Combined Gay News Headlines (T5T-1)

3 Gays (& 1 Sexpot) from History Worth Celebrating

While we argue that tossing the "gay" label onto historical figure is problematic, this doesn't mean that the gay identity was a solely 20th Century invention, or that gay history starts with Stonewall. Meet some of the gay and lesbian forebearers who fought for your rights.Read the rest of 3 Gays (& 1 Sexpot) from [...]

Drag Race Recap: Enter the Oprah-Bots

We're covering Logo's only worthwhile show, RuPaul's Drag Race, in all it's queeny, catty glory. This week, it's all Oprah, which means wild weight swings, crazy people jumping and lots and lots of thoughtful, sympathetic nodding,which the girls will need after they butcher their attempts to channel the Big O.Read the rest of Drag Race [...]

Abraham Lincoln Was Gay? Think Again

"We cannot escape history." It's one of the more memorable lines of a man who, had he not saved the nation from tearing itself in two, would be best known as our nation's greatest orator. But when Abraham Lincoln warned his countrymen about history in his second inaugural address, he was looking forward rather than [...]

Girls Night Out at Samba!

Join the Fresno Lesbian Social Group

That’s right, there’s a new social club in town dedicated to bringing together women for social events and meet ups. The group has grown tremendously in just the past few weeks and they have a slew of fun and unique events lined up. They had a great showing just this last Tuesday at Girls Night Out at [...]

Meet in the Middle

I found this group today on Facebook. It seems like Robin McGehee is organizing it and whatever disappointments I had over the No on 8 campaign I developed a lot of respect for Robin over the course of the campaign and I think that this has the potential to have a large positive impact. [...]

NC: Rowan County Board votes to support votes anti-gay marriage resolution

Matt Comer of Q-Notes was on site at the Rowan County Board of Commissioners meeting last night. The board was to vote on a resolution urging our state's General Assembly to pass a marriage amendment, and 100 citizens turned out to see their election officials vote for instutitionlized bigotry. In my earlier post, it had not been determined whether the public would be able to comment, but they did, albeit too briefly (only 18 were allowed to speak before public comment was shut down).

In a standing-room-only board chambers, members of the board voted unanimously to approve a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a state constitutional amendment banning any relationship recognition for same-sex couples.

"There is only one other county that I'm aware of in this state that has endorsed discrimination," said Mona Borkowski before the meeting. "I live in a county I love. I've lived here 11 years. I don't want to see that happen here."

...Speakers were evenly split between those against the resolution and those for it.

"Putting the rights of a minority to the vote of the majority defies the very essence of our republic," EqualityNC board member and Salisbury resident Rod Goins said during the public comment period. "The Founding Fathers set up our constitutional democracy to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority."

A local pastor, Garland Faw of Truth Temple Bapitst Church, spoke during the public comment. He quoted Leviticus 20:13, conveniently forgetting that particular scriptural call to put homosexuals to death. Faw was followed by Ante Pavkovic, a member of the radical street preaching group Operation Save America.

What is truly appalling is that one of the commissioners, Tina Hall (a Democrat, btw), apparently does think civil rights should be up for public vote, uttered this ignorant statement: "The citizens of the state have a voice and a right to settle this issue. I support this and think that giving voters the chance to have a say is important."

Matt also shot video:

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BTW, Operation Save America's unhinged reps show up around the state and make asses out of themselves at NC Pride. Here's an example of why people like Flip Benham of OSA are not "leaders" for any county board should pay mind to:

This is why we have separation of church and state.  

Jamaican MP: concerned that 'violent gays' are allowed gun licenses

Well damn. Gays need to arm themselves in a country that has a government that condones violence against them. Seriously, Jamaica is a hellhole of homophobia, so when elected officials open their mouths, it's not a surprise when deranged anti-gay hysteria spills out.

The latest eruption is by South West St Ann MP Ernest Smith. Get a load of this:

"I am very concerned at the extent to which homosexual activities seem to have overtaken this country," said South West St Ann MP Ernest Smith.

"I am very concerned that homosexuals in Jamaica have become so brazen, they've formed themselves into organisations and are abusive, violent and something that the Ministry of National Security must look into is why is it that so many homosexuals are licensed firearm holders.

..."There was a report recently which has never been challenged that our security forces, particularly the Jamaican Constabulary Force, have been overrun by homosexuals ... there was a front page report in one of our daily newspapers, which has never been challenged."

Mr Smith also called for a tightening of the anti-buggery law.

What's so sad for our LGBT brothers and sisters on the island nation is that 70% of their fellow Jamaicans believe that that sexual minorities do not deserve civil equality. If found guilty of a homosexual act, you can spend up to 10 years in jail.

Think about that the next time a commercial asking you to "come to Jamaica." The violence Smith needs to worry about is coming from his own people.

UPDATE: Smith has also called for the outlawing of the Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG). This is disgusting. Removing the power of assembly of an already marginalized group is beyond horrifying. Where is our state department on this?

Smith told The Gleaner yesterday that the group's continued existence, which he argued was illegal, could lead to other persons forming similar illegal organisations, such as paedophiles and ganja smokers' associations.

"They should be outlawed! How can you legitimise an organisation that is formed for the purpose of committing criminal offences?" Smith declared.

J-FLAG was founded in December 1998 to provide a voice and community for sex minorities. Last week, Smith, a government backbencher, called on the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to instruct the police to investigate J-FLAG, with a view to having its members criminally charged.

Related:
* LGBT-affirming church in Jamaica faces violence
* A Bashing in Jamaica
* Buju Banton & the Bashing Connection

Portland Latino Gay Pride Planning Meeting (2/22)

Papers: The Movie (3/7)

Saturday night, March 7th 7:00 p.m. at the Hollywood Theater in Portland, OR Music and spoken-word performance by Molina Soleil PLUS a sneak-peek at new "Papers" clips Tickets are $10. All ages welcome.

Freedom to Marry Week!

All week, people across the country have been celebrating Freedom to Marry Week. There’s a ton of ways to get involved.  Start with a visit to Freedom to Marry’s website and you’ll find great ways to take action and make a difference. Next, add your voice to the online discussion at the Straight Talk on Marriage blog. Finish by celebrating [...]