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Religion | Politics

HRC's report on John McCain

Human Rights Campaign's report on John McCain

Human Rights Campaign has released a comprehensive report on Senator John McCain's record on GLBT Issues. The report contradicts McCain as independent, moderate and suggests similar track on GLBT issues as current presidency. HRC endorses Senator Barack Obama in his bid to become president of the United States. Watch HRC's video on McCain opposing the interests of the Gay Community.

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HRC | Homophobia | Gay Marriage | Religion | Politics

A Pink Brick for Bill O'Reilly

Bill O'Reilly received the 2008 Pink Brick award for his consistent efforts to mislead his viewers and listeners about issues regarding the LGBT community and reinforcing ignorance about and hatred of this community. The Pink Brick, a faux "award" that represents the first brick hurled at the Stonewall Rebellion on June 27, 1969, was this year delivered to the recipient by Mikayla Connell, President of San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee. Watch the video...

And watch examples of O'Reilly expressing his ignorance on gay teens (left video) and gay marriage (right video)...

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Homophobia | TV

Society | Politics

2008, Year to win Equality for All

The Human Rights Campaign, the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) lobbying group and political action committee in the United States, reminds that it is crucial to support candidates who support LGBT equality: "2008 is the rarest of opportunities - an election year in which we could finally win fair-minded majorities in state legislatures and both houses of Congress, and elect a President who supports equality. Help make 2008 the Year to Win by pledging to vote for fair-minded candidates up and down the ticket and asking your friends and family to do the same. Because it is time to end the reign of bigotry and discrimination in our government... Because LGBT Americans deserve equality in the workplace, the health care system, the religious community, and the laws that shape our family lives... Because hate is not an acceptable response to diversity... Pledge to vote for candidates who will say YES to fairness and equality for all Americans." Learn more on Equality For All in the 2008 elections here.

Source Human Rights Campaign

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HRC | Homophobia | Gay Marriage | Society | Politics

Religion | Politics

Californians to vote on Gay Marriage ban

An initiative that would again outlaw gay marriage in California has qualified for the November ballot, Debra Bowen, the Secretary of State announced Monday. She added that a random check of signatures submitted by the measure's sponsors showed that they had gathered enough names for it to be put to voters. The measure would amend the state constitution to "provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." If approved by a majority of voters on Nov. 4, the amendment would overturn the recent California Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the state. Gay men and lesbians would still be able to get married between then and the election, even with the initiative pending, unless the court agrees to stay its decision until after Nov. 4, as the amendment's sponsors have requested. Watch an Associated Press video...

Source ABC News

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Homophobia | Gay Marriage | Religion | Politics

Religion | Politics

Gambia arrests Spaniards for gay proposals

Gambia arrests 2 Spaniards for Gay proposals

The International Herald Tribune reports that authorities in Gambia have arrested two Spanish men for allegedly making "homosexual proposals" to taxi drivers, police said Monday. The arrests come less than three weeks after Gambia's president ordered homosexuals to leave the West African country and threatened in a nationally televised speech to "cut off the head" of anyone discovered to be gay (see previous post). The Spanish nationals were taken into custody Friday after the taxi drivers reported being solicited by them, police spokesman Sulayman Secka said. He declined to give further details on the incident or say when the men might be released. In his speech last month, President Yahya Jammeh also threatened to close down hotels that rent rooms to gays. "We are in a Muslim-dominated country and I will not and shall never accept such individuals in this country," he said.

Source The International Herald Tribune

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Homophobia | Religion | Politics

Travel | Music | Events | Entertainment

True Colors Tour 2008 is back

The True Colors Tour is back for more this summer with an exciting new lineup of legendary and up-and-coming artists. Produced in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, the 26-city North American tour is presented by Logo in support of the newly created True Colors Fund of the Stonewall Community Foundation. The tour kicks off Gay & Lesbian Pride Month today at Boston's Bank of America Pavilion. The True Colors Tour was conceived by Cyndi Lauper, stemming from her desire to give back to the community for the love and support they have given her throughout her career. True Colors Tour, May 31 - July 5. See 2008 Tour Schedule here...

Source True Colors & Logo

Events | Politics

A Memorial for Gay Victims in Berlin

A monument was unveiled in Berlin in memory of the thousands of homosexuals persecuted, tortured and murdered by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945. It is estimated that the Nazis sent between 5,000 and 15,000 gays to concentration camps. The memorial is designed by the Berlin-based Norwegian-Danish artist duo Ingar Dragset and Michael Elmgreen with footage of two men kissing, directed by the Danish Thomas Vinterberg. "If today, in 2008, 63 years after the end of the National Socialist era, we unveil a monument in the middle of the capital to homosexuals killed ... it is not only in memory of the horrors of the past... It is also first and foremost an expression of our conviction that in our country there is no place for the discrimination of homosexuals, of people who think and live differently," Culture Minister Bernd Neumann said. Openly gay Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit, used the occasion to plead for broader rights for gays and lesbians in Germany: "Even today, discrimination is an everyday occurrence. We still do not have legal equality." Watch an AP's video...

Source The Age & Bloomberg

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Events | Politics | Homophobia

Politics | Events

Harvey Milk back at San Francisco City Hall

Almost 30 years after his assassination by a fellow city lawmaker, Harvey Milk returned to San Francisco City Hall. A bronze bust of the first openly gay politician to win an elected office of any prominence was unveiled Thursday evening on what would have been Milk's 78th birthday. Milk, long considered a martyred hero of the gay rights movement, is the first non-mayor to have his likeness permanently installed in the civic building. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 and shot to death a year later along with Mayor George Moscone by Dan White, a former police officer who had just resigned his supervisor's seat. The bust, sculpted by the Berkeley-based Daub, Firmin, Hendrickson Sculpture Group and based on a photograph taken by a friend, shows Milk with a wide grin and his tie fluttering in the breeze. It sits atop a solid granite base inscribed with a prophetic statement he recorded before his death. "I ask for the movement to continue because my election gave young people out there hope. You gotta give 'em hope," it reads. A biographical film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Penn as the slain supervisor, Emile Hirsch, James Franco and Josh Brolin is scheduled to be released later this year. In the meantime, California lawmakers have been asked to establish a state holiday in Milk's honor. (See previous posts)

Source Mercury News

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Homophobia | Harvey Milk | Gus Van Sant | Politics | Events

TV | Music | Events

Eurovision Song Contest in Serbia Tonight

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the longest running television shows in the world. It was on the 24th of May, 1956, that Europe saw the first ever Eurovision Song Contest. Tonight, Belgrade, the Serbian capital is hosting the 2008 edition. The International Herald Tribune reports that Eurovision, which enjoys a large gay following, has brought into the open the troubles of Serbia's beleaguered homosexual community. One nationalist group, Obraz (Honor), has threatened to attack any gays displaying their sexuality in public during Eurovision. Boris Milicevic, from Gay-Straight Alliance says most Serbs still believe homosexuality is illness. "Serbian people think that homosexuals should not have places where they could gather and socialize," Milicevic said. "Such a level of homophobia in Serbia is among the highest in Europe." That became clear in 2001 when Serbia's gays and lesbians tried to hold the country's first Gay Pride event but ended up being beaten by extremists as the police looked on. So far, the Eurovision events have passed without major incidents. More on the Eurovision Song Contest here...

Source The International Herald Tribune

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Homophobia | TV | Music | Events

Religion | Politics

Gambia President threats to kill Gays

Gambia President Yahya Jammeh threats to kill Gays

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has threatened to behead gays unless they leave the country, according to reports. "The Gambia is a country of believers ... sinful and immoral practices (such) as homosexuality will not be tolerated in this country," the president told a crowd at a political rally on May 15, local journalists said today. He went on to say he would "cut off the head" of any gay person caught in The Gambia. The anti-gay campaign continued in the Gambian pro-government media this week with the Daily Observer publishing a virulent editorial. "We have said it before and we will say it again. This is a Muslim and Christian country. Both the Koran and the holy Bible condemn homosexuality - pure and simple," the paper wrote on Monday. British gay rights group OutRage today said the Gambian leader's comments came as no surprise. "Jammeh has a long history of homophobia," spokesman Peter Tatchell said. "If he tries to carry out these threats, international aid donors are likely to withdraw their support, and foreign tourists will stay away in droves, thereby damaging the Gambian economy," he added.

Source News.com.au

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Homophobia | Religion | Politics