Gay and Bi Men Are Happier Than Straight Dudes

in: http://www.advocate.com/health/mental-wellness/2013/01/30/gay-and-bi-men-are-happier-straight-dudes

A new study shows that out gay and bisexual men have less depression than their straight peers — at least in Canada.

Gay and bisexual men are happier than straight men — as long as they're out, according to a new University of Montreal study published in the current issue of Psychosomatic Medicine. According to USA Today, the study of 87 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual Canadians — some out, some still in the closet — found that queer folks who had come out to their family and friends "have less anxiety, depression, and burnout" than those who hadn't. Moreover, the study's lead author Robert-Paul Juster, said that, as a group, out gay and bi men "were less likely to be depressed than heterosexual men and had less physiological problems than heterosexual men."

"Our research suggests coming out of the closet has some health benefits," said Juster. "Coming out is no longer a matter of popular debate, but a matter of public health."

The study is a surprise since it comes on the heels of other studies that pointed to high levels of depression in LGBT folks, especially during the coming-out process. But, Juster said, "Something about coming out of the closet might make them more resilient — if you go through a major, stressful event like that you have to develop coping strategies that you might be able to use in the future. We also saw body mass index and inflammation were lower in gay and bisexual men, which fits with the idea that they're taking better care of their bodies than heterosexual men."

Juster said more studies are needed, especially those that focus on the mental health of gay and bisexual women and men who live in states that have approved marriage equality.

"I think in the United States we have a golden opportunity to look at states before and after gay marriage legalization and passage of other policies," Juster told Jason Koebler. "I'd like to do a similar study, using a lot of biological measures, to see if there's something about legalization [of same-sex marriage] that improves mental health."

http://www.advocate.com/health/mental-wellness/2013/01/30/gay-and-bi-men-are-happier-straight-dudes

Trans teen skates with hockey hero he named himself after

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/trans-teen-skates-hockey-hero-he-named-himself-after300113

An amateur hockey goaltender from Canada, who is an open trans advocate, met his hero on the ice rink

A 16-year-old trans teenager from Canada always dreamed of meeting Vancouver Canucks hockey star Cory Schneider, but it always felt like he would never get there.

But for Cory Oskham, his dreams became reality when he met the star and shared the ice with his hero.

On 21 January, the teen and advocate was preparing to give one of his speeches on homophobia and transphobia in schools at the Dare to Stand Out Vancouver conference.

Just before the presentation, his mother wowed him by revealing his hero had heard about the teen and wanted to skate with him that day.

‘I’m a really big card collector,’ Oskham told the official Canucks website. ‘I was collecting all kinds of cards and my mom said to pick my favourite and collect him – it was getting a bit out of control.

‘Then I opened a pack of cards and pulled a really sick Cory Schneider card. It just clicked; I needed to start collecting him.

‘Around the time I started collecting Schneider, it was time to pick a name. I went through a handful: Will, William, Matt, Matthew, none of them really felt right, then my mom suggested Cory and I started using it around the house. It felt very right. Cory felt very right.’

Oskham, who also plays as goaltender for the Brittania School Hockey Academy, began taking hormone blockers at age nine and started taking testosterone a year and a half ago.

‘I went into high school not who I am, but being in grade 10 now I feel very much like part of the high school,’ Oskham said.

‘I felt like an outsider, but now I have a great support system and a great group of friends, which I’ve never had before. Life is great.’

http://gaystarnews.com/article/trans-teen-skates-hockey-hero-he-named-himself-after300113

Gay girl comes out with cake

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/gay-girl-comes-out-cake290113

Girl decided to come out as a lesbian in a way that really takes the cake

What is the best way to come out? One girl had a fantastic idea by saying it with cake.

Laurel, who posted the picture on her Tumblr, came out to her parents by leaving a cake saying ‘I’m gay’ and a letter on the kitchen table.

The letter said: ‘Good morning parents,

‘I'm gay. I've wanted to tell you for a long time. I thought doing it this way would be a piece of cake. I hope you still love me. I mean, it's hard not to love someone who baked you a cake.

‘All of my friends know and still love me. Your acceptance would be the icing on the cake.

‘I hope you, much like this cake, are not in tiers.

‘I hope we can look back on this and say "boy, this one really takes the cake."

‘It gets batter.

‘Love, Laurel.’

And what happened?

‘My mom saw it and cried of happiness,’ Laurel said. ‘We hugged and cried together.

‘Then, we all ate the cake and talked. I am very luck to have such supporting parents and to have so much support from you guys. Thanks everyone! Have a gay day!’

http://gaystarnews.com/article/gay-girl-comes-out-cake290113

Hawaii: Lawmakers to choose between legalising or banning equal marriage

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/28/hawaii-lawmakers-to-choose-between-legalising-or-banning-equal-marriage/

Four contesting bills to legalise equal marriage and constitutionally ban it were both brought before the Hawaii State House on Thursday.

Hawaiian lawmakers recently submitted four pieces of legislation: two legalising and two banning equal marriage.

Democrat Faye P Hanohano is the sole sponsor of House Bill 1109, which seeks to legalise equal marriage in Hawaii.

The Bill states, “It is the intent of the legislation to extend to same-sex couples the right to marry and to receive all the same rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities of marriage as opposite-sex couples receive under the laws of this State.”

Democrat Mike Gabbard and 14 other representatives from both parties have introduced an amendment to the Hawaiian constitution that would limit marriage to heterosexual couples.

Republican John Mizuno has introduced two pieces of legislation, one legalising equal marriage, the other limiting it to heterosexual couples.

Mr Mizuno explained that he was personally in favour of “traditional” marriage, but he thought the people of Hawaii should be able to decide democratically.

A Hawaii State Supreme Court opinion made 20 years ago has been credited with starting the equal marriage debate in America.

In Baehr v Lewin, Justice Steven Levinson said, “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of the person’s civil rights or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof because of race, religion, sex or ancestry.”

A 2011 poll showed that 49% of Hawaiians support equal marriage and 40% oppose it.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/28/hawaii-lawmakers-to-choose-between-legalising-or-banning-equal-marriage/

France: Cartoon characters share gay kisses at equal marriage rally

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/28/france-cartoon-characters-share-gay-kisses-at-equal-marriage-rally/


The banner featuring the images was featured at an equal marriage rally in south west France (Image: Tumblr)

 

Famous cartoon characters were paired up in same-sex couples in a display as part of a rally for equal marriage in France.

Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, Tintin and Captain Haddock, Asterix and Obelisk and Smurfette, and her un-named female friend, among others, were featured on a banner as part of demonstrations in support of equal marriage in Angouleme, southwestern France.

Cinabre, who posted images of the banners online, encouraged people to join the rally in the town, and explained where the images came from.

She wrote: “March for LGBT rights today in Angouleme, France… Angouleme is famous for the International Comics festival (FIBD), which starts in less than 2 weeks. So of course, here is the truck used in the march! In the background it’s (sic) the town hall.”

She goes on to say: “Notice the [wedding] rings on the hands of the characters.”

As many as a quarter of a million people gathered in the French cities of Paris and Lyon yesterday to support plans to introduce same-sex marriage equality.

Cinabre went on to say that she had a favourite out of the same-sex cartoon couples featured.

She wrote: “I think the best one is the one with the smurfette, because it mocks the fact that the smurfette is the only female in the smurfs world. She’s not alone anymore.”

On 7 November 2012, French President Francois Hollande’s government approved a bill to legalise equal marriage and allow gay couples to adopt.

When he approved the bill, the same day that three US states - Maine, Maryland and Washington - legalised equal marriage, President Hollande told his cabinet that it would mean “progress not only for individuals but for the whole of society”.

Polls show a majority of French voters support marriage equality, but it has divided the country’s left and right, with lawmakers from the conservative UMP denouncing the measure.

The President had previously conceded that the religious opponents of his equal marriage plans were proving to be “tough” to deal with.

In November, thousands of pro-equality demonstrators turned up to rally at the National Assembly in Paris, to show support for equal marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples.

Last August, a Guernsey artist caused a storm of debate by displaying a collection of artwork showing popular Disney characters engaged in same-sex kisses.




http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/28/france-cartoon-characters-share-gay-kisses-at-equal-marriage-rally/

France: A quarter of a million rally for same-sex marriage in Paris and Lyon

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/27/france-a-quarter-of-a-million-rally-for-same-sex-marriage-in-paris-and-lyon/

 

Hundreds of thousands lined up to protest (Photo: Twitter)

As many as a quarter of a million people have gathered in the French cities of Paris and Lyon to support plans to introduce same-sex marriage equality.

The rally was held today, two days before the French Parliament debates a same-sex marriage bill that has divided politicians.

Police initially estimated the total number who attended as 125,000 while organisers claimed that 400,000 people attended. Third parties have suggested that 250,000 people were on the streets to campaign for the change in the law.

Yesterday, Justice Minister Christiane Taubira said changing the law would rectify “a situation of flagrant inequality”. She added: “This bill will protect all families. It will protect children’s rights,” she claimed given the number of children being brought up by at least one gay parent.

Last Sunday’s ‘March for All’ attracted an estimated 340,000 to 800,000 people to the Champs-de-Mars to oppose marriage equality. The organisers were handed a €100,000 bill to clean up the area by the city’s gay mayor.

The anti-equal marriage movement in France, which organised the rally, hoped to bring out 200,000 demonstrators, and found an unlikely leader in a comedian who denied that she was anti-gay.

On 7 November 2012, French President Francois Hollande’s government approved a bill to legalise equal marriage and allow gay couples to adopt.

When he approved the bill, the same day that three US states - Maine, Maryland and Washington - legalised equal marriage, President Hollande told his cabinet that it would mean “progress not only for individuals but for the whole of society”.

Polls show a majority of French voters support marriage equality, but it has divided the country’s left and right, with lawmakers from the conservative UMP denouncing the measure.

The President had previously conceded that the religious opponents of his equal marriage plans were proving to be “tough” to deal with.

In November, thousands of pro-equality demonstrators turned up to rally at the National Assembly in Paris, to show support for equal marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples.

 

 

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/27/france-a-quarter-of-a-million-rally-for-same-sex-marriage-in-paris-and-lyon/

US gays join Russian campaign against propaganda law

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/us-gays-join-russian-anti-homophobia-campaign270113


Gay rights advocates in San Francisco, California, are the latest LGBT Americans
and allies to protest Russia's gay gag law with a photo campaign

 

American allies are joining forces the Russian LGBT community in a new photo campaign to protest Russia's anti-gay propaganda bill.

Mike Petrelis, San Francisco-based blogger and gay rights advocate (pictured), has joined other Americans in the 'I am Not Propaganda' campaign started by Coming Out, an LGBT organization based in St. Petersburg, and OutLoudMag.ru

A Russian policeman, a Christian straight man and a teacher are some of the hundreds of individuals who've contributed photos of themselves holding signs that read: 'I am ______ and I oppose homophobia'.

The photo campaign comes as Russia's State Duma voted in favor of the new law on Friday (25 January), which forbids 'homosexual propaganda' to minors which it links to pedophilia.

On Thursday (25 January) the Kaliningrad region, with a population of almost a million, became the 10th Russian region to pass a law. The Kaliningrad governor just needs to sign the bill in order for it to become law.

According to the Coming Out website, the campaign challenges the moral grounds of the anti-gay propaganda bill.

The website reads: 'Champions of morality and the "children's rights advocates" in Russia have consistently indicated that Russian society is traditionally against homosexuals. Authors of the campaign ask the question: is this true? Does the Russian society really believe gays and lesbians should be persecuted?'

To view the photos that have been submitted so far, visit OutLoudMag.ru.

To contribute your own photo to the online campaign, take a picture of yourself holding a sign that reads 'Я человек а не пропаганд', which translates to 'I am a human being and not propaganda'. Submit your photo to yanepropagnda@gmail.com.

http://gaystarnews.com/article/us-gays-join-russian-anti-homophobia-campaign270113

Boy Scout troop succumbs to pressure, removes gay-friendly statement from website

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/boy-scout-troop-succumbs-pressure-removes-gay-friendly-statement-website270113

Threatened with losing its charter, Pack 442 took down an online clause that said they 'will not discriminate against any individual or family based on sexual orientation'

Boy Scouts of America pressured a Maryland troop to drop a gay-friendly policy this week.

In summer 2012 Pack 442 of Cloverly, Maryland updated their website by adding a non-discrimination declaration on their website that read: ''Pack 442 WILL NOT discriminate against any individual or family based on race, religion, national origin, ability, or sexual orientation.'

Even though the troop's members voted online last year to keep the policy, National Capital Area Council (NCAC), the regional division of Boy Scouts of America which oversees Pack 442, threatened to cut off access to funds and privileges unless the statement was taken down.

Troop 442 had until yesterday (26 January) to respond.

A statement on the site now reads: Due to pressure from the National Capital Area Council of BSA, Pack 442 was forced to remove its Non-Discrimination statement in order to keep our Charter (set to expire Jan 31st). This Non-Discrimination statement, previously posted here, welcomed ALL families'.

'Pack 442 will continue to provide a wonderful and enriching program for scouts and families in the community'.

Pack 442's non-discrimination clause was in direct conflict with the Boy Scouts of America long-standing policy that forbids openly gay Scouts or leaders.

http://gaystarnews.com/article/boy-scout-troop-succumbs-pressure-removes-gay-friendly-statement-website270113

It's a Wynne win as Ontario gets first female and openly gay premier

in: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Ontario+Liberals+will+pick+leader+premier+today+Toronto/7877192/story.html



 Ontario Liberal Party leadership candidate Kathleen Wynne speaks at the convention in Toronto on Saturday January 26, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn



 
Ontario will get its first female premier after provincial Liberals chose a diplomat over a warrior to lead the embattled party into an uncertain future.

Former education minister Kathleen Wynne won the party's leadership race Saturday with 1,150 delegate votes, with longtime Liberal Sandra Pupatello finishing second with 866.

"This was the easy part," Wynne told the crowd of cheering delegates at the former Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto after she was declared winner.

"Now we have the challenges ahead of us and we're going to need all of us working together."

Wynne will also make history as Canada's first openly gay premier, a subject she confronted head-on in a dynamic speech that wowed delegates Saturday morning.

Ontario is ready for a gay woman as premier, Wynne told the crowd earlier in the day.

"The province has changed, our party has changed. I do not believe that the people of Ontario... hold that prejudice in their hearts," said Wynne, who is married to Jane Rownthwaite.

Wynne delegate Alex Wilkinson, 24, said it's a significant milestone for the province and the country, which will have its sixth female premier when Wynne is sworn in.

"We can do it. You can be from Toronto, you can be a woman, you can be gay. You can do that and be premier at the same time."

Wynne has vowed to recall the prorogued legislature by Feb. 19 and said she would immediately try to meet with the opposition party leaders in an effort to make the minority government work.

"We're going to need all the ideas that came out of this campaign, we're going to need to put them together," she told the crowd.

"We're going to need to weave together a platform because we're going to have to have it ready at any moment to go into a campaign. But we're also going to need all those ideas to continue to govern."

Pupatello, a Windsor native who served as economic development minister before leaving the government in 2011, appealed to the party faithful to come together in her concession speech.

"Tonight we made history: our final ballot had two women on the ballot," she said to deafening applause. "Two strong women on the ballot."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulated Wynne on her win, and thanked Premier Dalton McGuinty — who embraced Wynne onstage — for his service as premier.

"I look forward to working with Ms. Wynne on addressing issues that matter to Ontarians, and in particular the creation of jobs and economic growth," he said in a statement.

There were early signs that Wynne had momentum in the race, nearly tying Pupatello after the first ballot with just two votes between them.

Pupatello got a major boost from Harinder Takhar — widely seen as a stalking horse for the former MPP — and widened her lead after the second ballot.

But Wynne cleaned up as Eric Hoskins, Charles Sousa and finally third-place finisher Gerard Kennedy threw their support behind her, pushing her to the top.

Sousa's support surprised some observers, who believed the former banker and immigration minister would head to Pupatello's more right-leaning camp.

Sources say Mississauga's 91-year-old mayor Hazel McCallion helped convince Sousa — who holds a seat in the city west of Toronto — to cross the floor to Wynne. But Sousa said it was really about getting the legislature back.

Some speculated that Pupatello's desire to call a byelection to get a seat before bringing back the legislature may have turned the tide in Wynne's favour.

But her no-nonsense, professorial style — almost identical to McGuinty's — may have also been a factor.

McGuinty's "never too high, never too low" mantra carried the Liberals through nine years of ups and downs, and Wynne may have tapped into a vein of Liberals who want to stick with the moderate, centrist style that's allowed them to ward off the Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats.

Wynne insists she's different from McGuinty and the right leader for the times.

But as she takes the reins of power, Wynne will also have to deal with the baggage McGuinty left behind.

He's alienated a powerful ally the Liberals had courted for years — Ontario's public school teachers — by forcing a pay freeze to reduce the province's $12-billion deficit. Public sector unions, who protested by the thousands outside the convention hall, have vowed to use their organizational might to defeat the Liberals in the next election.

McGuinty also left behind a trail of controversies, from the political decisions to cancel two gas plants in Liberal ridings — at a cost to taxpayers of at least $230 million — to a criminal probe of the province's Ornge air ambulance service.

Sam Hammond, head of the union representing public school elementary teachers, said he wants to meet with Wynne, who has "a fresh opportunity to work to resolve" the labour strife.

"The sooner we can meet with the premier, the sooner we can work together to try and bring peace and stability back to our schools," he said in a statement.


http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Ontario+Liberals+will+pick+leader+premier+today+Toronto/7877192/story.html

LGB People Experience Domestic Violence at Same Rate as Heterosexuals

in: http://www.advocate.com/crime/2013/01/25/lgb-people-experience-domestic-violence-same-rate-heterosexuals

Gays lesbians, and bisexuals experience domestic violence and sexual violence over their lifetimes at rates equal to or greater than those of heterosexuals, and this data points up the need for services to this population, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, released today, is the first nationwide report to classify data on this phenomenon by the sexual orientation of the respondents. While it does not whether violence occurs more often in same-sex or opposite sex couples, it “suggests that lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals in this country suffer a heavy toll of sexual violence and stalking committed by an intimate partner,” said CDC director Tom Frieden in a press release. Frieden also commented on how to address the problem: “While intervening and providing services are important, prevention is equally critical.”

Among the findings: Bisexual women report a higher prevalence of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, at 61.1 %, than either lesbians (43.8%) or straight women (35%). The majority of women, regardless of their sexual orientation, who reported experiencing sexual violence said the perpetrator was male. Of the bisexual women who experienced intimate partner violence, 90% reported having only male perpetrators, while two thirds of lesbians reported having only female perpetrators. The report is based on 2010 data.

Go here for the full report.

http://www.advocate.com/crime/2013/01/25/lgb-people-experience-domestic-violence-same-rate-heterosexuals

Rússia aprova homofobia

in: http://pt.euronews.com/2013/01/25/homofobia-ganha-forca-de-lei-na-russia/

A Duma aprovou em primeira leitura a lei anti propaganda gay.

Em nome da tradição e da defesa dos jovens russos foi a igreja ortodoxa russa que propôs o texto para repressão da homossexualidade em todo o país.

A legislação visa impedir qualquer informação que possa ser definida como propaganda, inclui a proibição de eventos públicos que promovam os direitos dos homossexuais. São Petersburgo e uma série de outras cidades russas já têm leis semelhantes.

O Ministério da Defesa russo recomenda ao Exército de examinarem as tatuagens de novos recrutas para verificarem “vestígios de homossexualidade“ e determinar a sua saúde mental.

O investigador independente Denis Volkov, sociólogo do Centro Levada, considrera que o projeto de lei se encaixa na lógica do governo de limitar diferentes direitos civis e humanos.

“Ao aceitar essas leis e outras semelhantes, as leis restritivas e proibitivas, o estado tem como alvo limitar a maioria das leis progressistas da sociedade”.


Pela oposição a legislação anti-homossexual, faz parte de uma ofensiva do Kremlin contra as minorias de qualquer espécie – política, religiosa e sexual – e projetado para desviar a atenção pública do crescente descontentamento com o governo de Putin.

http://pt.euronews.com/2013/01/25/homofobia-ganha-forca-de-lei-na-russia/

France: Court rules that Twitter must hand over details of homophobic and anti-semitic users

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/25/france-court-rules-that-twitter-must-hand-over-details-of-homophobic-and-anti-semitic-users/

 

Twitter said it was reviewing the court's ruling which said it had to hand over details of posters of hate speech

 

 

 

Twitter has been ordered by a French court to hand over details of users who posted anti-semitic tweets, in what could be a significant move against homophobia, racism and anti-semitism in the country.

The Paris High Court ruled that Twitter must give details of users who posted offensive messages on the microblogging site, at the request of several anti-hate groups.

This comes after the the French Government recently suggested that Twitter should be fighting against homophobic, anti-semitic and racist tweets that potentially break its laws on hate speech.

In recent months, offensive hashtags have begun to trend including #SiMonFilsEstGay (if my son was gay), – users who used them speculated on the what pain, torture or other degrading treatment they would inflict on a gay child or other relative.

Others included #UnBonJuif (a good Jew), #UnJuifMort (a dead Jew), #SiMaFilleRameneUnNoir (if my daughter brings home a black man) and #SiJetaisNazi (if I were a Nazi) where users listed various fascist or racist acts they would perform.

Twitter could face fines of up to $1,300 (£825) for each day they fail to hand over details of the users’, if requested by the groups who sought the ruling, who have said they will not hesitate to do so.

As well as the fines, the court ordered twitter to set up a system in France to make it easier for users to flag illegal content. Under French law, people found guilty of inciting racial hatred can be jailed for a year, and fined.

“This is an excellent decision, which we hope will bring an end to the feeling of impunity that fuels the worst excesses,” said Stephane Lilti, lawyer for the groups who sought the ruling, reports Reuters.

The BBC reports that a spokesperson for Twitter said: “We are currently reviewing the court’s decision.”

The International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism said: “This marks a decisive step forward in the battle against racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic offences on the Internet,

“Nobody can ignore French law, not even the giants of the American digital economy.”

“It is a major precedent and breakthrough in the attempt to balance privacy online with the need to combat hate speech,” Sacha Reingewirtz, vice president of the students’ union, told JTA.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/25/france-court-rules-that-twitter-must-hand-over-details-of-homophobic-and-anti-semitic-users/

Trans girl, 11, writes inspiring essay on Obama’s inaugural speech

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/trans-girl-11-writes-inspiring-essay-obama%E2%80%99s-inaugural-speech240113

When President Barack Obama became the first sitting president in US history to mention gay people in his inaugural speech, some people still felt left out.

For example Sadie, an 11-year-old vegan girl who transitioned in kindergarten, felt the president did not include her community.

Originally published by TransGriot, the full letter reads:

'The world would be a better place if everyone had the right to be themselves, including people who have a creative gender identity and expression.

'Transgender people are not allowed the freedom to do things everyone else does, like go to the doctor, go to school, get a job, and even make friends.

'Transgender kids like me are not allowed to go to most schools because the teachers think we are different from everyone else. The schools get afraid of how they will talk with the other kids’ parents, and transgender kids are kept secret or told not to come there anymore. Kids are told not to be friends with transgender kids, which makes us very lonely and sad.

'When they grow up, transgender adults have a hard time getting a job because the boss thinks the customers will be scared away. Doctors are afraid of treating transgender patients because they don’t know how to take care of them, and some doctors don’t really want to help them. Transgender patients like me travel to other states to see a good doctor.

'It would be a better world if everyone knew that transgender people have the same hopes and dreams as everyone else. We like to make friends and want to go to school. Transgender people want to get good jobs and go to doctors like they are exactly the same. It really isn’t that hard to like transgender people because we are like everyone else.'

Speaking to the Huffington Post, her mother Sage said she encouraged her daughter to write the essay ‘to know she has a voice’.

‘My dream for her is that she will be happy,’ she said. ‘That’s all, really. I just want her to be happy.’

http://gaystarnews.com/article/trans-girl-11-writes-inspiring-essay-obama%E2%80%99s-inaugural-speech240113

New Jersey high school teen announces to 300-plus classmates at assembly that he is gay

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/new-jersey-high-school-teen-announces-300-plus-classmates-assembly-he-gay230113

New Jersey high school student Jacob Rudolph came out publicly to more than 300 classmates this month when he stepped up to accept the award for Class Actor during a school assembly.

'Sure, I've been in a few plays and musicals, but more importantly, I've been acting every single day of my life,' he told his classmates at the Parsippany, NJ school. 'You see, I've been acting as someone I'm not ... you see me acting the part of straight Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT.'

This got the noisy crowd's attention. He then explained that LGBT stands for 'Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender.'

'Unlike millions of other LGBT teens who have had to act every day to avoid verbal harassment and physical violence, I'm not going to do it anymore,' he explained.

He concluded the speech by saying: 'So take me, leave me or move me out of the way, because I am what I am, and that's how I'm going to act from now on.'

Rudolph's classmates gave the teen an enthusiastic standing ovation as he left the stage. Later, his proud father posted video of his son's speech on YouTube with a written introduction which stated that his son's decision to come out to the school took 'more guts than anything I've ever attempted in my life.'

The video was shared by a gay friend of the father who sent it to Towleroad.com on Wednesday (23 January)

http://gaystarnews.com/article/new-jersey-high-school-teen-announces-300-plus-classmates-assembly-he-gay230113

Employee at music venue in Nashville wears pro gay marriage T-Shirt to work and is fired

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/employee-music-venue-nashville-wears-pro-gay-marriage-t-shirt-work-and-fired230113

A man who worked for seven years at Rocketown, a Nashville, Tennessee music venue and Christian youth outreach facility, says he was fired for wearing a T-Shirt to work which stated: 'I Support Same-Sex Marriage.'

Wes Breedwall immediately made his firing, and the reason why, public by posting a photo of himself in the T-Shirt on Instagram stating in part: 'Here is a picture to show my support for equality and free speech including social media. Cheers to my friends for having my back through all of this.'

The T-Shirt is from the Connecticut-based punk band Hostage Calm which spoke out this week (21 January) in defense of their fired fan.

'We called this brave man to hear his story, demonstrate our support, and figure out how we can help,' the band wrote on their website.

'It’s important to note that they didn’t fire him for wearing A SHIRT,' the band wrote. 'They fired him because of what that shirt stands for. For what that shirt threatens. This shirt represents an idea that all people have the right to live their lives without being told who to love and whose love is more valuable. It represents equality under the law. It represents the freedom to choose.'

The band states it promises 'to do everything in its power to raise awareness and challenge this injustice in Nashville' and vows to never play Rocketown again.

http://gaystarnews.com/article/employee-music-venue-nashville-wears-pro-gay-marriage-t-shirt-work-and-fired230113

Portugal passes trans hate crime law

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/portugal-passes-trans-hate-crime-law210113

Portugal's parliament has voted to include 'gender identity' as a category of hate crime law

The Portuguese parliament approved a revision of the country’s criminal code which will ban discrimination and hate crime against transgender people.

This addition to the criminal code was approved unanimously, following a proposal by the Portuguese Socialist Party.

Hate crimes against trans people in Portugal have been recorded in the recent past, transphobic violence made headlines with the murder of Gisberta Salce Júnior in 2006.

However, gender identity was absent from hate crime legislation.

Portugal’s parliament has now added ‘gender identity’ alongside ‘sexual orientation’ to articles relating to aggravated homicide and assault.

It also stressed the reprehensibility of these acts (and consequently strengthening the penalties) in case their motivation is based on the perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of the victim.

The inclusion of ‘gender identity’ in the Portuguese criminal code was a long-standing demand of ILGA Portugal.

In a statement, ILGA Portugal said: ‘We hope that the recognition of the particular vulnerability of trans people extends to the remaining legal system, also with the broad support of various political forces.

‘We welcome, in any case, this ground-breaking recognition by the Portuguese law, following the gender recognition legislation - and we will continue to work towards the full recognition and protection of trans people’.

Portugal already included ‘gender identity’ in protection against work discrimination, which ensures no discrimination occurs to transgender people in the access to goods and services, education, health and social protection.

On 1 March 2011 the President ratified the Law of Gender Identity, said to be the most advanced in the world, which simplifies the process of sex and name change for transsexual people.

http://gaystarnews.com/article/portugal-passes-trans-hate-crime-law210113

Traffic control refuses Mumbai Pride permission to march

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/traffic-control-refuses-mumbai-pride-permission-march150113

Police give permission, but traffic control reject application for fifth Queer Azaadi Pride march in Mumbai, India


 

Traffic control has refused Queer Azaadi (freedom) Mumbai (QAM) permission to march through the city on Saturday 2 February.

Local police has agreed permission for the parade, which has been held every year since 2008, but traffic control rejected the organizers' application.

'They have just rejected our file without even meeting us or giving us any clear explanation,' organizer Pallav Patankar told Gay Star News.

'But we intend o speak to higher authorities and not let it go so easily.'

Patankar said he believed the hiccup was 'just Indian bureaucracy' rather than attempt to censor an expression of LGBT rights. He said there have been a lot of public protests in Mumbai recently and the authorities may feel that because QAM are not a political party, nor have political backing, 'we are the easiest voices to silence'.

'We, the LGBT community, walk the pride march to tell the nation that we are part of this country,' Patankar told Times of India. 'By denying us the right to march, we are being denied our right of free expression.'

The QAM festival started on Sunday with a kite flying event on Mumbai's Juhu Beach and a queer games competition.

The full program includes theatre, a meeting for families, a treasure hunt, an open mic night, films, a rock concert and a flashmob.

QAM 2012 was a resounding success despite police interrupting a pre-festival fundraiser at the behest of a maverick 'moral guardian'.

Last September police in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad refused permission for the first LGBT pride march there. 

 

 

http://gaystarnews.com/article/traffic-control-refuses-mumbai-pride-permission-march150113

Video: Making homophobia a four-letter word

in: http://www.news.ualberta.ca/article.aspx?id=B8086E818F6B4C1FB48DC676569C3AF8

(Edmonton) In 1972, the late George Carlin joked about seven words that could not be said on television. These words have become frowned upon in public use as much as in the media. But a new public service announcement from the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSMSS) reminds us that people are still using unacceptable homophobic language without any thought to the discriminatory connotations behind these words.

The “No Homophobes” PSA was unveiled on Global Television in late December. The ad features actors portraying young people upset at others in their lives. Their lines are littered with bleeps, except when one female expresses her feelings about her ex-boyfriend, using hurtful language clearly meant to devalue him as a person and call his masculinity into question.

This type of casual homophobia is part of the negative behaviour and attitudes iSMSS is hoping to change with the campaign, an adjunct to the Nohomophobes.com website launched last fall.

Kristopher Wells, associate director of iSMSS, says these words are far from benign, and their repeated use has the power to adversely affect people who are being discriminated against and marginalized.

“Casual homophobia serves to reinforce damaging stereotypes and is one of the last socially acceptable forms of discrimination in our society, which leads to isolation, bullying, violence and, in many tragic cases, youth suicide,” he said. “We encourage people to break the silence that surrounds the use of casual homophobia in our society and to speak out against it when it is safe to do so.

“Our very silence makes us complicit in the act of discrimination. Ultimately, we want people to think before they speak, text, post or tweet.”

The PSA was produced with support from Calder Bateman Communications and Global Television.

 

 

 Related links
Innovative website tracks homophobia on Twitter
No Homophobes 2.0 (Edmonton Journal)

 

http://www.news.ualberta.ca/article.aspx?id=B8086E818F6B4C1FB48DC676569C3AF8

Sweden ends forced sterilization of trans

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/sweden-ends-forced-sterilization-trans110113

Sweden repeals law which meant a trans person must be sterilized to have their gender change recognized legally

Sweden has officially ended the forced sterilization of transgender people after tens of thousands of Europeans fought to have the law repealed.

The legislation, which has been in effect in the Scandanavian country since 1972, meant a trans person must be sterilized or else their gender change is not recognized legally.

However, the practice was officially banned yesterday (10 January) after a ruling by the Stockholm administrative court of appeal on 19 December which said the law was unconstitutional and in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The decision follows a campaign by gay rights activists and appeals from Members of the European Parliament.

In February, the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RSFL) and AllOut.org collected 47,689 signatures from European citizens urging Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt to speak out against the law, having previously remained silent on the issue.

Ulrika Westerlund, president of the RSFL, welcomed the abolishment of the law which is thought to have been used on up to 500 trans people.

She expects many of those victims will now seek compensation from the state, adding that 200,000 kronor (€23,500, $31,000) per person would be a 'fair sum'.

'If lawmakers take the initiative to adopt a law outlining damages, we will not file a lawsuit,' she said, reported AFP.

http://gaystarnews.com/article/sweden-ends-forced-sterilization-trans110113

Homofobia cresce e um gay é morto a cada 26 horas no Brasil

in: http://www.notibras.com.br/site/pt/editorias/brasil/5655/Homofobia-cresce-e-um-gay-%C3%A9-morto-a-cada-26-horas-no-pa%C3%ADs.htm

O Grupo Gay da Bahia, a mais antiga associação de defesa dos direitos humanos dos homossexuais no Brasil, divulgou nesta quinta-feira (10), o Relatório de Assassinato de LGBT de 2012.

No ano passado, 338 homossexuais foram assassinados no país, o que significa uma morte a cada 26 horas. Os números mostram um aumento de 21% em relação a 2011, ano em que houve 266 mortes, e um crescimento de 177% nos últimos sete anos.

Os homens homossexuais lideram o número de mortes, com 188 (56%), seguidos de 128 travestis (37%), 19 lésbicas (5%) e dois bissexuais (1%).

De acordo com o estudo, o Brasil está em primeiro lugar no ranking mundial de assassinatos homofóbicos, concentrando 44% do total de mortes de todo o planeta, cerca de 770. Nos Estados Unidos, país que tem cerca de 100 milhões a mais de habitantes que o Brasil, foram registrados 15 assassinatos de travestis em 2011, enquanto no Brasil, foram executadas 128.

Segundo o grupo, São Paulo é o Estado onde mais homossexuais foram assassinados em números absolutos, 45 vítimas, e Alagoas é o Estado mais perigoso para homossexuais em termos relativos, com um índice de 5,6 assassinatos por cada milhão de habitantes. Para toda a população brasileira, o índice é 1,7 vítima LGBT por milhão de brasileiros.

O Acre se destacou com nenhuma morte nos últimos dois anos, seguido de Minas Gerais, cujas 13 ocorrências representam 0,6 morte para cada milhão de habitantes.

Segundo o coordenador do estudo e antropólogo da UFBA (Universidade Federal da Bahia) Luiz Mott, não se observou correlação entre desenvolvimento econômico regional, escolaridade, religião, raça, partido político do governador e maior índice de homofobia letal.

"Esses números representam apenas a ponta de um iceberg de violência e sangue, já que nosso banco de dados é construído a partir de notícias de jornal, internet e informações enviadas pelas organizações LGBT, e a realidade deve certamente ultrapassar em muito essas estimativas", explica.

"Dos 338 casos, somente em 89 foram identificados os assassinos, sendo que em 73% não há informação sobre a captura dos criminosos, prova do alto índice de impunidade nesses crimes de ódio e gravíssima homofobia institucional/policial que não investiga em profundidade esses homicídios", afirma Mott.

http://www.notibras.com.br/site/pt/editorias/brasil/5655/Homofobia-cresce-e-um-gay-%C3%A9-morto-a-cada-26-horas-no-pa%C3%ADs.htm

Fired trans teacher sues school which said she was 'worse than gay'

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/fired-trans-teacher-sues-school-which-said-she-was-worse-gay080113


A transgender teacher files a lawsuit against a Catholic school in New York, claiming the head banned her from wearing women's clothing

 

A transgender teacher is suing the New York Catholic school where she worked for 32 years claiming she was fired for dressing as a woman.

Mark Krolikowski, 59, filed a lawsuit against St Francis Preparatory in Queens after the private school sacked her last year following a complaint from a pupil's parents.

The lawsuit revealed that the music and social studies teacher told the principal, Brother Leonard Conway, she was transgender and would start coming to work dressed in women's clothing.

However, Conway reacted by telling Krolikowski that being trans was 'worse than gay' and she would be barred from attending public school events.

Speaking to ABC News, Krolikowski's lawyer Andrew Kimler said: 'He is extremely upset given the dedication and devotion he showed to the school for 30 years.'

Kimler added that his client is protected under state discrimination laws.

However, the school denied they fired Krolikowski because of her gender identity.

http://gaystarnews.com/article/fired-trans-teacher-sues-school-which-said-she-was-worse-gay080113