I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
Greg Mitcham-Photo courtesy of the Australian Olympic teams
Gay man wins gold medal, but is shunned by NBC
While the eyes of the world were on Beijing last week, focusing on the trials and triumphs of many of the world’s best and brightest athletes, many missed the legion of “out” gay athletes, some of whom medaled in their sports.
Take for instance the Australian diver Matthew Mitcham who took gold in the men’s 10-meter dive. Mitcham is hardly the first gay person to compete and win in the Olympics; those of us old enough to remember the 80s and 90s recall the bright eyed American swimmer/diver Greg Louganis. The difference is, Mitcham was out, Louganis came out after winning gold and ending his career. Mitcham was joined in Beijing by his mother and his boyfriend.
To Yahoo news, he said:
“Being gay and diving are completely separate parts of my life. Of course there’s going to be crossover because some people have issues, but everyone I dive with has been so supportive.”
But alack, while others have been supportive of the diver being openly gay, NBC News, which broadcast the Olympics, was not so supportive. Not only did the mainstream news outlet fail to mention that Mitcham was gay, they went so far as to not show his mother or his partner in the stands. Meanwhile in the world of the straight swimmers, record breaking Michael Phelps’ mother became a media icon in her own right as NBC cameras focused on her cheering her son on to victory. One wonders why Mitcham’s mother and partner were any less important.
“Out” German athlete and lesbian takes China to task for human rights record
Imke Duplitzer, a German fencing champion, fell short of gold dreams in the Beijing Olympics, but it did not stop her from opening fire on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or China for its dismal human rights record. Duplitzer along with 127 other athletes signed a protest letter to the IOC about China’s human rights record. And that letter led to the German fencing champ appearing in such mainstream media outlets as USA Today, CBS News and Time magazine. And yet again the mainstream media, or MSM, managed to fail to report that Duplitzer was a lesbian. I suppose if the MSM doesn’t acknowledge the 10 openly gay athletes in the Olympics, no one else has to either, right?
Del Martin founder of first lesbian organization in the U.S. dies
Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, founders of the nation's first lesbian rights group
While the theme of this week’s Gay News You Can Use is about the Olympics, it would be a terrible error not to mention the passing of a woman who was truly a gold medal winner when it came to fighting for human rights. Del Martin started the Daughters of Bilitis in San Francisco in 1955. At her death, Martin was 87 years old.
Aside from being the woman who started the lesbian rights movement, Martin and her life partner of 55 years, Phyllis Lyon, were also the first gay couple married by Gavin Newsom under the California Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriage. Martin passed away at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) Hospice Center with Lyon at her side.
“Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn’t be by my side,” Lyon said in a statement issued by the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “I am so lucky to have known her, loved her and been her partner in all things.
“I also never imagined there would be a day that we would actually be able to get married,” Lyon said. “I am devastated [by her death], but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed.”
Lyon and leaders in the LGBT community were not the only ones mourning the passing of Del Martin.
Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama said in a statement, “Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear that Del had passed. Del committed her life to fighting discrimination and promoting equality. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her spouse Phyllis Lyon, and all those who were touched by her life.”
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said, “Del Martin holds a place of honor in the pantheon of American civil rights leaders. She was a hero and a role model to me and countless other LGBT women and men who seek nothing more and nothing less than full equality. I offer my deep sympathies to her beloved wife, Phyllis, and pledge to carry on the work that they began.” Baldwin is the first and only openly lesbian member of the U.S. Congress.
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