LGBT History

Ellen DeGeneres Pays Tribute To The Obamas [VIDEO]

TIME recaps: To commemorate President Barack Obama’s final day in office, Ellen DeGeneres spent a few minutes of Thursday’s episode of The Ellen Show saying goodbye to him and First Lady Michelle Obama. DeGeneres began the segment by thanking POTUS for everything he accomplished during his White House tenure, including legalizing gay marriage.”I want to personally thank him for changing …

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Obama Issues “Thank You” Letter To Americans

In the last week we’ve had a farewell speech, a final weekly YouTube address, and a final press conference. This afternoon we get President Obama’s official goodbye letter. From the White House press office: My fellow Americans, It’s a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the …

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LIVE VIDEO: President Obama Delivers Farewell Speech

From laughter at Trump to sorrow and deep abiding thanks to President Obama, whose farewell speech begins at 9PM Eastern. ABC News reports on what to expect: In a farewell address to the American people Tuesday night, President Obama is expected to reaffirm his belief in the ability of ordinary Americans to bring about positive change in country, according to …

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HISTORIC: Sec. John Kerry Issues Formal Apology To LGBT State Department Staffers For Past Discrimination

Politico reports: Secretary of State John Kerry is formally apologizing to gay, lesbian and other employees of the State Department who faced past discrimination because of their sexual orientation. The apparently unprecedented apology, issued in a statement Monday, is the latest step that the Obama administration has taken to promote inclusion of the LGBT community in its ranks. It comes …

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Swag Tuesday: Ending Anita

We have a very special Swag Tuesday today – three autographed copies of Ending Anita, our own Father Tony Adams’ recounting of how two Key West bartenders become the first couple in Florida to win a same-sex marriage lawsuit. From the book’s Amazon description: ENDING ANITA is the story of Aaron Huntsman and Lee Jones, the two gay, outspoken and …

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The Dark History Of Ex-Gay Torture [VIDEO]

Seeker reports: Gay conversion therapy aims to turn gay, lesbian or transgender individuals into heterosexuals. Patients are predominantly minors or young adults and many are forced or pressured into it. Just this month, the tiny island of Malta became the first European nation to outlaw gay conversion therapy. Evidence increasingly shows that it can cause serious medical and psychological harm, …

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OKLAHOMA: Cherokee Nation Attorney General Cites History Of Same-Sex Rituals In Marriage Ruling

Bloomberg reports: What’s perhaps most remarkable about the attorney general’s opinion is how it grounded its argument in Cherokee tradition. In a section titled “Perpetual Partnership and Marriage in the Cherokee Nation,” Hembree devoted significant attention to a ceremony of devotion that was traditionally performed between two men at an annual festival. Hembree quoted in its entirety an eyewitness description …

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New York City Unveils AIDS Memorial [VIDEO]

CBS News reports: A special tribute was held in honor of World AIDS Day to the victims who died of the disease in New York City. The AIDS Memorial Park at Saint Vincent’s Triangle in Greenwich Village was dedicated on Thursday. The project was launched in 2011 to remember the men, women and children who have died from AIDS in …

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Membership

ABOVE: At the 1985 Xmas party described below: Me, Michael, and Barney. Originally posted May 2004. Reposted for World AIDS Day. Michael didn’t look good. We were at his annual Christmas luau party. Tons and tons of people in the house and the backyard. Standing in his kitchen, wearing a grass skirt and a ridiculous Santa hat covered in sequins, …

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HYPOCRISY EXPLOSION: LGBT Rights Opponent Marco Rubio Points Out Castro’s History Of Oppressing Gays

This afternoon Sen. Marco Rubio decided that it wouldn’t be hypocritical in the least to point out Fidel Castro’s history of oppressing gays. Has he somehow forgotten his own lengthy track record of opposing LGBT rights? We sure haven’t forgotten his vote against ENDA, his support for DOMA, his fundraising for ex-gay torture advocates, his robocalls for NOM, his promise …

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Dance Music Pioneer David Mancuso Dies At Age 72

The Guardian reports: David Mancuso, DJ and pioneer of New York dance culture, has died aged 72. Kid Recordings owner Craig Shifty announced the death on Facebook on Monday, writing: “He will be greatly missed, but, thankfully, he left the world a lasting vibrant legacy that continues to inspire and influence countless generations of music lovers and clubbers.” Cause of …

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BRITAIN: MPs Shout “SHAME!” As Tory Justice Minister Kills Bill To Pardon Gay Men Convicted Of Sodomy

The Sun reports: There was widespread anger in the House of Commons as the Government talked out the Turing bill, which would automatically pardon gay men convicted of now abolished sexual offences. MPs shouted ‘shame’ and ‘shameful’ as Justice Minister Sam Gyimah killed off SNP MP John Nicolson’s private members bill. The Government has announced plans for thousands of gay …

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ALAN TURING LAW: Britain To Formally Pardon 65,000 Gay Men Convicted Under Sodomy Laws [VIDEO]

Last month the office of British Prime Minister Teresa May signaled that this would happen but gave no timeline. Today we get confirmation. The Guardian reports: Gay and bisexual men convicted of now-abolished sexual offences in England and Wales are to receive posthumous pardons, the government has announced. Thousands of living men convicted over consensual same-sex relationships will also be …

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Matthew Shepard’s Mother Denounces Trump’s Violent Rhetoric In New Ad Backing Hillary Clinton [VIDEO]

The Huffington Post recaps: The mother of Matthew Shepard ― a gay student who was brutally attacked and left to die in a 1998 hate crime in Laramie, Wyoming ― is warning voters about Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s bullying. In an ad released by the pro-Hillary Clinton super PAC Priorities USA, Judy Shepard speaks about Trump’s violent rhetoric on …

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MASSACHUSETTS: Gov. Baker And Boston Mayor Marty Walsh Celebrate Life Of Hat Sister John Michael Gray

Longtime JMG participant Boston Guy reports: On Sunday, October 16th the Arlington Street Church in Back Bay was filled to capacity as family, friends and members of the Boston LGBTQ community came together for a service in celebration of the life of John Michael Gray (one half of the Hat Sisters). Mayor Marty Walsh addressed those gathered and a surprisingly …

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Democrats Applaud National Coming Out Day

Via press release: Today, on National Coming Out Day, we celebrate one of the most powerful forces in the fight for LGBT equality. When someone decides to come out as member of the LGBT community, it gives their friends, family, loved ones and neighbors a personal reason to support LGBT rights, and it inspires more members and allies of the …

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TODAY: National Coming Out Day

The Human Rights Campaign notes that this year it coincides with Yom Kippur: We live in a beautiful, ever changing world where almost every day is sacred for someone, somewhere. This is no less true for many LGBTQ Jews and Muslims who will be celebrating National Coming Out Day and observing Yom Kippur and the Islamic holiday of Ashura all …

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Democrats Celebrate LGBT History Month

Just in from the Democratic National Committee: “As LGBT History Month begins, we have so much progress to celebrate. From the Stonewall uprising to the many victories during the Obama presidency–including ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and the Supreme Court wins that enacted marriage equality–our nation has made enormous strides. That progress would not be possible without the historic pioneers …

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BOSTON: Hat Sister John Michael Gray Dies

Provincetown legend John Michael Gray, one-half of the eternally famed Hat Sisters, has died of cancer. I first learned of the Hat Sisters back in the 80s from their regular appearances in the comic strip The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life Of Ethan Green and was completely starstruck when I finally met them in person at Provincetown’s Boatslip in 1994. Since …

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BRITAIN: PM’s Office Commits To “Alan Turing Act” To Pardon Gay Men Convicted Under Old Indecency Laws

The Independent reports: Theresa May’s government is committed to introducing an ‘Alan Turing law’ and will, in due course, pardon thousands of gay men convicted under historic gross indecency crimes. Mr Turing, the Enigma code breaker responsible for decrypting Nazi messages, was granted a posthumous royal pardon in 2013 – 61 years after he was charged at the Manchester police …

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