Members and allies of the transgender community held a vigil in Trafalgar Square, London Saturday afternoon, in memory of Leelah Alcorn, the transgender teen who took her own life last week, reports Pink News. In her heartbreaking suicide note Leelah Alcorn noted a life of pain and rejection, including by her Christian parents who refused to…
When Josh Alcorn voiced a desire to live as a girl, the Ohio teenager’s parents said they wouldn’t stand for that. “We don’t support that, religiously,” Alcorn’s mother told CNN on Wednesday, her voice breaking. “But we told him that we loved him unconditionally. We loved him no matter what. I loved my son. People…
According to the USA Today article VA Treats 2,500 Veterans, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA – part of the overall Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA), in 2013 treated 2,567 veterans with the diagnosis of gender dysphoria for transgender specific health care. That’s a significant population of trans veterans in the VA. And, being statistically…
The recent suicide of comedian Robin Williams focused a lot of attention and information on these three serious issues for a few days and then, as usual, it was onto the next major media story. I don’t believe that there is anyone that does not know someone who has a drug/alcohol addiction or suffers depression…
Equality Matters latest post reveals how the Family Research Council (FRC) used actor and comedian Robin Williams’ suicide to champion discredited “ex-gay” therapy, comparing treatment for mental illness to treatment for homosexuality. In an August 18 post for the FRC’s blog, Senior Fellow for Policy Studies Peter Sprigg compared the late actor’s struggles with addiction and depression to people struggling…
Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams was found dead Monday at his northern California home. Williams, 63, apparently took his own life according to police reports. He had been battling severe depression. His media representative Mara Buxbaum told CNN, “This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during…
In honor of Suicide Prevention month in September join your favorite YouTube stars and celebs taking the #TalktoMe pledge and help prevent suicide. Take the pledge now too at http://trevortalktome.org and spread the word using #TrevorTalktoMe Participants include: Margaret Cho, Brendan Ayanbedejo, Kat Graham, Chris Kluwe, Davey Wavey, Phil Defranco, Issa Rae, Lucas Cruikshank, Michael Buckley,…
More than 220 people showed up to see Alisan Rowland ordained Aug. 18 as a minister in the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in San Diego. “Ali, feel the love in this room,” said Senior Pastor Dan Koeshall as the service started while ushers put out extra chairs to accommodate the crowd. There was standing room…
Commentary: Conversations with Nicole BY NICOLE MURRAY RAMIREZ It was very interesting all the reaction I got from last week’s column concerning Carl DeMaio. Lots of emails, calls and comments – almost 100 percent negative. Well, I’m sure DeMaio has supporters in our community but there are certainly a lot of “haters.” First of all,…
http://youtu.be/3ROXTFfkcfo A short film from 2012 that illustrates what it would be like if homosexuality was the “norm” making heterosexuals outcasts. “Teen bulling and teen suicide based on someone’s sexual preference is ridiculous – and this film turns the tables on modern society. What IF the shoe was on the other foot?. ” –K.Rocco Shields…
