Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network holds scholarship essay contest, 'How to Deal With Bullying'

From the Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network:

The Gay & Lesbian Lawyers Network, Inc. (GLLN) announces a law student scholarship essay contest with the theme: “How to Deal with Bullying, or How I have learned to survive as a Sexual Minority”, with an award of $1200.

The contest is open to all students currently enrolled in any South Florida Law school (FIU College of Law, Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad Law Center, St. Thomas University School of Law, and University of Miami School of Law).

Essay submissions are limited to 1000 to 1200 words, and must be postmarked between January 26 - February 2, 2013, to GLLN Essay Contest, 2301 Wilton Dr, Suite 3, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 by U.S. mail. Full details are available at the GLLN website, GLLN.org.

The GLLN provides Continuing Legal Education luncheons and social events in Broward County open to lawyers, judges, law students and legal workers.

The Florida Bar provided partial funding for this project.

Law Student Scholarship Essay Contest

Application

Video | Violence erupts amid 'Kisses Against Homophobia' demonstration in Russia

Posted Wednesday to Russian LGBT Network on Facebook:

Today, 19 December 2012, Russian LGBT activists in different cities took to the streets protesting against a new amendment (article 6.13.1) to the Administrative Offences Code of the Russian Federation which creates administrative responsibility for so called “propaganda of homosexualism”. The protests were took place despite the fact that the State Duma moved the first reading of draft law at the very last moment to 22 January 2013.

In Moscow 20 activists from Russian LGBT network and Equality March gathered for a series of one-man pickets with banners “We are against article 6.13.1”, “For freedom of views and believes, against totalitarian laws” and other. The pickets took place from 9:00 till 11:00 near the Russian State Duma building. And although at the same time the pickets of so called Orthodox activists took place nearby, there were no one arrested.

At 12:00 LGBT activists approached the Duma to hold a “Propaganda of love” protest act involving couples kissing in front of the Duma building (homosexual as well as heterosexual ones). In several minutes the Orthodox activists started to throw eggs at the LGBT activists, some of aggressive men attacked the couples. The police arrested 18 people around 12:30 p.m. Among them were 11 participants, 5 Orthodox activists and 2 journalists. All arrested were handed into a prison truck, where they were kept for more than two hours without being informed about the reason of their arrest. Now they are still in the police station.

In Saint Petersburg there were also one man pickets. 5 LGBT activists from "St.Petersburg LGBT-organization Coming Out” and from the “Straits for the equality Alliance” protested in Malaya Sadovaya Street. The police watched the pickets but arrested no one.

In -35C frozen Tomsk Russian LGBT network activist Natalia Mizina protested in front of the regional Administration building for 30 minutes. She wasn’t arrested as well.
There was an approved protest rally in Samara. It’s interesting that the city government rejected the rally in the proposed place but approved it in the Safonov’s boulevard near a school. Six people took place in a rally, there were about the same number of policemen and journalists. Some of people passing by took side of the activists. No one was arrested in Samara despite the fact that there is a law prohibiting so called “propaganda of homosexuality”
In Arkhangelsk there were 3 pickets near the Regional Deputy Assembly for the Russian LGBT network campaign “Against article 6.13.1”.

Pridelines Youth Services to hold LGBT charity art exhibit Dec. 19 at O Cinema in Wynwood

From Pridelines Youth Services:

LOCAL LGBTQ YOUTH ORGANIZATION TO HOLD CHARITY ART EXHIBIT IN WYNWOOD.

Pridelines Youth Services presents ‘Faces of Young Pride’ portrait series at O Cinema in Wynwood on December 19.

MIAMI – December 13, 2012 - On Wednesday, December 19, Pridelines Youth Services presents an artistic collaboration between South Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth (LGBTQ), photographer Dale Stine and local artists dedicated to promoting peace by creating awareness on issues faced by LGBTQ youth in the community.

Faces of Young Pride launches the first of its series, Pridelines for Peace, an installation of portraits that expresses the meaning of peace to the subjects, South Florida’s LGBTQ youth.

“This series is powerful because each of the youth has an individual story and struggle that they faced as LGBTQ youth. As a result, they each have different definitions of peace and what it means to them based on those experiences. More importantly, they’ve each pledged to work within their communities to implement peace as part of this project.” says Victor Diaz-Herman, Executive Director.

Faces of Young Pride was designed to place a face on so many of the stories covered by mainstream media that tell us of the struggles that LGBTQ youth face on a daily basis; Struggles such as abuse, harassment, and homelessness that are addressed by organizations such as Pridelines Youth Services.

“I came to Pridelines when I was 16 years old, kicked out of my house and with no place to go. I felt alone, beat down and lost. They showed me that I wasn’t the only gay person my age, that I wasn’t struggling by myself, and that there were people who cared about me,” says Jamesly Louis, youth member. “This project means so much to me because it tells my story, shows my strength and helps me focus on giving back to the community and the organization that gave to me.”

Join us at O-Cinema (90 NW 29 Street, Miami, FL 33137) between 7:30pm to 10:30pm for cocktails, hor d'oeuvres, and performances by local artists. A $25 minimum donation is appreciated and portraits will be on sale to benefit Pridelines Youth Services and the youth they serve.

RSVP for this event send an e-mail to bob@pridelines.org or visit our Facebook page.

Pridelines Youth Services is a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit organization created by gay youth for gay youth and their allies in the wake of Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign.  Pridelines’ mission is to support, educate and empower South Florida’s LGBTQ youth in a safe and diverse environment. For more than 30 years, Pridelines has provided safe space, social support, skills building, leadership development and referrals to mental health, health care and support services for LGBTQ youth and their straight

For more information about Pridelines call (305) 571-9601.

Miami Beach Police Chief Martinez: Reinstated cop in gay bashing case to receive 'sensitivity training'

• Arbitrator's report ordering reinstatement of Miami Beach Officer Eliut Hazzi
• Hear Harold Strickland’s emergency phone call to Miami Beach 911
• Miami Beach settlement with Harold Strickland

BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com

Miami Beach Police Chief Raymond Martinez on Tuesday met at City Hall with members of the mayor's LGBT Business Enhancement Committee, to discuss the reinstatement last week of Officer Eliut Hazzi.

Hazzi and Officer Frankly Forte were fired last year after allegedly bashing two gay men near Flamingo Park in 2009. Early December, independent arbitrator M. Scott Malinowski reinstated Hazzi. Forte's case still hasn't been heard.

Martinez told about a dozen LGBT committee members that Hazzi hasn't yet been assigned patrol duty.

“He’s in retraining," Martinez said. "He’s been out of work for about 16 months and for a little bit more than a year before that he was on desk duty, so about two-and-a-half years almost that he hasn’t been on the street. there’s a lot of police retraining we have to do with him. We’re also going to do, obviously, sensitivity training and a lot of hands-on training before he gets released back to normal duty."

Martinez said he plans to have a "one-on-one" conversation with Hazzi.

"Our goal, obviously, is to make sure he understands the new direction of the police department, where we are going, what is acceptable moving forward."

The police chief stands by the department's Internal Affairs investigation of Hazzi and Forte.

"The arbitrator’s ruling deals with discipline. It does not change the facts of the Internal Affairs investigation," he said. "We do not change our findings. That stands in the permanent record. Obviously the arbitrator’s decision is part of that record now. The arbitrator did rule that he should receive a written reprimand as discipline for being unprepared to testify in court."

Martinez said he hopes the Forte arbitration brings different results.

"As far as the other officer, Officer Forte -- and when you look at the case, Officer Hazzi, if there’s one more guilty than the other in wrongdoing, Officer Hazzi I think had a lesser role in the whole incident," Martinez said. "It was more Officer Forte that took the aggressive action. Officer Forte’s arbitration has not even been scheduled yet."

Though unhappy Hazzi has been reinstated, most LGBT committee members hope the case leads to improved relations with the police department.

"These are the facts," said committee chairman Ivan Cano, executive director of Miami Beach Gay Pride. "We have an opportunity to continue to educate the community and embrace the situation as it stands and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

"How are we going to do that? We ask, if it’s possible, that Officer Hazzi, when he is reinstated and on patrol, that he start spending time with members of our community, with nonprofit organizations, seeing exactly who he is dealing with and all the community members. We have to turn it into a positive," Cano said.

'TU ERE MARICON' scandal behind him, Yunel Escobar excited to play for Miami Marlins

• Yunel Escobar suspended 3 days, will work with GLAAD after 'TU ERE MARICON' eye-black blunder

BY JORGE EBRO, JEBRO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM

First, the surprise. Then the resignation and, finally, the joy.

Yunel Escobar, 30, went through those three stages during the days in which the biggest trade in Marlins history — involving 12 players and millions of dollars — went from one place to another in the Baseball Commissioner’s Office until it was approved before the incredulous eyes of thousands of fans annoyed by the collapse of the final remains of the team that began the 2012 season.

After the storm, the Cuban player is not only happy to play in the heart of Miami but also looks at his new future as the perfect opportunity to write a different chapter in his career.

“If I tell you that I wasn’t surprised at first, I would be lying, but then I thought that it was the best that could happen to me,” Escobar said. “I’m at a crucial moment in my career, and I don’t plan to waste it. The Marlins have put their trust on my skills, and I hope not to let them down — or the fans.”

“I can say that Miami is my home, and there’s nothing better than to play where I have so many friends, so many compatriots. The commitment is big, I know, but it’s no greater than my desire to play here.”

Escobar started off strong and was productive in Toronto. In 2011, he enjoyed a good season, batting .290 with an on-base percentage of .369 that earned him a two-year contract extension with options for two more seasons. But this past season saw a considerable decline in his numbers (.253 average and .300 OBP), and he endured the controversy over the use of a gay slur written on eye black.

That gay slur episode in September cost him a three-game suspension and the obligation to work with organizations in the gay community. During a news conference, Escobar admitted his mistake and promised to work hard to improve his image.

Click here to read more.

N.C. man says church confined him for being gay

BY MICHAEL GORDON, THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A 22-year-old man has accused his former Rutherford County church of holding him for four months against his will while he was physically and emotionally abused because he is gay.

Michael Lowry filed a complaint in February against Word of Faith Fellowship Church, a nondenominational Christian congregation in Spindale that has made national headlines with some of its practices.

In a statement given to a sheriff’s department investigator last week, Lowry said he was kept in a church building from Aug. 1 to Nov. 19, 2011. He said he was knocked unconscious during his first day of confinement.

Lowry’s former pastor, Jane Whaley, said Sunday that all of his allegations are “lies.”

Whaley said Lowry was not held or beaten. She said the church only learned that he was gay when his family did – after watching a news report by an Asheville television station Thursday.

Lowry said he first told his family and church leaders of his sexual orientation when he was 15 or 16. That set off years of harassment and abuse, he said, as church members tried to expel the demon that they believed caused his homosexuality.

A Hickory advocacy group has called for a federal investigation.

Click here to read more.

Miami City Ballet dancers go purple for Spirit Day, speaking out for LGBT youth and against bullying

Posted Friday to Facebook:

Miami City Ballet goes purple for Spirit Day!!!!

From GLAAD:

Spirit Day is annual day in October when millions of Americans wear purple to speak out against bullying and to show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth.

GLAAD: Honey Boo Boo stands up to bullying - 'Ain't nothing wrong with bein' a little gay'

From GLAAD:

Honey Boo Boo and her family are going purple to stand up against bullying for #SpiritDay 10/19: http://glaad.org/spiritday

See what other celebs are participating: http://www.glaad.org/spiritday/entertainment

http://www.glaad.org/blog/just-announced-honey-boo-boo-goes-purple-spiritday

HRC: 'Scorecard of 112th Congress shows legislators out of touch on LGBT equality'

News release from HRC, Human Rights Campaign:

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign today released its Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress that rates members of Congress on their support for issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. An analysis of the data shows the LGBT community is making gains on Capitol Hill, but anti-LGBT legislators continue to hinder full equality.  The average score for House members was 40 percent and 35 percent for Senators, down significantly from the 111^th Congress.

“While we continue to make advancements toward equality in Washington, the 112^th Congress has more anti-equality members set on halting our progress,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Still, we continued pushing the envelope and made history with the first ever hearing and Senate Judiciary Committee approval of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.  And for the second time, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act.” 

Here are the Florida rankings:

U.S. Senate

Nelson, Bill (D) 70
Rubio, Marco (R)  47

House of Representatives

1 Miller, Jeff (R) 0
2 Southerland, Steve (R) 0
3 Brown, Corrine (D) 76
4 Crenshaw, Ander (R) 0
5 Nugent, Richard (R) 0
6 Stearns, Cliff (R)  0
7 Mica, John (R)  0
8 Webster, Daniel (R)  0
9 Bilirakis, Gus (R) 0
10 Young, C.W. Bill (R) 0
11 Castor, Kathy (D) 100
12 Ross, Dennis (R)  0
13 Buchanan, Vern (R)  0
14 Mack IV, Connie (R) 0
15 Posey, Bill (R) 0
16 Rooney, Tom (R) 0
17 Wilson, Frederica (D) 90
18 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (R) 98
19 Deutch, Ted (D) 100
20  Wasserman Schultz, Debbie (D) 100
21 Diaz-Balart, Mario (R) 45
22 West, Allen (R) 0
23 Hastings, Alcee (D) 100
24 Adams, Sandy (R) 0
25 Rivera, David (R) 15

To read the complete report, click here.

Pridelines Youth Services to hold 3rd annual Spirit Day Candlelight Vigil Saturday on Lincoln Road

Pridelines Youth Services will hold its third annual Spirit Day Candlelight Vigil at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Lincoln Road. Here's the news release:

Pridelines Youth Speak Out Against Bullying

Hundreds of LGBTQ Teens and Allies Commemorate Sprit Day

Miami, FL, October 17, 2012 – At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2012, Pridelines Youth Services and hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and their straight friends and allies will come together at the Miami Beach Community Church (Lincoln Rd & Drexel Ave) for the 3^rd annual Spirit Day Candlelight Vigil.  This national event remembers the thousands of teen suicides which take place every year and provides an opportunity to speak out against bullying and in support of LGBTQ youth.  Participants are encouraged to wear purple and join Pridelines and its partner organizations for this inspirational event on Lincoln Road Mall.

“It is unconscionable that so many LGBTQ teens take their lives because of the incessant bullying and harassment they experience due to their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Pridelines Youth Council President Bryan Gutierrez.  “This year we will also be remembering Malala Yousufzai, the Pakistani teenager who was gunned down by the same hate and intolerance that threatens teens in here in Florida.”

The vigil is free and open to the entire community.  Pridelines is calling on all people of good conscience to come to Lincoln Road Mall and join the stand against intolerance and in support of South Florida’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.

In addition to the remembrance, Miami Beach City Commissioner Michael Gongora will be presenting Pridelines with a City of Miami Beach proclamation in recognition of the organization’s 30 years of service to the youth of South Florida.

Pridelines Youth Services is a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by gay youth for gay youth and their allies in the wake of Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign.  Pridelines’ mission is to support, educate and empower South Florida’s LGBTQ youth in a safe and diverse environment as well as to foster dialogue and cultivate social change.  For more than 28 years, Pridelines has provided safe space, social support, skills building, leadership development and referrals to mental health, health care and support services for LGBTQ youth and their straight allies between the ages of 13 and 24.

For more information about Pridelines call (305) 571-9601 or visit www.pridelines.org.