Tag Archives: LGBT rights

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Christians To Rally Against “Cancer” Of LGBT Rights Ahead Of Buggery Ruling

The Trinidad Express reports: People who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, homosexual or transgender should not have the same rights as “normal” people. That is the view expressed by the Christian non-governmental organisation, T&T Cause. The group is led by Bishop Keith Ramdass, Bishop Dr Victor Gill and Vernon De Leon and was formed “to resist the tide of immorality …

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MISSISSIPPI: State Supreme Court Rules Divorced Lesbian Has Parental Rights For Non-Biological Child

The Associated Press reports: Mississippi’s Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a woman has parental rights to a 6-year-old boy born to her ex-wife when the two were married, in a case watched by gay rights activists and groups aiding in vitro fertilization. Christina “Chris” Strickland brought the appeal, challenging a lower court decision that an anonymous sperm donor still had …

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MALAYSIA: University Holds Ex-Gay Poster Contest

The New Strait Times reports: A contest at a leading Malaysian university seeking ideas to “convert” gay students sparked anger Wednesday, with activists warning it could drive people in the Muslim-majority country to suicide. It was the latest example of what rights groups say is growing intolerance towards Malaysia’s gay community as religious fundamentalism increases, eroding the multi-ethnic country’s traditionally …

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BERMUDA: Cruise Line Funds Marriage Appeal

Bermuda News reports: OUTBermuda and Maryellen Jackson have filed legal action in the Bermuda Supreme Court seeking an order declaring that provisions that “have the effect of revoking same-sex marriage” are in contravention of the Bermuda Constitution, with the local legal action — which marks the second filed about the matter — being backed by the Carnival cruise line. Carnival …

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COSTA RICA: Pro-Gay Candidate Elected President In Race That Was Largely Fought On Same-Sex Marriage

The Washington Post reports: Costa Rica’s governing party won a big presidential election victory Sunday as many voters rejected an evangelical pastor who had jumped into political prominence by campaigning against same-sex marriage. The head of the Supreme Electoral Council, Luis Antonio Sobrado, said that with 95 percent of ballots counted Sunday night, Carlos Alvarado of the ruling Citizen Action …

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BRITAIN: PM Theresa May Under Fire As Northern Ireland Marriage Bill Advances In House Of Commons

The Irish Times reports: MPs have voted to give a second reading to a bill that would give same-sex couples in Northern Ireland the right to marry. Introducing the bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday, South Armagh-born Labour MP Conor McGinn said he was doing so “with reluctance and some disappointment”. He added: “This measure is long overdue. …

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MISSISSIPPI: 3000 Turn Out For Town’s First LGBT Pride Parade After Ban Reversed With Mayor’s Vote [VIDEO]

The Starkville Daily News reports: Close to 3,000 people flooded downtown Starkville on Saturday for the first LGBTQ Pride parade in the city’s history. After grabbing national attention, the grassroots group Starkville Pride was allowed to move forward with its parade despite initially being voted down by the city’s Board of Aldermen in late February. The group took legal action …

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CROATIA: Catholic Church Mobilizes Thousands Of Far-Right Extremists Against Same-Sex Marriage [VIDEO]

The Associated Press reports: Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters marched Saturday in downtown Zagreb to protest an international convention they said indirectly legalizes gay marriages and gives rights to transgender people. The protesters sang patriotic songs and chanted slogans against Croatia’s centre-right government, which last week approved the Istanbul convention that was adopted by the Council of Europe in 2011, …

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Louisiana State Supreme Court Rejects Bid To Restore Employment Protections For LGBT State Workers

The Associated Press reports: In a 4-3 decision, Louisiana’s Supreme Court on Friday rejected Gov. John Bel Edwards’ attempt to revive an executive order protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in state government. The court refused to hear arguments on Edwards’ April 2016 order banning discrimination in state government and state contracts based on sexual orientation …

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BREAKING: Trump Moves To Ban Most Trans Troops

Politico reports: President Donald Trump on Friday issued orders to ban transgender troops from serving in the military except in select cases — following through on a controversial pledge last year that has been under review by the Pentagon and fought out in the courts. The memorandum, filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, states that while the Secretary of …

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Northern Ireland Marriage Bill Due Next Week

The Belfast Telegraph reports: A bill aimed at legalising same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland is set to go before the House of Commons next week. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Northern Ireland Bill will be tabled by Labour MP Conor McGinn [photo] on Wednesday. It will be introduced under the Ten Minute Rule, which allows for an MP to make …

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Federal Court Gives Trump Until 8PM Tonight To Turn Over Names Of Transgender Military Ban Architects

Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade: In a move that could shed light on the motivation behind President Trump’s transgender military ban and embarrass his presidency, a federal judge on Thursday ordered the U.S. government to turn over — by a deadline of 8 p.m. EST on Thursday — the names of military experts that were consulted before he …

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Conference Of Catholic Bishops Issue “Strong Support” Of Bill To Legalize Anti-LGBT Discrimination Nationwide

Via press release: Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty, and Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln, chairman of the Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, gave their strong support for the First Amendment Defense Act, which was recently introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) in …

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KENTUCKY: Liberty Counsel Files To Block State From Paying ACLU Attorney Fees Awarded In Kim Davis Case

Via press release: Liberty Counsel filed a brief today in Rowan County Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis’ appeal of attorney’s fees awarded to the ACLU for suing Davis in 2015 when she stopped issuing marriage licenses while seeking an accommodation for her religious beliefs. Davis previously won her fight for religious freedom when U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning issued an …

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Coachella Founder Donates $1M To Elton John AIDS Foundation After Years Of Funding Anti-LGBT Groups

Variety reports: Phil Anschutz, chairman of the live music giant Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), has taken no small amount of criticism since it was revealed that his private family foundation had donated to organizations with anti-LGBT agendas. But today the Elton John AIDS Foundation announced that Anschutz has donated $1 million dollars to support its LGBT Fund. According to Freedom …

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Christian College President Compares Gays To ISIS

Oklahoma Wesleyan president Everett Piper is getting a lot of attention for an op-ed he wrote for the far-right Washington Times. An excerpt: I recommend this simple exercise: Go to any article in any magazine or website that argues for “conversations” about sexual morality and simply replace the acronym of the day with another set of letters. For example, every …

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Kate Kendell Steps Down After 22 Years Heading NCLR

Karen Ocamb reports at the Los Angeles Blade: LGBT politicos nationwide were struck by the March 15 announcement that National Center for Lesbian Rights executive director Kate Kendell was stepping down after more than 22 years of service advancing social and economic justice through the lens of LGBT civil rights. “Kate literally changed the world. Her leadership in advancing the …

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Pence Bans Press From Meeting With Gay Irish PM

The Indianapolis Star reports: Vice President Mike Pence’s breakfast with new Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was closed to the media — at the request of the vice president. In a departure from the recent past, reporters were told Friday’s event to be attended by Pence and Varadkar will be private and the media won’t be invited. Pence also had …

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OREGON: State Supreme Court Boots Judge For Three Years For Lying About Refusal To Marry Gay Couples

Suspended without pay! The Oregonian reports: The Oregon Supreme Court Thursday took the unusual step of suspending a sitting state court judge — Vance Day of Salem — for three years. The high court found that Day — a Marion County Circuit Court judge — had committed “willful misconduct” and made “willful misstatements” to investigators to cover-up the truth. Among …

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IRELAND: Eurovision Entry May Spawn Broadcast Ban By Russia Because Clip Features Gay Couple [VIDEO]

The Irish Independent reports: Ireland’s 2018 Eurovision entry could face a broadcast ban in Russia as the video for the song features a gay couple. Ryan O’Shaughnessy will represent Ireland in Lisbon with self-penned track Together. The video features a male couple dancing in Dublin’s Temple Bar. However there has been speculation that the video violates Russia’s strict anti-gay “propaganda” …

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