GLBT DIGEST - February 17, 2007

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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/17/world/africa/17anglicans.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

February 17, 2007
Anglican Prelates Snub Head of U.S. Church Over Gay Issues
By SHARON LaFRANIERE and LAURIE GOODSTEIN

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, Feb. 16 — Seven archbishops who say they representmore than 30 million Anglicans worldwide refused to take Communion here onFriday with the new head of the American Episcopal Church, to protest hersupport of gay clergy members and blessings for same-sex unions.

Their action demonstrated the deep gulf between conservative and liberalwings of the Anglican Communion, the world’s third largest Christiandenomination, with 77 million members. Conflict over the American branch’sacceptance of an openly gay bishop and same-sex unions has dominated ahigh-level Anglican meeting here.

A statement posted on the Web site of Nigeria’s Anglican Church said sevenarchbishops, five of whom represent African countries, felt that it would bea violation of Scripture to celebrate the Eucharist with Presiding BishopKatharine Jefferts Schori, who was elected in June as head of the 2.3million Episcopalians in the United States. The statement quoted a passagefrom the Book of Common Prayer calling for sinners to repent.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/17/opinion/l17waivers.html?pagewanted=print

February 17, 2007
Who Is Army Material? (1 Letter)
To the Editor:

Re “Army Giving More Waivers in Recruiting” (front page, Feb. 14):

So, now you can join the Army if you have committed “aggravated assault,burglary, robbery and vehicular homicide.” But not if you are openly gay.Does anybody really think that this makes sense anymore?

David A. Herman
New York, Feb. 14, 2007



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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/16/AR2007021601470.html

Gay Pastor Loses Ruling, But Not His Flock -- Yet
Supporters Seek Change in Denomination Policy

By Giovanna Dell'Orto
Associated Press
Saturday, February 17, 2007; B09

ATLANTA -- It was a typical Sunday scene and, in its own way, a small act ofdefiance.

Members of St. John's Lutheran Church last weekend filed by their pastor,hugging him and exchanging jokes. Gleeful children rushed past toward atreats-laden table.

Many in the 350-member Atlanta congregation say they don't plan to let theRev. Bradley E. Schmeling leave the pulpit Aug. 15, as ordered last week byan Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) disciplinary committeebecause he is in a gay relationship.

Defying the order could end Atlanta's oldest Lutheran church affiliationwith the ELCA, cutting off the small church and its members from the largedenomination's resources, including community service programs, hymn booksand access to synod officials for guidance on legal, financial and spiritualmatters.

St. John's members hope it doesn't come to that. They want the denominationto change its rules about sexually active gay clergy at its biennialchurchwide assembly in Chicago next August, just days before Schmeling is tobe removed from the clergy.

"We are not an activist church, even though we can stand for issues ofjustice," said Charles Fox, who occasionally assists Schmeling at Sundayworship. "He exemplifies the kind of love and empathy I envision Christ tohave had."



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Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-allstarnote17feb17,0,1113332,print.story

Heat stars express tolerance
By Michael Cunningham
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

February 17, 2007

Las Vegas · Former Heat guard Tim Hardaway apparently wouldn't want ahomosexual teammate, but the three Heat representatives at All-Star weekendall indicated they would accept one.

All-Stars Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade and 3-point shootout contestantJason Kapono all expressed tolerant views on the issue Friday.

"I was always taught as a youngster to never judge people," O'Neal said. "SoI never judge people, and to each their own. If he was my teammate, andpeople ridiculed him and jumped on him, I would probably have to protecthim."

Hardaway, responding to former NBA player John Amaechi's announcement thathe's gay, said in a radio interview this week that he wouldn't want to playalongside Amaechi and that he hates gays. Hardaway later apologized.

Wade said a teammate's sexual orientation wouldn't be the most importantaspect of his relationship with him.

"I am a guy who loves his teammates," Wade said. "I don't look at it like[Hardaway]. I look at it like, `What can guys do for you [on the court]?'"



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16717218.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

Posted on Fri, Feb. 16, 2007

NJ says it will recognize gay unions from other states, nations

GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. - Gay couples who are married in Massachusetts, Canada orother places where same-sex marriage is allowed will have all the rights ofmarried people in New Jersey as of Monday, the state Attorney General'sOffice decided Friday.

New Jersey should consider those couples to be in civil unions rather thanmarriages, Attorney General Stuart Rabner said in the opinion for the stateDepartment of Health and Senior Services, which is responsible forregistering civil unions.

Civil unions, which will be available in New Jersey starting Monday, grantall the benefits of marriage - but not the title - to gay couples.Gay rights activists had mixed reaction to the decision. They were happy tohave the clarity and to learn that the civil unions will be grantedautomatically, but also voiced concern about possible discrimination.

"In the nick of time before next week, the attorney general has given peaceof mind to a lot of families," said David S. Buckel, the director of theMarriage Law Project for Lambda Legal.Posted on Fri, Feb. 16, 2007

NJ says it will recognize gay unions from other states, nations

GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press



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365gay

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/02/021607hardaway.htm

Hardaway Homophobia Hurts Anti-Gay Movement Group Says
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: February 16, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Washington) The leader of an organization that opposes homosexuality hascondemned former NBA player Tim Hardaway for the language he used inattacking gay players.

"Hardaway's comments are both unfortunate and inappropriate," said MattBarber, the policy director for Concerned Women of America."They provide political fodder for those who wish to paint all opposition tothe homosexual lifestyle as being rooted in 'hate.'"

But Barber then fires off his own anti-gay broadside.

"It's perfectly natural for people to be repelled by disordered sexualbehaviors that are both unnatural, and immoral."

"All too often those behaviors are accompanied by serious physical,emotional, and spiritual pitfalls. However, the appropriate reaction is torespond with words and acts of love, not words of hate. Jesus Christ offersforgiveness and freedom for all sinners, and that is the heart of the Gospelmessage," Barber said.

But then added that gay activists are at least partly to blame.

"Hardaway's comments only serve to foment misperceptions of widespreadhomosexual 'victimhood' which the homosexual lobby has craftilymanufactured," said Barber in a statement.

Earlier in the week Hardway was asked on a Miami radio station about thecoming out of fellow former NBA star John Amaechi.

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay peopleand I don't like to be around gay people,'' he said in the interview.

"I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in theUnited States.''

Hardaway, facing a backlash over the remarks has attempted to apologize.

"Yes, I regret it. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said I hate gay people oranything like that,'' he said.



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http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/02/021607haggard.htm

365Gay.com

Church Struggles To Move On After Haggard
by The Associated Press

Posted: February 16, 2007 - 2:00 pm ET

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) Leaders of New Life Church will hold whatthey're calling a "day of hope" Sunday to discuss the claims of drug use andgay sex that led to the downfall of founding pastor Ted Haggard.

"What we have in mind for that Sunday is to give some closure to ourcongregation from this difficult time and also some perspective on the roadahead for the Haggard family as they enter this season of restoration," saidRob Brendle, an associate pastor.

Haggard was forced out as senior pastor at the 14,000-member New Life Churchlast year, and resigned as head of the National Association of Evangelicals,after a Denver man, Mike Jones, came forward alleging the pastor had paidhim for sex and sometimes used methamphetamine when they were together.

Haggard, who is married, has publicly admitted to "sexual immorality" andhas undergone intensive, Bible-based counseling.

Haggard told church members in a recent e-mail that his family planned toleave Colorado Springs and that he and his wife planned to pursue master'sdegrees in psychology.



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365gay

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/02/021607pastor.htm

Church Begins Campaign To Keep Gay Pastor
by The Associated Press
Posted: February 16, 2007 - 2:00 pm ET

(Atlanta, Georgia) It was a typical Sunday scene and, in its own way, asmall act of defiance.

Members of St. John's Lutheran Church last weekend filed by their pastor,hugging him and exchanging jokes. Gleeful children rushed past toward atreats-laden table.

Many in the 350-member Atlanta congregation say they don't plan to let theRev. Bradley Schmeling leave the pulpit on Aug. 15, as ordered last week byan Evangelical Lutheran Church in America disciplinary committee because heis in a gay relationship.

Defying the order could end Atlanta's oldest Lutheran church affiliationwith the ELCA, cutting off the small church and its members from the largedenomination's resources, including community service programs, hymn booksand access to synod officials for guidance on legal, financial and spiritualmatters.

St. John's members hope it doesn't come to that. They want the denominationto change its rules about sexually active gay clergy at its biennialchurchwide assembly Aug. 6-12 in Chicago, just days before Schmeling is setto be removed from the clergy.

"We are not an activist church, even though we can stand for issues ofjustice," said Charles Fox, who occasionally assists Schmeling at Sundayworship. "He exemplifies the kind of love and empathy I envision Christ tohave had."



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365gay

http://www.365gay.com/health/fitness/sports/021607sports.htm

Openly Gay Collegiate D'Lineman Speaks

by Cyd Zeigler Jr., Outsports.com

One of the pieces of John Amaechi's legacy will be the discussion thatensued, and the closet doors that opened, after he came out. We prideourselves in being ahead of the curve and on top of who's who in gay sports.But I read a column today that introduced me to a gay athlete I hadn't heardof. And he's the prototype for the future of gay athletes.

ESPN's LZ Granderson, who is openly gay and a good friend of Outsports,wrote a fantastic column centering on Adam Goslin, a senior defensivelineman at Washington University (the one in St. Louis, not the Huskies ofthe Northwest). Goslin is openly gay, has been openly gay with his teamsince his sophomore year, and played a year of baseball as an openly gayathlete as well.

Granderson's column picks up specifically on this crazy idea that gay menwill somehow disrupt a locker room, that they will cause havoc in a showerand make teammates feel uncomfortable.

"I mean seriously, what kind of bull---- excuse it that?" Arden Farhi, whoplayed with Goslin on the school's baseball team, told Granderson. "Do thepros really feel threatened in that situation? I can't imagine that they do.What, do they honestly think someone's going to stare at them, or try toattack them or something like that? I know for sure Goose is the one whofeels weird and changes quickly and tries to get out of there as soon aspossible."



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365gay

http://www.365gay.com/health/fitness/sports/021507sports.htm

Pro Sports Now Ready For Gay Athletes

by Cyd Zeigler, Outsports.com

It's been one week since news of former NBA player John Amaechi's coming outparty hit the Internet, and if there's one thing we've learned it's this:The idea that an active professional athlete in one of the big four leaguescan't come out is now officially dead. Gone. Not to be revived. Sleepingwith the Celtics' playoff chances. Dead.

Amaechi's revelation that he is gay has stirred a weeklong nationaldiscussion but, interestingly, precious little debate. That's because, whilea handful of religious conservatives and sheltered ballplayers haveexpressed doubts or concerns about gay athletes, the overwhelming majorityof comments have been positive and supportive – and much more so than manywould have ever guessed.

"If [there was an openly gay player] in my locker room, we won't have aproblem with it," New York Knicks coach Isaiah Thomas told Newsday. "I can'tspeak for somebody else's locker room, but if it's in mine, we won't have aproblem. I'll make damn sure there's no problem.

"I don't consider it any issue at all," Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios toldthe Detroit Free Press. "As far as I'm concerned, it's a non-issue. I don'tcare if a guy comes out and says he's not gay or he comes and says he's gay.Who cares?"



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365gay

http://www.365gay.com/health/fitness/Sports/021307sports.htm

Gay Player Would Clean Up

by Jim Buzinski., Outsports.com

Now that the news has broken that former NBA player John Amaechi is gay, ithas been interesting to see the reaction in the media. No longer does anyonequestion the existence of gays in all sports; this is a major change from asrecently as 10 years ago. Now the question is when the first active playerwill come out. I always tell interviewers that I'm not holding my breath,and look more to the next generation of jocks to pave the way.

Amaechi told ESPN, in his first TV interview, that he knows a number of gayNBA players, but that none are ready to come out. "It's terrifying," he saidwhen asked their reservations. "These are people whose entire world is basedaround this idea that people will look at them and when they look at themthey are NBA superstar, NBA player, and any change to that will bepsychologically devastating, emotionally devastating and financiallydevastating."

It's this fear of the worst-case that has a powerful pull on jocks in thecloset. Many of the dozens of articles on Amaechi dealt with this. ButDallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban disputes the notion that coming out whileplaying will be career or financial suicide. He thinks the opposite.

"From a marketing perspective, if you're a player who happens to be gay andyou want to be incredibly rich, then you should come out, because it wouldbe the best thing that ever happened to you from a marketing and anendorsement perspective," Cuban told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Youwould be an absolute hero to more Americans than you can ever possibly be asan athlete, and that'll put money in your pocket. On the flip side, ifyou're the idiot who condemns somebody because they're gay, then you'regoing to be ostracized, you're going to be picketed and you're going to ruinwhatever marketing endorsements you have."



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The current issue of The Independent Gay News is online

http://www.indynews.4t.com/



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International Heral Tribune

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/14/europe/EU-GEN-Child-Welfare.php


UNICEF report ranks well-being of British, U.S. children as last inindustrialized world

The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

BERLIN
The United States and Britain ranked at the bottom of a U.N. survey of childwelfare in 21 rich countries that assessed everything from infant mortalityto whether children ate dinner with their parents or were bullied at school.

The Netherlands, followed by Sweden, Denmark and Finland, finished at thetop while the U.S. was 20th and Britain 21st in the rankings releasedWednesday by UNICEF in Berlin.

One of the study's researchers, Jonathan Bradshaw, said children fared worsein the U.S. and Britain — despite high overall levels of national wealth —because of greater economic inequality and poor levels of public support forfamilies.

"What they have in common are very high levels of inequality, very highlevels of child poverty, which is also associated with inequality, and inrather different ways poorly developed services to families with children,"said Bradshaw, a professor of social policy at the University of York innortheast England.



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2007/02/15/violetblue.DTL

Kink.com and Porn Hysteria: The Lie of Unbiased Reporting

By Violet Blue, SF Gate, Thursday, February 15, 2007

It's no secret that I look at lots of porn for a living, but sometimes Ilike to spend a little time with people who are a little more obsessed withit than I am, just so that I feel like I have a life outside of the dailybump-and-grind. Mostly, though, I just want to see what the leadinganti-porn, anti-homosexual, pro-life organizations (you know, the ones withpundits on CNN and Fox News and "friends" in the Oval Office) say about myjob.

Home of the "ex-gay movement," Pure Life Ministries tells us:

"First, as more hardcore pornography is sold, more is produced, creating ademand for more porn 'performers' -- many if not most of whom are teens orlook like teens. Second, as more 'adult businesses' open, there are morepublic venues for anonymous sexual encounters and the resulting spread ofSTDs, including AIDS. Third, as more 'adult businesses' open, moreneighborhoods in communities large and small are adversely affected.

"A number of Christian men have confessed to me that they clicked on a pornsite out of casual curiosity. They just wanted to see what the excitementwas all about, but they became addicted almost immediately.



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

20070216191612.8C1E3C4801@pocky.dreamhost.com

War top issue for gays in Dem prez race

In officially announcing his candidacy Saturday, February 10 for theDemocratic presidential nomination, Illinois Senator Barack Obamamentioned gays. In fielding a question last week on the campus ofDartmouth University, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards refinedhis position on gay marriage. But during her first foray into NewHampshire this week, New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was neverasked her stance on anything gay.

Obama, Edwards, and Clinton appear to be emerging as the gay community'stop preferences for the Democratic nomination in 2008, as they are forthe general public. And while their positions on the war in Iraq provideanalysts one clear-cut way to distinguish them, their positions ongay-related issues does not.

But in interviews with more than a dozen longtime activists and gaypeople attending their campaign forums in New Hampshire, it is clear thathow the candidates have addressed, and now talk about the war, is a toptier issues for gays. Asked to name the top three issues on which theywould measurecandidates, those interviewed always included the war,often in the number 1 slot. After that, gay issues were the most frequentcriteria, followed by a variety of matters from health coverage toeducation to immigration.



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

http://newyorklawschool.typepad.com/leonardlink/2007/02/11th_circuit_se.html

11th Circuit Sex Toys Wars - They Just Won't Give It Up!!

by New York Law School Professor Arthur S. Leonard, February 16, 2007 inLegal Issues

As a Valentine's Day gift to the people of Alabama, the US Court of Appeals,11th Circuit, has once again reaffirmed the constitutionality of Alabama'slaw forbidding the sale or commercial distribution of any device "primarilyfor the stimulation of human genital organs," i.e., sex toys. This case hasbeen kicking up and down the federal system for quite a while, and has hadseveral stops at the circuit level. This latest decision, February 14,affirms the ruling by the district court that the public morality concernsof the Alabama legislature remain a sufficient rational justification tosustain the law, even after Lawrence v. Texas (the 2003 Supreme Courtdecision striking down that state's misdemeanor homosexual conduct law)seemingly ruled out morality as a justification for a criminal statute thatburdens private, consensual sexual activity.

The court, reiterating reasoning from its prior rulings in the case (whichwas originally filed before the Lawrence case was decided), insists thatLawrence has not eliminated all morals legislation (as Justice Scaliafamously declared that it had done in his dissent in that case). Theopinion by Circuit Judge Wilson cites a variety of Supreme Court decisions,all of which predate Lawrence, for the proposition that the Supreme Courthas frequently sustained statutes on morality grounds, and also makes muchof the fact that the statute only forbids commercial sale and distribution,but does not impose any penalties for private possession or use.




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