University of Maryland wrestler Hudson Taylor, profiled on Outsports for his strong support of gay rights, won the 197-pound class at the ACC wrestling championships on Saturday and was named outstanding wrestler.

Taylor, ranked third nationally in his weight class, won the title by pinning Dennis Drury of North Carolina at the 4:10 mark. Taylor is 38-2 on the season and qualifies for the NCAA championships in Omaha on March 18-20.

Hudson Taylor

Taylor is one of the most unique athletes I have ever spoken with, and his support for gay rights is inspiring and rare among straight athletes. He even wore a Human Rights Campaign sticker on his headgear for part of the season.

His story is must reading, not because I wrote it, but because it highlights someone who is striving to make a difference. Since his article ran, he e-mailed me:

I am getting the most moving e-mails from people around the world. It’s amazing. I mean, supporting the LBGT community is such a no-brainer to me. I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I’m so humbled to learn about some of the courageous stories of these people. And I’ve been responding to all of them.

ESPN will be showing the NCAAs, and I know that Taylor will have a large number of Outsports readers cheering him on as he wrestles for the title.

Some action shots from matches this year, courtesy of Taylor:

University of Maryland wrestler Hudson Taylor, profiled on Outsports for his strong support of gay rights, won the 197-pound class at the ACC wrestling championships on Saturday and was named outstanding wrestler.
Taylor, ranked third nationally in his weight class, won the title by pinning Dennis Drury of North Carolina at the 4:10 [...]

Well, we’ve all probably, at some point, had that anti-gay neighbor who we wished would get transferred to China, thus simply going away and leaving us alone.  But for those who have a neighbor who is not going anywhere, and moving may be an option you are considering, here’s a subtle way to let them know how you really feel. And below the picture…probably the funniest weather forecast I’ve ever seen!

Well, we’ve all probably, at some point, had that anti-gay neighbor who we wished would get transferred to China, thus simply going away and leaving us alone.  But for those who have a neighbor who is not going anywhere, and moving may be an option you are considering, here’s a subtle way [...]

By Christine Laskowski (China Daily)

As the year 2009 comes to a close, it does so having been a monumental year for China’s LGBT community. Beijing and numerous cities across China experienced the successful completion of 12 anniversaries and public events that expose LGBT culture and related issues like never before.

Participants and organizers smile for Shanghai Pride.

China’s LGBT community, which is an acronym that refers to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, has adapted the terms tongzhi to refer to gays, lala for lesbians, ku’er for queer – an umbrella term for those who do not identify as heterosexual with regard to sexuality, sexual anatomy or gender identity.

The community is young. Most are in their 20s and 30s, are educated, working professionals with experience abroad who are now highly active and public organizers, authors, editors, designers, film directors, curators, activists and artists.

One catalyst was the Olympic Games in 2008, a landmark event that many in the LGBT community have interpreted as a “coming out” event. LGBT websites have allowed for communities to build, to advertise events, and to allow contact and information to be exchanged between LGBT members from big cities and small towns in China with those from around the world.

As one of the organizers of China’s first gay pride events and editor for shanghaiist.com, Kenneth Tan, puts it: “Gay people, young and old, are now coming out en masse. These people are all what I call ‘first generation queers’.”

Policies, too, have been slowly changing. At a national level, 1997 saw the removal of sodomy from the country’s list of crimes; homosexuality was removed from the list of mental disorders in 2001; and since 2003 prominent sexologist and activist, Li Yinhe, has been proposing same-sex marriage legislation at the annual Two Sessions.

In China, where LGBT-themed films are prohibited and gay-themed exhibitions, novels and magazines are taboo, the success of many of these events have been years in the making. Organizers have gotten creative: they arrange other activities; they hold their film festivals and art exhibitions just outside major cities; they keep publicity to a minimum.

So with all this happening, what does the future hold for China’s LGBT community? Li Yinhe has revealed plans to propose another same-sex marriage bill in 2010. And in a nation without ratings, perhaps introducing them to TV shows and films, will help lift the ban on gay and lesbian characters on screen. Perhaps China will witness the coming-out of its first celebrity.

Yet among all involved to promote awareness and to end discrimination, there seems to be a consensus: they have come a long way, but there is still a long way to go.

Look back China’s major LGBT events in 2009

Feb 14: Qianmen Valentine’s Day Photo Shoot, Beijing

May 17: Rainbow In Motion Bike Ride, Beijing

June 7-13: Pride, Shanghai

June 14-21: Difference Gender Art Exhibition, Beijing

June 17: Fourth Beijing International Queer Film Festival

June 28: PFLAG China’s 2nd anniversary, Guangzhou

July 27-Aug 2: The World Outgames, Copenhagen – Chinese delegation attended

August: Courage by Xiao Jie

August: iLOOK magazine’s “Happy Gay China” Issue

October-November : China Queer Film Talk Tour

Nov 20-22: 3rd Annual Lala Camp, Guilin, Guanxi
Read more about each event at Chinadaily

By Christine Laskowski (China Daily)
As the year 2009 comes to a close, it does so having been a monumental year for China’s LGBT community. Beijing and numerous cities across China experienced the successful completion of 12 anniversaries and public events that expose LGBT culture and related issues like never before.
China’s LGBT community, which is an [...]

1973 A Year of Change.

Dr. Jack Drescher explains how the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the category of “mental disorder”.

Watch HOMOSEXUAL MENTAL HEALTH HISTORY 1973: A Year of Change” in Educational |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

1973 A Year of Change.
Dr. Jack Drescher explains how the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the category of “mental disorder”.

Watch HOMOSEXUAL MENTAL HEALTH HISTORY 1973: A Year of Change” in Educational |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

In the 1990’s, teachers and community organizations determined that a month should be designated for GLBT history. They chose October because public schools are in session and traditions, such as National Coming Out Day, occur then.

GLBT History Month is endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association, and other national organizations. In 2006, Equality Forum assumed responsibility for GLBT History Month.

For more information, visit www.GLBTHistory.com

In the 1990’s, teachers and community organizations determined that a month should be designated for GLBT history. They chose October because public schools are in session and traditions, such as National Coming Out Day, occur then.
GLBT History Month is endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National [...]