Gays in Baghdad

Interesting and sad Newsweek article about the targeted violence in Iraq.

NYTIMES: Gay Unions Shed Light on Gender in Marriage

Gay Unions Shed Light on Gender in Marriage By TARA PARKER-POPE

“A growing body of evidence shows that same-sex couples have a great deal to teach everyone else about marriage and relationships”

NYT: California Court Affirms Right to Gay Marriage

California Court Affirms Right to Gay Marriage By ADAM LIPTAK

“The ruling, striking down laws limiting marriages to unions between a man and a woman, would make California the second state to allow same-sex marriage.”

It’s amazing how much time and energy some folks will dedicate to reverse this rather than on working to make this a more just and inclusive society for everyone.   I suppose it is easier to suppress and deny rather than build and affirm.

Gay Africans and Arabs come out online – Yahoo! News

Interesting to read how the internet is helping folks come out and express themselves even in the most repressive societies. 

Online dating service uses inclusion as differentiator

This story in the NY Times describes an upcoming advertising campaign by online dating service Chemistry.com which seeks to differentiate itself from its competitor eHarmony.com by “as out of touch with mainstream American values.”  Here’s hoping they are right and inclusion is indeed a mainstream American value.

For the bible tells me so

Living and working in the “bible belt,” I am often distressed to hear Christianity employed as a rationale for hatred and discrimination.   It seems to me that Jesus Christ would have been the last person to shun and marginalize anyone on the basis of their sexual orientation. 

So, when I came across this Seattle Times review for the movie “For the Bible Tells Me So“, I was intrigued.  It turns out that I missed the local showing in town, so now I have to wait until it’s available on DVD. 

N.J. school system bans a controversial documentary about tolerance

Same-sex talk in diversity video divides town
N.J. school system bans a controversial documentary about tolerance
By Mike Celizic
TODAYShow.com contributor
5:59 p.m. ET, Mon., Sept. 17, 2007
The Evesham, N.J., Township Board of Education has banned a film about diversity in families that includes households with same-sex parents.  The debate over “That’s a Family!” has divided parents in this affluent Philadelphia suburb.

Gay Enclaves Face Prospect of Being Passé

NY Times article: Gay Enclaves Face Prospect of Being Passé By Patricia Leigh Brown. Published: October 30, 2007

In the face of gentrification, a waning sense of belonging is being felt in gay neighborhoods across the country.