Posts by pwsbuilder
Raffi Freedman-Gurspan Makes History As First Openly Transgender Official To Work In The White House
President Obama has hand picked one of us. Today, Raffi Freedman-Gurspan makes history by becoming the first openly transgender official to work in the White House. Raffi follows a growing line of transgender appointees in federal government. She will serve as an Outreach and Recruitment Director for Presidential Personnel. It has been a joy to…
Read MoreGood News For Two Catholic Educators In LGBT Employment Disputes
The trend of church workers losing their jobs in LGBT-related employment disputes is not slowing, but thankfully community responses and legal improvements are pushing back. Below, I offer updates on two previous incidents, including the implementation of a German bishops’ employment policy more welcoming of LGBT church workers. A German educator fired for her plans to marry a…
Read MoreGLAAD Releases Guide For Journalists Reporting On Pope Francis & LGBT People
In preparation for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the United States, GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, today released “The Papal Visit: a resource guide for journalists covering Pope Francis and the LGBT community.” The playbook was released after GLAAD, DignityUSA and 28 other groups published a letter asking…
Read MoreMississippi Adoption Ban For Same-Sex Couples Challenged in Court
A federal lawsuit challenging Mississippi’s ban on adoption by same-sex couples has just been filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. Campaign for Southern Equality v. Mississippi Department of Human Services seeks to strike down that ban and to establish that Mississippi same-sex couples have a right to adopt. Mississippi is…
Read MoreThe New Black Documentary Is Now Available On Netflix
Released in 2013, The New Black is a documentary that examines the African-American community’s diverse responses to the movement for LGBTQ equality. Last week, The New Black began streaming on Netflix, making the film more accesible than ever before. Director Yoruba Richen began thinking about the film in November 2008, as the stereotyoe of black homophobia gained traction in our national…
Read MoreOn Resisting Passivity: A Catholic Call To Renew The Earth
The senseless murders at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, startled many because they raised the ongoing issues of racial prejudice, gun violence, and how people from all walks of life become innocent victims of terror, hate, and discrimination. How many tragedies and how many deaths will it take to open our hearts and minds to…
Read MoreNow Is The Time To Reflect On “What Makes A Family?”
With marriage equality now legal across the United States, but yet with so many debates and controversies, particularly Catholic ones, still raging about the issue, it might be good to step back a second and reflect on the question “What makes a family?” New Ways Ministry’s Sister Jeannine Gramick, co-founder, did exactly just that recently…
Read MoreA Word Of Advice For Non-Affirming Christians
I wonder what life would have been like if I never had to hesitate when I crossed my legs. I get a feeling sometimes that my aunt will come out of nowhere and say, “Boys don’t cross their legs.” I wonder what life would have been like if I was allowed to clutch my shirt…
Read MoreGod Thinks You Are Absolutely Fabulous
A little over a year ago, I took part in my first NYC Pride March, having just moved to the city in August 2013. My initial intent was to simply cheer on friends from the sidelines, as I was already exhausted from a weekend packed of Pride activities. But when my close friend, Amanda Hambrick…
Read MoreNational LGBTQ Groups Endorse Voting Rights Act Restoration On Law’s 50th Anniversary
On the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, over 30 national LGBTQ organizations are endorsing the restoration of the law, which was gutted by the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder. “This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the VRA’s passage and voter suppression tactics continue to emerge that restrict eligible…
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