A dangerous time to be gay in Russia
The number of anti-gay attacks in Russia is on the rise. Those speaking out for gay rights are being routinely beaten as police look on - sometimes by the police themselves. Now Russia's leaders claim a new law is not targeting gays. But people around the world find it so discriminatory, there is talk of boycotting the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. CNN's Phil Black has the latest from Moscow.
Greg Louganis on talk of Olympic boycott
Greg Louganis suffered through two Olympic boycotts during his career as an Olympic diver. There is talk of a new boycott over a law targeting gays in Russia. But Louganis explains to Anderson why he does not want to see that happen during the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi and what he does want to see instead.
Is a boycott of the Sochi games enough?
While some debate whether an Olympic boycott is an appropriate response to the wave of anti-gay violence in Russia, some say that does not go far enough. Former White House senior adviser Richard Socarides compared what is going on ahead of the Sochi games to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Anderson spoke with with Socarides about what should happen next.
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Post by: Filed under: Gay & Lesbian Issues • Gay Rights • Russia |
Will gay NFL players come out publicly?
Equal rights advocate and pro athlete Brendon Ayanbadejo talks about overcoming barriers and accepting gay athletes.
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Post by: Filed under: Gay Rights • Sports |
AC360 411: Battle over same-sex marriage
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases concerning same-sex marriage. One case hinges on the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8, which bans such marriages in the state. The other case challenges the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. The 1996 federal law denies federal benefits to legally married gay and lesbian couples. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to announce a ruling in both cases in late June. Here’s the AC360° 411 on the battle over same-sex marriage:
- 2001: The Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage
- Since then, 11 other countries have legally recognized same-sex marriages:
- Belgium (2003)
- Canada (2005)
- Spain (2005)
- South Africa (2006)
- Sweden (2009)
- Norway (2009)
- Argentina (2010)
- Iceland (2010)
- Portugal (2010)
- Brazil (2011)
- Denmark (2012) FULL POST
Kluwe: People 'not being treated fairly'
There are no openly gay players in the NFL. Minn. Vikings punter Chris Kluwe talks about why that is and when it might change. Kluwe says he believes some players are not open about their sexuality because, “the window of opportunity to play is so short that you don’t want to risk any sort of distraction that can keep you from keeping that job.”
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Post by: Filed under: Gay & Lesbian Issues • Gay Rights • Same-Sex Marriage |
McCain: Suffering continues in Syria
Anderson Cooper spoke with Senator John McCain about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria two years after civilian protests began, leading to a brutal crackdown by President Bashar al-Assad and a violent conflict between government forces and the opposition.
They also discussed the issue of same-sex marriage in light of Republican Senator Rob Portman's announcement that he now supports gay marriage because his 21-year-old son is gay. McCain says he respect's Portman's decision, but disagrees because of his religious beliefs.
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Post by: Filed under: Gay & Lesbian Issues • Gay Rights • Senator John McCain • Syria |
Santorum on Portman's gay marriage support
In an exclusive interview with CNN's Dana Bash, Ohio Senator Rob Portman announced he has changed his stance on same-sex marriage because his 21-year-old son is gay. CNN asked his conservative colleagues at CPAC to react to his reversal on the issue.
For more on Portman's decision, read One conservative's dramatic reversal on gay marriage
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Post by: Filed under: Congress • Gay & Lesbian Issues • Gay Rights • Raw Politics |
Poet: Hearing Stonewall in Obama's speech was 'Simply amazing'
Richard Blanco is the first Latino and openly gay man to deliver the inaugural poem. Anderson Cooper asks him about the honor, his inspiration for the poem, and the significance of being part of President Obama's swearing-in ceremony. The president made history by acknowledging the struggle for gay rights as part of America's civil rights tradition in his inaugural address.
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Post by: Filed under: Gay Rights • Inauguration Day • President Obama |
