Chilean president proposes legislation to legalize civil unions
President Sebastian Pinera of Chile proposed legislation Tuesday that aims to guarantee the legal recognition of gay civil unions throughout the country. If the measure becomes law, gay couples will be afforded a number of rights currently reserved for opposite-sex married couples, such as social benefits and inheritance rights. According to the Associated Foreign Press…
Raul Alvillar selected as interim LGBT White House liaison
White House spokesmen have announced Raul Alvillar’s appointment as interim LGBT community liaison to the Obama Administration. The decision, released Wednesday, designates Alvillar as the temporary point of contact for LGBT individuals until the administration names a permanent liaison to the position. The Washington Blade reports that Alvillar will step into the position held by…
Activists promote gay wedding for”Sesame Street” duo Bert and Ernie
“Sesame Street” has evolved into a cultural icon for children (and their parents) across the country – and besides Big Bird and Elmo, perhaps two of the show’s most well-known characters are the stripe-sporting, rainbow-hued roommates Bert and Ernie. For decades, the puppet duo has lived and learned together on the air – and now,…
Santorum’s ‘metaphysical’ take on same-sex marriage
GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum took a metaphysical detour Tuesday in the midst of his campaign travels to expound on the issue of same-sex marriage. In addition to his routine talking points on the matter – including the significance of family, morality, faith and other socially conservative staples – Santorum also presented locals at an…
Gay pastor urges LGBT Malaysians to come out
Reverend Ouyang Wen Feng, the first and only openly gay pastor in Malaysia, is encouraging the country’s gay and lesbian people to “keep coming out” in an effort to fight LGBT discrimination. The outspoken equal rights advocate, who is also the leader of a controversial gay-friendly ministry, hopes to empower Malaysia’s gay community to speak…
Government denies immigration benefits for gay couple
Australian-born John Makk and his husband of seven years, Bradford Wells, are facing long-term separation after the Obama administration denied their petition requesting permanent U.S. citizenship. The decision was made in accordance with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which discounts same-sex couples from receiving federal benefits. Makk, who is also his husband’s primary caregiver,…
GOProud names Ann Coulter as honorary council chair
The gay Republican group GOProud announced Tuesday that conservative author and commentator Ann Coulter will serve as the honorary chair of the organization’s advisory council. According to Metro Weekly, Coulter’s honorary appointment is the latest development in a recent battle between GOProud and fellow gay conservative group the Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) concerning Coulter’s comments…
‘Glee’ scores three proud wins at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards
The cast and crew of ‘Glee’ celebrated three wins last night at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards – another nod of accomplishment for the breakout TV musical hit. Scoring the award for Choice TV Comedy, Glee celebrates another win for its second year in a row in this category. Actor Cory Monteith enjoyed a win…
Hate crimes against LGBT community are on the rise, despite larger audience of social acceptance
After a series of violent acts against the LGBT community hit headlines this year, it comes as no surprise that crimes against gay people are on the rise, according to Suzanna Walters, professor of gender studies at the Indiana University, and author of All the Rage: The Story of Gay Visibility in America. Crimes spanning…