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Did Chris Broussard Go Too Far With His Jason Collins Comments? — Sports Survey of the Day
Yesterday Jason Collins made history coming out as gay, the first man in major professional American sports to do so.
gay rights
gay rights
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Montana Senate Moves to Strike Anti-Gay Language in Law
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Gay Rights Trailblazer Frank Kemeny Dies on National Coming Out Day
Frank Kameny, one of the United States’ earliest gay rights activists, died Tuesday — National Coming Out Day — of natural causes at the age of 86.
“Frank Kameny led an extraordinary life marked by heroic activism that set a path for the modern LGBT civil rights movement,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese in a statement. “As we say goodbye to this trailblazer on National Coming Out Day, we remember the remarkable power we all have to change the world by living our lives like Frank — openly, honestly and authentically.”
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‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy Comes to an End for the Military [VIDEO]
The policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which has been in place since the Clinton administration, became a thing of the past at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday when the United States became one of more than 40 countries worldwide allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces.
“They will no longer have to lie in order to help protect us,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin in a statement. “The end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is an important victory not just for equality, but integrity.”
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Gay Couples Begin Marrying in New York
At 12:01am Sunday morning, Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd — together for more than a decade with 12 grandchildren between them — became the first gay couple to marry in New York state.
As hundreds of supporters cheered, Lambert, 54, and Rudd, 53, exchanged vows in front of Niagara Falls, which was illuminated in rainbow-colored lights to mark the occasion.
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President Obama Ends Ban on Gays in the Military
On Friday, President Obama joined Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen in formally signing a document certifying that military readiness would not be hurt by allowing gays in the military. The notice will now be sent to Congress.
The action officially repeals the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy enacted during the Clinton Administration and begins the 60-day waiting period that will lead to a full lift of the ban.
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