General LGBTQIA issues thread

[beyelzu]

anderson cooper just outed as gay. I am very proud of him.

Recently, however, I’ve begun to consider whether the unintended outcomes of maintaining my privacy outweigh personal and professional principle. It’s become clear to me that by remaining silent on certain aspects of my personal life for so long, I have given some the mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something - something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid. This is distressing because it is simply not true.

I’ve also been reminded recently that while as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible. There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I believe there is value in making clear where I stand.

The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.

Anderson Cooper: "The Fact Is, I'm Gay." - The Dish | By Andrew Sullivan - The Daily Beast

[ChuckF]

Waaa? I honestly thought that already happened several years ago.

[Ensign Steve]

My exact works when Takei came out.

[LadyShea]

Originally Posted by ChuckF

Waaa? I honestly thought that already happened several years ago.

I did too. I thought he came out publicly and even have (apparently false) memories of the same "This was news to people?" reaction that people are having right now.

It's like I precognitioned it and am now deja vuing my psychic vision

[lisarea]

You guys don't read enough of the gay gossip blogs or something. It is some long-running joke fodder that he wasn't "out of the closet," because he hadn't made an announcement about it.

[ChuckF]

Weird. Like LS, I apparently made up some memories of this having already happened before and it not being a very big deal even then, because duh. Also, I sort of assume that at least a substantial minority of the population has some minimally functional gaydar, and Jesus, have you ever seen him in a T-shirt? Come on, people, do you really think those are the arms of a straight man?

[One for Sorrow]

Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

[Clutch Munny]

Okay, I just looked at some pics of AC in a t-shirt. Then to the mirror to look at my own arms.

Does it betray a lack of basic gaydar that I think mine look pretty much like his? And that neither his nor mine are particularly noteworthy? Torso on one end, fingers on the other, some bumpy bits and a bendy section in the middle... Jeez, I'm a little worried I suffer from some brachiosensory blindness.

[ChuckF]

Originally Posted by Clutch Munny

Okay, I just looked at some pics of AC in a t-shirt.

lol trolled, you're gay now, that's how it happens.

[Clutch Munny]

This is what I wondered.

OTOH, maybe it's just my arms that are gay.

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

AC was never seen with women (except Kathy Griffin but I'm p. sure she's his hag) and always with men, and is a member of a well-known gay gym. He probably hasn't said anything until now, because duh.

[LadyShea]

Gay dads and toddler kicked out of pool for being gay | LGBT Weekly

The Roanoke Athletic Club only allows children access to their pool if they have heterosexual parents. Trinkle and Granados, who were originally allowed to sign up for a family plan and paid their membership fee, were not aware there would be a problem until they showed up with their two-year-old son to go swimming.

The club defines family as “husband, wife and their children ages 21 and younger living at home.” Yet, Carilion Clinic, one of the region’s largest medical providers, has a company-wide patient non-discrimination policy that protects people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and the state of Virginia does not have a legal definition for “family.”

LOL, the Change.org petition worked in record time

We won! I'm pleased to announce that Carilion Clinic has amended criteria for family membership at its gyms. The policy is now inclusive of unmarried couples who live together, regardless of gender. You can read the company's statement, which was originally posted on its Facebook page here...

We Won! Carilion Changes Family Policy | The Revivalist

I applaud Carillion Clinic for moving so quickly and for responding to the outpouring of support for Will Trinkle, Juan Granados, and their two-year-old son Oliver Trinkle-Granados.

I also want to thank everyone who signed this petition. You hailed from all over-Roanoke to Rome-and you delivered a clear message that there is no room for this kind of discrimination in the world.

Congratulations to Will, Juan, Oliver, and all of you!

[ChuckF]

Straights-only pool

Not about civil rights. Nope. Totally different.

[LadyShea]

At least they changed the policy (though they changed it from a Family Membership to a Household Membership...can't call gay folks family ya know). I have done a 180 on petitions since Change.org came on the scene, they seem to work.

[Ensign Steve]

I missed the pride parade in SF but guess what's tomorrow in Trafalgar Square?

GUESS!

[BrotherMan]

The It's Okay to be Takei March?

[Ensign Steve]

Pride London - Home - Proud to be hosts of WORLDPRIDE 2012

[curses]

Luuuuucky.

[ChuckF]

Boy Scouts of America makes a really, really, really good marketing decision

Absolutely no gay boy scouts ever, because gross you guys. Also, sorry kid, if your parents are gay! Gross!

Anyway, there's this stupid thing, and it kind of clears some stuff up.

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare straight and appropriately closeted young people to make ethical and moral choices, like fear of gay people or intense self-loathing, over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Originally Posted by Scout Oath

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other [straight] people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Originally Posted by Scout Law

A Scout is:

Trustworthy [unless you are a faggot],
Loyal [except to faggots],
Helpful [except to faggots],
Friendly [except to faggots],
Courteous [except to faggots],
Kind [except to faggots],
Obedient [except to faggots],
Cheerful [but not in a gay way],
etc. etc. etc.
[Not a faggot]

Hope they lose a shitload of sponsors.

[Ari]

BSA youth protection, "No secret organizations. The Boy Scouts of America does not allow any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders."

NYT article, "the Boy Scouts formed a committee of 11... But the committee was kept secret until now, and the Scouts declined to reveal its membership or methods. "

Way to stick to your values BSA!

[ChuckF]

From this page:



But only the right kind of diversity (for urbans and Hispanics, so the normal kids will get to see what those look like), see, and you just have to read in the parenthetical "(non-faggot)" in the "Leave No Child Inside" part.

Oh look, that page also lists corporate sponsors of BSA, like AT&T.

[LadyShea]

God they suck so hard. I will be joining any public shaming of them.

[LadyShea]

Anyone care to superimpose the word "Bigots" over this here emblem for use in shaming activities?

[Ari]

Something like,

[livius drusus]

What is with the fleur de lis behind the eagle? That's more than a little gay, if you ask me.