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The Google news aggregator is a wonderful invention. Although my keywords, "lesbian" and "gay", sometimes grab less-than-desireable reading material, frequently I am able to read the thoughts of people in newspapers which I wouldn't normally think to visit online.
In "Let Catholics Discriminate," Dale Carpenter sings the tune of the antiprogressive mouthpiece, IndeGayForum. It's always a treat to read these supposedly independent and original thinkers offer such original, unpredictable and "outside the box" editorials. Very much to his credit, Carpenter lands some solid punches in this article, such as when he correctly chastises the Human Rights Campaign's Joe Solmonese for the absurd claim that the Roman Church's position on gay adoption has "nothing whatsoever to do with faith." But frankly I'm not sure which is worse: Solmonese's laughable religious illiteracy or Carpenter's despicable advocacy of legal bigotry. I think I'll pass on both.
Penn State's ladies basketball coach did discriminate against a former player because she perceived her to be a lesbian, an investigation has concluded. Here's what the university is threatning her with:
Coach Portland will be required to pay a $10,000 fine, a written reprimand will be put in her personnel file, she will be required to participate in a professional development experience devoted to diversity, and has also been informed that further violations will result in termination with cause.
Continue reading "Discrimination because of perceived orientation" »
There are still got a few spaces for two upcoming events of possible interest to male readers of this blog.
Don Shewey and I will be leading our sixth annual retreat to Italy June 17-24, 2006. We call it “Come to Your Senses.” In addition to exploring a particularly beautiful part of our world, we structure the retreat to explore the natural world of the senses, to inquire into what it means to have a good life, and to expand both intimacy and self-awareness in the company of other open-hearted men. For more information, email me at jballew@mindspring.com or visit our web site: www.cometoyoursensestravel.com.
The alleged sexual assault of a young African American woman by members of the Duke University lacrosse has been making national headlines for weeks. The case is troubling on many grounds. Rape is always awful, but this case has exposed an ugly undercurrent of sexism and racism among some in America's privileged class.
Continue reading "Duke lacrosse rape case: the homophobia connection" »
I mentioned the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in an earlier post about the Equality Riders (who I will revisit, as I've been mulling over some of the discussion on this blog and other places). There's another high-profile challenge to the legality of this policy, by a lesbian woman, a flight nurse.
At a time when the shameless pope has renewed his attack on gay relationships and famiies -- at Eastertime, no less! -- it's a tonic to understand that other church leaders show great courage in supporting GLBT people. From Planet Out:
A Minneapolis church has voted to stop performing civil marriages for heterosexuals because civil marriage isn't offered to same-gender couples.
"I will officiate at only religious marriages for same- and opposite-gender couples alike," said the Rev. Don Portwood of the Lyndale United Church of Christ. "I will no longer sign marriage licenses as an agent of the state of Minnesota, until the state of Minnesota recognizes the loving commitment of all couples."
Read the whole story here. Hat tip to my pastor, Bradley Schmeling.
As most of you surely know, too few drugs that show early promise ever pan out, so it's wise to remain cautious. There's been too much hype and false "AIDS cures." But this BYU study, reported in the Salt Lake Tribune, sound hopeful. If future tests confirm the early promise of a new compound, it could be the first drug that actually kills HIV. The compound may also be effective against other viruses ranging from herpes to influenze. Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan for the link.
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