Alameda CA School Board Adopts Plan To Halt Anti-Gay Bullying

Alameda School district leaders have approved lesson plans for kindergartners through fifth graders that aim to curb anti-gay bullying.
Trustees voted 3-2 on Tuesday to adopt the Safe Schools curriculum, which supporters say will help children of gay parents feel welcome at school and help end anti-gay teasing and bullying on the playground.
The lessons also aim to provide a safe environment for children to learn, as well as to offer a framework for teachers to break down stereotypes and teach kids about different types of families.
"The need for this is real," said Beth Kromer, a fourth-grade teacher at Ruby Bridges Elementary School.
Brian Harris, a 16-year-old student at the Alameda Community Learning Center, told trustees that he has been called anti-gay epithets on campus.
"I have been harassed by other students in the classroom and I have even begun to consider just stopping and giving up on life," Harris said.
Opponents of the curriculum said it would undercut parents' rights to teach their children about relationships and sexual orientation, and that it pushed a political agenda without addressing ways to help other groups who may be singled out at school.
(MN)

Australia To Adopt New Zealand-Style Civil Unions?

New South Wales' Rainbow Labor's proposal for Australia to adopt New Zealand-style Civil Unions has drawn criticism from within the LGBT activist community.
"Civil unions are not a stage through which Australia must pass, but a mistake from which we must learn," Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Peter Furness told the Sydney Star Observer.
However, Rainbow Labor NSW spokesman Michael Vaughan believes there is broad community support for the idea and is working with ministers on moving it forward, but is also lobbying for full same-sex marriage rights as a first option.
(GNZ)

Gay Rights Groups Against Federal Same-Sex Marriage Lawsuit

A coalition of gay rights groups says a federal same-sex marriage lawsuit brought by two high-profile litigators is premature.
The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and other national organizations issued a statement Wednesday saying they think the U.S. Supreme Court is not ready to issue a favorable ruling on the issue.
The statement came the day after Theodore B. Olson and David Boies, who represented opposing sides in the 2000 Bush v. Gore challenge, announced they had filed a federal court challenge to California’s gay marriage ban.
Olson and Boies said the suit was filed on behalf of two gay men and two gay women.
Olson said that he hopes the case will wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction against California’s Proposition 8 until the case is resolved.
Gay rights activists in California want to win marriage back for same-sex couples by going back to voters.
The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday to uphold the gay marriage ban.
(365)

Juveniles Accused Of Battering Cassmate Released

Four juveniles accused of sexually battering a 13-year-old classmate at Walker Middle School were released Tuesday from home detention and electronic monitoring. Deputies arrested the teens — Lee Louis Myers, 14, Raymond A. Price-Murray, 14, Randall John Moye, 14, and Diemante J. Roberts, 15 — on May 6, eight days after the alleged attack with a broom handle and a hockey stick in a locker room. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christopher Sabella said he had no choice but to release them, noting that adult charges have not been filed. He warned them to stay away from the victim. "That part of my order will remain in effect," Sabella said. "You won't be required to stay in your house, but that might be a good idea." All of the teens except Myers appeared in court. Myers' attorney said he didn't think the boy needed to attend the hearing. The boys' parents and attorneys offered no comment. Earlier this month, Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said prosecutors would charge the four as adults. But Tuesday, Assistant State Attorney Kimberly Hindman told the judge the state is still investigating "forensic evidence" and has made no determination about adult charges.
(TB)

Video From Prop 8 Rally Outside Court

Azire Times Takes This Moment To Say Thank You To All Our Troops

Openly Gay Personal Served In WWII With Ikes Approval

General Dwight D. Eisenhower received some unsettling news while he was in occupied Germany after World War II. There were, he was told, a significant number of lesbians in his Women's Army Corps (WAC) command. He called in Sgt. Johnnie Phelps and ordered her to get a list of all the lesbians in the battalion. "We've got to get rid of them," he barked. Phelps said she'd check into it. But, she told the general, "when you get the list back, my name's going to be first." Eisenhower's secretary then interrupted. "Sir, if the general pleases, Sergeant Phelps will have to be second on the list, because mine will be first." Dumbfounded, Ike realized he'd lose many of his key personnel if he persisted. "Forget that order," he told Phelps.
(Lesbian Choices)

Mini Documentary on DATA

This documentary was an entry in National History Day 2008 by Tucker Jepson. The topic was Conflict and Compromise in History.
"I was lucky to meet and interview so many great sources who were generous with their time. I made it to States, but did not get picked to go to the Nationals. My teacher says I was "robbed"! I think the judges may have been biased about my subject matter. What do you think? All comments welcome."

Pope Gets Website- Pope2You

The Vatican announced their new papal Facebook app yesterday.
Part of a new site called Pope2You, the app allows facebooking Catholics to send each other virtual postcards featuring pictures and sayings of the former Nazi Benedict XVI.
Pope2You also offers a papal wiki, a link to the new Vatican YouTube channel, and an iPhone app that lets users receive updates on papal pronouncements. The Vatican made clear that the holy father himself would not have a Facebook profile.
Though the Vatican has had its own website for almost a decade, Pope2You is the result of a papal call put out back in March to engage the digital generation. Don't expect a Tweet from the pope anytime soon. The new site, which is fronted by two videos of the former Nazi Benedict, has already drawn concern that the pope will be "lowering" himself by including the YouTube channel. In response, an archbishop explained that Benedict XVI's intention is to be "where people meet." (lowering himself by being on you tube??? Unlike those that lowered themselves onto young boys??? Tell me father, which is lower?)

Article from various catholic sites

Prayer Service on the Eve of Decision Day, Monday, May 25 Grace Cathedral, San Francisco

You are invited to the following events:

"1. Prayer Service on the EVE of Decision Day – Monday, May 25Grace Cathedral (1100 California Street San Francisco), 7:00 – 8:30 pmThe night before the announcement of the CA Supreme Court’s decision, we invite the Bay Area community to come for an evening of songs and meditation that will center our hearts on peace, healing and understanding.2. Service/Blessing on Decision Day – Tuesday, May 26St. Francis Lutheran Church (152 Church St. San Francisco, across from Castro Safeway), 8:30 – 9:15 amThe morning of the decision, we invite the Bay Area community to come for encouraging music and words from community leaders, testimonies from married couples and blessings for those who will be doing civil disobedience. We will march in a procession from the church to Civic Center Plaza. Some people will join the march from the LGBT Center on Market and Octavia.

NOTE: We request clergy to come in their religious garb as appropriate for their tradition. Please come at 8:00am to prepare.CONTACT: Rev. Roland Stringfellow at stringfellow@clgs.org3.

Circle of Care – Tuesday, May 26, Civic Center PlazaIf Proposition 8 is upheld, we will surround those who are willing to be arrested in civic disobedience as we sing, and move aside as they are arrested.Marriage is not just a nice idea for some. To deny it is a form of bashing. On Decision Day, a group of people will participate in civil disobedience if the Supreme Court upholds Prop 8. In partnership with an interfaith group of clergy, we'll do a peaceful street blockade with the message SEPARATE IS NOT EQUAL!We're looking for people to participate in this action with us, and for friends who will support us as peacekeepers and legal observers. For more information, please email action at onestruggleonefight.com."

(GB)

Anti-Gay March Held In Bucharest

Some scores of people, mostly young members of the Noua Dreapta (The New Right) organization, got together today at a march against homosexuality in Bucharest, displaying placards and chanting for "normality in Romania", few hours before the annual gay parade. Foto (1)
Vezi Galerie Articol
The participants met around 11 a.m. nearby the Romanian Athenaeum, next to several older persons who themselves are against homosexuality.
"Romanians, wake up! Sexual perversions are contagious mental diseases" or "Romanians, stop the homosexual epidemic! It is more dangerous than the flue" are just some of the messages written on the placards. The participants also chorus "Romania is not Sodom."
We have nothing against homosexuals, but it bothers us so see that they make public their options and attitudes that should remain private, one of the participants at the march told NewsIn.
The organizers of the normality march said they will not try to sabotage the march of sexual minorities that will take place this afternoon at 5 p.m, and added they are just trying to express their points of view through this action, said Alexandru Nastase, the leader of Noua Dreapta Bucharest. This is the fourth year in a row when such a march is organized.
(RN)

Lutheran "Scholars" Press Church To Keep Discriminating Against Gays

A group of Lutheran "scholars" and church "leaders" released an open letter on Tuesday urging members churchwide to reject proposals that would liberalize the denomination's stance on homosexuality.
Ahead of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Churchwide Assembly in August, the conservative group is cautioning voting members against changing the denomination's current position on same-sex blessings and the ordination of partnered gays.
"The proposals to be considered by the Churchwide Assembly this summer from the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality are perceived by some as compromises that will permit the ELCA to live faithfully with internal diversity on controversial ethical questions. The proposals are in fact no compromise," the letter states. "They clearly imply that same-sex blessings and the ordination and rostering of homosexual persons in committed relationships are acceptable within the ELCA."
"The teaching of the church will be changed," the letter warns. "We should not make such an important decision without clear biblical and theological support."
(CTI)

Ross Watson's New Berlin Exhibition

If you are a fan of Ross Watson art work & a fan of Alex Baresi's cinematic performances, then you need to attend the opening of Ross Watson's new Berlin exhibition "Classic De Novo".
Alex Baresi will be flying in from Italy to open the show.

***
10 June - 1 July 2009
Maison Victor
Oranienburger Strasse 27
D-10117 Berlin-Mitte
***
Ross Watson Link

Another good reason to attend.

(LCL)

Man gets 3 Years For Killing Gay Man

"Two South Carolina groups will hold a vigil in memory of an openly gay man who was killed outside a Greenville bar two years ago.
Organizers say the Sunday event by SeansLastWish.org and The Upstate Church is in memory of Sean William Kennedy. The 20-year-old man died in May 2007 after he was hit in the face and fell to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement or a curb.
Nineteen-year-old Stephen Andrew Moller was sentenced last June to only three years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Kennedy's death." (Three years???? for killing a gay man, Twinkies anyone!)
(WSI)

EuroPride 2009: There’s ‘A Little Gay In Everyone.”

TBWA has produced a new advert to celebrate EuroPride 2009, declaring there’s ‘A Little Gay in everyone.”
The ad has been created by the agency’s office in Zurich - the Swiss city where Europe’s biggest LGBT festival is taking place from May 2 to June 7.
It’s been built around the premise that no one is 100 per cent straight and ‘There’s a little gay in everyone.’

Harrah's Issues Statement For Gay Rights In Nevada

The Harrah's chain of Las Vegas casinos and hotels has written a letter to Nevada's legislature warning about a potential loss in gay tourism if Gov. Gibbons vetoes that state's pending domestic partners bill.
"Our state cannot afford to lose any more revenue to other destinations because of a reputation as a place which is not socially or politically the right place to do business or to vacation," Jones stated in the letter, dated Tuesday.
Gays and lesbians have the highest disposable income of any segment of the population, according to Jones.
"Our company does aggressive marketing to this community," Jones said Wednesday. "How can we say to them 'we want your business, but we don't care about your rights.'"
(RJ)

Obama Visits California Day Afer Prop 8 Ruling

"Over at the San Francisco Chronicle's political blog, veteran reporter Carla Marinucci wrote yesterday that the president is coming to Southern California on Wednesday, which, as we now know, is the day after the state Supreme Court renders its decision on Prop 8.I wonder how big a demonstration the LA gay community will organize in conjunction with Obama's appearance next week:
Just days after the California election highlighting the state's dire budget troubles, President Obama is making his second trip to the state -- to star in a $3 million fundraiser at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the Democratic National Committee."

(MPblog)

Anti-Discrimination Laws In The US

State of the States: Anti-Discrimination Laws in the US from the gay rights watch.
"We figured it would be a good time to show the status of anti-discrimination laws across the U.S., including those passed, in process and those killed by a legislature.
13 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws on the books banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Those states include: Minnesota; Rhode Island; New Mexico; California; District of Columbia; Illinois; Maine; Hawaii; New Jersey; Washington; Iowa; Oregon; Vermont; Colorado
7 states have laws banning discrimination based on sexual orientation only.
Those states include: Wisconsin; Massachusetts; Connecticut; New Hampshire; Nevada; Maryland; New York
Pending legislation/killed legislation:Idaho bill died in committee (2/24/09)West Virginia passed bill in Senate (3/14/09)Kansas bill passed committee, now seems to be on hold (3/19/09)New Hampshire House voted 181-149 to kill bill adding Trans protection to existing anti-discrimination law (3/26/09)Delaware passed bill in House (3/27/09)North Dakota House killed bill (4/3/09)"

SFist.com Sent Us List For Prop 8 Gatherings In SF

"After much speculation this week, the California State Supreme Court will announce its official decision on Prop 8, the gay marriage ban, on Tuesday, May 26
Here's what will go down the day before the ruling is announced:
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Interfaith Prayer service at Grace Cathedral (1100 California St). Regardless of your position on same-sex marriage, all are welcome.
Here's what will happen the day of the ruling is announced, which seems to involve an inordinate amount of praying:
8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.: Service/Blessing at St. Francis Lutheran Church (152 Church St, across from Safeway).
9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.: March from Saint Francis to Civic Center Plaza.
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: California Supreme Court steps (400 McAllister Street) "Everyone is invited to stand with us on the steps to receive the ruling. If you are a couple that married, or wanted to marry and will speak to media, please email your name, contact information, phone number and story to media@marriageequality.org. Please bring your families and allies with you."
10:30 a.m.: Circle of Care at Civic Center Plaza. If, in fact, the prop 8 is upheld, Bay Area clergy and congregants will "engage in nonviolent civil disobedience immediately after receiving the ruling" Visit onestruggleonefight.org for more details."
Please follow these sites for more information: (SFist) (One Struggle One Fight)

Storm In South Africa

Pictures Sent to us by our friend
Jonathan in South Africa