Bird’s-Eye: In the UK, the conservatives hasten to back away from a homophobic remark of the shadow secretary, in the US Obama takes another (baby) step forward; in popular culture Archie acquires a gay friend, while surveys show that people are irrational around terms used for alternate sexualities.
* Chris Grayling Apologises For B&B Gay Comments Guardian
The shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, today apologised for the offence caused by his comments in which he said that people who ran bed and breakfasts in their homes should “have the right” to turn away gay couples. Grayling, who has kept a low profile since the comments emerged in a recording obtained by the Observer, told BBC Radio 5 Live that he supported gay rights and said sorry for giving the “wrong impression”.
* Gay NC Teens Allowed to go to Prom After Cool Mom Steps In Towleroad
Two gay teens, Jordan Nixon and his boyfriend Chase have been allowed to attend prom at Starmount High School in Booneville, NC after Jordan’s mom Leesa heard how Chase had been told by the principal that he couldn’t bring a “friend” to the prom. After explaining that Jordan was not a friend but a “boyfriend” the school still wouldn’t relent. Jordan’s mom Leesa Nixon went to the principal, threatened to take action and go to the media, and quickly the issue was resolved. This is the story of a great parent standing up for her gay kid and a school faced with the threat of exposing its discriminatory behavior.
* Obama Extends Hospital Visitation Rights To Same-Sex Partners Of Gays Washington Post
President Obama mandated Thursday that nearly all hospitals extend visitation rights to the partners of gay men and lesbians and respect patients’ choices about who may make critical health-care decisions for them, perhaps the most significant step so far in his efforts to expand the rights of gay Americans.
* Why Archie Comics’ New Gay Character Matters Change.org
It’s fair to say that Archie comics aren’t exactly at the height of cultural relevance these days. The squeaky-clean misadventures of Riverdale’s teenagers have never been known for their novel plot ideas or raw, realistic depiction of adolescent sexuality. They’ve arguably retained a following precisely because parents can buy them for their children, knowing that the plot will involve nothing more complex or provocative than a new wrinkle in the eternally unresolved Archie/Betty/Veronica love triangle, or Jughead’s latest attempt to find the perfect hamburger. But by introducing a new gay character, Archie may be suddenly — and surprisingly — be on the cultural cutting edge.
* Survey Finds Different Levels of Acceptance for “Gays” Versus “Homosexuals” Sociological Images
People like gays and lesbians more than they like homosexuals….
