POLICIES

Bless the partnership, but don’t let them marry.

The Waldensian Evangelical Church on Friday became the first Protestant church in Italy to formally offer to “bless” same-sex couples in civil partnerships, a common practice in Protestant churches across Europe. While same-sex couples in the country are not allowed to legally marry in a church, gay and lesbian couples will now be able to mark and celebrate their civil partnerships in a church service – or “blessing” ceremony.

OPINIONS

The need for more gay professional athletes.

As an openly gay male athlete in a pro team sport, I feel like a distinct minority and wish more athletes would take the plunge and come out. I am from Canada and play pro volleyball and it hasn’t been easy being openly gay. Volleyball isn’t as high profile as some of the other major sports throughout the world and especially in North America, so I feel that my impact is limited to the volleyball community. But I think my experiences as a team sport athlete are not unique.

SPORTS

Stopping gay slurs will benefit Mexican schools.

If Mexico fans chant “Eeehhh Mexico” instead of the goalkeeper chant that has been ruled anti-gay by FIFA in next Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Estadio Azteca against Panama, the country’s federation will allocate the amount it would’ve been fined into Mexican schools. The Mexican federation (FMF) has been fined and warned on multiple occasions by FIFA, including 20,000 Swiss Francs ($20,756) for the last World Cup qualifiers in Estadio Azteca against Honduras and the United States, as well as receiving a warning at the Confederations Cup.

A & E

What are the 20 best LGBT movies of this century?

“Moonlight.” “The Handmaiden.” “Carol.” The last few years have not only brought LGBTQ films and stories further into the mainstream, but queer films have dominated awards seasons and found commercial success. This has been a long time coming: The New Queer Cinema was a major influence on the indie film boom of the ’90s, and set the bar high for the many queer films to follow.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

The “Queen of Pride” throws out first pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals.

One of America’s most beloved sports teams has invited a transgendered woman to throw out the first pitch at what is being called “Pride Night.” The St. Louis Cardinals, in partnership with Pride St. Louis, have asked “Tassandra Crush” to take the mound before their game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Busch Stadium later this evening. Pride St. Louis coronated Crush its “Queen of Pride” in 2017.

HEALTH

Support for transgender youth begins in small town America.

Terri and Jaimie are moms who live in Grass Lake, Michigan. When you live in a town as small as Grass Lake, everybody knows your name. It’s what makes towns like Grass Lake the kind of place you’d want to raise a family. Grass Lake is also more diverse than anyone thought. Terri and Jaimie are both moms to young transgender kids. What makes Grass Lake exceptional is that its school board recently decided to allow transgender children to use the bathrooms matching their gender identity. What always strikes me about school board meetings like the one recently held in Grass Lake is the passion of the community – and how our goals are the same. We all want our children to grow up […]