ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Hypocrisy Strikes Again

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Editorial:  How often in the recent past have we had pastors, reporters and people in power rant and rave about gays and the sin they do, and then we discover they are either closet gay themselves or have led adulterous lives.  Who is doing the most harm I wonder?

Reprinted from  THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

Michigan Grindr pastor urged gay teen to kill himself, says mom

The closeted father of five told a gay 17-year-old he was going to hell, so he might as well go now

Michigan Grindr pastor urged gay teen to kill himself, says mom

Michigan Grindr pastor urged gay teen to kill himself, says mom
Jennifer Kish, Tyler Kish (WNEM)
The recently outed anti-gay pastor Matthew Makela is coming under fire not just for his hypocrisy but, according to the mother of one of his parishioners, he encouraged her gay son that since he was going to hell anyway, he might as well kill himself.
After Queerty reported earlier this week that the married Midland, Michigan pastor used the Grindr networking app to chat with, and solicit sex from, other men. St. John’s Lutheran Church, where Makela worked until his resignation on Monday, issued a statement urging people not to read any more about Makela or his “sin.”
“The details of sin that have been kept confidential are being posted online by those who seek to do harm to the Makela family and to St. John’s,” the statement said. “This is taking an already difficult situation and making it even more painful. I write this to you to warn you that you may be confronted with the details of the sin, and to remind you that sin is never pretty.”
The writer of the Queerty article disagreed, claiming that “[i]f Makela made even one LGBT kid at St. John’s ‘Christ-based’ elementary school, their parents, friends, family or anyone who ever stepped foot in the church feel like being true to yourself is shameful (and it seems all too likely that he did), then we’re glad to share his hypocrisy with the world.”
According to Jennifer Kisk, Makela did far worse than make his LGBT parishioners uncomfortable — he actively urged them to kill themselves. As WNEM’s David Custer reported, Makela told then 17-year-old Tyler Kish — who was suffering from depression at the time — that if he insisted on embracing a homosexual lifestyle, he might as well commit the mortal sin of suicide because he was already ticketed for hell.
“If he’s going to hell for being gay then he might as well commit suicide,” Kish said Makela advised her son. He also, she alleged, went on social media to berate her for remaining supportive of her son after he came out to her.
Watch Custer’s interview with the Kishes below via WNEM.
WNEM TV 5 – CLICK THE LINK FOR THE VIDEO
 

Why GLBT Books Are Important

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Editorial:  Over the last week The Crescent Arts Centre has held its 5th annual Belfast Book Festival.  We in NIGRA have been extremely pleased to support this festival and to be involved in two of its events:

and

  • photo of BBF15: Thomas HitzlspergerTHOMAS HITZLSPERGER – who became the most high-profile footballer to come out as gay following his retirement from football, and his international career.

Both events highlighted just how important role models are to all of our community, but in particular to thos who are coming to terms with being gay.  In today’s society positive role models are rarely provided, and books and good movies are a natural provider of these.

However, with budget cuts, and with book providers not looking outside the norm for their sales, and also with gay magazines being prohibitively expensive and not freely accessible in libraries etc. todays LGBT youth has been and is being short changed.

I am reprinting an article from GLBT News on The Importance of GLBT Book Month written by Peter Coyl to support my comments:

The Importance of GLBT Book Month

As a teenager, I was such an avid library user I got a job shelving books at the library in the Children’s section. On my breaks, I would roam the stacks of the second floor adult fiction area looking for something new to read. One day, a book caught my eye, and I started flipping through it. It was about gay people. Young and scared, I put the book away and quickly checked to see if someone had seen me looking at this book. I then went back to work, my brain reeling.
A week or so later, I realized that if I accidentally found a book with gay people in it, maybe I could “on purpose” find one. So I looked in the library catalog and voila: we had some. In fact, we had a book in the Young Adult section that had gay characters in it.
So at age 15, that is how I came to read Entries from a Hot Pink Notebook by Todd Brown. This was the first book to show me that I was normal. That yes, other teenagers felt like I did. Despite it being on the shelf and being accessible, I was scared to read it and scared others would find out I was reading it.
This is why GLBT Book Month is important.
GLBT Book Month is important because it gives readers exposure to the works of authors and topics they may not have known existed.
The GLBTRT Executive Board often is contacted (collectively and individually) by library staff or librarians about problems at their library relating to GLBT materials: books cataloged so kids can’t find them, displays that are not allowed to be put up, programs that are cancelled, and the numerous other issues that come up when librarians try to provide equitable service.
This past week, a library an 75 miles away from me made headlines because of a cancelled author appearance (the author has written a book about coming out as a Christian) and the removal of a PFLAG display that had been constructed to coincide with the visit. In the end, the appearance was reinstatedand the display put back up. Things like this shouldn’t happen. But they will continue to happen as long as we do not speak up and promote what we do.
I am not encouraging civil disobedience or actions that would put employment in peril. I am encouraging promoting of GLBT Book Month in whatever way you can in your institution. We have a book month, let’s use it.
That being said, though, it’s time GLBT books, especially those in libraries, came out of the closet.
Libraries and librarians need to stop being afraid of what is on their shelves. It’s been said that a good library should have something in it to offend everyone. Let that be the case.
GLBT Book Month is for everyone. It isn’t just about highlighting books for the GLBT community, it’s about exposing every reader to a new idea, a new story, a new author. In the same way National Poetry Month isn’t just for the poets, GLBT Book Month isn’t just for “the gays.”
So dust off those display ideas you’ve had squirreled way. Order a poster and bookmarks from ALA Graphics. Cut out those rainbow letters. Tack up a flag in the corner. Put out some books from theStonewall Book Awards, Rainbow Book List or Over the Rainbow Book list. Let your community know that you are proud to serve everyone. And if you have a copy of Entries from a Hot Pink Notebook in your collection, maybe you can put it in your display for the kid who shelves your children’s books to see. He may need it.

Do the LGBT Youth in Northern Ireland feel safe?

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Editorial:  So LGBT young people in Scotland ‘feel unsafe’!  I wonder if the same is true in Northern Ireland – only you the readers can tell us.  What not leave us share stories in our comments  box.

 
 
 

Many LGBT young people ‘feel unsafe’

gay couple holding hands

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) young people still encounter harassment in public spaces, according to a Scottish charity.

LGBT Youth Scotland said its research suggested more needed to be done to ensure LGBT young people felt safe.
It urged those affected to understand their rights and report discrimination.
The charity said not every young person was aware of what constituted a criminal act under hate crime legislation .
In an online survey of LGBT people aged 13 to 25 conducted by the charity, 49% of the 273 respondents said they felt safe and supported by the legal system. The figure fell to 40% among those who identified as transgender.
Half of those surveyed said they were aware of their rights, while a similar proportion (53%) said they would feel confident in reporting a crime they experienced to the police.
Among transgender young people the figure dropped to 48%, while bisexual women were the least likely to feel confident reporting a hate crime at 46%.

Hate crimes

Just over half (51%) of transgender young people said they felt safe using public transport.
While the charity has welcomed an increase in the reporting of hate crimes, YGBT Youth Scotland has recommended that campaigns, activities and lesson plans be developed for use in schools, with specific reference to hate crime.
Chief executive Fergus McMillan said: “In Scotland, we are fortunate to have strong hate crime legislation that is inclusive of transgender identities yet the safety report shows a gap in knowledge and confidence for transgender young people in particular.
“When young people know about their rights, and have confidence in the process, they are more likely to be willing to report.
“An increase in reported crimes since the introduction of the legislation is certainly positive, yet more must be done to ensure that LGBT young people feel safe in their communities, understand their rights and how to report discrimination and harassment, and have the confidence to report.”

Gay Cake Affair 'Crumbles' on

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Anti-Gay Marriage Cake Baker Outlines Appeal Grounds

 

By The Gay UK, Jun 11 2015 07:25AM
The Christian-run bakery which refused to bake a pro-marriage cake has outlined its appeal to the judgement that found it had acted unlawfully in refusing the cake order.
CREDIT: Steve Schoeder (flickr)

CREDIT: Steve Schoeder (flickr)
The bakery, in Northern Ireland, was found to have acted unlawfully when it refused to make a cake that beared a pro gay marriage slogan for Gareth Lee, by a court last month. It was ordered to pay £500 in compensation to Mr. Lee.
In a statement released by the Christian Institute, an organisation that has funded many appeals against legal matters surrounding gay issues, has raised three questions to support their appeal.
Whether the judge was correct, as a matter of law, to hold that Ashers had discriminated against Mr Lee directly on grounds of sexual orientation.
Whether the judge was correct, as a matter of law, to hold that Ashers had discriminated against Mr Lee directly on grounds of religious belief or political opinion.
Whether the judge was correct, as a matter of law, to hold that Ashers was not entitled to protection as a result of the rights under Articles 9 and/or 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
A spokesperson for the Christian Institute, Simon Calvert, believes that “most people” would support an overturning of the ruling that found that the business had acted unlawfully, this despite a poll undertaken in 2014 which showed that the majority supported same-sex marriage.
The Christian Institute is a registered charity that has sought to retain section 28, to raise the age of consent for gay people and opposed the Civil Partnership Act and same-sex marriage act.
The Christian Institute has backed many legal actions in the past, but has been unsuccessful in many attempts, most notably the Christian Institute backed Hotel owners Mr and Mrs Ball, who infamously denied lodgings to a gay couple. Numerous attempts of appeal have all subsequently failed.

Presbyterians in Scottish gay ministers boycott

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Editorial: So the Irish General Assembly of the Presbyterian’s are boycotting the Scottish Assembly over its more liberal views on gay marriage and gay vicars – loving and accepting aren’t they!

 
Belfast TelegraphBY ALF MCCREARY – 11 JUNE 2015
The Scottish Presbyterian Assembly voted to allow gay people to serve as ministers

The Scottish Presbyterian Assembly voted to allow gay people to serve as ministers

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has delivered a resounding snub to its Scottish brethren by boycotting their Assembly in protest over a controversial gay clergy vote.

The Scottish Church voted last month to allow people in same-sex civil partnerships to serve as ministers and deacons, a move that angered many leaders of Presbyterianism here.
And now, in an unprecedented sign of the split between the regions, the Irish General Assembly has voted not to send a representative to the Scottish Assembly next year, thus breaking a long-standing tradition between the two sister Churches.
The Scottish Church historically has close links with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, which has some 230,000 members.
Last month Church leaders here said their Scottish counterparts had “moved away from the historic and biblical position”.
The vote to boycott the Scottish Assembly, which is bound to further sour relations, was passed by 99 votes to 84.
Before the vote was taken the clerk of the General Assembly, the Reverend Trevor Gribben, said it would apply for one year and would not affect any invitation to the Church of Scotland to send a representative to the General Assembly in Belfast next year.
But a spokesman for the Irish Presbyterian Church told the Belfast Telegraph: “While we have not taken a formal stance on the Scottish vote, as we said at the time, many would have felt a sense of sorrow and deep regret at the Church of Scotland’s decision to allow the ordination of ministers who are in a same-sex marriage.
“In a heartfelt and finely balanced debate at the General Assembly last week, members judged that they would express this deep regret by taking a symbolic step not to appoint representatives on this occasion to go to Edinburgh in 2016.”

The decision by the General Assembly to boycott next year’s meeting in Edinburgh is at odds with the plea by the incoming Irish Moderator, the Rt Reverend Dr McNie, who appealed in his opening address for greater toleration by society of the Church’s views.”

He added: “Toleration is a two-way street.”

The position taken by the Church of Scotland means it maintains a traditional view of marriage between a man and woman, but allows individual congregations to “opt out” if they wish to appoint a minister or a deacon in a same-sex civil partnership.

Meanwhile, the Belfast Telegraph understands that the Armagh Presbytery is setting up a special commission to consider the views of the Portadown minister the Reverend Christina Bradley, who publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage at the time of the Irish referendum.

This is thought to be because the Presbyterian Church teaching opposes same-sex marriage.

A spokesman for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland told the Belfast Telegraph yesterday: “Ultimately, a minister or an elder is answerable to their Presbytery for matters of life and doctrine.

“This is an internal matter for the Church, and the Armagh Presbytery has indicated it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

The vote in the Irish referendum was overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage and resulted in calls for a change to the law in Northern Ireland, with several high-profile peeople joining the campaign.

Northern Ireland's Marriage Equality Battle

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photo of two Irish marriage equality campaigners
Dear Friends
Did your heart melt when Ireland voted for equal marriage? What an awesome victory for love and equality. But across the border in Northern Ireland, thousands of loving gay couples are banned from marrying: they’re told their love isn’t worth as much as straight couples.
Some politicians in Northern Ireland haven’t yet made up their minds on gay marriage. If we can show them that equality is getting huge, mainstream support, it could persuade them to vote for equal marriage the next time it comes to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Our partners in Northern Ireland have asked us to build a giant petition in the next few days, to boost media coverage of a mass rally for equal marriage they are organising in Belfast on Saturday. Every voice is needed to bring undecided politicians on board. Sign and share now: go.allout.org/en/a/n-ireland-marriage
Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom where gay marriage is still illegal. England, Wales and Scotland have allowed it since 2014. But a survey in Northern Ireland in 2013 showed 59% of people want marriage equality – and it’s likely to be even more now, after the Yes Vote south of the border.
We’re seeing a pro-equality tidal wave. Since the Irish Yes vote, a cross-party group of Westminster MPs has called for action on equal marriage in Northern Ireland. And Belfast City Council just passed a motion in favour of marriage equality.
All Out’s partners in Northern Ireland – Amnesty International, The Rainbow Project and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions – have joined together to seize this huge political opportunity. They’re holding a mass rally in Belfast on Saturday 13 June. If thousands of All Out members from around the globe back their call for equal marriage, we can show that the world is watching. It could be enough to convince undecided politicians to support LOVE.
Sign now: go.allout.org/en/a/n-ireland-marriage
Just last week, a petition from All Out members helped get two anti-gay judges removed from Argentina’s courts. And our 285,000-strong petition against a proposed anti-gay law in Northern Ireland is one of the reasons why the law is stalled. Now let’s unleash our power to win equal marriage in Northern Ireland:
Add your name: go.allout.org/en/a/n-ireland-marriage
Thanks for going All Out,
Andre, Guillaume, Rose, Julia and the rest of the All Out team.
P.S. All Out depends on small donations from members. Every individual donation goes to powering groundbreaking global campaigns. It also means governments and corporations can’t tell us what to do because we won’t take their money. Will you help keep us strong? Click here now to chip in: go.allout.org/en/a/ps-donate

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Why is the UK Government silent on Russian Anti-Gay Excesses?

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Anti-gay protesters attack a policeman during the so-called Equality March, organized by a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, in Kiev, Ukraine, June 6, 2015

 Editorial: I have written before and put up articles about how the Russian government is orchestrating and allowing attacks on the LGBT population – the latest action has taken place in Kiev. Indeed, Alexander Yakovenko, Russia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, has even drawn attention to Britain’s silence on the anti-gay violence in Ukraine!

Whilst the British government in the past has drawn attention to Russia’s 2013 law on “gay propaganda”, which is similar to that of several US states, this time around they have been noticeably reticent.  

I would ask you to sign up to one of the various campaigns in the country, sing up for newsletters, make your views known.  Abuse, no matter which sector of the community it is aimed, at, is not acceptable.

Check out this video Channel 4’s programme by Matt Frei ‘Anti-gay campaign shows Russia’s worst side’:

What do you think?  Let us know your thoughts, STOP ABUSE NOW!!

UK Poll Shows Alarming Racism in Gay Community

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Editorial:  Are you a racist, have you allowed racism to go unchallenged when you have heard it being said?  We would be the first to complain (hopefully) if we overheard homophobia being discussed as acceptable.  We mustn’t loose sight of the fact that we are all supposed to be ‘equal’ and that we must treat everyone as equal!

 

Tuesday Jun 9, 2015

(Source:Noah Berger/AP)

(Source:Noah Berger/AP)


As much as the global LGBT community prides itself on inclusiveness and tolerance, results from a new poll show that while we like to see ourselves as wrapped in a rainbow, color is still an issue with many gay men.
A recent survey taken by the U.K.-based FS magazine which polled over 850 white, black, Asian, South Asian, Arab and mixed race gay men, shows an alarming amount of racial and sexual stereotyping among gay males. Results of the survey showed that more than two-thirds of non-whites surveyed experienced racism from within the LGBT community in the U.K. with 80% of blacks and 79% of Asians reporting the highest incidences of racism. As a minority group, hispanics reported the lowest incidences of racism with 35%.
An interactive poll on the FS website shows 87% of readers agree that the gay community is in someway racist.
The report also points to a disturbing trend where pick-up apps like Grindr were a prime vehicle for sexual racism.
“I’ve been blocked on apps because I am South East Asian,” says Ari, 39 from London, “or thought of as Muslim, even though I am not a Muslim. I have had abuse sent through messages, saying ‘go back home Paki’ or a question asking if Allah is happy I am on here.”
The FS poll is a follow-up to a previous study conducted by the publication where 400 white men were polled about sexual stereotypes.
When asked about stereotypes within ethnic groups, the respondents said:
• Black men have large cocks: 78% of white gay men in our survey believe this to be true.
• Asian men have smaller than average cocks: 75% believe this to be true.
• Latin men are crazy, wild and passionate: 70% of white gay men believe this to be true.
• Mixed race men are more likely to be accepted by white men: 67% believe this to be true.
• Black men are more active, strong and dominant in the bedroom: 60% of white gay men believe this to be true.
• Asian men are mostly submissive bottoms: 56% believe this to be true.
• Arab men aren’t gay if they’re top only: 35% thought this to be true.
• Latin men are mostly rent boys or in it for a passport: 10% of white gay men believe this is true.
While the FS polls only surveyed gay men in the U.K., the results are mirrored across the ocean in the United States where, according to Wikipedia , many people experience racism in the dominant LGBT community where racial stereotypes merge with gender stereotypes, such that Asian-American LGBTs are viewed as more passive and feminine, while African-American LGBTs are viewed as more masculine and aggressive.
 

Bloody hell: Britain under pressure to lift gay and bisexual blood ban

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| BY JOE MORGAN
 

As NHS struggles to find new donors, former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas tells Gay Star News why she wants gay and bisexual men to be allowed to give blood

The UK is in need of new blood donors, but they are ignoring one of the largest groups of prospective donors – gay and bisexual men.
With 74% of Gay Star News readers in our poll willing to donate blood if they were allowed to, politicians have renewed calls to lift the ‘outdated’ ban.
In England, Wales and Scotland, gay and bisexual men must be celibate for a year before they are allowed to donate. In Northern Ireland, largely due to the anti-gay marriage DUP, the ban remains indefinitely.
With the number of people donating falling 40% in a decade, it was announced this week, the NHS has started a new campaign to bring in new donors.
But according to some of the UK’s leading campaigners in equality, the solution is obvious.
Caroline Lucas, the former leader of the Green Party, told Gay Star News in a statement that the UK needs an ‘evidence based approach’ on how to deal with the number of donors.
‘That’s why I’ve long called for a review of the evidence on allowing people to donate safe blood in compliance with the Equality Act 2010,’ she said.
‘Crucially, this would also help ensure that men who have sex with men, for example, are not discriminated against when they want to donate blood.’
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has also recently renewed his call, tabling a question to the Department of Health asking why men who are in clearly stable relationships – civil partnerships or same-sex marriages – are also banned from giving blood.
Both Fabricant and Lucas have previously described the one-year and full time ban as ‘outdated, illogical and unequal’.
Fabricant introduced a Private Member’s Bill last year calling for gay and bisexual men to be allowed to donate.
On introducing the bill, he said: ‘There is no logic to this and it is unnecessarily discriminatory.’
And Peter Black, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Equalities Minister, has also put pressure on the UK government.
‘This ban not only turns away thousands of willing and healthy potential donors, but it also serves to reinforce negative stereotypes about gay and bisexual men,’ he said. ‘The sooner this unfair and discriminatory ban is lifted, the sooner our blood services can benefit from a greater supply of donated blood and more lives can be saved.’
It led to the UK government announcing in January they would consider consulting on whether a 12-month deferral is necessary when it comes to the blood donation for gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships.
Jon Latham, assistant director of donor services at NHS Blood and Transplant, told GSN: ‘Some people ask us why these donation criteria exist and express to us their frustration if this means that they are not eligible to give blood. None of the criteria in place for blood donation are intended to be discriminatory.
‘It is specific sexual behaviors rather than sexuality that increase the risk of virus transmission and drive the criteria. Ensuring donor and patient safety is at the heart of what we do.
‘The processes we follow at our blood donation sessions are in line with blood donor selection criteria set by the Department of Health on the advice of independent experts.’
Terrence Higgins Trust, the HIV and sexual health charity, has agreed the stance can only realisitically be changed when the risks of HIV for gay and bisexual men are reduced to the same level as that of most straight people.
To look at the current blood bans in force around the world, see our list here.

– See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/bloody-hell-britain-under-pressure-lift-gay-and-bisexual-blood-ban090615#sthash.NS5VeljR.dpuf

Target's New Pride Commercial Will Make Your Queer Heart Sing

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 |  By
Posted: Updated:
https://youtu.be/4Ji8OpjSCXE
Target is ringing in Pride month in a very big way, introducing a rainbow-themed clothing and accessories line as well as an inclusive ad campaign.
Unveiled June 8, the Minnesota-based retail giant’s #TakePride line is available online and in select stores. It includes T-shirts, swim trunks and flip-flops, as well as headphones, iPhone cases and other products.
target take pride line
Pride Swim Short, Rainbow
The commercial that accompanies the campaign, which can be viewed above, pairs archival footage of LGBT rights milestones with colorful, time-lapse images and present-day Pride clips.
“We’re not born with pride,” a voiceover declares. “We take pride, pride in celebrating who we were born to be.”
target flip flops
Pride Flip Flop Sandals, Rainbow Chevron
Laysha Ward, Target’s Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, said in a statement:

We’re making our message loud and clear: Target proudly stands with the LGBT community, both as a team member and team player through all that we do – from our volunteer efforts to our long-standing partnerships with groups likeFamily Equality Council and Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, to the very products we carry in our stores and online.

pride t shirt

Pride Men’s Sunday Funday, Navy
Target, which came under criticism in 2013 for reportedly making a donation to an organization that supported an anti-gay Republican gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, has made great strides toward inclusivity in recent years. Last year, the company signed an amicus brief in support of marriage equality, while a commercial for their “Made to Matter” product line featured two gay men painting with a child.
In 2012, the company created 10 Pride T-shirts, including two designed by Gwen Stefani, that were available online.
View a selection of products from Target’s #TakePride line below:

  • 1
    Pride Women’s 50 Shades of Fabulous T-Shirt, White
    Target
  • 2
    Pride Rainbow Chevron Earbud with Microphone
    Target
  • 3
    Pride Kid’s Thing Called Love T-Shirt, White
  • 4
    Pride Men’s Love is Love Tank, White
    Target
  • 5
    Pride Flip Flop Sandals, Rainbow Chevron
    Target
  • 6
    Pride Love Is Love Tumbler
    Target
  • 7
    Pride Men’s Sunday Funday Navy
    Target
  • 8
    Pride Men’s Vintage Love Is Love T-Shirt, Grey
    Target
  • 9
    Pride Men’s Unicorns On Fleek T-Shirt, Charcoal