gay rights

BISHOP TERRY ANGEL MASON SPEAKS OUT ON UGANDA LAW IMPOSING LIFE IN PRISON FOR GAY PEOPLE

 

U.S. evangelicals, including a Southern California pastor, have been linked to passage of repressive bill

Hear our radio interview with Bishop Terry Angel Mason on KNSJ 89.1 FM Descanso today at 5 p.m. along with the full East County Magazine Show, or listen to a podcast of his interview here: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

By Miriam Raftery

April 2, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Bishop Terry Angel Mason wants to bring his fiancé and their two adopted, orphaned children to America from Uganda. But his family is now in hiding –because of a new law in Uganda that  criminalizes homosexuality and imposes a life in prison sentence on gay people, as well as anyone falsely accused of being gay.

The law further requires that doctors, pastors, journalists and others  inform authorities about the identities of gays and prohibits all discussion of gay rights issues.  The law is fueling hate crimes, including beatings and burnings of gay people.  Nor is Uganda alone; other African nations have also passed restrictive laws penalizing gay people, creating a climate of fear.

Audio: 


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OUT: BOOK BY LOCAL AUTHOR TURNS SOCIETY INSIDE-OUT

 

 

 

By Laura Preble

Reviewed by Walter G. Meyer

Out is inside-out.

West Hills High School teacher and East County resident Laura Preble has authored a new book, Out, which turns society inside out. The book’s publication is well-timed to coincide with the Supreme Court hearing two cases about gay marriage, because at the heart of her book is an alternate universe in which being gay and same-sex married is the norm and being straight, or as the book puts it, “perpendicular” is the aberration.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: AN OPEN LETTER TO CITY ATTORNEY JAN GOLDSMITH

 
By Hugh Moore, El Cajon
San Diego County Green Party Treasurer
 
May 7, 2012 (San Diego)--In the case of the city against the six gay rights activists who were arrested in August of 2010 for “blocking access” to the office where people get marriage licenses I cannot understand how you can justify the expense of continuing to attempt prosecution.

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CONGRESS APPROVES REPEAL OF `DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL'; SENDS MEASURE TO PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE


Local representatives split votes down party lines


December 19, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – By a 65-31 vote, the U.S. Senate voted to end the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which barred gay and lesbian service members from serving openly in the military. The House approved the measure last week, which President Barack Obama is expected to sign.


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KENSINGTON COMMUNITY CHURCH ADOPTS POLICY WELCOMING GAY COMMUNITY

 

November 4, 2010 (Kensington) -- The congregation of Kensington Community Church (KCC) United Church of Christ voted on October 10th to become an “open and affirming” church.

 


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JUDGE DECLARES ‘DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL’ UNCONSTITUTIONAL

 

By Miriam Raftery
Former ECM intern Joseph Rocha gave key testimony at trial

September 10, 2010 (San Diego) – U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips ruled yesterday that the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning openly gay soldiers from serving is unconstitutional, violating the First and Fifth Amendments. The judge found that the policy has a “direct and deleterious effect” on military readiness by hindering recruitment in wartime and requiring discharge of service members who have critical skills or training.

"I am overjoyed that so many veterans and active duty members have been honored with justice. The decision upholds the constitution proving that no patriots blood is any less valuable in the defense of our nation." Joseph Rocha, an award-winning ECM journalism intern who testified at the trial, told ECM in an e-mail this evening. A former Navy dog handler, Rocha underwent 93 counts of abuse at the hands of an officer while serving in Bahrain.

Read our prior coverage and interview with Rocha on his ordeal. View his testimony (pagse 27-34) here.


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LEMON GROVE PROCLAIMS PRIDE DAY JULY 10

 

July 6, 2010 (Lemon Grove) – The City of Lemon Grove has issued a proclamation declaring July 10th “Pride Day at Your Lemon Grove Library.” Ron deHarte, emcee of the Pride Celebration, was the victim of a hate crime that occurred in Lemon Grove last summer while participating in an equal rights torch relay that passed through Lemon Grove.

 


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VIGIL COMMEMORATES ASSAULT ON GAY ACTIVIST IN LEMON GROVE, COMMUNITY LEADERS CALL FOR TOLERANCE


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EQUALITY TORCH RELAY SPARKS ARREST IN LEMON GROVE; GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATES CARRY TORCH TO RALLIES AT 4 EAST COUNTY CITY HALLS


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SCHEDULE RELEASED FOR EAST COUNTY EQUALITY TORCH RELAY

June 4, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – organizers of the East County Equality Torch Relay in support of gay rights have released a schedule ot events planned for this Saturday, June 6th. Participants can walk, bike, or drive to follow the torch and attend a 20 minute rally at each city hall in East County.

 

SCHEDULE:

El Cajon:

6:00am Start at Sycuan Casino

8:00am Program at City Hall

200 E. Main St.

Santee:

9:00 am Start at N Johnson Ave and Parkway Plaza

10:34 am Program at City Hall

10601 Magnolia Ave


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EQUALITY TORCH RELAY SET IN EAST COUNTY JUNE 6

May 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—“This is a time where we need equality,” says Eve Parker, lead organizer of the East County Equality Torch Relay slated for June 6th in Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove. The relay is part of a county-wide event for supporters of equal rights for gay and lesbian people. “I am actually a heterosexual, but I felt so strongly that I believe it is important that I stand up and take the lead,” said Parker.


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