Is it the role of our education system to uphold so-called "moral" standards on the student body, or should our schools be opening, places of education and learning, regardless of sexuality, gender identity, race, etc?
Here are some event that have affected the schools at various levels.
The administration at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Mississippi has decided to cancel senior prom instead of allowing Constance McMillen, a highschool student, to bring a same-sex date to the prom.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1257354/Constance-McMillen-School-bans-prom-lesbian-student-asks-girlfriend--wear-tuxedo.html
Virginia's attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli, has dismayed students and faculty at universities and colleges in Virginia by telling administrators to remove policies that prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation. I guess this means Ann Coulter can finally speak at a university without committing any hate crimes.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/05/AR2010030501582.html
The LGBT centre at the University of California at Davis has been vandalized with homophobic statements. This is just one of many incidents that have been occurring at this traditionally, socially liberal school.
http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-news-daviscenter,0,2002090.story
On a side note, State Senator Roy Ashburn has admitted to being homosexual. He has a history of voting against gay rights issues, and claims his voting record reflects the will of his constituents.
http://www.bakersfield.com/news_alerts/x1543187857/Roy-Ashburn-I-am-gay?utm_source=widget_16&utm_medium=popular_entries_widget&utm_campaign=synapse
Are you happy that the Health Care bill has passed in the United States? Not surprisingly, the bill leaves out homosexual people. Here's some more information.
http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=4915
Amidst all the problems with child abuse, the Catholic church has hit another controversy, this time with a little swish. Angelo Balducci, a Gentleman of His Holiness has been caught arranging with a chorister to have men brought to him for intimate encounters. First we seen porn in Uganda church, now a gay sex ring in the Vatican...next we'll find out Jesus is gay! (Elton John already thinks so).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/05/vatican-hit-by-gay-sex-sc_n_486218.html
Next, a gay man has been jailed for 'reckless HIV transmission', the first such case in the UK. The implications of this are multifaceted. How much of the responsibility falls on a potential 'victim' when it comes to HIV transmission?
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/02/16/gay-man-jailed-for-reckless-hiv-transmission/#
Lastly, two enlightening stories on the life of homosexuals in China and in Uganda. We're pretty lucky in Vancouver, BC...but we can't stop here!
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1969667,00.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-02-21-gays-China-closeted_N.htm
Till the next time,
Chris L
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
In the name of god
This time around, the church has done so many things across the globe that I'm going to list them off and add links to the full news article. More to come later...just trying to clear off some of the tabs on my browser.
-Catholic school in Boulder, Colorado (a popular skiing desination) kicks preschooler out of school because the child's parents are lesbians and "live in open disocrd with Catholic teaching".
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jfTmvT_dixBFADA9lgMgHEZL4uLwD9E8NOG80
-Catholic Charities of Washington D.C. will no longer offer health insurance to spouses of new employees. This move coincides with the legalization of same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia, which took effect on March 3rd, and with the announcement that Maryland now recognize gay marriages performed out of state (though, doesn't perform same-sex marriages itself).This decision follows closely with the Catholic Charitie's decision to hand off foster care services to the National Center for Children and Families rather than confront rules that allow gay foster parents. Note, the Catholic Charities have received 22million dollars in funding from the District of Columbia in the past year.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/03/gay-marriage-catholic-health-care-/1
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/18/washington-archdiocese-scraps-foster-care-program-gay-marriage-law/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+foxnews%252Fpolitics+%2528Text+-+Politics%2529&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher#
-The Sint-Jan Catholic church in the city of 's-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands) refused communion to an openly gay man. The Netherlands was a the first country to adopt gay marriage (2001). Gay rights activists staged a protest at Mass the following week. In preparation, the church decided not to give anyone communion that day.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8542285.stm
-I actually this piece of news months ago, but it recently resurfaced and spread rapidly. A Ugandan pastor has been showing gay porn during sermons in an anti-gay campaign. I'm not sure how he got the porn, but I definitely think he's going to get unexpected results. Church attendance by sinful homosexuals has probably been on the rise. Additionally, I suspect the latent homosexual tendencies of church go'ers are now getting a little stimulation from Sunday congregation.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/02/ugandan-pastor-screens-gay-porn-in-church-in-an-anti-gay-campaign/1
-Catholic school in Boulder, Colorado (a popular skiing desination) kicks preschooler out of school because the child's parents are lesbians and "live in open disocrd with Catholic teaching".
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jfTmvT_dixBFADA9lgMgHEZL4uLwD9E8NOG80
-Catholic Charities of Washington D.C. will no longer offer health insurance to spouses of new employees. This move coincides with the legalization of same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia, which took effect on March 3rd, and with the announcement that Maryland now recognize gay marriages performed out of state (though, doesn't perform same-sex marriages itself).This decision follows closely with the Catholic Charitie's decision to hand off foster care services to the National Center for Children and Families rather than confront rules that allow gay foster parents. Note, the Catholic Charities have received 22million dollars in funding from the District of Columbia in the past year.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/03/gay-marriage-catholic-health-care-/1
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/18/washington-archdiocese-scraps-foster-care-program-gay-marriage-law/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+foxnews%252Fpolitics+%2528Text+-+Politics%2529&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher#
-The Sint-Jan Catholic church in the city of 's-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands) refused communion to an openly gay man. The Netherlands was a the first country to adopt gay marriage (2001). Gay rights activists staged a protest at Mass the following week. In preparation, the church decided not to give anyone communion that day.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8542285.stm
-I actually this piece of news months ago, but it recently resurfaced and spread rapidly. A Ugandan pastor has been showing gay porn during sermons in an anti-gay campaign. I'm not sure how he got the porn, but I definitely think he's going to get unexpected results. Church attendance by sinful homosexuals has probably been on the rise. Additionally, I suspect the latent homosexual tendencies of church go'ers are now getting a little stimulation from Sunday congregation.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/02/ugandan-pastor-screens-gay-porn-in-church-in-an-anti-gay-campaign/1
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Gay athletes
As an recreational athlete, the issue of homosexuality in sport has always been an interest of mine. In many ways, homosexual innuendo prevades all sorts of athletes. Of course there are the glittered figure skaters, lycra clad bicylists and flexible gymnasts that are the brunt of many "that's so gay" comments. What makes the post-game showering of team sports, the anything-goes grappling of ultimate fighting, and the heaving scrums of rugby any more macho than a cyclist peddling up 200kms of mountain, or a gymnast doing a iron cross on the rings? Maybe it has something to do with missing teeth... There are so many reasons that we could discuss, but I'm just hear to sum up some news.
(I'd really love to discuss the topic more, but it would be easier to have tea and discuss/debate another time, just e-mail me.)
The Football Association in England (that's soccer in N. America) recently attempted to create an anti-homophobia video to combat bigotry in the sport (homophobic slurs from spectators are commonplace during games). Despite this, not a single player has put himself forward as a spokesperson for the video. The German football association has also stepped forward in support of this movement, offering full support to any players who wished to come out.
http://www.prostamerika.com/2010/02/12/english-players-snub-anti-bigotry-campaign-20112/
Meanwhile in the United States, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which oversees many different sports at the university level, is under fire for publishing advertisements for the anti-gay group, Focus on the Family. You can join the fun and sign a petition to get the NCAA to stop promoting Focus on the Family. Some may argue that sexuality has no place in sport; however, we could also say that an athlete should feel comfortable to achieve his/her best regardless of sexuality. How can one develop in a system that doesn't accept you?
The Petition: http://www.change.org/actions/view/tell_the_ncaa_no_focus_on_the_family_ads
More Info: http://ittakesateam.blogspot.com/2010/02/ncaa-is-shilling-for-focus-on-family.html
With the Olympics going on in Vancouver, the ugly face of homophobia is also showing up. I don't think it surprises anyone to hear much of it directed toward men's figure skating. A number of commentators have said homophobic comments about one particular skater, Johnny Weir. One example is Claude Mailhot and Alain Goldberg from RDS channel, who questioned Weirs gender and made other inappropriate comments. The broadcasters are being threatened with legal action by the Quebec Council of Gays and Lesbians.
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/Weir_should_undergo_gender_testing_sports_broadcaster-8277.aspx
(I'd really love to discuss the topic more, but it would be easier to have tea and discuss/debate another time, just e-mail me.)
The Football Association in England (that's soccer in N. America) recently attempted to create an anti-homophobia video to combat bigotry in the sport (homophobic slurs from spectators are commonplace during games). Despite this, not a single player has put himself forward as a spokesperson for the video. The German football association has also stepped forward in support of this movement, offering full support to any players who wished to come out.
http://www.prostamerika.com/2010/02/12/english-players-snub-anti-bigotry-campaign-20112/
Meanwhile in the United States, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which oversees many different sports at the university level, is under fire for publishing advertisements for the anti-gay group, Focus on the Family. You can join the fun and sign a petition to get the NCAA to stop promoting Focus on the Family. Some may argue that sexuality has no place in sport; however, we could also say that an athlete should feel comfortable to achieve his/her best regardless of sexuality. How can one develop in a system that doesn't accept you?
The Petition: http://www.change.org/actions/view/tell_the_ncaa_no_focus_on_the_family_ads
More Info: http://ittakesateam.blogspot.com/2010/02/ncaa-is-shilling-for-focus-on-family.html
With the Olympics going on in Vancouver, the ugly face of homophobia is also showing up. I don't think it surprises anyone to hear much of it directed toward men's figure skating. A number of commentators have said homophobic comments about one particular skater, Johnny Weir. One example is Claude Mailhot and Alain Goldberg from RDS channel, who questioned Weirs gender and made other inappropriate comments. The broadcasters are being threatened with legal action by the Quebec Council of Gays and Lesbians.
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/Weir_should_undergo_gender_testing_sports_broadcaster-8277.aspx
Friday, January 15, 2010
Empirically valid hypothesis
In a recent statement to diplomats from around the world, the pope offered a new hypothesis for all the problems we've been having with the environment.
"...we must remember that the problem of the environment is complex; one might compare it to a multifaceted prism. Creatures differ from one another and can be protected, or endangered, in different ways, as we know from daily experience. One such attack comes from laws or proposals which, in the name of fighting discrimination, strike at the biological basis of the difference between the sexes, I am thinking, for example, of certain countries in Europe or North and South America"
The examples, of course, refer to new legislation allowing gay marriage in Mexico City and in Portugal. It is well known that the loss of species diversity, the destruction of ecosystems and the problems of extreme weather patterns have been on the rise lately. Incidentally, these events have increased just as the acceptance of queers, same-sex marriage and civil partnerships. I think the answer is clear. Putting all our resources to stopping same-sex marriages and stripping queers of their civil rights will slow the problem of global climate change, right? ...right?
Of course, we have to take this fellow seriously. After all, he's the head of a highly respectable organization (it's been around for about a 1/3 of earth's 6000 years, don't you know?) and he's just worrying about mother earth....errr, I mean planet earth. I don't want to sound like a neopagan or anything.
On this topic, the Vatican has expressed distaste for 'Avatar', the movie. The worry is that the nature worship of the fictional Na'vi may lead people down a road away from god worship.
So, to recap. Homosexuality is really bad and threatens the environment and the creatures of the earth. However, the earth and nature is bad if we care about it too much because then we won't believe in religion and god. Following this reasoning, I suggest we let a little more 'gay' on the planet. More 'gay' will further damage the environment, which would be a step away from nature worship and lead the path to more god worship. We all win...except nature, that is.
The pope's 'gays hurt the environment' article
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60A2XX20100111
Vatican doesn't like Avatar
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2010/01/12/avatar-vatican.html
"...we must remember that the problem of the environment is complex; one might compare it to a multifaceted prism. Creatures differ from one another and can be protected, or endangered, in different ways, as we know from daily experience. One such attack comes from laws or proposals which, in the name of fighting discrimination, strike at the biological basis of the difference between the sexes, I am thinking, for example, of certain countries in Europe or North and South America"
The examples, of course, refer to new legislation allowing gay marriage in Mexico City and in Portugal. It is well known that the loss of species diversity, the destruction of ecosystems and the problems of extreme weather patterns have been on the rise lately. Incidentally, these events have increased just as the acceptance of queers, same-sex marriage and civil partnerships. I think the answer is clear. Putting all our resources to stopping same-sex marriages and stripping queers of their civil rights will slow the problem of global climate change, right? ...right?
Of course, we have to take this fellow seriously. After all, he's the head of a highly respectable organization (it's been around for about a 1/3 of earth's 6000 years, don't you know?) and he's just worrying about mother earth....errr, I mean planet earth. I don't want to sound like a neopagan or anything.
On this topic, the Vatican has expressed distaste for 'Avatar', the movie. The worry is that the nature worship of the fictional Na'vi may lead people down a road away from god worship.
So, to recap. Homosexuality is really bad and threatens the environment and the creatures of the earth. However, the earth and nature is bad if we care about it too much because then we won't believe in religion and god. Following this reasoning, I suggest we let a little more 'gay' on the planet. More 'gay' will further damage the environment, which would be a step away from nature worship and lead the path to more god worship. We all win...except nature, that is.
The pope's 'gays hurt the environment' article
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60A2XX20100111
Vatican doesn't like Avatar
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2010/01/12/avatar-vatican.html
Monday, January 4, 2010
Marriage here, executions there.
Happy New Year to everyone. This time around, I'm going to aim for shorter posts with links to relevant and interesting news articles, or blogs. It might keep the posts a little more regular. After reading through today's post, I further realized how lucky we are in Canada, and how far we still have to go. It's important for us to set an example that other countries can follow. We mustn't give up and let injustices towards queer people occur here or anywhere!
People of New Hampshire have much to celebrate in 2010. The state began to allow gay marriages on January 1st, and also recognizes out of state/country same-sex partnerships. As usual, the religious conservatives fear that this new law will threaten the foundation of traditional family and marriage. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5526NV20090603
In Uganda, the fight to halt an anti-homosexuality bill is still in progress, with many countries urging Uganda to denounce the bill. Under this bill, homosexuals, people who fail to report homosexual behaviour, people with HIV/AIDS, etc. can face a number of punishments ranging from imprisonment to death. To learn more about life in Uganda for the gay community http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/04/world/africa/04gay.html
Mexico city now allows and recognizes gay marriages, and is hoping to become a gay tourism hotspot. So far, gay marriage is allowed in Canada, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Civil unions are legal in Uruguay, Buenos Aires, and some states in Mexico and Brazil, but marriage generally carries broader rights.
http://www.365gay.com/news/mexico-city-enacts-regions-1st-gay-marriage-law/
Also, if you want a really humorous take on gay current events. Check out www.slapupsidethehead.com.
People of New Hampshire have much to celebrate in 2010. The state began to allow gay marriages on January 1st, and also recognizes out of state/country same-sex partnerships. As usual, the religious conservatives fear that this new law will threaten the foundation of traditional family and marriage. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5526NV20090603
In Uganda, the fight to halt an anti-homosexuality bill is still in progress, with many countries urging Uganda to denounce the bill. Under this bill, homosexuals, people who fail to report homosexual behaviour, people with HIV/AIDS, etc. can face a number of punishments ranging from imprisonment to death. To learn more about life in Uganda for the gay community http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/04/world/africa/04gay.html
Mexico city now allows and recognizes gay marriages, and is hoping to become a gay tourism hotspot. So far, gay marriage is allowed in Canada, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Civil unions are legal in Uruguay, Buenos Aires, and some states in Mexico and Brazil, but marriage generally carries broader rights.
http://www.365gay.com/news/mexico-city-enacts-regions-1st-gay-marriage-law/
Also, if you want a really humorous take on gay current events. Check out www.slapupsidethehead.com.
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