LGBT News

From the clip recap: We were asked to share our faith story in front of our congregation at First United Methodist Church of Austin. This is a church that has welcomed us and changed our lives. All are welcome, no exceptions. As members of this incredible church family we have grown as Christians, individuals, and as a couple. After 9 …

After having been found mentally competent to stand trial, the Jerusalem Pride killer has finally been formally charged with murder. The Associated Press reports: Jerusalem’s District Court indicted Yishai Schlissel for murder on Monday for last month’s deadly attack, along with multiple attempted murder charges for those he wounded. Schlissel, who had been freed from prison weeks earlier after serving …

Several days ago a trade organization for the porn industry sent out an alert about the ever-combative AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is most famous for its deep-pocketed advertising campaigns against the use of Truvada as an HIV preventive. From the Free Speech Coalition: Earlier this week, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) served several testing centers with subpoenas, asking them to …

A few days ago I reported that anti-gay Oregon bakers Aaron and Melissa Klein had sent ten cakes to LGBT groups as a “gesture of love for homosexuals.” Included in those loving packages was the latest viciously anti-gay DVD from banana man nutcase Ray Comfort. Today we learn that one of the recipients of the cakes was a San Diego-based …

“Candy Land” was this year’s theme at Provincetown’s Carnival Week and JMG reader Rob sends us his photo montage of the gay gay gay festivities. Seen above are the famed Hat Sisters riding in the parade as Life Savers. Much beefcake is in the clip.

TIME Magazine breaks down last night’s show: The fact that discrimination based on sexual orientation is legal in various cases in 31 states may surprise people, said Oliver, showing a poll that said 71% of Americans thought employment discrimination was illegal. “That’s optimistic, but wrong,” noted Oliver. “Like thinking wearing vertical stripes are flattering or making your first condom purchase …

Via press release from the Human Rights Campaign: Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 217 into law, making Illinois the fifth jurisdiction—behind California, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, and Oregon—to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangers of conversion therapy. House Bill 217, which protects LGBTQ youth from mental health providers attempting to change their sexual orientation or gender …

AdWeek reports: Black was recently tapped by Pereira & O’Dell to direct three short films for Coca-Cola in Latin America, challenging young people to choose compassion over bullying. One of the films, “The Text,” revolves around gay teens. Another series of ads, from JWT New York for Tylenol, examines the makeup of the modern family. Next up for Black: When …

The Republican National Committee has adopted a resolution which calls on Congress to pass the anti-LGBT First Amendment Defense Act. The resolution names several martyred anti-gay business owners who have recently been found guilty of violating public accommodation laws. The Heritage Foundation celebrates at their Daily Signal blog: The legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, …

Equally Blessed, a coalition of four national LGBT Catholic groups, have been told that they will not be allowed to use the meeting space they were promised during next month’s World Meeting Of Families in Philadelphia.  Philly Mag reports: Equally Blessed had secured the use of St. John the Evangelist Church’s parish center at 12th and Ludlow Streets this spring, …

The commissioners of Florida’s Osceola County, population 275,000, have unanimously approved an LGBT anti-discrimination ordinance with exemptions for religious belief. The Orlando Sentinel reports: The ordinance, which would take effect as soon as it is filed with the state, includes sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in the groups protected from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Despite …

A couple of years ago a veritable who’s-who of American haters screamed their heads off when the US Embassy sponsored Prague Pride.  But this weekend the United States even had a FLOAT as the parade drew a record 35,000 participants. The Prague Post reports: Prague Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO) joined the march, the first time for a Prague mayor. It …

In the birthplace of the Southern Baptist Convention, no less. Christian Today reports: While most Christian churches across the United States are strongly opposed to homosexuality and same-sex marriage, the First Baptist Church of Greenville in South Carolina has taken a totally different route: It has decided to allow not just gay unions, but also the ordination of gay and …

Jerusalem police yesterday submitted the findings of their internal investigation into the security failures that resulted in a fatal stabbing at the gay pride parade. According to the report, several police units are blaming each other for allowing the deranged ultra-Orthodox killer to infiltrate the event. Haaretz reports: Investigation of the incident focused on the actions and failures of three …

According to a survey published today by YouGov, nearly half of Britain’s 18-24 year-olds say they don’t identify as 100% heterosexual. From the survey: Asked to plot themselves on a ‘sexuality scale’, 23% of British people choose something other than 100% heterosexual – and the figure rises to 49% among 18-24 year olds Invented by Alfred Kinsey in the 1940s, …

The Mirror reports: Rugby League player Keegan Hirst is the first British professional in the code to openly say he is gay. Respected prop Keegan, 27, reveals the secret torment of dealing with his sexuality while carving out a career in one of the world’s most macho sports. Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mirror, the dad of two tells of …

Early this month Swiss Bishop Vitus Huonder gave a speech in which he declared that Catholic doctrine “unambiguously” supports biblical passages which call for executing homosexuals. Several days later a Swiss LGBT rights group filed for criminal hate speech charges against him. Huonder has now issued a formal written apology. The Local reports: In a three-page letter sent to 800 …

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh today issued a opinion which declares that just like for straight couples, adultery constitutes legal grounds for divorce for same-sex couples. The Baltimore Sun reports: The opinion might seem superfluous, but for those couples struggling in an unfaithful marriage, the opinion is important when it comes to filing for divorce. A spouse, including one from …

Yesterday the Colorado Appeals Court upheld a state commission’s ruling that the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop had violated public accommodations laws. Today the Denver Post wants to know if that was the right decision. (Tipped by JMG reader Joseph)

The ugly battle for local LGBT protections in Alaska’s largest city has been going on for years. Today we get news of another attempt, this time with apparently broad carve-outs for religious beliefs. Via Alaska Dispatch News: Anchorage Assembly member Bill Evans has introduced a local ordinance to expand protections under they city’s equal rights laws to include sexual orientation …