January 1st: Boy Scouts Of America To Begin Admitting Openly Gay Youths

The Boy Scouts of America will begin admitting openly gay scouts on January 1st.

Under the new membership policy, youths can no longer be barred from the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts or coed Venturers program solely on the basis of sexual orientation. However, gay Scouts will face some limitations. "Any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting," says one BSA document. "No member may use Scouting to promote or advance any social or political position or agenda, including on the matter of sexual orientation." Trying to anticipate potential friction, the BSA has distributed extensive explanations and question-and-answer documents related to the policy. Could a Scout march in uniform in a gay-pride parade? No, says the BSA. "Each youth member is free as an individual to express his or her thoughts or take action on political or social issues but must not use Scouting's official uniforms and insignia when doing so."

Sexually Pure & Non-Flaunting

Here comes the alternative to the Boy Scouts.

A conservative group said Tuesday it will form a rival alternative to the Boy Scouts of America, in the latest sign of backlash against the Scouts’ recent decision to admit gay youth. The splinter group, OnMyHonor.Net, said the new organization will offer an outdoors-oriented character-development program for boys similar to that of the Boy Scouts, while also focusing on “sexual purity” and adhering to “a standard statement of Christian values.” The new organization, which has yet to be named, stopped short of banning gay children but said it would bar any members who “openly flaunt sexuality.” Gay youths will be allowed join, but members can’t “openly flaunt sexuality,” said John Stemberger, founder of OnMyHonor.Net. “There is not going to be any acting out, nor is there going to be a witch-hunt,” said Stemberger. “We wouldn’t expect any flaunting, innuendo, gestures or speech,” he said, citing as examples advocating for gay rights or waving rainbow flags.

Fans Ask Tebow For Anti-Bullying Clip

Helped along by gay activists, a group of Denver Broncos fans are petitioning star quarterback Tim Tebow to make an It Gets Better video.

More than 3,000 people have signed the petition started by Andy Szekeres, a Denver man who is also a political fundraiser. "The campaign is reaching people and changing lives," says Szekeres, 28. "Within the gay community and with a lot of straight allies it's making a difference and raising critical issues. "It would really be an amazing thing for Tebow and the Broncos to do to really say 'We may have differences on abortion and gay marriage, but stopping kids from killing themselves is an issue we can all get behind.'" Szekeres says Tebow is furthering his brand by staying away from gay issues and that he is unsure if the QB will oblige. "I don't know if he will sign up," Szekeres says. "A lot of my gay and lesbian friends support him and think he's doing a great job as a quarterback. This is an easy way to show support for the LGBT community that is not divisive."

I wouldn't hold my breath.

Glee Spoiler: The First Time

Stay out of the comments if you've not seen last night's groundbreaking episode. Otherwise, dive in and dish!

Loving Christians Deluge School With Threats Over Homecoming Lesbians

The San Diego-area high school which named a lesbian couple as their homecoming king and queen has been deluged with threats and hate mail since the story made international news over the weekend.

On Monday, Superintendent Bill Kowba interrupted a news conference on the district's financial troubles to comment on an issue he called just as significant as the budget. “What is essentially disappointing is that adults who have contacted the school, many not even San Diego residents, are demonstrating such a lack of tolerance and such a negative role model for children with their hateful comments,” Kowba said. Kowba calls the adults behind the threats "bullies." He also says if the calls and emails came from students, they would have faced disciplinary action.

Here's a few examples from God's Gentle People at Free Republic:
-"Stupid, brainwashed, delusional girls. They are signing up for a life of pain, misery, heartbreak and sin."
-"This is disgusting. It’s deviancy on display, and our kids have been trained to approve."
-"The Principal should be brought up on charges and be made to register as a sex offender."
-"Children who attend godless socialist schools will learn to think and reason godlessly!"
-"The faggot indoctrination continues."

SAN DIEGO: Lesbian Couple Voted High School Homecoming King & Queen

Everybody say "Awwww." Via ABC News:

Two California high school students became one of the first lesbian couples crowned homecoming king and queen in the nation this weekend. Rebeca Arellano, a senior at Patrick Henry High School, was made the school's first female homecoming king when her name was announced Friday at a pep rally. "They were chanting my name and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had," said Arellano. Arellano's girlfriend, Haileigh Adams, who also attends Patrick Henry High School, was made homecoming queen at Saturday night's dance. "I was happier than when I won, my little Haileigh has just been announced Homecoming queen and I couldn't feel happier! Thanks to every single one of you! You guys made this happen and we are all part of something huge. I can't fully express how grateful I am. I am in completely shocked that this happen. My girl looks absolutely flawless," wrote Arellano on Facebook Saturday night.

Hit the link for a great video of their winning moment.

Gaga Performs Tribute To Jamey

BUFFALO: Hundreds Attend Funeral For Gay Teen Bullying Victim

HRC Denounces King Mistrial

Just in from Joe Solmonese:

“It is disappointing that the criminal justice system has failed to bring closure to the family, friends and community that loved Lawrence. In the wake of the mistrial, and in honor of Lawrence, we will continue our efforts to prevent these types of tragedies by working with school districts across our nation to stamp out the ignorance and prejudice that led to Lawrence’s death. It’s up to the adults around children to call out that early behavior and prejudice, and to explain that the differences among us are part of what makes us strong: that being different is not something to attack, but to appreciate. If Lawrence or Brandon had lived in that world, their lives might not have collided in tragedy and death.”

FLASHBACK: Make A Wish

If, like me, you were a barely-pubescent homosexual in the early 70s, perhaps you too spent your Saturday mornings wracked by bewildering lust for Make A Wish host and Grammy winner Tom Chapin. My mother was pleased that I was such an avid fan of an educational program. Heh. I still know this theme song by heart. "If you want it, you can get it. But to get it, you've got to want it." OK then.

What If Ann Coulter Had A Gay Child?

The very concept strikes her dumb. Ahem.

High School Senior Comes Out At Assembly

It's a lovely and astoundingly articulate speech. Watch this.

(Via - Queerty)

Born This Way

Born This Way: "A photo/essay project for gay adults (male and female) to submit pictures from their childhood (roughly ages 2 to 12) - with snapshots that capture them, innocently, showing the beginnings of their innate LGBT selves. It's OUR nature, our TRUTH!" Hit the link for adorable baby queers.

Glee's All-Boy Katy Perry Cover

Has there ever been anything like this on American TV?

Bullied By Gays

JMG reader Jeff points us to this satirical website, which reads:

Due to the media attention being given to suicides by bullied gay and lesbian youth, we have decided to create a list of straight kids who have been bullied by gays and lesbians until they were driven to take their own lives. Check back later to see if we've found any cases to add to the list.

Wicked Cast - It Gets Better

HomoQuotable - Dan Savage

"The religious right points to the suicide rate among gay teenagers — which the religious right works so hard to drive up as evidence that the gay lifestyle is destructive. It's like intentionally running someone down with your car and then claiming that it isn't safe to walk the streets.

"Which is why I argued that every gay teen suicide is a victory for the religious right. Because, you see, your side does use those suicides to 'perpetuate [your] agenda.' Tony Perkins and all those other oddly effete defenders of 'Christian values' and 'traditional marriage' will point to this recent spate of gay teen suicides to argue against gay marriage, anti-bullying programs, against allowing gay people to serve in the military—basically, they'll gleefully use these tragedies to justify what they like to call the 'Christian, pro-family agenda.'" - Dan Savage, responding to a woman who wrote to say that her feelings were hurt by his claim that Christians are responsible for gay teen suicides.

Read Savage's complete response. It begins: "I'm sorry your feelings were hurt by my comments. No, wait. I'm not. Gay kids are dying. So let's try to keep things in perspective: fuck your feelings."

A.J. McClean - It Gets Better

Backstreet Boys member A.J. McClean weighs in.

ACLU Staffers - It Gets Better

Just in from the ACLU:

We made our own videos to contribute to the It Gets Better Project, featuring several LGBT staffers from the national ACLU's New York and Washington, D.C. offices. Staff from many different departments — including fundraising, database, and human resources — stepped up to contribute. The ACLU's executive director, Anthony D. Romero, joined in the effort as well. Learn more about the ACLU LGBT Project's work on behalf of students and youth at www.aclu.org/safeschools.

Watch both of these.

Maggie Gallagher On Tyler Clementi

"The suicide of that teen was not only a tragedy it was a crime. The young people who violated laws out of mindless desire to bully or embarrass or whatever the heck kids do this stuff will be prosecuted and probably jailed, I hope. Nothing in the press accounts suggest the kids who did this were motivated by homophobia, and the cruelty of cyberbullying is causing teen suicides among those who are not gay, as well. I do not think the absence of gay marriage is the cause of these tragedies or its presence will resolve them. We can make this a symbol of all our other fights, or we can try to save all our kids, gay and straight, from this kind of ugly and mindless cruelty. My heart goes out to the family of the young man. God bless him and them." - Maggie Gallagher, commenting on NOM's blog.

Jeremy Hooper responds at Good As You: "It doesn't matter what Maggie personally thinks about what will or will not resolve tragedies like the ones we've seen this week. It doesn't matter how heartfelt her personal condolences may be. What matters is the body of her professional work with NOM and elsewhere, and the fallout that we gay folk all-too-well know can stem from these "culture war" activities! Because it is this bias cultivation that changes the molecules in the air. It's this anti-civil rights work that puts heterosexism into everyone's psyches. It's this fear-fostering that foments a world where LGBT people are viewed as different, wrong, or in some extreme cases -- unworthy of life."