[OutVoice] Family matters + U.S. phobias proliferate + more LGBT news!

[Greg Gordon]

"THIS WAY OUT: the international LGBT radio magazine"
Program #1,408 - distributed 03/23/15
Airs on more than 200 local stations around the world -
Check the "Affiliate Stations" list on our website, or
 listen now via our free podcasts at www.thiswayout.org
- or on iTunes or Stitcher -
(hosted by Greg Gordon and produced with Lucia Chappelle)
A star-studded gala celebrates queer families;
Rights advances fuel crazy U.S. state backlashes;
The Presbyterian Church (USA) completes its long march down the aisle,
Indonesian clerics issue a fatwa against gay sex, Puerto Rico
stops defending its civil marriage ban, Irish students ring their
grannies for equality, and more LGBT news!

- In "NewsWrap": The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) becomes the largest Protestant denomination in the country to bless the marriages of same-gender couples, while out Rabbi Denise Eger is picked to lead the Reform branch of American Judaism, but top Muslim clerics in Indonesia issue a fatwa calling for the execution of anyone who engages in same-gender sex… the government of the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico drops its opposition to marriage equality… Ireland’s younger people, who tend to favor marriage equality, are being urged to discuss the issue with their elders, who are more likely to oppose it, about voting yes in the upcoming May 22nd referendum [with a taste of the TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN STUDENTS' UNION-produced "RING YOUR GRANNY" campaign*]… and more LGBT news from around the world (produced by STEVE PRIDE, written by GREG GORDON, and reported this week by CHRISANNE EASTWOOD and CHRISTOPHER GAAL).
[*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7k67q5c6R0]

- The inevitability of marriage equality in the United States has driven opponents of LGBT rights to pursue other avenues of discrimination. The Human Rights Campaign counts more than 85 anti-LGBT bills now pending in 26 state legislatures across the country – all coincidentally controlled by the GOP. They include bills to "protect religious freedom"; to nullify and ban local LGBT civil rights protections; promote "conversion therapy"; and/or deny transgender people access to public accommodations, educational opportunities, and even appropriate medical care (with a critique of such bills in GEORGIA, ARKANSAS, OKLAHOMA and TEXAS from Comedy Central's "THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART”.)
[www.comedycentral.com]

- The FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL provides support programs, educational resources and good new-fashioned advice for LGBTQ-headed families. Houston, Texas Mayor Annise Parker, the TV shows "Modern Family" and "Glee," and the Honey Maid food products brand were honored at the organization's 11th Annual LOS ANGELES AWARDS DINNER in late February. Sandra Bernhard emceed, several members from the cast of "Glee" performed, presenters and families gave moving speeches, and over $600,000 was raised. A few of the Council's celebrated supporters chatted with "This Way Out's" CHRISANNE EASTWOOD as they entered the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the gala event (with "red carpet" remarks from actor and dad DAN BUCATINSKY; HOUSTON, TEXAS MAYOR ANNISE PARKER; entertainer and dad ALEC MAPA; "Glee-ful" actor/singer ALEX ("Unique") NEWELL; and FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL Executive Director GABRIEL BLAU -- all grabbed by CHRISANNE EASTWOOD, with production assistance by STEVE PRIDE; and intro/outro music from "THE FOSTERS" TV theme written and performed by KARI KIMMEL).
[www.familyequality.org]
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On the air since April 1988, "This Way Out" is the multi-award-winning internationally distributed weekly gay and lesbian radio news magazine. The program currently airs on more than 200 local community radio stations around the world, globally distributed at www.radio4all.net, to Pacifica Radio station affiliates in North America, and in Australia via the Community Radio Network.  Listeners can also hear "This Way Out" through our podcasts at thiswayout.org; on iTunes and Stitcher; across Europe, Africa/the Middle East, and Asia/Pacific regions on the World Radio Networks (wrn.org); and on audio CD by individual subscription. For lots of other information about "This Way Out" please visit www.thiswayout.org, email TWOradio at aol.com, or write to PO Box 1065, Los Angeles, CA 90078, USA.
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