LGBT in the media

Bans Of Same-Sex Marriage Can Take A Psychological Toll

Submitted by ONE Community on May 20, 2013 - 10:05am
Bans Of Same-Sex Marriage Can Take A Psychological Toll

As the country awaits two important Supreme Court decisions involving state laws on same-sex marriage, a small but consistent body of research suggests that laws that ban gay marriage — or approve it — can affect the mental health of gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans. When several states passed laws to prohibit same-sex marriage, for example, the mental health of gay residents seemed to suffer, while stress-related disorders dropped in at least one state after gay marriage was legalized.

Here's the research trail: Read more »

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Int’l Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia observed around the globe

Submitted by ONE Community on May 17, 2013 - 10:00am
Int’l Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia observed around the globe

LGBT rights advocates and allies will observe the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (or IDAHO) in more than 100 countries around the world on Friday.

First recognized in 2004, IDAHO commemorates the May 17, 1990 decision by the World Health Organization that decategorized homosexuality as a mental disorder, and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights advocacy.

In 76 countries around the world, same-sex relationships are still considered illegal and punishable by jail, fines and in some countries, lifetime imprisonment. In seven countries, a conviction is punishable by death. Read more »

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Gays 'thrown under the bus' in immigration bill

Submitted by ONE Community on May 16, 2013 - 3:44pm
Gays 'thrown under the bus' in immigration bill

The Senate Judiciary Committee is marking up the massive bill that leaders in both parties agree presents the best opportunity to reform immigration policy in decades. The bill contains many provisions sought by progressive groups, but lacks protections for LGBT families, specifically binational same-sex couples whose relationships are not recognized by the government.

While endorsing key provisions in the bill drafted by the bipartisan “Gang of Eight,” LGBT civil rights groups continue to urge the adoption of amendments that protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families. Read more »

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Older Americans Are Pushing Marriage Equality Forward

Submitted by ONE Community on May 14, 2013 - 9:25pm
Older Americans Are Pushing Marriage Equality Forward

Gallup has just released new data on public support for legalizing same sex marriage.  They describe support as “solidifying” above 50 percent, and that’s not just because of the rise of the younger generation: older folks, according to the new data, are quickly coming around to the marriage equality cause.

According to the Gallup data, support for marriage equality has doubled in the 17 years since 1996 going from a meager 27 percent then to 53 percent now. This is a quite remarkable rate of change: about a percentage point and half per year. At this rate, we’ll hit 60 percent support by 2018: Read more »

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Mark Pocan, Gay Democratic Congressman, Secures Congressional ID Card For Spouse

Submitted by ONE Community on May 10, 2013 - 4:07pm
Mark Pocan, Gay Democratic Congressman, Secures Congressional ID Card For Spouse

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), an openly gay representative, made history on Capitol Hill Thursday when he announced that he'd been able to secure a congressional ID for his spouse.

The Wisconsin Gazette reported that Philip Frank, whom Pocan married in Canada in 2006, had gotten a new ID officially labeling him a congressional spouse. The title gives him access to certain areas of the Capitol and allows him to attend congressional delegations with his spouse, among other privileges.

It's largely a symbolic victory, as the spouses of gay federal employees -- including lawmakers -- still aren't afforded equal benefits thanks to the Defense of Marriage Act. But Pocan hailed it as key progress for gay lawmakers in Washington. Read more »

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Technology: The LGBT Community's Unsung Hero

Submitted by ONE Community on May 3, 2013 - 3:39pm
Technology: The LGBT Community's Unsung Hero

In June the Supreme Court is scheduled to issue rulings on two cases that are important to the LGBT community,Hollingsworth v. Perry (the Proposition 8 case) andUnited States v. Windsor (the Defense of Marriage Act case). The LGBT community and its allies hope that the resolution of these cases will be a watershed moment representing a significant advance in the rights of LGBT people. The fact that the Supreme Court is even hearing oral arguments in these cases at all is in no small part a result of the rapid growth and accelerating adoption of technology, the Internet, broadband and smartphones. Read more »

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Rhode Island Poised To Approve Gay Marriage

Submitted by ONE Community on May 2, 2013 - 2:41pm
Rhode Island Poised To Approve Gay Marriage

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island is poised to join nine other states and the District of Columbia in allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee planned to sign gay marriage legislation into law Thursday evening, immediately following a final procedural vote in the state's General Assembly. The outcome of the vote is not in doubt.

Hundreds are expected to gather at the Statehouse to celebrate the new law, which has already passed the House and Senate once. The first weddings could take place Aug. 1, when the new law would take effect. Read more »

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Jason Collins Comes Out: NBA Player Becomes First Openly Gay Professional Male Athlete In Major Sport

Submitted by ONE Community on April 29, 2013 - 8:44am
Jason Collins Comes Out: NBA Player Becomes First Openly Gay Professional Male Athlete In Major Sport

NBA center Jason Collins has become the first male athlete in a major professional sport to come out as gay.

The 34-year-old, who appeared in 32 games this season for the Celtics before being traded at the deadline along with Leandro Barbosa for guard Jordan Crawford and is now a free agent, tells Sports Illustrated: Read more »

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Jason Collins Comes Out: NBA Player Becomes First Openly Gay Professional Male Athlete In Major Sport

Submitted by ONE Community on April 29, 2013 - 8:44am

NBA center Jason Collins has become the first male athlete in a major professional sport to come out as gay.

The 34-year-old, who appeared in 32 games this season for the Celtics before being traded at the deadline along with Leandro Barbosa for guard Jordan Crawford and is now a free agent, tells Sports Illustrated: Read more »

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Openly Gay Female Baller Gets Nike Endorsement Deal

Submitted by ONE Community on April 28, 2013 - 11:32am
Openly Gay Female Baller Gets Nike Endorsement Deal

The times they are-a-changin.' While the fight for equality for gays and lesbians rages on from the steps of Washington to the boardrooms of the Boys Scouts, some progressive companies like Nike have no problem choosing a side. The powerhouse sports brand has just endorsed 22-year-old WNBA draft pick and openly gay woman, Brittney Griner.  Read more »

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