freckles make me strong.

“I have been on my own journey. I will admit that. It has been a battle for me with my religion,” said Gregoire, who is Catholic. “I have always been uncomfortable with the position that I have taken publicly. And then I came to realize the religions can decide what they want to do but it is not OK for the state to discriminate.”

Ms. Gregoire, it is lovely to have you fully on board at last.  

I just signed the Fundacion Causana’spetition addressed to the Ecuador Minister of Health. I sincerely hope you will join me.

Close fake “clinics” that torture LGBT in order to “cure” them

Join Fundacion Causana and a coalition of other Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender groups in calling on Ecuador’s Minister of Health to immediately investigate and close the 200 “ex- gay clinics” that still remain open despite public support for their closing and reported accounts of torture and abuse. Ecuador is home to over 200 “ex- gay” clinics that starve, abuse, and torture patients in an effort to make them straight.

Although over 30 “ex- gay clinics” have been closed this year, hundreds still remain open. These clinics which claim to “cure” homosexuality have decreased in popularity in recent years yet still remain a horrific reality for many. Escaping patients report cases of physical and psychological abuse including verbal threats, shackling, days without food, sexual abuse, and physical torture. Paula Ziritti, 24, spent two years in one such facility and for three months was shackled in handcuffs while guards threw water and urine on her. She describes numerous accounts of physical and sexual abuse. Ziritti says, “The closure of the first clinics by the government is good, but not good enough. Why is the clinic where I suffered still open?”

Since Zirittu’s public disclosure, many others have been inspired to step forward and file formal complaints against these treatment centers. Please join Ecuadorian activists groups in calling on the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health to launch a serious investigation into the degrading and illegal abuses and close all clinics.

There is an article from the advocate here.

via gaywrites:

President Obama released a proclamation this week barring people who engage in acts violating human rights from entering the United States.

This includes, but is not limited to, citizens in Uganda attempting to pass legislation legalizing the execution of LGBT people. The secretary of state will have the power to decide who cannot enter the United States. From the Washington Blade:

“The United States’ enduring commitment to respect for human rights and humanitarian law requires that its Government be able to ensure that the United States does not become a safe haven for serious violators of human rights and humanitarian law and those who engage in other related abuses,” Obama states.

Specific language in the proclamation explicitly states that those who persecute people based on their “sexual orientation and gender identity” are among the categories of those who won’t be able to enter the United States.

Mr. President, how I appreciate thee. I do hope something comes of this. 

(via amandalynferri)

chriskelly:

Dear Senator Ball,

Please, please vote yes.

It looks like this gay marriage issue might come down to you. And I understand you have concerns. Namely, you’re a Republican and you’re worried about protecting religious institutions from having to perform gay marriages and the like. But we gay…

Homeboy nails it.

Wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Kelly.

(via heyitseva)