MAY 7 . 2005 • Q-NOTES
Global
twice disciplined for violating the policy.
LaStaysha Myers, 15, was sent home
from Webb City High School on consecu
tive days last November for wearing
homemade T-shirts that supported gays.
The first shirt bore several handwritten
slogans including “i support gay rights!”
and “Who are we to judge?” while the sec
ond featured a rainbow and the definition
of “gay”: “Mjelrry, happy.”
Myers, who is heterosexual, was acting
in support of Brad Mathewson, an openly
gay student who was sent home the
month before for wearing a gay-positive T-
shirt. Mathewson sued the school district,
but the lawsuit was dropped when he quit
school in December.
The district’s new policy becomes
effective in the next school year.
Falwell U. targeted by activists
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Approximately 55
members of Soulforce, an LGBT advocacy
group that works for change using the
principles of nonviolent resistance, con
ducted an educational outreach July 25 at
the gates of Liberty University, the school
founded and led by arch-conservative Rev.
Jerry Falwell.
Soulforce members — calling them
selves “Equality Riders” after the activists
who journeyed to the deep south in the
’60s to further the civil rights movement —
discussed sexuality, the Bible, and gay
rights with scores of Liberty students
through mid-afternoon. Participants repre
sented several Virginia colleges, including
Virginia Tech, James Madison University
and the University of Virginia.
Afterward representatives hoped to
present Falwell with letters written by clos
eted students calling for a more open cam
pus, but he refused to meet with them.
Soulforce founder Mel White estimates
there are 300-to-400 gays and lesbians
among Liberty’s 8,000 students. University
officials declined to comment on the pres
ence or plight of gays on campus.
Internafional >
Marriage: 1 step forward, 2 back
MONCTON, Canada — Four same-sex
couples have filed suit in New Brunswick
province seeking the right to wed. The
move follows on the heels of cases in seven
other provinces and one territory that have
resulted in the legalization of same-sex
marriage in those areas.
If the plaintiffs win their proceeding only
two provinces. Prince Edward Island and
Alberta, and two territories, Nunavut and
the Northwest Territories, would be without
.gay marriage. But there’s a fly in the oint-
rrient. A propnased federal law to extend
same-sex marriage rights to the entire
country is on the brink of failing because the
minority Liberal government is teetering.
Polls indicate that the Conservative
Party will take power if another election is
held, and they’ve promised to pass legisla
tion banning gay marriage — effectively
unwedding the thousands of same-sex
couples who have already married. Tory
leaders say their proposed measure would
allow civil unions.
India faces condom conundrum
NEW DELHI, India — International
observers say India has a condOm crisis on
Ufe Choices...
Helping people cope with life-altering issues
We specialize in helping people confront and cope with
life transitions, catastrophic illness, and grief.
• Family education
> Illness, grief and life
transistion counseling
• Personal development
’ Stress management
’ Relaxation therapies
> Smoking cessation
Call today for a free consultation.
Life Choices
704.536.3374
Fwestbrook@carolina.rr.com
Fran Westbrook, MA CHT CLC MS
Life and Pastoral Counselor
Clinical Hypnotherapist
Taking the stress
out of your change
of address!
Call me for all your
real estate needs.
urban realty
Carol A. Reinard, ABR, GRI
Relocation Specialist
carolreinard@urbanrealtync.com
www.carolreinard.com
(O) 704-509-4798 • (F) 704-509-4710
its hands. The problem isn’t the number of
prophylactics, but the fact that they seem
to be used for everything but intercourse.
This is especially significant in a nation
believed by some to have the highest num
ber of AIDS cases in the world.
The government distributes billions of
free condoms annually, but most are sold
by black marketeers for a mind-boggling
range of uses. Sari weavers put condoms
on their thread spools — the lubricant
allows the threac^ to move faster through
their machines. Contractors use shredded
condoms mixed with concrete and tar to
pave roads. Builders place condoms under
roofs to make them watertight.
In addition to this abuse, the Indian
government is doing little to reach out to
gay men. Sodomy is illegal and the gov
ernment is reluctant to launch an AIDS
awareness campaign that might be con
strued as condoning homosexuality.
Arson swells Worid Pride dispute
JERUSALEM, Israel — An unidentified
man tossed a burning rag into the city’s
only LGBT bar the evening of April 25
damaging the building and forcing
patrons to flee. No one was injured but the
incident raises the stakes in the effort by
conservative Jews, Christians and
Muslims to stop World Pride, slated for
August 18-28.
Sa’ar Netanel (pictured), an openly gay
member of Jerusalem’s city council and the
owner of the Shushan nightclub, told
English-language newspaper Ynet. “I cer
tainly don’t blame anyone, and certainly
no community. The police will investigate
and we’ll see. This is the first time the club
is attacked, but I already received threats
on my life.”
Opposition to World
Pride, which organizers
expect to attract more
than 100,000 partici
pants, has led to a rare
show of solidarity among
clerics of the various
faiths. Shlomo Amar,
Israel’s Sephardic chief
rabbi, says the event is “creating a deep
and terrible sorrow that is unbearable.”
Gov. airs anti-homophobia ads
MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Against the
wishes of the influential Roman Catholic
Church the government has launched a
radio campaign to fight homophobia. In
the initial phase, ads are running in
seven cities; there are plans to extend
the effort to 12 others and eventually
nationwide.
In one of the radio spots, a mother
questions her son about the date he is
bringing home for the first time. She asks
about the person’s likes and dislikes and
then for their name. “Oscar,” the son
replies. A voice-over encourages listeners
to accept those who are different.
Catholic groups say the campaign pro
motes homosexuality. They created a
series of alternative radio spots, but gov
ernment officials rejected them. In one
replacement ad, a girl tells her mother that
she is attracted to women. The mother
thanks her daughter for confiding in her,
then says the family will help her so she
doesn’t “act out tendencies that could
affect her gravely.”
Theres a Place in
This World for Everyone.
For you, its with us.
MORRISON
SMITH
fine & custom jewelers
MASTER f-Sts
lEWELER
Myers Park 705 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28207
(704) 332-1605
www.morrisonsmith.com