UKIP Wants To Create Clause To Allow Christians To Oppose Gay Equality

UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

It has been revealed that UKIP (The UK Independence Party) has pledged that if they are to be elected into power that they will introduce a 'conscience clause' that would allow Christians exemptions from anti-discrimination laws based on their religious beliefs.

Though the promise was omitted from their main manifesto, a document outlining the parties anti-gay standing was sent out to churches and anti-gay group Christian Concern.  The document has so far not been circulated in any other way, indicating UKIP's intentions to try and keep their anti-gay agenda out of the media spotlight.

The document outlines the UKIP beliefs as follows;

'UKIP opposes same-sex marriage legislation because it impinged upon the beliefs of millions of people of faith.  Rushed through parliament without proper public debate, the legislation is significantly flawed.  It should have been subject to a review of the state's role in marriage.

'We will not repeal the legislation, as it would be grossly unfair and unethical to 'un-marry' loving couples or restrict further marriages, but we will not require churches to marry same-sex couples.  We will also extend the legal concept of 'reasonable accommodation' to give protection in the law to those expressing a religious conscience in the workplace on this issue.'

The UKIP leader, Nigel Farage, says in the document;

'Sadly, I think that UKIP is the only major political party left in Britain that still cherishes our Judeo-Christian heritage.  I believe that other parties have deliberately marginalised our nations faith, whereas we take Christian values and traditions into consideration when making policy.

'Take the family, for instance.  Traditional Christian views of marriage and family life have come under attack of late, whereas we have no problem in supporting and even promoting conventional marriage as a firm foundation for a secure and happy family.'

Many rights groups have reacted negatively to the document and the 'secret' UKIP manifesto and have condemned their tactic in sending it out only to Christian groups in an attempt to avoid negative publicity.

One of the groups that the document was sent to, Christian Concern, have in the past actively worked to oppose equal rights for the LGBT community and their leader Andrea Williams just last week attended a conference to discus a 'gay cure', a conference that UKIP candidate Alan Craig was due to attend before it was announced to the press.

Amy.
xx

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Transgender Games Developer Rachel Bryk Commits Suicide

In tragic news that has been breaking over the last few days it has been reported that games developer and transgender woman Rachel Bryk has committed suicide following online bullying.

23 year old Rachel Bryk, who is best known for her work on a software project called Dolphin, as well as some prominent work on both Camecube and Wii emulators, has suffered not only from Gender Dysphoria for many years but also crippling physical pain as a result of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

Shortly before her death Rachel left a number of social media websites, stating on a 4Chan forum that it was due in large part to the transphobic abuse and harassment that she was receiving.  When she stated on 4Chan that she was considering taking her own life she was met with encouragement to do so rather than the support she would have needed.

'DO IT, if you're such a weak willed thin skinned dipshit then fucking do it,' one anonymous commenter told her.

Her comments were mocked, with people stating that 'jumping off a bridge isn't rocket science.'

After her death was announced the abuse online continued, with some on 4Chan describing her death as a 'victory'.  Commenters even went on to describe her as 'the whiniest fucking faggot' and 'any tranny death is good riddance'.

It has been reported that following the abuse Rachel committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge, that connects New York and New Jersey.  An eyewitness has stated that they saw her leave her purse on the bridge before jumping into the Hudson River.

Her body has not yet been recovered, but her family have planned to hold a funeral for her when her body is found.

To all those transgender people out there who may be considering taking their own life, please remember that there are many options available to you.  Please call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or the LGBT National Helpline on 888-843-4564.  In the UK you can contact the Samaritans on 08457 909090.

Amy.
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Original X-Men Member Iceman Comes Out As Gay

Marvel Comics are continuing their current push to diversify their super hero roster by making one of the oldest, most recognisable and powerful members of the X-Men franchise, Bobby 'Iceman' Drake, gay.

In recent years Marvel have introduced a new, black Spider-Man, a Muslim Ms Marvel, a female Thor and even made Captain America black by replacing original Captain America Steve Rodgers with former Falcon Sam Wilson.  So far these changes and new introductions to their universe have been well met, with the new Thor comics selling better then the previous run on the book.  With such positive reactions and the companies desire to create a universe more reflective of a diverse real world it's no surprise that they have chosen to make one of their most popular characters gay.

Now I know some of you will be saying, 'but is Iceman really all that important a character?'  Well the answer is yes.  He might not be a Wolverine, or a Captain America or an Iron-Man, but Iceman is one of the oldest mutants in the Marvel universe, being one of the five founding members of the X-Men.  Iceman is also one of the few Omega-Level Mutants, making him one of the most powerful individuals in the entire Marvel Universe.  Add on to this his inclusion in four of the X-Men motion pictures and he has gained a level of recognisability amongst even casual film goers.

So, if Iceman has been around for so long why has he only come out as gay now?  Well, the interesting thing is that the Iceman who has been around since the 60's isn't the one who has been revealed as gay, but his younger counterpart who has been transported into the modern era along with the other founding team members in the comic 'All New X-Men'.

In the most recent issue of the book after making a comment about the physical attractiveness of X-Man Magik, Bobby is confronted by Jean Grey, who due to her psychic abilities is able to tell that Iceman is in fact gay.

The younger Iceman tries to initially deny the revelation, even going so far as to state that he can't be because the older version of himself appears to be straight.  Jean points out to him that despite having dated women in the past the older Iceman has had very little romantic success, hinting that the original Bobby Drake may have been gay all along but trying to live in denial.

This may not be too far from the truth, as fans have speculated for many years that Iceman was gay.  Having had a string of relationships with women that never really went anywhere for him and just fizzled out many gay readers began to suspect that perhaps the reason for this was that he was gay.  Some readers felt their suspicions were confirmed when he started dating Rogue in the 90's.  Here was a beautiful woman he was in a relationship with, but due to her powers could never be physically intimate with, making her the 'perfect beard' for a closeted gay man.

It was even stated in early 2000's that during writer Chuck Austen's run on 'Uncanny X-Men' plans were in place to finally make Iceman an openly gay character before Marvel changed their minds.  It was during that run that openly gay Northstar was even attracted to him, but when he discovered that Bobby wasn't assumed that it meant it was because he was straight.  A school nurse named Annie, a member of the cast at the time, suggested that perhaps it was simply because he 'didn't know yet', implying that Bobby was gay even way back then.

So, when some of the angry fans have been saying that this change has been completely out of nowhere and has no basis on X-Men history, they're actually wrong.  The basis for Bobby Drake being gay has been around for years.  Iceman suppressed his own powers in the past in an attempt to feel 'normal', proving that he has a massive capacity for self denial, making the idea that the older version of the character is simply in denial about his sexuality extremely believable.

Even Iceman actor Shawn Ashmore Tweeted his support for the decision to make the character gay.

I for one think that making such a high profile member of the Marvel universe gay is only a good thing, it continues the companies decision to diversify and to create a genuine universe that represents the real world.  And to all of those people out there that are complaining about the change, what does it matter?  You still have dozens of straight superheroes in comics, so stop complaining and let the LGBT community be represented in comics in a good way.

Amy.
xx

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Vote Now To Get Transgender Man On The Cover Of 'Men's Health' Magazine

The popular 'Mens Health' magazine are currently running a competition for one of their readers to be featured on the cover of one of their upcoming issues, allowing anyone to go onto their site and vote for their favourite contestant.

The good news is that one of the men in the running is Aydian Dowling, a transgender man.  And even better, he's winning!

Not only does Audian deserve to win, but having a transgender man on the cover of 'Men's Health' will be a massive step for transgender visibility and acceptance.

Yes, Aydian is currently winning, but we need to make sure he maintains his lead.  Please, everyone go to their website by clicking on the link below, share this with everyone you know and let's make sure Aydian ends up where he deserves to be.

Vote for Aydian now!

Amy.
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Transgender Man Fired For Refusing To Present As Female

A transgender man, Tristan Broussard, is suing his former employer after he was fired for refusing to present female at work, despite his employers being aware of his transgender status when hiring him.

Tower Loan in Charles Creek, Louisiana, hired Tristan in 2013, at which point his line manager questioned the fact that he had female birth markers on his identification.  Tristan informed his line manager that he was transgender, and that he had even been on hormone replacement therapy for the previous year.  His line manager informed him that his being transgender would not be an issue and that he would be working in a judgement free environment.

However, Tristan was later called in to a meeting with the companies Vice President and informed that his gender was not 'in compliance with Tower Loan's personnel policies'.  Tristan was presented with a document that he was informed that he would need to sign agreeing to that fact.

He reported that the document read, 'I understand that my preference to act and dress male, despite having been born a female, is not something that will be in compliance with Tower Loan's personnel policies.  I have been advised as to the proper dress for females and have been provided with a copy of the female dress code.  I also understand that when meeting occur that require out of town travel and an overnight room is required, I will be assigned a room with a female.'

Upon refusing to sign Tristan was immediately fired.  He described his feelings after the incident as 'anger, embarrassment, whenever you're singled out like that, you don't feel human anymore.  You're just an alien nobody can understand.'

In addition to being fired for refusing to dress and be treated as female Tristan also reported that his former employer asked if he 'had some surgeries and we can see some results we would consider hiring you back'.

The Southern Poverty Law Centre civil rights group is currently representing Tristan in his legal case against Tower Loan.

Amy.
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Mother Fined After Homophobic Rant Towards Teacher

A Birmingham mother, Angela Linton, has been fined £185 and given a 150 hours of community service following an abusive homophobic rant aimed at one of her sons teachers.

Ms Linton had previously argued with school staff at Perry Beeches secondary school in Birmingham over a detention given to her son for using his mobile phone in class, as well as payment for a school trip.  Following abusive telephone conversations and arguments at the school gates Ms Linton was banned from school premises and informed that she could only communicate with the school via her sons passbook.

It was in this passbook that she proceeded to write a hatefilled homophobic letter to one of her sons teachers, Thomas O'Brien.

Prosecutor in the case Helen Shipley said that 'Mr O'Brien said that he was traumatised by reading these comments.  His sexuality is well known.  He said it was something he was comfortable with.  He could not believe they had been written.  He did not know the reason for it.'

Magistrate Peter Pratt condemned Ms Lintons actions, stating that she knowingly and intentionally tried to cause harm and distress to Mr O'Brien.  Ms Linton was found guilty.

Amy.
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Louisiana School Finally Agrees to Allow Lesbian Student to Wear Tuxedo to Prom

Patrick Taylor, principal of Carroll High School in Monroe, Louisiana, has given in to massive outcry and agreed to allow lesbian student Claudetteia Love to attend her school prom wearing a tuxedo.

When Claudetteia first expressed her desire to attend her high school prom wearing a suit instead of a dress her school principal, Patrick Taylor, informed her that she would not be allowed to attend the prom if she chose to wear a tuxedo.

A student that has already earned a scholarship at a top university and has finished top of her class Claudetteia was disgusted that she was treated this way.  She spoke out saying, 'They're using me.  They put me in all these honours and advanced placement classes so I can take all of these tests and get good grades and better the school, but when it's time for me to celebrate the fact that I've accomplished what I needed to accomplish and I'm about to graduate they don't want me to do it the way I want to do it.'

Even after Claudetteia's mother Geraldine became involved Principal Taylor refused to relax the rules, telling her 'the faculty that is working the prom told him they weren't going to work the prom is girls were going to wear tuxes.'  She told news websites that his exact words following that statement were 'Girls wear dresses and boys wear tuxes, and that's the way it is.'

After massive attention on news websites and media outlets around America, and the world, and condemnation from members of the school board including Rodney McFarland, President of the Monroe City School Board, who claimed that no such policies exist to enforce gender rigid dress codes for prom, and that the Principal Taylors decision was bordering on discrimination.

Following a massive outpouring of support for Claudetteia and condemnation towards the school and Principal Taylor the school has thankfully reversed its decision and will be allowing Claudetteia, and any student who wishes, to attend prom in a tuxedo.

Thankfully Claudetteia and her mother had the foresight to report the schools decision and raise support for their cause, but what worries me is all those other students being forced to adhere to strict and outmoded gender stereotypes and heteronormative rules that should not be allowed.  The battle for equality is far from over in the world, and whilst people in any position of power choose to make decisions like Pricipal Taylor things will never get any better.  Only by challenging these injustices when we see them will we make the world into a better place.

Amy.
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