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Institutions dedicated to LGBT history an exciting, largely untapped resource
The road to equality is paved with court victories and legislative gains, but also by progress in the social theatre of the culture war. This is the latest iteration of the struggle to contend with intolerance through outreach, community building, and education — needs for which cultural institutions are apposite. Friday, which marked the fourth day of Gay History Month, editorials are circulating in conservative media outlets that caution parents about the “sexual assault on our children” posed by public schools’ recognition of LGBT history…
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The four most important things I learned during my first year of transition
I’ve never revealed any personal details of my life in articles that I’ve written for publication. Mainly because I didn’t feel that they were relevant to the topics at hand. However, because it’s pride season here in Orlando, it seems like an appropriate time to mention the fact that I’m a transgender woman. This wasn’t a secret. I’ve been publicly out since February. I’ve just never addressed the matter in a publication before. I’ve learned a lot since I started my transition — like the fact that women’s pants pockets are useless…
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From Alabama with love: One congressional candidate’s pledge of hate
Did you know that in Mobile, Ala., there were nine Republicans running in a special election for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District. And you’re probably are wondering why you should care about this if you don’t live in the State of Alabama. You should care because one of these candidates – Dean Young – challenged the other eight to sign a pledge saying that, if they get elected, they will take any and all active steps to oppose same-sex marriage…
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You know, it’s not just about the pasta…
You all know it’s not about the pasta. It’s about discrimination and intolerance and ignorance. It’s about a mindset that continues on for generations and generations – passed down through a family like Green Bay Packers or Boston Red Sox tickets. When the Chairman knew his words had created a firestorm, he said this: “I only wanted to underline the central role of the woman in the family.” Well, as a woman who is also a lesbian, I feel so much better now.
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The LGBT community desperately needs to confront anti-gay propaganda
The LGBT community has deceived itself into thinking that if we just sidestep the lies and distortions and solely focus on “telling our stories” as ordinary people seeking fairness under the American system, our problems with those who oppose our right to equality will dissipate. It’s high time that the LGBT community realize that this belief is a false bill of goods that serves as a pitiful Band-Aid to a problem that requires more than stories designed to yank at the heart strings; indeed, such efforts make it look as if we are begging for “tolerance.”
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’19 Kids & Counting’ … and one major disservice to LGBT viewers
Tonight on the TLC network, another season of 19 Kids & Counting will makes its debut. And when it does, the show will spend some of its time documenting the Duggar’s eldest son, Josh, as he moves his family to the nation’s capital. … Over the past year, Josh Duggar has gone from being a family man and reality star to also being a senior voice for an organization that the Southern Povery Law Center designates as an active anti-gay hate group. In his new role at FRC, Josh has not shied away from making his anti-LGBT views known. While serving as a fill-in radio host for his boss at FRC, the jaw-droppingly anti-LGBT Tony Perkins, Josh recently admitted that he sees his lesbian aunt as “choosing” a “lifestyle…”
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Gay rights vs. religious rights: Religion News Service counters NALT Project
Having lived through the civil rights struggle in the American South and having seen many fine, upstanding white Christians refuse to sell houses to people solely because of the color of their skin, refuse service to people in restaurants solely because of the pigmentation of the people in question — all the while quoting the bible and standing on their “religious” rights — I couldn’t have less patience with these spurious arguments that cake-selling and flower-vending are a matter of religious faith…
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Christian principles not the motivator for the gutless who mask bigotry as ‘religious freedom’
Standing up for Christian principles in general is obviously not the motivator for denying marriage equality to gays and lesbians … taking a stance against LGBT people is. Even with the most outlandishly anti-gay interpretation of the Bible, not one Bible verse implies that it is wrong to provide services for two people standing up to articulate their love and promises toward each other. Not one. In fact, there are many references that support doing so: the commandment to love one’s neighbor as one’s self; the commitment and love declared by David and Jonathan; the golden rule…
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An open letter: Spread love, change history
It’s time for everyone to experience Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, for everyone to know they are beautiful just the way they are. It’s time for same-sex couples, same-sex parents, children of same-sex parents, and all LGBTQ persons at home, at school, in the workplace or in retirement to be protected by the laws of their lands. … It’s time to spread love. It’s time to change history.
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N.J. Senate election: A case study in LGBT tolerance, equality, representation
Newark, N.J., mayor Cory Booker has been something of a celebrity in the political arena. If you’re a New Jersey resident and you read the newspaper, you’d probably heard of him even before he announced his campaign for Senate. You’ve also probably heard of the speculation that he is gay. … But the most important question here is not whether Cory Booker is gay. It is not even why he won’t confirm or deny it. The most important question at hand is this: are we ready to elect an openly gay man to the U.S.Senate?