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News – International

Richard — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:28:11 +0000

US reverses position on UN support for LGBT issues, GayPolitics.com.

The United States has reversed its position on a formal stance by the United Nations to universally decriminalize homosexuality.

Last December, the UN General Assembly held a symbolic vote on a thirteen-point resolution “to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention.” At the time, Bush officials did not support the resolution, citing legal technicalities.

However, at the the “Durban Review Conference” currently underway in Geneva, the new Obama administration has come out in support of a policy against “all forms of discrimination and all other human rights violations based on sexual orientation.”

News – Georgia

Richard — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:46:56 +0000

An update on the recent condemnation by a Georgia lawmaker on “Queer Theory” classes in the Georgia State University system.

Inside ‘queer theory’, Southern Voice, Matt Schafer.

GSU professors defend sexuality research, Southern Voice, Matt Schafer.

Excerpts from the above headlines follow:

Inside ‘queer theory’

Lawmakers questioning the validity of Georgia college professors who are experts in “queer theory” are misguided in their attempts to inflame controversy, according to other professors in the field who stress their research is less provocative than opponents suggest.

…

Dr. Lynne Huffer is the chair of Women’s Studies at Emory University, which is private, and has taught queer theory courses at Yale and Rice universities. She said queer theory taught in classrooms is likely much different than the perceptions of legislators.

“All they would need to do is come to one class to see how absurd their claims were,” Huffer said. “It would be nice to see some of these legislators learn to do what I try to teach my students, and that is to think critically.”

Queer theory looks at how sexuality and gender are expressed in literature and culture, in a similar fashion to feminist theory.

GSU professors defend sexuality research

Three professors from Georgia State University appeared today before the Senate Committee of Higher Education to defend their jobs.

On Feb. 6, state Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) called out GSU for having experts in oral sex and male prostitution. Dr. Kirk Elifson, Dr. Mindy Stombler and Dr. Donald Reitzes, the chair of GSU’s sociology department, appeared before the Senate committee on Feb. 18 to defend their research.

…

Sen. Seth Harp (R-Hull), the committee chair, acknowledged his hearing was a reaction to Byrd’s comments, but said it was a meaningful use of his committee’s time.

“I think hearing what these other folks have said, and realizing that there is legitimate research being done, is very helpful,” Harp said.

News – Gay Sexual Health

Richard — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:34:24 +0000

Mounting HIV/AIDS rates among gay men in Asia, 365gay.com.

I posted on this topic already, referencing an article entitled “Gay men fuelling HIV/AIDS spread in Asia, says [World Health Organization].” Note the very different headlines; one is responsible and factual, the other inflammatory and presents a distorted view. This is part of the power that media has to shape conversation when it comes to issues relevant to the gay community.

The AIDS virus is spreading rapidly among gay and bisexual men in Asia as younger people shun condoms and authorities fail to increase awareness of the disease, health officials said Friday.

The epidemic will worsen dramatically in coming years unless there is better education and stronger political will to combat the disease, warned Massimo Ghidinelli, the World Health Organization’s regional adviser on HIV/AIDS.

News – Utah

Richard — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 12:29:34 +0000

Comments about gays cost Sen. Buttars his chairmanship, KSL.com.

Utah State Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, has been removed from a Senate committee because of anti-gay comments he made that became public this week. Senate President Michael Waddoups says he decided to take the action because of public pressure, but at the same time he affirmed Buttars’ free speech rights.

Buttars isn’t backing down, even as Senate GOP leaders announced his punishment. In a statement posted online, Buttars says he disagrees with the censure, but he’s a “grown man who can take his knocks.” Senate President Michael Waddoups took him off of the senate judiciary committee.

Even in the face of what amounts to a demotion, Sen. Buttars is not apologizing and his supporters don’t think he has anything to apologize for. At the same time, his critics are angry. They want more severe action against Buttars, even for him to quit the Senate.

Via Towleroad.

News – North Dakota

Richard — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:56:14 +0000

LGBT protections added to ND human rights law in state senate, 365gay.com.

It’s interesting to read the language the bill’s Democrat sponsor uses when referring to the bill. “This bill will not provide North Dakota citizens special rights because of their sexual orientation.” However you have to package it to sell it, I guess, but still, the language at least subtly endorses the view that equal rights are somehow special rights when applied to sexual minorities. Great news overall, though.

In a bipartisan move the North Dakota Senate has voted to amend the state Human Rights Act to include gays, lesbians and transgenderds.

The measure now moves to the House.

The Senate voted 27 to 19 with 16 Democrats and 11 Republicans supporting the bill. Supporters say the strong bipartisan support will help the legislation in the House.

The law would protect the LGBT community from discrimination in employment, housing and credit. It does, however, have a specific exemption for religious organizations.

Celebrity News – An Oscar Statement About Marriage Equality

Richard — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:50:25 +0000

Anne Hathaway

From Variety:

When stars parade down the red carpet at Sunday’s Oscars, it’s anticipated that at least a few of them will be wearing white ribbons.

While recent displays of such a fashion accessory stir very little controversy — red ribbons to mark the AIDS crisis, pink to symbolize breat cancer research — the white ribbons will symbolize support of same-sex marriage, one of the most polarizing issues in the ongoing culture wars.

According to Frank Voci, who spearheaded the WhiteKnot.org campaign, Anne Hathaway has said she will wear a ribbon, along with some members of the team behind “Milk.” (Sean Penn has a ribbon, but Voci said he’s been told that the star often doesn’t decide until the last minute). All of the major nominees have been sent the ribbons, along with “publicists and agents and studios and production companies, all with an extremely warm reception,” Voci said.

Via Daily Queer News.

Op-Ed: Calling the Christianist Bluff [in Utah]

Richard — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:46:21 +0000

From Andrew Sullivan at The Daily Dish:

Well, it served a purpose of a sort in Utah. The Republican leadership long insisted they were not anti-gay, that they were eager to find some legal protections for gay couples unable to marry, and were solely concerned with the “redefinition” of the word “marriage”. And every single bill to add some semblance of protection for gay couples and people was killed.
…
It’s not about protecting marriage; it’s about treating gay citizens and their relationships with contempt. At least Equality Utah has now proven that. And that is indeed a useful and clarifying thing.

News – Indiana

Richard — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:45:54 +0000

Via Joe. My. God.

Indiana’s Senate Republican Caucus voted this week not to consider a resolution that would have proposed amending the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. This vote means the amendment is unlikely to advance during this legislative session. The resolution would require approval by the Senate and House in two consecutive legislative sessions, and, if approved, would then go before the voters.

News – Georgia

Richard — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:45:16 +0000

Georgia court tells gay dad he cannot “expose” kids to homosexuals, Pink News.

A gay man in the US state of Georgia is disputing a child custody agreement restriction which prohibits him from “exposing his children to his homosexual partners and friends.”

Lambda Legal, a gay rights advocacy group, yesterday filed an amicus brief in support of Eric Mongerson at the Georgia Supreme Court.

The brief argues that restrictions on custody arrangements should not be determined based on sexual orientation and that no evidence exists that contact with gay acquaintances of their father is harmful.

Via Joe. My. God.

News – International

Richard — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:39:58 +0000

Israeli Parliament to consider gay marriage, 365gay.com.

Westboro church leader Fred Phelps, daughter banned from entering UK, The Advocate.

Canadian author [Margaret Atwood] protests Dubai fest, won’t attend, The Associated Press, Barbara Surk.

Excerpts from the above headlines follow:

Israeli Parliament to consider gay marriage

Openly gay politician Nitzan Horovitz isn’t wasting any time. The newly elected Member of the Knesset is preparing to introduce legislation that would allow any two people to marry or have a civil union.
Currently only a rabbi can perform a marriage in Israel. A bill already before the Knesset would allow civil marriage, but only for opposite-sex couples.

Horovitz said his measure would allow opposite-sex and same-sex couples to marry.

Gays and lesbians in Israel have been steadily gaining civil rights since the government overturned the law against sodomy in 1988.
…

It’s doubtful the Horovitz bill will get far in the Knessett. This month’s election saw large gains by conservatives, including the small but powerful religious parties.

Westboro church leader Fred Phelps, daughter banned from entering UK

As they’ve done many times before, Westboro Baptist Church leader Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper had planned to picket an upcoming production of the Matthew Shepard play The Laramie Project — but the United Kingdom will have none of their “extremist” hate.

According to The Telegraph, both Phelps and his daughter have been banned from entering the country because their church has called for violence against the gay community.

Canadian author [Margaret Atwood] protests Dubai fest, won’t attend

Canadian author Margaret Atwood has pulled out of an international Dubai literary festival after organizers banned a forthcoming novel by a British author because it contains references to homosexuality.

In a letter addressed to the festival’s director, Atwood said she could not attend Dubai’s inaugural International Festival of Literature next week because of the “regrettable turn of events surrounding” the book “The Gulf Between Us.”

Atwood was referring a novel by British author Geraldine Bedell who said the festival banned it because of references to homosexuality.