milk in 1978 to create an emblem for the community. Replacing the pink triangle, the LGBT community adopted the rainbow flag — a symbol of its diversity and unity in the pursuit of equality for all.
“40th Anniversary of Stonewall” begins airing June 1st, and will be available for free video streaming and downloadable podcasts from the IN THE LIFE website starting June 2nd. To find out when it will be airing in your local area, or to stream or download it, go to www.inthelifetv.org.

March on Washington Not Likely

James — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:34:54 +0000

The planned National LGBT March on Washington scheduled to take place on the weekend of October 10-12 most likely will not be possible. This is because the National Mall, the area where the march would have had to happen, is already booked for 3 different events which are expected to bring in over 135,000 people. The national parks service said the area would not be available at that date. Organizations generally need a years advance notice to book the Mall. So it appears the March organizers will not be able to get a permit.

The Gay Marriage Tide Swells

James — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:25:13 +0000

“We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective,” the Iowa justices ruled. “The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification.”

The tide is building. It will reach different places at different times, but it is happening far more quickly than even many advocates of gay marriage would have hoped. And 20 years from now, more than a few politicians will have a hard time explaining why they once tried to prevent such an obvious step toward justice.

Read more at Jay Bookman!