Coming Out Journal

BREAKING: Boy Scouts to Admit Openly Gay Youths as Members from...

Fri, 24 May 2013 01:31:00 +0300

BREAKING: Boy Scouts to Admit Openly Gay Youths as Members

The Boy Scouts of America’s national council voted today to end the organization’s discriminatory policy barring openly gay youth from membership, reports the Associated Press. However, the group’s ban on gay adult leaders remains in place.

from The New York Times:

But the decision is unlikely to bring peace to the Boy Scouts as they struggle to keep a foothold in a swirling cultural landscape, ensuring continued lobbying and debate in the months and year to come. The group put off the even more divisive question of whether to allow openly gay adults and leaders, and those on both sides of the debate predicted that, with the resolution’s passage, the Boy Scouts would soon be forced to start allowing gay adults, whether by lawsuits or embarrassment at the twisted logic of forcing an Eagle Scout who turns 18 to quit.

Even though this is great news, this is not enough, until there is no discrimination on any age.

Read more at:

The New York Times
Advocate.com

NYTimes Vows: Travis & Tom Two Steves fell in love during a...

Thu, 23 May 2013 02:41:50 +0300

NYTimes Vows: Travis & Tom

Two Steves fell in love during a national tour of “Blues Clues Live!” That is, actor Tom Mizer fell for his understudy, Travis McGhie.

gaywrites: Happy birthday, Harvey. Thanks for everything....

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:03:25 +0300

gaywrites:

Happy birthday, Harvey. Thanks for everything.

Harvey Milk Day 2013

via The Advocate: In his commencement speech at the...

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:39:00 +0300

via The Advocate:

In his commencement speech at the historically African-American Morehouse College, President Obama gave an unexpectedly direct shout-out to gay graduates.

You can watch the speech here.

Protest against TRT’s cancellation of broadcasting of...

Sun, 19 May 2013 03:24:30 +0300

Protest against TRT’s cancellation of broadcasting of Eurovision Song Contest. (Pictures from KaosGL’s facebook page)

The station claimed that the cancellation was due to the low ratings, even though last year quarter of the households were tuned in to watch. Some LGBTQ organizations claim that this was due to the Finland’s entry “Marry Me” that included a lesbian kiss at the end of the performance.

Andre Banks Co-founder and Executive Director of All Out said:

“All Out members are not fooled by Turkey’s weak excuse. It is clear to the world that Turkey pulled the popular Eurovision show simply because two women expressed love through a kiss. Nothing could be more harmless than a kiss between two people.”

Even though the petition to urge the station to broadcast Eurovision by AllOut gathered over 35K signs, TRT did not broadcast the show anyway.

This also happened in Eurovision, during interval act. The kiss...

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:00:31 +0300

This also happened in Eurovision, during interval act. The kiss took place during the act after presenter/performer said “You may now kiss the groom”.

You can watch the full interval act here.

youcolormein: This has just happened, way to go #finland !...

Sat, 18 May 2013 22:34:00 +0300

youcolormein:

This has just happened, way to go #finland ! #eurovision #kiss #marriageequality

It's official! Marriage equality becomes law in France

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:33:35 +0300

It's official! Marriage equality becomes law in France:

gaywrites:

French President François Hollande officially signed a marriage equality bill into law this morning, making France the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage. In addition, all married same-sex couples will now be able to adopt children.

Hollande is not doing well in terms of public opinion lately, and opponents of LGBT rights have retaliated against the marriage movement with violent protests and attacks. In the face of such adversity, the passing of the law is all the more significant.

Mr. Hollande signed the bill a day after the Constitutional Council dismissed a legal challenge by the right-wing opposition. “I will ensure that the law applies across the whole territory, in full, and I will not accept any disruption of these marriages,” he said.

Gay rights advocates praised the law, while a watchdog group, SOS Homophobie, said that France “has taken a great step forward today, although it is regrettable that it was taken in a climate of bad faith and homophobic violence.”

Félicitations, mes amis!

From Towleroad: Gallup has revealed the results of a recent...

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:51:44 +0300

From Towleroad:

Gallup has revealed the results of a recent poll showing support for marriage equality at 53 percent, the third consecutive reading of 50 percent or higher in the past year.

Another poll shows the largest-gap ever measured between those who favor ‘nature’ over ‘nurture’ when it comes to sexuality.

Gallup states that, currently, 47% of Americans view being gay or lesbian as a sexual orientation individuals are born with, while 33% instead believe it is due to external factors such as upbringing or environment. That 14-percentage-point gap in favor of “nature” over “nurture” is the largest Gallup has measured to date. As recently as two years ago, the public was evenly divided.

MISSING HUSBANDDavid and Jason’s story, shared by The DOMA...

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:04:28 +0300

MISSING HUSBAND
David and Jason’s story, shared by The DOMA Project.

From The Advocate:

David and Jason first met in a Los Angeles restaurant seven years ago. On September 7, 2012, they were legally married in New York, but since Jason is from the United Kingdom, it is nearly impossible for him to obtain legal citizenship, because the federal Defense of Marriage Act prohibits gay and lesbian Americans from sponsoring their foreign-born spouses for citizenship. Heterosexual couples in this country are readily allowed to sponsor a spouse for full citizenship.

Since they met, David and Jason have been separated 17 times. Each time Jason is allowed to enter the country, it is only as a tourist, with a 90-day visa. Together, the couple has been through enough tearful goodbyes to last them a lifetime.

For decades, same-sex couples have been separated due to DOMA, being forced out of the U.S once their visa expires, then laid at the mercy of their home country to approve their next visa. Many never even get that chance.

Before they were separated for the last time, Jason was hoping to file the H-1B three-year work visa. Days before their anniversary, he found out that he wasn’t approved. They still have no idea when they are going to see each other. They’ve spent nearly every anniversary apart.

This is incredibly strong and heartfelt; I couldn’t hold my tears. Make sure to not miss this and watch the video above.

Kirk & Tod by Urban Light Films on vimeo.

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:45:26 +0300

Kirk & Tod by Urban Light Films on vimeo.

Picture from City of Minneapolis’ Facebook Page The I-35W...

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:17:22 +0300

Picture from City of Minneapolis’ Facebook Page

The I-35W bridge was lit like last night in recognition of marriage equality in Minnesota, according to city’s facebook page.

LOOK: Homophobia In Russia Inspires Sweden To Launch Awesome Pride Campaign

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:12:34 +0300

LOOK: Homophobia In Russia Inspires Sweden To Launch Awesome Pride Campaign:

From Huffington Post:

Last year a court in Moscow ruled that gay pride celebrations were prohibited in the city for the next 100 years and things are just as bleak in other parts of the country.

But, instead of waiting until 2112 to show their pride, the Russian LGBT community has been invited to go west to celebrate in Sweden.

Stockholm Pride has unveiled a new Twitter campaign, #GoWest, that welcomes their Russian friends to travel to Sweden for their Pride celebrations this summer. On the campaign page for #GoWest you can send out a tweet that will automatically be translated into Russian, inviting people to Stockholm Pride.

“To celebrate that love, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and gender identity is a democratic right, we have taken this opportunity to, with humor and love, direct a special invitation to all of Russia to celebrate Pride with us,” says Stockholm Pride, a generous offer to a population suffering in Russia right now.

It’s official! The Marriage Equality Act in Minnesota has...

Wed, 15 May 2013 01:56:09 +0300

It’s official! The Marriage Equality Act in Minnesota has been signed by Governor Dayton. Marriages will begin August 1st!

Congrats once more Minnesota!

Nevada: 3 Great Testimonies For Marriage From Young People

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300

Nevada: 3 Great Testimonies For Marriage From Young People:

From Advocate:

The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada released a handful of videos from last week’s testimony regarding a resolution that would repeal language from Nevada’s constitution that excludes same sex couples and replaces it with language recognizing all marriages, regardless of the couple’s gender.

Senate Joint Resolution 15 must pass the legislation in 2013, again in 2015, and then by a referendum vote by Nevadans in 2016.

Click on the link to watch testimonies on Advocate.com

buzzfeedlgbt: Power Images From The Day Minnesota Legalized...

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:50:03 +0300

buzzfeedlgbt:

Power Images From The Day Minnesota Legalized Same Sex Marriage

alloutorg: BREAKING: Brazil’s National Council of Justice just...

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:02:02 +0300

alloutorg:

BREAKING: Brazil’s National Council of Justice just ruled that ALL couples have the right to marry.

It’s a beautiful day for Brazil - no one should have to face discrimation because of who they are or who they love. Spread the word!

Picture from imgur: “We just got back from the...

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:12:00 +0300

Picture from imgur:

“We just got back from the prom.” “Did you have dates?” “Um, yeah.”

Umm, isn’t this incredibly cute? :)

From Huffington Post: On Twitter, Coleman announced he’d...

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:25:00 +0300