by Brian Tuck
The hacker group who call themselves ANONYMOUS -the Voice of Free Speech & the Advocate of the People are at it again and our ears were burning. They made headlines last month when they hacked into a security firm’s computer system and announced plans to attack major banks. Recently, they warned the Westboro Baptist Church to stop their bigoted protesting.
Dallas Morning News treats gay couple like second-class citizens
In December 2010, Dallas Morning News from Dallas, Texas admits they refused to publish same-sex marriages in the daily paper. Following in the footsteps of other newlyweds who share their special day with their community, it’s no surprise newlywed gay couples would do the same. CEO James Moroney has responded to the situation that he pledges the paper will never publish same-sex marriage announcements because Texas law bans gay marriage, but that they’ll run the ad in the “Commitments” section instead.
Interestingly, the paper had no qualms about taking Dallas couple Mark Reed-Walkup and Dante Walkup’s $1034.00 payment for an ad that never ran. The Dallas Morning News has responded that this was bad practice following a complaint from the couple.
by Brian Tuck
Manvendra Singh Gohil, an out and proud prince from the former princely state of Rajpipla in India will be starting up two gay magazines. Manvendra is India's first openly gay royal and has done much for the community by campaigning for same sex adoption and even a retirement community for queers. His latest project is Fantasy, a magazine for lesbians and Fun, for gay guys and straight women. The magazines will cover lots of gay reading goodness, from fashion to fitness, relationships and even a sex column.
Brian Tuck
Weeks after Uganda's Rolling Stone newspaper cover story called for homosexuals to be hanged, a leading gay activist in Uganda, David Kato, was found brutally murdered in his home last Wednesday January 26th in the capital of Kampala.
David Kato, who was the advocacy officer for a group called Sexual Minorities Uganda, recently won a court victory over the tabloid that called for people to kill homosexuals.
Brian Tuck
In the midst of all the news on Haiti following the quake, the political instability and public health concerns, we look at how the quake has affected the country's way to cope with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
A UNAIDS report has mentioned that the UN emergency response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic was poorly handled following the quake. The conditions for people to transmit the virus have increased and fewer than 40% of those living with HIV/AIDS have access to medication.
Brian Tuck
Anne and Elaine Vautour, along with Joe Varnell and Kevin Bourassa took part in a group ceremony last Friday, Jan 14th, 2011, to celebrate their tenth year together as Canada's first same-sex married couples.
On January 14th, 2001, the two couples were escorted by police to Riverdale's Metropolitan Community Church in Toronto, Ontario for their joint ceremony. It was a day of mixed emotions for the two couples and their families, a day of celebration and happiness became also one of fear.
By Brian Tuck
Barrack Obama changes history for gays and lesbians
December 22nd was a historical day for gays and lesbians as Barrack Obama signs the repeal on the United States Army's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Religious and right wing backlash have been promising to contest this to the fullest extent, but the difference another appeal will make is not likely to have much effect at this point. There has been a pink elephant sitting on the senate's desk for decades...and it just stood up.
