The Dan Savage vs Brian Brown Debate

The long anticipated, by some, video of Dan Savage and Brain Brown sitting down to a discussion of religion, marriage and all things gay was a non-event. All it showed, as can be seen anywhere in America, was two men having a civilized discussion, debate is much to strong a word other than to give headlines to articles, and in the end “agreeing to disagree”.… more

Protests Against Russian and Its Olympics Opening Dialogues About Its LGBT Community

After many years of protesting by the small but active lgbtq activist community, the international community is finally taking notice of human rights abuses and homophobic laws and prejudices rampant in the chilly country. A lot of it has to do with momentum around the Olympics, and the potential effects (or not) that protests will have. A Kremlin-supported law passed Russia’s parliament, and was then signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, back in June that placed a ban on “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” with jail time and harsh fines.… more

Sochi 2014 Olympics Boycott? Greg Louganis: “Nyet!” Stephen Fry: “Da!”

The mounting controversy surrounding Russia’s widespread legal war against LGBTQ persons and allies continues to inspire people to speak out, worldwide. The loudest of these voices are LGBTQ people themselves. Two notable and diametrically opposed viewpoints have emerged from the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively. Olympian athlete Greg Louganis and world renowned entertainer Stephen Fry, both two out gay men, are speaking up for themselves, in their own words, and taking a stand against anti-gay legislation in their own distinct ways. Both men took to writing blog posts (Louganis writing exclusively for PolicyMic while Fry posted an open letter on his own blog), voicing their concerns and advocating for the rights of all LGBTQ people affected by the increasing strict, punitive climate in Russia.… more

#DumpStoli: Russia’s Anti-Gay Bill Sparks Creative Boycott

When Keeping It Real Means Keeping Vigilant Come on, let’s go Back to Moscow Irresolution doesn’t suit you or me or anybody… – From “Moscow,” by Autoheart Just as we celebrate progress with LGBT equal rights, another human rights breech rises up to spilling over, demanding more healing and attention in Russia. Since 2006, a combination of anti-feminist and anti-LGBTQ fervor has been gaining momentum there. Russia continues to punish outspoken LGBT supporters, driving the point home by dragging out the fate of LGBT-feminist activist-allies Pussy Riot, denying yet another member of the group parole for its activism.… more

#ProudToLove: Rainbow-Hearted Reflections on YouTube’s First LGBT Pride Celebration

Loving Equality: Making Summer of Love More #ProudToLove England’s marriage equality law becomes official in a matter of days.  Marriage Equality and DOMA decisions in the United States continue to send a positive beacon of hope to LGBTQ folks everywhere. “Set those precedents,” the Litigating Angels seem to be telling us, blowing their glittery faery dust around the world. Okay, sure…“faery dust” is a bit much—but c’mon: this is the queer “Interwebs” we’re talkin’ about! With the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court (lifting the same-sex marriage ban) and California following suit, the launch of YouTube’s official LGBTQ-themed #ProudToLove channel rides the waves of change that continue to ripple worldwide.… more

Indiana Gay-Bashing Teacher Not Disciplined

Diana Medley Supports Alternative Traditional Prom A special education teacher, , may be exercising her First Amendment Rights ( free speech), but her interview on February 10, 2013, has gone viral and ticked off a lot of people.  Medley’s comments came when parents, students and others met to talk about creating an alternative prom to protest school officials’ decision to allow a same-sex couple to attend the high school prom scheduled for April 27 at Sullivan High School in Sullivan, Indiana. The meeting, at Medley’s local church congregation, was covered by a Terre Haute, Indiana television station which broadcast an interview in which Medley made comments disparaging gays.… more

The Gospel According to Matthew, Vines, that Is

Matthew Vines was a 22 year-old Harvard University student from Wichita, Kansas. Raised in the Presbyterian church, Matthew, deeply religious, decided to reconcile his deeply held religious beliefs with his homosexuality. To do this, he immersed himself in a scholarly study of the bible’s teaching on homosexuality. It All started with a six-page Paper Matthew’s treatise on religion grew from a six-page research paper to eight pages, then fourteen, ultimately leading him to an hour-long presentation on YouTube called “The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality” 400,000 Views Later on YouTube… Matthew has taken his message that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality on the road.… more