Big Gay News

Houston, Texas:
Boy Scouts Reaffirms Ban on Gays After Secret Review

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Boy Scouts of America reaffirmed the organization’s policy of excluding gays, despite protest campaigns by members and some of the group’s board. A spokesman said the announcement came after a confidential two-year review by an 11-member special committee formed by Scout leaders in 2010. Chief Executive Bob Mazzuca said in a statement: “We fully understand that no single policy will accommodate the many diverse views among our membership or society.”

United States:
Gay Characters Are Enjoying New Prominence

The Los Angeles Times reports that caped crusaders are out and proud this year at Comic-Con International. Gay Geekdom celebrated in June when Marvel’s mutant superhero, Northstar, married his longtime partner, Kyle, in “Astonishing X-Men No. 51.” Also last month, DC Comics resurrected the original Golden Age Green Lantern, featuring Alan Scott as a gay man. Even Archie Comics’ All-American Riverdale was the site of a biracial, military-themed, same-sex wedding in 2012.

Minnesota:
Target Stores Now Carrying Gay Marriage Greeting Cards

Huffington Post reports that Target is selling greeting cards honoring marriage equality. The cards feature phrases like “Mr. & Mr.” and “Two very special women, one very special love.” The items started appearing on card racks a month after the Minneapolis-based retail giant began selling t-shirts commemorating Pride.

Minnesota:
Gay Marriage Ban Bad For Business

Huffington Post reports that media company Thomson Reuters said that an amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota would be bad for business. Prominent companies such as General Mills and St. Jude Medical spoke out against the proposed amendment, which goes before the voters in November. Minnesota already has a law against gay marriage, but gay marriage opponents claim the amendment is necessary to put the ban in the state constitution. Richard Carlbom of Minnesotans United for All Families said: “Companies in Minnesota are standing up and saying that this hurtful amendment is not in the best interests of businesses, families or the state of Minnesota.”

San Francisco:
High-Powered Lesbians Launch Super PAC to Champion Women’s, Gay Rights

The Washington Post reports that co-owner of the Chicago Cubs Laura Ricketts embraced an idea by a fellow Chicago businesswoman who approached her about creating a first-of-its kind political action committee to champion candidates and causes that appeal to lesbian voters. LPAC, as the independent super PAC was christened, plans to promote men and women from either major party regardless of their sexual orientations, as well as ballot initiatives.

India:
If Gandhi Was Gay, Let’s Not Get Our Loincloths in a Bunch

The Stir reports that the Indian government just shelled out $1.28 million to buy over 1,000 letters and documents that might reveal Gandhi was gay. The Indian government won’t confirm that’s the reason they bought the archive of correspondence between Gandhi and architect Hermann Kallenbach. According to a senior official at the Ministry of Culture in New Delhi, “These papers are of huge importance to India to carry out research on the Gandhian view on various things, that is why we decided to purchase them.”

Russia:
Russian Laws Keep Gay Life Behind Closed Doors

Voice of America reports that St. Petersburg may be leading a national movement to ban public displays of gay life across Russia. In March, Saint Petersburg banned any public display of “gay propaganda.”  Russian legislators are now debating adopting a nationwide ban.  The goal is to keep gay life behind closed doors, out of the sight of children. Madonna, who gives a concert there on August 9, has denounced Saint Petersburg’s “gay gag law” as “a ridiculous atrocity.”

Washington, D.C.:
Gay-Rights Backers Woo Young Republicans

The Washington Times reports that gay-rights supporters are openly rallying sympathizers who until now may have been content to stay in the closet — young conservative Republicans. Conservative lesbian Margaret Claire Hoover said: “Freedom and family are core conservative values. We have a historic opportunity to reaffirm these important values by supporting the fundamental freedom to marry for all Americans.”  Polls show surges in support marriage equality among Republicans under age 44.