gay rights

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TV's 'Loud and Proud' Gays Should Tone It Down
TV's 'Loud and Proud' Gays Should Tone It Down
OPINION

TV's 'Loud and Proud' Gays Should Tone It Down

Outrageous characters may be hurting the cause

(Newser) - There was a time when homosexuality on TV helped the public become more accepting of gays and lesbians, but that time may be over. As the small screen fills with characters like Glee’s Kurt, “the sensitive gay boy who really wants to be a girl,” and a...

DC, Catholic Church in Gay Rights Standoff

Church to pull plug on social programs if marriage bill passes

(Newser) - The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has told the District of Columbia it will tear up its social service contracts to help the city's needy if it passes a proposed same-sex marriage bill next month. The bill wouldn't require the church to perform or provide space for gay marriages, but would...

Mormons Back Salt Lake Gay Rights Law

Church says it won't drop opposition to gay marriage

(Newser) - The Mormon church has come out in support of gay rights legislation for the first time in its history, backing a pair of Salt Lake City ordinances passed yesterday by the city council protecting gays from discrimination in housing and employment. "The church supports these ordinances because they are...

Time for Gays to Go Nader on Democrats

Fundraising boycott a good idea but doesn't go far enough

(Newser) - The two-party system gives gay Americans a terrible deal, and the proposed gay boycott of Democratic National Committee fundraising is a big step in the right direction toward changing the situation, writes Emma Ruby-Sachs . Cutting off funds to the party will push Democrats toward eliminating discrimination against gays and could...

'Everything But Marriage' Law for Gays Passes in Wash.

Referendum 71 expands benefits for same-sex couples

(Newser) - A measure expanding benefits for same-sex couples, dubbed the “everything but marriage” law, has passed in Washington state, the first time such an equality measure has been approved at the state level by voters. Referendum 71 currently has about 52% of the votes, and a margin of 60,000,...

Gay Marriage Backers Say Fight Not Over in Maine

Defeated advocates say they'll find new strategy

(Newser) - Gay rights activists in Maine vowed to continue fighting today, after voters repealed a law making same-sex marriage legal in the state. “Here we are in a civil rights struggle,” said the executive director of Equality Maine. “What do we do in a civil rights struggle? We...

Maine Shoots Down Same-Sex Marriage
 Maine Shoots Down 
 Same-Sex Marriage 
UPDATED

Maine Shoots Down Same-Sex Marriage

Law repealed by 53% of voters with rural, Catholic backing

(Newser) - Maine voters yesterday shot down a state law allowing same-sex marriage after an emotionally charged campaign that drew hordes to the polls. The vote was another indication of a list to the right election night. “It has all come together and the institution of marriage has been preserved,"...

Catholic Church Welcomes Disgruntled Anglicans

Extends a hand to those unhappy with gay bishops, ordained women

(Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI has created a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the ordination of women and the election of openly gay bishops. The new provision will allow Anglicans to join the Catholic Church while maintaining...

Obama Looks to Lieberman to Lead 'Don't Ask' Repeal

Conn. independent has opposed policy on gays in military since '93

(Newser) - After President Obama's pledge this weekend to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the White House turned immediately to key senators on the Armed Services Committee—in particular Joe Lieberman. A House bill to repeal the policy has 177 sponsors, but the White House is eager for Senate legislation with bipartisan...

Calif. Will Honor Harvey Milk

'Day of significance' commemorates gay rights pioneer

(Newser) - Reversing his position on a bill he vetoed a year ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed off on bill making May 22 an annual day of recognition in  honor of gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk. The San Francisco supervisor, who was assassinated in 1978, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom...

Reporter: Obama Dismissed Gay Marchers as 'Fringe'

White House takes comedians more seriously, Harwood says

(Newser) - Barack Obama isn’t exactly quaking in his boots over the gay rights protesters that marched on Washington yesterday. The administration views the advocates as “part of the Internet left fringe,” CNBC correspondent John Harwood said on NBC last night. “One adviser told me, ‘those bloggers...

Gay Rights Rally Draws Tens of Thousands to DC

Energized by Obama's vow on 'don't ask, don't tell,' activists demand equality

(Newser) - Thousands of gay and lesbian activists marched from the White House to the Capitol today, demanding that President Obama keep his promises to end "don't ask, don't tell" and work to end discrimination against gays. Rainbow flags and homemade signs abounded as participants chanted "Hey, Obama, let mama...

Obama: 'I Will End Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

President admits slow progress to gay rights group

(Newser) - President Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech tonight, but acknowledged to a cheering crowd that the policy changes he promised on the campaign trail are not coming as quickly as they expected. "I will end 'don't ask-don't tell,'"...

Obama Seeks to Mend Ties With Gays
Obama Seeks
to Mend Ties With Gays

Obama Seeks to Mend Ties With Gays

Gives speech tonight, ahead of protest march tomorrow

(Newser) - President Obama's tense relations with the gay community reach critical mass this weekend. Obama will outline his administration's goals on gay rights tonight in a speech to the nation's largest gay advocacy group. It comes ahead of a major demonstration tomorrow in Washington by activists who think he's reneged on...

DC Council Introduces Gay Marriage Bill

Measure looks nearly certain to become law

(Newser) - Members of the City Council in Washington, DC, introduced a measure today to allow gay marriage, and even opponents acknowledged it seems almost unstoppable. Assuming it goes through, DC—which already recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere—will join the ranks of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and, starting next year, New...

Sign of Change? Pentagon Essay Rebukes Ban on Gays

(Newser) - A persuasive essay arguing against the military's ban on gay soldiers is raising hope among activists that a watershed moment is near. It's not so much because of the essay's familiar arguments—that "Don't Ask Don't Tell" hurts morale and violates civil rights—but because of its publication in...

Gay Divorce OK, Texas Judge Rules
Gay Divorce
OK, Texas
Judge Rules

Gay Divorce OK, Texas Judge Rules

Ban on same-sex marriage violates equal-protection law

(Newser) - Though same-sex marriage isn’t legal in Texas, two men married in Massachusetts can get a divorce there, a judge said today in a ruling that finds the state’s ban in violation of federal equal-protection laws. “This is huge news. We’re ecstatic,” the lawyer representing one...

The Seven Deadly Sins of Prejean's Speech

(Newser) - For some reason, people are still listening to Carrie Prejean. The Value Voters Summit even had her give a speech recently (see video). But Prejean made a few mistakes, or sins if you like, writes Oliver Miller for TheFasterTimes.com:
  • Pride: “You know who doesn’t feel the need
...

Iraq Militias Kill Gays With Impunity

Government's unwillingness to protect gays points to a bleak future for all Iraqis

(Newser) - Iraq's militias have switched from slaughtering rivals to killing men they suspect of being homosexuals, and the Iraqi government is turning a blind eye, Rasha Moumneh writes in Foreign Policy. Gay men have been kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in rising numbers since the start of this year, but not a...

Uruguay Legalizes Gay Adoption
Uruguay Legalizes
Gay Adoption

Uruguay Legalizes Gay Adoption

First Latin American nation to let same-sex couples adopt

(Newser) - Uruguay's senate has approved the first law in Latin America allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt children, AFP reports. The bill, backed by leftist President Tabare Vazquez, passed despite fierce objections from the Catholic church and right-wing politicians. Uruguay, traditionally much more liberal than other countries in the region,...

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