Why?  Well perhaps in this interview between an AfterElton correspondent and a Disney Executive will help clear it up…or not?

According to the interview:

AfterElton.com: You and I first spoke three years ago about whether the Disney Channel might ever include a gay character on one of your shows. I’m wondering if things might have changed since then. You currently have a show called Shake It Up! and a fourteen-year-old fan of the show brought it to our attention saying that he interpreted the character of Gunther as gay, even though he didn’t think the show would ever say the character was gay. So I’m wondering, given Disney’s history of being racially diverse and so influential in the lives of young kids, is Disney ever going to be including gay characters in age appropriate ways?
GM: What I said before really remains true. We leave it up to our audience to interpret who these characters are and how they relate to them. It’s great that this child has interpreted Gunther this way and that it speaks to him in a way that makes sense for his life. And that’s what we’re trying to do — create a diverse cross section of characters on television that kids can have different access points and entry points to connect with.

Read more at: AfterElton.com!

On a NY Times Blog post:

Gay teens in the United States are far more likely to be harshly punished by schools and courts than their straight peers, according to a new study published in the medical journal Pediatrics.The findings, based on a national sample of more than 15,000 middle and high school students, come at a time of heightened attention to the plight of gay teens.

More here!

Cindy McCain says that religious leaders and our own government treats LGBT people like second-class citizens so why shouldn’t others…she’s got a GREAT point!

But who’s giving license to the bullies? Who’s teaching them that it’s okay to hurt gay kids?

Bullies learn from society, but no one gives more license to cause harm than anti-gay religious leaders.

Watch this video (below) to learn more.

Then sign our petition below to call upon anti-gay religious leaders who for too long have preached religion-based bigotry that has caused so much harm to our kids.

End the harm. Sign our petition now.

Please follow the link to to the original source: FaithinAmerica.org!

But some good news, according to a new poll by the Public Religion Research Institute, a large majority of Americans think religious institutions are doing a pretty poor job of dealing with LGBT issues.

According to the PRRI website:

Regardless of their own religious views on the issue, few Americans believe that places of worship are doing a good job handling the issue of homosexuality. The PRRI/RNS Religion News Poll, conducted by Public Religion Research Institute in partnership with Religion News Service, found that more than 4-in-10 Americans gave religious organizations a “D” (18%) or an “F” (24%). The number of Americans giving places of worship low marks is more than twice as many as give them high marks; Only 5% of Americans give them an “A,” and only 11% give them a “B.”

Read more by clicking here and  you can see the survey by clicking here!



According to a post on My Latino Voice:

Bullying is as American as baseball. It’s written into law and its part of the American psyche to treat those differently with contempt.

Read more here!

Below are a couple of really great videos…both with the same message…please, PLEASE reach out if you’re hurting.  People do love you!

According to myfoxphilly.com:

The Equality Forum wants murder by manslaughter charges filed in the death of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi.

Malcolm Lazin is the Founder and Executive Director, of Equality Forum, a national and international GLBT civil rights organization.

He says the circumstances of Clementi’s suicide warrant the charges.

Find out why at: myphilly.com!

According to the letter:

OK everybody, here is the deal. I cannot imagine what it’s like growing up in a close minded environment and being gay, bi or transgender. I don’t think any of us who aren’t can possibly imagine. The strength and character it must take to stay true to yourself in such an unforgiving microcosm are qualities that a major portion of the world lacks. Sad, but true. It’s just how it is at the moment.

However, it’s that very strength and character that gives the world hope for a new way of thinking and acceptance in the future and when one of our children gives in and gives up, it is not only a tragedy but a victory for those who fear diversity. DO NOT LET THEM WIN!

Read more at: The Wild Reed – Thoughts and reflections from a progressive, gay, Catholic perspective!