Big Gay News
BigGayNews from New Mexico:
St. Pius X Transgender Student Skips Graduation
ABQ Journal reports that transgender student Damian Garcia elected to stay home after the school told him he had to wear a white robe, that worn by girls, instead of the black worn by male students.
Garcia, who was born a girl, opted to skip the graduation ceremony after the school and archdiocese held firm to their decision even in the face of overwhelming support for Garcia.
Garcia thanked everyone for their support on his Facebook page, saying: “I’m fully respecting this and myself by not walking and/or attending the ceremony at all.”
BigGayNews from Minnesota:
Largest Minnesota Counties To Make Same-Sex Marriage License Applications Available June 6
The Star Tribune reports that next Thursday, same-sex couples in Minnesota can take the first legal step toward stomping the glass, jumping the broom and kissing the bride/groom.
Couples seeking licenses in Hennepin, Washington and Ramsey counties will be able to apply for them as soon as the service centers open for business on June 6th, with the first marriages being able to be performed on August 1st.
BigGayNews from Massachusetts:
Middleborough Teen Becomes High School’s First Transgender Prom Queen
MyFOXBoston.com reports that a Middleborough High School girl became the town’s first transgender prom queen Tuesday.
Cody Tubman, who came out her freshman year to her mother and began dressing as a female during her sophomore year, said that she had been pleasantly surprised by the acceptance she found among other students in the school.
Principal Paul Branagan echoed that sentiment, saying: “This is a community and a school community in particular that is very accepting and I think that’s a true testament to that.”
BigGayNews from Washington, DC:
White House Highlights Karen Clark As A “Harvey Milk Champion Of Change”
InsightNews.com reports that on Wednesday, May 22nd, the White House honored Karen Clark as one of ten openly GLBT elected or appointed officials who are “Harvey Milk Champions of Change.”
The event, which fell on Milk’s birthday, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated commitment to both equality and public service.
Clark, a Minnesota State Representative, was elected to the Minnesota House in 1980, and has the distinction of being the longest serving openly gay or lesbian legislator in the country.
BigGayNews from the United States:
Lutheran Assembly Elects First Openly Gay Bishop
USA Today reports that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has elected its first openly gay bishop.
The Reverend R. Guy Erwin, currently serving as pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, California and who is also a professor of Lutheran confessional theology at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California was elected at a church annual assembly on May 31st.
Reverend Erwin, who is part Osage Indian and the first Native American to be elected, stated: “I know that many will see my election as a significant milestone for both GLBT people and Native Americans, and I pray that I can be a positive representation for both communities.”
BigGayNews from England:
Gay Pride March Through The Streets Of York
The York Press reports that hundreds of marchers paraded through York in a massive show of support to kick homophobia out of sport.
Marchers carried signs and a huge rainbow flag as they made their way from York Minster Cathedral toward York Racecourse, with attendance estimated to be over double what it had been in previous years.
Many of the speeches that rallied the crowd called for a new nationwide stand against homophobia in sports, an issue backed by FA chairman Greg Dyke.
BigGayNews from Canada:
Transgender Woman Files Human Rights Complaint
CBC News Saskatchewan reports that a transgender woman has filed a human rights complaint against a Saskatoon bridal shop after being refused service.
Rohit Singh claims that Jenny’s Bridal Boutique refused to allow her to try on an outfit because it would make other customers uncomfortable.
Singh filed a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, stating “It’s not just my battle. It’s the battle for all the transgendered community, which are discriminated day by day from all society.”
BigGayNews from Scotland:
Church Of Scotland Takes Step To Allow Gay Clergy
ABC News reports that senior members of the Church of Scotland voted to let some congregations choose ministers who are in same-sex relationships — an important compromise that must still pass further hurdles before it can become church law.
While the church’s General Assembly has held traditionally conservative views regarding homosexuality, they have followed a policy of allowing liberal congregations to ordain openly gay clergy if they desire to do so.
For this policy to become law throughout the Church, it would require a complicated process lasting up to two years.
