Showing posts with label gay rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gay rights. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Interesting Quote: John Rocker


On gay rights:
“Am I someone that thinks that I have the right to sit back and judge someone that I don’t know, will never meet, on how they should live their life or what rights they can have to live their life the way they want to? I don’t think I deserve that responsibility.”
Times have changed, remember when he said this?

However, don't get it twisted, he's still a mess... hot, but still a mess.

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

A Documentary film about Gay Rights Activist David Kato


This is the one year anniversary of the human rights activist David Kato's death. David was a fierce fighter for gay rights in Uganda and worked tirelessly to bring about change to the people.

Since then, Katherine Fairfaz and Malika Zouhali-Worrall created a documentary focusing on David's life and work. It is called, "Call Me Kuchu".

Here's more from the creators:
The more time we spent documenting his work, the more evident it became that, contrary to the M.P.’s claim, David and his fellow activists were, in fact, generating real debate in Uganda. Kampala’s kuchus had begun to dismantle the country’s discriminatory status quo, and were working tirelessly to change their fate and that of others across Africa. 

Today, as we revisit our memories of David, we remember his fortitude and remarkable legal achievements, boldly guided by his vision of establishing a Ugandan gay village. But perhaps most of all we recall these words, spoken with more logic than defiance: “If we keep on hiding, they will say we are not here.”
Here is the trailer

Call Me Kuchu - Trailer from Call Me Kuchu on Vimeo.

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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Rundown: Gay Rights in the States


In Montana, attempt to overturn a Missoula city ordinance that protects gay folks from discrimination failed.
The Senate Local Government Committee passed House Bill 516 last week. But the bill was returned to the committee Tuesday and chairman Sen. Jon Sonju says it is doubtful the measure will go to the Senate floor.

Sonju says he moved the measure back to committee because it doesn't have the support of Senate leaders.

The proposal, carried by Republican Rep. Kristin Hansen, drew lengthy testimony during its hearings in the House and Senate.

Supporters said the bill would overturn an unconstitutional ordinance that infringes on the state's authority.

Opponents said the measure is targeted against the gay community and interferes with local governments' ability to govern.

 In Colorado, the civil unions bill passes in Senate

Three Republicans joined all Democrats in supporting the measure Thursday following a second round of emotional debate.

More Republicans went to the podium to speak about the bill than they did Wednesday when only one party member voiced opposition. They emphasized their concerns that civil unions would undermine marriage and go against the wishes of voters. Voters rejected a domestic partnership referendum in 2006 and also banned gay marriage the same year.

Senate Bill 172 would grant same-sex couples several rights similar to married couples, including the ability to be involved in their partner's medical decisions and it would enhance inheritance rights.
The bill now heads to the House.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Obama Administration demands the United Nation's Support for Gay Rights


The Obama administration is stepping to the plate by issuing a statement tasking for the UN's support to stop discrimination against gays and lesbians around the world. This is a big step, y'all.
The U.S. declaration was made Tuesday, March 22 at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and had the support of more than 80 countries. Although it is not in the form of binding resolution, the American push for U.N. action has helped win over a handful of new countries to the cause. A resolution could be brought to a vote later this year.


The issue of gay rights has polarized nations at the U.N. for years. And despite growing acceptance for LGBT lifestyles in Western nations and parts of Latin America, lawyers say there is still a gap in human rights treaties for the protection of gays against discrimination and mistreatment.


"We are very concerned that individuals continue to be killed, arrested, and harassed around the world because of their sexual orientation or gender identity," said Suzanne Nossel, deputy assistant secretary of state for international organizations. "This statement sends a strong message from across the globe that such abuses should not be tolerated."


The U.S. document calls for nations to end any criminal punishments against lesbians, gays, and bisexuals, and asks the global body to review how governments treat them in the U.N.’s human rights assessments. It acknowledges that "these are sensitive issues for many," but insists that people must be freed from discrimination because of their sexual orientation.
Feeling it.

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Monday, January 17, 2011

Interesting Quote: Coretta Scott King


"Like Martin, I don't believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others."
That's what Coretta told black church leaders unwilling to support gay rights.


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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Mormons Softens Language On Gays Folks


This is interesting, it seems that Mormons (the ones who led a war on Gays and Gay Marriage) has loosen up their hateration on us:

The book, known as the Church Handbook of Instructions, lays out Mormon policies on everything from baptism to running a worship service to counseling troubled marriages.

The updated reference book, scheduled to be presented to thousands of Mormon leaders in a giant televised training session Saturday (Nov. 13), will set the tone for church interactions for years to come.

The new handbook makes a clear distinction between same-sex orientation and behavior. It eliminates the suggestion, mentioned in a 2006 edition, that same-sex relationships "distort loving relationships" and that gays should repent of their "homosexual thoughts or feelings."

It also says that celibate gay Mormons who are "worthy and qualified in every other way" should be allowed to have "callings," or church assignments, and to participate fully in temple rituals.

The handbook simply repeats what top LDS leaders have been trying to say, but in more explicit terms that many members will understand, said David Pruden, president of Evergreen International, a support group that helps gay Mormons live by church standards.

Well, that good and all, but I still don't trust them.


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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Judge Virginia A. Phillips ain't hearin' it, DOJ


Judge Virginia A. Phillips denied the DOJ’s request for a stay of the injunction against DADT.

The Advocate reports:
Phillips, who ruled DADT unconstitutional in September, wasted no time in rejecting the government's position that ending the policy immediately would be an undue burden on the military, calling the arguments "vague" and "insufficient."


Assistant U.S attorney Paul Freeborne asked the court for a five-day administrative stay so the government can pursue an appeal of Phillips's injunction with the U.S. court of appeals for the ninth circuit. He argued that a "precipitous implementation" of an injunction against the 17-year-old policy will have a significant negative impact on military readiness. 

She will dish the final ruling today.