Majority of Arkansans Oppose Adoption Ban

by Michael A. Jones

Published October 24, 2008 @ 10:11PM PT

Arkansas' Proposed Initiative Act 1 might be the most long-winded ballot measure dealing with LGBT rights this election season. But it's by no means less damaging. PIA-1 is a bill that would strip rights away from LGBT and straight couples who are unmarried but would like to adopt or provide foster care to children. The proposed measure has been roundly criticized by children's rights groups, former judges on the Arkansas bench, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, social workers, teachers, and more. Simply put, this bill is anti-family, anti-children, and anti-LGBT rights.

Though it's close, there's good news out today in a University of Arkansas poll, which shows that 53 percent of Arkansan voters oppose PIA-1. Much to the chagrin of groups like the Family Council of Arkansas, only 38 percent of voters favor the measure.

Read More »

Study of the Week: LGBT Seniors Face Rare Challenges and Complications

by Michael A. Jones

Published October 24, 2008 @ 06:44AM PT

A new feature here at http://gayrights.change.org - a study of the week!  Nearly every day there's a study on a range of LGBT issues, from how gays and lesbians spend their money to how many same-sex couples have gotten married in states across the country.  We must be an interesting people for sociologists and economists to follow...!

This study here merits being the first featured study of the week. It's a follow-up to a post I wrote a couple weeks ago about the first ever AARP-sponsored conference on LGBT aging, organized by SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders).  What does it say?  Well, nothing that should be too surprising, although issues of LGBT aging are often overlooked.  Here are the nuts and bolts:

Read More »

2014 Gay Games to Be Hosted by....Cleveland? Say what?

by Michael A. Jones

Published October 23, 2008 @ 09:22PM PT

It's the Heart of Rock N Roll.  The Metropolis of the Western Reserve.  The Mistake on the Lake (although this nickname isn't fair - I grew up 80 miles east of the city, and the city has a lot of potential.  Besides, its rivers haven't caught on fire for decades!)

But in 2014, Cleveland could very well add another nickname to its fold:  Host of the Gay Games.  Word out today has it that Cleveland, Miami and (my current hometown!) Boston have bid for the 2014 Gay Games.  And to show their support, organizers have snagged the endorsement of two major organizations in Cleveland for the Gay Games: Positively Cleveland, the city's convention and visitors bureau, and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

The proposal is being led by the Cleveland Synergy Foundation, which works to enhance economic and cultural conditions for the city's LGBT community.

Read More »

Clergy Phone Banking Against Proposition 8

by Michael A. Jones

Published October 23, 2008 @ 03:53PM PT

I don't know if there's a more important group out there advocating against the passage of Proposition 8 than clergy. That right there is one of the more remarkable story lines of the 2008 election season - in Florida, California and Connecticut, we're seeing the emergence of a religious infrastructure to speak out for LGBT rights in an unprecedented way. They may not have the money that conservative Mormon and Catholic groups have to fund anti-gay efforts, but they win hands down on offering a moral voice on issues of LGBT rights.

Today, local clergy joined up with the No On 8 Campaign to lead a statewide phone bank in California, urging voters to say no to Prop 8.  Jan Garbosky, President of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego’s Board of Trustees, had this to say about the phone banking effort today:

Regardless of how people feel about marriage, it is simply wrong to eliminate fundamental human rights. That’s why these faith leaders are speaking out, to preserve the basic human dignity of all Californians. They understand what the law says about marriage, and that no church or clergy member could be forced to perform wedding ceremonies for same-sex, or any other, couples.

Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as progressive religion!

Read More »

Harvey Milk: "Without Hope, Life is Not Worth Living."

by Michael A. Jones

Published October 22, 2008 @ 10:24PM PT

This is short, sweet, and one of the most elegant videos I've seen on You Tube. It's an animated version of a speech given by the late Harvey Milk. Watch for one of my favorite Milk quotes at about 1:30 into the clip: "I know that we cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living."

Queers United: Montana Library Keeps Gay Book on Shelf

by Michael A. Jones

Published October 22, 2008 @ 11:01AM PT

Courtesy of Queers United - an excellent blog...check them out - a Montana library has voted to keep "The Joy of Gay Sex" on their book shelves, despite some opposition from a few parents who thought the book was pornographic.

Pornographic?  The book is the biggest selling guide for gay men, and offers commentary on things as diverse as safe-sex practices and coming out.  It's supposed to be a book to help gay men live a happy and fulfilling life, and encourage intelligent and creative relationships.

In other words, it's a resource.  Not porn.

And it's good to see the Lewis and Clark Public Library Board in Montana agree.  They voted 5-0 to keep the book on the shelves.

For a great recap of the controversy, check out SGL Universe - another great LGBT blog.

International Watch: Bahrain Seeks Crackdown on Homosexuality. Again.

by Michael A. Jones

Published October 22, 2008 @ 06:21AM PT

This week marked the third time in 2008 that political leaders in Bahrain have called for a widespread crackdown on homosexuality.  In February 2008, the Foreign Affairs, Defense and National Security committee of Bahrain's Parliament backed policies that would tighten immigration checkpoints to prevent "foreign homosexuals" from entering the country.  In April 2008, Bahrain's Parliament considered a resolution to deport homosexuals.  And now in October 2008, during the first week of the new session of Bahrain's Parliament, MP Shaikh Mohammed Khalid Mohammed called for a series of national policies directed at eliminating the homosexual population of Bahrain.

Bahrain, like India, inherited anti-sodomy laws from its colonizer, the British Empire.  As a result today, "homosexual behavior" in Bahrain can be rewarded with a ten-year prison sentence.  (Thanks, England.  Sometimes I'm really glad we stole David Beckham from you.)

Read More »