http://www.citizensugar.com/ Breaking News, Together. en http://www.citizensugar.com/2568236 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/c500095a77e933c0_E010260.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" width="320" height="256"></span>Gloria Squitiro, the wife of Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser says she volunteers 70 hours a week to help her husband fulfill his campaign promises, but critics <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D94S4M1G0&amp;show_article=1&amp;catnum=0" target="_blank">say she's doing a job that she wasn't elected to do</a>. After resigning, the mayor's former chief-of-staff said, "It was kind of like having your mother-in-law go along on your honeymoon."</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/49_2008/b4e6366d3c9b9f8e_Kcmomayorfunkhouser.img_assist_properties.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right img_assist_properties" width="143" height="200"></span>Controversy has surrounded the duo for a while now. According to the Associated Press, when Ms. Squitiro set up a desk outside her husband's city hall office and proceeded to call a black aide "Mammy," the city council passed an anti-nepotism ordinance sending Squitiro back home. So what did Mr. Mayor do? He started working from home. </p> <p>The mayor has stood up for his actions, saying: "The idea that once we won the prize, I was going to dump her and say, 'See you, honey, in four years. Go on back home and bake cookies, fold some laundry. I'll be there when I get there,' is absurd."</p> <p>Should the mayor be allowed to have his wife advise him?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2568236#comment Headline Kansas City Politics of Love Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:30:59 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2568236 http://www.citizensugar.com/2472345 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/45_2008/19ea8d600f1c8244_AA023549.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="211" width="320"></span>After coming under fire from 40 different state attorney generals, Craigslist has agreed to crack down on those advertising sex for sale. The classified website will more effectively rid its <a href="http://sfbay.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/personals.cgi?category=ers" target="_blank">erotic services</a> section of ads law enforcers deem to be illegal. Perhaps staying true to its name, the erotic marketplace has notoriously been plagued with pornography and prostitution. </p> <p>Vendors will now have to provide valid identification before they post a sexy ad, thanks to the new agreement between the state officials and the company. In addition, ad posters must pay a $10 fee, using a credit card. Craigslist will donate the fee to charities that combat child exploitation and human trafficking. </p> <p>Offline sex for sale is usually associated with seedy neighborhoods and other crime, like drugs and violence. Is prostitution all right with you, so long as it stays on the Internet and on private property, or do officials have a duty to uphold the prohibition online, too? </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2472345#comment Craigslist Politics of Love Prostitution Sex Technology Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:30:00 -0800 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2472345 http://www.citizensugar.com/2468474 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/45_2008/cacaab19804a6a05_prop-8.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="197" width="300"></span>It's still too close call, but it looks like <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/05/BA3B13UM63.DTL&amp;type=politics" target="_blank">California voters have backed Proposition 8</a>, which would change the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. California Supreme Court <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1636337" >legalized nuptials for same-sex couples</a> earlier this year, and more than 18,000 <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/1717023" >couples took advantage of the landmark decision</a>.</p> <p>Right now about 95 percent of the vote is counted and the measure has 52 percent of the vote, but election officials estimate there could be as many as two million ballots left to count — primarily mail ballots that arrived Tuesday. The San Francisco City Attorney's office <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_10905867" target="_blank">says he plans to challenge the validity of a ballot measure</a>. </p> <p>Yesterday was a sad day for America across the board in terms of gay marriage. In Arizona, Proposition 102 which bans gay marriage, easily passed. In Florida, the gay marriage ban needed 60 percent of the vote and still passed, which also restricts rights of any cohabitating couple who are not husband and wife. Meanwhile, Arkansas passed a measure forbidding anyone other than a married man and woman from adopting a child.</p> <p>Stay tuned for final results as they come in. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2468474#comment Gay Marriage Politics of Love Proposition 8 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:34:48 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2468474 http://www.citizensugar.com/2448567 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/44_2008/0bcf04b073235e73_couple-kissing-in-South-Kor.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right outline xlarge" height="294" width="320"></span>South Korea's high court upheld an adultery law that can <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE49T65I20081030" target="_blank">send people to jail for having an extramarital affair</a> last week. It has been called anachronistic and an infringement on personal freedom by critics. </p> <p>The appeal made to the Constitutional Court since 1989 was brought by the lawyers for a popular actress who was charged when her actor husband filed a criminal complaint against her for having an affair with an opera singer. Sure, that sounds juicy, but to find out why the law was created in the first place, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2448567">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2448567#comment Politics of Love South Korea Mon, 03 Nov 2008 02:00:00 -0800 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2448567 http://www.citizensugar.com/2395649 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-2395649"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/2395649',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-2395649');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p>On election day, San Franciscans will be able to <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93V4U0O0&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">vote on Proposition K</a> — which would forbid local authorities from investigating, arresting, or prosecuting anyone for selling sex. Opponents most likely loath the idea of giving the government's stamp of approval to a depraved practice that leaves much harm in its wake. Others figure it could <a href="http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_10770941" target="_blank">solve nearby Oakland's prostitution problem</a>, since they would all move to SF.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/43_2008/73b7cb7705dafd54_6160-000176.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center xlarger" height="262" width="400"></span></p> <p>Still some say outlawing prostitution could be compared to abstinence-only education: because something is considered "wrong" authorities ignore solutions, allowing the risks to spiral. Plus, the biggest victims of prostitution are most likely the women selling themselves for sex, who have few-to-zero alternatives. To avoid trouble with the law or other criminals they turn to pimps. And jail time and a criminal record only makes their situation more bleak. The strictly fiscally minded note that the measure will save the city $11 million spent on arresting and prosecuting prostitutes.</p> <p>You all <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2137618" >gave me some great feedback</a> about the California ballot initiative to require parental notification for teen abortions. So tell me — how should I vote on this measure? </p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/2395649" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>SF May Decriminalize Prostitution: How Would You Vote? </label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes! Police should not be enforcing morality.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Yes. Arresting prostitutes only hurts them more, and clogs the legal system. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> No way! Morals aside, legalizing it in a small area means prostitutes will flock to SF. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> No! Decriminalizing it would increase crime, and make it hard to end sex trafficking. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="4" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="2395649" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/2395649#comment California Citizen Poll Politics of Love Prostitution San Francisco Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:00:41 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2395649 http://www.citizensugar.com/2339586 <p>Maybe you've gotten an email or two from some nice people in Nigeria with a whale of a financial opportunity — but if you get a text from Nigeria titled “I swear, I will make sure I give you HIV," don’t call the police. It may just be someone’s idea of an affectionate overture. When you open the text you'll most likely then read “H is for happiness and joy forever with an I: Incomparable love that will never V: Vanish until death do us part. I love you.” </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/41_2008/82148694.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="392" width="550"></span></p> <p>It’s the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7657314.stm" target="_blank">new way to wow your mate</a> from the new book <b>Touching the Heart Through Unforgettable Text Messages (Volume 2)</b> written by Femi Emmanuel, who writes text messages for those either too busy or illiterate to express their feelings. The book is marketed mostly to Nigerians, who have been described as obsessive text senders and who are tired of the usual courtship texts littering their phones. </p> <p>To see where the inspiration comes from, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2339586">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2339586#comment Cell Phones Headline Nigeria Politics of Love Technology Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2339586 http://www.citizensugar.com/2328838 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/41_2008/Pride-Campus.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="227" width="340"></span>Questioning the notion that segregation is bad for students, Chicago's school district is <a href="http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/10/proposed-school-for-gay-students-advances.html" target="_blank">considering opening a high school</a> for gay, lesbian, and transgender students. The school is among a group of recommended specialized schools, another example being a technology-focused campus. </p> <p>Schools targeting gay students — a group more likely to drop out, abusing drugs, and committing suicide — exist in other cities. </p> <p>Learning in an environment where they're not automatically "different" may help youth flourish. Even so, some gay students may feel that attending a gay-focused school would limit their identity to their sexual orientation. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to give students a chance to choose a targeted environment, while working to make mainstream schools more accepting, too.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2328838#comment Chicago education Headline Homosexuality Politics of Love Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:00:08 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2328838 http://www.citizensugar.com/2327446 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/41_2008/Teen-Pregnancy.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarge" height="220" width="320"></span>The school board in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the city of pregnancy-pact fame, is set to <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/us/2008/10/08/D93MGTS80_pregnancy_pact/index.html?source=refresh" target="_blank">vote on a plan to distribute contraceptives</a> to students. If passed, the schools and the students could enter a secret-contraception pact without parents knowing — in other words the schools would distribute condoms and such to students without parental consent. </p> <p>Despite <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/tag/Pregnancy+Pact" >well-publicized rumors</a> that 17 high school girls in the city decided to have children and raise them together, the mayor favors distributing contraceptives only <i>with</i> parental consent.</p> <p>Most of you think that <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2137618" >states should not require a teen to notify her parents</a> before she obtains an abortion. Well, what about preventing pregnancy altogether — should public high schools distribute contraceptives without parents knowing?</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2327446#comment Abortion Contraception Gloucester Headline Massachusetts Politics of Love Pregnancy Pact Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:17 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2327446 http://www.citizensugar.com/2252578 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/40_2008/stk30476tst.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" height="306" width="320"></span>Reading and writing have competition for lesson time in Rhode Island. A new law requires all middle and high school students to take a unit in their health classes to <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iqikBsHOX-b2lI03TR1u8_DmGJTgD93KGUV80" target="_blank">help students recognize</a> the beginnings of an abusive relationship. Sadly, the inspiration behind the law is a victim of one such fatally violent murder and is named the Lindsay Ann Burke Act in her memory. </p> <p>The murder of Lindsay Ann Burke at the hands of her ex-boyfriend prompted the enactment of the lesson mandate. The Rhode Island Attorney General who was instrumental in getting this law passed said: “You teach sex ed., you teach ‘don’t do drugs,’ you teach ‘don’t drink,’ you should also be teaching ‘don’t be a victim of domestic violence.’ “</p> <p>But the education isn’t all about abuse and violence. To see what else it teaches, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2252578">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2252578#comment Headline Politics of Love Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:00:08 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2252578 http://www.citizensugar.com/2089959 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/71301298.xlarger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right xlarger" height="400" width="270"></span></p> <p>India is fast becoming a modernized nation — reflected in their rising middle-class wealth, slowly improving infrastructure, and use of the Internet. The latter has brought to light a very unique problem as well as a very interesting solution.</p> <p>More and more men and women are meeting and building relationships online that eventually lead to marriage. Take that eHarmony ideal and move it to India, however, and those marriages can cost a bride’s family thousands of dollars for dowry. Technically, this dowry system was declared illegal in 1961, but the ritual is so entrenched that most families ignore the edict — creepily, with so much at stake men are marrying, claiming their dowry, and then disappearing — only to repeat the bamboozle until they’re caught. </p> <p>Enter, a <a hre="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/indias-female-detectives-track-down-internet-cheats-942572.html">new breed of female private detectives</a> specializing in “matrimonial investigations” to warn potential victims before they hit the altar. And business is booming. To see how, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2089959">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2089959#comment Headline India Politics of Love Technology Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:25 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2089959 http://www.citizensugar.com/2093407 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/39_2008/81318611.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" height="200" width="320"></span>One Louisiana politician's brainstorm for stopping generational welfare — welfare recipients having children who also end up on assistance — is giving birth to huge controversy. The idea? Offering <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=5886592&amp;page=1" target="_blank">$1,000 to poor women</a> to get their tubes tied. State Rep. John LaBruzzo has a host of other controversial plans including paying poor men to get vasectomies and giving tax incentives to college-educated, wealthy couples for having children — and the plan is causing some medical professionals to point to its similarities to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics" target="_blank">eugenics</a> programs. </p> <p>LaBruzzo says he's since modified his plan to include temporary forms of birth control, not just sterilization and argues criticism like this, "I don't know how it's eugenics if it's voluntary, and how can it be racist if the majority of people on welfare are white?"</p> <p>Of the genesis of the idea, the crushing cycle of poverty, LaBruzzo says:<br /> <blockquote>After this recent storm, we had some issues where these people were going into shelters and taking their cigarettes and welfare but didn't have diapers or insulin for diabetic kids, and they felt they were entitled to say, 'Give me, give me.' None of them didn't want to set up cots or do anything.</p></blockquote> <p>To see how incentive programs have worked, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2093407">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2093407#comment Birth Control Eugenics Headline Louisiana Planned Parenthood Politics of Love Poverty Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:51:16 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2093407 http://www.citizensugar.com/2011369 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/37_2008/82648017.xlarge.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left xlarge" height="320" width="259"></span>Think your family meddles in your love life? What if President Bush was the one telling you who to marry? (Ow, my ears! I can hear your howls from here.) That's kind of the case for an ancient Caribbean tribe, the Kalinago. To prevent the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7529143.stm" target="_blank">disappearance of their culture</a>, Chief Charles Williams of the Dominica-based tribe said members should not marry non-Kalinago people.</p> <p>He said of the proposition, "The impact of colonization has been so strong on us that if we do not take steps to protect the race, it will be soon extinct." If they follow his plan, in an island of 70,000 people, the dating pool is limited to 3,000 tribal members. Want to know who seems to be the blame? According to the Kalinago cultural queen, "Well, for some people this is a ticklish issue. She thinks the Kalinago women are the cause of the shrinking population. She says, "You go out there, you see a nice white guy and you fall in love," cautioning, "you have to stick to your people, you have to stick to your traditions and that's the only way." </p> <p>To see what the Kalinago young women think about the plan, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/2011369">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/2011369#comment Caribbean Headline Politics of Love Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:15:26 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/2011369 http://www.citizensugar.com/1980706 <p>The <a href="http://www.doi.gov/" target="_blank">Interior Department</a>, which controls oil and gas collected from US taxpayer-owned coastal waters, has been plagued with shocking ethical abuses, according to a government investigation. Violations range from giving contracts to a retired employee instead of allowing for competitive bidding to substance abuse and promiscuity.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/37_2008/82631075.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="366" width="550"></span><br /> The report states that officials “frequently consumed alcohol at (oil) industry functions, used cocaine and marijuana, and had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives.” Officials also <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/washington/11royalty.html?pagewanted=1&amp;_r=1&amp;ref=washington" target="_blank">allegedly accepted gifts</a> from energy companies that exceed ethics rules, such as golf, meals and drinks, and tickets to a Toby Keith concert. In addition, oil companies were allowed to purchase oil and gas at a lowered price, after they had won contracts.</p> <p>The alleged ethics mayhem took place in the Mineral Management Service (MMS) and Royalty In Kind Programs. The MMS brings in $10 billion for the federal government each year. It's the second biggest revenue maker after taxes. To find out what the investigation recommends now, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1980706">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1980706#comment Department of Interior Drugs Headline Oil Politics of Love Scandal Sex Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1980706 http://www.citizensugar.com/1969818 <p><center><object width="425" height="344"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uVLQhRiEXZs&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uVLQhRiEXZs&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center></p> <ul> <li><b>Attack Ads</b>: <a href="http://donklephant.com/2008/09/09/mccains-gross-lie-about-obamas-sex-education-bill/" target="_blank"> New McCain ad says Obama wanted to teach kindergartners about sex? The bill was actually about preventing pedophiles from preying on children.</a> — Donklephant</li> <li><b>Lipstick</b>: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/10/obama-strikes-back-on-con_n_125338.html" target="_blank">How did Obama respond to the lipstick outrage? Obama says McCain would much rather have a story about phony and foolish diversion than about the future.</a> — Huffington Post</li> <li><b>Abortion</b>: <a href="http://townhall.com/blog/g/5b5787b0-7149-484c-b21c-8e430a6ad508" target="_blank">Back to Sunday School? Catholic Bishops tell Joe Biden he's misstated the Church's teachings.</a> — Townhall</li> <li><b>Sports</b>: <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1969340" > How do you feel about Lance Armstrong's return to professional cycling? He's back in the saddle to raise awareness of global cancer.</a> — FitSugar</li> </ul> http://www.citizensugar.com/1969818#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama Briefing Book John McCain Politics of Love Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:30:54 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1969818 http://www.citizensugar.com/1898912 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/35_2008/81595101.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="320"></span></p> <ul> <li><b>Gay Rights</b>: <a href="http://sfist.com/2008/08/27/lesbian_activist_del_martin_dies.php" target="_blank">Lesbian rights activist Del Martin, who married her wife Phyllis this June, died yesterday.</a> — SFist</li> <li><b>McCain Response</b>: <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12934.html" target="_blank"> Are you in a battleground state? McCain will talk directly to his opponent in a television ad airing in key states.</a> — Politico</a> <li><b>Hurricane Gustav</b>: <a href="http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/on-the-gulf-coast-a-wary-eye-on-gustav/" target="_blank"> Keeping an eye on the eye? Louisiana is not looking for a repeat Katrina.</a> — The Lede</li> <li><b>Bill Clinton</b>: <a href="http:/?/donklephant.com/2008/08/28/quote-of-the-convention/" target="_blank"> Speech of the convention? Clinton wins back Democrats.</a> — Donklephant</li> <li><b>Hussein</b>: <a href="http://townhall.com/blog/g/4921f515-c7c6-4890-84d2-fa0ba66f0b57" target="_blank">Flipping Obama the middle name? Barack's full name shows up in the New York Times.</a> —Townhall</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1898912#comment Briefing Book Del Martin Politics of Love Same-Sex Marriage San Francisco Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:30:39 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1898912 http://www.citizensugar.com/1886332 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/51780756.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="350"></span>Oregon's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage won't stop one lesbian duo from getting their marriage legally recognized in the state. After the couple asked, the Coquille Indian Tribe in southern Oregon adopted a law recognizing same-sex marriages. The Coquille is <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hFHaO2Ys04fl-KweMfwwYME9jOXAD92N81S80" target="_blank">the first tribe to legalize same-sex marriage</a>, but it isn't the the first Indian tribe to take a stance on the matter: the Navajo and Cherokee tribes both ban same-sex marriage. </p> <p>The Coquille tribal leader explained:<br /> <blockquote>For our tribe, we want people to walk in the shoes of other people and learn to respect differences. Through that, we think we build a stronger community.</p></blockquote> <p>Indian tribes have legal authority over domestic relations between members, unless Congress decides to take away that right. Nonetheless, the state of Oregon and the federal government will not recognize the unions performed by the tribe. Do you see a tidal wave of same-sex marriage legalization coming, or will this evolution of marriage stay on the reservation? </p> <p><a href="http://www.legacycreative.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1886332#comment Coquille Indian Tribe Native Americans Oregon Politics of Love Same-Sex Marriage Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:00:36 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1886332 http://www.citizensugar.com/1882600 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1882600"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1882600',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1882600');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/LS020586.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="275"></span>Though just a scootch late for the <a href="http://popsugar.com/1879428" >famous nuptials</a> of Ellen and Portia, Hallmark has <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iZl2uw2yTnV4K44E6PweHvdOQ8EAD92MLQFO0" target="_blank">rolled out a new line of greetings</a>, created for just such an occasion. In response to California ruling gay marriage legal, Hallmark saw a fancy card niche to be filled — one that doesn't involve shiny embossed images of a traditional bride and groom. Despite the fact that most states don't recognize gay marriage (CA and MA are the only two) several others recognize civil commitments, and when there's a ceremony, there's a cause for card.</p> <p>Hallmarks says the decision to offer the greetings was not politically motivated, but rather a response to consumer demand. Their spokeswoman says, "it's our goal to be as relevant as possible to as many people as we can." Indeed they started offering "coming out" cards last year (an event that strikes me as more interesting? I did not know one gave a card for such an occasion!) The new cards contain neutral language, <a href="http://dearsugar.com/1883372" >speaking to love</a> rather than a specific event so they're useful for weddings or commitments. Four designs in all will be released this summer.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/34_2008/ALeqM5jKT-mvgXuGELZ6fDskF1J19b73DA.jpeg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" width="150"></span>As 85,000 same-sex couples have become legal in one way or another since 1997 and estimates peg nearly 120,000 more will join Ellen, spelling millions in new business for wedding industries. Is this just smart marketing? Hallmark has already expanded to include cards for "sorry you can't get pregnant," and "good luck in rehab," as well as interfaith marriages — because in greetings, it's the specificity that counts?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1882600" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Hallmark Rolls Out Gay Wedding Greetings: Tasteful or Tacky?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Tasteful. It's smart business, savvy etiquette, and a sign of mainstream acceptance.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Tacky! By hyping them as gay greetings, they're taking advantage to make a buck.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> I suppose there's no harm in making them available, but it does seem opportunistic.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll greet you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1882600" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1882600#comment Citizen Poll Gay Marriage Hallmark Homosexuality Politics of Love Poll Wedding Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:51:12 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1882600 http://www.citizensugar.com/1877702 <p>Some tourists <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/19/BACM12DALA.DTL" target="_blank">treat San Francisco's gay population as a tourist attraction</a>. Residents of the historic gay Castro District have reported an increase in large tour buses, which drop off thousands of nervous visitors ready to snap photos of two men holding hands or point and stare in shock.<br /> <span class="inline left"><a href="/node/1877699" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/2114771.preview_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="378" width="550"></a></span><br /> While Castro dwellers and merchants welcome visitors and their cash with open arms, they have little tolerance for the new breed of non-shoppers. And things might not get better — now that Hollywood has used Castro Street as the set for the upcoming movie <b>Milk</b>, <a href="http://buzzsugar.com/tags/Milk" >a film about the first gay councilman in the US</a> who was killed by his fellow San Francisco councilman, I imagine that the city's gay neighborhood will attract even more gawkers after the film's release. </p> <p>Positive curiosity might signal the end of a gay-stigma, and I don't blame residents for feeling like animals in a zoo. If San Francisco wants to base much of its economy on tourism, should it swallow the consequences? </p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-75145 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1877618?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/2114771.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-33770 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1877618?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/2994634.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-2745 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1877618?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/2994640.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-72922 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1877618?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/2994681.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'><div id=mask-84428 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}><div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'><a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1877618?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/50407013.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a></div></div></div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1877702#comment California Headline Homosexuality Politics of Love San Francisco Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:00:28 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1877702 http://www.citizensugar.com/1872959 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/75926142.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="260"></span>Afghanistan witnessed <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080817191419.3nxh998c&amp;show_article=1&amp;catnum=0" target="_blank">the country's first mass marriage</a>, yesterday. Thanks to the Islamic charity Comfort Aid International, 50 couples got hitched in the city of Herat. </p> <p>The charity of love covered the big cost of weddings in Afghanistan, which includes dowries and lavish parties with hundreds of guests. The marriages 50 cost $30,000 total, and each set of newly weds walked out with a $600 gift. About 1,500 guests attended, and the brides and grooms were separated for the ceremonies, according to the conservative tradition. </p> <p>While the disadvantaged turn to charity, affluent Afghan couples increasingly <a href="http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iWH_P4ZrlKhWWgVfz1UQB0tBbJWg" target="_blank">enjoy Vegas-style weddings</a> on their own dime, which some signaled as a sign of changing times. Popular Hindi music and neon lights come from wedding halls with names like Kabul-Paris Wedding Hall or Wedding Hall of the Evening Star. Limousines fill their parking lots. During its rule, the Taliban forbid lavish weddings and music. But the industry of lovebirds has made a comeback — there are more than 80 wedding halls in Kabul, compared to four in 2001. </p> <p>Would you give to a charity that helps disadvantaged couples tie the knot? Can a Vegas-style wedding be a sign that better times have come? </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1872959#comment Afghanistan Headline Politics of Love Wedding Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:15:06 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1872959 http://www.citizensugar.com/1874727 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/34_2008/79998556.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="460"></span>One Australian mayor thinks he came up with the perfect way to fix his town's glaring gender imbalance: invite all the country's ugly women to move in. John Moloney, the mayor of Mount Isa, has <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080818074532.7wyoh5kf&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">invited the "beauty-disadvantaged"</a> to relocate to the outback mining town because it's the perfect place "for ugly ducklings to flourish into beautiful swans."</p> <p>You would think the mayor's comments would offend women, but he also managed to upset his biggest constituency — men. Apparently implying that the men are desperate for some ugly women didn't go over too well. The town's city councilor criticized Mayor Moloney for "returning us to the Dark Ages and making the guys that live in this town seem like sex-hungry starved men that will pounce upon the first girl that they see walking down the street."</p> <p>While unlucky-in-love women might want to tap a town full of eligible bachelors, implying that they come because they're <i>ugly</i> probably won't motivate a whole lot of ladies to make the move. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1874727#comment Australia Headline Mount Isa Politics of Love Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:00:36 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1874727 http://www.citizensugar.com/1859663 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/33_2008/74429720.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="400"></span>Indian women and gay men, two marginalized populations, gain control over their lives and personal liberation from condoms made just for them. </p> <p>Female condoms <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7547619.stm" target="_blank">have become increasingly popular</a>, thanks to an ambitious government initiative. While the female condoms protect <a href="http://www.femalehealth.com/CountryProfiles/countryprofile_india.html" target="_blank">women at risk of contracting HIV from their husbands</a>, the freedom provided by the condoms also extends to contraceptive benefits, and an overall feeling of increased control. </p> <p>The response from women and their husbands has been better than expected. But, despite reported progress, providing female condoms is not enough; women must learn how to communicate with their partners. Dr. Linda Cottler, who <a href="http://epi.wustl.edu/epi/projects/hivindia.htm" target="_blank">researches HIV prevention efforts</a>, explains the challenge in India:<br /> <blockquote> Intimate partner violence is common, and it occurs because women ask their partners to use condoms. Some women in India think that they can wash their or their partners' genitals with bleach, alcohol, or water as a way to protect themselves from the virus. These myths must be countered with better education. </p></blockquote> <p>Walking a fine line, India also has plans to distribute a more effective, for-gay-men condom through non-profits and community groups. To find out why this plan is so radical, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1859663">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1859663#comment AIDS Condoms India Politics of Love Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1859663 http://www.citizensugar.com/1836157 <p>In response to a rising trend of people trying to get around sex segregation laws in Saudi Arabia, police will now <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7537307.stm" target="_blank">strictly enforce a ban on the sale of pet cats and dogs</a> in the city of Riyadh. If authorities find you walking one of these pets in public (you can walk a cat?), they will take away the furry creature for good. First they <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1039381" >outlawed Valentine's Day</a>, and now cats and dogs?!<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/31_2008/80341190.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="338" width="550"></span><br /> The Commission For the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice wants men to stop using these pets as a way to pick up, or even talk to, women in public places. The rule against public mingling among non-family members of the opposite sex is serious business; a few months ago, Saudi religious police <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1024363" >jailed an American living in the country</a> after she sat with her male colleagues in a Starbucks. </p> <p>If the fight against flirting requires officials to resort to extreme laws like a ban on pets, does it signal that sex segregation might not be so realistic?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1836157#comment Headline Middle East Politics of Love Saudi Arabia Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:00:56 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1836157 http://www.citizensugar.com/1813881 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1813881"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1813881',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1813881');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no rss --><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/78503893.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="350"></span>Right now Church and State aren't looking so separate in the US. Both the Catholic Church's <a href="http://bfhu.wordpress.com/2007/02/20/sexual-sin/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">opposition to birth control</a> as well as the Bush Administration's similar <a href="//www.citizensugar.com/1787766" rel="nofollow">attempt to limit access to contraception</a> by defining it as abortion, have been openly criticized this week by contraception advocates. </p> <p>An open letter, written by over 50 international Catholic dissent groups, <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gU6MdPMtZLXmvmDwHZb7OmftOR3wD924VGRG1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">asks the Pope to lift the Church's ban</a> on birth control. Taking out an ad in an Italian newspaper, the groups point to the important role contraception plays in the fight against AIDS, especially in poor countries. But the plea fell on deaf ears, as the Vatican quickly denounced the ad as propaganda, adding that condom policies have failed to fight AIDS.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hillary-clinton/an-outrageous-attempt-by_b_114064.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wrote an open letter to her supporters</a>, hoping to raise awareness about Bush's plan to put "ideology before science and women's health." Clinton explains that the Department of Health and Human Services wants to make it harder for women to access common forms of contraception like birth control pills, emergency contraception, and IUDs by labeling them "abortion." Proposed regulations would allow healthcare providers to refuse to provide contraception to women who need it, disproportionately impacting uninsured and low-income Americans. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> </p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1813881" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Should Contraception Be Considered Abortion?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Absolutely! Contraception facilitates the attitudes that lead to abortion.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> No! Widespread contraception is the most effective way to <i>prevent</i> abortion.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Maybe. If the method prevents a newly conceived embryo from implanting in the womb.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other. I'll tell you in the comments.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1813881" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.citizensugar.com/1813881#comment Abortion Birth Control Catholic Church Citizen Poll George W Bush Hillary Clinton Politics of Love Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:45:07 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1813881 http://www.citizensugar.com/1801846 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/30_2008/74949655.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="345" width="350"></span>Despite its ability to help prevent the spread of HIV, the Luo Council of Elders in Kenya is <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7514431.stm" target="_blank">not down with male circumcision</a> because the practice conflicts with the community's culture. </p> <p>But more than culture informs the influential council's decision to reject a widespread initiative which would offer free circumcision. Some elders do not believe it actually prevents HIV infection, while others worry that circumcised men would stop wearing condoms. Thus, the elders oppose the effort by the Kenyan government to make circumcision more culturally accepted. </p> <p>Resistance to circumcision is not the only cultural practice inhibiting HIV prevention in Kenya, where 2.5 million people (out of 35 million) live with HIV or AIDS — the practice of wife inheritance doesn't help either. When a husband dies, the widow often marries her brother-in-law or another man chosen by the elders. As you might imagine, this too facilitates the passing of the deadly disease.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1801846#comment Africa AIDS Headline HIV Kenya Politics of Love Wife Inheritance Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:15:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1801846 http://www.citizensugar.com/1790561 <p>Ever wonder why many insurance companies cover Viagra but not birth control? That can put a woman in a tough spot! John McCain hasn't been too worried about it, since <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/07/09/mccain-squirms-on-birth-control-question/" target="_blank">he voted against a bill</a> that would require insurance companies to match Viagra coverage with birth control coverage. </p> <p><center> <div style='width:455px' id="spi_tabs_container"> <div id="spi_tabs_top"> <div id="spi_tabs_topL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_topR"></div> </div> <div class="panel chatter_chatter fbceleb " > <center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/static/js/swfobject.js"></script> <p style=margin:0px;padding:0px id="player_1790457"><a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get Flash</a> to see this player.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var so1790457 = new SWFObject('http://images.teamsugar.com/static/flash/mediaplayer.swf','mpl','425','350','7'); so1790457.addParam('allowfullscreen','true'); so1790457.addVariable("file",'1790457.flv'); so1790457.addVariable('height','350'); so1790457.addVariable('image','http://images.teamsugar.com/media/cooked/thumbs/1790457.jpg'); so1790457.addVariable('width','425'); so1790457.addVariable('logo','http://images.teamsugar.com/static/imgs/watermark/citizensugar.png'); so1790457.write('player_1790457'); </script> </center> </div> <div id="spi_tabs_bot"> <div id="spi_tabs_botL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_botR"></div> </div> </div> </center></p> <p>One reporter tried to find out if McCain changed his mind, but the candidate became extremely uncomfortable (trying to hide behind his hand) and refused to answer the question. Now Planned Parenthood is <a href="http://www.ppaction.org/ppvotes/pr-07112008_mccainandbc.html" target="_blank">running the video in a cable TV ad</a> playing in key swing states. Do you think it will be effective? Does this impact your opinion of McCain? </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1790561#comment 2008 Presidential Election Birth Control John McCain Planned Parenthood Politics of Love Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:20:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1790561 http://www.citizensugar.com/1787766 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/29_2008/81800232%282%29.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="306" width="325"></span>The Bush Administration wants any recipient of federal money given through the Department of Health and Human Services to sign a certification that they will not refuse to hire nurses or other healthcare providers <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/washington/15rule.html?_r=1&amp;ref=us&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">who morally object to abortion or even certain forms of birth control</a>, perhaps including the pill and emergency contraception like Plan B. </p> <p>The plan would cover hospitals, clinics, researchers, medical schools, and state and local governments. The department's proposal said federal money must not "support morally coercive or discriminatory practices or policies in violation of federal law," which it says ensures that doctors, hospitals, and health plans cannot be forced to preform abortions. For more, including how it could impact rape victims, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1787766">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1787766#comment Abortion Check This Department of Health and Human Services George W Bush Politics of Love Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1787766 http://www.citizensugar.com/1769711 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/28_2008/80820601.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="400"></span>A British woman working in Dubai faces six years in jail, after Dubai officials caught her <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article4300911.ece" target="_blank">allegedly having sex on beach</a>. Dubai may be the Las Vegas of the Middle East, but it's no sin city. The thirty-year-old businesswoman has been charged with sex outside marriage, indecent behavior in public, being drunk in public, and assaulting a police officer. Her male counterpart also faces a maximum of six years. </p> <p>The woman involved, who apparently made the mistake of traveling to the Middle East to have sex in public, fears that Dubai will make an example of her by issuing the toughest sentence. The minimum is three months.</p> <p>While this woman should have known that having sex on a beach, in Dubai nonetheless, would be against the law, I think a six-year sentence offends a universal understanding of fairness and human rights. Do you feel sorry for the woman, or should she rightly suffer the local consequences for her misbehavior? Would this make you reconsider a trip to Dubai?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1769711#comment Dubai Human Rights Middle East Politics of Love Sexuality United Kingdom Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:00:25 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1769711 http://www.citizensugar.com/1751944 <p>With a same-sex marriage ban on the ballot in Florida, John McCain and Barack Obama have staked out their positions on what could prove to be a consequential issue again this Fall. Both candidates have weighed in on the California ballot initiative that would override the state's supreme court ruling <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1717766" >legalizing gay marriage</a>: Obama opposes the ban, and McCain supports it.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/27_2008/gaymarriage.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span><br /> The candidates characterize the measure differently. McCain calls the campaign to amend California's constitution an effort "to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman." Conversely, Obama stated that he opposed "the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution." </p> <p>The <b>San Francisco Chronicle</b> <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/01/MN8J11I731.DTL&amp;hw=obama+marriage&amp;sn=001&amp;sc=1000" target="_blank">explores the candidates' records on the issue</a>. For that information, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1751944">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1751944#comment 2008 Presidential Election Barack Obama California Florida Gay Marriage John McCain Politics of Love Same-Sex Marriage Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:00:35 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1751944 http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1734562 <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/1734330">Is This Heinz Ad Inappropriate?</a> <b>Update!</b> In a controversial move, condiment king Heinz has pulled a UK television commercial from the air. Viewers complained that <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1714162">the commercial</a> — which features a single-sex parental relationship — was inappropriate and unsuitable. http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1734562#comment aside Gay Marriage Homosexuality Politics of Love Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:25:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1734562 http://www.citizensugar.com/1732869 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/2/22911/26_2008/81677779.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" width="301"></span>Though his visit <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/node/1733932" >ended amid panic</a>, France's Nicolas Sarkozy's first presidential visit to Israel this week made quite an impression. Sarkozy <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3yi_TEnDQ9VDtsBn8xJspe61TfgD91FTS3G2" target="_blank">called on the country to stop settlement in the occupied West Bank</a>, saying Mideast peace depends on Israel dropping its refusal to surrender sovereignty over parts of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians. As compensation, he assured Israel that it could count on France's support in halting Iran's nuclear program.</p> <p>Sarkozy praised Israel's democracy and quoted the biblical passage in which God promises the Holy Land to the children of Israel, drawing a mixed review of applause and scowls (from the handful of Arab members). Speaking to parliament <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3yi_TEnDQ9VDtsBn8xJspe61TfgD91FTS3G2" target="_blank">he said</a>: </p> <blockquote><p>"There cannot be peace without an immediate and complete halt to settlement," he said. "There cannot be peace without recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of two states and the guarantee of free access to the holy places for all religions."</p></blockquote> <p>Sarkozy's address follows fluffy weekend coverage of his arrival by the country's newspapers that seemed more preoccupied with his Italian singer First Lady Carla Bruni than his agenda. According to the <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jxTpOP6dy4XQFWlnJHH9yPD6L1aQD91FT3R00" target="_blank">AP</a>, the front pages of Monday's newspapers were filled with pictures of a smiling Carla "overshadowing her husband." For a preview of their coverage, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1732869">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1732869#comment Carla Bruni France Israel Nicolas Sarkozy Palestine Peace Politics of Love West Bank Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:00:15 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1732869 http://www.citizensugar.com/1717766 <p>Yesterday, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-marriage18-2008jun18,0,6701919.story" target="_blank">more than 1,400 same-sex couples all over California</a> tied the knot, and will continue to do so indefinitely. Along with taking some <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/1717023" >pictures of the scene in San Francisco</a>, we filmed the newlyweds and their families talking about their love and decisions to get married. We even caught one couple exchanging vows! Watch the video to hear what impact California's decision to legalize same-sex marriage has had on families so far, in their own words. It's a very moving video!</p> <p><center> <div style='width:455px' id="spi_tabs_container"> <div id="spi_tabs_top"> <div id="spi_tabs_topL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_topR"></div> </div> <div class="panel chatter_chatter fbceleb " > <center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/static/js/swfobject.js"></script> <p style=margin:0px;padding:0px id="player_1717725"><a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get Flash</a> to see this player.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var so1717725 = new SWFObject('http://images.teamsugar.com/static/flash/mediaplayer.swf','mpl','425','350','7'); so1717725.addParam('allowfullscreen','true'); so1717725.addVariable("file",'1717725.flv'); so1717725.addVariable('height','350'); so1717725.addVariable('image','http://images.teamsugar.com/media/cooked/thumbs/1717725.jpg'); so1717725.addVariable('width','425'); so1717725.write('player_1717725'); </script> </center> </div> <div id="spi_tabs_bot"> <div id="spi_tabs_botL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_botR"></div> </div> </div> </center></p> <p>After seeing this video, do your feelings toward marriage change? Is it possible to leave emotions aside, and support a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage? I guess we will find out in November, when California voters get a chance to adopt or reject a <a href="http://www.protectmarriage.com/" target="_blank">proposed constitutional ban</a> on same-sex marriage.</p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1717766#comment California Exclusive Gay Marriage Homosexuality Politics of Love San Francisco Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1717766 http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/1717023 <a href="/slideshow/1717023?page=0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/25_2008/IMG_1765_1.xlarge.jpg" alt="Exclusive Photos: San Francisco Celebrates Gay Marriage" title="Exclusive Photos: San Francisco Celebrates Gay Marriage" class="image xlarge inline left" /></a>Not wanting to miss a historical moment, I went down bright and early to San Francisco's City Hall to check out all the wedding festivities. Today is the first full day of same-sex marriages, following the California Supreme Court <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1636337">ruling that legalized the nuptials</a>. A romantic and emotional atmosphere surrounded the happy newlyweds. While I was there, snapping these photos of the enthusiastic participants, I noticed nothing but support for these unions between same-sex couples. Take a peek at this special day. Do you think we'll see more days like this throughout the country? <div id='pager' style='margin:25px auto;text-align:center;margin:8px; '><a href="/slideshow/1717023?page=0">Start Slideshow</a></div> http://www.citizensugar.com/slideshow/1717023#comment Exclusive Gay Marriage Homosexuality Politics of Love Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:45:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1717023 http://www.citizensugar.com/1714162 <p>With gay marriages <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZmLBrL36NObNyMR0ghXN7vB5hYwD91BD35G0" target="_blank">about to begin</a> at 5 p.m. today in California, Heinz is using a kiss between two men to help the company sell some mayonnaise in the UK. The ad shows two kids getting ready for school, waiting for their "mom" (a man who looks like a deli counter worker and has a New York accent) to pack their lunches. The commercial, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jun/16/advertising3?gusrc=rss&amp;feed=media" target="_blank">airing in the United Kingdom today</a>, does what it can to make Brits accepting of a two-father household — and I'm not talking about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Two_Dads" target="_blank">My Two Dads</a> variety. After the kids' lunches are packed, in comes "dad" for a goodbye smooch. </p> <p><center> <div style='width:455px' id="spi_tabs_container"> <div id="spi_tabs_top"> <div id="spi_tabs_topL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_topR"></div> </div> <div class="panel chatter_chatter fbceleb " > <center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://images.teamsugar.com/static/js/swfobject.js"></script> <p style=margin:0px;padding:0px id="player_1714095"><a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Get Flash</a> to see this player.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var so1714095 = new SWFObject('http://images.teamsugar.com/static/flash/mediaplayer.swf','mpl','425','350','7'); so1714095.addParam('allowfullscreen','true'); so1714095.addVariable("file",'1714095.flv'); so1714095.addVariable('height','350'); so1714095.addVariable('image','http://images.teamsugar.com/media/cooked/thumbs/1714095.jpg'); so1714095.addVariable('width','425'); so1714095.write('player_1714095'); </script> </center> </div> <div id="spi_tabs_bot"> <div id="spi_tabs_botL"></div> <div id="spi_tabs_botR"></div> </div> </div> </center></p> <p>Will viewers become more open minded after seeing this traditional morning routine infused with a homosexual lifestyle? Perhaps it may have been more shocking to tradition if the lunchmaker was called "dad" and the parent going to work was called "mom." </p> <p>Some may think Heinz simply wants to shock viewers for added publicity. Considering a straight couple would be completely un-newsworthy, I think it offers social commentary just by getting attention. Did it get yours? </p> <p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1714162#comment Ad-rageous Heinz Homosexuality Media Politics of Love United Kingdom Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:20:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1714162 http://www.citizensugar.com/1701240 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/24_2008/889845-001-1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="290"></span>All it takes is about $3,000, a semicircular cut, and 10 dissolving stitches for European Muslim women to get their hymens restored and keep new husbands happy by appearing to be virgins as a result of wedding-night blood. </p> <p>One doctor interviewed by the <b>New York Times</b> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/world/europe/11virgin.html?_r=1&amp;ref=world&amp;oref=login" target="_blank">said</a>:<br /> <blockquote>If you’re a Muslim woman growing up in more open societies in Europe, you can easily end up having sex before marriage. So if you’re looking to marry a Muslim and don’t want to have problems, you’ll try to recapture your virginity.</p></blockquote> <p>So what kind of problems do these modern Muslims face? Recently a <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1687354" >French court upheld an annulment of a marriage</a> that was founded on a lie about the bride's virginity. But now, under the pressure of secular critics, the <a href="http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11506831" target="_blank">justice minister, Rachida Dait, has changed her mind</a> and granted an appeal. We'll have to stay tuned to see how that goes.</p> <p>When women can appease their husbands by creating faux virginity with a medical procedure, it demonstrates how nominal virginity can be. But, to some this deception might be unforgivable deceit. Do you blame these women for getting this form of plastic surgery? Do you think the annulment would have been granted if the husband had lied about his virginity and the woman brought the case?</p> <p><a href="http://legacycreative.gettyimages.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1701240#comment France Islam Muslim Plastic Surgery Politics of Love Sex Word of Faith Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1701240 http://www.citizensugar.com/1699636 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/24_2008/75552063.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image right preview" height="250"></span>Residents of the Greek island of Lesbos have brought a lawsuit against a Greek gay rights group, alleging that the term "lesbian" is an insult to the homeland.</p> <p>The lawyer representing the three Lesbos plaintiffs <a href="http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/world/2008/06/10/D917AHNG0_greece_lesbian_fight/index.html" target="_blank">says</a> that the group's name — the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece — "causes confusion by using a geographic term" in connection with social action. The island does not want to be associated with the group's "special character." </p> <p>It seems the islanders have a seriously uphill battle to fight if they are trying to reclaim the term "lesbian" as a geographical moniker. The <a href="http://www.sappho.com/poetry/sappho.html" target="_blank">ancient female poet Sappho</a>, who hailed from Lesbos, lent the name of her hometown island to female-loving females, as much of her poetry celebrated love between women. Considering travel to Lesbos is <a href="http://www.gay.com/travel/premium/?coll=adult_articles&amp;sernum=895&amp;page=1" target="_blank">popular among the world's gay community</a>, it might be in the island's economic interest to embrace its homosexual association.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1699636#comment Greece Homosexuality Lesbos Poetry Politics of Love Sappho Travel Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:00:50 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1699636 http://www.citizensugar.com/1698856 <p>Sure to mix up the gay marriage debate, social scientists are turning to same-sex couples to find out what makes a healthy relationship and marriage. One study analyzed how Vermont's married couples address issues like money, household work, and sex, as compared to gay couples joined in civil unions. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/24_2008/sb10066015n-001.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image center preview" height="337" width="506"></span></p> <p>Some of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/health/10well.html?_r=2&amp;8dpc&amp;oref=slogin&amp;oref=slogin" target="_blank">the research findings</a> include:</p> <ul> <li>Same-sex partners generally share the work evenly. Conversely, in hetero relationships, the woman usually does more housework, while the man holds more financial responsibility.</li> <li>In straight relationships, men are more likely to initiate sex, while women are more likely to refuse sex and initiate "talks" about relationship problems. But, in same-sex couples, there is a balanced sharing of such behaviors.</li> </ul> <p>For some more analysis, and to find out how the groups handle arguments differently, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1698856">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1698856#comment California Gay Marriage Headline Homosexuality Politics of Love Relationships Vermont Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1698856 http://www.citizensugar.com/1688803 <p>In the new book <b>Carla and Nicolas, the True Story</b> readers get an inside look at the seven-month relationship between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his Italian singer first-lady wife Carla Bruni. </p> <p>Carlita and Sarko met at dinner party, which they attended as each other's blind date. Carla's former lover Luc Ferry was there, too. Carla apparently got tipsy, asked the French president for a lift home, and the rest is history! If you wish you had been a fly on the wall, you may be in luck. Apparently Ferry video taped the Sarkozy-Bruni meeting with his phone. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1688710?page=0,0,0" ><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81438135_0.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="364" width="550"></a></span></p> <p>Carla <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4068780.ece" target="_blank">explains</a> that she was "seduced by his physique and his intelligence" and by his "five or six brains which are remarkably irrigated." This has all helped Carla ignore fears that her left-leaning art community companions would reject her for loving the conservative French president. </p> <p>Meanwhile London's Madame Tussauds unveiled her wax figures of the French <strike>playboy</strike> president. Check out some of the figure, which is much less controversial than the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL0245631020080602" target="_blank">Hitler planned for Berlin</a>. Is Sarko hot enough to make you want to change your political inclinations? Would Americans be outraged by all this sex and seduction surrounding a politician? Are you dying to know how George seduced Laura?</p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-27319 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1688710?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81438135.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Oh la la" title="Oh la la" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-18895 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1688710?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81438124.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Oh la la" title="Oh la la" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-40572 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1688710?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81438134.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Oh la la" title="Oh la la" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-76873 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1688710?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81438114.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Oh la la" title="Oh la la" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-98041 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1688710?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81438136.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Oh la la" title="Oh la la" class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1688803#comment Carla and Nicolas the True Story Carla Bruni France Nicolas Sarkozy Politics of Love Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:06 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1688803 http://www.citizensugar.com/1687354 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/55856601.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image left preview" height="360"></span>A court's decision to annul a marriage because the bride lied about being a virgin has the French <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D913EOHO0&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">worried that their secular values are under siege</a> by religious immigrants. </p> <p>The case involved a Muslim couple. Under their strict religious tradition, a woman must prove virginity on her wedding night. The court ruled that since the couple was Muslim, virginity was a prerequisite to the marriage. Thus, her misrepresentation of the requirement made the marriage invalid. </p> <p>Women's rights activists say that the ruling treats women as a defected good in a commercial transaction. In addition, France's champions of secularism, who have worked to resist the religious influence of some 5 million Muslims that help make up France's population of 64 million, are outraged. </p> <p>Their interpretation of secularism often leans towards forced secularism. To see how, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1687354">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1687354#comment Court of Liberty France Islam Law Marriage Muslim Politics of Love Sexuality Virginity World of Faith Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:00:51 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1687354 http://www.citizensugar.com/1685246 <p>With a Greek mayor who presided over outlawed gay marriages yesterday <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/2071291/Greek-mayor-could-face-jail-over-first-gay-wedding.html" target="_blank">saying,</a> "The laws on marriage simply do not specify any genders. To me, therefore, if something is not banned by law it is not illegal," now facing jail time for his actions, Japan's government is actually moving toward broader gender ideas.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/10/104169/23_2008/80074109.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="367" width="550"></span><br /> Japan’s House of Councillors (like the US Senate) has unanimously passed legislation which will <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D912VBL00&amp;show_article=1&amp;catnum=0" target="_blank">allow people</a> with gender identity disorder to officially change their sex, giving Gender Identity Disordered (GID) people the ability to change the way the world perceives them — on paper. To see how, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1685246">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1685246#comment culture Gay Marriage Gender Identity Greece Homosexuality Japan Politics of Love Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:00:41 -0700 CitizenSugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1685246 http://www.citizensugar.com/1681944 <p>Russian gay rights activists demonstrated on Sunday, marking the date homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia, way back in 1993. Their pride celebrations were not decriminalized, however, since <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080601180628.48ajufwk&amp;show_article=1" target="_blank">there is an official ban on gay-pride events</a> in Moscow.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81321586.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="303" width="550"></span><br /> Unlike the <a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1664634" >openly gay mayors of Berlin</a> and Paris, Moscow's mayor Yury Luzhkov has labeled gay events "Satan's work." Apparently many of Moscow's residents agree with him. While gay rights demonstrators ignored the ban, it was hard to ignore their opponents who threw eggs at them and physically assaulted at least one gay man by punching him to the ground. Meanwhile, Russian Orthodox elderly women held an antigay vigil, some loudly condemning gay activists to hell. </p> <p>Are you surprised that officials and residents of Moscow go to such extremes to repress the expression of gay pride? Do conservative Russians have the right to squash alternative lifestyles?</p> <p><p><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-36787 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 active ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1681954?page=0,0,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81321689.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Russian gays defied a ban by city authorities." title="Russian gays defied a ban by city authorities." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-31726 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1681954?page=0,1,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81321897.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="A member of the Russian gay community lies on a ground after he was beaten by a far-right activist." title="A member of the Russian gay community lies on a ground after he was beaten by a far-right activist." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-45244 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1681954?page=0,2,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81321881.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Russian police forces arrest a far-right activist during a banned gay rally." title="Russian police forces arrest a far-right activist during a banned gay rally." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-62689 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1681954?page=0,3,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81321731.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Members of the Russian gay community hold flags." title="Members of the Russian gay community hold flags." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div><div style='float:left;line-height:8px;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:9px'> <div id=mask-9466 class=mask style=';width:100px;height:100px;overflow:hidden;background:#FFF;margin:0px 8px 8px 0px;border:0px solid #111;padding:0px;' onmouseover={style.borderColor='#0072bc'} onmouseout={style.borderColor='#111'}> <div style='margin-left:0px;margin-top:0px;padding:0px;'> <a target=gallery4 class='thumb2 ' href=http://www.citizensugar.com/gallery/view/1681954?page=0,4,0><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/23_2008/81321556.mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Russian gay community leader Nikolai Alexeyev waves a flag." title="Russian gay community leader Nikolai Alexeyev waves a flag." class="image mediumsquare" width="100" height="100" /></a> </div> </div> </div></p><br clear=all></p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1681944#comment Berlin Europe Homosexuality Paris Politics of Love Russia Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:45:28 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1681944 http://www.citizensugar.com/1636337 <p>Now that the California Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, the real question is whether the ruling will stick. California's Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has twice vetoed same-sex marriage legislation, has decided he will be one less person standing in the way of gay couples <a href="http://popsugar.com/1634193" >joyously planning</a> their nuptials.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/19/193328/20_2008/79530732.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="387" width="550"></span><br /> Arnold said he supports the ruling, which overturned an unconstitutional voter-approved ban, despite his personal view that "marriage is between a man and a woman." He <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/16/BASD10NVAI.DTL" target="_blank">told </a> the <b>SF Chronicle:</b><br /> <blockquote>When the people vote, people are not legal experts, constitutional experts or any of that. I think that's why we have the courts. People may vote with good intentions, but then the court says, "This is not constitutional. It's not that the court interferes with the will of the people. But the court says, "You voted for something, but it's not constitutionally right, so let's rework this.'"</p></blockquote> <p>But the governator's support doesn't stop the battle. To see what's next, </p> <p><a href="http://www.citizensugar.com/1636337">read more</a></p> http://www.citizensugar.com/1636337#comment Arnold Schwarzenegger California Gay Marriage Homosexuality Marriage Politics of Love Mon, 19 May 2008 06:00:56 -0700 LibertySugar http://www.citizensugar.com/1636337 http://www.citizensugar.com/1632585 <!-- no strip poll --><!-- no rss --><div id="epoll-view-1632585"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1632585',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1632585');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><!-- /no