All posts filed under: Current Affairs

Trevor Project Volunteer Completes Suicide

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Eric James Borges, a volunteer with The Trevor Project (a crisis intervention organization) completed suicide January 11, 2012. The death of the 19 year old was very unexpected by all, with Borges having uploaded an ‘It Gets Better’ video on YouTube only very recently. In the video he talked about his childhood, the bullying he endured and the loss of his family because of his sexual orientation. “My mother knew I was gay and performed an exorcism on me in an attempt to cure me. My anxiety, depression, self-loathing and suicidal thoughts spiked. I had nowhere safe to go, either at home or school,” Borges said. “You will love and be loved and I love you. You have an entire life, fit to burst with opportunities ahead of you. Don’t ever give up and don’t ever for one second think that you’re not a valuable and beautiful contribution to this world. It gets better.” Laura McGuinnis, a spokeswoman for the Trevor Project told The Washington Post that because he was working with suicide prevention he knew the counselling …

‘True Colors’ Romney Attack Ad leaves Cyndi Lauper Unhappy

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Cyndi Lauper, has expressed her disapproval after her ever popular hit “True Colors” was used in a negative political campaign ad against Mitt Romney. Not only was she unhappy about the unauthorised use of the song, associated most commonly and positively with the LGBTQ community, but also that it had been used in a negative rather than positive context. “While I am in no way a fan of Mitt Romney, my music is meant to lift people up, especially ‘True Colors.’ The song has been a tremendous source of healing and acceptance for so many people and for it to be used in such a negative way dishonors its history and intention” said Lauper. “I am a huge supporter of President Obama and his re-election, but I have let the responsible party know how disappointed I am the song was used and asked that it be removed from the ad.”

Australian Open: A Call for Margaret Court's name to be cut from Melbourne Park

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Gay activist Kerryn Phelps is pushing for tennis great Margaret Court’s name to be cut from Melbourne Park because of her continued opposition of homosexuality. Phelps proposed the name change to the Australian Open using twitter, along with other comments such as ” If Margaret Court didn’t want gay politics at the Aus Open she should not use her tennis fame to spread her offensive views.” Organisers of the Australian Open (an annual event due to commence next week) have released a statement, distancing themselves from the anti gay views of Court because of the pressure from a protest in the works. Gay activists are encouraging people to protest Court’s views at the arena by waving their rainbow flags in support of the LGBTQ community. Court, 24 grand slam singles champion, founder and current pastor at the Victory Life Centre church, Perth told The Australian that she won’t back down on her views and still plans to attend the tournament. “Are they not wanting me to come to the Australian Open? Is that what they are trying to do? I don’t run from anything,” Court told …

Self Evident Truths – A Project About Equality

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Did you know that in 29 states in the USA you can legally be fired for your sexuality? Self Evident Truths is a project that began in 2010 by New York City artist iO Tillett Wright who brings to light such facts. She aims to take portraits of anyone who remotely fits into the LGBTQ spectrum showing “the humanity that exists in every one of us through the simplicity of a face.” The project aims to capture the faces of over 4000 people all over the US, having started NYC at 300. “All men are created equal, it’s written in the Declaration of Independence. We’re failing as a nation to uphold the morals upon which we were founded,” says Wright. “This is my contribution to the civil rights fight of my generation.” To find out more about the project and how you can get involved click here.

Cardinal Francis George Apologizes to the LGBT Community

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Cardinal Francis George has apologized to the LGBT Community for comparing them to the Ku Klux Klan. “I am truly sorry for the hurt my remarks have caused, particularly because we all have friends or family members who are gay and lesbian,” said Cardinal George according to the Chicago Tribune. “This has evidently wounded a good number of people. I have family members myself who are gay and lesbian, so it’s part of our lives. So I’m sorry for the hurt.” Chris Pett, president of Dignity Chicago, an LGBT Catholic organization welcomed the apology. “As we know him as our bishop, we know that it is sincere and that he will work to avoid making such damaging and hurtful remarks in the future,” said Pett. Truth Wins Out, an organization running a petition for Cardinal George’s resignation are still unhappy with his original statement and have placed a full page ad in the Chicago Tribune. There has been no mention from Cardinal George about resigning from his position. To see the original article click here.

LGBT community vs Ku Klux Klan?

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Chicago’s Archbishop Francis George compared the LGBT community to the Ku Klux Klan recently in a dispute leading up to the annual gay pride parade in June. The dispute at hand was the result of a complaint from a priest, claiming the pride parade would interfere with morning services. “You know, you don’t want the Gay Liberation Movement to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism,” said the Archbishop in a Fox news interview. Not for profit organisation Truth Wins Out has launched a petition because of this comparison. “It is outrageous that Cardinal George would place law-abiding, peaceful citizens in the same category as a notoriously violent hate group,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “George’s resignation is his only road to redemption and if he has a shred of dignity and a sliver of class he will immediately step down.” For more information about the petition click here.