By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com March 28, 2012 Homophobia strikes yet again–and again. (1) Daniel Zamudio, a 24-year-old gay Chilean man was so severely beaten by alleged neo-Nazi skinheads that he was declared brain-dead as a result of a violent homophobic attack in Santiago . He died this week in the hospital after three weeks in
A Gay Military Kiss–Another Sign of Change in the World
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com February 27, 2012 Slowly, slowly we show the diversity and truth of our being: Gay Marine Brandon Morgan Homecoming Kiss Goes Viral Look at these two wonderful reunions–lovers doing what they should after a long separation. Yet, there is nothing unique about these kisses between Brandon and Dalan (photo right) and
Homosexuality Debated in Supreme Court of India
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com February 24, 2012 As we speak, the Supreme Court of India is hearing a landmark case regarding the legality of homosexuality in that country. The debate focuses on the antiquated victorian law that criminalizes homosexual behavior which the British imposed on India (and all of its empire colonies around the world)
Remembering the World War I Dead
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com February 13, 2011 And so time passes from immediate knowing to remembering to gentle memorials to vague history. The holocaust that was World War I is now only a distant glimpse of a time ago as the last surviving veteran of that armageddon has finally died, at the age of 110
Offensive Catholic Control Over People’s Lives
Today’s NY Times carries a headline story: Bishops Were Prepared for Battle Over Birth Control Coverage (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/us/bishops-planned-battle-on-birth-control-coverage-rule.html?_r=1&hp) By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com Look at the photo of this overfed, overweight, arrogant cleric dressed in embroidered costume squatting on his ornately carved throne sporting his gold archbishop ring. (Can there be anything further from Jesus!?) It is
Islam and Homosexuality–Straight But Narrow
A debate about homosexuality in Islam is beginning. But in Muslim lands persecution—and hypocrisy—are still rife From: The Economist February 4, 2012 One leaflet showed a wooden doll hanging from a noose and suggested burning or stoning homosexuals. “God Abhors You” read another. A third warned gays: “Turn or Burn”. Three Muslim men who handed
Why Gay Relationships Work & Fail
While written for a heterosexual audience, we can certainly adapt this information to our gay partnerships as the following content illustrates issues that are universal to all relationship styles. Hopefully you will find it useful as it applies to evaluating your own relationship for maximizing its success. Top 10 Reasons Relationships Work 10. “Our relationship
Born Gay or Chosen Gay–Not the Issue
American actress Cynthia Nixon recently stirred up a storm of opinion as to whether a person is gay by birth or by choice. See the following news reports: -http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-cynthia-nixon-gay-by-choice-20120125,0,2504094.story -http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/01/27/cynthia-nixon-bisexuals-we-get-no-respect/ -http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2094099/Cynthia-Nixon-gay-choice-Actress-seeks-clarify-comments-causing-outrage.html?ito=feeds-newsxml This whole line of thinking is backwards and being looked at from the wrong end–whether or not homosexuality is inborn or chosen. The real
Sub-Saharan Africa: Problems with Male Circumcision and HIV Transmission
Important new article finds fault with recent male circumcision trials in Africa. Sub-Saharan African randomised clinical trials into male circumcision and HIV transmission: Methodological, ethical and legal concerns In 2007, WHO/UNAIDS recommended male circumcision as an HIV- preventive measure based on three sub-Saharan African randomised clinical trials (RCTs) into female-to-male sexual transmission. A related RCT
Gay Arabs: It Gets Better–From an Arab Teen
By Moussa Dailyvoiceofreason.com 13 Jan 2012 This is an article by Moussa, a Lebanese young man of 19 who speaks from his own experience of coming out and how life gets much better once we own our sexuality and accept one another. The world we live in can seem like an absolutely terrible place. Worse
Roaming the Gay World–For Better and For Worse
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com 2022 Intro: gay travelers roam the world with backpacks or tuxedos as they explore foreign cultures and encounter others gays worldwide in resorts, beaches and big ships. However, beyond the popular destinations and colorful festivals are countless closeted or impoverished or endangered lesbians and gay men whom most gay travelers do
Being Gay: At Birth or At Choice?
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com January 22, 2012 The American actress Cynthia Nixon is currently starring in a Broadway play ‘Wit’ for which she has received high praise. The play is about a life-changing experience with cancer. In the past recent years Nixon’s has experienced her own, but different, life-changing experience that few other people understand.
India: There is a Man in the Bathroom! — A Lesbian World Journey
From: Out and Around http://www.outandaround.com/ By Jenn January 11, 2012 After six months of travel in Asia, I’ve gotten used to people trying to kick me out of the women’s restroom thinking that I am a man. Usually after I explain to the startled women that there is no need to be alarmed, they respond
Nigeria Celebrates Homophobia and Hetero Infidelity
Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com December 12, 2011 The following homophobic and irrational opinion article appeared in the Nigerian Vanguard newspaper today written by Kola Animasaun. This was written in light of the impending passage of a virulent anti-gay statute in the Nigerian senate. (I quote the first four paragraphs) “Where do human rights begin and where do
Reflections
Gay Reflections The essays here are gay reflections on personal and unique people and ideas from around the world. Some of the people, I’ve met in far off places, and some were family, ranging from a humble Cambodian doctor to my Swiss ancestors. The places described are varied in their impact on people, from toxic
Belize LGBT Activists Mount Historic Challenge to Anti-Gay Laws
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com December 1, 2011 A November 16, 2011 Guardian newspaper report announced a new challenge in Belize to its anti-gay laws. The legal suit is the first contest by a new human rights organization that intends to overturn all post-UK former colonies that have laws criminalizing homosexuality. “The Human Dignity Trust (HDT),
Jamie and Jamey: Gay Youth Bullied to Death
Yet two more teen suicides spurred on by high school bullying and harassment from peers. (Read previous blog on gay teen suicides.) Last month, 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer killed himself in Buffalo, N.Y., after years of homophobic harassment. (photo right) Last week in Ottowa, Canada 13 year-old Jamie Hubley took his life. He too was taunted
Remembering 1912 and birth of a mild child… my father.
It was 99 years ago this month that a remarkable child was born to a laborer’s family in rural New Jersey. The laborer had little formal education but many manual skills; the mother stopped being a teacher to raise six children that were to come; little Roger was the second born. He was at heart
Britain Threatens Homophobic Countries with Aid Cuts
How fine is this: the British government is threatening to cut its foreign aid to homophobic countries because of their laws and treatment against LGBT citizens. If only more wealthy countries got serious about backing up their human rights standards with financial penalties we might see some serious change of policies in places like Malawi, Uganda, Ghana,
An Inspiring Lesbian Leader Has Died: Paula Ettelbrick
Today is a very sad day due to the premature death of one of America’s most dedicated and inspiring lesbian leaders, Paula Ettelbrick, former executive director of IGLHRC (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission). I met Paula several times over the past decade at several international LGBT conferences as well as for some lunches.
Homophobic Bullying Takes Another Teen Life
Beyond grief is the loss of young Jamey Rodemeyer, only 14, whose fragile ego was finally crushed by the poison of homophobic bullying from classmates at his Williamsville North High School in upstate New York on September 20, 2011. A child’s death at any young age is tragic enough, but a deliberately targeted murder seems
A Word About Mychal Judge, NYC Gay Priest Who Died on 9/11
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com September 12, 2011 Many stories circulate about this Catholic clergyman, a Franciscan friar; about his past alcoholism; his down-to-earth style of ministering; chaplain for the New York Fire Department; saying mass in the local firehouse; dubbed the ‘Saint of 9/11,’ in a 2006 documentary; his private homosexual orientation; his friendships with
9/11: Grief and Ignorance
9/11 comes on strong this year, a flood of media stories, personal memorials, new analyses, videos of ground zero, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. Grief, horror, shock and much loss. My cousin emerged from the subway at Church Street that morning, looked up and saw the collapsing mushroom cloud and ran for his young life, not
How Far Away is Hope For LGBT People?
As I travel the world interviewing LGBT people about their lives, their cultures and countries I hear stories of effort, strategy, frustration and achievement. One question I have failed to ask these courageous activists, some risking their lives, is “how far away is hope?” How far away is hope for equality, tolerance, acceptance, relationship recognition,
Hurricane Irene. August 27-28, 2011. Central Massachusetts.
Oh, what a lovely hurricane. I like this image of what’s about to hit our area (seen faintly in the upper right corner). So magnificent in its raw natural immensity–about 600 miles in diameter. Not that I like the toll it takes on the human environment but one has to stand in total awe of