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Gay bashing by churches is why America is losing its religion
When people see their own sons and daughters and friends and co-workers coming out, it creates a crisis of credibility for religious institutions. It leads to countless situations where mean-spirited men like Archbishop John Nienstedt demand blind, irrational obedience and say take it or leave it – and more people are now following their consciences and walking away.
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Same-sex marriage does not obstruct your religious liberty
What is up for vote in four states this November is civil marriage. A civil marriage is a legal contract within a state; it is not a religious marriage. Pastors will still be able to perform, or not, ceremonies at their will. No pastor will be forced to marry anyone. Period. It is true today and, no matter what the vote is on Nov. 6, it will be true then as well…
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Dear 15-year-old me: I’m writing to tell you, ‘It Got Better’
Just remember. You are unique, there’s only one of you. If you ever worry that you are different – just think how boring it would be if we were all the same! You will take pride in expressing your individuality. You’ll march in parades. You will fly the flag of pride. You’ll witness States and Countries around the world embrace change and embrace equality. You’ll do your bit. You’ll be part of it…
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Remembering Matt Shepard and his passion for human rights
Today marks 14 years since the day we lost Matt Shepard. I know from the conversations I’ve had with many of you that those terrible days in October 1998 echo in your memories: where you were, how it felt, the fears, the outrage and the questions you were left with.
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For Matthew Shepard and countless others… the work to erase hate continues
In 1998, Matthew Shepard spent five days in a coma while the world held vigil. And on this day, at 12:53 a.m., 14 years ago, Matthew died. For many, Matthew’s death revealed the dangers of being gay in America, and for many LGBTQ people, it reaffirmed the risk they live with every day.
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Coming Out: It will change your life
Life as a homosexual isn’t an easy life. From the time you know you’re gay until the moment you say out loud to the world around you: “I’m gay” could be 10 years, 15 years 30 years or in my case, 50 years. Some people never find the courage to say it out loud and live their lives hidden in shame and denial…
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National Coming Out Day: Achieving progress through visibility
On our road to equality, perhaps we’ll meet a day when “coming out” becomes a thing of the past. There will be no perception of difference, no fear, no worry and no anxiety. No declarations, no announcements, no revelations need be made. Nothing is questioned or second-guessed…
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NOM promotes article comparing gay parents to rapists, sexual predators
Pay attention, gay folks. There is seems to be a quiet war going on against our rights to be surrogate parents. Via the NOM blog, I found this highly offensive piece, The New Sexual Predators. In it, the author, Alana S. Newman compares gay couples and older woman to human traffickers out to steal the […]
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LGBT History Month: For Auld Lang Syne — Already Forgotten
Many of us who lived through the 1960s and early 1970s when activism meant getting in the trenches and actually protesting in order to accomplish change have now been made to feel that our way is “old fashioned” and antiquated. That would indicate that we’re ineffective and docile, and with the effects of aging on our body, that our minds are equally ineffective and as a result we should just shut up, sit in our rocking chairs and let the “million dollar babies” handle the world of activism now…
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Be the change; volunteer for marriage equality today
Democracy is about participation — it’s about caring about an issue so much that you’ll go door-to-door in your neighborhood talking to voters about marriage equality. Heck, you might not even be in your neighborhood. We’re so quick to judge when we lose an amendment or a referendum, but how quick are we to be out knocking on doors and making calls for equality?