The Rainbow Room

Gay Kids Three Times As Likely to Be Bullied
Stats have not changed much from 10 years ago...in fact, it seems to be worse.

Will Michigan's Anti-Bullying Law Pass?
Not with protections for LGBTQ kids, according to religious and social conservatives.

Catholic Theologian Condemned for Pro-Gay Writings
In spite of this, Jesuit institution Marquette University is backing theologian and professor Daniel Maguire for his views.

Ricky Martin Supportive of Gays
"Life is too short to live closed up, guarding what you say," he says...

Uganda Lesbian Applies for Asylum in US
Sad to say, though, what happened to this lady also happens in the US.

Lesbian Asks Court to Ban Gay Adoption
Sarah Wheeler separates from her partner and can't handle joint custody of her biological child.
In fact, she isn't even sure that she is a lesbian anymore.

To the child, does it matter who is his/her biological mother, and who is the mother he/she feels closest to?

US Supreme Court Reconsiders Free Speech for Students

Just because one teacher is offended by a student's joke, does that make it OK to suspend him or her?

What type of "opinions", "jokes", "pranks", or "statements" uttered by high school students merit disciplinary action, counseling, or just a good laugh? Will monitoring and disciplining student commentary encourage a society that limits, rather than encourages, free speech?

No gay or lesbian commitment ceremonies in the Magic Kingdom.
As neither Disney World in Florida, nor Disney Land in California, has the power to grant marriage licenses, who are they to define what constitutes "Happily Ever After"?

Even Sir Elton John, who made millions of dollars for Disney with his movie music, would not be able to marry his partner in Disney Land's Rose Court Garden.

Even David Tutera, the wedding planner who works for Disney World designing other peoples' wedding fantasies, had to travel all the way to Vermont for his ceremony.

Considering the number of LGBTQ folks who spend millions every year on trips to Disney theme parks, Disney movies, and the Disney Store, isn't their money good enough for a fantasy wedding?

Evangelical Leader States that Homosexuality is Biological
In the same breath, however, he states that homosexuality is still a sin.
Reverend R. Albert Mohler, Jr., the president of the leading Southern Baptist seminary, states that prenatal treatment to reverse sexual orientation would be "biblically justified".

For the record...courtesy of the King James Bible (2000 version):

How does genetic diversity occur if man was made in God's image, and all descendants of man come from Adam and Eve?

Will the reversing of sexual orientation become the new circumcision?

Hmm...Moses didn't curse the men who sleep with men here...

In any case...here is the Human Rights Campaign's bibliography on LGBTQ folks and religion.

No More Gay Straight Alliances for Utah
No kidding. Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. gave Utah schools the right to reject student clubs that threaten the "moral well-being" of students.

Sodomy Remains Illegal In Utah (Although US Supreme Court ruled that states cannot make laws regulating private sexual conduct)

Iowa Anti-Bullying Law Goes Into Effect
Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed anti-bullying legislation that provides specific protections for gay and lesbian students. Go Iowa!

Jenna Bush Writes YA Book About HIV-Positive Single Mom
Based on her work for UNICEF. Go Jenna!

Newt Gingrich Had Affair During Clinton Scandal
He who throws stones better not live in a glass house. Newt Gingrich admits to having an extramarital affair during the Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal. Go, Newt, supporter of heterosexual marriage and family values.

Secular Government May Win Over the Vatican
Romans are rallying for civil unions, in spite of Pope Benedict XVI. Viva Italia, e viva amore!

Bill To Repeal Military Ban of Open Gays and Lesbians Reintroduced in Congress
One would think that, if the US desperately needs recruits and competent military, they would give LGBTQ soldiers the right to serve openly and proudly. When surveyed, a lot of soldiers don't care if their fellow soldiers are gay, straight, or otherwise--they are tired, and need all the help they can get in Iraq.

"Don't Ask Don't Tell" Military Policy Challenged by Twelve Servicemen

"In a statement before the hearing began the discharged servicemembers said in a statement that "we have come to the First Circuit with unmovable confidence in our nation’s promise of ‘liberty and justice for all.’ We believe the freedoms we defended as United States military personnel are alive and well in our country. We know our nation can do better than this law."

"Each of the servicemembers served during the current war on terror." (365.gay.com)

And...New Hampshire might be the next state to allow civil unions or gay marriage...

It's easy for someone to say, "I'm just one person. I can't change the way people think, or the way the world works. Homophobia will always exist, and kids will always bully each other."

If a person chooses to say this about bullying and homophobia, it is passive consent to allow such activity and mindsets to continue. For every person working in government, religious office, the education system, or downtown Main Street pouring coffee, this passive consent is approval of discrimination against the LGBTQ community that still takes place, every day, in the United States of America.

Waterville, Maine could be considered a part of mainstream America. Although New England states have detailed anti-discrimination legislation to protect the LGBTQ community, children and teens still suffer at the hands of unenlightened peers, parents, and teachers. To this day, LGBTQ kids are 2 to 5 times more likely to commit suicide than heterosexual kids. And even in this time of anti-discrimination legislation, middle and high school students report hearing the words "faggot", "queer", "lezzie", and/or "dyke" used by their peers at least three to five times per day.

Hardy Girls Healthy Women, a non-profit organization in Waterville, Maine dedicated to the health and well-being of girls and women, has decided to address the issue of homophobia in a big way. According to their website, "We believe that it is not the girls, but rather the culture in which they live that is in need of repair." This belief powered their support of an engaging play written and produced by Carolyn Gage called "Ugly Ducklings".

According to Jessica Morgan, Outreach Coordinator for Hardy Girls Healthy Women, "'Ugly Ducklings' is the first play of its type, written by Carolyn [Gage] to further develop the canon of lesbian theater while also addressing the compulsory heterosexuality that pushes so many young people into uncomfortable spaces in which they might not fit."

"Ugly Ducklings" focuses on two teenage girls who fall in love at a girl's summer camp, and the repercussions and harassment that they endure from their peers and camp counselors. One girl morphs into a bullying homophobe to cover herself, while the other girl is forced to leave the camp. Gage captured the gritty reality of girl-on-girl bullying, as well as the spectrum of emotions--love, frustration, helplessness, and hopefulness--that teenagers can experience in the course of one day.

A documentary about the production of the play (also called "Ugly Ducklings") is available for review as part of a community action kit. The documentary reveals that most of the girls who performed in the play had experienced some form of homophobia firsthand, and believed wholly in the mission of their performance. Their performance was a true act of courage, as the majority of the girls identified as lesbian or bisexual, and were not all completely out to their families and peers. Their stories, as well as interviews with Carolyn Gage and others involved in the production of the play, can also be heard.

The most engaging part of the documentary was the young actresses' explanation of the acronym "LGBTQ", as well as their own definitions of "lesbian", "gay", "bisexual", "transgender", and "questioning", and how they related to those terms. A middle school or high school girl might appreciate hearing that it's OK if she's not sure about her sexual orientation, or that it's OK if she likes girls. A girl from a small town might appreciate knowing that there are other kids out there who are just like her. On the flip side, a straight girl might watch the bullies and swear that she will never act like those losers. The most important thing is that both the play and the documentary provide a forum to discuss homophobia and acceptance of others.

Slowly "Ugly Ducklings" is making its way around the country. It was first performed at Colby College for an HGHW summer program, to initiate dialogue about sexual orientation, the coming out process, peer pressure, and self-acceptance. In 2003, the play had been performed by Venus Theater in Washington, D.C., and made its way to Stage Q of Madison, Wisconsin in 2006. In 2007, readings of "Ugly Ducklings" will take place at the University of West Virginia nd the University of Maine in Machias. We hope that this play will come to a high school, local theater, or summer camp near you! For a community action kit, contact Jessica Morgan, Outreach Coordinator of Hardy Girls, Healthy Women, at jessica@hghw.org.