Big Gay News
BigGayNews from Texas:
Mitch Anderson, Gay Texas Teen, Comes Out In Graduation Speech
The Huffington Post reports that a Texas teen is being praised after coming out as gay in an emotional graduation speech.
Mitch Anderson, the salutatorian of the 2013 Belton High School class in Belton, Texas, described in his speech how he had been bullied, made to feel worthless and eventually contemplated suicide.
Anderson, who had not even come out to his parents before the speech, notes that reaction to his news has been positive and supportive.
BigGayNews from the United States:
Republican Pushes “License To Bully” Gay And Lesbian Service Members
The Raw Story reports that a measure included in an annual defense spending bill on Wednesday night could make it harder for the U.S. military to protect gay and lesbian service members from religious bullying.
Representative John Fleming of Louisiana proposed the amendment, saying that it would help to protect the religious liberties of service members.
However, many worry that it would serve to increase bullying, harassment and discrimination against GLBT servicemen and women under the guise of religious freedom.
BigGayNews from the United States:
Christians Can’t Drink Starbucks Because Company Supports Gay Marriage, Evangelical Says
The Huffington Post reports that coffee-drinking Christians should take note – there’s apparently “no way” a truly righteous Christian can drink Starbucks beverages.
According to conservative activist and former evangelical pastor David Barton, no true Christian should contribute to Starbucks’ support of same-sex marriage and thus its subsequent destruction of traditional marriage by purchasing their products.
Barton told congregants at Whitesburg Baptist Church “there’s no way a Christian can help support what is attacking God. I’m sorry, you’ve got to find some other coffee to drink. You can’t drink Starbucks and be Biblically correct on this thing. It’s just a real simple principle.”
BigGayNews from Pennsylvania:
Pennsylvania School Graduation Won’t Use Transgender Name
Fox News reports that a central Pennsylvania school district has refused to allow a transgender student’s male name to be announced during his graduation ceremony later this week.
Red Lion Area School District will allow Isaak Wolfe to wear the black graduation gown designated for male students, but stated that since a diploma is a legal document, he will have to be called by his current female name of Sierra Stambaugh as he walks across the stage to receive it.
Wolfe is working on changing his name legally, but the process will not be completed by his graduation.
BigGayNews from Wisconsin:
Wausau’s First Gay Pride Parade Faces Backlash
The Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reports that Wausau’s plans to host its first gay pride parade are sparking complaints from a conservative family group, as well as at least one city alderman.
Daxx Bouvier, the parade organizer, has said that the celebration is long overdue, especially with the number of GLBT people residing in the area.
Although the city committee approved the permit for the event, a group called Wisconsin Family Voice, along with Wausau city alderman David Nutting, has expressed disapproval in regards to it going ahead.
BigGayNews from the United States:
American Bar Association May Ban “Gay Panic” Defense
The Raw Story reports that a proposal coming before the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section would permanently render the so-called “gay panic” defense inadmissible in court.
The gay panic defense purports that GLBT victims of violence “bring it on themselves” by sexually propositioning someone who becomes so enraged that they have no choice but to react violently.
It has been used unsuccessfully by the lawyers defending the murderers of Matthew Shepard and Gwen Araujo.
BigGayNews from Russia:
Russian Anti-Gay Bill Passes, Protesters Detained
CBS News reports that a bill that stigmatizes Russia’s gay community and bans the distribution of information about homosexuality to children was overwhelmingly approved by the lower house of parliament Tuesday.
The State Duma passed the bill banning “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” by a vote of 436 – 0, and the measure is expected to have no problems passing in the upper house as well, and then being signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.
About two dozen gay rights activists were beaten, harassed and pelted with eggs by anti-gay groups before being detained by riot police.
BigGayNews from Great Britain:
Prince Harry Saved Gay Soldier From Homophobic Attack In 2008
The Huffington Post reports that Prince Harry is being hailed as a hero by a former squadmate who says the Prince saved him from a homophobic attack back in 2008.
Trooper James Wharton, in his new book entitled “Out In The Army”, recalls being fearful of losing his life at the hands of six fellow soldiers, and he told his tank commander, the Prince, of his concerns.
Prince Harry immediately confronted the soldiers about their harassment, and Wharton said that he will always be grateful for the Prince stepping in on his behalf, and saving him from a beating or worse.
