Photo credit: http://geott.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/californias-prop-8-overturned/

A decision to overturn Proposition 8, the 2008 California state law denying marriage to same-sex couples, was made today by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger.

Walker ruled that the legislation is “unconstitutional under both the due process and equal protection clauses” and orders to permanently prevent any further enforcement.

Two sentences of an 136-page decision read:

Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same sex couples.

The case is expected to reach the Supreme Court later this year.

For more on this story visit the New York Times Magazine.

Olivia Stephens

Christopher Clevenger - Editor

I’ve been thinking for a while now on what my first editors blog post would target. I wanted it to be something that would catch the attention of our audience. Something people could actually think about and debate. It wasn’t until this morning I was able to realize something I have somewhat of a passion for.

Lets talk about sex. Why not be completely blunt and honest about it? Sex is great! That is something I think everyone can agree on. But while it’s ‘great’ I can’t help but notice how much gay men are addicted to it. I feel like there are so many negative stereotypes placed on the gay community simply because there are certain people who pride themselves on getting that random fuck each time they go out to the bar.

Let me stop for a second and preface this post with this: I am not a virgin. I have had sex with more than one person and know how great sex can be. I’ve had those experiences with both people I’ve cared dearly about and people I’ve met randomly at the club. I’ve been on both sides of the argument… Now back to the post.

It seems more and more obvious the gay community is addicted to sex. We all know sex is a huge part of our culture. When we go out to the club it’s nothing out of the ordinary to see strippers or male dancers in our clubs, or to see two guys practically having sex on the dance floor. Even in advertising we see sex, basing what we buy on how sexy the advertisement is. Sex obviously sells, but why?

Here’s what I don’t understand. Why are we so addicted to it? Yes, sex is a great experience, but does it have to be such a huge part of who we are? And why does it have to be with a new guy every night? What happened to the idea of finding a boyfriend and settling down? Are there even guys out there looking for relationships anymore? Maybe I’m the only one.

You might be wondering what brought this all on. Why is this homo ranting about the gays being addicted to sex? It must have been a while since he got laid or something… Truthfully it was a chat on facebook with a friend of mine that brought all of this to mind. We were talking about how bored I am here in the middle of the country, surrounded by corn fields and farm animals, and how I miss being near the city. His response was simple and somewhat unexpected. “Yeah and no sex lol.”

Those five words really hit me for some reason. Maybe it’s because I’ve been on both sides, or maybe because I’m single at the moment. Regardless of the reasoning behind it it really made me look at the gay community and think about what our priorities are.

I guess that’s just me ranting about something I’m slowly seeing more and more of. I could be completely wrong about the entire issue. Who knows? Let me know what you think about it.

Until next time, kthxbai.

Photo Credit http://liberalbaptistrev.wordpress.com

The United States Senate voted  16-12 Thursday for a compromise to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, the policy banning gays from serving openly in the military.

With fear that Republican gains in congress will threaten the passing of the law, activists are pushing for a quicker movement of the compromise through the Pentagon and the White House, where the ban must be reviewed in order to be formally lifted.

The compromise may have the approval of the majority of Pentagon and White House representatives, but Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps leaders, including Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff, all continue to oppose the repeal legislation until it is reviewed by the President.

“I believe that repealing the law before the completion of the review will be seen by the men and women of the Army as a reversal of our commitment to hear their views before moving forward,” Gen. Casey wrote in response to the repeal.

For the full story visit LAtimes.com.

Olivia Stephens

Chandler poses for a quick picture while waiting at a red light in Taiwan. (courtesy of Chandler)

Living in Taiwan, Chou Kuan Ting remembers watching American movies. He dreamed of studying abroad, laughing with American students and walking through campus in the sunshine. These were experiences he thought were only possible in the movies.

“But when I actually got here and I actually seen that and the feeling is something that I cannot describe but just that I am into the movie,” he said.

Chou Kuan Ting is a gay international student from Taiwan. At 23, he moved to America to take part in Kent State University’s English as a Second Language program. Chou Kuan Ting has been attending KSU for the past five months. His friends call him Chandler, after his favorite character from the TV show Friends.

When Chandler first moved to Campus Pointe with three other roommates, his sexual orientation stood out.

“The one say he not even meet me yet, but when we talk first time on the phone he knew I’m gay,” Chandler said.

This never proved to be an issue, though, with any of his roommates.

“I feel very curious about that you don’t mind living with gay people? I mean maybe someday you lie on the sofa on the living room maybe I will kiss you. You don’t afraid that? [My friend] said, ‘No, I don’t afraid that.’”

Living at home in Taiwan, though, Chandler did not feel the same understanding from his parents. Although he has been out for five years, he has never told his mother or father. He felt added pressure, he said, because he is the only male child to carry on the family name.

“I always feel that they always try to warn me that, ‘That’s wrong. That’s not right. You cannot be gay,’ and I feel very nervous of course, and then I tell them, ‘No, of course I am not. Why you keep saying that? I’m not.’ Because I think really easy to feel they don’t want me to be gay, so I don’t going to tell them anyway.”

Even though he has not told them, Chandler does wonder at times if his parents don’t already know. One evening, they saw the replay of a show their son had attended, where its host prompted Chandler to kiss another boy. He complied.

Upon watching the program, Chandler’s parents confronted him. He did not even formulate a response before his father could rationalize an explanation. The kiss was scripted, the father said. The show told his son what to do, what to say, and that was that.

“Yes, and my mother took that. Sometime I will feel maybe my family already know I’m gay, but they just so afraid to accept the truth. I don’t think they ever will.”

Despite the fact that he refuses tell his parents, Chandler said he thinks it is much easier to be gay in Taiwan than in America.

“Before I came here people always say, ‘Oh my gosh, America is so open-minded. You definitely can get so much boyfriend in United States.’”

Chandler agreed with his friends at the time, but changed his mind when he got to America. Although he is openly gay with many U.S. friends, he is more hesitant to be open with the general public.

“I think telling people that I’m gay here is more difficult because the United State, men should really be men and very strongly and very manly,” he said. “I can feel that maybe if I tell them that I’m gay, maybe they will don’t want to make friend with me anymore or even punch me.”

Such masculine standards are not the same case in Taiwan, though. Chandler said it is easier for him to meet other gays and lesbians in Taiwan. Gay men are easily distinguished by their chosen attire—skinny jeans and brightly colored, fitted shirts—the same outfit Chandler likes to wear.

“The gaydar I have in my country is really not working in the United States. I cannot tell who’s gay and who’s not.”

Chandler’s straight friends in Taiwan picked up on his style, which made his sexual orientation obvious.

“When I tell my friend the first time, they feel very shocked,” Chandler said. “But next second they say right away, ‘I knew it!’ I never really met someone that really hate a gay. I think I can tell them, and if they cannot accept, then it’s okay because at least I’ve got another friend.”

Aside from trying to fine-tune his American gaydar, Chandler said he likes sharing Taiwanese and Chinese movies with his new friends. What he enjoys most, though, is sharing his culture through cooking.

“Cooking dinner for American friend and also international student because I can sharing with them about the food in my country about the tastes because every time they get so excited,” Chandler said. “Also, when after they eat my food they also will feel ‘Oh my God, Chandler, you are the best chef ever!’”

Chandler remembered receiving a culture shock of his own when he first came to America. Unlike the Taiwanese, he said, Americans are more outgoing and personable with strangers.

“People will always love to have a conversation with you,” he said.

Connections and friendships Chandler has made in America have allowed him to visit Pittsburgh, Niagara Falls, Cleveland and Amish country. After a minute of silence, he reflected on the Amish community.

“My country also have that kind of people that don’t rely for outside of world,” Chandler said. “I think is really good for global warming. Yes.”

After arriving in America five months ago and attending Kent State since, Chandler realized there was something he missed about home life.

“I think I start to feel homesick now because my teeth is really painful. I no see doctor, especially dentist, will be extremely expensive, and also because I don’t have the healthy insures.”

When he looked ahead, though, a more serious answer disclosed what he will miss after leaving America.

“My friends. I want to have job in United State, and I want to feel myself is a United States citizen, yes.” Chandler said. “And I want that I can contain the friendship with my friend just like the friendship I have at my country because I don’t want to feel that I am only international student. I want to feel that I am also American. I think the thing I will most miss is that I am foreigner and I make friend with America.”

Pending acceptance into the master’s program for hospitality management, Chandler hopes to return to America in the fall, prepared to both gain an education and fine-tune his gaydar.

Emily Inverso is a freshmen magazine journalism major and a Web reporter for ThatGayMagazine.com.

George Rekers and "Lucien" at the Miami International Airport. (courtesy of Brandon K. Thorp)

An anti-gay campaign leader and Baptist minister is said to have engaged in nude sexual contact with a young male escort he found on the gay website, Rentboy.com, during his 10-day trip to Madrid and London, according to the male escort, referred to as “Lucien.”

George Rekers denies the claims and said he hired man as a travel assistant to push suitcases on his trolley. He said he didn’t learn of the man’s profession until the trip was in progress

Rekers called the media claims “slanderous” on his blog, ProfessorGeorge.com.

Rekers sits on the board to the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexual (NARTH), an organization dedicated to argue that homosexuality has a cure.

Visit the Miami New Times to read more about this story.

Mary Bonauto, attorney for Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, is surrounded by plaintiffs as she speaks outside the federal courthouse in Boston, Thursday, May 6, 2010, after opening arguments challenging the constitutionality of a federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. (AP Photo/The Boston Globe, Wendy Maeda)

A case trying to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (1996) began Thursday at a federal courthouse in Massachusetts.

The Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA defines the federal definition for marriage between a man and a woman. The act effectively allows states not to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and excludes same-sex married couples from federal benefits offered to heterosexual married couples.

Although President Barack Obama said he is committed to repeal DOMA someday, the US Justice Department is tasked with defending the law’s constitutionality, said Justice Department attorney W. Scott Simpson.

Visit the Christian Science Monitor to read more about this story.

Chely Wright released her eighth studio album Tuesday. (courtesy of ontopmag.com)

Country singer Chely Wright came out in a recent interview with People Magazine.

“Early in my life I went through what I think a lot of gay people go through, thinking that I could change and pray it away,” Wright told People. “Nothing in my life has been more magical than the moment I decided to come out.”

According to On Top Magazine, Wright is the first openly gay major country artist.

The Academy of Country Music named Wright, now 39, Best New Female vocalist in 1994. She has released seven studio albums throughout her career. Her 1999 #1 single release Single White Female won her her greatest recognition. Broken, her new single, was released last month.

To read more on this story, visit On Top Magazine.

Nickie Antonio won the Ohio District 13 Democratic primary Tuesday. (courtesy of advocate.com)

As reported by Advocate.com:

“Lakewood city councilwoman Nickie Antonio won the Democratic primary for District 13 in the Ohio state house Tuesday. The openly lesbian legislator is poised to become the first out state lawmaker in Ohio after the general election this fall.

District 13 incorporates Lakewood and parts of Cleveland. In November, Antonio is expected to defeat independent candidate Jeremy Caldwell, who filed for the race Monday.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which endorsed Antonio, reports on the win.”

Egypt's Music Union decided not to allow Elton John to perform at its concert. (courtesy of 365gay.com)

Elton John will not perform at an Egyptian concert due to a ban from Egypt’s Music Union.

According to the foreign news agency DPA, Mounir al-Wasimi, head of the Music Union, said he could not sanction an event from “a homosexual who wants to ban religions, claimed that the prophet Issa (Jesus) was gay and calls for Middle Eastern countries to allow gays to have sexual freedom.”

Some months ago, John had said, “I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems,” he told Parade in February. “On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don’t know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East — you’re as good as dead.”

To read more on this story, visit 365gay.com.

Updated policies allow for the reinstatment of a gay Atlanta pastor. (courtesy of stlawrenceparish.org)

After forcing a gay pastor’s removal in 2007, an Atlanta Evangelical Lutheran Church will reinstate the man and his pastor to the clergy.

Rev. Bradley Schmeling and the Rev. Darin Easler have been approved for reinstatement. Tuesday, according to 365gay.com.

The church revised policy documents last month, making it possible for “eligible Lutherans in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships” to serve as clergy.

Easler was removed from the clergy in 2006, and his partner was removed in 2007 for being in a relationship with Easler.

To read more on this story, visit 365gay.com.