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Jim McGreevey to begin Episcopal seminary classes http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2007/09/01/2007-09-01_jim_mcgreevey_to_begin_episcopal_seminar.html http://tinyurl.com/2p469w BY CHRISTINA BOYLE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Saturday, September 1st 2007, 4:00 AM Jim McGreevey, the nation's first openly gay governor, is returning to the classroom Tuesday as a seminary student. The former New Jersey governor will begin full-time studies at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in Chelsea, where he will pursue a three-year Master of Divinity program. McGreevey, 50, switched denominations from Roman Catholic to Episcopalian earlier this year and has expressed an interest in becoming a priest. "I hope that Jim McGreevey finds some contentment and...

A DIRECTIVE by Italian bishops ordering Catholic politicians to vote against gay rights legislation has caused a political uproar and prompted fresh charges of Church interference in domestic affairs. The long-awaited note, issued yesterday by the Italian Bishops Conference, was significant because it specifically targeted politicians as they consider a law to give homosexual and heterosexual unmarried couples more rights. While not specifying any punishment by the Church, it says Catholics could not hide behind "the principle of pluralism" or compromise on what it called the ethical needs of society. The note said Catholic politicians had "the moral duty to...

GAY rock star Sir Elton John has delivered an "up yours" message to Prime Minister John Howard for opposing same-sex marriages. Sir Elton, in Sydney last night for the first of three concerts, said he was unimpressed with the lack of legislation to protect gay couples in Australia. The 59-year-old and his partner David Furnish last December became one of the first gay couples in England to tie the knot in a civil partnership ceremony. "It was just a commitment I wanted to make because I love him, and vice-versa, and it was just a great day," Sir Elton told...

With the "hearts and minds" of 6.5 million schoolchildren on the line, a pro-family group has called a news conference today to protest a series of bills approved by the Legislature that would turn the California public school system into "sexual indoctrination centers." The event is being held by the Campaign for Children and Families, which has been active in lobbying against the changes in state law, at the state Capitol in Sacramento. "The simple message for (Gov. Arnold) Schwarzenegger will be: Veto these bad bills or turn off family-values voters," the group said in its announcement Monday. "(The bills)...

ACTOR Lily Tomlin has criticised the United States and Australian governments over their opposition to same-sex marriage, saying everyone should have the right to wed. The openly-gay Hollywood veteran, 66, has been with her female partner, Jane Wagner, a writer and producer, for 35 years. While she and Wagner have no plans to marry, Tomlin feels all people should have the choice. US President George W Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard have both spoken out against same-sex marriage, and the Federal Government recently quashed ACT legislation allowing homosexuals to create civil unions. "I am happy for anybody who...

A single vote kept Washington from becoming the first state in which same-sex couples could come from anywhere in the U.S. to obtain a marriage license. The state Supreme Court today decided 5-4 that Washington's law limiting marriage to one man and one woman does not violate the state constitution. The court dealt a "devastating setback to same-sex marriage proponents," asserted Mathew D. Staver, founder and chairman of the public-interest legal group Liberty Counsel. The decision is very significant, he said, because, unlike Massachusetts – which in 2003 became the only state to establish same-sex marriage – Washington does not...

ROWING, hockey, marathon, square dancing and best bondage or leather outfit competitions are all events at the first Out Games, preceded by the opening today of a human rights conference. Organisers of this "alternative" gay games said they expect some 12,000 amateur athletes, thousands of spectators and delegates from 100 countries for the rights conference. Co-president and swimmer Mark Tewksbury, a gold medallist in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, said he hoped the event would also nurture tolerance in sports. "Homophobia is rampant in professional sports. The locker room mentality says we can't develop in a virile, masculine world....

LONG ISLAND, NY, July 13, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The New York State Supreme Court has denied a homosexual couple spousal benefits, despite their being “married” in Canada two years ago, the New York Times reports. The case was brought forward by Duke. L. Funderburke, who was attempting to obtain medical benefits reserved for married couples from the Uniondale Union Free School District, for his homosexual partner, Bradley Davis. NY Supreme Court Justice Edward W. McCarthy, however, referred back to last week’s decision by New York’s Appellate Court as the basis for his refusing to extend such benefits to the homosexual...

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 12, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Forget about traditional morality—Christianity should focus on eradicating poverty, protecting the environment and ending the war in Iraq, according to the general secretary of the National Council of Churches, Dr. Bob Edgar. “Jesus never said one word about homosexuality, never said one word about civil marriage or abortion,” said Dr. Edgar to CBS News at a recent gathering of liberal Christian leaders in Washington. The gathering was the latest effort by the “religious left” to gain back some of the political power the group enjoyed during the 60’s and early 70’s. 30 years...

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 8, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - "And it's 5:00 p.m. here in Washington. Does a Catholic cardinal agree with the Catholic Church, certainly against gay marriage? You might be surprised to see how he feels about same-sex civil unions." That was the teaser CNN's Wolf Blitzer used prior to airing his interview with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the outgoing Archbishop of Washington D.C. Cardinal McCarrick appeared last night on Blitzer's Situation Room in support of homosexual civil unions, while insisting that the definition of marriage itself be left alone. However, as the CNN host indicated before the interview, the Cardinal's...

The Federal Government has announced it will move to disallow the ACT's Civil Unions Bill. The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Government has passed legislation to recognise same-sex relationships, despite opposition from the Federal Government. Federal Cabinet considered the matter today, and Prime Minister John Howard has announced he will move to disallow the legislation. Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says the Federal Government cannot allow the ACT's legislation to stand. "We have decided to defend the fundamental institution of marriage against the laws that were passed here in the Australian Capital Territory," he said. "The Marriage Act makes it clear that marriage...

CHARLOTTE, NC, April 26, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The first-ever "Not Ashamed Charlotte" rally will unite Christians from different churches to proclaim their faith in the public square, replacing the annual gay pride event usually scheduled for early May in Marshall Park. The Christian rally will be held from 3-4 p.m. May 6 in the park. According to Dr. Michael L. Brown, Director of the Coalition of Conscience and organizer of Not Ashamed Charlotte, the timing of this event is highly significant. "For the last four years," Brown explains, "on the first Saturday of May, Marshall Park has been will filled...

Dozens of homosexual parents who spent the night outside the White House on Friday will attend this morning's Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, and they will be joined by President Bush and first lady Laura Bush. The homosexual parents plan no overt protest at the children's event -- no chants, no signs. But they will be wearing rainbow-colored leis to push their message that homosexual parents are equally as capable as any of raising children. "I don't think this is a protest," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Pride Coalition. "Showing up, participating fully in an...

IRONDALE, AL, April 3, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Two days ago, LifeSiteNews was forwarded a firestorm of emails from faithful Catholics in Canada regarding the world's largest Catholic media network - Eternal Word Television Network - not airing programs on homosexuality in Canada and Europe. The emails referred to an exchange between a Canadian viewer of the network and a producer at the network. In response to questioning about a show on homosexuality not being aired in Canada, as was scheduled and aired in the United States, Amalia C. Zea, the producer of the popular program Life on the Rock responded,...

THE Federal Government will legislate against any attempts by the ACT to give gay couples the same rights as married couples, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today. Mr Ruddock said today the Government would investigate what it could do to block attempts by the ACT Labor Government to pass laws that would establish civil unions for homosexual couples. The ACT legislation would allow those in a civil union the same rights as marriage in everything but name. Under the constitution, the Commonwealth has responsibility for marriage and in 2004, with bipartisan support, the Federal Government legislated to effectively ban gay marriage....

AN expected crowd of 500,000 people have been gathering roadside at the route for this year's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. They can expect to see Kate Moss dancers snorting `cocaine', a spoof of gay-cowboy movie Brokeback Mountain and `friends' of the apparently gay-friendly Dick Cheney. And of course there will be the essential lampoon of Prime Minister John Howard. The parade is the culmination of a month of festivities celebrating gay pride and thousands are set to march – or to feature in the 120 floats – with this year's event having a fairytale theme. Captain...

Democratic Rep. Barney Frank has criticized Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for her role in the rejection of two international gay civil rights groups by a United Nations body. Last month, the U.N. Economic and Social Council, a think tank made up of nongovernmental agencies from around the world, voted not to admit the International Lesbian and Gay Association and the Danish Association of Gays and Lesbians. According to 365Gay.com, their application to join other nongovernmental agencies on the council was rejected without a hearing after the United States voted with some of the world's most repressive regimes, including Iran,...

DETROIT, Illinois, January 26, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, who is known as an activist for homosexuality in the Church, has handed in his resignation to the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI is expected to announce the resignation today. Bishop Gumbleton resisted mandatory retirement last year when he reached the age of 75, asking to continue on as Auxiliary Bishop to Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida. His request, given to the head of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Re, was denied. ”Some time ago he indicated that my request to defer my resignation was not acceptable,” Bishop Gumbleton said...

CHICAGO, January 19, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In an annual interview with Chicago Sun Times reporter Cathleen Falsani, Chicago Cardinal Francis George revealed that last year the United States Bishops visiting with the Pope asked the Vatican to delay release of the long-awaited document on homosexuality and the priesthood. The document entitled, "Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders", reinforced Church teaching barring men "who practise homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture'", from becoming priests....

IT'S cowboy country all right, but parts of north and central Queensland won't be seeing the controversial cowboy movie Brokeback Mountain. The film - banned in two cinemas in the US because of its tale of gay cowboy love - won't be seen in Townsville - home of NRL grand finalists the Cowboys. Nor, also due to its "limited release" status, will it be hitting the screens further south in Rockhampton. But the snub of two major Queensland cities has angered gay activists, who say much of its community could relate to the gay character played by Australian actor Heath...

CANBERRA, July 27, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The terms "homophobia" and "intolerance" are used in the media a great deal but few have dared to define them with any certainty since they carry a weight of political baggage. Many Christian and other religious objectors to the homosexual political movement have assumed that they are defined by homosexual activists simply as, "anything or anyone that differs with us," with traditional religious morality topping the list. A report by an Australian research group has confirmed that this view is accurate. The report by The Australia Institute, a leftist public policy think tank, was...

THE WASHINGTON TIMES June 15, 2005 U.S. Catholic bishops will sidestep the issue of whether homosexual men should become priests at their semiannual meeting, which begins tomorrow, despite the Vatican's concern about the role of homosexuals in the church's massive sex-abuse scandal. In the latest edition of an 84-page document on priestly training, only one sentence deals with homosexuality. "With regard to the admission of candidates with same-sex experiences and/or inclinations, the guidelines provided by the Holy See must be followed," says the document "Program of Priestly Formation." The program is expected to be approved by the bishops in their...

You know, we complain a lot about the war in Iraq yet here we are just sitting here and complaining. Why don't we do something and go enlist, or go encourage like-minded family members to do so?

It might be argues that as an Englishman, resident in the UK, your election is none of my business but as it will effect everyone in the world, I feel entitled to a voice, if not a vote. (Judging by your last foray into democracy, perhaps votes are not all that important) I do not envy you having to choose between the inarticulate incumbent Bush and an unimpressive challenger who seems to live thirty years in the past. Why can't you wonderful country find better candidates than this pair? Whoever wins will have to confront the monstrous debt, ($7 trillion...

Australian government minister brands US moviemaker an ugly American Wed Jul 21, 4:24 PM ET Add Offbeat - AFP to My Yahoo! CANBERRA (AFP) - US filmmaker Michael Moore, whose anti-war documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, has been praised and savaged by critics around the world, was described by an Australian government minister Wednesday as "the quintessential ugly American." Moore's film, which won the top prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival (news - web sites), has attracted sell-out audiences in Australia where it has been viewed by some critics as a justified critique of US President George W. Bush (news -...

A radio advert for supermarket chain Somerfield has been banned after its use of the word faggots was deemed to be "highly derogatory". The avert(sic)featured a husband complaining that his wife served him the same meals every week. When she told him it was Friday so he was getting his usual faggots, he replied: "I've nothing against faggots, I just don't fancy them." Three listeners complained to media watchdog Ofcom, saying faggots alluded to homosexuals. Somerfield insisted: "The ad refers only to food products. Faggots were chosen to demonstrate the idea because they are commonly perceived as an outdated and...

Springsteen torture at Camp X-Ray 01Mar04 A TERROR suspect freed from Guantanamo Bay has told of cruel and unusual punishment. Hamed Abderrahman Ahmad, a Spaniard who denies any links with terrorism, said he had to wrap his head in a damp towel to try to muffle loud tapes of Born in the USA. Mr Ahmad said he was confined to a small cell where the lights were always on and he was forced to listen endlessly to Bruce Springsteen. "First I spent a month in a cell two metres square that had a roof of sheet iron, with unbearable...

Gays win rights as refugees HOMOSEXUALS who would have to live "discreetly" to avoid persecution in their home country might be entitled to refugee status in Australia, the High Court found in a landmark judgment yesterday. The court split 4-3 over the decision to grant an appeal by a gay Bangladeshi couple, who claimed they would face persecution if sent back home. The Refugee Review Tribunal and the Federal Court previously had ruled the men would be unlikely to face persecution if they resumed the "discreet" gay lifestyle they had lived before fleeing Bangladesh in February 1999. But in a...

The English Premier League soccer kicked off its 2003-04 season last week. I've been sneakily staying up late watching live games on pay TV and waiting for the replays on free-to-air. Not for the soccer, mind you. For the hairstyles. As far as male hair fashions go these games are a veritable goldmine of cutting-edge dos. From neat short back and sides, which are apparently tres chic this year, to bleached tips, mohawks and yes, even, the mullet, English soccer has it all. Now, even though the high prince of metrosexuals, David Beckham, has departed England for the Spanish club...

<p>Hordes of quivering GOP lawmakers and vast throngs of proudly homophobic right-wing Christian Americans fell into an adorable tizzy the other day as the entire really, really big country of Canada announced it will change its law to allow full-on homosexual marriage anywhere in the whole country including Vancouver and Toronto and even "that weird province with all the gay French people."</p>

Making a clean breast of fashion By JENNIFER MELOCCO WANT to keep abreast of the latest in male fashion? Well, the message from Milan is to say goodbye to Mr Macho and hello to Mr Androgyny. The provocative direction – featuring male models with fake breasts under figure-hugging knitwear – was sent down the catwalk by outrageous British designer Vivienne Westwood in the mens' autumn winter 2003 shows held this week. And while the effect may look outrageous today, fashion commentators reckon Sydney men may just end up adopting it – in a few years' time. Director of fashion...