LGBT News

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 …

Madonna has declared that she will no longer tour in Russia due to its anti-gay laws. Via the Moscow Times: Madonna has told celebrity news magazine Entertainment Weekly that she will most likely never return to Moscow or St. Petersburg because of Russia’s stand on gay rights, Cosmopolitan reported. Madonna last appeared in Russia in 2012 and lived up to …

Using the Target logo and a fake name, a hilarious troll took to Target’s Facebook page to battle the haters who are ever so pissed about the company’s coming gender-neutral toy aisles. AdWeek has the details: Brands can’t be as honest as they might like in dealing with haters on Facebook. But sometimes other Facebook users can do it for …

The National Center for Lesbian Rights has already filed a lawsuit. Via press release: Just days ago, Cathy Pareto and Karla Arguello—the first same-sex couple to be married in Florida—celebrated the birth of their twin son and daughter. But the couple’s joy was soon mixed with fear and frustration when the hospital denied Cathy the right to add her name …

“Kim Davis did not sign up as a clerk to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Her job duty was changed by five lawyers without any constitutional authority. At a minimum, her religious convictions should be accommodated. Judge Bunning’s decision equated Kim’s free exercise of religion to going to church. This is absurd! Christianity is not a robe you take off when …

Yet another big win for the good guys! Via the Denver Channel: The Colorado Court of Appeals says a Lakewood bakery owner cannot refuse to make wedding cakes for same-sex couples. The appeals court reaffirmed the Colorado Civil Rights Commission order from May that Masterpiece Cakeshop owner Jack Phillips cannot refuse to prepare wedding cakes for gay couples. Phillips’ attorneys …

A member of Israel’s Knesset has proposed several sweeping LGBT rights bills that would legalize civil unions and ban “ex-gay’ torture in the name of murdered teen Shira Banki.  The Jerusalem Post reports: MK Tzipi Livni (Zionist Union) proposed a legislative package of gay rights bills in memory of the 16-year-old who was stabbed at the Jerusalem LGBT parade, a …

The Tico Times reports: Casa Presidencial presented a bill Wednesday to legalize same-sex common-law marriages in Costa Rica. Supporters of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights celebrated the announcement, even though the government stumbled in its execution of the controversial measure. Bill 18.483 would reform several articles of the family code to formally recognize “stable” relationships of more than three …