25% of World's Anglican Bishops boycott Lambeth Conference

The Lambeth Conference happens just once every decade, and one quarter of the world's Anglican bishops (many from African nations) are boycotting the conference, exposing the rift caused by the Episcopal Church's ordination of Gene Robinson five years ago, Reuters reports:

"Church officials said that 230 of the 880 bishops in the Anglican worldwide communion were staying away from the Lambeth conference being staged in the English cathedral city of Canterbury, spiritual home of the deeply divided church. Bishops from Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda, who boast some of the fastest-expanding congregations in the Anglican church, were among those who pledged to snub the conference. "Liberal and conservative clergy have been brought to the brink of schism over the ordination in 2003 of Gene Robinson in New Hampshire, the first openly gay bishop in the church's 450-year history.

Robinson, of course, was snubbed by the conference, but still plans to hold events in Canterbury, England, where the conference is held. Said Robinson of the boycott: "With young men knifing each other in the streets of London and a billion or more people going through life on less than a dollar a day, what a shame , what a waste it is for the Anglican communion to be tearing itself apart over two men or two women who want to make a Christian family together."

While giving a sermon at a service on Sunday, Robinson was confronted by a protestor who branded him a "heretic" and demanded Robinson repent.

Quarter of world's Anglicans boycott conference [washington post]

Recently
Archbishop of Wales Says He Would Consecrate a Gay Bishop [tr]
Heckler Calls Gay Bishop Robinson a 'Heretic' at Sermon in the UK [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Archbishop of Wales Says He Would Consecrate a Gay Bishop

Dr. Barry Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, said over the weekend that he was in agreement with gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson about gay clergy and that he would consecrate a gay candidate for bishop if that candidate was qualified:

"If there was a candidate who was in a homosexual relationship that would be discussed. It would be my job to say 'you have to vote according to your conscience, but I’m duty bound to tell you that it will have repercussions as far as the wider Anglican communion is concerned’. If they said they want to do that well so be it. If a priest had a partner and someone nominated them that wouldn’t be a bar to them becoming a bishop."

Morgan's comments come on the eve of this year's Anglican Lambeth Conference from which Robinson has been excluded. As I posted earlier, Robinson's presence has already been noted by a heckler during a sermon over the weekend.

Sphere: Related Content

Heckler Calls Gay Bishop Robinson a 'Heretic' at Sermon in the UK

Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who is in the UK defying Anglican leaders who have banned him from the annual Lambeth Conference, was the target of a heckler at a service on Sunday and was forced to stop his sermon. The Daily Mail reports:

"The Right Reverend Gene Robinson, the American churchman whose appointment as Bishop of New Hampshire triggered a devastating split among Anglican leaders, was branded a 'heretic' by the lone protester. Bishop Robinson began his sermon by expressing his sadness that the Anglican Communion was tearing itself apart. The long-haired heckler repeatedly jabbed his finger and shouted 'repent, repent, repent'. He said the bishop 'preached the Gospel but departed from it' and claimed it was he who was behind the schism. The bishop had to halt his sermon as a slow hand-clap by members of the congregation began in response to the heckling. The hymn Thine Be The Glory was sung as the protester was escorted from St Mary's Church in Putney, South-West London. When Bishop Robinson resumed speaking, he asked those present to 'pray for that man'."

See video of the sermon and the heckler (and more on the Anglicans, Robinson, and Lambeth), AFTER THE JUMP...

Robinson was banned from Lambeth so that he would not become a focus of the event. As the AP notes, that strategy has backfired.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu over the weekend pleaded for unity within the Anglican Church, calling it a "mistake" for the Church to exclude Robinson form the conference. Said Tutu: "The Anglican church prides itself - and this is one of its greatest attributes - it prides itself on being the church that is comprehensive, meaning it includes all kinds of points of view. One of the sadnesses about the current crisis is that we seem to be jettisoning this wonderful inclusivity that is a characteristic of our church."

Sphere: Related Content

News: Prisoners Of War, On Set With Cyndi, Servicing Obama, Aren't Ross & Rachel Like 45 Now?, Unfriendly Skies & More

Freedom: Ingrid Betancourt, a Colombian presidential candidate held by the "Marxist-inspired" insurgents FARC in the jungle since 2002, has been rescued along with 14 other captives. Interesting that this happens while John McCain is in Colombia. In totally unrelated news, it's been revealed that a top John McCain fundraiser, Carl H. Lindner, Jr., has a history of supporting terrorist groups. The Cincinnati billionaire oversaw the payment of $1.7 million to a Colombian paramilitary group now defined as terrorists by the U.S. government and described as an "illegal right-wing anti-guerrilla group tied to many of the country's most notorious civilian massacres." Conspiracy theories aside, there's also been a long-overdue McCain campaign shake-up.

Rush Limbaugh is the $400 million-dollar Elvis of talk radio.

Bodybuilder Matus Valent shares recipes and visual access to his physique at connex24.7. And he's got quite a way with words: "My most often food I eat throughout the whole year is grilled chicken breasts with rice, but I would say my most favorite is a Steak, preferably from an upscale steakhouse. It can be Fillet Mignon, Ribeye or New York strip prepared medium so my muscles can get some of the highest quality protein." High-quality meat really does contain the best protein.

After Cyndi: Rocker and gay-rights activist Cyndi Lauper welcomes After Elton for an As the World Turns set visit.

Ask Obama not what your country can do for you, ask Obama what you can do for your country.

Does it pay to get gay-married?

For the first time, Army and RAF troops in the UK will be allowed to march in Gay Pride parades wearing their uniforms. Controversially, gay soldiers will be reimbursed their traveling expenses in getting to the parades, even though soldiers are not reimbursed for other functions—like attending the Queen's Garden Party.

Will the cast of Friends be there for you?

FOX deliberately alters images of New York Times reporters Steven Reddicliffe and Jacques Steinberg to enhance their point that they are "attack dogs."

Cuppa Joe...Bob...Bill...: WEtv set loose 15 shirtless, coffee-serving men in Midtown Manhattan to build awareness for its new show Hot Coffee Break, on which studly guys perform mundane tasks. Did I mention the network is aimed at women?

Openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson is set to preach at London's historic St Mary's, Putney, in the diocese of Southwark, at the invitation of church rector Rev. Giles Fraser. Says Fraser, "I am delighted that Gene Robinson is preaching in Putney. His exclusion from the Lambeth Conference, a meeting for listening, is an absolute scandal. He is a gracious and deeply courageous man of God."

Cindy McCain is very, very spendy.

Barack Obama shores up Hispanic support, so Bill Richardson might be off his short list. Obama also has the "grudging respect" of former Vice President Dan Quayle. There's a ringing endorsement.

Okay, so Pete Wentz is not gay and damn him for being on the cover of Out. But he's got a (cute) gay business partner...does that help?

American Airlines may be laying off up to 900 flight attendants beginning August 31—and if you don't get why this is a gay story, you must take the train.

Sunscreen is annoying to put on and most of it might not even work adequately.

Madonna is allegedly having an affair with Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez. Denied. Now A-Rod's wife, Cynthia, is allegedly shacked up with Lenny Kravitz. Word to the wise: Madonna, Rodriguez and Kravitz all share a manager—Guy Oseary.

If "hotheaded" John McCain is elected president, his first trip to visit volatile French President Nicolas Sarkozy might be a real smackdown.

And the people who live on Gay Street think they have it hard...check out New York's newest awkward avenue.

Sphere: Related Content

News: Larry Craig, Big Bird, Al Sharpton, Gun Ruling, Vogue

No joke: Larry Craig and David Vitter key sponsors of Marriage Protection Amendment.

Never-before-seen photos of David Bowie revealed.

Guy "Richie" stands to gain $100 million:
No pre-nup in Madonna marriage.

Al Sharpton told Gay City News that his statement about sin to Anderson Cooper earlier this week was not aimed at Anderson but was hypothetical: "I have no idea of his sexuality. I was not talking about him as an individual anyway. It could have been anybody...I support same-sex marriage and have been lambasted by the right for it."

HIV cases "skyrocket" among young gay men: "A new report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that between 2001 and 2006 gay male sex was the largest HIV transmission category in the U.S. and also the only one which recorded an increasing number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses. The most affected are gay boys and men between the ages of 13 and 24 years, with minorities even more. The findings were released in this week's issue of the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Other factors such as genital herpes could actually double a person’s risk for contracting HIV."

Beckham blogs about bulge.

NewNowNext covers New York's HX Awards.

Prince Harry discovers source of global warming at County Fair.

Miami lesbian suing South Florida hospital because she wasn't allowed to see her partner who had suffered a stroke. Her partner later died: "Janice Langbehn, Lisa Marie Pond and three of their four children planned a cruise in February 2007 to celebrate the couple's 18 years together. But Pond suffered a massive stroke before the ship left port and was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Hospital workers refused to let Langbehn into Pond's hospital room - even after a power of attorney was faxed to the hospital -- because they were not legally related. Langbehn filed a federal lawsuit in Miami on Wednesday charging hospital employees with negligence and "intentional infliction of emotional distress." The suit seeks damages in excess of $75,000. Pond was pronounced dead of a brain aneurysm about 18 hours after being admitted to the trauma center. Langbehn said she was only allowed in to see her partner for a few minutes when a priest gave Pond the last rites."

Bishop Gene Robinson and Sir Ian McKellen to make joint appearance at screening of For the Bible Tells Me So in London...

Gay creator of Big Bird costume, Kermit Love, dies at 91.

More from the set of Gossip Girl...

Log Cabin Republicans applaud Supreme Court gun ruling.

Juice: The background on bigot Bolthouse and Bolthouse farms.

London police hunt "thug" after homophobic attack: "Sahin Rahman is one of four thugs sentenced this week following the attack at Hackney-road, Bethnal Green, in London's East End, two years ago. Police say Rahman (pictured), who had been living in Mckenzie-road in Holloway, north London, is currently at large after failing to appear at Snaresbrook crown court on June 16 and remains wanted. His accomplices, all from Holloway, have appeared in court."

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi will reportedly be married at Palm Springs' Riviera Resort and Spa in October.

Real Vogue interns tell New York magazine that their internships were nothing like New York Ranger Sean Avery's: "Sean Avery eats enormous lunches in the cafeteria and gets away with spilling them on people. Elizabeth: 'I never got lunch. I didn't get lunch breaks. We had to eat in the closet.' Ashley: 'I was able to get lunch. It was like, very quick, go down get your lunch, eat it, and come back up. There was a sense of having to get permission for a lot of things. I don't remember if we had to tell them we were going to the bathroom, but that could've been possible.'"

Self-described YouTube superstar Tricia Walsh-Smith and estranged husband Phillip Smith meet in court: "I will cut your balls off and have them for breakfast."

Sphere: Related Content

GQ Profiles Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson

GQ has published a lengthy profile (maybe the best I've read) on gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who recently entered into a civil union with his partner Mark Andrew. Here's just a tiny bit, about Robinson and his former wife, Isabella Martin, known to him and others as Boo:

"The day they divorced, Gene and Boo knelt before the altar, asked for each other’s forgiveness, and pledged themselves to the joint raising of their children. Then they re-exchanged their rings, as symbols of the vows to which they no longer held each other. He still has hers, and she his. 'One thing I say to couples in premarital counseling is that the church isn’t kidding when they say this is forever,' he says. 'Even if you’re divorced in less than a year and you don’t see them for the rest of your life, you’ll always be emotionally connected to this person. I say this because I know. Boo and I divorced in 1986, and I still love her.' By the time Gene Robinson ended his marriage and came out of the closet, New Hampshire’s Episcopalians had known him for eleven years. They were shocked but, with a few exceptions, not up in arms. The man had brought love, transparency, and the truth as he knew it to their children and their families for more than a decade. Why would he stop now?"

Read it here.

Sphere: Related Content

Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson Enters into Civil Union

As I posted on Friday, Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, whose openness about his homosexuality has caused turmoil among the less-accepting segments of the Anglican church, entered into a civil union with his partner of 20 years, Mark Andrew, in New Hampshire over the weekend :

"The event was kept private out of respect for next month's worldwide Anglican conference, Robinson's spokesman, Mike Barwell, said on Sunday. 'It was absolutely joyful,' Barwell said by telephone. 'A lot of his supporters and friends were there, including many members of the gay and lesbian community.'...Robinson and Andrew held two ceremonies -- a non-religious one in which they became legal partners followed by a formal church service to give blessings to God for their relationship...Robinson has said he wanted to enter into the civil union before leaving for England to ensure Andrew and his two daughters had legal protections given the threats to his life."

The ceremony, pictured above, was witnessed by 120 guests and presided over by longtime friend and justice of the peace Ronna Wise.

We wish Robinson and Andrew the best...

Sphere: Related Content

Bishop Gene Robinson and Partner to Civilly Unite on Saturday

Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, seen above embracing his partner of 20 years, Mark Andrew, following his 2003 consecration, is set to join with Andrew in a civil union in his state of New Hampshire this weekend:

They will have a private ceremony carried out by a lawyer in front of family and friends on Saturday, followed by a service of celebration in a church nearby...Bishop Robinson, who recently claimed he had always wanted to be a 'June bride', said: 'We're very excited about it. It won't look like a wedding, but it will be wonderful.' He has been accused of staging the event just before a number of critically important Anglican summits in a bid to embarrass church leaders, who have not invited him to the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference because of the furore surrounding his sexuality. But Bishop Robinson still plans to attend fringe events at the conference in Canterbury in July, and told the Telegraph the civil union is taking place now so that his partner will have more legal rights in case he is murdered by homophobic extremists at Lambeth."

Robinson has been the target of death threats for his openness about his sexuality within the Anglican church.

Said Robinson: "I'm not willing to travel to Lambeth and put my life in danger without putting protection in place for my partner. If something were to happen to me, my partner would otherwise be treated as a complete stranger by the authorities. He would have no say over medical issues and if a body has to be claimed, he would have no right to do that. I don't want to be a martyr - I just want to be a bishop."

Sphere: Related Content

Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson Talks to Matt Lauer

Gene Robinson appeared on the Today show and spoke briefly with Matt Lauer about misinterpretations of the Bible and homosexuality, his disinvitation from the Lambeth conference and his plans to attend, the rift in the church, his plans to enter into a civil union, and the difficult time he had his partner and their two daughters (pictured) have gone through.

Said Robinson about why he wears a bulletproof vest: "When you try to love the world the way that God loves the world, you're going to get into trouble."

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Sphere: Related Content

Gene Robinson Believes 'God Disappointed' with Anglican Archbishop

In an interview to be broadcast on the BBC news program Hardtalk, gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson criticizes Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, for failing to confront anti-gay critics in the church, specifically, Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, whose stance against homosexuality has been seen as a major cause of the rift within the church.

"I believe [Dr Williams'] unwillingness to confront Peter Akinola and others like him who've made statements that I think any reasonable person would find over the edge - I believe God is very disappointed in that."

Akinola is seen as a force in perpetuating violence against gays and lesbians. Robinson, who plans to attend events around this summer's Lambeth Conference even though he was not invited, has been speaking out about death threats against him and tells the BBC that he sometimes wears a bulletproof vest at public appearances.

Sphere: Related Content

Gay Bishop Gene Robinson Speaks Out About Threats, Purpose

Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson told the BBC that there have been plenty of physical threats against him since he took his position in New Hampshire.

"I'll be coming to the Lambeth Conference, and there have already been threats against me and others...This has been going on ever since I was elected Bishop of New Hampshire, and I have to take them seriously. Certainly the authorities take them seriously."

Robinson is in the UK promoting his new 'spiritual memoir' In the Eye of the Storm. He tells the Telegraph:

"Jesus never says anything about homosexuality, but he says a lot about treating every person with dignity and respect. All the biblical appeals for a particular attitude to homosexuality can never quote Jesus...The Church isn't the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Only God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Church has always been changing. The Holy Spirit is leading us into truth. And I believe we have learnt that about people of colour, about women, about those who are disabled and now about lesbian and gay people."

Robinson says that he sees all the attention he gets as a kind of duty:

"Occasionally I don't like the probing and the questioning. But I put up with it because I grew up in a time when there were no role models. To be gay and lesbian was to be a failure. The good gay people killed themselves. And the others were drug addicts and bums. There was no possibility for a life of integrity or respect. So I feel called to be as open as I can be about my life so that young lesbians and gay men will understand that they can have wonderful relationships, be mothers and fathers and make a real distinction for themselves in their careers. I owe it to those who come after me."

Gene Robinson: 'It is a sin to treat me this way' [telegraph]
Gay US Anglican bishop speaks of physical threats against him [afp]

Sphere: Related Content

Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson's Civil Union Set for June

The NYT reports on the upcoming nuptials of Gene Robinson to his partner of 20 years.

Says Robinson: "We could have, I suppose, just gone to the town clerk and had that signed, but, you know, I’m a religious person, and every major event in my life has been marked with some kind of liturgy and giving thanks to God. My hope, is that even some of the more negative bishops will be encouraged by the American participants to come with them and to see that I don’t have horns, or I don’t wear a dress or I don’t fit any of the stereotypes that are often held by people who don’t really know gay people, and in fact will see how normal I am, and to hear about the incredibly normal life I have as a bishop in my diocese."

Robinson has been in the headlines recently because of his snub from the annual Anglican Lambeth conference, for which he says he'll be providing an alternate program, with Sir Ian McKellen as his star attraction.

Gay Bishop Plans His Civil Union Rite [nyt]

Sphere: Related Content

Sir Ian McKellen to Battle for Openly Gay Bishop Gene Robinson

Last week I reported that although openly gay Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson has been shut out of the Anglicans' annual Lambeth Conference, he would still be attending and had signed up Sir Ian McKellen to help create a stir.

The Telegraph has more details about what that event will be:

"In an act of solidarity with the Rt Rev Gene Robinson, the Church's first openly homosexual bishop, the celebrated actor intends to read out a sermon written by the prelate, who has been barred from the landmark Lambeth Conference this summer that is seeking to prevent a schism over the issue. Standing alongside the bishop, who will remain silent throughout, the star of The Lord of the Rings will deliver a broadside against the Church's attitude to homosexuals with the kind of passion and force normally reserved for his performances on the stage."

We can't wait.

Last week...
Ian McKellen to Join Gay Bishop Gene Robinson at Anglican Confab [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Ian McKellen to Join Gay Bishop Gene Robinson at Anglican Confab

Openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson tells The Guardian: "I wish people could see me for a bishop. It is tiring, I must say. On the one hand I would like to be known as Bishop Gene Robinson but it's an accident of history that I'm the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican communion. I've learned to live with that."

The paper reports that although Robinson has been shut out of the annual Anglican Lambeth conference, he's still going and will likely be the conference's star attraction. Robinson has events planned, one of which is a reading by Sir Ian McKellen.

Robinson, whose openness about his sexuality has divided the Anglican church, is the only bishop out of 880 to be disinvited from the conference.

"His official exclusion came as a blow to Robinson, who told a spring gathering of the US Episcopal church house of bishops that he felt abandoned by Williams. He wept during the address. "It was the hardest time I've had since my consecration," he said, driving along interstate 93. He suggested it was not his consecration or homosexuality that was tearing apart the Anglican communion, but a failure of the leadership. 'I don't know if it was Rowan's intention to divide the US house of bishops but he's done the very thing he was trying to avoid through his action or lack of action. It mystifies me that he has never commented on statements Akinola [the Archbishop of Nigeria] has made about homosexuality,' he said."

Robinson is publishing a book this summer called In the Eye of the Storm and says that he's also going to be in GQ: "I am probably the only bishop to feature in a 10,000-word article. I was expecting Armani and George Clooney but they wanted me to wear my robes."

Gay bishop's mission to unite [the guardian]

Sphere: Related Content

News: Tiger Attack, Janet Jackson, Beards, Apple and Jay-Z

Gay and lesbian retirement home in Santa Fe targeted by homophobic vandals.

SF Zoo: Tiger may have been "teased" before it attacked.

Vince Vaughn pays off ungodly gambling debt to ice cream cone.

Elton John to play gig in Abu Dhabi: "Sir Elton John has surprised fans by announcing he will play his first gig in the United Arab Emirates later this month. The flamboyantly gay star, who has sold 250m albums in a four-decade career, will perform at an open-air concert in Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace Hotel. The decision could leave Sir Elton open to charges of hypocrisy, because of the UAE's poor record on human rights. Homosexuality is illegal: those convicted of it face jail sentences, or compulsary psychiatric 'treatment', including the injection of hormones designed to 'cure' them."

HuffPo's Alex Geana finds Clinton online presence strong among Iowa's gays and lesbians: "All the Iowans I talked to are still greatly undecided, but I was able to garner some interesting mentions. Such as Clinton volunteers and campaign workers in the chat rooms, not only to connect and be social but to actually champion her as their choice. Is Hillary the only one that fosters being 'out' on the campaign trail? No one mentioned other campaigns so comfortable with the online world, apparently Obama and Edwards staffers don't identify with both their sexuality and campaign, but that's just a theory."

Late night hosts undergo beard analysis.

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on Gene Robinson and out clergy: "He is certainly not alone in being a gay bishop; he's certainly not alone in being a gay partnered bishop. He is alone in being the only gay partnered bishop who's open about that status."

Miami commissioner Marc Sarnoff fends off resident bothering him about his sexuality: "Let me state that bringing the persons sexual preference to bear in a conversation is not only wrong, but it denigrates all the progress we as a tolerant society have made. It reminds me of the Boy who cried Wolf. When the Wolf arrives no one believes them. Equally when race is brought into an issue and it is not present it belies the credibility of the story teller the next cry for wolf. No one will believe their stories. You demonstrate today that we have a great deal more to achieve as a society before we can call ourselves tolerant. As long as one of you is out there we have much prejudice to stamp out and in time we will."

Miss Jackson poised for some Feedback.

Apple rumored to start record label with Jay-Z. Announcement forthcoming at Macworld?

Long Island, New York law firm turns focus to LGBT issues.

South Korean police officer comes out, vows to fight prejudice: "On Dec. 30, Private Kim Hyun-jong (not his real name) posted an article about his homosexuality on the online riot police community Web site. He is the second policeman from the squad to have openly come out after YooJeong Min-shik identified himself as being gay and refused to finish his service term for which he was prisoned in 2006. In South Korea, men can serve in the riot police as part of their mandatory military service. In the article, Kim said that coming out was not easy, but what was more important was that he faced discrimination and insults, that should be outlawed at military camps. Kim, who works at a police station in Yongsan, Seoul, said his coming out was almost an 'outing' (forced to make a coming out by others) after some fellow policemen read some private information he had saved on his computer. He said he first tried to deny it, but later made up his mind to declare his sexual identity."

Roman Catholic bishop in Spain claims that underage boys want abuse: "There are 13 year old adolescents who are under age and who are perfectly in agreement with, and what’s more wanting it, and if you are careless they will even provoke you."

Gayhane: Gay Muslims find nightlife in Berlin. "European Muslims, so often portrayed one-dimensionally as rioters, honor killers or terrorists, live diverse lives, most of them trying to get by and to have a good time. That is more difficult if one is both Muslim and gay. 'When you’re here, it’s as if you’re putting on a mask, leaving the everyday outside and just having fun,' said a 22-year-old Turkish man who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear that he would be ostracized or worse if his family found out about his sexual orientation. Safety and secrecy come up regularly when talking to guests, who laugh and dance, but also frequently look over their shoulders. To be a gay man or lesbian with an immigrant background invites trouble here in two very different ways."

Ryan Reynolds is a ruff ryder.

'Obscene' Terence Koh Jesus statue causes uproar in Britain.

STUDY: Gay seniors rely on friends for medical care when ill. " Those who were helped were suffering from HIV/AIDS, cancer, muscular/skeletal illnesses, cardiovascular disease, or other afflictions associated with aging, according to the Rockway Institute. Thirty-eight percent of the survey participants reported to have received care within the past five years from people who weren't health care professionals. Of the group who received help, 76% said that they had also assisted others in their time of need. The sample comprised 199 LGB adults ages 40–85 who were located through elder care agencies in New York City and Los Angeles."

Sphere: Related Content

News: Ivri Lider, Provincetown, Anderson Cooper, Aurora Borealis

Provincetown police to receive civil rights training following negligence over several hate crimes that have occurred at the tip of Cape Cod. Police Chief Warren Tobias reportedly remains unwilling or unable to communicate with victims and LGBT anti-violence advocates: "At a committee meeting last week, Provincetown acting Police Chief Warren Tobias said he would not seek input from those who complained this summer, such as the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project in Boston and off-Cape resident Richard Hall." Here's a refresher...

Hunk du Jour offers up a lengthy interview with out Israeli singer Ivri Lider. Lider: "I think famous people coming out is an extremely important thing that helps to change lots of peoples' views. It also helps a lot of young people who are dealing with their sexuality and the feelings of being isolated and alone in the world. With regard to Israel, or at least Tel Aviv, you could probably call it one of the gayest cities in the world. For most people here, it's just not an issue."

John Kerry urges military working on investigation into slain Arghanistan lesbian soldier Ciara Durkin's death to work faster: "The Durkin family has waited patiently for more than two months for a final report on Ciara’s death. This incredible family deserves answers, without delay, so that they can begin to find some closure."

Minneapolis church and others take stand: No heterosexual marriages until same-sex marriage is legal. Reverend: "If you feel that gay and lesbian people are loved and credited by God, then how can we continue to discriminate against our brothers and sisters?"

Scientists discover energy source of Aurora Borealis: " New data from NASA's Themis mission, a quintet of satellites launched this winter, found the energy comes from a stream of charged particles from the sun flowing like a current through twisted bundles of magnetic fields connecting Earth's upper atmosphere to the sun. The energy is then abruptly released in the form of a shimmering display of lights, said principal investigator Vassilis Angelopoulos of the University of California at Los Angeles."

Suck it Jesus, Kathy Griffin's My Life on the D-List just got renewed: "Official word from Team Kathy, EMMY award winning My Life on the D-List has been renewed for a forth season. But this just isn't any renewal. Instead of six episodes, try ten on for size."

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams refuses to allow Bishop Gene Robinson or "turn-coat" Martyn Minns to attend next year's Anglican Lambeth Conference.

The harrowing career of Anderson Cooper: the newsman must evade both chest-beating gorillas and Kelly Ripa.

Christian video site GodTube bans the word gay, yet allows 'fag' and 'dyke'.

Madonna to be inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with Leonard Cohen, the Ventures and the Dave Clark Five.

Gay British Stonewall volunteer receives prestigious Diana award: "I'm so proud to receive the Diana Award. When I was bullied for being gay there was no one I could talk to and when other young people told me about their experiences of homophobic bullying, I knew I wasn't alone. I was determined to set up a youth group where people like me in my local community could share their experiences and offer each other support in dealing with the bullying we faced."

Bring Jack back: Project Runway fan starts campaign to bring back Jack Mackenroth, who left the show this week after developing a staph infection. If you missed his Flashdance parody, don't.

Sphere: Related Content

Episcopal Bishop Tells Homophobes to Move On

Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, in Burlington, Vermont on Friday to attend a convention of Vermont's Episcopal diocese, hit out at homophobic members of the church still upset over the ordination of New Hampshire's Gene Robinson.

Said Schori: "Obviously a handful of our church leaders are still upset and would like to see the church never ordain and never baptize a gay or lesbian person. We need to refocus on more life-and-death issues like starvation, education, medical care."

Schori and the Episcopal House of Bishops announced in September that a decision had been made by the church to "exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion."

The decision, which included a halt to blessings of same-sex unions, was seen by many as caving to the international Anglican church's more conservative policies.

Said Schori at the time: "This resolution really is the result of finding common ground to stand on. Not everyone was 100 percent happy with every word in this document, as you might imagine, but together we believe that we have found a place that all of us can stand together."

Church leader says members unhappy with gay bishop should refocus [ap]

You may have missed...
Episcopal Church Caves to Anti-Gay Anglicans, Pledges Restraint [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Anglican Archbishop Defends Gays at U.S. Gathering of Bishops

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, came out in support of gays and lesbians days before a crucial vote by American bishops at a gathering in New Orleans.

"On Tuesday, the American bishops, the majority of whom are liberals, are expected to vote to support a greater role for gays and lesbians in the Church, both with regard to the creation of new bishops and the blessing of same-sex relationships. Unless they can be persuaded otherwise, it seems certain the move will irrevocably split the Church, ending the Anglican Communion and creating an alternative alliance between Africa and conservatives in the US."

Flying in the face of conservative African church leaders, Williams said: "I do not assume that homosexual inclination is a disease...violence against gay and lesbian people is inexcusable. Gay and lesbian people have a place in the Church as do all the baptised."

The Telegraph added:

"Dr Williams also said that the American Church faces 'no ultimatum' to end its stance on gays, which includes the ordination of the openly homosexual Bishop of New Hampshire three years ago. His words will force the African church leaders to decide whether to leave the Anglican Church or accept that the American Church cannot be forced to stop appointing gay bishops."

At this point, a compromise between the warring factions looks unlikely.

Though the damage may already be done, according to the AP: "If Anglicanism continues on the path of slow but steady splintering, it will effectively do as much harm as a formal schism. Anglicans in Africa, who derive much of their stature from their global ties, will become just another church. The 2.2 million-member Episcopal Church, which has played such a central role in U.S. history, will also be marginalized. 'If that happens, people will say, 'This wasn't much of a church anyway,'' said Ephraim Radner, an evangelical Anglican and a theology professor at Wycliffe College in Toronto. 'The results will be the disappearance and dissolution of Anglicans as a whole in North America.'"

Archbishop prays for miracle in gay rights row [telegraph]
Homosexuality not a 'disease', says Archbishop [telegraph]
Analysis: Anglicans already breaking up [ap]

Sphere: Related Content

Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson Endorses Barack Obama

Gay Episocopal Bishop Gene Robinson, a New Hampshire resident, came out in support of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama today, endorsing the candidate in a conference call with reporters.

Said Robinson: "As my work shows me every day, leadership means bringing people together and inspiring them to live out their values. Barack Obama sees beyond the partisanship and hopelessness that have dominated in recent years, and the movement he’s building is bringing vital new energy and optimism into our democratic process. I’m excited to work with Barack to bridge the old divides and make this country one again."

Foster's Daily Democrat reports that Robinson, who has said he plans to register in a civil union with his partner of 18 years, Mark Andrews, in mid-2008, acknowledged that Obama's position on gay marriage was no better than any of the other candidates: "At this moment we have no viable candidate who is where we would like them to be on these issues."

According to the paper he also said that while some point out Obama's lack of experience, that matters little to him: "Quite frankly, I've been quite unimpressed with the experience of other politicians and where that has gotten us in the past."

Obama responded to Robinson's endorsement, saying, "Bishop Robinson represents the best of American values: a generous faith, a commitment to fairness and respect, and an abiding belief in the possibilities of every individual. I look forward to his support in this groundbreaking campaign."

You may have missed...
Candidates to Hold Dueling Fundraisers on Gay Debate Night [tr]
Barack Obama Feels the Vibe [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch Signs Civil Union Bill

Today, New Hampshire joined Vermont, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Washington, and soon Oregon in offering civil unions or broad domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples as Governor John Lynch signed a civil union bill.

Said Lynch: "We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition of taking the lead in opposing discrimination. Today that tradition continues...I’ve listened and I’ve heard all the arguments. I do not believe that this bill threatens marriage. I believe that this is a matter of conscience and fairness."

The civil union bill was passed by New Hampshire's legislature in late April.

The AP reports that the signing was attended by lawmakers as well as openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who earlier this month said he plans to take advantage of the new law and join legally with his partner of 18 years, Mark Andrews.

Sphere: Related Content

News: Gene Robinson, Criss Angel, Summer of Love, RuPaul

Proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage volleys around the North Carolina House in effort to kill it: "The House Rules Committee moved the bill to the full House moments after the panel narrowly rejected an effort to send it to another committee, a tactic aimed at keeping the proposal from coming to a vote. Two Democrats joined the Republicans on the committee to keep the measure alive. But [House Speaker] Hackney, D-Orange, said later Tuesday he would use his power as speaker to refer the bill to another committee. Unless a vote is taken by the full House before Thursday's so-called crossover deadline, the amendment will die for the remainder of the two-year session. 'I said at the beginning of the session that we will control the agenda, and that's what we will do,' Hackney said. 'The reference of bills to committee is always one of the ways the agenda is controlled.'"

RuPaul back with new film Starrbooty: "Laughter is my most favorite spell to cast. It's gotten me through the most difficult times and taught me to not take the illusion of the material world too seriously."

Dawson Creek's Kevin Williamson is also back, with Hidden Palms.

Victoria Beckham gets more plastic-looking every day.

Inside the UK Big Brother house, where gay couple James Joell and Stephen Ireland may be pranking around.

Rhode Island High Court takes on gay divorce case: "Cassandra Ormiston and Margaret Chambers wed in Massachusetts in 2004 after same-sex marriage became legal in that state. The couple last year filed for divorce in Rhode Island, where they live, citing irreconcilable differences. Lawyers for both parties say the divorce case won't decide whether gay couples can get married in Rhode Island, where the law is silent on whether such unions are valid. But it does affect whether the state will recognize same-sex couples who are wed in Massachusetts."

Watch your back David Blaine. Magician Criss Angel to encase himself in concrete cube over Times Square and must escape in 24 hours.

Open Closet is a new greeting card company, when you care enough to send the very gayest.

Former Dead or Alive frontman Pete Burns is looking for a personal assistant: "Would you love to work for a celebrity? This role is not for the faint hearted! Are you highly efficient, motivated, organised, flexible, and thick skinned?!"

Summer of Love remembered, 40 years later.

Gay Bishop Gene Robinson not invited to Anglican Lambeth confab: "Bishop Robinson said he was extremely disappointed at his exclusion and asked in a statement, 'At a time when the Anglican Communion is calling for a ‘listening process’ on the issue of homosexuality, how does it make sense to exclude gay and lesbian people from the discussion?' The archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, who has expressed liberal views on homosexuality in the past, has been determined to keep the communion intact. In his invitation letter, Archbishop Williams wrote, 'I have to reserve the right to withhold or withdraw invitations from bishops whose appointment, actions or manner of life have caused exceptionally serious division or scandal within the communion.'"

Sphere: Related Content

Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson Unveils Civil Union Plans

Elaborating on statements he made in late April when New Hampshire voted to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples, Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson said on Thursday he plans to take advantage of the state's new laws and join legally with his partner of 18 years, Mark Andrews.

Robinson told Reuters that he plans to have two ceremonies, one religious and one civil. He said that separating "the civil rights from the religious rites" may inspire greater acceptance from those who would hesitate in offering rights to same-sex couples

Said Robindon: "Religious people and religious organizations who are not yet ready to offer the churches or the synagogues blessings on such unions, might be supportive of full civil rights for this country's gay and lesbian citizens."

However, Robinson is of the opinion that civil unions are not enough and urged his state to follow the lead of Massachusetts: "It won't be full equality until it is equal."

New Hampshire's civil union law, which Governor John Lynch is set to sign in the next week, would go into effect January 1st, 2008.

Sphere: Related Content

Gay NH Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson Plans Civil Union

New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who for several years has been at the center of a conflict within the Anglican church over its policies toward gays, says he plans to have a civil union with his partner of 18 years, Mark Andrew (pictured here, presenting Robinson with his Bishop's mitre at his consecration). Said Robinson on Thursday: "My partner and I look forward to taking full advantage of the new law."

Robinson spoke to the Associated Press: "I think this moves us one step closer to the American promise to all its citizens of equality under the law. New Hampshire understands fairness and has acted on that value. I think this is a huge leap forward, but it is not full equality until we have equality. The biggest piece missing, of course, is federal recognition. I don’t think it will happen until we get several more states. It doesn’t have to be a majority, but it has to be a significant number embracing full marriage rights until we can expect that at the federal level. We are only arguing over a timetable. We have come further in a short time than any civil rights movement in history. Fifteen to 20 years ago, most Americans would have told you and been reasonably honest that they did not know a gay or lesbian. Now, there’s not a family left, or a co-worker, that doesn’t know someone. Now when you talk about the issue, a face comes up."

Robinson and Andrew live in Weare, New Hampshire, a small town west of Concord. He has never been one to cower in the face of those who oppose his elevation with the church.

Sphere: Related Content

Archbishop Desmond Tutu Blasts Anglican Church Over Gay Rift

Archbishop Desmond Tutu blasted the African Anglican Church on Friday over its rift with the Episcopal branch and its positions on gay clergy. The African Anglicans are reportedly refusing to sit at a table with Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori at a global Anglican meeting in Tanzania next month.

Said Tutu: "I am deeply disturbed that in the face of some of the most horrendous problems facing Africa, we concentrate on 'what do I do in bed with whom'. For one to penalise someone for their sexual orientation is the same as penalising someone for something they can do nothing about, like ethnicity or race. I cannot imagine persecuting a minority group which is already being persecuted. The God I worship would not consider that [gay clergy] to be a priority concern."

Tutu added that "churches should instead be thinking about poverty, HIV/AIDS and conflict resolution."

Sphere: Related Content