Mental Health and Queer Youth
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 27, 2009
Mental health is very important issue. A recent survey stated that as many as 75% of queer youth are depressed! This is obviously an issue for the community.
I recommend checking out Queer Youth Mental Health blog. It’s written by a psychotherapist who has worked with queer youth for more than a decade.
Obama Delays DADT Decision Though Military Are Comfortable With GLBT Serving
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 19, 2009
According to recent surveys, 73% of military personnel are comfortable with GLBT people serving openly and 25% personally know a GLBT soldier. Why, then, is Obama delaying his Don’t Ask Don’t Tell decision?
I know some active duty soldiers who have stated that homophobic personnel are so uncomfortable with teammates who suspected of being gay, that they don’t cover those teammates in combat zones and end up putting the whole unit in danger. They literally would rather let their teammate die in a combat zone because s/he might be gay. Doesn’t sound like the kind of person who should be serving in the military, does it?
Some say that repealing DADT wouldn’t really change anything in the military – some troops have served openly for up to two years before being honorably discharged. It is estimated that 500 troops are currently serving openly.
Thoughts?
Resource Guide for GLBT Youth
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 18, 2009
Kansas City’s EQUAL, the metro-wide GSA, has released a free e-book for GLBT youth. Though focused on resources in the Kansas City MoKan area, there are also articles useful for any GLBT youth. Whether you want to know about coming out, where to get STI testing, or what movies and books have queer youth characters, this guide has all of your answers.
New Edition of “AIDS Bible”
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 17, 2009
NYC’s Columbia University has just released the newest edition of their free HIV/AIDS handbook (PDF), intended for people who are at high risk or are already living with HIV/AIDS.
The Columbia Handbook on HIV and AIDS is a 116-page e-book that combines and updates two previous books: The Essential AIDS Fact Book and The Essential HIV Treatment Fact Book. This new handbook, nicknamed the “AIDS bible”, offers key information on transmission and prevention methods plus the basics of HIV treatment.
You will Adobe Reader to view the handbook. Download it for free here.
School Says Lesbian Must Wear Dress In Senior Photos, Not Tuxedo
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 16, 2009
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Everyone at Wesson Attendance Center knows 17-year-old Ceara Sturgis is gay because she’s never tried to hide it.
But when Sturgis — an honor student, trumpet player and goalie on the school’s soccer team — wanted her senior photograph in a tuxedo used in the 2009-10 yearbook, school officials balked. Traditionally, female students dress in drapes and males wear tuxedos.
Now, the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi has gotten involved, issuing a demand letter to Principal Ronald Greer to publish the picture of Sturgis in the tuxedo. The ACLU says it’s giving the school until Oct. 23 to respond before pursuing court action, said Kristy L. Bennett, the ACLU’s legal director.
A secretary for Greer referred questions to Copiah County Schools Superintendent Rickey Clopton, who declined to comment on Thursday.
Sturgis said she should get to decide how she looks in the senior photo.
“I feel like I’m not important, that the school is dismissing who I am as a gay student and that they don’t even care about me. All I want is to be able to be me, and to be included in the yearbook,” Sturgis said in a statement.
Veronica Rodriguez, 47, said school officials are trying to force her daughter — who doesn’t even own a dress — to appear more feminine.
Has your school ever tried to make you wear “gender appropriate” clothing? Leave your story in the comments!
California Judge Demands To Know How Prop 8 Makes Sense
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 16, 2009
Photo credit
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge in San Francisco has refused to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to overturn California’s same-sex marriage ban.
U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker also signaled Wednesday that the measure’s sponsors will need to show that allowing gay couples to wed threatens traditional male-female unions.
Walker said significant questions remain about whether the voter-approved ban discriminates against gays and lesbians in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Before ruling, Walker grilled a lawyer for the measure’s backers who asserted that Proposition 8 was legitimate because it fostered “naturally procreative relationships.”
The judge demanded to hear how that goal would be undermined if same-sex marriages were legal.
Obama Speaks At Human Rights Campaign
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 16, 2009
Teacher Not Repremanded For Using Gay Slurs In Classroom
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 15, 2009
Last week, a parent in the About.com Gay Life forum expressed her outrage at the behavior of her son’s pre-school teacher. The educator called the 3-year-old a “faggot” during conversation. Worse yet, the head teacher—the offending teacher’s boss—responded by saying she would pretend she didn’t hear it.
Read the complete story at About.com Gay Life.
2010 California Marriage Protection Act
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 14, 2009
From RescueMarriage.org:
RescueMarriage.org is the brain-child of concerned Christian and political activist John Marcotte, who felt strongly that Prop 8 did not go far enough in protecting traditional marriage. With the help of attorney’s and friends, Marcotte is attempting to ban divorce in the State of California.
This farce is John Marcotte’s way of saying that if gay marriage is bad for marriage, divorce must be even worse!
NYC: Man Beaten Because He’s Gay
Posted by: Andi Enns on: October 12, 2009
NEW YORK (AP) – New York City police say a 49-year-old gay man leaving a corner deli near his home was beaten by two men in an apparent hate crime.
Jack Price remains in a medically induced coma. He is in serious but stable condition.
Police say the two suspects taunted Price and yelled anti-gay slurs while he was in the store early Friday. They attacked him outside, not far from his home in the middle-class Queens neighborhood of College Point.
Twenty-six-year-old Daniel Aleman was arrested Sunday and charged with assault and aggravated assault as a hate crime. The name of his attorney was not on record.
A second suspect is being sought. The police department’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating.
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