A proposal that bans the use of a person's sexuality or gender identity against them in court has reached the American Bar Association (ABA). Under the referendum, the so-called 'gay panic' defense would be inadmisible in court. In recent years, defendants have used the gay panic defense to justify violent crimes against LGBT people. The argument is that the victims brought it on themselves by sexually propositioning the assailant. The prelinimary agenda for the next ABA meeting asks that governments take "legislative action to curtail the availability and effectiveness of the 'gay panic' and 'trans panic' defenses, which seek to partially or completely excuse crimes on the grounds that the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the defendent's violent reaction". A majority delagate vote at the annual conference in August is require to ratify the proposal. The recommendation wouldn't become national law, but will more than likely set the tone for local and federal policy.ABA Looking To Ban 'Gay Panic' Defense originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 at 11:37:48.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Anti-gay protestors in France are serious enough to disrupt the Tour de France, the country's most prestigious event. Protestors are having a go at the Tour following a blundered protest at the finals of the French Open. The coalition, a combination of Catholic Church members and conservative UMP opposition party enthusiasts, is planning the demonstration at the world's largest cycling event, quite possibly disrupting the tour, in protest of the country's legalization of gay marriage. Strong protests have erupted since France granted gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. The opposition has turned violent and racist in its attempt to overturn the law.How Serious Are Anti-Gay Activists In France? originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 at 10:37:04.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Russia's lower House of Parliament passed a bill unanimously Tuesday making it illegal to spread gay 'propaganda' and to teach children about homosexuality. Just before the 436-0 decision with one abstention, a group of gay rights protestors were attacked by a civilian crowd and then taken away by police. The broad language of the bill bans "propaganda of nontraditional relations" in a move closer to traditional values. The bill must still pass the upper house and be signed by Pres. Vladimir Putin, but neither is expected to be an obsticle. If passed, the legislation will peanlize with hefty fines any person or organization the distributes information about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people to minors and those organizing or participating in gay pride events. Individuals face fines of 5,000 rubles ($156), companies including the media up to 1 million rubles ($31,000) per violation. Foreigners found in violation of the law could be jailed for 15 days and deported. The bill remains politically popular even though Russia decriminalized homosexuality in 1993. Since, anti-gay sentiment has been increasing. The legislature is also considering a law to make it illegal for countries that allow same-sex marriage to adopt Russian children.Russia Makes It Illegal To Teach Homosexuality To Children originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 at 10:16:57.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Pope Francis has warned church high leaders that there is a 'gay lobby' at work in the Vatican and something must be done about it. In an internal document published by leaders of The Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious, a regional group of priests and nuns, Francis is paraphrased as saying that there is corruption at the Vatican, including a 'gay lobby'. "It is true, it is there... We need to see what we can do..." The Vatican says the document was meant for a private audience and therefore they would not respond to the remarks. Reports of a 'gay lobby' have circulated before, particularly leading to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. According to Italian media, the illusive gay lobby is influential in church policy making through blackmail. The specifics are unclear, as are the number of gay-friendly leaders that exist at the Holy See. Vatican Confirms Gay Enemy Within originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 at 09:52:24.Permalink | Comment | Email this

International audiences are not shocked, but more appauled at Nigeria's decision to move forward with a law that punishes gay and lesbian citizens for their sexuality. Under a new law passed unanimously by Nigeria's House of Representatives, individuals found guilty of same-sex relationships, and those supporting them, could face up to 14 years in prison. It is unclear what the law seeks to accomplish other than the advancement of a moral agenda that further alienates the nation from the international community. While it is good for Nigeria to declare power over its own direction, without succombing to international pressures, the gesture comes at the expence of its own people. But this may be overcomplicating a law rooted in a fundamental cultural belief: that sexuality is a choice. So while global gay activists declare Nigeria's anti-gay laws human rights violations, the bill is likely to maintain majority support from local populations. What's particularly troubling about the law is that by design it encites a witch hunt of gay and lesbian citizens and advances a systematic homophobia throughout the region. Anyone found in support of a gay or lesbian person faces the same jail term. The bill exacerbates a situation where a nation already rampant with discrimination against same gender loving people has criminalized a much needed system of support. Some like gay rights activist Rashidi Williams fear that the new law will lead to blackmail, extortion and threats within local communities. "People who have jobs would be sacked from their positions once their sexual orientation or gender identity gets known to their employers," Williams tells allAfrica.com. What's your opinion on Nigeria's jail the gays law? What recourse do gay and lesbian Nigerians have against a government that has criminalized their lives?What Nigeria's New Law Means for Gays and Lesbians originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 at 07:31:19.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Bullying at school is as old as the classroom. When put into groups young people, and adults to be fair, tend to form social orders that place some on guard that any 'difference' they represent will result in ridicule and physical harm. From the nerd and geek and the overweight kid with braces to the gay, lesbian, bi or trans young adult, are common targets of others that use verbal and physical abuse to either maintain their social position or most often deflect attention from themselves. Popular culture of the 80s and 90s glorified the triumph of the bullied over the 'popular' crowd. News of present day tends toward memorials for kids that have taken their lives after repeated abuse. The growing number of incidents has many wondering what teachers, administrators and parents are doing to stop the bullying. Prevention policies are typically left to individual schools and districts. However, new national education rules that punish schools with high bullying rates could force more proactive efforts by administrators. Senate Democrats Tuesday released a 1,150-page revision of the law governing the nation's elementary and secondary schools, known as No Child Left Behind. Hidden in the massive document is a student nondiscrimination clause that threatens school funding if gay and lesbian students are harassed or bullied. Schools that do not make sufficient efforts to protect gay and lesbian students could face sanctions, effecting already financially starved institutions. Let's hear your voice: Should the entire school be punished for failing to protect gay and lesbian students? Is bullying preventable? What could teachers and admins do to prevent harassment at school? New Rules Would Pull School Funding If Gay Kids Are Bullied originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 at 06:32:20.Permalink | Comment | Email this

First Lady Michelle Obama gave a stern warning to a gay rights protestor who interrupted her speech at a private event Tuesday. It wasn't the message that prompted Obama to walk away from the podium, according to reports, but the lack of respect. "One of the things I don't do well is this," Obama said before walking away from the podium to give the protestor the microphone. A woman had been yelling out in protest, interrupting Obama's speech. "Listen to me or you can take the mic, but I'm leaving," before telling the crowd, "You all decide. You have one choice." The woman said she was speaking out for equal gay rights. She shouted that she was a "lesbian looking for federal equality before I die", as she was escorted form the event. The First Lady decided to stay to cheers from the crowd. The private reception was hosted by couple Karen Dixon and Nan Schaffer at $500 to $10,000 a ticket. What do you think of the First Lady's reaction? Was the protestor out of bounds or should Michelle have let her speak? Michelle Obama Gets Firm With Gay Rights Protestor originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 at 06:06:26.Permalink | Comment | Email this

One of America's largest anti-gay groups is accusing the Internal Revenue Service of maliciously leaking a list of its key donors. The heavily funded National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has always remained silent about the origins of its contributions. NOM is a leading opponent of gay rights and has funded statewide campaigns to prevent pro-gay initiatives. The source of their funding, however, has remained a mystery. Now, the organization's president John C. Eastman claims the IRS released NOM's tax returns to stiffle potential donations. The IRS requires not-for-profit organizations to disclose lists of major donors. Eastman is calling on the House Ways and Means Committee to investigate how sensitive documents are released to the public. The allegation comes on the heels of a high profile inquiry into claims that the IRS intentionally targeted conservative groups. NOM is seeking the opportunity to protect its deep pocket donor base, surely to prevent a scandal of its own. Baltimore Sun reports that the New Jersey-based National Organization for Marriage gave $1.2 million to the Maryland Marriage Alliance to fight against pro-gay initiatives in the state. Disclosure of their donor list would threaten future funding from individuals that prefer to keep their homophobia silent. Should NOM's list be outed? Anti-Gay Group Claims to be IRS Target originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 at 05:44:21.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Official Pride month begins in June with a fun filled month of celebration. This calendar of June pride events lists notable parades, gatherings and festivals for all to enjoy.June Pride Events originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013 at 07:02:27.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Summer is in full swing come July, and so are pride events around the world. From London to Charlotte, a wide range of pride events in July feature parades, health resources, community activities and, fun for all.July Pride Events originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, May 29th, 2013 at 06:39:04.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Former Tory chairman Lord Tebbit has solved the grand mystery on the effects of legalizing same sex marriage in England. The world won't end, but the future queen could share the thrown with another woman, according to Tebbit. Although a queer monarch would make for an interesting drama series, Tebbit's comments are no fiction, especially as he warns the public that legalizing gay marriage could lead to a lesbian queen and allow him to marry his son to avoid inheritance tax. Tebbit, the former Conservative party leader, is dismayed at Prime Minister David Cameron's movement toward legalizing gay marriage in England. The issue is highly controversial and Tebbit warns that ministers have "f***ed up" by pressing for the bill and alienating Tory grassroots traditions. Lord Tebbit made his comments in an interview with Big Issue magazine. "It's like one of my colleagues said: we've got to make these same sex marriages available to all. It would lift my worries about inheritance tax because maybe I'd be allowed to marry my son. Why not? Why shouldn't a mother marry her daughter? Why shouldn't two elderly sisters living together marry each other?" Tebbit joked. Gay Marriage Could Lead to 'Lesbian Queen' Says Ex Tory Leader originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 at 13:25:06.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Some congregations of the Church of Scotland will be allowed to confirm gay ministers, if a vote passed Monday by senior officials moved forward successfully. The faith is traditionally conservative, yet the General Assembly backed a referendum affirming gay clergy members at more progressive congregations. Before the motion can become law, however, it must pass a General Assembly vote next year as well as a regional vote by the church's presbyteries. It's reported that the process could take up to two years. Allowing congregations to confirm gay clergy if they want is a compromise of a long running debate on the issue that has split the church. Two congregations have left the church over the issue. "This was a major brakthrough for the church but we are conscious that some people remain pained, anxious, worried and hurt," the assembly's moderator, Lorna Hood, told ABC News.Church of Scotland Could Soon Allow Gay Clergy originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 at 13:13:50.Permalink | Comment | Email this

The brutal killing of a gay man in New York's Greenwich Village has many wondering if New York is no longer a safe place for gays. Police say on Monday, May 20, suspect Elliot Morales yelled an anti-gay slur at 32-year-old Mark Carson before firing a single bullet point blank to Carson's face, killing him instantly. Greenwich Village is long known as one of the most vibrant areas for LGBTQ people in New York. It has a long gay rights history and remained a hub for gay politics in America. In 1969, what became known as the Stonewall Riots began there and since annual pride parades have been held in cities around the globe. Recent years and financial mobility in New York have resulted in a dynamic mix of communities in the area. Long evolving gentrification has given way to a mingling of gay and straight young professionals, older gays in long residence there, and urban youth from both New York and nearby New Jersey who see the Village as a vibrant hang out spot. What was once a gay underground turn center for political action is now residence for the trendy and home to those who found shelter and safety among the many gay businesses, bars and pedestrians. It's difficult to say whether this shift is a contributor to the heinous act of violence, but the events of the crime do signal a criminal brazenness that have some wondering if New York is reverting to a pre-Stonewall sentiment toward LGBT people. I don't want to imply that since the Stonewall Riots, New York gained an immunity to homophobia or hate crimes. In fact, Stonewall merely highlighted an existing attitude that lingers among some New Yorkers, despite the city's progressive reputation. The murder of Mark Carson is the latest of many hate crimes at the hands of those that continue to see LGBT people as a threat. Since Monday, thousands of people have gathered at the scene of the crime to give their respects and honored Carson's life with a new, yet familiar cry: "We're here! We're queer! Homophobia's got to go!" What Happened to the Village? originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 at 12:53:44.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Director Steven Soderbergh opened up about his new film based on the love life of Liberace. Soderbergh says timing of the release of "Behind the Candelabra" is a coincidence and that he did not predict that the film would enter the Cannes Film Festival at the pinacle of the global push for same sex marriage. In fact, Soderbergh told a news conference that it took five years to raise the 25 million to make the film. "In making the film, the socio-political aspect of it was not really in my mind but I was focused on ... trying to make this relationship as believable and realistic as we could," Soderbergh told a news conference," Soderbergh said. "Behind the Candelabra" is based on the biopic by 18-year-old Scott Thorson (played by Matt Damon) and his life with flamboyant super celebrity and then 58-year-old Liberace (Michael Douglas). The story unfolds through Thorson's drug habit, financed by hocking jewelry given to him by his lover and Liberace's continuous sexual interests in other young men. The film is one of 20 up for the top Palme d'Or prize for best picture. Soderbergh Speaks on New Liberace Film originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 at 12:28:19.Permalink | Comment | Email this

While I was excited to hear that Nintendo's new life simulation game allowed men to marry other men, it was a temporary glitch according to officials. News circulated online after players discovered that Nintendo's popular new game Tomodachi Collection: New Life allowed men to date, marry and have children with other male players. The female characters, however, could not do the same. When the question was raised to Nintendo customer support, they were told it was a bug and would be fixed. "One claims to have contacted Nintendo's customer support, which supposedly said this is a bug and that the game needs to be patched," NPR reports Brian Ashcraft of gaming blog Kotaku as writing. Tomodachi Collection is a Japan-only release for Nintendo 3DS that is already a best-seller a month after release. An update was released on Monday that included several fixes that are said to include patching the same-sex couple option. Was Nintendo Gay Couple Video Game a 'Bug'? originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 at 04:55:23.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Premium network HBO has given the green light to a new gay comedy drama, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The series is unnamed as of now, but is the project of Lorimer executive producer Andrew Haigh. Bored to Death's Sarah Condon and Brothers and Sisters' David Marshall Grant will join Haigh in the credits. Although the title isn't known, details have leaked that the show will be about three friends (Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez and Murray Bartlett) in San Francisco determined to explore every inch of the queer capital. The comedy is set for an initial 8 episode run to premiere in 2014.Get Ready for a New Gay HBO Drama originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 at 17:02:14.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Homosexuality remains unwelcome in Singapore and most of South East Asia, but a new online magazine for gay men is testing the boundaries of a changing culture. Today, sex between two men could cost each two years jail time in Singapore. The ban on homosexuality extends to media. Special licensing requirements must be met before approved media can be distributed. Knowing of its likelihood to fail as a print version, the publishers of a new magazine targeting gay men have launched apps for iPhone and Android. The digital distribution allows the team to circumvent existing restrictions. The bi-monthly e-zine, Element, covers culture, fashion, entertainment, and fitness. Co-founder Noel Ng, 31, says he hopes Element will "restore the dignity and worth of every gay man" taken away by the poor treatment of gay Singaporeans. Element will cost you $1.99 per issue or $9.99 for six issues. According to The Atlantic, 6,500 subscriptions have been sold since launch. Gay E-Zine, A First for Singapore originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 at 16:42:15.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Minnesota became the 12th state, and the 3rd this month, to grant equal rights of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill into law Monday soon after the majority Democrat Senate approved the measure 37-30. The law was approved by the House last week. The gay rights victory comes less than a week after Delaware approved same sex marriage. Coupes there can marry as soon as July 1, but Minnesota hopefuls will have to wait an additional month to August. Approved same sex marriage in Minnesota is a clear message that equality is the way of the future. Six months ago, state voters thwarted a proposed ban on gay marriage. "Voters in Minnesota brought anti-equality efforts to a screeching halt on Election Day, and today state leaders in St. Paul made it clear that all Minnesota families are equal in the eyes of the law," says Human Rights Campaign (HRC) president Chad Griffin.Minnesota Gives Equal Access To Marriage originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 at 16:22:50.Permalink | Comment | Email this

If you've played in the NBA, former player and commentator Charles Barkley says, you've played with a gay player. The comment may sound obvious to us gay folks, but the perception of professional sports is widely heterocentric. In an interview on The Dan Patrick Show, former NBA great Barkley talked about his experiences with gay players in the locker room and Jason Collins's coming out. Dan Patrick broke the story about Collins on April 29th, making history for Collins and changing the face of professional sports. Collins is the first active player to come out in professional sports. The response has been overwhelmingly positive inside and out of the pro sport community.Charles Barkley: Everyone in the NBA has Played With a Gay Player originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at 10:35:40.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Blood may be thicker than water, but homophobia is thicker than both. A Zambian couple is rearrested after relatives turn them into the police for being gay. Two men from Kapiri Mposhi were detained for "having sex against the order of nature" after one of their relatives tipped off police. James Mwape, 20, and 21-year-old Philip Mubiana had been living together. Standwell Lungu, police chief in Zambia's central province, stated that it was a family member who had informed police. The men were arrested and denied bail after being "caught in the act". Because of this police say more counts have been added to their charge. They are due in court today. According to polls, majority of Zambia's population, 98 percent, oppose homosexuality. Zambia's president has expressed public opposition to gay rights and open displays of homosexuality. Zambia's youth and sports minister Chishimba Kambwili says the already stringent laws against homosexuality will be made more strict as time passes. Zambia is one of 37 African nations that prohibit homosexuality.Relatives Turn on Zambian Lovers, Couple Rearrested originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at 10:20:23.Permalink | Comment | Email this