Towards a Welcoming and Inclusive Church
IWR News
Febrary 7, 2010
- 1) Anger after pope condemns gay-friendly laws
- 2) Defense officials say lift military ban on gays
- 3) Undercover with "Conversion" Therapists
- 4) Lesbian albatrosses now proud parents
- 5) Nepal charter to grant gay rights
- 6) Gay Marriage Advocates Pushing For Church Bill
- 7) Julianne Moore on A Single Man, De-Gayed
- 8) Countdown to Freedom to Marry Week, Feb. 8-14, 2010
- 9) GLAD Victory! Gender Identity Disorder qualifies for medical care and is IRS deductible
- 10) Gay-rights deal grows shaky
- 11) Links to more news from Welcoming Church Programs
1) Anger after pope condemns gay-friendly laws
London, AFP, February 2, 2010
Gay-rights campaigners and secularists called on Tuesday for protests during a visit to Britain by Pope Benedict XVI this year after he condemned equality legislation seen as friendly to gays. The 82-year-old pontiff made his comments on Monday, when he confirmed plans to visit Britain later this year in what would be the first such trip in 28 years. . . . Human rights campaigner and gay activist Peter Tatchell said he saw the pope's remarks as an attack on the legal rights granted to gay people and women.
2) Defense officials say lift military ban on gays
Washington, Associated Press, February 2, 2010
DIt's time to repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and allow gay troops to serve openly for the first time in history, the nation's top defense officials declared Tuesday, with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff proclaiming that service members should not be forced to "lie about who they are." However, both Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen asked for a year to study the impact before Congress would lift the controversial policy.
3) Undercover with "Conversion" Therapists
U.K., Advocate, February 2, 2010
British journalist Patrick Strudwick infiltrated a network of therapists that promise to "convert" gay people to become straight, and found that "ex-gay" therapy is an American export. Strudwick, who is gay, delivers a fascinating report of his experience going undercover for several months in The Independent. One of his findings is that the therapists in Britain are inspired by the coordination of "conversion" or "reparative" therapists in the United States.
4) Lesbian albatrosses now proud parents
Australia, Courier Mail, February 2, 2010
A lesbian royal albatross couple, nesting on the Otago Peninsula, have become proud parents. The chick, which hatched last week, is one of 17 birds born this year in the South Island - the New Zealand site is the only mainland breeding colony of the endangered animal in the world. A spokesman from the Department of Conservation, Robin Thomas, said while same-sex pairings have occurred before, it's "not common".
5) Nepal charter to grant gay rights
Kathmandu, Nepal, Hindustan Times, January 19, 2010
Like most people in love Tripti Shah and Darshana Thapa (names changed) want to get married and start a family. But unlike most they will have to wait some more time to get legal recognition for their union. In less than five months Nepal will have a new constitution that will be the first in Asia to guarantee equal rights to sexual minorities. And once that happens, Tripti and Darshana, a lesbian couple, can formally wed.
6) Gay Marriage Advocates Pushing For Church Bill
California, KNVN, February 1, 2010
California churches would have increased legal protection under a new bill being proposed by gay marriage advocates. "I think the law should be passed, it takes the church off the hook and leaves us alone," said CeCe Matthews, Chico gay rights leader. . . . SB 906 guarantees that no clergy member would be forced to perform a marriage that conflicts with their religious beliefs and failure to marry someone would not affect a church's tax exempt status. The bill also aims to clarify the difference between civil and religious marriage.
7) Julianne Moore on A Single Man, De-Gayed
Advocate, February 3, 2010
"I was talking to somebody at The Advocate recently and he said, 'Tom Ford has been saying that it's not a gay love story.' And I was like, 'Yeah, that's because he's been saying that it's a universal love story.' The minute you start to reduce something by saying, 'It's gay,' or, 'It's straight,' it becomes niche. You ghettoize it by saying that it only belongs in one place. That's what's so remarkable about A Single Man. It's really about love and loss - period."
8) Countdown to Freedom to Marry Week, Feb. 8-14, 2010
Freedom to Marry
Events Planned Across the Country to Celebrate Victories and Continue the Fight:
With the 13th annual Freedom to Marry Week, February 8-14th, just days away, the number of events scheduled across the country continues to grow. . . . Freedom to Marry Week events across the country will include: click here.
9) GLAD Victory! Gender Identity Disorder qualifies for medical care and is IRS deductible
Washington, GLAD, February 2, 2010
Victory! On February 2, 2010, the U.S. Tax Court issued an important decision in O'Donnabhain v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, ruling for the first time that treatment for gender identity disorder qualifies as medical care under the Internal Revenue Code, and is therefore deductible.
10) Gay-rights deal grows shaky
Salt Lake City, Utah, Salt Lake Tribune, February 3, 2010
A delicately woven deal to keep pro- and anti-gay-rights bills off the agenda for the 2010 Legislature could be unraveling. Last week, Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, and Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, announced a "compromise" aimed at keeping lawmakers from challenging ordinances in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County that protect gay and transgender residents from housing and workplace discrimination. Johnson plans to drop a statewide anti-discrimination bill for the session and instead launch a yearlong study of such statutes in Utah and out. If Johnson's bill, HB128, garners approval, a legislative committee would decide whether to recommend action on anti-discrimination in 2011.
11) Links to more news from Welcoming Church Programs
- Associational - The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
- Consensus - Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble
- Crossbeams - Open and Affirming Ministries of the Gay, Lesbian & Affirming Disciples (GLAD)
- FlashNet - Reconciling Ministeries Network
- LC/NA News and Events - Lutherans Concerned/North America
- More Light News - More Light Presbyterians
- Outspoken - Brethren-Mennonite Council for LGBT Concerns
- Room for All News and Events - Room for All
- Ripples - Open and Affirming Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns (ONA)
- WCNnewsletter - Welcoming Community Network
Additional News
News Selections offers news from around the world related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, and ally efforts to make the world more accepting and welcoming to everyone of every sexual orientation and every gender identity. It is gathered by Sara Boesser, author of Silent Lives: How High a Price ~ For Personal Reflections and Group Discussions about Sexual Orientation, published by Hamilton Books, an imprint of University Press of America, Inc. Silent Lives provides a valuable resource for individuals, study groups, civic groups, congregations, spiritual groups, and other groups discussing issues of sexuality. It is helpful for personal journaling and sharing with relatives and friends, and is also very useful as a college text, therapy supplement, or a catalyst for group discussions. www.SilentLives.com
