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PFLAG resource aims to help ‘change the hearts and minds of co-religionists’
My experience with the civil rights movement of the 1960s (yes, I am that old), makes me realize that the civil rights legislation that ultimately became the law of the land for racial, ethnic, and religious minorities could not have passed without the support of the white majority. More so, it required a real change in attitude on the part of a number of religious traditions and their support to make it a reality…
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A priceless gift: Loving our Mormon LGBT children
I was one of the lucky ones. When I came out to my mom at the age of 22 (in a moving car no less), her first reaction to my stammered, “I’m gay mom,” was to reach out, hold my hand and say, “honey, the only thing that matters to me, is that you are happy.” Everything that happened since, and everything that I now am, can be traced to that moment…
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Thoughts on Anderson Cooper and the ‘private lives’ of LGBT people
Anderson Cooper’s decision to come out sets a great example for LGBT youth and brings hope to those who still suffer with internalized homophobia, bullying, or ostracism. And high-profile, successful LGBTs like Anderson Cooper undermine one of the most malicious lies made by the anti-gay movement: that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people are broken, unhappy, and empty simply because of who they are and who they love.
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John Roberts and the future of marriage for gay and lesbian couples
Chief Justice John Roberts’s surprise vote in the Affordable Care Act case is a signal that no one can definitively count out his vote — or that of any other justice — as the legal battle for marriage equality goes forward. The Court has not decided a major case involving government discrimination against LGBT people since Roberts took over as Chief Justice. The Roberts Court cases that have touched on LGBT issues offer few clues to how the Chief Justice might approach such a case…
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The Cannibals’ Feast for Independence Day
In those thousand years the evolution of government, self-government of the people, by the people and for the people, may well have become something far different than originally envisioned in 1776, or in the intervening period up to our time. Whatever transpires in this millennium, July 4th will always remain a day of historical change for the human race that began with a declaration of Independence from tyranny…
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An LGBT Declaration of Independence
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for an oppressed minority to declare for themselves the full rights and responsibilities that the laws of reason, nature, and natures God entitles them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to demand as such…
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Tragedy strikes Texas: My trip to a vigil for a lesbian couple
Violet Andrews Park is the type of serene refuge that people visit to get over the death of a loved one, not the type of place where people are brutally murdered. Surely, a violent encounter was the last thing on the minds of Olgin and Chapa when they went to the park on June 22 to waste time before a movie. What happened next is still a mystery. But we do know that the couple was led into a mud-soaked, grassy trail where both girls were shot in the head with a high caliber pistol.
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An American Love Story
Just over a year ago, my partner, Tom Bridegroom, accidentally fell off a roof while taking photographs of our best friend. He died a few hours later. He was just 29 years old. … Because we weren’t able to marry and because, young and feeling invincible, we hadn’t had papers drawn up that would’ve protected us if one of us died, I lost all claim to Tom after he fell … For those out there who do not think they know someone who’s been deeply hurt by laws that prevent people from marrying the ones they love, well, now you do. My name is Shane Bitney Crone…
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A history lesson for Linda Harvey and the ‘religious Reichwing’
Hey Linda: You’ve been spouting off at the mouth a lot of utter nonsense about how dangerous it is to allow gays in the military. … Linda, some of the most powerful, victorious, and abundantly brave – breathtakingly heroic actually – armies in history had in their rank and file – and leadership – gay men. … And now with your ignorance and hate you demean their memory and you scorn those who want to wear a uniform of honor in order to serve this country and risk their very all to do so. How dare you.
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Gay Pride parades are about so much more than tight shorts and motorcycles
Ten years ago, I was 50 years old. My life had been spent in hiding and had been filled with so many lies and so much hurt and anger, I never imagined there was a way out. More specifically, I never dreamed there was a way for me to come out. But – there I was – this 50 year-old Lesbian, sitting on a corner waiting to see my first-ever Pride Parade. I was a stranger in a strange land – and yet I felt more at home on that street corner than I had ever felt in my home-town.