News: Gay Youth, Georgia, Laurence Fishburne, Rio Ferdinand

· The Trevor Project launches The "I'm Glad I Failed" campaign, its first-ever social marketing campaign in conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Week September 7 through 13. The "series of print and online advertisements feature four young people, representing those who attempted suicide" because of intolerance, harassment and homophobia, The Los Angeles-based non-profit operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth.

· New GED program in Dallas aimed at gay youth who are more at risk to drop out of high school. "About 28 percent of gay youth drop out of high school, usually to escape the harassment, violence and alienation they face."

· By unanimous vote, California Supreme Court rules in favor of a lesbian mother's fertility rights and says doctors cannot withhold medical care to gays and lesbians based on religious beliefs.

· Opponents of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts hope to place a ballot measure to reverse the recent repeal of the 1913 law that prevents out-of state same-sex couples from marrying there.

· Laurence Fishburne will join the cast of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation to replace departing cast member William Petersen. CBS says Fishburne "will be introduced in the ninth episode of the upcoming season. He plays a college lecturer and former pathologist who is focused on why people commit acts of violence."

· Almost one week after its cease fire, there is still no proof of Russia's promised troop pullout from Georgia. The Georgian Foreign Ministry "cited new operations by Russia on Monday, including the re-occupation of a military base in Senaki in the west of the country where explosions were heard by AFP. US officials said Monday that Russia had moved short-range SS-21 missile launchers into South Ossetia since fighting there halted."

· After decades of silence, are black churches more aggressively confronting HIV/AIDS? Possibly. One report finds "things are slowly changing and homophobia is often condemned too by church leaders, as communities open up to those hit by the disease who are yearning for moral and spiritual support from their fellows."

· Federal appeals court rejects challenge to Oregon's domestic-partnership law approved last year by legislature.

· Say in ain't so. Rod 2.0 fave Rio Ferdinand is passed over for the captaincy of the England team. Chelsea's John Terry retains the lead position for the World Cup after holding off the strong challenge from the Manchester United phenom. Off the field, Rio and fellow football phenom David Beckham are spokesman in the campaign to reduce knife violence in British schools.

Comments

[clint]

interesting post, very true

[Taylor Siluwé]

MAJOR CSI fan! Can't wait for Fishburne to take over as the new star.

I'm envisioning a whole new breed of CSI watchers because of this. Yes. Good news indeed.

[S. Flemming]

Love that Fishburne ... between him and Hill Harper, the CSI franchise is doing the damn thing. I may have to actually start watching these shows.

As for the ad campaign and GED programs, those are great ideas. It seems like now more than ever, young gay kids need advocates.