That Gay Blog

Gay news and opinion, politics, and gay rights activism

Santorum States that Having Same-sex Parents is Worse Than a Convict

Seriously?

Rick Santorum who is avidly known as being antigay has continued on his string on antigay pronouncements while on the trail in New Hampshire, stating that a man in jail would be a better parent than a same-sex couple.

The Los Angeles Times reported from Manchester, New Hampshire that Santorum claimed to quote an anti-poverty expert while explaining his case.

Santorum went on to state that that he had found that even fathers in ail who had abandoned their kids were better than no father at all to have in the child’s life. To quote Santorum later following this, he stated according to an article in The Advocate, that if a same-sex couple were to raise a child, they would be, “robbing the children of something that they need, they deserve, they have a right to. You may rationalize that this isn’t true, but in your own life and in your own heart, you know it’s true.”

Same Sex Marriages are Facing Higher Taxes

Same-sex Still Can't File Jointly

According to an article in CNN, same-sex spouses are paying up to $6,000 a year in extra taxes because the government doesn’t recognize gay marriage. Marriage usually reaps benefits for any heterosexual couples, however, same-sex families aren’t allowed to yet enjoy the same perks associated with marriage since they are required to still file taxes separately instead of jointly.

Although gay marriage is being more widely accepted as a legal right, the imbalance still persists. There are more than 12 states that are now granting full or partial marriage rights to same-sex couples and this is the first time that the majority of Americans favor gay marriage. With same-sex spouses filing independently, it means that they can’t combine their income and deductions to take advantage of lower tax rates. This means that it’s also harder to qualify for certain tax breaks because the credits phase out sooner for single filers.

Rap Now Endorsing the Gay Movement

After Years of Being Against it

For a long time, rappers and homophobic hate speech have gone hand in hand but the time has come where MCs from Fat Joe to The Game are changing their tune and supporting gay pride.

The rap music genre’s that exploded in the early 1980s and stood apart as one of the culture’s most unregulated forums for anti-gay hate speech. Ice Cube to Eminem has spoken out against gays, lesbians and the like. MCs have unleashed homophobic rants and hurled sluts in songs without the fear of censorship or reprisal for decades.

Beginners explores youthful exuberance

Christopher Plummer shines.

I finally got around to watching the movie Beginners the other night. I'd been meaning to see the movie, which stars Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer (of Sound of Music fame!), when it was out in the theaters, but I never made it. Read more about Beginners explores youthful exuberance

Legalization of Same-sex Marriage can Improve Health

Doctors in Legalized States have Seen a Decrease in Visits

According to an article in USA today, a new study recently found that gay men who live in states where same-sex marriage is legal are healthier, have less stress, make fewer doctor visits and have lower health-care costs.

This study included 1,200 patients who were at a large Massachusetts health clinic that provides services for gay men and other sexual minorities. In the 12 months following the 2003 legalizations of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, there was a significant decrease in medical care visits, mental health visits, and mental health care costs among gay and bisexual men in comparison to the 12 months prior when same-sex marriage was still illegal. Read more about Legalization of Same-sex Marriage can Improve Health

Macy's Trying to Combat Negative Image

When it Comes to the Transgendered Community

A Macy’s store in San Antonio has fired an employee who refused to let a transgender woman use a women’s fitting room – and a conservative legal group is combating this decision saying that the woman’s religious freedom was violated.

A few days after Thanksgiving, Natalie Johnson, the worker denied the transgender customer access to the dressing room at the Macy’s located in the Rivercenter Mall. Shortly after, an argument ensued, which involved other customers as well as Johnson’s manager. The manager told her that transgender shoppers could use the room of their choice.

Don't Drop the Buck into the Bucket

For Salvation Army Bell Ringers who Don't Support LGBT Rights

The Salvation Army’s red kettle fundraising campaign is not going to be getting a ringing endorsement from the gay and lesbian community this year.

Gay-rights groups are now urging a boycott of donations to the holiday bell-ringers saying that the Salvation Army has a long history of discriminating against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, which is a charge that the charity is denying.

French Mayor Marries Two Men

"The mayor’s defiance was quickly dismissed by President Nicolas Sarkozy’s Minister for Families"

In a small French town, the mayor of Cabestany officiated at the marriage of two men on Saturday, November 5^th, in defiance of national law, which only allows civil unions.

The marriage could not be held in the town hall in southern Cabestany, due to it being ‘illegal’ in the world of France. France had one other gay marriage officiated and celebrated in 2004, but it was later annulled by a court.

Too Young to Die

The Story of Ashlynn Conner

In Illinois, a 10-year old girl committed suicide after enduring bullying that included her being called a boy when she had cut her hair short.

Read more about Too Young to Die

A Pageant in a Tux?

Meet Janelle Hutcherson

Traditional pageants always seem the same, beautiful girls all promising to bring world peace once they win the crown, however, this year, Jenelle Hutcherson, 25, is going to mix things up a bit. Hutcherson is switching out the long-heralded ball gown for a tuxedo and the perfect up-do for a Mohawk. Hutcherson is a Long Beach hair artist and also the first lesbian to rock the runway in the pageant’s 61-year history.