‘God Loves Gays’ at Westboro and 6 other LGBT stories you might have missed this week
PinkNews brings you a roundup of news from the past seven days.
Here are some of the most widely read, and notable news stories from the past week which you may have missed.
1. God Loves Gays billboard unveiled on Monday in ‘God Hates Fags’ church’s hometown.
After a successful crowdfunding campaign, the billboard was put up in the hometown of the notoriously anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church. Creators of a popular spoof ‘God’ Facebook page raised $86,980 in donations last month, to advertise its message of love and inclusiveness in Topeka, Kansas, where the homophobic church is based.
2. Gambian will soon adopt a law to allow life imprisonment for those found guilty of being gay.
The law was passed by the National Assembly, and amends the criminal code to bring life sentences for “aggravated homosexuality”. According to the legislation, “aggravated homosexuality” applies to “serial offenders”, as well as people living with HIV or AIDS.
3. Democrats called to end the ban on gay men donating blood, tissue, and organs.
A group of politicians on Monday sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, asking for the current policy to be changed. Led by Senator Tammy Baldwin, the letter signed by over 60 Democrats said the ban perpetuates the stereotype that all gay men have HIV, and is discriminatory.
4. South Africa held its first pride parade.
Mpumalanga’s Gert Sibande district made history this week after hosting its first ever pride parade for LGBT communities in South Africa. The march, which drew more than 100 participants from four local municipalities, aimed to promote understanding and combat violence against LGBT people.
5. A House panel rejected LGBT veterans’ benefits bill.
A US House of Representatives panel rejected a bill Wednesday that would have ensured that same-sex spouses of veterans receive benefits regardless of the state they live in. The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs rejected the bill by a vote of 12-13. Currently, same-sex spouses may receive benefits in all 50 states while their spouse serves on active duty, yet that same treatment is not extended to same-sex spouses of veterans who live in states that do not recognize same-sex marriage.
6. Scottish leaders outlined positions on LGBT equality ahead of independence vote.
The leaders of the main political parties in Scotland have outlined their party’s commitments to advancing LGBT rights regarding each potential outcome of the independence referendum. The leaders of the SNP, Scottish Labour Party, Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish Green Party, and the Scottish Socialist Party, made the commitments in response to a letter from the Equality Network.
7. Neil Patrick Harris married his long-term partner.
The How I Met Your Mother actor and Burtka have been together for over a decade, and the pair have twins, Gideon and Harper. The star revealed on Twitter that the pair – who first announced their engagement in 2011 – married in an intimate ceremony in Italy.
