Relação homossexual em 'The Sims' foi feita sem autorização da EA

in: http://games.terra.com.br/relacao-homossexual-em-the-sims-foi-feita-sem-autorizacao-da-ea,65270ce967950410VgnVCM20000099cceb0aRCRD.html

Programador homossexual alterou o código sem perguntar para estúdio e nunca foi repreendido pela EA Maxis

Em 'The Sims' é possível ter relacionamentos com parceiros do mesmo sexo e até adotar crianças

Foto: Reprodução

 

Na GaymerX, evento de games voltado para o público LGBT, que aconteceu em São Francisco, no último final de semana, o desenvolvedor de The Sims 4, David "Rez" Graham, contou como outro programador da Electronic Arts permitiu que personagens do mesmo sexo se relaciossem dentro do jogo. As informações são do site Gamasutra.

Meses antes do lançamento do simulador de vida humana, em 2000, o programador Jamie Doornbos alterou o código que possibilitava a ação sem consultar ninguém. E o estúdio EA Maxis nem se importou.

“Ele foi lá um dia e fez. E ninguém questionou sobre isso, o que foi bem legal. Ele tem reputação de chegar e fazer as coisas, então ele escreveu o código sem nenhuma reunião ou discussão”, disse Graham em uma mesa de discussão sobre como a EA traz uma audiência diversificada para seus jogos.

De acordo com o desenvolvedor, Doornbos, que é homossexual, não foi questionado sobre a ação porque The Sims é um jogo causal. “Seria muito mais difícil se isso fosse feito em um grande jogo AAA”, contou.

Graham ainda explicou que proibir a relação entre personagens do mesmo sexo seria um trabalho extra que não justifica a comparação com “o fator repugnância” de outros tabus sociais. “Quando você tem que especificadamente escrever um código para prevenir incesto, homossexualismo parece bastante brando”, apontou.

“Homossexualismo não é novo, é algo que existe no mundo e nós, da Maxis, estamos tentando simular as pessoas em nosso mundo. A conversa não é sobre se incluímos, mas como incluímos isso”, concluiu.

http://games.terra.com.br/relacao-homossexual-em-the-sims-foi-feita-sem-autorizacao-da-ea,65270ce967950410VgnVCM20000099cceb0aRCRD.html

US: Same-sex couples to be given equal immigration rights

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/08/02/us-same-sex-couples-to-be-given-equal-immigration-rights/


The United States is set to begin giving visa applications from same-sex spouses the same preferential treatment granted to opposite-sex spouses.

Secretary of State John F. Kerry said on Friday that the policy change means a foreign citizen married to a US citizen can more easily obtain a US entry visa, and that applications from foreign same-sex married couples will be considered on a joint basis.

He said: “If you’re the spouse of a US citizen, your visa application will be treated equally. If you’re the spouse of a non-citizen, your visa application will be treated equally”.

Mr Kerry made the announcement in the consular section of the US Embassy in London, one of the largest in the world.

“As long as a marriage has been performed in a jurisdiction that recognizes it, so that it is legal, then that marriage is valid under US immigration laws, and every married couple will be treated exactly the same,” Mr Kerry said.

He said that the change results from a review of State Department regulations following the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act in June.

Previously, all applicants seeking to enter the US were considered on a case by case basis unless they were an opposite-sex married couple.

This was not the case for US citizens who married their foreign partners in states or countries where same-sex marriage is legal and then sought to bring their spouses to the United States to work or live.

Married same-sex couples from the 15 countries with national laws legalising same-sex marriage will be evaluated for visas together, as will same-sex applicants from states in Mexico that have legalised same-sex marriage.

Mexico, like the US, has legalised same-sex marriage only in some of its states.

The State Department said the new policy will apply equally at all 222 visa-processing posts worldwide, whether those posts are in countries that have legalised same-sex marriage or not.

In June, a New York City immigration judge immediately stopped the deportation of a gay Colombian man who is legally married to an American citizen just minutes after the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act.

In January it was revealed that plans laid out by President Barack Obama for immigration reform had included provisions for recognising same-sex families from different countries, and allowing visas for same-sex couples wishing to live in the US.


http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/08/02/us-same-sex-couples-to-be-given-equal-immigration-rights/

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

NUS launches “I saw daddy kissing Santa Claus” equal marriage campaign

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/11/28/nus-launches-i-saw-daddy-kissing-santa-claus-equal-marriage-campaign/

 

The equal marriage cards will be sent to David Cameron (Image: NUS)

 

 

 

The National Union of Students today launched a campaign aiming to push the Prime Minister to move forward legislation which could legalise equal marriage in Britain.

The campaign, which aims to tackle the ongoing issue of equal marriage in a fun and festive way, encourages members of the public to come out in support of equal marriage, and to download and send the equal marriage card to David Cameron, to urge him to do the same.

One of the officers involved in organising the campaign, Finn McGoldrick, NUS LGBT Officer, released a statement alongside the launch of the campaign. She said:

“We are excited to see students getting involved and telling the government we are tired of waiting for equal marriage. It’s important because separate is never equal and lgbt students know they have a right to equality.

“It’s a different campaign because it’s grassroots, it’s the community coming together to demand equal marriage now. No more stalling Mr Cameron, all we want for Christmas is a vote on equal marriage!”

In order to achieve “equal Marriage and Civil Partnerships for all,” the site recommends that students refer to sites such as Out4Marriage, write to MPs, and sign the petition at the Coalition for Equal Marriage’s website.

Sky Yarlett, LGBT Officer, also made a statement, saying:

“I think that this campaign will put a positive light back onto the issue of equal marriage and reinvigorate the campaign. We’re incredibly proud of the students who have been campaigning within their institutions and will be involved in this.”

The card which reads “I saw daddy kissing Santa Clause” can be posted directly to the Prime Minister, or supporters have the option to send it online, and have the NUS deliver it prior to Christmas is also available.

Last week, David Cameron announced that he intends to fast-track legislation to introduce equal marriage within weeks.

This announcement did not come without criticism however, as the MP for South Dorset swiftly wrote an open letter voicing his strong opposition to equal marriage and saying that marriage should only be between one man and one woman.

 

 

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/11/28/nus-launches-i-saw-daddy-kissing-santa-claus-equal-marriage-campaign/

Trans election success in the US

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/trans-election-success-us091112



Stacie Laughton is first openly transgender lawmaker in New Hampshire, Stu Rasmussen is re-elected mayor in Silverton, Oregon




Among the historic milestones for minorities from Tuesday's election in America were two electoral successes for transgender candidates.

Stacie Laughton became the first openly transgender lawmaker in New Hampshire. She was elected as a Democrat to serve on the state’s House of Representatives and said on Wednesday that she hopes other sexual minorities will be inspired by her success.

‘I believe that at this point, the LGBT community will hopefully be inspired,’ Laughton said to local newspaper The Nashua Telegraph.

‘We are people, too, who still have talents and ideas. And I hope that people won’t be afraid to get into politics, or any other position, for that matter. Maybe in the next election, we’ll have a senator.’

Laughton said her priorities in office will be advocating for the homeless, people with mental illness and physical disabilities and improving public schools.

Laughton also said she’d wants to make it easier for transgender people to correct their gender on official documentation and to use public restrooms. ‘The state needs to be welcoming and affirming and sending that message that you won’t be discriminated against in New Hampshire,’ she said.

Across the country in Silverton, Oregon on the west coast. Stu Rasmussen was re-elected as mayor.

Cinema-owner and lifelong Silverton resident became America’s first openly transgender mayor in 2008. He dresses in a feminine way but uses the ‘he’ pronoun. On his website he describes himself as a ‘cross-dresser’ and ‘transvestite’.


http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/trans-election-success-us091112

Apple Adds Gay and Lesbian Couple Icons to iOS 6

in: http://gizmodo.com/

The new version of Apple's iPhone operating system comes with new emojis, the popular emoticons that are often used in texting and email, especially by young kids and nerdy adults like me. Two of these new pictograms represent gay and lesbian couples for the first time.

The icons are placed next to the previous relationship-related emojis showing a heterosexual couple holding hands and a heterosexual couple with a son. One shows two men holding hands. The other shows two women in the same position.

From Japan to the world

Emojis started in Japan. Meaning picture (e) and letter (moji), the pictograms quickly become a standard across this highly visually oriented culture. Apple introduced an emoji keyboard when it got the iPhone into the Japanese market, knowing that they were fundamental to compete there.

But then Westerners, fascinated by their cuteness, quickly adopted them too. Software appeared to enable that special Apple emoji keyboard in any iPhone or iPad. Every kid and nerdy adult with an Apple device quickly adopted them, and emojis spreaded like wildfire. Now you can find them everywhere.

Apple has greatly expanded the emoji palette with the new iOS 6, including these two gay and lesbian icons which weren't present in iOS 5. I wouldn't be surprised if same sex couples with babies appear in iOS 7.

There's only one question: why don't the gay and lesbian couples have any facial expressions? [Thanks Logan!]

http://gizmodo.com/

Lesbian Girlfriends Get “Cutest Couple” In High School Yearbook

in: http://www.queerty.com/





Isn’t this just the most wonderful feel-good story to kick off the weekend? Girlfriends Destinee Gates and Becca Fernandez were awarded “Cutest Couple” in the yearbook of Calaveras High School in California.

They’ve openly dated since Freshman year, and have been surprised at how most people and their peers in the normally conservative county have been accepting. Even Principal Ric Stitt beams as he describes the tolerance within his community.

If only other schools and administrators would take a lesson from this simple, but beautiful story of acceptance. Destinee and Becca plan to both attend Columbia College in Sonora in the fall. May they continue to find happiness.

Can we hear an “Aaaaaaaaaawww…”?



http://www.queerty.com/

George Clooney: "Gay and lesbian people are born equal in dignity and rights"

in: http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/

Superstar George Clooney came out in support of gay and lesbian rights as he became the first actor to accept a role in Dustin Lance Black’s Los Angeles production of “8,” which reenacts the courtroom drama of the Proposition 8 trial.

“It is astonishing that gay and lesbian Americans are still treated as second-​class citizens,” Clooney said. “I am confident that, very soon, the laws of this nation will reflect the basic truth that gay and lesbian people — like all human beings — are born equal in dignity and rights.”

The Huffington Post adds that the “Oscar-​winning actor will appear in the one night only event on March 3rd at LA’s Wilshire Ebell Theatre, leading an as of yet unnamed cast of co-​stars in a Rob Reiner-​directed production.”

Black, who won an Oscar for writing “Milk” and penned this year’s “J. Edgar,” produced a version of the play in New York City that starred Morgan Freeman, Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow and 18 other stars. The drama centers on the defense of gay marriage pressed by former Solicitor General Theodore Olson and attorney David Boies, onetime political rivals who came together to fight the ban in federal court.

Featuring a cast in directors chairs and a barebones set, the play is more of a script reading, a representation of a trial that did not have its transcripts made public at first by the federal court.

Clooney has devoted a good deal of time to humanitarian causes, like resolving the Darfur conflict, and opposing the Iraq War.

In September, “8” played in New York and starred Morgan Freeman, John Lithgow, Bradley Whitford Christine Lahti, Anthony Edwards, and Rob Reiner played witnesses. (Rob Reiner is a co-​founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the sole sponsor of the Olsen-​Boies federal court Prop 8 challenge.)

in: http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/

UK launches action plan to promote transgender equality

in: http://jurist.org/paperchase/2011/12/uk-launches-action-plan-to-promote-transgender-equality.php

The UK Home Office Government Equalities Office [official website] on Thursday announced the UK's first ever government action plan promoting transgender equality [report, PDF; official website]. The plan stated that there was a 14 percent rise in transgender-related hate crime between 2009 and 2010 and that only two EU member states explicitly address transgender hate crimes in their hate crime legislation. The report proposed amending Section 146 and Schedule 21 [text] of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 [materials] so that crimes motivated by hostility towards transgender individuals are considered hate crimes and that the minimum sentence for murders motivated by hostility towards transgender individuals be 30 years. This is double the current minimum sentence [BBC report]. The Ministry of Justice [official website] later clarified that the increased minimum sentence would also apply to murders motivated by hate of disabled people [press release]. The plan also calls for a government-wide appraisal of transgender rights and the special needs of transgender individuals, greater protection for the privacy of transgender individuals and greater protection for transgender students in schools. The plan stated that over 70 percent of children who express gender variant behaviors are subject to bullying in school. Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone [official website] stated that the transgender action plan was "just the first step on this road" [video] and that she hopes that the trans community is happy with the government's efforts.

The rise of hate crimes against LGBT individuals has been an issue throughout the world. In July the Italian Chamber of Deputies [official website, in Italian] rejected legislation [JURIST report] that would have provided greater penalties for hate crimes committed against homosexuals and transsexuals. As a member of the UN Human Rights Council [official website], Italy is a party to the "Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity" resolution [text, PDF], which was passed [JURIST report] in June. The resolution is the first to call for an end to sexuality discrimination worldwide and to recognize it as a "priority" for the UN. However, the resolution does not address any penalties for violating the act nor is it binding for members. In March, US Representative Jared Polis (D-CO) and Senator Al Franken (D-MN) [official websites] introduced legislation to protect LGBT students [JURIST report] in federally funded public elementary and high schools from bullying. In 2009, US President Barack Obama signed into law [JURIST report] a bill that contained a measure extending the definition of federal hate crimes to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

in: http://jurist.org/paperchase/2011/12/uk-launches-action-plan-to-promote-transgender-equality.php

Small steps lead to big changes in LGBT lives

via: Small steps lead to big changes in LGBT lives | Opinion | Creative Loafing Atlanta

by Editorial Board

JOEFF DAVIS/CL FILE

As any social movement matures, its foot soldiers discover that they must address the unsexy, nuts-and-bolts issues that have a deeper, less-obvious impact on society. Such issues don't often translate into splashy headlines, and they require hard work. But the efforts often pay off in people's daily lives.

The LGBT movement, which traditionally has focused on equality, is no different. For many, same-sex marriage has become a rallying cry for gays and lesbians around the country, aided by celebrities and everyday folks alike.

Equality certainly is a noble goal, one that we would never denigrate. And many of the civil liberties that come with marriage — such as spousal rights at hospitals — are certainly important.

But Georgia, one of the reddest of red states, currently has a constitutional amendment that bans gay marriage. And the state's all-Republican, all-male, all-white leadership has shown no sign that it's willing to revisit the subject.

Beyond a discussion of the push for marriage equality is a capitulation to mainstream values, we wonder if there aren't issues that deserve to be given higher priority by gay activists in Georgia. There are real, pressing problems that affect the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Georgians that we could — and should — be addressing. It's arguably better to take a page from the playbook of the feminist movement in Europe, which advocated for incremental changes to the system, rather than the noble yet foggy notion of "equality" that was the goal of U.S. activists.

Where to start? Many local governments and corporations in Georgia still do not offer domestic partner benefits to LGBT employees. Every year, LGBT activists bite their nails over whether the state will adequately fund a program that helps people living on low incomes receive HIV/AIDS medication, and which has a waiting list of nearly 1,800 people. The state and some local governments still lack safeguards to protect employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

It's not just LGBT adults that need attention. Gay children and teens — and the few organizations that cater to their needs — deserve better support. Gay foster kids, some of whom are impossible to place in safe and caring homes, become lost in a bureaucratic maze rather than enjoying their lives like any other child. Bullying in schools and communities remains a problem.

Many groups, including Georgia Equality, have slogged through the Gold Dome and local governments to push for these changes. It's time they received a little help. The little battles, as arduous as they might be, lead to tiny victories, which add up and result in greater change
.

NFL Star Bucks Homophobia, Calls for Equality in Maryland

in: http://www.good.is/

Nigerian NFL player Brendon Ayanbadejo is currently a star linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. He's also rabidly dedicated to equality for all. As Maryland legislators prepare to debate the adoption of same-sex marriage in their state, Ayanbadejo has partnered with Equality Maryland to release a statement in support of gay marriage rights.

"[A]n important issue in our state is whether or not to allow gay and lesbian couples who love each other to marry," Ayanbadejo says in the video below. "Gay and lesbian couples want to marry for similar reasons as we all do: love and commitment. It’s time to allow them the opportunity to build a family through marriage. It’s a matter of fairness."

Ayanbadejo's willingness to stand up for what he believes in is commendable any way you look at it. But it's especially remarkable considering how homophobic the NFL can be.

According to Mike Freeman, a sports columnist for CBS, one gay NFL athlete with whom he spoke for a book he was writing told Freeman he was "dead" if his teammates found out he was a homosexual. The player, who went by the pseudonym Steven Thompson, told Freeman that "gay men were routinely viewed as animals and people to be feared, if not outright eliminated."

In other words, good for Ayanbadejo, but we've still got a long way to go.

http://www.good.is/