Former New Jersey Governor: Coming out brought peace

I admire New Jersey Former Gov. James McGreevey, a husband and a father of two, for coming out in August 12, 2004 in the midst of his Political career. In his speech, he said "At a point in every person's life, one has to look deeply into the mirror of one's soul and decide one's unique truth in the world, not as we may want to see it or hope to see it, but as it is," which has been well accepted by his family and friends. He even gained a wide sentiment from people all over the United States and some parts of the world. Though it has been almost 3 years now, former GOv. McGreevey still has the charisma of a politician as he still gained wide supports in surveys beacuse of his great leap of honesty.

I admire Mcgreevey but it doesn't mean that i'll be coming out soon. hehehe. for that requires lots of prayers and im still not ready. hehehe.

anyway, going back to McGreevey, Almost three years has passed since his confession on national TV that he is gay, and he said that through his confession, it brought him peace! so 10 Stars to you governor!

Here's the report published by the Associated Press last March 17, 2007... so read. read. read



(Sante Fe) Former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, who resigned after revealing that he was gay, says culture is outpacing politics in the acceptance of homosexuality.

McGreevey, who is in Santa Fe this weekend to speak at a fundraiser for the Human Rights Alliance, called his decision to come out "one of the most painful but honest decisions of my life."

Even though the revelation of being gay can hurt family and friends, McGreevey said Friday that people must learn at an early age to be open about their sexuality.

"Hopefully, this generation will be the last generation of American youth that has to choose between their heart and their career, between love and acceptance," he said.

McGreevey also addressed comments made earlier this week by the Pentagon's top general. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, remarked that homosexual acts are immoral and said the military should not condone homosexuality by allowing gay personnel to serve openly.

"Gen. Pace's remarks were so terribly unfortunate, not only because that's what he believes but the notion that don't ask, don't tell actually encourages people to be less than honest, less than open, less than transparent," McGreevey said.

On Thursday, Gov. Bill Richardson - who is running for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination - also criticized the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

McGreevey, also a Democrat, called Richardson a "progressive voice."

Asked if he was endorsing Richardson's bid for the presidency, he said it's "too early in process."

Swedish Church OKs Gay Weddings

hmmm, Sweden has added itself to the number of countries which allows gay mariages. i wonder when will the Philippines realize that gays are also entitled to same rights being given to straight folks. Im sure any move in the congress to approve gay marriages will be strongly oppose by the gay-indenial-priests!

here's the copy of the report publish by the gay newscenter. read read read!



by Gay Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 19, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET
(Stockholm) If the Swedish Parliament accepts a government funded report recommending it amend its civil unions law to allow same-sex couples to marry the Church of Sweden says it will perform marriage ceremonies.

Even if lawmakers decide to maintain civil unions the Church said it will conduct ceremonies for gay couples, and those ceremonies would be the same as a wedding liturgy except the word marriage would be amended for gay couples to state union.

The decision by the Church's leaders make the Swedish denomination one of only a handful in the world to conduct gay marriages. In Canada the United Church - that country's largest Protestant denomination - conducts same-sex marriages, along with some Reform Synagogues and the Unitarian Church and the Metropolitan Community Churches. Unitarian and MCC churches also perform gay marriages in Massachusetts - the only state in the US where same-sex marriage currently is legal.

Sweden's civil partnership law was enacted in 1995 and gives most of the rights and obligations of marriage to same-sex couples who register. But the country's LGBT community last year stepped up lobbying to have the law amended to permit gays and lesbians to marry.

The Church of Sweden currently performs blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples but the church does not register them. To do that couples must sign a civil registry at a government office.

The new position adopted by the church would end the need for going to a civil registry office and treat gay couples in the same way as opposite-sex couples married in the church.

If a gay marriage bill is adopted by Parliament the same and opposite-sex couples would have church marriages.

That the Church accepted the recommendations of the government report before it is presented to Parliament is expected to put considerable pressure on lawmakers to approve the gay marriage plan.

Study: Gay Couples Spend More, Receive More, Getting Hitched

Study: Gay Couples Spend More, Receive More, Getting Hitched
by Gay Newscenter Staff

Published date: March 23, 2007 - 1:00 pm



(London) A study by a major British insurer shows that same-sex couples entering civil partnerships spend more on the festivities and receive more in gifts than their opposite-sex counterparts.

The study, by Direct Line Home Insurance involved more than 6,000 people.

From December 2005, when civil partnerships became legal, and 2006, 15,672 civil partnerships took place in the UK. Direct Line says that same-sex couples have spent more than $120 million tying the knot.

The study found that the average opposite-sex couple spends about $6,000 for their weddings while ceremonies and receptions for gay couples averaged about two-thousand dollars more.

But it is in the gift department that same-sex couples excel.

They get an average haul of about $9,000 in gifts from relatives and friends, while straight couples receive about $2,000 in gifts.

Direct Line says that its survey found the average gay couple's gift cost about $200.

Andrew Lowe, head of home insurance at Direct Line, said there is a logical reason for the differences in the amounts spent on ceremonies and receptions.

"I was surprised to see that guests at 'gay weddings' spend more on presents at first, but then I started to think about the average age of gay couples getting married compared with same sex couples," Lowe said.

"It might be that they're older because they've only been able to get 'married' in the last 12 months, and it's probably the more affluent people who have moved the more quickly."

He says the same logic carries over to gift giving.

"The type of presents that they are buying also suggests that they are older and more affluent. I think if you did a survey of mixed sex couples getting married, antiques wouldn't feature very highly as a wedding gift."

It is estimated that 28,000 same-sex couples will enter civil partnerships in the UK this year.

Gay sway? No way, say police

Associated Press
Date of News Report: 11:34am (Mla time) 03/22/2007


MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine police issued a warning to gay officers not sway their hips or display other suggestive behavior while on duty -- or they could risk losing their jobs.

"If they sway their hips while marching, or if they engage in lustful conduct, I think that will be a ground for separation," Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao, Philippine National Police or PNP spokesman, said Thursday.

Pagdilao said the police department did not discriminate against homosexuals, but would not hesitate to fire those who misbehave.

"As an institution, the PNP does not look at or interfere with one's sexual preference," Pagdilao told Manila radio dzXL. "But it does look at its members' conduct. If they behave within the norm, I don't think we'll have a problem."

The Philippines has a reputation for tolerance toward homosexuality.

However, a party representing lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people was recently refused registration for May congressional elections on the grounds that it does not have nationwide chapters. Its members are appealing.