Joy Behar

Joy Behar of ABC’s The View and her own show on HLN called The Joy Behar Show has been an ardent straight ally on behalf of the LGBT community but is coming under criticism for generalizations about gay male relationships.

In a segment on The View she argues that gays take monogamy less seriously, and that it is permissible for gay men to have affairs. She maintains that the straight world is more inclined to break up a relationship where one partner goes astray while the gay community is more accepting of such behavior.

The gay community much like the straight community has a variety of viewpoints when it comes to the issue of monogamy. There are gays and straights who are polyamorous and have multiple partners, and there are many who regard monogamy as right for them. To assert a blanket statement for the entire community is plain misinformation and wrong to those millions of LGBT people who do practice monogamy.

Contact Joy Behar via Twitter and tell her to apologize for her remarks.

Source: www.queersunited.blogspot.com

Joy Behar of ABC’s The View and her own show on HLN called The Joy Behar Show has been an ardent straight ally on behalf of the LGBT community but is coming under criticism for generalizations about gay male relationships. In a segment on The View she argues that gays take monogamy less seriously, and [...]

Moscow’s mayor, Yuri M. Luzhkov, an outspoken opponent of gay rights groups, vowed Monday to again prevent a gay parade in the city. Mr. Luzhkov referred to gay parades as “satanic,” the Interfax news agency reported. Members of gay groups have tried to march in Moscow in recent years, only to be detained or dispersed. “We haven’t permitted such a parade and we won’t permit it in the future,” said Mr. Luzhkov, above. “It’s high time that we stop propagating nonsense discussions about human rights, and bring to bear on them the full force and justice of the law.” Gay rights groups said they would press ahead with plans for a parade in May.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Moscow’s mayor, Yuri M. Luzhkov, an outspoken opponent of gay rights groups, vowed Monday to again prevent a gay parade in the city. Mr. Luzhkov referred to gay parades as “satanic,” the Interfax news agency reported. Members of gay groups have tried to march in Moscow in recent years, only to be detained or dispersed. [...]

A week ago China’s first gay pageant was cancelled, on orders from the police.

The event had been hailed as a new chapter of openness towards the gay community in China, where homosexuality was illegal until 1997 and defined as mental disorder until 2001.

Here three gay men in China describe the pressures they have to live with and the compromises they have to make.

Michael Tsai, 23yo

I was going to be the host for the gay pageant Mr Gay China, but unfortunately the government has once again oppressed its people silently. It would have been a wonderful step but there is much more fear than understanding.

Although I wouldn’t call it discrimination, there’s definitely a pressure to conformity in Chinese society. The goal is to to marry and produce male offspring. Since the Chinese are allowed to have only one child there is even more pressure to conform.

Thankfully I come from a family of two boys and the need to carry on the family name has already been fulfilled. I am out to all my family, my friends and colleagues.

Although I do feel that the country as a whole has become a lot more tolerant, it isn’t necessarily more understanding

My family feels that if something is not spoken about then it either doesn’t exist or it will be forgotten. Even though they know I’m gay they still say things like “When you find your wife…”

I’m sure my parents are not thrilled by my sexual orientation but they seem to be dealing with it through denial and that’s perfectly fine with me.

China has become a get-rich-fast society, a society where you build up power and forget about everyone else. There are more things to worry about than who’s attracted to who.

Most of the older Chinese feel that being gay is just a phase and that eventually it will work itself out.

I don’t feel that there are any problems in China that I’ve come across. If we aren’t too loud and proud about it then the subject doesn’t even cross anyone’s mind.

Although I do feel that the country as a whole has become a lot more tolerant, it isn’t necessarily more understanding.

Read two more China gay’s stories at http://news.bbc.co.uk

A week ago China’s first gay pageant was cancelled, on orders from the police. The event had been hailed as a new chapter of openness towards the gay community in China, where homosexuality was illegal until 1997 and defined as mental disorder until 2001. Here three gay men in China describe the pressures they have [...]

Andy Dick was arrested Saturday morning, Jan. 23, 2010 in West Virginia on two felony charges of first-degree sexual abuse. Dick, 44, was accused of grabbing a bouncer’s crotch earlier in the morning at the Rum Runners bar in Huntington. The comedian was in Huntington to perform at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, and the club’s managing partner, Tom Schaefer said Dick was “absolutely still on the schedule for Saturday and Sunday” and that he would post Dick’s bail of $60,000. (Courtesy Huntington Police Department)

Andy Dick was arrested Saturday morning, Jan. 23, 2010 in West Virginia on two felony charges of first-degree sexual abuse. Dick, 44, was accused of grabbing a bouncer’s crotch earlier in the morning at the Rum Runners bar in Huntington. The comedian was in Huntington to perform at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, and the [...]

Judge Vaughn Walker

SAN FRANCISCO – The legal team defending California’s ban on same-sex marriages is in the very odd position of having to argue that most people—including heterosexuals—feel an attraction to people of the same sex at some time in their lives. They must argue that there’s no sharp line between heterosexuality and homosexuality, and that the image any person might have of a “mate” can be “infinitely variable.”

These are not the sorts of ideas put forth by the Yes on 8 campaign in 2008, when it sought passage of Proposition 8, to amend the state constitution to define marriage as including only “one man and one woman.” But the battle has moved from the political arena—where the general public can be swayed by appeals to numerous emotions—to the legal arena, where judges must scrutinize the logic and reasonableness of various arguments.

Read more at  www.keennewsservice.com

SAN FRANCISCO – The legal team defending California’s ban on same-sex marriages is in the very odd position of having to argue that most people—including heterosexuals—feel an attraction to people of the same sex at some time in their lives. They must argue that there’s no sharp line between heterosexuality and homosexuality, and that the [...]

Bollywood’s getting bolder… and how! The amendment of Section 377, giving legitimacy to homosexual relationships, began a new wave that now seems to be getting translated on to the big screen. While earlier films such as My Brother Nikhil and Dostana had undertones of homosexuality, Dunno Y…Na Jaane Kyun, “the first mainstream Indian film to show a serious gay relationship,” as claimed by its director Sunjay Sharma, may take Bollywood’s portrayal of homosexuality to a  new level.

Read more at www.hindustantimes.com

Bollywood’s getting bolder… and how! The amendment of Section 377, giving legitimacy to homosexual relationships, began a new wave that now seems to be getting translated on to the big screen. While earlier films such as My Brother Nikhil and Dostana had undertones of homosexuality, Dunno Y…Na Jaane Kyun, “the first mainstream Indian film to [...]

Believing in faith above the institution, reconciling religion and sexuality

Amanda Howell Artsci11

I was born and raised Catholic in a small town in central Ontario. I attended Catholic elementary and secondary schools complete with uniforms, multiple daily prayer times, in-school masses, and compulsory religion classes.

People are often surprised to learn that I’m very proud to be a Catholic, because I’m also an out and very proud lesbian.

It’s true many of the doctrines of the Catholic Church are, in my opinion, old fashioned and closed-minded, but I believe in the faith above the institution.

The Catholicism I identify with is the general spirituality offered by God, rather than the fine print details that have been imposed by humankind.

The core message of Catholicism—and Christianity in general—is love and goodwill.

The other primary tenets are found in moral guideline packages such as the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, which encourage behaviour globally accepted as good: do not kill people, do not steal things, be merciful toward others, etc.

Read more at www.queensjournal.ca

Believing in faith above the institution, reconciling religion and sexuality I was born and raised Catholic in a small town in central Ontario. I attended Catholic elementary and secondary schools complete with uniforms, multiple daily prayer times, in-school masses, and compulsory religion classes. People are often surprised to learn that I’m very proud to be a [...]

In a story in today’s edition, we explored the question of whether the medical correspondents for the television networks should be assisting the wounded in Haiti as they cover the story of the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquake.

CNN on Monday aired another example of a journalist intervening to help, showing graphic footage of anchor Anderson Cooper dragging an injured boy away from a chaotic scene of looting. As the stunned boy tried to wipe the blood from his face, Cooper put his hand on his shoulder. “It’s OK, it’s OK,” he said, looking around frantically for someone to help.

from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2010/01/cnns-anderson-cooper.html

In a story in today’s edition, we explored the question of whether the medical correspondents for the television networks should be assisting the wounded in Haiti as they cover the story of the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquake. CNN on Monday aired another example of a journalist intervening to help, showing graphic footage of [...]

The gay rodeo champion who was evicted from the “Big Brother 10″ house has found a new use for his assless chaps — dude is officially entering the world of gay porn.

18 months after he was evicted from the “BB” house, Steven Daigle was so comfortable in front of the cameras, he decided to sign on to a man-on-man-on-man sex tape with a company called C1R.com.

We’re told Daigle was approached with the idea by porn director Chi Chi LaRue – who originally met Daigle at a “Big Brother” wrap party.

Daigle tells us, “I didn’t expect my life to take this path, but when I was presented with the opportunity, I dove in head first… literally.”

As for the footage, we’re told most of the film is already in the can.

The gay rodeo champion who was evicted from the “Big Brother 10″ house has found a new use for his assless chaps — dude is officially entering the world of gay porn. 18 months after he was evicted from the “BB” house, Steven Daigle was so comfortable in front of the cameras, he decided to [...]