(CNN) — The conservative neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who last month equated homosexuality with pedophilia and bestiality in a television appearance, withdrew as Johns Hopkins University’s medical school commencement speaker on Wednesday. “Given all the national media surrounding my statements as to my belief in traditional marriage, I believe it would be in the best interests…
(CNN) — The National Hockey League and a sports-oriented anti-homophobia advocacy group announced Thursday they are joining forces to provide players with tolerance training and other programs. The league said the agreement with You Can Play cements pro hockey’s reputation as the world’s most inclusive sports league. The New York-based league will partner with You…
(CNN) — At 7, Analouisa Valencia was crowned Palmetto Princess in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She relished it — and like a lot of little girls, she dreamed of becoming Miss America one day. In a few months, Valencia, now 19, will take the stage for the Miss South Carolina contest, hoping for victory and a…
SAN FRANCISCO — California’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has issued guidance clarifying the obligations of California’s health plans under the Insurance Gender Nondiscrimination Act. In a groundbreaking directive to health plans, the DMHC confirmed that California’s Insurance Non-Discrimination Act of 2006, authored by former Assemblymember Paul Koretz, guarantees all people the right to…
NEW YORK – Athlete Ally, a leading organization working to raise awareness about and end homophobia in sports, has announced two more Athlete Ally Ambassadors in Rashad Evans and Donte Stallworth. Evans, an MMA fighter, and Stallworth, an NFL wide receiver join a group that now includes more than a dozen professional athletes. The Athlete…
WASHINGTON (CNN) — As President Barack Obama begins what could be a pivotal week, with gun control, immigration reform and border security, and the budget all in the spotlight, a new national survey indicates the president’s approval rating has inched above the 50% mark. But according to a CNN/ORC International poll released Monday, the president’s…
In August 2009, President Obama honored Harvey Milk posthumously with America’s highest civilian medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with the following citation: Harvey Bernard Milk dedicated his life to shattering boundaries and challenging assumptions. As one of the first openly gay elected officials in this country, he changed the landscape of opportunity for the nation’s…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new LGBT Global Development Partnership, a public-private partnership between the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute (GLVI), the Williams Institute, and Olivia Companies, which further promotes foreign assistance to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender…
(CNN) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had some startling words for Mike Rice, the now-fired coach of Rutgers University, in a press conference Monday. The Republican governor, known for his blistering remarks at times, argued the coach’s behavior was “completely reprehensible” and animalistic. “Listen, you have lots of successful coaches in this country at…
(CNN) — Sen. Tim Johnson, D-South Dakota, on Monday joined the wave of senators from his party who are endorsing same-sex marriage for the first time. The third-term senator, who’s not seeking re-election next year, said in a statement his “views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation.” “This position doesn’t require any religious…
