A Gay Blog….Just Two Gay Women Giving Our Opinions…Very Exciting Stuff;)
Although Newark, N.J., is just 10 miles from LGBT-friendly New York and located in a gay-friendly state, the struggling city is a world away in terms of its lack of gay acceptance by everyone from street gangs to some religious leaders and even some police, according to this article. The city lacks any kind of organized community center, bars or support groups for its LGBT residents.
Israel’s Supreme Court ruled Sunday that the government must recognize foreign adoptions by same-sex parents and treat both parents as equal.
Australia’s new Prime Minister said Thursday that his government will not stand in the way of legislation in the state of Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory to recognize same-sex unions - marked departure from the position of his predecessor.
In a move that highlights changing attitudes toward gays, AARP, an advocacy group for those 50 and older, has signed gay tennis legend Martina Navratilova as its health and fitness ambassador. Navratilova will encourage AARP’s 39 million members to stay active.
Starting in January, AARPfitness.com will offer health tips and exercise routines that Navratilova will help formulate. An AARP release also stated that the tennis star will be participating in various AARP events throughout the coming year.
“I think we have a tendency to look for quick fixes and easy solutions to leading healthy, active lifestyles, and my goal is to let my generation know that though staying fit takes work, it’s just as important now — if not more — than ever before,” the 51-year-old Navratilova said in a statement.
Twenty-eight retired generals and admirals released a letter Friday urging Congress to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military, according to The New York Times. The letter cites information showing that 65,000 gay men and lesbians are currently serving in the military and that there are more than 1 million gay and lesbian veterans who have “served our nation honorably.”
“We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy,” the letter says. “Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish.”
The pressure to repeal the ban is on members of Congress, as the Department of Defense is on record saying it will uphold whatever legislation Congress passes on the subject.
Each of the Democratic candidates running for president has pledged to end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy should they become president. In contrast, Republicans are unwilling to overturn the ban, citing, among other reasons, that wartime is not the right time to make changes and that repeal will hinder the unit cohesion of troops.
Friday marks the 14th anniversary of the policy’s enactment by former president Bill Clinton.