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Top Stories Five days before we took to the streets at the Equality March in Washington, DC another execution took place in Iran. The Iranian Queer Railroad http://www.irqr.net reports that on October 6, 2009, Rahim Mohammadi was executed in Tabriz, a city in northwest Iran, after being convicted of sexual abuse and rape during sexual relations between males (a homosexual act called Lavat). According to Rahim's lawyer, Mr. Mohammad Mostafayi, there was not enough evidence presented to the... Read Full Story
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Photos: Gay Pope?; Bob and Ed at the Capitol Top Stories In the morning paper openly gay Congressman Barney Frank was quoted as saying that the march for equality here in Washington, DC was an emotional release but a waste of time. But as Robert and I, along with thousands of others from all across America passed noisily in front of the White House, I felt a chill. I think it was hope surging through my body. At the same moment, I turned to Robert and said, I feel like crying - this ener... Read Full Story
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Gay protester with police officer in ChinaGuangzhou, China:The Associated Press reports that on August 25, 2009 when 6 or 7 police officers descended upon People’s Park to “sweep it clean of homosexuals” they encountered an unexpected surprise. Typically, when gay men spot Chinese law enforcement arriving in the park they scatter quickly. Not this time. One brave man stood fast and was soon joined by more than 50 others who faced off with the cops. Seeing they were outnumbered the police ... Read Full Story
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Beth-Sua at a vela. New York Times Photo Top Stories I was at the acupuncturist this morning lying flat on my back with seven tiny needles stuck in me. "Howsa feel?" the doctor asked. I rub my head and frown. "Not so good, head hurts." Leaving out the pronouns and smaller words in general, I believe, will make me more understandable to Dr. Chau whose English is limited. Outside his storefront operation, the N Judah rumbles by causing the building to vibrate. Inside the dry, powdery smell ... Read Full Story
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Iraqi couple brutally tortured by Iraqi militia.www.examiner.com Top Stories When I interviewed Arsham Parsi, the Founder of the Iranian Queer Railroad www.irqr.net last year, I was horrified to learn of the widespread persecution of LGBT individuals in his country. I posted Arsham’s story of how he fled to Turkey and eventually was granted asylum in Canada on May 17, 2008. Since that time, Arsham has worked tirelessly to help other LGBT asylum seekers find sanctuary. But the trouble in the... Read Full Story
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Top Stories Photo: Cactus Flower, Joshua Tree State ParkTo celebrate Independence Day we went to Palm Springs on a short writers’ retreat. Since temperatures hovered around a blistering 105 each day it wasn’t too difficult to stay near the air conditioner with our laptop and bang out some work. Our primary goal for this self-imposed 5 day exile was to reassess our progress to date and to make further headway on our core storytelling structure. While there is still a very long process ahead... Read Full Story
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Top Stories United States: Bravo to Gay rights activist Cleve Jones for announcing the National March for Equality in Washington, D.C. scheduled for National Coming Out Day October 11, 2009. http://www.nationalequalitymarch.com We need to show up in force and demand full equal rights. Now is the time to book your flight and hotel. With months to spare there are plenty of deals to be had!In other news from the U.S., President Obama gets a thumbs down from us for his decision to grant partia... Read Full Story
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Top Stories by Ed DeckerA few weeks prior to the 2008 Presidential elections, I had dinner with our gay cousins in Manhattan’s Chelsea district. Without warning, the dinner conversation took a heated turn and I found myself struggling to convince our hosts that Obama was a better choice for America than McCain. Surprisingly, our queer relatives were not having it. Gays that weren’t for Obama? Had I entered the twilight zone?I was dumfounded by their unyielding position that the Democra... Read Full Story
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Top Stories Photos: Outspoken actor Jesus Fuentes meets students after the show; Outspoken actors onstage at Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA. NCTC YouthAware Tour May 2009.The Central Valley is traditionally a conservative section of California, so presenting a program that deals with homophobia or sexual orientation has been a bit of a struggle. Not because the students aren’t willing and ready to discuss such topics, but because of the prevalence of fear and resistance from administrato... Read Full Story
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One egg stands alone, courtesy of www.bilgrimage.blogspot.com Top Stories For the past year we’ve been in conversation with people around the globe about LGBT human rights progress. The stories we have uncovered have been both shocking and revelatory. But this week, it is local Bay Area shenanigans that have really pushed our buttons. This is the first in a short series of postings to come about Rights of Passage right here in our home state. Just 20 minutes east of San Francisco there i... Read Full Story
