The Human Rights Campaign kicked off a popular campaign protesting Russia's anti-gay law with a Russian-language "Love Conquers Hate" t-shirt being sported by such gay celebs as Ricky Martin, Tim Gunn, NBA basketball player Jason Collins and soccer player Megan Rapinoe.
"We stand with Russia's LGBT community and their allies," HRC President Chad Griffin said. "We are committed to doing as much as we possibly can to support their efforts to repeal this heinous law."
The internet was abuzz last night during the 70th annual Golden Globe awards after actress Jodie Foster accepted the Cecil B. Demille Award, a lifetime achievement for her nearly five decades in show business.
Foster acknowledged her sexuality and thanked her ex-partner and the couple's two children in her acceptance speech. While Foster had also thanked her then-partner, Cydney Bernard, at a Women in Entertainment event in 2007, last night’s more prominent event is being widely treated as her coming out speech.
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) President Herndon Graddick called Foster's Golden Globes speech “a significant moment for LGBT visibility” in a statement released today.
“It took me a while, but tonight I’m here and I want to say that I want to add my voice to yours. And I’m so happy to be part of this community.”
— Pop singer Ricky Martin, who recently came out after years of speculation, in remarks as the surprise opening speaker at the national Human Rights Campaign dinner. (Advocate.com, Oct. 10)
“I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don’t want them brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option — it isn’t.”
— Carl Paladino, Republican nominee for governor of New York, in an Oct. 9 campaign speech to Jewish constituents. (Politico.com, Oct. 10)