tagged w/ Homophobia
-
New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino apologized for comments "that may have offended the gay and lesbian community" after his remarks to an Orthodox Jewish group drew fire earlier this week.
The Republican candidate said he doesn't want children "to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option [compared with heterosexuality]. ... it isn't."
Andrew Cuomo, the New York attorney general and Paladino's Democratic opponent, criticized the remarks Sunday, as did advocate groups for gays and lesbians.
In a letter Tuesday, Paladino acknowledged that he made "mistakes" when he told Jewish leaders that children should not be "brainwashed" into thinking that homosexuality is an acceptable option.New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino apologized for comments "that may... more
-
-
mik661
-
added this
-
1 year ago
- |
-
Serbian police have clashed with protesters trying to disrupt a Gay Pride parade in the capital, Belgrade.
Police used tear gas against the rioters, who threw petrol bombs and stones at armed officers and tried to break through a security cordon.
A garage attached to the headquarters of the ruling Democratic Party was briefly set on fire, and at least one shot was fired at the building.
At least 50 people were injured, most reported to be police officers.
A number of people were arrested.
This was the first Gay Pride parade in Serbia since a march in 2001 was broken up in violent clashes provoked by far-right extremists
While the Gay Pride parade was moving though the city, several hundred protesters began chanting at those taking part as they tried to get close to the march.
"The hunt has begun," the AFP news agency reported them as saying. "Death to homosexuals."
Reports told of gangs of skinheads roaming the streets, throwing petrol bombs and setting off firecrackers as police battled to hold them back.
Thousands of police had sealed off central Belgrade to protect the event.
A gay pride march planned last year was cancelled amid fears of violence.
As Gay Pride ended the street protests gathered pace. I stood on Terazije boulevard watching demonstrators hurl rocks at armed police, who responded with tear gas. Some officers retreated, bleeding.
Battles erupted in other parts of the city, too, and there is considerable damage to street furniture, including bus shelters and signposts.
This is not the image Serbia wants the world to see. A successful gay parade was supposed to be an indication of how far this country has come from the ultranationalism and violence of the 1990s.
The protection of minorities is crucial to Serbia's EU aspirations. Chaos on the streets will anger a government determined to move on from a troubled past.
On Saturday, several thousand people had protested against the march. Right-wing groups say that homosexuality is contrary to Serbian religious and family values.
The Serbian Orthodox Church condemned the parade on Friday but also warned against violence against participants.
Democratic Party spokesperson Jelana Trivan said the violence had nothing to do with moral values.
"These are hooligan gangs which must be punished severely," Ms Trivan said.
"It is a shame for me to march, to stand for what I am, and to have thousands of cops protect me from hysteric [sic] nationalists," lesbian activist Milena, 36, told Reuters.
The BBC's Mark Lowen says homosexuality is still largely a taboo in Serbia, a conservative and religious nation.
This year's event was being seen as a test of how far the country has come from the ultra-nationalism and violence of the 1990s and on its path to EU membership.
Before the march, the head of the EU mission in Serbia, Vincent Degert, addressed around 1,000 gay activists and their supporters who gathered at a park in downtown Belgrade surrounded by riot police and armoured vehicles.
"We are here to celebrate the values of tolerance, freedom of expression and assembly," Mr Degert told the crowd.Serbian police have clashed with protesters trying to disrupt a Gay Pride parade in... more
-
-
An estimated 4,500 gay rights advocates gathered outside the headquarters of the Mormon church Thursday evening to protest recent remarks from a church leader that homosexuality is an immoral condition that can be cured.
The demonstrators, mostly dressed in black, laid down on the ground and twice encircled Temple Square, a ten acre complex in downtown Salt Lake City.
The protest was response to remarks by Boyd K. Packer, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, on Oct. 3 during a sermon against same-sex marriage and pornography.
Packer said that the LDS Church would always oppose same-sex marriage, that gays and lesbians could change their sexual orientation to straight, and compared homosexuality to “a habit or addiction that is unworthy,” calling same-sex attraction “impure and unnatural.”
The ill-timed remarks come on the heels of the suicides of at least six teenagers over the past month, all victims of anti-gay bullying or harassment.
> “We represent all colors of the rainbow tonight. We are lesbian, gay, bisexual,
> transgender, straight, black, white, latino, Mormon, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish and
> atheist – but we all stand firm in one thing, stop destroying our children,” said
> organizer Eric Ethington, who blogs at PrideinUtah.com.
> “And to the youth of the church: Never let anyone tell you that you need to be any
> different than who you are. There are thousands in this state alone who will love you
> and accept you. You are beautiful and perfect just the way you are!”
The Human Rights Campaign has called Packer’s comments “inaccurate and dangerous rhetoric.”
“Unless Elder Packer or the Mormon Church’s hierarchy corrects these inaccurate statements immediately, individuals will interpret them to mean that the church condones discrimination or harassment against LGBT people and others struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identify could rationalize the statements to continue their self-loathing or bring harm to themselves,” the HRC said in a statement.An estimated 4,500 gay rights advocates gathered outside the headquarters of the... more
-
-
Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and second highest ranking member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is just another school yard bully harassing gay kids.
This weekend Packer issued a decree that gays can change their sexuality, and announced that marriage, or any union, between people of the same gender is immoral. Packer went on to say that same-sex attraction is "impure and unnatural."
In a sermon broadcast to millions, the Mormon leader offered cover to, and justification for, every and any school yard bully with a desire to harass, torment and abuse members of the LGBT community.
http://www.examiner.com/humanist-in-portland/mormon-leader-boyd-packer-one-more-school-yard-bully-harassing-gay-kidsBoyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and second highest ranking... more
-
-
In A Flood of Homophobia, a Davar Torah on Parashat Noach, Rabbi David Mitchell responds to the recent spate of young gay men taking their own lives (including Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, who jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge) by asking us, as individuals and the Jewish community collectively, what we are doing to prevent such tragic deaths. His answer is not nearly enough. In A Flood of Homophobia, a Davar Torah on Parashat Noach, Rabbi David Mitchell... more
-
-
On 8 October, a coalition of grassroots organizations will be gathering together in Chicago to hold a candlelight vigil in honor of the nine LGBTQ teens that have committed suicide in recent weeks due to homophobic bullying. The vigil will be held on DePaul University’s quad near the corner of Fullerton and Seminary in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Jeremy Kauffman, a DePaul University sophmore and event co-organizer said “After the recent suicide of Tyler Clementi, I felt compelled to do something that would raise awareness of this crisis.” The victims of bullying have been as young as thirteen and as old as nineteen. Bullying can also scar individuals for life even if they do not end their own lives.
According to the press release about the vigil “The organizers believe these senseless deaths did not occur in a vacuum, but rather in a society that lacks respect for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people and their right to dignity and equality. This vigil is being held in the hopes that both the LGBTQ and straight communities will come together to remember those lost, to provide support for the living, and to inspire hope and action for the future.”
Anthony Martinez of LGBT Change stated “LGBTQ teens are four times more likely to commit suicide than their straight counterparts. With the outrageous number of deaths this past month it has become very clear that as a community we cannot wait to take action. We must stand together and work harder to address bullying and homophobia in schools. In September alone we lost eight teens. It is truly horrifying“
The organizers of the event request that those attending bring a candle and lighter if they have one, and state that there will be an opportunity to leave behind mementos for those who are being remembered. Andrea Crain of Join The Impact Chicago stated “We want to allow people to offer something in the remembrance of these kids. A flower, a balloon or something personal to you – a remembrance.”
The groups involved in this event include LGBT Change, Join The Impact Chicago, Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, Gay Liberation Network, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 50 Faggots, Adler Pride, The Civil Rights Agenda, Genderqueer Chicago.On 8 October, a coalition of grassroots organizations will be gathering together in... more
-
-
The problem is anti-LGBTQ bullying and harassment. It is an epidemic.
Whether they are gay or not, anyone who is a victim of anti-LGBTQ bullying or harassment is having a tough time.
Some, as we painfully were reminded this month, resort to suicide.
Right now the media is focused on five teens who committed suicide in response to anti-LGBTQ bullying. As tragic as that is, there are a lot more than five. Thanks to our readers, so far we so far have found nine.
Nine male teenagers all committed suicide in the month of September, victims of bullying. There are reports that all but one were victims of anti-LGBTQ bullying. The “type” of bullying of one, Felix Sacco, was not identified.
If nine teens died in one month from a mysterious disease, there would be marches to the White House demanding something be done.
So, aside from a press release(http://bit.ly/cvlaVP), what is being done?
> Billy Lucas (15) September 9, 2010. Indiana
> Cody J. Barker (17) September 13, 2010. Wisconsin
> Seth Walsh (13) September 19, 2010. California
> Tyler Clementi (18) September 22, 2010. New Jersey
> Asher Brown (13) September 23, 2010. Texas
> Harrison Chase Brown (15) September, 25 2010. Colorado
> Raymond Chase (19) September 29, 2010. Rhode Island
> Felix Sacco (17) September 29, 2010. Massachusetts
> Caleb Nolt (14) September 30, 2010. Indiana
Remember them. And reach out to — and check in with — every teen you know. They may need you right now, more than you imagine.The problem is anti-LGBTQ bullying and harassment. It is an epidemic.
Whether they... more
-
-
http://www.nation.co.ke/image/view/-/1024374/highRes/200348/-/maxw/600/-/13c009k/-/PIX3.jpg
More than 74 churches have petitioned President Kibaki to sack Cabinet minister Esther Murugi over her last week remarks on gay rights in the country.(http://bit.ly/bsZoX2)
The churches, under the aegis of the Federation of Evangelical Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) warned of street demonstrations against the Ms Murugi, the Special Programmes minister.
In a statement, Dr Methu said Ms Murugi discredited her reputation and was unfit to hold public office.
The minister, while speaking last week in Mombasa, asked Kenyans to learn to co-exist with homosexuals and lesbians saying this is 21st century.
“This should happen in the shortest time possible; failure to which we shall not be left with any other option other than to ask those who care about righteousness and morality to demonstrate against her, “said FEICCK chairman Bishop Dr Joseph.
Dr Methu stressed unless intended to invite God’ wrath, Kenyans should not dare to allow homosexuality and lesbianism to thrive in the country.
“God will punish all forms of immorality despite who is promoting it and are at whatever level. We have observed Hon Murugi Transforming herself to becoming a trouble shooter and one who makes statements focused on demeaning and antagonizing the faith community in Kenya , “he further state in his statement to the Nation.
The FEICCK chairman said the faith community in Kenya respects the rights of all persons but will oppose all forms of propagation of ungodliness and immorality.
Separately, nominated MP Sheikh Mohammed Dor asked government spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua to issue official government position regarding Ms Murugi comment during HIV/AIDS symposium.
“The minister is government and we need clarification from the Dr Mutua whether she was making personal comment or speaking on behalf of the government,” he told the Nation.
The function dubbed as Most At Risks Population (MARPs) attracted homosexuals, sex workers and Injecting Drug Users (IDU) because of their behaviour that put them at the greatest risk of being infected with HIV.
Sheikh Dor also called for minister be taken through new Constitution to learn its contents saying her utterance is unconstitutional and could further land her on wrong side of laws.
Earlier, the minister's call of support for homosexuals was condemned by the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) and the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya.
Former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile joined in the fray on Sunday, terming the minister “unfocused” over the remarks, saying she should instead concentrate on resettling the IDPs.
Said Mr Ndile: “Three years are gone now (since the displacement) and we still have IDPs in the camps. Why should she concentrate on gay rights instead of focusing on these suffering Kenyans?”
Mr Ndile who spoke in the minister’s constituency said she could reap more political mileage were she to resettle the IDPs than by propagating the gay agenda.
He said he had personally experienced how dehumanizing it was to live in a squatter camp and would not wish it on any other human being.
The former MP said the government must now move fast to resettle the IDPs and end their suffering once and for all.
Ms Murugi could not be reached on phone on Sunday.
Mr Ndile also accused mainstream parties of ignoring the youth, women and the poor especially in giving out tickets to vie for important seats.
“It will be the straw that will break their backs,” said Mr Ndile while saying he personally lost his parliamentary seat in the 2002 general elections because of supporting President Kibaki at a time when Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka was popular in his backyard.
Mr Ndile also asked Kenyans to give newly elected Makadara MP Gidion Mbuvi alias Mike Sonko a break.
He accused Kenyans on concentrating on petty politics such as attacking Mbuvi.
“He is just a youth who should be allowed to prove himself,” said Mr Ndile.http://www.nation.co.ke/image/view/-/1024374/highRes/200348/-/maxw/600/-/13c009k/-/PIX3... more
-
-
Atemorizados porque la poblacion MEXICANA sigue creciendo. Les asusta La Reconquista!
Brownstein notes that 40 percent of the nation's population under 18 is already non-white, with that number significantly higher in the Southwest (read: Mexicans!). By 2023, that number of young non-whites will be an outright national majority.
http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-09-29/news/white-america-has-lost-its-mind/Atemorizados porque la poblacion MEXICANA sigue creciendo. Les asusta La Reconquista!... more
-
-
Jesus. Number six. His name is Raymond Chase, he was a 19-year-old student at Johnson & Wales in Providence, and he hung himself in his dorm room Wednesday night. I can't even believe these young men are now becoming statistics.
Seth Walsh(http://bit.ly/aIrybc), Asher Brown(http://bit.ly/bvrgQF), Justin Aaberg(http://bit.ly/9S1JlY) (he died in July), and Billy Lucas(http://bit.ly/dyNZ6W), and Tyler Clementi(http://bit.ly/adLxkm). Now, a fifth young soul.
From a CampusPride.org release(http://bit.ly/boRCoG), it's unclear why Chase — a Monticello, New York native — took his own life.
Ronald Martel, the school's dean of students, emailed the campus yesterday:
> Today I contact you with the deeply sad news of the passing of Raymond Chase,
> sophomore, 19, culinary arts major. The campus community is mourning the loss of
> this vibrant young man who leaves many JWU friends and teachers, and a loving
> family of Monticello, New York.
> Funeral arrangements are not available at this time. As we obtain more information
> that can be shared, we will do so. Ray's JWU friends and the university are planning
> a memorial service for the campus community. Those details will be forthcoming.
> In the meantime, I encourage anyone who is having a difficult time to seek the
> services available at Student Counseling. Our staff of professionals is here to work
> with all of you during this sorrowful time. Their help and confidentiality is a benefit
> that you should consider.
> Student Counseling services are available at the The Friedman Center, 2nd floor,
> Harborside Campus and at Wales (formerly Plantations) Hall, 2nd Floor, Downcity
> Campus. Call 401-598-1016 to reach both locations.
> By expressing the university community's condolences to Ray's family, I join you
> during this time of bereavement.
Our hearts go out to Raymond's family.Jesus. Number six. His name is Raymond Chase, he was a 19-year-old student at Johnson... more
-
-
A 15-year-old Indiana teen took his own life last week in what is thought to be another suicide at least partially connected to school bullying, a result of the teen’s perceived sexual orientation.
Billy (William) Lucas, a student at Greensburg Community High School in Greensburg, IN, was was found dead in a barn at his grandmother’s home Thursday evening — he had hanged himself.
Friends of Lucas say that he had been tormented for years. [WTHR-TV](http://bit.ly/aO5c0G)
> “He was threatened to get beat up every day,” friend and classmate Nick Hughes
> said. “Sometimes in classes, kids would act like they were going to punch him and
> stuff and push him.”
> “Some people at school called him names,” Hughes said, saying most of those
> names questioned Lucas’ sexual orientation, and that Lucas, for the most part, did
> little to defend himself.
> “He would try to but people would just try to break him down with words and stuff and
> just pick on him,” Hughes said.
Decatur County Coroner Doug Banks said Lucas left a note, but that it didn’t refer to bullying or blame anyone; Lucas reportedly never self-identified as gay.
A Facebook memorial page(http://bit.ly/d5PGWw) created in Lucas’ honor, begins with this bio: “Everyone made fun of him at school and he couldn’t take it anymore so he decided to end his life”.A 15-year-old Indiana teen took his own life last week in what is thought to be... more
-
-
Another teenage victim of anti-gay bullying has committed suicide.
Asher Brown came home from school last Thursday while his parents were at work. He shot himself in the head after enduring what his mother and stepfather say was constant harassment from four other students at Hamilton Middle School in Houston.
He used his stepfather’s 9mm Beretta, stored on a closet shelf, to kill himself. He left no note.
> “For some reason, he stood out and people were just cruel. Kids were cruel to my kid.
> He was very different. He’s not the type of kid that would try to wear the newest clothes
> or try to do the coolest thing. He was an individual,” says David Truong, Asher’s
> stepfather.
> The 13-year-old’s parents said they had complained about the bullying to school
> officials during the past 18 months, but claimed their concerns fell on deaf ears.
David and Amy Truong said they made several visits to the school to complain about the harassment, and Amy Truong said she made numerous phone calls to the school that were never returned.
But school officials said Monday that they never received any complaints from Brown’s parents before the suicide about the way the boy was being treated at school.(http://bit.ly/ayX50O)
That statement has infuriated the Truongs, who accused the school district of protecting the bullies and their parents.
“That’s absolutely inaccurate — it’s completely false,” Amy Truong said. “I did not hallucinate phone calls to counselors and assistant principals. We have no reason to make this up. … It’s like they’re calling us liars.”
The Truongs say over this past summer, Asher confided in them that he was gay. The parents say the conversation went so well, they believe he went on to confess to children at his school.
Asher’s suicide is the third incident this month attributed to anti-gay bullying.
On September 9, 15-year-old Billy Lucas of Greensburg(http://bit.ly/cqDy3C), IN, hanged himself at his grandmother’s home. Friends of Lucas said that he had been tormented for years based on his perceived sexual orientation.
And in California, 13-year-old gay teen Seth Walsh(http://bit.ly/cq6kZf) was taken off life support after he hung himself last week in what friends and neighbors describe as another case of anti-gay bullying.Another teenage victim of anti-gay bullying has committed suicide.
Asher Brown came... more
-
-
A Rutgers University freshman killed himself after two classmates used a hidden dorm room camera to splash his sex life across the internet, sources told the Daily News.
A distraught Tyler Clementi, 18, left his wallet on the George Washington Bridge before plunging to his death in the Hudson River last Wednesday, sources said.
A Twitter post from one of the students accused of streaming the sexual encounter live on the internet indicated Clementi, a renowned high school violinist, was with another man.
"Roommate asked for the room till midnight," read the post from Dharun Ravi, 18. "I went into Molly's room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay."
The Twitter post went up Sept. 19 - three days before Clementi's suicide.
At least two people spotted Clementi standing on the south walk of the bridge near the New York side at 8:50 p.m. The Ridgewood, N.J., teen left no note before jumping, the sources said.
His body was not yet recovered. The teen's car was parked on the New Jersey side of the bridge.
"We are not talking right now," said the victim's father, Joseph Clementi, 54. "We are still in mourning. It's been a lot to deal with."
The stunning details emerged one day after authorities announced the arrests of Ravi and Molly Wei for cyber-voyeurism.
The pair used the hidden dorm room camera to stream their fellow student's sex session, officials said.
Clementi graduated in June from Ridgewood High School, where he was well-known for his musical prowess. His former classmates became aware of his disappearance late last week, said schools Superintendent Daniel Fishbein.
"We've had counselors available for students and staff for some time," said Fishbein.
Ravi, 18, was free Wednesday on $25,000 bail and co-defendant Wei, 18, was released on her own recognizance after the suspects surrendered to campus police.
The pair, who were high school classmates, were charged with two counts each of invasion of privacy for the Sept. 19 broadcast, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan.
Kaplan had no immediate comment about additional charges in the wake of Clementi's death.
Ravi was additionally charged with two more invasion of privacy counts for trying to arrange the airing of a second session on Sept. 21, Kaplan said.
Ravi's lawyer was not available Wednesday for comment.
The top count against each suspect carries a five-year jail term. The two students were on the Piscataway campus less than a month before their arrests.
Ravi pulled down his Twitter account, where he also made a cryptic Sept. 21 reference to his roommate asking to have their room to himself.
"Yes, it's happening again," he wrote.
Authorities declined to say how Ravi, of Plainsboro, N.J., and Wei, of Princeton, N.J., knew the 18-year-old victim, or whether the illegal broadcast involved anyone else.
Rutgers students who knew the duo were shocked by the arrests.
Ravi was a ping-pong player and frisbee enthusiast, while Wei was described by one friend as a dedicated student from a strict household.
"She studies a lot," said the 17-year-old, who attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School with the pair. "She gets good grades. She never did anything bad."
Rutgers issued a statement saying it would not comment on any details of the case.
"The university takes these matters seriously and has policies to deal with student behavior," said spokeswoman Sandra Lanman. "Under federal law, the university cannot comment on specifics."A Rutgers University freshman killed himself after two classmates used a hidden dorm... more
-
-
***********************
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2010/09/gay-teen-dies-after-10-days-on-life-support-following-suicide-attempt-over-anti-gay-bullying/
According to reports, Seth was openly gay and was taunted by bullies for years, at school and at a local park.
He attended Jacobsen Middle School last year and for only two weeks this year, before being transferred to independent study — reportedly because he had been bullied relentlessly. But school officials at Tehachapi Union School District claim there have been no reports of bullying.
A 13-year-old high school student Seth Walsh died after spending 10 days on life support after an attempt to take his life.
*******************************************************************
According to the details, Seth Walsh was a resident of Tehachapi, California and was studying at Jacobsen Middle School. Seth Walsh was being bullied at the school for being gay.
After months of bullying, Seth Walsh tried to take his own life by hanging himself from a tree branch. He was found unconscious and was not breathing.
Seth Walsh was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he was kept on life support for more than a week. On Tuesday afternoon, Seth Walsh took his last breaths. He is survived by his grandmother, mother, and three siblings.
The police at the Tehachapi say that they cannot hold any child at the school responsible for the death of Seth Walsh as school bullying is not a crime. The school administration says that there are definitely policies inside the school which questions such activities and students are encouraged to get counseling.
Seth Walsh’s family has requested for their privacy. Seth Walsh’s death follows the death of an 8th grader Asher Brown in Texas and Billy Lucas in Indiana. Like Seth Walsh, these two kids also committed suicide after becoming subject of relentless bullying and teasing at their schools.
The family of Seth Walsh is holding a memorial service on Friday in Tehachapi First Baptist Church. Pro-gay organizations have taken notice the death of Seth Walsh and have requested others to talk and counsel other gay teenagers.***********************... more
-
-
State official vs. gay student .. why?
Assistant attorney general blogs against gay student body president
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 29, 2010 2:39 a.m. EDT
Asst. D.A. explains attacks on gay student
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Michigan attorney general may take action against assistant
* Blog has criticized openly gay student assembly president for nearly six months
* Blog is composed during assistant attorney general's off-work hours
(CNN) -- For nearly six months, Andrew Shirvell, an assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan, has waged an internet campaign against college student Chris Armstrong, the openly gay student assembly president at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Using the online moniker "Concerned Michigan Alumnus," Shirvell launched his blog in late April.
"Welcome to 'Chris Armstrong Watch,'" Shirvell wrote in his inaugural blog post. "This is a site for concerned University of Michigan alumni, students, and others who oppose the recent election of Chris Armstrong -- a RADICAL HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVIST, RACIST, ELITIST, & LIAR -- as the new head of student government."
Among other things, Shirvell has published blog posts that accuse Armstrong of going back on a campaign promise he made to minority students; engaging in "flagrant sexual promiscuity" with another male member of the student government; sexually seducing and influencing "a previously conservative [male] student" so much so that the student, according to Shirvell, "morphed into a proponent of the radical homosexual agenda"; hosting a gay orgy in his dorm room in October 2009; and trying to recruit incoming first-year students "to join the homosexual 'lifestyle.'"
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has declined to comment directly about Shirvell's comments, saying he is pursuing legal action against the civil servant, who works on the blog during his off-hours.
"Mr. Shirvell's personal opinions are his and his alone and do not reflect the views of the Michigan Department of Attorney General," Cox said in the written statement provided by his office to CNN's "AC 360" Tuesday night. "But his immaturity and lack of judgment outside the office are clear."
Cox has not said what kind of legal action he is pursuing against Shirvell or how it might affect Shirvell's employment.
On "AC 360," Shirvell made no apologies for his blog postings, which include a picture of Armstrong with "Resign" written over his face. The same picture also had a swastika superimposed over a gay pride flag, with an arrow pointing toward Armstrong.
Shirvell acknowledged protesting outside of Armstrong's house and calling him "Satan's representative on the student assembly."
"I'm a Christian citizen exercising my First Amendment rights," Shirvell told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "I have no problem with the fact that Chris is a homosexual. I have a problem with the fact that he's advancing a radical homosexual agenda."
Armstrong has supported gender-neutral housing at the university for transgender students who haven't had sexual reassignment surgery.
Armstrong has hired an attorney, according to CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin, who says Armstrong may have grounds for a harassment case.
CNN's Martina Stewart and Ed Payne contributed to this report.State official vs. gay student .. why?
Assistant attorney general blogs against... more
-
-
http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Flag_of_Ohio.svg_-150x150.png
Tyler Wilson wants to be a cheerleader. The eleven year old loves to jump and tumble, and that is why he wanted to do it. Tyler has said “I was kinda nervous cause I didn’t know anything. I didn’t want to feel…well, because I’m a boy and stuff.” Of course, this has its own problems. Wilson joined the Findlay Steeler, which is unaffiliated with his school Glenwood Middle. At school, though, he was bullied. According to Tyler “They were saying that I was a sissy and a queer and stuff like that.” On 31 August, Tyler was walking home and it was on that walk home that he was called names and knocked to the ground by two students who broke his arm.
Kristy Wilson, Tyler’s mother, had warned her son that there would be teasing, but did not want to stop him from pursuing his interest. She has said “No, I’m not gonna tell him not to do it if it’s something that he’s interested in, I want him to enjoy whatever he can enjoy in life.” Tyler did try to hide what happened to his arm, but told his mother after a doctor informed her about just how severe the injury was. She then called the police and they told her “The police officer did warn me. These kids are young, I don’t know for sure if they’ll get prosecuted but in my opinion, because it’s a broken bone, he said, I think the prosecutor will take it a little bit more seriously, he said, I am gonna recommend charges.”
According to the police following the investigation, the two students who attacked Tyler could be punished by the county prosecutor. The teasing has not stopped either, but Tyler has received support from the football players on the team he cheers for. He has stated “It’s signed by all the players and the coaches and that’s kinda, most likely, it, but some of them wrote down their numbers and it says ‘you can do it.’”
Tyler may need surgery on his arm, but plans to continue to pursue cheerleading “So I can make a lifestyle out of it and end up like other boys who are getting full-ride scholarships.” The school’s principle has stated that the bullying on campus is being dealt with by the district, but the off-campus stuff will have to be handled by the prosecutor who has not made any commitment to prosecuting the case so far.
Many states have tried to pass anti-bullying legislation in order to protect children like Tyler Wilson, but they are often opposed by anti-LGBT groups.http://lezgetreal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Flag_of_Ohio.svg_-150x150.png... more
-
-
New photos purportedly show Atlanta megachurch pastor Eddie Long posing in a bathroom mirror with muscle shirts. The photos were allegedly sent to at least one of the three young men who have filed lawsuits against Long in recent days for sexual harassment.New photos purportedly show Atlanta megachurch pastor Eddie Long posing in a bathroom... more
-
-
-
It’s official: A Minnesota disclosure law, enacted in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, was upheld by a federal judge on Monday.
U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank for the District of Minnesota denied a temporary injunction in a lawsuit brought by supporters of Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, including an anti-abortion group and an anti-tax organization. They sued to overturn the law on free speech grounds and had asked Frank to suspend the disclosure requirements immediately.
Frank answered with a firm no.
“Invalidating the election laws at issue here would likely result in corporations making independent expenditures without any reporting or disclosure on the eve of the upcoming general election on November 2, 2010,” his ruling said. “This result so close to the election would clearly harm the state, Minnesota voters, and the general public interest.”
The lawsuit, brought by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and Taxpayers League of Minnesota, argued that the disclosure law — which made possible the discovery of political donations made within the state by Target and other companies — was so burdensome that it infringed upon the groups’ first amendment rights. It’s an argument akin to what the National Organization for Marriage has been arguing in its lawsuits against the state of Maine and California — and the ruling today represents another blow to the logic of NOM’s case.
Even in its Citizens United decision, the Supreme Court upheld federal disclosure requirements as constitutional by a vote of 8-1. Some state laws are more rigorous (and therefore perhaps more burdensome), but none seem likely to be overturned wholesale on the grounds that they stifle free speech.It’s official: A Minnesota disclosure law, enacted in the wake of the Supreme... more
-
-
The Knights of Columbus, the Connecticut-based Catholic group, in 2009 donated some $1.4 million to the National Organization for Marriage, more than it used to fund to food and educational programs.
But while that information was already known, what's worth noting is that while NOM has gone to court to hide its donor list, KoC freely disclosed its pro-discrimination donation. How come? Says spokesman Patrick Korten: "The fact of the matter is that those who favor same sex marriage are working hard to intimidate individuals and groups that support our cause, but [the Knights] are big enough that intimidation doesn’t work on us."The Knights of Columbus, the Connecticut-based Catholic group, in 2009 donated some... more
-
