Boris DittrichMay 16, 2013 06:20

Reflecting on the pursuit of equality and non-discrimination on LGBT Day

Commentary: Fallacious claims about homosexuality prevail in 76 UN-member countries.

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Anti-gay beliefs are often based on false claims. (Norberto Duarte/AFP/Getty Images)

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Every year on May 17, people all around the world celebrate the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, while reflecting how to achieve full equality and non-discrimination. In Cameroon, a young man was sentenced to three years in prison for sending a text message to another man, saying “I’ve fallen in love with you.” The young man’s brave lawyer received emails and text messages threatening to kill his wife and kids. When the lawyer showed the death threats to the police, their response was, “Stop defending gays and you will be fine.” So in Cameroon you can end up behind bars for sending a message of love, but the authorities look the other way when someone threatens to kill children.

Conservative French MP accidentally votes for gay marriage

Samantha StainburnApril 26, 2013 10:29

“There were three buttons flashing, and yes, I pressed the wrong button! I went to the services of the Assembly to correct my vote,” UMP party member Henri Guaino told Le Lab.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan: gay people only ‘entitled to friendship’

Samantha StainburnMarch 31, 2013 14:28

A recent ABC poll found that 60 percent of American Catholics think the church is out of touch with their concerns.

Dutch lesbian couple in hiding as foster son’s Turkish parents escalate complaints

Samantha StainburnMarch 15, 2013 13:27

The Dutch vice prime minister, Lodewijk Asscher, said today that political interference from Turkey would be "inappropriate,” the AP reported.

Coy Mathis, transgender 1st grader, banned from using girls’ bathroom

Samantha StainburnFebruary 27, 2013 19:41

"I'm certain you can appreciate that as Coy grows older and his male genitals develop along with the rest of his body, at least some parents and students are likely to become uncomfortable with his continued use of the girls' restroom," school officials wrote in a letter to the Mathis family, according to the AP.

Sarah ParviniFebruary 15, 2013 14:43

With Benedict’s resignation, LGBT Catholic group hopes for change

DignityUSA fights for the LGBT Catholic community, stressing the message: “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

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St. Matthew’s Church in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, a Lutheran church where the parishioners are members of the San Fernando Valley chapter of DignityUSA, the nation’s largest LGBT Catholic organization. (Sarah Parvini/GlobalPost)

LOS ANGELES — At first glance, the Catholic service held at St. Matthew’s Church is like any other—members of the congregation sing hymns, pray for those in need and send rings of hallelujah throughout the chapel.

But St. Matthew’s is a Lutheran church, not a Catholic one, and the parishioners are members of the San Fernando Valley chapter of DignityUSA, the nation’s largest LGBT Catholic organization that fights for change in the Vatican’s teachings on homosexuality.

Reflecting on the pursuit of equality and non-discrimination on LGBT Day

Conservative French MP accidentally votes for gay marriage

Cardinal Timothy Dolan: gay people only ‘entitled to friendship’

Dutch lesbian couple in hiding as foster son’s Turkish parents escalate complaints

Coy Mathis, transgender 1st grader, banned from using girls’ bathroom

With Benedict’s resignation, LGBT Catholic group hopes for change

Paris prepares for massive pro-gay marriage march (PHOTOS)

Same-sex marriage: Liberte, egalite, fraternite — also for French gays?

Obama endorses Illinois gay marriage bill

Maine's gay couples wed at midnight Saturday