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
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,
A Shining Moment for LGBT Gay Rights
I’ve never seen anything like it. A gay deluge in the media: gay marriage in NY; mainstream gay-theme films; congressional approval of an openly gay federal gay judge; children of gays; Obama’s administration’s removal of support for DOMA; major newspaper editorials applauding gay marriage; an historic UN resolution, in June 2011, condemning discrimination on the
An Open Letter to the Health Minister of India Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad
By Vivek Divan Gay Bombay Group Dear Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Health Minister of India It appears you need a dose of enlightenment since your recent statements on homosexuality smack of either ignorance, misinformation or rank prejudice. I hope that this missive serves that purpose, although I am doubtful. On the other hand, I hope
More Anti-Gay Distortions and Lies From Another Church
The following editorial is from ‘The Trumpet‘, an online newsletter of the Church of God, regarding the California law that requires some gay history to be included in public school education curricula: “Landmark law reveals that the war against family is intensifying” –“California’s public schools will be required to teach students about the contributions of
The Bible is Propaganda–Bring Me Science
Ya gotta love the old guy who said this: “We should not accept religious literature instead of scientific report.” The Delhi High Court bench headed by Chief Justice A P Shah remarked in response to a Solicitor General who cited an article condemning gay sex by quoting the Bible. “These are not scientific reports. These
Homophobia–Win a Few, Lose a Lot, Win a Few More
Sunday’s New York Times (online, July 3) featured four articles about homosexuality in America–on the front page. In the context of a recent wave of gay issues in the media (Governor Cuomo wins the NY gay marriage vote (photo right); Rhode Island approves civil unions; New Jersey’s governor rejects gay marriage; the debate over DADT
Gay Marriage Opponents Pray to Loving God for Bigotry
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com June 25, 2011 Recent news reports have posted this story: Timothy Dolan, the Roman Catholic archbishop of New York (photo right), on Sunday prayed for the defeat of a gay marriage bill in the Empire State. During Sunday’s prayer service at St. Patrick’s cathedral in New York City, Dolan said: “Any
A Child is Born, the Torch is Passed
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com May 15, 2011 Within 24 hours last week a dear friend’s mother died of old age and my nephew and wife gave birth to a baby boy. There may be something profound in this cycle of life and death but I’m not sure. Is it just human anatomy changing forms? Is
Africa and Homosexuality: Is It Natural and Native?
On March 5 this year the British Broadcasting Company, always looking for unusual or controversial subject matter to entertain its audience, found spice in sponsoring a debate about homosexuality in Africa. It’s a topic that is guaranteed to stir up dissonance and disagreement and, true to form, the televised ‘discussion’ indeed did just that. With
Homophobia is an Addiction to Anger and Fear
I have seen and read about homophobia for many years, from the streets in Eastern Europe to the recent debate on South African TV (‘Is Homosexuality un-African?’). A report came across recently that Scott Lively–the American anti-gay crusader who stirred up gay-hate legislation in Uganda last year–was recently in Moldova warning legislators of the impending
Yet Another Gay Teen Suicide
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com December 20, 2010 Since I posted this originally on October 2, there have been three more gay teen suicides, in Oklahoma, Michigan and Pennsylvania. In addition I have found out about four other earlier deaths. So I’m re-posting this blog entry with the updated names and stories: Recent 2010 gay suicides
Yet Another Gay Teen Suicide
By Richard Ammon October 10, 2010 A 19-year-old gay man from Norman, Oklahoma has taken his own life, and his parents say a hate-filled recent City Council meeting he attended may have driven him over the edge. Zach Harrington was a talented musician who’d endured years of struggles due to his sexual orientation in high
The Most Profound Lesson of all Human Survival
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com September 25, 2010 Here is the latest on the front line of Russia’s gay rights struggle: Russia: Protest Over Gay Rights By Reuters News September 21, 2010 At least eleven gay-rights activists were taken into police custody on Tuesday at a protest calling for the arrest of Moscow’s conservative mayor, Yuri
Gay Games 2010, Cologne, Germany
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com August 14, 2010 I’m back home from another stellar week of the Gay Games, my 7th, in Cologne, Germany (July 31-Aug 7). The Gay Games are the gay version of the Olympics but since we legally can’t called them that, Gay Games will have to do. Besides that name rings truer
Malawi Lovers Gay Jailed for Love
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com December 2009 (Note: Tiwonge and Steven were released from jail in May 29, 2010 by Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika; see story) As if the homophobic proposals (to kill gays) in the Ugandan legislature weren’t bad enough–at least they are only proposals at this time–now comes the incredible action taken by a
Human Myths That Make Us Inhumane
Richard Ammon, GlobalGayz.com New York City I am continually saddened by how far and deep irrational thought (myth) can infuse a society, especially regarding a political or religious issue. Gay marriage is one issue that arouses irrational political and religious discomfort. It’s an issue that burns because it involves or implies human sexual behavior, which
Coming Out at 13 Years Old – an Eternal Truth
Westhampton, MA – September 30, 2009 Richard Ammon – GlobalGayz.com The September 27, 2009 New York Times Magazine cover story of a 13 year-old boy who has come out at school is notable in many ways: -it was published by America’s premier newspaper -it was made a daring headline story with photos -it’s about homosexual
A Murdered Friend, His Hate-filled Parents, and Lives Lost to Homophobia
Westhampton, MA – September 11, 2009 Richard Ammon – GlobalGayz.com (See the recent, 2011, film about Ahmet’s murder: Zenne Dancer; also, website for the film) This is a very sad story, about a father and a son, a family and a culture torn by blind hatred. Last year during a visit to Istanbul, Turkey my
Gay Pride Budapest Supported by Whoopi Video
Westhampton, MA – September 1, 2009 Richard Ammon – GlobalGayz.com For fifteen years attempts to conduct a peaceful pride parade in Budapest, Hungary have resulted in violence and arrests of right-wing groups who are fiercely homophobic. Next up is the 2009 parade on September 5 when both sides of the battle will gear up for
New Book by Matthew Shepard’s Mother, Advocate for Hate Crimes Bill
Westhampton, MA – August 30, 2009 Richard Ammon – GlobalGayz.com Can there be any stronger sacrifice to the cause of truth or principle than the death of a person? The truth is that Matthew Shepard was gay. His murderers killed him for the vague principle that killing or maiming gays is okay. Sanctioned homophobia comes
Gay Rights Organizations react to Death of Ted Kennedy
“For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.” From GlobalGayz.com: Richard Ammon, owner Westhampton, MA I grew up with the Kennedys in our government, the longest serving being Ted Kennedy. He was a presence in my life