Topic: Gay Rights

Kuwaiti Police Sweep Cafes, Arrest 215 People for Being Gay

Dan_Nolan9 / Twitter

More than two hundred gay men and lesbians were recently arrested in Kuwait after an intense investigation of "Internet cafes and suspicious places" across the country, The Kuwaiti Times reported early Monday morning.

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jan 28, 2013

The Ban on Gay Boy Scouts Could Be Gone by Next Week

The Boy Scouts of America's decades-long national policy of banning gay scouts and ex-communicating gay scout leaders could be crashing down, set to be replaced by a new policy that would leave admissions decisions to local sponsoring organizations.

Comments | 1,552 Views

By David Wagner

Jan 21, 2013

What They're Saying About Obama's Speech

Let's take a look at the instant pundit reaction to specific segments of the inaugural address, from gay rights and health care to gun violence and climate change.

Comments | 3,587 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jan 16, 2013

Obama Replaces Anti-Gay Inaugural Pastor with a Pro-Gay Episcopal Priest

In an about face on gay rights and the church, Obama's inaugural team has found a gay-friendly replacement for Pastor Louie Giglio, who dropped out of the January 21 benediction last week after his sermons on "ex-gay therapy" surfaced.

Comments | 172 Views

By J.K. Trotter

Jan 9, 2013

Chuck Hagel's Evolution on Gay Rights Is Tearing the Log Cabin Republicans Apart

The group's recent ads attacking Obama's Secretary of Defense nominee are internally divisive, leaving some advocates to call the turn of events "surreal."

Comments | 1,821 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Jan 8, 2013

The Boy Scouts Absolutely Positively Do Not Want Any Gay Eagle Scouts

On Tuesday, the Boy Scouts quickly snuffed out a flicker of hope that a gay Eagle Scout candidate in California might actually earn the rank after his local council threw their support behind him.

Comments | 5,271 Views

By Dashiell Bennett

Jan 4, 2013

The Church of England Still Won't Let Its Gay Bishops Have Sex

On Friday the Church of England announced that it's decided that to allow gay clergy to be elevated to bishop, even if they are in a civil partnership — provided they aren't actually having sex with anyone.

Comments | 1,551 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Dec 17, 2012

Inside the Gay-Marriage Proposal at the White House

Over the weekend, U.S. Marine Corps captain Matthew Phelps proposed to the love of his life, Ben Schock, inside the White House. Now that his bended knee is certifiably viral, we talked to Phelps about his newfound Internet fame and more.

Comments | 10,257 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Dec 14, 2012

Jon Stewart on Conservatives' Big Gay Marriage Trap

Not too many people were convinced when Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia tried to use murder to explain gay marriage. Jon Stewart was one of them.

Comments | 4,155 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Dec 11, 2012

Scalia Reveals His Current Thinking on Gay Marriage (and Murder)

"If we cannot have moral feelings against homosexuality, can we have it against murder? Can we have it against other things?" Yes, that's what Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said late Monday. And, yes, that's the word "murder" in there.

Comments | 16,255 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Dec 7, 2012

Supreme Court to Review Gay Marriage: Everything You Need to Know Now

The Supreme Court decided Friday afternoon to hear both California's Proposition 8 and a DOMA case. Here's what that means.

Comments | 4,692 Views

By Connor Simpson

Dec 6, 2012

This Girl Is Not Afraid of You and Will Beat You Up

So, amazingly, this afternoon the UFC crowned its first women's champion and signed its first openly gay fighter. 

Comments | 6,897 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Dec 6, 2012

Dan Savage at Front of the Line as Gay Marriages Become Legal in Washington

At 12:01 a.m. Thursday, the first batch of Washington's same-sex marriage licenses were issued in downtown Seattle.

Comments | 1,552 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Dec 3, 2012

The Waiting Game on the Supreme Court and Gay Marriage Will Continue

The Supreme Court today decided to hold off on a key announcement about which gay marriage cases, if any, they'll be hearing. Friday is now the earliest — but not quite the latest — we could hear about a decision during this Court term.

Comments | 1,387 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Nov 30, 2012

The Supreme Court Could Affirm Gay Marriage as Early as Monday

Depending on what the nine justices decide about their case load, same-sex marriages in California could get the federal stamp of approval by MondayHere's what you need to know.

Comments | 5,989 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Nov 28, 2012

Trimming the Times

Facebook's New Money Trail, 'Conversion Therapy,' and Marvin Miller

A summary of the best reads found behind the paywall of The New York Times.

Comments | 299 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Nov 26, 2012

The AP Won't Let You Call 'Homophobia' Homophobia

So ... if Tracy Morgan goes on a rant again and tells people that he'd stab and kill his son for being gay, the AP will just call it "anti-gay." And forget about "ethnic cleansing" and "Islamophobia" — those won't exist in the new stylebook either. 

Comments | 10,605 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Nov 6, 2012

A Guide to the Gay Marriage Measures on Ballots Today

Referendum 74, Question 6, Question 1—these are the legislative code names for gay marriage on three state ballots across the country, and tonight could be the very first time in American history that a state passes gay marriage by a popular vote. Here's what you need to know.  

Comments | 2,406 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Oct 18, 2012

Federal Appeals Court Rules DOMA Unconstitutional

The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York ruled today that the Defense of Marriage Act, more specifically Section 3— the federal definition of marriage between one man and one woman—violates equal protection and is therefore unconstitutional.

Comments | 10,466 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Oct 16, 2012

Is Mix It Up at Lunch Day as Scary as Cyanide-Laced Candy?

Mix It Up at Lunch Day is about encouraging kids to sit with other kids and making new lunch buddies—the thought of which has shaken up individuals at the American Family Association so much that it sent Bryan Fischer to CNN and is now comparing it to cyanide-laced candy. After 200 or so schools have canceled the event, we investigated first hand at just how evil Mix It Up Day is. 

Comments | 2,156 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Oct 5, 2012

The Guy Who You Don't Want to Play Dodgeball With

Every day The Atlantic Wire highlights the video clips that truly earn your five minutes (or less) of attention.

Comments | 1,330 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Oct 5, 2012

When World of Warcraft Met the World of Politics

GOP forces have outed Maine State Senate candidate Colleen Lachowicz as a hardcore, level 85 rogue of orc descent—meaning yes, the world of politics has completely gotten all World of Warcraft on us. 

Comments | 3,878 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 30, 2012

California Bans Anti-Gay Therapy for Teens

Jerry Brown's decided to relegate therapy designed to convince minors they aren't gay to "the dustbin of quackery," in California. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday evening that Brown signed a bill that night banning gay-to-straight therapy for minors.

Comments | 2,999 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 29, 2012

Your Same-Sex Partner Could Help Stop You from Being Deported

The Department of Homeland Security made it clear to Democratic lawmakers this week that a same-sex relationship qualifies as a reason to delay deporting an illegal immigrant living in the U.S. 

Comments | 7,293 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Sep 24, 2012

Chick-Fil-A Plays Chicken with Its Gay Rights Stance

Chicago alderman Joe Moreno is once again threatening to block the Chick-fil-A's Chicago store, this time because CEO Dan Cathy assured Mike Huckabee over the weekend that the company "made no such concessions" to gay rights advocates.

Comments | 430 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Sep 19, 2012

Why We Believe Chick-Fil-A Made a Private Promise to Stop Funding Anti-Gay Groups

There's plenty of evidence to believe a Chicago alderman's account of Chick-fil-A executives promises to stop funding anti-gay rights groups even though the chain itself is being tight-lipped.

Comments | 11,550 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Sep 19, 2012

Chick-Fil-A Ends Anti-Gay Donations, Moves into Chicago

Chick-fil-A's sandwiches are no longer homophoburgers or free-speech-you-can-eat or whatever the fast food meant during this summer's culture wars.

Comments | 24,221 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Sep 14, 2012

Mitt Romney: Big 'Birdcage' Fan

In an interview taped Friday for Live! With Kelly and Michael Mitt Romney said his favorite actor is Gene Hackman, particularly for his role in The Birdcage. So what? Old white guy likes old white guy, right? No!

Comments | 1,607 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Sep 12, 2012

New York City May Not Be the Best Place to Run as a Homophobe

Juan Reyes, a former aide to Rudy Giuliani, has taken his campaign to a semi-hilarious, desperate low by sending out homophobic mailers which attack New York City Councilman Eric Ulrich and his wife for having dinners with gay men, and being nice to lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.  

Comments | 1,795 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Sep 10, 2012

Letting Gays and Lesbians Serve Openly Hasn't Ruined the Military

It's almost been one year since President Obama repealed Don't Ask Don't Tell and the first academic study of the policy change has found that the repeal hasn't affected retention, recruitment, or harassment in the military. 

Comments | 1,065 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Sep 6, 2012

Grindr Wants to Get Political

Grindr, the very popular location-based dating app for men who like men, has announced that it will jump into the election fray this morning and announced its plan to "mobilize gay men as a political bloc." No, we're not kidding.

Comments | 723 Views

By Elspeth Reeve

Aug 20, 2012

RNC Platform Might Subtly Say Gays Are OK

The Republican National Committee platform might hint that gay people are alright without explicitly mentioning sexuality.

Comments | 1,552 Views

What the Gun Control Movement Can Learn from Gay Rights

While gun control and gay rights are very different things, there are a couple of key directives that apply to both: Play political hardball, put your money where your mouth is and reframe the debate to deprive the opposition of fuel.  

Comments | 3,798 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Aug 10, 2012

Yet Another Angle on Gay Marriage: When Will You Have Kids?

Forty-four states don't even allow gay marriage, but that hasn't stopped The New York Times from getting ahead of itself in reporting on the "trend" of same-sex male couples who are now being asked about their plans for raising children.

Comments | 3,336 Views

By John Hudson

Jul 27, 2012

The Midwest Won't Abandon Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A's consumer reputation is taking a dive across the country, according to a new poll of fast food eaters, but it remains as popular as ever in the Midwest. 

Comments | 2,180 Views

By Eric Randall

Jul 24, 2012

Chick-Fil-A Says It Recalled Muppets One Day Before the Muppets' Pro-Gay Stance

Ask Jim Henson Company why they're no longer partnering with Chick-fil-A and they'll cite the restaurant president's views on homosexuality, but ask Chick-fil-A why their toys are no longer for sale and they'll blame "potential safety concerns."

Comments | 11,669 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jul 20, 2012

Gay Troops Get Pentagon OK to March in Uniform at San Diego's Pride Parade

For the first time in U.S. history, the Defense Department has announced that it will, for one day only, allow service members to march in uniform in San Diego's Gay Pride Parade on Saturday.  

Comments | 1,207 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jul 17, 2012

After Studying in Secret for Two Years, Boy Scouts Won't Lift Their Ban on Gays

We aren't really sure how they came to this conclusion and may never will, but The Boy Scouts of America have announced that upholding a ban on gays is really the best thing for them, thanks to what they learned from a "confidential review" of the matter.

Comments | 2,414 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jul 6, 2012

China No Longer Afraid of Lesbian Blood

China caught up with the rest of the world this week by eliminating a 14-year ban on blood donations by lesbians. Most gay men, on the other hand, are still not welcome to donate.

Comments | 345 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jun 28, 2012

This Couple's Wedding Photo Was Turned into an Anti-Gay Political Smear Ad

"I tell you what – I never saw that coming, would you?" wrote Brian Edwards. Well, we wouldn't have. But then again, no one--gay or straight--really expects their wedding pictures will end up in a political smear campaign arguing that your wedding is immoral.

Comments | 16,337 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jun 26, 2012

Officials Still Don't Know Who Shot a Teenage Lesbian Couple in Texas

On Saturday Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Christine Chapa, a couple, were found in a thicket of grass in a Texas park and shot in the head. Olgin has died, and the town of Portland, Texas is now faced with a deeply troubling homicide case. 

Comments | 9,779 Views

U.S. Military Will Celebrate Its First Gay Pride Month

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta thanked gay and lesbian service members in a video address on Friday, as the Pentagon celebrates gay pride month for the first time.

Comments | 959 Views

By Connor Simpson

Jun 6, 2012

Another Federal Judge Rules DOMA Unconstitutional

The Defense of Marriage Act took another hit on Wednesday when a New York federal judge ruled it unconstitutional, this time because it interferes with the states' right to regulate marriage.

Comments | 1,207 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Jun 6, 2012

Congratulations, 60 Percent of You Know a Gay Person

That's up 11 percent from 2010. Though, we're wondering about how 40 percent of you, in the age of Facebook, Twitter, and whatnot still don't have a close friend or family member who's gay. 

Comments | 1,860 Views

By Jeff Roberts, PaidContent

Jun 1, 2012

Calling Someone 'Gay' Is No Longer Slander in New York

For centuries, some insults have been considered so offensive that a plaintiff didn’t have to prove harm in a defamation lawsuit—"gay" included.

Comments | 2,759 Views

By Adam Martin

May 24, 2012

Secret Gay Club and Evangelical College Can't Figure Out How to Talk

Every single person interviewed for a story about a secret gay club at evangelical Biola University said they wanted to open a dialogue about the university's relationship with its gay students, but nobody can figure out how to get that conversation started.

Comments | 1,769 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

May 22, 2012

North Carolina Pastor: Trap Gays and Lesbians Behind Electrified Fences

It's hard to tell what's more digusting: That Rev. Charles Worley of North Carolina is preaching about rounding up gays and lesbians and putting them behind an electrified fence to die out or the fact that he has a congregation cheering him on. 

Comments | 22,016 Views

By Connor Simpson

May 19, 2012

Malawi's First Female President Is Down with Gay Rights

You might remember Joyce Banda from when she was sworn in as Malawi's first female head of state in April, and now from when she's announced she's planning on repealing the country's laws against homosexuality in her first state of the nation address. 

Comments | 1,805 Views

By Adam Martin

May 18, 2012

'Gay Cure' Researcher Robert Spitzer Is Trying to Do Right

Gay rights are certainly having a moment, which makes this a good time to revisit the career of Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, who helped change psychiatry's definition of homosexuality away from a "disorder" but also lent his substantial influence to a study supporting a "gay cure."

Comments | 1,340 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

May 18, 2012

Cartoon

Virginia's New State Motto

Cartoonist Tom Toles rethinks the state's slogan.

Comments | 1,044 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

May 15, 2012

Finally, Jay-Z Says He's for Gay Marriage

In your heart-warming, compassionate news of the day-- Jay-Z, H.O.V.A., Shawn Carter, Mr. Beyoncé, or whatever you refer to him as, has come out in support of gay marriage and in support of Barack Obama's recent "evolution" on the topic

Comments | 3,179 Views

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