Photo Credit: Monica Stephens via ABC News
Monica Stephens of Humboldt University paints an interesting picture of just where in the United States the most Twitter posts showing homophobic or anti-gay messages and general hate speech are being posted.
An article from ABC News sheds light on where exactly in the U.S. the most hate speech tweets in these categories are coming from.
Just exactly how did Stephens conduct the study?
Photo Credit: http://www.policymic.com/
Wilcox County High School in Georgia held its first integrated prom on Saturday, April 27 as per reports from The New York Daily News.
You read that correctly – this was the first time Wilcox Country High School had a prom which included both black and white students.
Up to now, the school had either had no prom at all, or the parents had sprung for separate proms which the students would attend on their own.
This year however, students took to Facebook to raise money in order to hold their first ever inclusive prom where both black students and white students dance the night away together.
Reactions from students to their first ever integrated prom was one of happiness and excitement.
Prom Committee members Mareshia Rucker, Quanesha Wallace and Brandon Davis spoke with Huffington Post live.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be so big, but it turned out to be,” commented one of the committee members who had a hand in planning the entire event.
Many are wondering if the integrated prom will take place again next year. One of the committee members explains: “Hopefully, the school said they put it on their agenda to talk, you know, have one next year that’s sponsored by the school’ it isn’t official. But hopefully they do.”
Students were able to have their prom in a fancy ballroom as well as receive gift bags as they entered the event thanks to the overwhelming support they received via their Facebook efforts.
Sources: Huffington Post, The New York Daily News
Photo Credit: The Advocate
The American Civil Liberties Union in Washington State is helping Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed sue Arlene’s Flowers after the owner turned them away when they tried to get flowers for their wedding.
When Barronelle Stutzman learned they were a gay couple looking for flowers for their same-sex wedding, she turned them away because their ‘lifestyle’ did not vibe well with her religious views.
ACLU Washington legal director Sarah Dunne explains:
“The refusal to sell flowers to the couple is a disturbing reminder of the unequal treatment that gay men and women have experienced over the years. When a business serves the general public, the business owner’s religious beliefs may not be used to justify discrimination.”
Freed reflects: “The florist discriminated against us as a result of our sexual orientation. Because we’re a gay couple, she chose not to serve us. We feel like that’s something she should not be allowed to do.”
Many disagree with the decision to sue the flower shop stating she should be able to refuse customers services for disagreeing with their ‘lifestyle’ choices.
Others explain discrimination is discrimination, regardless of the basis for refusal of services.
Earlier this week a lesbian couple won a lawsuit against a Hawaii Bed and Breakfast for similar anti-gay discrimination issues. They too were upset when the owner cited ‘religious beliefs’ when she decided against renting them a room.
The men shared their thoughts in a statement released via the ACLU:
“We are saddened that we were denied service by Arlene’s Flowers after doing business with them and valuing their services for so many years,”
“We respect others’ religious values, ‘but being discriminated against was hurtful and illegal. This business has broken the law, and should be held accountable. We appreciate the support from people across the globe, and look forward to having this issue resolved.
Freed and Ingersoll hope to be done with this mess by the time their September 2013 wedding comes around.
Sources: Edge Boston, Purple Unions, The Advocate
Photo Credit: Huffington Post
After a lesbian couple was turned away from a bed and breakfast in Hawaii for being gay, they made it a point to get their story heard.
In 2007, Diane Cervelli and Taeko Bufford headed to visit a friend and decided to stay in a romantic Hawaii bed and breakfast, or so were their plans.
The owner of the establishment turned them away when she learned they were lesbians because it was against her religious stance on same-sex relationships.
Being opposed to gay and lesbian relationships led the woman to believe she was correct in turning Cervelli and Bufford away, or discriminating against them based solely on their sexual orientation.
It turns out she was not allowed to discriminate against them based on their sexuality. Yahoo! news explains:
“The bed and breakfast violated the state public accommodations law and is ordered to stop discriminating against same-sex couples, according to the ruling dated April 11. The public accommodations law prohibits establishments that provide lodging to transient guests from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, disability and sex —including gender identity or expression.”
The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission reacted: “The court’s decision is based on Hawaii’s strong state civil rights laws which prohibit discrimination,” commission Executive Director William Hoshijo said. “When visitors or residents are subjected to discrimination, they suffer the sting of indignity, humiliation and outrage, but we are all demeaned and our society diminished by unlawful discrimination.”
More and more gay and lesbian couples are taking to the law to make sure their rights are respected, especially when there are laws in place to keep them safe from discrimination. It seems to be that actually enforcing the laws is where there is disconnect in some places.
What’s your take on things?
Was the Hawaii B&B owner right in turning away Diane Cervelli and Taekeo Bufford back in 2007 based on their sexuality?
What do you think of the court’s decision?
Video Credit: YouTube
Sources: Yahoo! News
Just last week, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, the Catholic Archbishop of Durban helped elect Pope Francis into the Catholic church after Pope Benedict resigned.
Days after his position in the conclave, this same Cardinal took to BBC radio for an interview, stating pedophilia is an “illness” and not a “crime”.
While there are arguments to be made on either side of his story, the Cardinal’s statements are being criticized, especially during a time when so many children are being sexually victimized at the hands of Catholic clergy worldwide.
Talks of the Catholic Church covering up sex scandals between children and the priests to have caused uproar during the wake of the latest papal conclave.
In his statements, Cardinal Wilfried Fox Napier commented:
“From my experience, pedophilia is actually an illness. It’s not a criminal condition, it’s an illness,” he said.
Napier said he knew of at least two priests who became pedophiles after they were abused as children.
“Now don’t tell me that those people are criminally responsible like somebody who chooses to do something like that. I don’t think you can really take the position and say that person deserves to be punished. He was himself damaged.”
Today in a public statement, Napier apologized for his words related to pedophilia:
“I apologize sincerely and unreservedly to all who were offended by the botched interview, and especially to those who have been abused and need every help and support that the Church can give,”
It seems this time, Napier gave some thought to his comments, taking into consideration the physical and emotional toll sexual abuse can have on its victims, especially its youngest and most vulnerable ones.
Sources: ABC News, Reuters
