Articles by compassq

5 THINGS TO KNOW

No new transgender troops, but everything else is up to Mattis.

August 27, 2017 compassq Comments Off on No new transgender troops, but everything else is up to Mattis.

President Trump signed a long-awaited directive on Friday that precludes transgender individuals from joining the military but gives Defense Secretary Jim Mattis wide discretion in determining whether those already in the armed forces can continue to serve. Mr. Mattis’s decisions will be based on several criteria, including military effectiveness and budgetary concerns, a senior White House official said in briefing reporters.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

A shelter for Britain’s LGBT homeless.

August 26, 2017 compassq Comments Off on A shelter for Britain’s LGBT homeless.

A fundraising campaign has been launched to open Britain’s first homeless shelter for LGBT people. The shelter, based in London, will comprise a former tour bus previously owned by the rock band Status Quo remodelled to temporarily house those most at risk from the dangers of rough-sleeping – many of whom also face compound problems resulting from hate crimes, domestic abuse, family rejection, and poor mental health.

POLICIES

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

August 26, 2017 compassq Comments Off on 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.

August 26, 2017 compassq Comments Off on 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.

August 26, 2017 compassq Comments Off on 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.