Posted on Advocate.com April 07, 2011

Archaeologists Find “Gay” Caveman

By Advocate.com Editors

Archaeologists in the Czech Republic found the 5,000-year-old skeleton of what they believe to be the oldest known gay or perhaps transgender caveman.
According to The Telegraph, the male remains, which date between 2900 and 2500 B.C., were discovered in a way normally reserved for women from the Corded Ware culture in the Copper Age.
“The skeleton was found in a Prague suburb in the Czech Republic with its head pointing eastwards and surrounded by domestic jugs, rituals only previously seen in female graves,” reports The Telegraph.
Archaeologist Kamila Remisova Vesinova said the positioning was unlikely to be a mistake, and that the man was likely someone “with a different sexual orientation, homosexual or transsexual.”
Her colleague Katerina Semradova said at a Tuesday press conference that archaeologists previously had uncovered a case from the Mesolithic period where a female warrior was buried in the manner reserved for men.
Semradova called the new discovery a case of “transsexual” or “third gender grave.”

Silvio Berlusconi tells Catholics: ‘We’ll never allow gays to marry or adopt’

by PinkNews.co.uk Staff Writer
1 March 2011, 2:20pm

 
Silvio Berlusconi says his government will never allow gay marriage

Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has said gay couples will never be permitted to marry.

Speaking at a Catholic conference in Milan, he said: “Gays will never have marriages equal to traditional family values because there is only one family.”

He added: “This government will not allow singles or gays to adopt.”
The 74-year-old leader told the conference he would not resign, despite his own moral troubles.
He has been charged with having sex with an underage prostitute and will go on trial in April.
Police say that Karima El Mahroug, who was 17 at the time, was a guest at one of Mr Berlusconi’s ‘bunga bunga’ parties.
There are also claims that he paid for dancers’ plastic surgeries.
The Italian leader is currently on trial for tax fraud.
Last year, Mr Berlusconi angered gay groups by saying: “I have a gruelling work schedule and if I happen to look pretty girls in the face now and then, well then, it’s better to be a fan of pretty women than to be gay.”

Justin Bieber: being gay is a decision and abortion is wrong

by Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
17 February 2011, 1:34pm

Fresh from winning a Brit award, teenage pop sensation Justin Bieber has suggested that homosexuality is a choice and that abortion is wrong even when pregnancy is caused by rape.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, he appeared to label homosexuality as a choice rather than something that is uncontrollable.
He also spoke out against abortion even when pregnancy is caused by rape, saying “everything happens for a reason.”
The interview for next month’s Rolling Stone magazine has been distributed via blogs.
When asked what his views on homosexuality are, Bieber responded: “It’s everyone’s own decision to do that. It doesn’t affect me and shouldn’t affect anyone else.”
It is not clear whether he intended to label homosexuality as a lifestyle choice.
Bieber’s position stands in contrast with that of Lady Gaga who last year said: “there are some people in this world that believe being gay is a choice. It’s not a choice, we’re born this way.” Her single ‘Born This Way’ has been described as the new gay anthem by Sir Elton John.
In his interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Bieber went on to say “I think you should just wait for the person you’re … in love with,” when asked about abstinence.
Despite his strong Christian background he did not argue against pre-martial sex.
“I really don’t believe in abortion,” he told the magazine “I think [an embryo] is a human. It’s like killing a baby.”
He added that while it is “really sad” for a woman to become pregnant after being raped, he claimed that “everything happens for a reason.”
“I don’t know how that would be a reason,” he added. “I guess I haven’t been in that position, so I wouldn’t be able to judge that.”

Santorum's Gay Sex Problem

Posted on Advocate.com February 16, 2011

Santorum's Gay Sex Problem

Antigay former U.S. senator Rick Santorum, a potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, has found the use of his name in connection with anal sex is a hyperlink that’s hard to break... thanks to Dan Savage.

By Advocate.com Editors

- (from left) Rick Santorum and Dan Savage

Antigay former U.S. senator Rick Santorum, a potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, has found that the use of his name in connection with anal sex is a hyperlink that’s hard to break, Roll Call reports.
In 2003 sex-advice columnist Dan Savage was seeking to mock Santorum for his homophobic statements, such as remarks he made in an interview that year to the effect that legalization of gay sex could lead to recognition of “man on child” and “man on dog” relationships. Savage held a competition asking his readers to come up with a new definition for “Santorum,” and the winning entry referred to a by-product of anal intercourse. Now a Google search for “Santorum” will frequently turn up that meaning of the word.
Roll Call consulted technology experts, who said there was little Santorum could do to prevent Web searches from finding sites with that definition. The politician himself “sounded slightly defeated” when asked about his “Google problem” recently, the publication reported. “It’s one guy,” Santorum told Roll Call. “You know who it is. The Internet allows for this type of vulgarity to circulate. It’s unfortunate that we have someone who obviously has some issues. But he has an opportunity to speak.”
Santorum added, however, that the phenomenon is an indication of “incivility” in politics. “You want to talk about incivility,” he said. “I don’t know of anybody on the left who came to my defense for the incivility with respect to those things.”
In response to Santorum’s statements, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund spokesman Dennis Dison told Roll Call, “I think that civility in politics is a fantastic goal. ... Speaking from the LGBT community, we wish he would practice it.”

Gay men arrested after Bahrain party raid

More than 100 people, including some gay men, have been arrested in Bahrain after the raid of a party described by authorities as “depraved and decadent”, according to local newspaper reports.

Jonny Payne

news.PinkPaper.com

Thursday, 10 February 2011

6 February 2011

Post your comment

More than 100 people, including some gay men, have been arrested in Bahrain after the raid of a party described by authorities as “depraved and decadent”, according to local newspaper reports.

Authorities stepped in at 2.30am after complaints of noise and confirmation from an undercover policeman of cross-dressers and gay men drinking and smoking shishas in a sports hall in the village of Hidd on Muharraq Island on Wednesday. 

Al Ayam daily newspaper reports the arrest of 127 men between the ages of 18 and 30 from several Arabian Gulf countries, with those arrested either residents of Bahrain or visitors from nearby countries.

The complex was closed on Thursday pending investigation and the organisers are being held separately, the newspaper reports.

Homosexuality is illegal in Bahrain and punishable with a prison sentence, with non-Bahrainis deported after serving their jail term.

Posted on Advocate.com January 21, 2011

Trans, Gay Murders Rock Honduras

By Michelle Garcia

Three murders in Honduras have raised the number of LGBT deaths in the Central American country to 31 in recent months, a cause for concern among officials at the U.S. Embassy.

"The protection of Honduran law extends to all its citizens regardless of sexual orientation and the Lobo Administration has repeatedly expressed its commitment to defend the rights of all Honduran citizens," read a statement from the embassy. "It is in this regard that we call upon Honduran law enforcement authorities to vigorously investigate these crimes, bring to justice the perpetrators, and take all necessary steps to protect LGBT persons, who are among the most vulnerable to violence and abuse in Honduras."

Those killed recently include a 23-year-old transgender woman known as Lorenza, according to Gay City News in New York. She was found dead in Comayagüela in December, with bloody rocks near her body, indicating she may have been stoned to death as well as set on fire. Condoms were also found near her body, leading to speculation that she was also raped.
Gay City News blames the murders on a government-backed campaign to target gay people.

According to the National Resistance Front's website, which has been keeping tabs on the murders, police have been minimally invested in solving the cases.

Posted on Advocate.com January 13, 2011

Canada Rules Dire Straits Song Offensive

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has ruled that "Money for Nothing," the 1985 Dire Straits song with the famous animation video, is too offensive for broadcast in the country.

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has ruled that “Money for Nothing,” the hit 1980s song by rock group Dire Straits, is too offensive for broadcast because its uses the word “fa**ot.”
The Vancouver Sunreports, “The ruling, released Wednesday, responded to a complaint submitted to St. John's radio station CHOZ-FM over a Feb. 1 airing of an unedited version of the song, which mentions the word three times.”
The 1985 song, told from the perspective of a working-class man who marvels at the apparent charmed life of rockers on that new invention MTV, is perhaps even better known for its animated music video, which heralded the dawn of the music video era. The video for the song was the first played on MTV Europe.
In its ruling the Canadian council said that social attitudes had changed about the word “fa**ot” from 1985 to 2010, the time of the complaint last year.
“The council concluded that ‘fa**t,’ when used to describe a homosexual man, is a word ‘that, even if entirely or marginally acceptable in earlier days, is no longer so,’” reported the Sun.

Posted on Advocate.com January 13, 2011

U.K. Public Servants: Come Out

Teachers, nurses, and police officers in the U.K. may be asked to disclose their sexual orientation, gender identity, and other personal details as part of an “equality drive” meant to promote diversity among public servants and the people they serve.
The Daily Mail reports on the plan from Liberal Democrat equalities minister Lynne Featherstone to comply with the Equality Act. Public sector organizations will be asked to consider sending “diversity monitoring forms” to staff members as part of the compliance procedures.
“From April, public bodies will be subject to the Equality Act – passed by Labour but taken up enthusiastically by the Coalition – which will force them to consider the impact of everything they do on the diversity of the people they serve or employ,” reports the Mail.
The proposed questionnaires from Featherstone would ask employees about their sexuality, whether they have had gender reassignment surgery, and their race and religion, the Mail reports.
Critics charged the plan would result in excess bureaucracy.

Teenage Iranian faces execution over withdrawn sodomy 'confession'

A 19-year-old Iranian man is facing execution on charges of attempted sodomy – even though the allegation was withdrawn by the accuser, according to reports.

James Sanders

news.PinkPaper.com

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

11 January 2011

A 19-year-old Iranian man is facing execution on charges of attempted sodomy – even though the allegation was withdrawn by the accuser, according to reports.

The teen, Ehsan, was 17-years-old when he was arrested in Shiraz after a man pressed charges of attempted rape against him and two other youths.

The Fourth Branch of the Criminal Court of Fars province, in Shiraz, found him guilty of lavat and sentenced him to death by hanging. Ehsan has since withdrawn his 'confession', saying that it was extracted under torture.

The execution of Ehsan is opposed by a coalition of Muslim organisations from across the world: the Association of British Muslims, Faith Matters, Muslims for Progressive Values, USA and Canada, Canadian Muslim Union, Members of The Royal Order of Noor of Buayan, Canadian Council of Muslim Women.

“We appeal to the Supreme Leader and Chief Justice of Iran to show mercy by revoking the death sentence and releasing Ehsan. The evidence against Ehsan is weak. The accuser has withdrawn his allegations.

"It is unIslamic to sentence a person to death simply because they are alleged to be homosexual, especially without 100 per cent proof of guilt,” said Paul Salahuddin Armstrong, Co-Director of the Association of British Muslims.

Under Articles 108 to 113 of the Iranian penal code, lavat is proved either if a person confesses four times to having committed sodomy or by the testimony of four righteous men.

Neither of these legal conditions have been met. Ehsan confessed only once and under torture. Four righteous men have not testified that they saw him commit sodomy.

Ehsan denied the charges in court in front of the judges. He mentioned that his confession was made under torture.

Furthermore, the alleged victim dropped all charges against all three boys before the trial. One out of the five judges pronounced him not guilty and asked for his immediate release.

Saghi Ghahraman, chair of the Iranian Queer Organisation, told the Human Rights and Press Director of the Association Of British Muslims, Dan Littauer: “We should urgently ask the Iranian judicial system to show sympathy to a mere minor who has been falsely accused. Either forgive and release him or have another trial and investigate the evidence more thoroughly.”

“Ehsan’s family is terrified of government and security service reprisals if their family name appears in the media, and so is Ehsan’s lawyer. This is why we are not releasing Ehsan’s full name or the name of his lawyer,” said Ghahraman.

“As has happened in several cases in the past, you don't need to be gay or lesbian in Iran to be in danger of execution for homosexuality - a simple, unfounded accusation can be enough to see you sentenced to death,” added Littauer.

Posted on Advocate.com January 10, 2011

Gay Marriage Objectors Lose in Canada

By Advocate.com Editors

An appeals court in Canada's Saskatchewan province has ruled that marriage commissioners cannot opt out of performing same-sex nuptials because of religious objections.
The decision is in response to a proposed law, which had two versions: One would allow any marriage commissioner to not perform a same-sex wedding because of his or her religion; the other version would allow commissioners to opt out of performing a same-sex ceremony only if they were commissioners before Canada enacted marriage equality in 2004.
The Monday ruling declared that both versions run contrary to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"Either of them, if enacted, would violate the equality rights of gay and lesbian individuals," the ruling stated. "This violation would not be reasonable and justifiable within the meaning of s. 1 of the Charter. As a result, if put in place, either option would be unconstitutional and of no force or effect."

it gets better-----a music video by rebecca drysdale

Scalia: Constitution Doesn't Protect Women, Gays

Posted on Advocate.com January 03, 2011
Scalia: Constitution Doesn't Protect Women, Gays
By Advocate.com Editors

Antonin Scalia


In an interview, Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia says the Constitution doesn't promise protections for women and gays.

California Lawyer asked Scalia the following question: "In 1868, when the 39th Congress was debating and ultimately proposing the 14th Amendment, I don't think anybody would have thought that equal protection applied to sex discrimination, or certainly not to sexual orientation. So does that mean that we've gone off in error by applying the 14th Amendment to both?"

The ultraconservative judge replied that the Constitution doesn't require discrimination against minorities, but that it certainly doesn't prohibit it.

"Nobody ever thought that that's what it meant," Scalia said of the 14th Amendment protecting women. "Nobody ever voted for that. If the current society wants to outlaw discrimination by sex, hey we have things called legislatures, and they enact things called laws."

Scalia's responses were met with sharp criticism by some. "In these comments, Justice Scalia says if Congress wants to protect laws that prohibit sex discrimination, that's up to them," Marcia Greenberger, founder of the National Women's Law Center, told The Huffington Post. "But what if they want to pass laws that discriminate?"

Navy Investigates Antigay Sex Vids

Posted on Advocate.com January 02, 2011
Navy Investigates Antigay Sex Vids
By Advocate.com Editors

Capt. Owen Honors

The Navy has launched an investigation into the production of a series of videos containing simulated sex and antigay slurs shown to service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

CNN reports the videos were reportedly shown to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in 2006 and 2007. Navy spokesman Cmdr. Chris Sims called the videos “clearly inappropriate.”

The Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, Va., first published excerpts from the videos and descriptions of their content on Saturday.

According to Time magazine, the man behind the videos is Capt. Owen Honors, who at the time was the executive officer, or second-in-command, of the Enterprise. Honors recently took command of the carrier, which is weeks away from deploying.

In one of the videos, two female Navy sailors stand in a shower stall aboard the aircraft carrier, pretending to wash each other. In other skits, "sailors parade in drag, use anti-gay slurs, and simulate masturbation and a rectal exam. Another scene implies that an officer is having sex in his stateroom with a donkey."

According to Time, Honors is likely to lose command of his carrier before it heads out from Norfolk.

Watch the video posted to the Virginian-Pilot's website and an interview with Pilot editor Meredith Kruse below.

Go to this link to watch the video:
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/02/Navy_Investigates_Raunchy_Antigay_Vids/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AdvocatecomDailyNews+%28Advocate.com+Daily+News%29

Gay Footballer, Singer Lennox Receive U.K. Honors

Posted on Advocate.com December 31, 2010
Gay Footballer, Singer Lennox Receive U.K. Honors
By Advocate.com Editors

A founder of one of the United Kingdom’s first gay football teams is among those being recognized in the queen’s New Year Honours list, as is the gay-beloved singer Annie Lennox.

Aslie Pitter (pictured, right), 50, who helped found the Stonewall football club about 20 years ago, said he was “pinching himself” when he heard he was to be named an MBE — Member of the British Empire, the BBC reports.

Pitter, a London resident, said the club was readily accepted by fellow footballers.

“Being black and being gay, I thought I might come in for a lot of stick,” he told the BBC. “In our first game we were sharing a communal shower with seven other teams and I was pretty nervous. But it has never really been a problem.”

Lennox (left) was named an OBE — Order of the British Empire — for her activist work to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa. She founded the Sing campaign to raise AIDS awareness.

She said she was “genuinely honored” by the recognition. “As somewhat of a renegade, it either means I’ve done something terribly right — or they've done something terribly wrong,” she added.

The Graying Of Our Leaders

Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Graying Of Our Leaders
Posted by John Aravosis (DC) at 12/30/2010 01:40:00 PM

From David Mixner:

In the Bible in Palms 71:18 there is a verse that says, "When I am old and gray, do not forsake me..."
The LGBT community is about to lose their tribal leaders, elders and generational history without even a peep. In addition, our collective soul might be scarred for ignoring the plight and needs of those whose sacrifice made it possible for today's generation. Most will never even know or enjoy the rights that they fought so hard for you to celebrate today. They couldn't adopt children, run for office or serve in the military. Often they were institutionalized or forced to live lives of lies and fear.

The baby boom generation of LGBT citizens is the one that spans our history from the oppressive 50's, to the transitional 60's, the liberating 70's, the plague ridden 80's and the beginning of hope in the 1990's. A good deal of the male population of those times already passed in the prime of their youth from HIV/AIDS. Some of the most remarkable women LGBT leaders came to power in that time. Epic battles and tragic stories are waiting to be recorded and told to future generations.

The LGBT community must acknowledge that this generation of LGBT baby boomers is getting old in a time with few services to meet their needs as LGBT seniors. Often they are in smaller and smaller living units, scraping by with little food, limited access to healthcare and almost no living facilities to share with other senior LGBT citizens. The few gay men that are still alive after the AIDS onslaught have few or no peers to share their senior years since the disease wiped out so many of their friends. Like it or not, what remains from the pandemic is an epidemic of loneliness among our seniors.

North Carolina Politician: Gay People Are “Sexual Predators”

Posted on Advocate.com December 28, 2010
North Carolina Politician: Gay People Are “Sexual Predators”
By Advocate.com Editors

BILL JAMES NC COMMISSIONER

An antigay commissioner in North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County called gay people “sexual predators” in an e-mail response to a letter from a fellow commissioner asking her colleagues to sign a thank-you note to the state’s officials who voted to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

Mecklenburg County commissioner Jennifer Roberts circulated the letter earlier this month, prompting an angry response from Bill James.

“Homosexuals are sexual predators,” James wrote in response to the e-mail from Roberts. “Allowing homosexuals to serve in the U.S. military with the endorsement of the Mecklenburg County Commission ignores a host of serious problems related to maintaining U.S. military readiness and effectiveness not the least of which is the current Democrat plan to allow homosexuals (male and female) to share showers with those they are attracted to.”

In 2009, James made headlines for mumbling the word “homo” after a colleague spoke of her son dying of AIDS. A few years earlier, he was quoted as saying people of color "live in a moral sewer."

Change.org is urging people to sign a petition to the Mecklenburg County board urging members to censure James “for repeatedly using his work e-mail to bash LGBT folks.” James was just reelected to his seat.

Candian Province Still Lists Homosexuality As A Mental Illness

Canadian province still lists homosexuality as a mental illness
by PinkNews.co.uk Staff Writer
22 December 2010, 4:49pm

The Canadian province of Alberta still classifies homosexuality as a mental disorder, government records show.

Between 1995 and 2004, doctors cited the diagnostic code more than 1,750 times when billing the province for treating gays and lesbians, the Vabcouver Sun reports.

The figures were uncovered by human rights activist Rob Wells, who has been campaigning on the issue for ten years.

Although the government promised in 1998 to remove the reference to homosexuality, health minister Gene Zwozdesky repeated the promise yesterday and said: “It has no place in Alberta.”

He added: “It is simply an incorrect and unacceptable classification and I’ve ordered it to be removed immediately.”

Homosexuality was removed from the list of mental disorders by the World Health Organisation in 1990.

Alberta’s diagnostic codes were last updated in 2005 and it was not clear why homosexuality remained in the list.

The Alberta Medical Association said the diagnostic code was not its responsibility, while a Alberta Health and Wellness spokesman said that the codes were based on an earlier edition of the World Health Organisation’s guidelines.

However, transsexualism remains in the list of mental disorders, along with paedophilia, bestiality, transvestism and impotence, among others.

In February, France became the first country to de-list transsexualism as a mental illness.

The World Health Organisation and the American Psychiatric Association continue to list the condition as a mental illness, rather than a medical condition.

Running With Santas In Speedos

Posted on Advocate.com December 14, 2010
Running With Santas in Speedos
By Advocate.com Editors

BOSTON Santa Speedo Run 2010

Speedo-wearing Santas ran the streets of Boston, Toronto, Chicago, and Atlanta over the weekend to raise money for various charities.

The event kicked off in Boston 11 years ago and has since spread to multiple cities throughout the United States and Canada. Included in the list of charities the runs raise money for are a number of LGBT and HIV/AIDS research organizations.

Watch video from the runs below.

Three Discharged Vets Sue For Re-Instatement Challenging DADT

Monday, December 13, 2010
Three Discharged Vets Challenge DADT, Sue For Reinstatement
Posted by Joe Sudbay (DC) at 12/13/2010 12:41:00 PM



Secretary Gates keeps saying he wants DADT ended by Congress, but we're still waiting -- and time is running out. Discharged servicemembers aren't waiting. Today, three of them, Mike Almy, Anthony Loverde and Jason Knight, filed a lawsuit against DADT, seeking reinstatement. The suit was filed in California, meaning the Witt Standard is applicable.

SLDN's press release:

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and Morrison & Foerster LLP filed a complaint today against the United States government asking for the reinstatement of three service members discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), the discriminatory law barring gay, lesbian and bisexual service members from serving honestly and with integrity. The filing in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, also argues the current law and the regulations, policies, and guidance that implement it, are unconstitutional. To read the filing visit: http://bit.ly/eZg5EL

Statement by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director and Army Veteran Aubrey Sarvis:

“This filing is a shot across the bow as we prepare to pursue and sustain an aggressive far reaching litigation strategy if the Senate fails to act this month to repeal the law. This dispute can be resolved by Congress or by the courts. With this filing we put Congress on notice that a cadre of service members and our national legal team stand ready to litigate strategically around the country. The plaintiffs’ are three service members who want to serve their country again. They represent some of our best and brightest who were fired because of who they are, despite their decorated records. More than 14,000 have already lost their jobs and the investigations and discharges still continue. We are also preparing litigation on behalf of young people who would enter the armed forces to serve our country but for this terrible law. Another suit we’re working on involves clients discharged under ‘Don’t Ask’ who want to enter the reserves or a guard unit, and we plan to file such cases early next year if Congress fails to act. Clearly there is an urgent need for the Senate to act on legislation this week."

Statement by Morrison & Foerster’s M. Andrew Woodmansee:

“Today we are asking the Court to allow these three brave Americans to fulfill the commitment they made years ago when they joined the military. They simply want to serve their country, and it is fundamentally un-American to refuse their service merely because they are gay -- especially when our all-volunteer military is stretched thin as we fight wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Throughout our nation's history, citizens have turned to the courts to remedy injustices when Congress would not act. If the Senate will not meet its obligations by ending this unconstitutional law, we will ask the Court to step in to protect the rights of my clients as well as all men and women who wish to serve this country in the military."

ABOUT THE PLANTIFFS:

Plaintiff Michael D. Almy served for thirteen years in the United States Air Force, including four deployments to the Middle East. He is a highly trained communications officer. During his thirteen-year Air Force career, former Major Almy received numerous military awards and decorations. In 2006, he was discharged from the Air Force under DADT.

Plaintiff Anthony J. Loverde served for seven years in the Air Force. He is a trained C-130 Loadmaster and Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory Technician. During his seven-year Air Force career, former Staff Sergeant Loverde received numerous military awards and decorations. In 2008, he was discharged from the Air Force under DADT. He is currently a contractor serving in Iraq, doing effectively the same job with many of his old coworkers, as an openly gay man.

Plaintiff Jason D. Knight served for a total of five years in the United States Navy. He is a trained Cryptological Technician Interpretive, Linguist. During his five-year Navy career, former Petty Officer Second Class Knight received numerous military awards and decorations. Mr. Knight has the unique distinction of being discharged twice under DADT. In 2005, he was discharged from the Navy under DADT. Mr. Knight was recalled to active duty in 2006 but was discharged again in 2007 under DADT.

New Video Game Mocks Gays

Saturday, December 11, 2010
New video game mocks gays
Posted by John Aravosis (DC) at 12/11/2010 02:01:00 PM

I'm just not convinced that, with gay kids killing themselves, it's totally appropriate for a kids' game to include a "flamboyant pack" that includes clearly flaming gay voices (which are used to taunt your opponent),

Here are two gamers with two different opinions on this:

paranoia says:

I *get* that it’s supposed to be a joke but you know what? This is just puerile and insensitive. The whole announcer schtick was meant to humiliate and taunt the other player and then they also decided to use an effeminate male voice, rainbows, glitter and an oversexualized gay stereotype. Why not just call it the “faggot” pack instead of the flamboyant pack? It’s pretty clear what you’re trying to make fun of. Calling it flamboyant doesn’t hide anything.

In my head, this is really no better than them releasing an “Exotic” pack and having the announcer say “ROR YOU GOT OWNED” or “CHING CHONG CHANG MOTHER FUCKA’” or having a “Negro” pack and having it play “Song of the South” clips then putting a sad black face versions onto the other person’s avatar. It’s the cheap, easy but insensitive laugh that just plays on outdated stereotypes and just pisses all over your minority fan base. As a gamer, it’s all too often an occurrence to be called “fag” or “gay” online as a synonym for being bad at a game and this just officially endorses that behavior. You have to draw the line somewhere and I draw it here. This is completely inappropriate for any modern game company.

Raiden says:

I don’t really take much issue with this and I think we have to examine exactly what the product consists of. The “announcer packs” are in essence intended to be taunts – something designed to annoy a fellow player as they lose – and having listened to the brief sample, this particular pack consists of an overly affected and obnoxious voice, which in my estimation fulfils its purpose rather well. I personally would find it grating after around the third time of being subjected to it.

The next aspect, which seems to be the contentious one, is the choice of name, the “Flamboyant Pack.” The question I have to ask gay people who see this as a swipe at them, is when did we start defining ourselves as flamboyant? For a community as diverse as ours, why are we trying to take offence to something that we know not to be representative of us? You can argue that straight gamers might be ignorant and perceive things differently, but as soon as a gay person makes an issue of this we are buying into our own outmoded stereotype, and reinforcing it in the minds of others, which only hampers and reverses progress.

There’s nothing explicitly anti-gay here, and do we really want to become those people who try to infer prejudice from everything, as though being offended was our hobby? This pack is something we can love or hate without bringing our sexuality into the equation.

I'm sorry, but the second guy doesn't understand how discrimination works. It doesn't matter if you don't consider yourself to be people with horns who steal the blood of Christian and Muslim children and eat it in your holiday meal. It's a slur against Jews, regardless of whether it's correct (and it's not). And the same goes with the flamboyant pack. It's clearly a swipe at gay people. And if anything, it perpetuates a stereotype meant to mock.

I just think it's too smart by half to say "gosh, we're not all that way, let's not buy into the stereotype." Bigots see us as all that way, and they use the slur to demean us and dehumanize us. Do you consider a "faggot"? And if not, is it therefore okay for someone to call you that?