Year: 2017

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Outsports Person of the Year: Ryan O’Callaghan.

December 29, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Outsports Person of the Year: Ryan O’Callaghan.

In 2017 we saw an increasingly loud conversation about why more current professional athletes in the Big Five sports leagues don’t come out publicly. No one has come out publicly since three men took the leap — Robbie Rogers, Jason Collins and Michael Sam — in 2013 and 2014. Pundits wonder about potential abuse by fans, harassment in the locker room, the loss of endorsement deals and a whole slew of red herrings that are raised every time the conversation pops up. Read the full article HERE.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Russian Senator argues that protecting animals will lead to LGBT rights.

December 29, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Russian Senator argues that protecting animals will lead to LGBT rights.

Earlier this year the chief executive of the Kenya Film Classification Board alleged that a pair of male lions who appeared to be mating at a reserve there must have learned the behavior from gay people who visited the park. Now, Russian Senator Sergei Kalashnikov, who has no interest in protecting animals or LGBT people, said that maintaining rights for animals would lead to protecting gay rights. Read the full article HERE.

HEALTH

10,000 LGBT young people were made homeless this year in the UK.

December 29, 2017 compassq Comments Off on 10,000 LGBT young people were made homeless this year in the UK.

Tens of thousands of young people were made homeless in 2017, including over 10,000 LGBT+ people, according to new figures. Research released on Christmas Day showed that nearly 45,000 people aged between 18-24 had approached local authorities to seek assistance this year. The figures, obtained from 234 local councils by Freedom of Information requests, were requested by the political party the Liberal Democrats. Read the full article HERE.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Oregon court upholds $135,000 fine against bakery owners in gay wedding cake case.

December 29, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Oregon court upholds $135,000 fine against bakery owners in gay wedding cake case.

The Oregon Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a ruling — and a $135,000 fine — that two Gresham bakery owners discriminated against a gay couple by refusing to make them a wedding cake, violating Oregon law. The courts did reverse a portion of the Bureau of Labor and Industries decision that said Melissa and Aaron Klein violated Oregon law by communicating their intent to discriminate against same-sex couples in the future. Read the full article HERE.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

What’s really going on at HHS? Further developments throw “banned words” narrative into question.

December 28, 2017 compassq Comments Off on What’s really going on at HHS? Further developments throw “banned words” narrative into question.

The news broke over the weekend, and was received with widespread outrage online: apparently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had banned certain terms from budget documents intended to secure funding for the 2018 fiscal year. This came to light during a budget meeting for HHS subsidiary the Centers for Disease Control… Read the full article HERE.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

11 glimmers of hope for LGBT rights from around the world.

December 28, 2017 compassq Comments Off on 11 glimmers of hope for LGBT rights from around the world.

Hopeful steps toward recognition of LGBT rights occurred this year in many otherwise homophobic countries, even as brutal anti-LGBT crackdowns were under way elsewhere. Below are thumbnail descriptions of encouraging developments in 11 nations, regions, and international organizations… Read the full article HERE.