Frat raises $12,000 for sex change

in: http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/us/2013/02/27/dnt-fraternity-helps-fund-sex-change.whdh


A man's fraternity brothers come to the rescue when his insurance company denies a claim to cover a sex change.

World-traveling lesbians launch campaign to get doc made

in:  http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/world-traveling-lesbians-launch-campaign-get-doc-made220213


San Franciscan couple Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols travelled the world 'in search for the supergays' recording inspiring stories on their popular blog, now they want to get a film made of their experiences

Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols, a lesbian couple from San Francisco, drew thousands of fans to their blog as they travelled the world 'in search for the supergays'.

Now back home, the couple has launched a Kickstarter project to raise the final $30,000 (€22,700) needed to make a documentary about their travels to 16 countries around the world where they heard the inspiring stories of dozens of LGBT people.

'We want to expose people to the global struggle of the LGBT civil rights movement,' said Dazols and Chang.

'And while many documentaries have addressed LGBT issues in developing countries, none have offered an intimate portrait across such a wide-breadth of geographies threaded together by the personal journey of one couple whose own story mirrors that of the global movement.'

After the success of their blog Out & Around, which featured on The Huffington Post and the BBC, Dazols and Chang have teamed up with filmmakers Lauren Fash and Susan Graham (who made the award-winning film Quiet) to make a documentary of their trip.

The film will include Dazols and Chang's interviews with 'supergays' in India, China, Uganda, Chile, Argentina, Cambodia, Kenya, Brazil, Nepal and their own personal struggles with Chang's Evangelical Christian family refusing to accept their relationship.

'We understand how privileged we are as Americans to have the freedom to travel almost anywhere,' Dazols said in an interview with Gay Star News last March. 'After spending a month in Kenya and listening to the fear of people for their personal safety, we had many conversations about asylum and relocation.'

But Dazols added that she saw much to be hopeful about during her travels.

'There is so much positive change happening now,' she said. 'Brazil and Nepal's Supreme Courts have made all inclusive decisions to marriage equality. India recently decriminalized homosexual acts. Cambodia opened their first LGBT center. The momentum of the global gay movement is very fast and we're happy to share stories of this remarkable time.'

The team want to earn the $30,000 by 21 April so they can hire an editor to cut the 120 hours of film from their year of travels to a feature film length, a composer to write the score, a sound designer and a color correction artist.

Watch the trailer for Out & Around here:

http://www.outandaround.com/home/

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/world-traveling-lesbians-launch-campaign-get-doc-made220213

St. Albert trustees prepare to debate policy to protect gay, lesbian students and staff from discrimination

in: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Albert+trustees+prepare+debate+policy+protect+lesbian/8008011/story.html

The former superintendent and current vice-chair of St. Albert’s public school board is hoping trustees will take the first steps Wednesday in passing a stand-alone policy to protect and support gay and lesbian students and teachers in the district’s schools.

Joe Demko, a trustee and longtime teacher and principal in St. Albert, said city voters were well aware of his views supporting such a policy when they elected him to the school board. “I think the community is ready. I just don’t know whether the board will be or not,” he said Saturday.

Demko and the board’s four other trustees will debate a motion Wednesday to direct administrators to draft a sexual orientation and gender identity policy, much like the one passed by the Edmonton public school board in November 2011. The policy would protect students and staff from discrimination or bullying and would also ensure school environments are welcoming and supportive to gay, lesbian and transgendered youth.

If the motion passes and a policy is approved, St. Albert would be the second school district in Alberta, after Edmonton, to do so.

“Information keeps coming forward that points to it being really in the best interest of kids — and not just LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer) kids, but all kids, to have a stand-alone policy that would address those issues,” said Demko.

There have been examples elsewhere of kids being bullied for being gay when they weren’t, but other students perceived they were, he added. Students may also use hurtful words and expressions without realizing their impact. “That warrants us doing something in the schools so people, and the kids especially, understand that it’s inappropriate.”

Both of the district’s two major high schools have active gay-straight student alliances. The board recently included sexual orientation and gender identity among the protections covered in its student conduct code, and will debate including them in the board’s discrimination and harassment policy at Wednesday’s meeting, as well.

“I think this is kind of a natural next step,” Demko said. “I’m hoping that our board is ready to take those next steps forward and approve a stand-alone policy.”

He points to research done in Winnipeg that showed 14 per cent of students described themselves as not being exclusively heterosexual. Another recent study found sexual minorities who have come out publicly are mentally and physically healthier than those who have not.

At the Alberta School Boards Association meeting last fall, a motion was put forward to encourage all districts to create stand-alone policies supporting gay and lesbian students and staff. While the motion didn’t pass, the St. Albert Public School Board voted in favour of it, said Demko.

A Facebook campaign to support the creation of such a policy by attending Wednesday evening’s public board meeting has been launched by Kris Wells, a former student and teacher in St. Albert who is now associate director of the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services at the University of Alberta.

“As a student, I couldn’t be out and my experience was one of profound silence and invisibility, and sadly, that was the same experience I had as a teacher,” he said. “At that time, there were no human rights protections in the province so I couldn’t be out without risking losing my job.”

Wells ended up leaving teaching because of those experiences.

“For me, this policy matters,” he said. “It’s ultimately to protect students in our schools. That’s what it comes down to.”

Board chair Joan Trettler wouldn’t comment on the policy Saturday, saying she wanted to wait until Wednesday to debate the motion.

Trustee Gerry Martins said he supports protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but as part of a policy that includes protections for people based on other factors as well, such as race and disabilities.

Trustees Cheryl Dumont and Merrin Nuc couldn’t be reached for comment.

Wells said he hopes to see the trustees show leadership to students and families in St. Albert, but also to school boards across the province, by supporting a stand-alone policy.

“It doesn’t take away from anything. All it does is it helps to build a more welcoming, accepting and respectful school environment for everyone.”

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Albert+trustees+prepare+debate+policy+protect+lesbian/8008011/story.html

Westboro Baptist Church protesters retreat after being outnumbered in Santa Monica

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/westboro-baptist-church-protesters-retreat-after-being-outnumbered-santa-monica260213

When members of the Westboro Baptist Church showed up at Santa Monica High School today to conduct an anti-gay protest, they were in for a huge surprise.

That surprise was a huge crowd that was on hand to counter-protest the group known to protest at military funerals carrying signs that say such things as 'God Hates Fags.'

The church had protested outside the Oscars on Sunday (24 February) and chose the high school in Santa Monica as its next target because of what it believes is the school's affirmation of LGBT students.

The church members stayed only a brief time as they found themselves faced with scores of students who were well-prepared for their arrival.

Students and others were holding rainbow flags large and small and waving signs with such messages as 'God Cares for All Creation,' 'Ain't Nobody Got Time for Hate' and 'God Hates People Who Say They Know Who God Hats.'

The video below shows the spirited crowd of students and a dispirited small group from Westboro walking away from the scene as someone in the crowd yells: 'Go back to Kansas!'

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/westboro-baptist-church-protesters-retreat-after-being-outnumbered-santa-monica260213

Video: Gay Mormon student posts video of himself coming out

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/23/video-gay-mormon-student-posts-video-of-himself-coming-out/

A student at the Mormon Brigham Young University in Utah, has recorded his experience of coming out in a video which he says he hopes more people to understand what it is like being gay and Mormon.

Jimmy Hales recorded the YouTube video published earlier this week, which shows live footage of him coming out to friends and family.

He describes it as: “Studying at BYU as a closet gay Mormon has been quite an experience. I finally decided to come out and stop living a lie. I’m still, and will forever be, a faithful Mormon, so it looks like I’m not going to marry and therefore live a single life through this mortal existence. Sucks.”

Before showing his coming out experiences, Mr Hales introduces the video, explaining why he made it.

He says: “So what does being a gay Mormon mean? Well it means that I’m going to live a celibate live. Sucks. It has been very hard and frankly, us gay Mormons, we need your help.

“We’re already very lonely. It doesn’t help that people pretend like, or act like, we’re not here. Coming out to people has been very difficult. In fact the hardest person to come out to was myself.”

He then comes out to his mother, brother and sister, and several college and high school friends. Most react by saying they are shocked, but most say they are proud of him.

He concludes: “As a Mormon, I have an internal perspective, and that is what keeps me going. It still sucks. The doctrine of the Mormon Church isn’t going to change.

“But members of the church are changing in that they are becoming more understanding about those of us who are gay and Mormon.

“Ever since I started coming out and telling people that I’m gay, I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off of me. I think prior to now the biggest problem was ignorance. People had no reason to incentive to think of this.

“People have reached out with love and understanding, empathy. And for you straight people out there, it might be difficult to get your head wrapped around this. It’s not easy.

“To you other gay Mormons out there, just know that you’re not alone. If you choose to come out, come out in your own way, in your own time.

“I hope this video has helped you to understand more about those of us who are gay and Mormon.”

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/23/video-gay-mormon-student-posts-video-of-himself-coming-out/

Video: Amazon releases TV advert featuring same-sex married couple

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/22/video-amazon-releases-tv-advert-featuring-same-sex-married-couple/

Online retailer Amazon, has released a new television advert for its Kindle Paperwhite, which features a gay couple and a straight couple getting along on holiday together.

The advert features a man and a woman on deck chairs, and while she uses a Kindle, the man struggles with a tablet computer.

When he exclaims that he has finished buying a Kindle online, and says “we should celebrate”, the woman replies: “my husband is bringing me a drink, right now,” to which he responds “so is mine”.

Amazon was among a large number of Washington-based companies which confirmed their support for Referendum 74, the equal marriage bill from last November, by signing up to a newspaper advert.

Prior to that, the billionaire founders of Amazon, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos, pledged $2.5 million to the fight for equal marriage rights for gay couples in the US state of Washington last year.

The NY Times said the Bezoses responded to an email from a gay former employee in Amazon.com’s first days asking whether they would donate $100,000 or $200,000 to the cause, similar to amounts donated by Microsoft figures. The response said: “This is right for so many reasons. We’re in for $2.5 million. Jeff & MacKenzie.”

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/22/video-amazon-releases-tv-advert-featuring-same-sex-married-couple/

Clive Davis reveals bisexuality in new memoir

in: http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/19/clive-davis-reveals-bisexuality-in-new-memoir/?hpt=hp_t2

Industry legend Clive Davis is recounting both his personal and professional life in a new memoir called "The Soundtrack of My Life."

The exec, who helped form the careers of artists like Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Alicia Keys, focuses mainly on his work with such varied and marquee stars over the past five decades, Rolling Stone reports.

But it wouldn't be a memoir if Davis didn't get personal.

Toward the end of his tome, the 80-year-old record exec goes into detail about his sexuality. Davis, who's twice-divorced, reportedly explains that he began to explore relationships with men during "the era of Studio 54."

On one particular evening, Davis writes that he was "open to responding to [the] sexual overtures" of a gentleman admirer.

"Was I nervous? Absolutely," Davis writes, according to Entertainment Weekly. "Did the heavens open up? No. But it was satisfying."

Through subsequent years, Davis writes, he held relationships with both men and women. He's been in a monogamous relationship with a man for the past seven years.

Timed in conjunction with his book's February 19 release, Davis will also appear on Katie Couric's daytime show "Katie" to discuss the stories he's chosen to share.

In a preview clip of their Tuesday chat, the exec explains to Couric, as he reportedly does in the book, that he considers himself to be bisexual.

"I'm still attracted to women. You don't have to be only one thing or another," Davis says. "For me it's the person. I'm in a monogamous relationship, [and] I respect monogamy. And I hope that this is understood."

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/19/clive-davis-reveals-bisexuality-in-new-memoir/?hpt=hp_t2

Turkish court rules gay sex is natural

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/turkish-court-rules-gay-sex-natural190213

An Istanbul court of the first instance delivered a landmark ruling saying that gay sex is natural, contradicting a previous ruling by Turkey's supreme court.

Yesterday’s (18 February) ruling regarded a trader who was caught selling 125 DVDs of gay and group sex porn.

The person, known only by his initials, DM, faced up to four years imprisonment according to article 262/2 of the Turkish penal code that prohibits owning, trafficking, distributing and publishing ‘unnatural sex’ videos.

Judge Mahmut Erdemli, however, ruled that sexual orientation can not be considered as ‘unnatural’ and should be respected.

The ruling contradicted a previous decision of Turkey’s supreme court that did include gay sex in the category of ‘unnatural sex’.

In support of his decision Erdemli cited examples of the legality of gay marriages in Europe and North America.

Erdemli differentiated gay sex from necrophilia and bistiality which he agreed were right to be classified as ‘unnatural’.

Erdemli was quoted by the daily Haber Turk as saying: ‘Today, it is possible to have gay marriages in modern countries.

'International regulations prohibit discrimination regarding peoples’ sexual preference, and it is therefore an obligation to respect their sexual orientation...

‘In this respect, most of the European countries see gay relationships as equivalent to marriage...

‘Contemporary societies allow [gay relationships] to achieve this legal status and therefore the contents of the DVDs can not be seen as unnatural’.

The court did not find DM guilty of selling 'unnatural' porn but of ‘unauthorized’ selling of porn with a punishment of 8 months imprisonment.

Turkey’s criminal division of the supreme court, however, criticized the ruling saying that gay and group sex are unnatural and that the court was wrong not to accept them as a crime.

Last year, in a ruling on a similar case of porn videos sales, Turkey’s supreme court of appeals in Ankara (the country's capital) ruled as ‘unnatural’ any acts of gay sex, oral, anal or group sex - including SM - as well as necrophilia and bestiality.

The supreme court provided for the imprisonment of any persons in possession of videos depicting such sex scenes on the basis of Article 262/2 of the Turkish criminal code.

The court set a minimum punishment of one year, and a maximum of four years imprisonment.

The supreme court’s ruling of 2012 rejected a six-month sentence imposed by a provincial court for the selling of pornographic videos with ‘unnatural’ content saying the ruling was too lenient.

A spokesperson for Turkish LGBT rights group KAOS GL told GayStarNews: ‘The decision given by the court yesterday is not binding.

‘However it is a positive development that may affect a future ruling by Turkey’s supreme court.

‘Even if the supreme court will not accept this ruling - this sets a very positive precedent for future cases’.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/turkish-court-rules-gay-sex-natural190213

US: Massachusetts issues rules respecting identity of transgender students

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/18/us-massachusetts-issues-rules-respecting-identity-of-transgender-students/

New directives for schools in Massachusetts have been issued by the Department of Education, stating that transgender students should be allowed to use facilities according to their gender identity.

The 11-page document recommends that students be allowed to use bathrooms and play for sports teams that correspond to the gender they identify with. It follows a 2011 anti-discrimination law that gave more protections to transgender people in the state, but did not cover bathroom use.

The directive reads: “These students, because of widespread misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about their lives, are at a higher risk for peer ostracism, victimisation, and bullying.”

Some local school committee members did not support the directive. Brockton School Committee member Thomas Minichiello said: “I don’t have daughters. But if I did … I don’t think I’d feel comfortable having a boy going in the bathroom when my daughter is there.”

Brockton School was sued over a decade ago by a transgender child who identified as a girl, and wanted to use the girl’s bathroom and wear dresses to school. Her parents took the school to court after the child, referred to in the case as “Pat Doe”, was told she had to wear boy’s clothing and use the male bathroom.

Andrew Beckwith of the Massachusetts Family sided with Mr Minichiello: “Fundamentally, boys need to use boys’ rooms and girls need to be using the girls’ rooms, and we base that on their anatomical sex, not some sort of internalised gender identity,” he said.

Mr Minichiello and Mr Beckwith’s views stem from a lack of understanding of transgender people, says Jane Martin, Chair of the Easton School Committee.

Ms Martin said: “If you really truly understand the nature of transgenders [sic], there’s not a girl in the boy’s bathroom.”

She added that she supported the directives and said: “We are very proud of the record that we set,” noting the district was known for “respecting the rights of all our students.”

Gunner Scott of the Massachusetts Transgender Coalition said the guidelines would be ”immensely helpful to those parents who have been struggling with making sure that the school environment is safe and welcoming of their child.”

 

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/18/us-massachusetts-issues-rules-respecting-identity-of-transgender-students/

Teacher who said 'gays don't have a purpose' gets a rebuttal

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/teacher-who-said-gays-dont-have-purpose-gets-rebuttal170213

LGBT groups in Indiana launched a 'You Have a Purpose' Facebook page as a response to the special-ed teacher who made homophobic remarks this week

Gay rights groups launched an empowerment campaign in response to the Indiana teacher who said 'gays don't have a purpose'.

Special-ed teacher Diana Medley said earlier this week that she doesn't agree with homosexuality. She was speaking on behalf of a group who wanted to host a 'traditional' prom at Indiana's Sullivan High School that wouldn't allow gay and lesbian students.

To continue encouraging LGBT youth in Indiana and abroad, a Facebook page titled 'You have a purpose' has been created where supporters can post videos with a positive and uplifting message.

Annette Gross, coordinator for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) compared the new web page to Dan Savage's 'It Gets Better' campaign.

Gross said in an interview: 'We just want to focus on the positive, letting them (gay teens) know that they do have a purpose and there are people out there that care about them'.

The web page will not allow videos about Medley's comments or the 'traditional' prom dispute.

Gross said: 'This is about the kids. This isn't about her'.

The Facebook page, set up by the Interfaith Coalition on Non-discrimination, Indiana PFLAG, Indiana Equality Action and Fairtalk, is open to the public.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/teacher-who-said-gays-dont-have-purpose-gets-rebuttal170213

France: Subway shop limits Valentine’s Day offer to straight couples only

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/17/france-subway-franchise-limits-valentines-day-offer-to-straight-couples-only/




Images of the leaflet , which read 'for heterosexual couples' appeared online (Image: Twitter)

The owner of a Subway franchise in the French city of Angers has received heavy criticism for refusing to offer a Valentine’s Day special offer to gay couples.

Referring to current French legislation hoping to legalise equal marriage, but which has not yet become law, the owner defended his decision not to offer the sandwich deal to gay couples.

Earlier this week, the French “Marriage for All” bill was adopted 329 votes to 229, at the National Assembly. The bill will now go to France’s Sénat on 2 April. The bill is expected to pass at the Sénat, which houses a Socialist majority.

The shop’s owner said: ”Discrimination: No, the marriage for all law has advanced, but has yet to be ratified by the Senate. Until then, I’ll use my freedom of expression.”

Leaflets containing details of the offer stated specifically that only straight couples were eligible.

French newspaper, the Liberation, reported that Subway’s corporate offices had intervened following pictures of the offer being circulated widely using social media, and the Subway franchise was closed on Friday.

Subway France also apologised for the incident, and noted that management at each branch work independently, as the company operates as a franchise.

The company also took to its Facebook page on Saturday morning, following an influx of negative comments.

It wrote: “The SUBWAY brand is strongly committed to maintaining the values ​​of diversity and inclusiveness in its restaurants around the world and does not endorse in any discrimination of any kind.

“We apologize to all those people who felt offended by the individual promotional initiative for Valentine’s Day of a restaurant in Angers, France.”

A second Subway franchise in the city felt the effects of the controversy, as it received many negative comments. It was forced to close its Facebook page, and issued a press release registering that it had no association with the Subway which made the straight couples exclusive offer.

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.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/17/france-subway-franchise-limits-valentines-day-offer-to-straight-couples-only/

Leeds United and US soccer star Robbie Rogers comes out as gay

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/leeds-united-and-us-soccer-star-robbie-rogers-comes-out-gay150213



Photo by Longbomb.

 

American international and former British Leeds United football midfielder Robbie Rogers has come out as gay.

The 25-year-old told fans he no longer wants to keep his sexuality a secret.

He added he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with his decision.

He’s the highest profile footballer to come out in Britain’s national game since Justin Fashanu in 1990. He committed suicide in 1998.

Writing on his blog Rogers said he had feared coming out as gay would get in the way of his dreams.

‘Dreams of going to a World Cup, dreams of The Olympics, dreams of making my family proud. What would life be without these dreams? Could I live a life without them?’ he asked.

But now he has decided to get things off his chest.

He wrote: ‘Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple.

‘Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently.

‘I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined… I will never forget the friends I have made a long the way and the friends that supported me once they knew my secret.

‘Now is my time to step away. It’s time to discover myself away from football.

‘Life is so full of amazing things. I realized I could only truly enjoy my life once I was honest. Honesty is a bitch but makes life so simple and clear. My secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended.’

Rogers started playing in college football at the University of Maryland. After moving to Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveen in 2006 he returned to the US to sign for Columbus Crew the next year.

He played for the USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He won an MLS Cup title with Columbus Crew that same year.

In 2012 he was with British Championship side Leeds United. He was then on loan to League One team Stevenage, also in the UK, from August 2012 until January 2013.

He is the co-owner of menswear brand Halsey.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/leeds-united-and-us-soccer-star-robbie-rogers-comes-out-gay150213

Students fight Westboro Baptist Church haters with $40,000 for gay charity

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/students-fight-westboro-baptist-church-haters-40000-gay-charity130213

Students from Vassar College in New York have pledged $100 for every minute the Westboro Baptist Church plans to protest on campus

 

American students have raised over $40,000 (£26,000, €30,000) in counter-protest against gay hate picketers from Westboro Baptist Church.

Students from Vassar College in New York have responded to the church's plans to protest at the pro-LGBT university earlier this month by pledging $100 for every minute the church will be there.

Known for their 'God Hates Fags' signs, the church is well known for picketing pro-gay groups and soldiers' funerals.

Originally students planned to raise up to $4,500 but today (13 February), after word of the fundraising counter-protest spread on social media sites, the total pledge now sits at $40,544.

Money raised will go towards the Trevor Project, an American group which provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention to LGBT youths.

Acting president of the college Jon Chenette posted a message of support on the college's website.

He said: 'In the face of Westboro's statements, we want to celebrate the inclusiveness of our community and the multitude of backgrounds, interests, and preferences that enrich our experiences.'

Meanwhile, similar messages of support have poured in on the Vassar Facebook page.

One comment read: 'I am so proud to be an alumna of a school that stands for people, for diversity, for compassion, and against hate. Thank you for continuing to lead the way.'

Another said: 'Bravo. It's moments like this that make Vassar the great school that it is.'

Last week, GSN reported how two key members of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church left the group and apologized for their past.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/students-fight-westboro-baptist-church-haters-40000-gay-charity130213

Transgender woman settles lawsuit with Boston over treatment during 2010 arrest

in: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/02/05/transgender-woman-settles-lawsuit-with-boston-over-treatment-during-arrest/jldg4ZWAzhEU5srQSiYANI/story.html


Officers’ actions under scrutiny

Brenda Wernikoff was arrested for refusing to leave a woman’s bathroom at a homeless shelter in Boston.

The city of Boston has agreed to pay a transgender woman $20,000 in exchange for dropping her suit against the officers who arrested her on disorderly conduct at a homeless shelter, in a case that highlights the department’s absence of written policies for dealing with transgender people.


The officers who arrested Brenda Wernikoff are now being investigated by the department’s internal affairs division.


The department is also continuing to work on training its officers on how to interact with the transgender community.


According to Wernikoff, Boston police did not just book her, they humiliated her.


After she was arrested for refusing to leave a woman’s bathroom at a homeless shelter, she said four to five male officers at the South End police station forced her to remove her shirt and bra and expose her breasts.


According to the federal lawsuit, “The officers then ordered Ms. Wernikoff to jump and down, causing her breasts to jiggle” as the officers laughed. “I mean belly laughs,” Wernikoff said, describing the May 2010 incident.


“The officers contend that was pure fiction. They are well-respected veterans of the department,” said Kenneth Anderson, a lawyer who is representing the officers in the department’s investigation.


Cheryl Fiandaca, spokeswoman for the Boston police, declined to comment on the lawsuit, but she said top commanders have been meeting with leaders in the transgender community about such issues.


“Currently, we are working with the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition to develop new policies to deal with various situations and issues of importance that could arise with the police and the community,” she said.


Last Friday, the Boston Public Health Commission, which runs the Woods Mullen Shelter where Wernikoff was arrested, agreed to pay her an additional $10,000. Staff members at the shelter, who called police that day, were retrained after the incident, said commission spokesman Nick Martin.


“We place an extremely high priority on having policies that promote inclusivity and prohibit discrimination,” he said. “The commission has a clear policy to support transgender individuals — a policy that was in place well before this incident and reinforced in the wake of this unfortunate experience for one of our clients.”


Wernikoff, 60, said she hopes police officers will soon have clear guidelines on how to treat transgender people.


“It shouldn’t happen again to anyone,” she said.


The City of Boston has long had an ordinance that says people have the right to use restrooms, showers, and dressing rooms based on their gender identity, a rule that goes beyond state protections of transgender people.


The problem is that the city has failed to train many officers on its own ordinance, said Wernikoff’s lawyer, Howard Friedman, a well-known civil rights attorney.


He pointed to departments in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, which make clear in their rules and regulations that officers are to address a transgender person by their preferred name and use appropriate personal pronouns. They also instruct officers to conduct searches in the same way that they would on a non-transgender person.


Boston police did not follow those guidelines when they arrested Wernikoff, according to the lawsuit filed last November.


Wernikoff, whose birth name is Bruce Wernikoff and who began identifying as a woman when she was in her mid-50s, had been staying at the shelter for about a year. She said she had nowhere else to go after she left her uncle’s home, where she felt unwelcome by relatives uncomfortable with her gender identity.


Wernikoff was in a bathroom stall when a counselor, Margaretta Collins, came into the bathroom and told her she could not be there when other women were present.


Collins said in an interview that her supervisor told her that transgender people at the shelter were supposed to use another bathroom on the floor.


“For whatever reason, she chose to use the female’s bathroom and the females complained,” said Collins, who left her job about a month ago for health reasons.


The Boston Public Health Commission’s policy stipulates that transgender women may use the women’s restroom and showers. Martin said staff members are instructed to follow the commission’s protocol.


“If [Collins] was unfortunately given that advice by her supervisor that would have been a mistake,” he said. Collins said her supervisor called the police officer assigned to the shelter. Officer Loletha Graham-Smith appeared and ordered Collins to get out of the stall.

 

“She was trying to be professional,” Wernikoff recalled. But she never asked for Wernikoff’s identification and refused to acknowledge Wernikoff by her gender, according to the lawsuit.

In her report, Graham-Smith described her encounter with Wernikoff: “ ‘Sir, you have to leave this bathroom now,’ ” Graham-Smith said. “Said male stepped in officers’ face and started pointing his finger in officer’s face. . . . He was persistent in showing harassment and intimidation toward officer.”


At the booking station, the patrol officers repeatedly called her “Bruce,” Wernikoff said, and refused to let her reach for her wallet so she could show them her driver’s license, which showed she had legally changed her name to Brenda.


Officer Edward Fleming booked Wernikoff and Officer Frank Chiola searched her, according to the complaint. The officers did not give her a private space to change and did not ask whether she wanted a woman to search her instead, according to the complaint.


Wernikoff said she tried to show no emotion. “You survive the encounter any way you can,” she said. “That’s what you do.”


Prosecutors later dismissed the disorderly conduct charge against Wernikoff.


Gunner Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, has trained Boston police recruits in dealing with transgender people and said he is confident the department will draft a policy soon. Last spring, he provided the department with a copy of the Washington, D.C., police policy as an example of what it should adopt.


But Scott said his agency still receives complaints from transgender people that police sometimes do not take them seriously and often refer to them as as sir or ma’am, in contrast with their gender identity.


“Whether the person is a victim or assumed to have broken the law, transgender people should be treated with respect and should not be demoralized,” Scott said.


He praised Wernikoff for filing the lawsuit.


Wernikoff, who is now in a committed relationship and taking care of her ailing mother, said she tries to avoid police.


“We’re very, very misunderstood,” Wernikoff said. People “look at us and say ‘what is it?’ . . . We don’t do it to shock. This is who and what we are. We were born this way.”

 

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/02/05/transgender-woman-settles-lawsuit-with-boston-over-treatment-during-arrest/jldg4ZWAzhEU5srQSiYANI/story.html

US: ‘Ex-gay’ preacher admits continuing to use Grindr to contact gay men

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/06/us-ex-gay-preacher-admits-continuing-to-use-grindr-to-contact-gay-men/




Matt Moore admitted using Grindr, despite writing about being "ex-gay"

An “ex-gay” preacher, who claimed to have “turned away” from his “homsexual desires” was discovered using the gay dating app, Grindr, and admitted that the profile was his.

Matt Moore, a blogger for the Christian Post who frequently writes about having “come out” of the “homosexual lifestyle”, was found to be still using Grindr to talk to gay men, which he said was “disobedient” to God.

Upon being discovered using the app by Freethoughtblogs, he said: “The Grindr profile was really mine. I’ve been on it on and off for the last couple of weeks.

“Like I told the guy who sent you the picture, I am wrong in having been on Grindr. I haven’t changed my views on homosexuality, the bible, etc.

“Creating a Grindr profile and talking to guys on it was major disobedience on my part….disobedience to Christ. Disobedience to a loving and gracious God. Thankfully, I believe that He forgives me for this disobedience. I believe the blood of Christ covers this disobedience. And I won’t be on Grindr again….ever.

“The pastor of my church and the church body I am a part of were informed about me being on Grindr (I told them) before all of this came out, publicly.”

In his writings about becoming “ex-gay”, Moore says that his “homosexual feelings” had “diminished”, but admitted that they had not disappeared completely.

He wrote: “I can, in truth, firmly say that the longer I keep turning away from my homosexual desires, the less in strength they become. My homosexual feelings have definitely diminished since the night God started drawing me to Himself in September of 2010. Are they completely gone? No, they are not. Will they ever be completely gone? I do not know.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/06/us-ex-gay-preacher-admits-continuing-to-use-grindr-to-contact-gay-men/

Mormons, Evangelicals Ask Supreme Court to Ignore Science on Gay Parents

in: http://www.advocate.com/politics/prop-8/2013/02/06/mormons-evangelicals-ask-supreme-court-ignore-science-gay-parents

Amicus briefs filed by a coalition of religious groups contend that same-sex parents are unfit to raise children, citing outdated and scientifically inaccurate studies. 

 

In two "friend-of-the-court" briefs filed at the Supreme Court in late January, a group of religious organizations — including the Mormon Church, National Association of Evangelicals, and Southern Baptist Convention — asked the justices to ignore overwhelming scientific evidence that same-sex parents are equally as qualified to raise children as opposite-sex parents.

Zack Ford at ThinkProgress LGBT collected the key arguments from the briefs, where Mormon Church attorney Von Keetch alleges that same-sex couples make inferior parents. Ford also notes that the briefs cite the controversial parenting study from Mark Regnerus, who has admitted that his research methods were not scientifically sound, and which an internal auditor from the journal that published the study called "bullshit."

In the brief for U.S. v. Windsor, which challenges the constitutionality of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, the evangelical groups argue:

"By their nature, such policy questions cannot be definitively answered by science, professional opinion, or legal reasoning alone. Although we are certainly persuaded by scholarly opinion supporting traditional marriage, the truth is that social science scholars, for instance, disagree about the effects of gay parenting on children. Whatever the ultimate conclusions may be, “nothing in the Constitution requires [government] to accept as truth the most advanced and sophisticated [scientific] opinion.”

In the brief filed in Hollingsworth v. Perry, the case challenging the constitutionality of California's voter-approved revocation of marriage equality, the religious groups admit, "There is an active debate within the social sciences over whether some of these common sense judgments are empirically sound. But 'nothing in the Constitution requires California to accept as truth the most advanced and sophisticated [scientific] opinion.” Lawmakers — including the people of California — are entitled to 'act on various unprovable assumptions,' including those that in 'the sum of [their] experience' lead them to conclude that traditional marriage and the family structure it supports deserve distinctive legal protection."

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on both cases in March.

http://www.advocate.com/politics/prop-8/2013/02/06/mormons-evangelicals-ask-supreme-court-ignore-science-gay-parents

Pentagon expected to expand benefits to same-sex spouses

in: http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/05/us/pentagon-same-sex-benefits/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is expected to announce this week that same-sex spouses of service members will be granted some benefits that they had been denied until now, according to an Obama administration official.

Sources in the gay activist community have received indications that the announcement could come this week.

The Pentagon has been reviewing what benefits it could extend without violating the Defense of Marriage Act. Gay rights groups have been calling for the change.

Among the benefits gay rights groups say can be legally extended are housing on military bases, military ID cards to access on-base activities and programs, access to commissaries and the consideration of a same-sex spouse and family in duty assignments.

Panetta's likely replacement, former Sen. Chuck Hagel, has said he supports extending the benefits.

"I will do everything possible to the extent permissible under current law to provide equal benefits to the families of all our service members," Hagel wrote in answer to a questionnaire he completed for the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Military club closes ranks to same-sex spouse

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/05/us/pentagon-same-sex-benefits/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Boy Scouts of America delays its decision on allowing gay members to May

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/boy-scouts-america-delays-its-decision-allowing-gay-members-may060213

Board says it needs more time 'due to the complexity of this issue'

The national board of the Boys Scouts of America on Wednesday (6 February) delayed a decision of whether or not to end its controversial ban on gay members and leaders.

The BSA said in a statement that 'after careful consideration and extensive dialogue' within the organization along with outside comments, the board concluded 'that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy.'

The approximately 1,400 voting members of the National Council will revisit the issue at its annual meeting in May.

The board is considering a proposal that would allow openly gay people to participate in scouting. But the end of the national restriction regarding sexual orientation would not put an end to the ban on gays completely. Local chapters would still have the ability to not allow gay scouts or leaders.

'Scouting has received an outpouring of feedback from the American public,' the BSA stated. 'It reinforces how deeply people care about Scouting and how passionate they are about the organization.'

During an interview on the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes on Sunday (3 February), President Barack Obama spoke out in favor of allowing gays into the Scouts.

In contrast, such religious conservatives as televangelist Pat Robertson, former US Senator Rick Santorum and Texas Governor Rick Perry has spoken out against dropping the ban predicting great doom for the organization if it allows gays to participate openly.

The delay is a major disappointment to activists who have been pushing for much of the past year for a change in the anti-gay policy.

'A scout is supposed to be brave, and the Boy Scouts failed to be brave today,' said Jennifer Tyrrell, who launched a Change.org petition last year after she was removed as a leader of her son's local troop because she is a lesbian.

'The Boy Scouts had the chance to help countless young people and devoted parents, but they've failed us yet again,' Tyrrell said in a statement released through the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. 'No parent should have to look their child in the eye and explain that the Boy Scouts don't want us.'

GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said: 'The Boy Scouts of America is choosing to ignore the cries of millions, including religious institutions, current scouting families, and corporate sponsors, but these cries will not be silenced. We're living in a culture where hurting young gay people because of who they are is unpopular and discriminatory.'

In addition to pressure from activists, the BSA has also lost the support of several corporate donors because of the anti-gay policy.

According to the BSA website, there are over 300 local councils in the US Scouts for Equality reports that 11 councils, serving over 260,000 Scouts, have already taken a stand against the organization's anti-gay policies.

 

 

http://gaystarnews.com/article/boy-scouts-america-delays-its-decision-allowing-gay-members-may060213

New president of Walt Disney World is first openly gay man to hold the job

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/new-president-walt-disney-world-first-openly-gay-man-hold-job050213

 

Walt Disney World has a new president - and he's openly gay.

George Kalogridis began his new position as head of the Orlando, Florida, resort last Friday (1 February).

He's now the top boss of approximately 66,000 employees at a resort where he began working back in 1971 as a busboy at one of the theme park's resorts. He was just 17 and was hired before the then brand-new theme park had even opened.

Kalogridis, now 59, returns to his Disney roots in Orlando after serving as president of Disneyland Report in Anaheim, California, since 2009. He also had a three-year stint as chief operating officer of Disneyland Resort Paris.

The Disney World Resort is now much more than the original theme park. It currently covers 40-square-miles and has added three additional theme parks: Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom as well as two water parks, 24,000 hotel rooms, 3,000 time-share suites, and a 120-acre retail complex.

'This is a very, very big place, and having been able to see it from Day 1 and to see it now — truly, you have to respect just how incredible this project is," Kalogridis tells the Sentinal.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Kalogridis and his partner of 12 years, Andy Hardy, are planning to build a home in Disney World's new luxury subdivision called Golden Oak.

http://gaystarnews.com/article/new-president-walt-disney-world-first-openly-gay-man-hold-job050213

Bakery refuses to make wedding cake for lesbian couple

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/bakery-refuses-make-wedding-cake-lesbian-couple040213


Oregon bakery owner refused couple saying 'marriage is a religious institution ordained by God'

An Oregon bakery owner is in trouble after refusing to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.

On 17 January, a mother and daughter showed up at Sweet Cakes by Melissa looking for the perfect wedding cake.

Speaking to King5.com, owner Aaron Klein said: ‘My first question is what’s the wedding date.

‘My next question is bride and groom’s name…the girl giggled a little bit and said it’s two brides.’

Klein told the women the company does not make cakes for same-sex marriages. The women were disgusted and walked out according to the owner.

‘I believe that marriage is a religious institution ordained by God,’ said Klein. ‘A man should leave his mother and father and cling to his wife…that to me is the beginning of marriage.’

As soon as the story hit local media, numerous people blasted the Kleins online and in person.

What the owner wanted to make clear is he and his wife do not hate homosexuals.

‘They can buy my stuff,’ he said. ‘I’ll sell them stuff…I’ll talk to them, it’s fine.’

‘I’d rather have my kids see their dad stand up for what he believes in then to see him bow down because one person complained.

The Oregon Department of Justice are currently investigating the bakery because they may have violated one of the US state’s anti-discrimination laws.

It is in Oregon where a bullied 15-year-old teen hanged himself on an elementary school playground two weeks ago. He died yesterday (3 February).

 

 

http://gaystarnews.com/article/bakery-refuses-make-wedding-cake-lesbian-couple040213

Polícia do Rio vai atuar contra homofobia durante carnaval

in: http://exame.abril.com.br/brasil/noticias/policia-do-rio-vai-atuar-contra-homofobia-durante-carnaval

No carnaval, 200 policiais vão atuar no combate às manifestações de discriminação ou violência contra lésbicas, gays, bissexuais e travestis (LGBT) na capital fluminense. A operação vai até o dia 21 em todo o estado.

Ao lado de 40 delegados que atuam na cidade, a chefe da Polícia Civil estadual, Martha Rocha, anunciou hoje (4) o esquema de policiamento, que será integrado com os órgãos de assistência social. "O quantitativo de pessoas nas ruas por vezes torna o ambiente mais propício às situações de discriminação ou violência. Vamos atuar para evitar problemas dessa natureza e garantir o respeito à [população] LGBT”, disse Martha Rocha.

O Disque Cidadania LGBT (0800 023 4567) vai funcionar 24 horas para receber denúncias. O plantão do Centro de Referência da Capital será das 9h às 18h, com advogados, assistentes sociais e psicólogos para dar suporte à comunidade LGBT que tenha sofrido discriminação ou busca informação. O centro fica na Praça Cristiano Otoni, no prédio da Central do Brasil, 7º andar.

Além dessas ações, as delegacias de atendimento ao turista e o batalhão de policiamento em áreas turísticas receberam materiais educativos bilíngues.

http://exame.abril.com.br/brasil/noticias/policia-do-rio-vai-atuar-contra-homofobia-durante-carnaval

The super gran who walked out of church when her pastor attacked a gay teen

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/super-gran-who-walked-out-church-when-her-pastor-attacked-gay-teen040213

Reddit user tells story of how his grandmother left her church after the pastor singled out a gay teen and promised to 'address the problem of homosexuality'


 

A proud grandson has described how his grandmother walked out of her church after an anti-LGBT sermon.

The American Reddit user, registered as BMMiller10, posted on the site that his grandmother had changed her conservative attitudes to homosexuality after he came out to her the previous year.

And after her pastor singled out another gay teenager in front of an entire congregation, promising to 'address the problem of homosexuality', she apologized to the teen and walked out.

She said: 'There are a lot of problems here, and him being gay is not one of them.'

Since then the grandmother has left the church, apparently to the ire of the anti-LGBT pastor.

The user said: 'It's a small thing, and I'm not the best storyteller, but I'm so proud of her, and I thought I'd share.'

The user's heartfelt story rocketed to the top of the LGBT Reddit bulletin board in recent days, while comments praising the grandmother's bravery have poured in.

One comment said: 'I can only imagine the amount of distress the kid had to go through experiencing that, but at least your grandmother hopefully softened the blow by making a stand like that.'

Another read: 'I don't think it's a small thing at all. It's a very big thing. I love her and I'm proud of her for standing up for herself, and you, and the boy at church. And for me too, even though she might not have known it.'

http://gaystarnews.com/article/super-gran-who-walked-out-church-when-her-pastor-attacked-gay-teen040213

Rutgers University to open student wellbeing center named for Tyler Clementi

in: http://gaystarnews.com/article/rutgers-university-open-student-wellbeing-center-named-tyler-clementi020213






Rutgers University announces the creation of a center for student wellbeing and suicide prevention named for student Tyler Clementi who killed himself in 2010 after being outed by a roommate

New Jersey’s Rutgers University will honor the memory of Tyler Clementi with a center for student welfare and suicide prevention.

Clementi killed himself in September of 2010 by jumping off the George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River after he was secretly filmed kissing another man and then outed online by roommate Dharun Ravi.

The announcement will be formally announced at a dedication ceremony on Moday which will be attended by New Jersey congressmen Frank Pallone Jr and Rush Holt – both Democrats – along with the university’s executive vice president for academic affairs Richard L Edwards.

The Tyler Clementi Center is a collaborative effort between Rutgers University and the Tyler Clementi Foundation and according to the university ‘will draw from academic disciplines across the university and throughout the nation to create new programs and approaches to address issues that confront young people – specifically youth making the transition from home to college.’

‘The center will offer lectures, symposia and training on such topics as the use and misuse of new technologies and social media; youth suicide – particularly among LGBTQ youth and other young people – during the transition to adulthood; adjustment and assimilation into college life; bullying and cyberbullying; and understanding and promoting safe and inclusive social environments,’ the university said in a statement.

‘The goal of the center is to provide scholarly support for the work of policymakers, social activists, community leaders and other advocates for vulnerable youth.’

The Tyler Clementi Center will be headed by Rutgers University associate professor of social work Jeff Longhorn and the executive director of the university’s Center for Applied Psychology Susan Furrer.

Tyler’s mother, Jane Clementi, told the New York Times that she felt ‘bittersweet’ about the announcement.

‘It calls up a lot of pain and sadness, but at the same time it gives me some hope that I can be part of a better future for someone else,’ Clementi told the New York Times.

‘There are other Tylers out there, but they won’t have to go through what Tyler went through.’

The center’s first projects will be a lecture in March on growing up in the digital world and hosting a conference on transgender issues in April.

 

http://gaystarnews.com/article/rutgers-university-open-student-wellbeing-center-named-tyler-clementi020213

NFL player Chris Culliver to undergo sensitivity training for homophobic comments

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/02/nfl-player-chris-culliver-to-undergo-sensitivity-training-for-homophobic-comments/

 
Chris Culliver is to undergo sensitivity training after saying gay players weren't welcome (Image: Twitter)

San Francisco 49ers player, Chris Culliver, who earlier this week said there were no gay players on the team, and if there were, they wouldn’t be welcome, is to begin sensitivity training following this weekend’s Super Bowl.

Culliver is to begin the sensitivity training and education and then begin volunteer work with at-risk gay youths nationwide, the Associated Press reports.

Earlier this week, Chris Culliver, who is set to play for the San Francisco 49ers in this weekend’s Super Bowl said in an interview that he didn’t think there were any gay players on his team, and that they wouldn’t be welcome if there were.

Mr Culliver since apologised, and said his comments were “hurtful and ugly”, and said they didn’t reflect his true feelings on the issue.

“[I was] really just not thinking. [It was] something that I thought. Definitely nothing that I felt in my heart,” Culliver said.

The cornerback is to start working with the Trevor Project, a US LGBT suicide prevention organisation, said public relations rep, Theodore Palmer.

Palmer said that Culliver would spend time at a crisis centre in San Francisco.

Openly gay former 49ers player, Kwame Harris, also spoke out about the comments made by Culliver prior to his apology being issued.

Mr Harris told NBC: ”It’s surprising that in 2013 Chris Culliver would use his 15 minutes to spread vitriol and hate. I recognize that these are comments that he may come to regret and that he may come to see that gay people are not so different than straight people.”

Earlier this week, Mr Harris was charged with felony domestic violence and assault charges involving a former boyfriend.

San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said the comments were not acceptable.

“We reject what he said. That’s not something that reflects the way the organization feels, the way most of the players feel,” Harbaugh said.

A statement from Mr Culliver’s team condemned his comments: “The San Francisco 49ers reject the comments that were made yesterday, and have addressed the matter with Chris. There is no place for discrimination within our organization at any level. We have and always will proudly support the LGBT community.”

 

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/02/nfl-player-chris-culliver-to-undergo-sensitivity-training-for-homophobic-comments/