DOCSLIB.ORG

2000 NGLTF Outing

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2000 NGLTF Outing Outing Age PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES AFFECTING GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ELDERS by Sean Cahill, Ken South and Jane Spade the Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation Contents Preface by Urvashi Vaid . .iv Executive Summary and Recommendations . .1 GLBT Elders and Aging . .4 Who are Elderly Americans in General? . .4 What Do We Know about Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders? . .7 The Context: Heterosexism . .17 Ageism within the GLBT Community . .18 Elderly GLBT Veterans . .19 GLBT Aging Organizations . .20 Policy Issues Affecting Seniors . .23 Services . .23 Older Americans Act . .23 Caregiving Needs . .24 Long Term Care . .25 Social Security . .25 Health Policy . .29 Medicare . .29 Medicaid . .30 Managed Care . .31 Housing and Nursing Homes . .32 Nondiscrimination and Anti-Poverty Policy . .33 Employment . .33 Supplemental Security Income . .34 Disability Policy . .34 How Aging Policy Frameworks Can Benefit GLBT Elders . .36 Research and Needs Assessment . .36 Local Research . .36 Advocacy for Inclusion in Research . .37 Services . .40 The Need for Access for GLBT Elders . .40 The Need for Training . .40 Caregiving Needs . .41 Recognition of GLBT Families . .42 Social Security . .43 401(k)s and Pensions . .45 The Medicaid Spend-Down . .47 Grandparenting Relationships . .47 Domestic Partnership and Civil Unions . .48 Housing and Nursing Homes . .51 Subsidized Housing . .52 GLBT Senior Housing Developments . .52 Nursing Homes and Homophobia . .53 Changing Practices and Regulations . .54 Options for Independent Living . .55 Health Care . .57 Medicare . .57 Medicaid . .58 Public Health . .59 Managed Care . .59 HIV/AIDS . .61 Mental health . .62 Hate Violence as a Public Health Concern . .64 Nondiscrimination and Anti-Poverty Policy . .65 Employment . .65 Supplemental Security Income . .65 Welfare Reform and Charitable Choice . .66 Non-Discrimination Legislation . .67 Outing ii Age Recommendations for Policy Advocacy and Activism . .70 Policy Recommendations . .70 Research . .70 Services, Training, and Caregiving . .71 Recognition of GLBT Families . .73 Housing . .74 Health Care . .74 Discrimination and Income Support . .76 Recommendations for Activism for GLBT and Social Justice Activists . .78 Conclusion . .80 Appendix A: Estimates of the GLBT Population in the United States . .82 Appendix B: Lesbian and Gay Activism at the White House Conference on Aging . .84 Appendix C: Legal Issues Facing Same-Sex Couples . .86 Appendix D: Resources . .88 Appendix E: General Research on Latino/-a, Asian Pacific Islander, and Native American GLBT and Two-Spirit People . .93 Notes . .95 Bibliography . .123 Contributors . .143 Table of Contents iii Preface BY URVASHI VAID Director, NGLTF Policy Institute Age is dirty word to many people in America. People lie about it. Others avoid or ignore those who are old. Youth is a virtue, but old age is just plain sad, so we are told. Politicians pander to the senior vote each election cycle, but fail to authorize urgently needed funds for social service programs, as the re-authorization of the still-not-yet- fully-funded Older Americans Act would do. And with the notable exception of some extraordinary individuals and organizations, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) movement has followed this overall cultural pattern. Today we stand at the edge of two tidal waves: a growing wave of GLBT people aging and entering the social service and community institutions which care for and advo- cate for the elderly; and a tidal wave of reaction against government, and against gov- ernment funding for social service needs. How will GLBT people fare as these waves wash over our communities? To date, aging service providers are not ready for the new wave of GLBT elders, policy makers are running away from it, and until very recently, frankly, the GLBT community has not faced this wave either. This report aims to change these responses by increasing the awareness of policy makers, advocates and ser- vice providers about the realities facing GLBT elders. Federal and state governments offer a wide variety of social programs and services that aim to support the lives of elderly people. Yet none of these programs recognize or sup- port, in even the most rudimentary ways, the families GLBT people build. Social Security survivor benefits are an essential part of a widow or widower’s income, yet same-sex partners do not receive this benefit, even after decades of building a family together. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have ignored the special needs of GLBT elderly, and the dearth of data on old GLBT people makes identifying problems and advocating for solutions very difficult. Little thought has been given to the special caregiving needs and realities of GLBT seniors. Plans are made, surveys conducted, research on the elderly done—all with no awareness of the existence of GLBT seniors and of their sometimes unique situations. Outing iv Age This country’s aging policies assume heterosexuality and close relationships with chil- dren and extended families to provide basic needs as we age. Yet what of those people without such family ties or those who are not parents? Should the ability to access good care in old age be dependent on one’s parental status or one’s relationship to one’s fam- ily of origin? As a matter of public policy, what kind of support do the elderly need? How does that need for support change based on sexuality, or income status, or race or ethnicity? What is the responsibility of government, if any, to provide such support? Even as GLBT old people face oblivious or alienating social service agencies, they also face devastating race, class and age bias within GLBT communities. Part of this is due to simple ignorance: because the “out” GLBT community is still an emerging commu- nity, many GLBT people just do not think of old people and the issues they face when they conceptualize community and prioritize issues. But some of our denial is certainly due to the persistent youth bias in the broader culture and in the GLBT subculture. Ageism operates to deprecate old people, and to ignore the serious problems presented by aging in a political culture that pays lip service to concern for the elderly but will not deliver the support needed to fulfill the promises made. Ageism operates when the involvement and participation of old GLBT people is not evident or even sought as desirable by our national and local organizations. And like heterosexism, ageism has consequences for the health, security, and lives of GLBT seniors. In order to address ageism in our society and to spark advocacy for GLBT seniors, the Aging Initiative was launched in 1999 by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Policy Institute. Through research, relationship building with GLBT and non-GLBT aging policy organizations, training, and advocacy, NGLTF works to ensure that the needs of GLBT seniors become a visible and conscious part of public policy frameworks and service programs. The NGLTF Aging Initiative includes four main strategies: • To collect and disseminate factual, empirically-based information and analysis on the lives, realities, and policy needs of GLBT seniors; • To raise consciousness within the GLBT community to confront ageism that keeps older people invisible and robs the.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hrc-Coming-Out-Resource-Guide.Pdf
    G T Being brave doesn’t mean that you’re not scared. It means that if you are scared, you do the thing you’re afraid of anyway. Coming out and living openly as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or supportive straight person is an act of bravery and authenticity. Whether it’s for the first time ever, or for the first time today, coming out may be the most important thing you will do all day. Talk about it. TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Welcome 3 Being Open with Yourself 4 Deciding to Tell Others 6 Making a Coming Out Plan 8 Having the Conversations 10 The Coming Out Continuum 12 Telling Family Members 14 Living Openly on Your Terms 15 Ten Things Every American Ought to Know 16 Reference: Glossary of Terms 18 Reference: Myths & Facts About LGBT People 19 Reference: Additional Resources 21 A Message From HRC President Joe Solmonese There is no one right or wrong way to come out. It’s a lifelong process of being ever more open and true with yourself and others — done in your own way and in your own time. WELCOME esbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans Lare sons and daughters, doctors and lawyers, teachers and construction workers. We serve in Congress, protect our country on the front lines and contribute to the well-being of the nation at every level. In all that diversity, we have one thing in common: We each make deeply personal decisions to be open about who we are with ourselves and others — even when it isn’t easy.
    [Show full text]
  • 2007 Annual Report
    GMHC beyond 25... Gay Men’s Health Crisis is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians. ending the AIDS epidemic. “...to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.” RALPH WALDO EMERSON Joan Tisch joined the GMHC family as an anonymous volunteer in 1986. Since then, she has been a tireless ambassador, a member of our Board of Directors, an extraordinary benefactor, and a fierce AIDS activist. This year, we were honored when she was named GMHC’s first Lifetime dedication Trustee. Joan and her family have proven time and again that individuals of conscience can have a profound impact on the lives of thousands. We at GMHC work every day to live up to her inspiration and make her proud. It is to her that we dedicate this 25th anniversary annual report. table of contents dedication 2 a message from the chief executive officer 5 prevent p. 6 prevent 6 advocate 8 support 10 eradicate 12 a letter from the chair of the board of directors 14 advocate p.
    [Show full text]
  • Jun Jul. 1970, Vol. 14 No. 09-10
    Published bi-monthly by the Daughters of ONCE MORE WITH FEELING Bilitis, Inc., a non-profit corporation, at THE I have discovered my most unpleasant task as editor . having to remind y. 'i P.O. Box 5025, Washington Station, now and again of your duty as concerned reader. Not just reader, concern« ' reader. Reno, Nevada 89503. UDDER VOLUME 14 No. 9 and 10 If you aren’t — you ought to be. JUNE/JULY, 1970 Those of you who have been around three or more years of our fifteen years n a t io n a l OFFICERS, DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC know the strides DOB has made and the effort we are making to improve this magazine. To continue growing as an organization we need more women, women . Rita Laporte aware they are women as well as Lesbians. If you have shy friends who might be President . jess K. Lane interested in DOB but who are, for real or imagined reasons, afraid to join us — i t h e l a d d e r , a copy of WHAT i w r ■ ’ '^hich shows why NO U N t at any time in any way is ever jeopardized by belonging to DOB or by t h e LADDER STAFF subscribing to THE LADDER. You can send this to your friend(s) and thus, almost surely bring more people to help in the battle. Gene Damon Editor ....................... Lyn Collins, Kim Stabinski, And for you new people, our new subscribers and members in newly formed and Production Assistants King Kelly, Ann Brady forming chapters, have you a talent we can use in THE LADDER? We need Bobin and Dana Jordan wnters always in all areas, fiction, non-fiction, biography, poetry.
    [Show full text]
  • 2008 Annual Report GMHC Fights to End the AIDS Epidemic and Uplift the Lives of All Affected
    web of truth 2008 annual report GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. From Crisis to Wisdom 2 Message from the Chief Executive Officer and the Chair of the Board of Directors 3 From Education to Legislation 4 From Baby Boo to Baby Boom 6 From Connection to Prevention 8 From Hot Meals to Big Ideals 10 The Frontlines of HIV Prevention 12 Financial Summary 2008 14 Corporate & Foundation Supporters 15 The Founders’ Circle 17 Individual Donors 18 The President’s Council / Friends for Life / Allies Monthly Benefactors / Partners in Planning Event Listings 23 House Tours / Fashion Forward / Savor Toast at Twilight / AIDS Walk 2008 GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. Gender 76% Male 23% Female 1% Transgender Race/Ethnicity 31% Black 31% White 30% Latino 3% Asian/Pacific Islander 5% Other/Unknown Sexual Orientation 56% Gay/Lesbian 9% Bisexual 35% Heterosexual Age 19% 29 and under 21% 30–39 33% 40–49 27% 50 and over Residence 14% Bronx 20% Brooklyn 47% Manhattan 12% Queens 1% Staten Island 6% Outside NYC 1 from crisis to wisdom HIV is a disease that thrives in darkness. In For 27 years, GMHC has born witness to HIV silence. In apathy. It thrives when connections from its frontlines. And in those 27 years, remain unseen—when the links between we’ve charted a pandemic that changes con- individuals and communities…between social tinuously and profoundly. Its demographics lives and sexual lives remain broken and have changed. Its challenges have changed.
    [Show full text]
  • August 2020 from Archival Silence to Screaming Queens: Reconstructing the Compton's Cafeteria Riot
    August 2020 From Archival Silence to Screaming Queens: Reconstructing the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot By Isaac Fellman & Susan Stryker On an August evening in 1966, three years before the Stonewall riots in New York City, the patrons of the Compton’s Cafeteria on Taylor and Turk Streets in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district fought back against police harassment. Little documentary evidence survives of this key moment in transgender history. The photograph above from the GLBT Historical Society’s archives is an extremely rare still of the interior of the Compton’s location in question, and the exact date the riot occurred has never been determined. Our archives contain much of the documentation that does survive, which enabled historian and former GLBT Historical Society executive director Susan Stryker to research the event in the early 2000s. Together with Victor Silverman, Stryker produced the Emmy Award-winning 2005 documentary Screaming Queens, which succeeded in bringing the riot to greater public awareness. Our special program on August 5 features a screening of Screaming Queens and a conversation with Stryker. Reference archivist Isaac Fellman, who has been working extensively with our transgender-related collections, interviewed Stryker about how she uncovered the legacy of Compton’s. The story of Compton’s exposes gaps in archives; it exists in memory, but official sources, records and contemporary news reporting are scarce. Did this scarcity influence your process and philosophy as a historian? The scarcity of traditional primary-document sources really did require me to embrace creative and nontraditional research methodologies. One of the most important strategies was simply walking in the neighborhood, studying San Francisco’s urban history, using the GLBT Historical Society’s sites database to map historic trans-serving bars and SROs, and reading a lot of spatial and architectural theory.
    [Show full text]
  • Every Class in Every School: Final Report on the First National Climate Survey on Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia in Canadian Schools
    EVERY CLASS IN EVERY SCHOOL: FINAL REPORT ON THE FIRST NATIONAL CLIMATE SURVEY ON HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA, AND TRANSPHOBIA IN CANADIAN SCHOOLS RESEARCHERS: CATHERINE TAYLOR (PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR), PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG AND TRACEY PETER (CO-INVESTIGATOR), PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA Human Rights Trust EVERY CLASS IN EVERY SCHOOL: FINAL REPORT ON THE FIRST NATIONAL CLIMATE SURVEY ON HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA, AND TRANSPHOBIA IN CANADIAN SCHOOLS RESEARCHERS: CATHERINE TAYLOR (PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR), PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG AND TRACEY PETER (CO-INVESTIGATOR), PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA RESEARCHERS: PROJECT FUNDERS: Catherine Taylor Egale Canada Human Rights Trust (Principal Investigator), Ph.D., Canadian Institutes of Health Research University of Winnipeg and Tracey Peter (Co-Investigator), Ph.D., The University of Winnipeg SSHRC Research University of Manitoba Grant Program Sexual and Gender Diversity: Vulnerability PROJECT RESEARCH ASSISTANTS: and Resilience (Canadian Institutes for Health TL McMinn, Sarah Paquin, and Kevin Research) Schachter (Senior RAs) Stacey Beldom, Allison Ferry, and Zoe Gross Winnipeg, Manitoba PROJECT ADVISORY PANEL: May 2011 Joan Beecroft, Jane Bouey, James Thank you to The McLean Foundation for so Chamberlain, Ellen Chambers-Picard, Tara kindly supporting the printing and distribution Elliott, Noble Kelly, Wayne Madden, Joan of this report. Merrifield, Elizabeth J. Meyer, Susan Rose, Annemarie Shrouder, and Helen Victoros Human Rights Trust Published by Egale Canada Human Rights Trust 185 Carlton Street, Toronto, ON M5A 2K7 Ph: 1-888-204-7777 Fax: 416-963-5665 Email: [email protected] www.egale.ca When referencing this document, we recommend the following citation: Taylor, C. & Peter, T., with McMinn, T.L., Elliott, T., Beldom, S., Ferry, A., Gross, Z., Paquin, S., & Schachter, K.
    [Show full text]
  • The Outing System at the Carlisle Indian School
    ssiii Apprenticeship for Civilization: The Outing System at the eM.Il I o Carlisle Indian School o <*> A 7 7 a By R. L. BRUNHOUSE University of Pennsylvania APPRENTICESHIP FOR CIVILIZATION: THE OUTING SYSTEM AT THE CARLISLE INDIAN SCHOOL By R. L. B ru n h ou se University of Pennsylvania N the story of the education of the American Indians the Car­ I lisle Indian School takes high rank. Now remembered chiefly for its record in athletics, the institution made definite contribu­ tions in the field of Indian education during the period of its existence from 1879 to 1918. As it was the first non-reservation Indian school established, it was forced to develop new methods by experience in order to cope with its peculiar problems. The educational policies evolved at Carlisle became the pattern which many later non-reservation Indian schools in the West and Middle West followed. One of these policies, however, no other school employed to the same extent or with the same success as Carlisle. This was the Outing system. Essentially the Outing system was an apprenticeship for civiliza­ tion. General Richard Henry Pratt, who originated and ad­ ministered the plan during the twenty-five years he was in charge of the school, believed that Indian boys and girls should have an opportunity to live in private homes for a period of time in order to gain practical experience in self-support and to learn the ways of civilized living. Since many of the young aborigines came to Carlisle directly from the reservations, they were required to spend at least two years at the school where they received formal classroom instruction as well as training in some trade.
    [Show full text]
  • Seeking Equality: Family Portraits When New Jersey Passed a Civil Union Law in 2006, Lesbian and Gay Couples Were Told Their Unions Would Be Equal to Marriage
    COVER STORY Seeking Equality: Family Portraits When New Jersey passed a civil union law in 2006, lesbian and gay couples were told their unions would be equal to marriage. They aren’t. Meet the brave families fighting for marriage equality in the Garden State. ambda Legal is once again fighting for justice in the New Jersey courts. In 2002, Lambda Legal represented seven Garden State couples in the fight for marriage equality. Four years later the case reached the state’s high court, which ruled unanimously that same-sex couples must be provided all the benefits and responsibilities of marriage, and gave the state legislature 180 days to provide equality. The legislature hastily passed a civil union law in December 2006 and began issuing civil union licenses to lesbian and gay couples in February 2007. However, civil unions are a broken promise. In December 2008 the Civil Union Review Commission, created by the L legislature itself, issued a report showing the many ways civil unions failed to bring equality to gay couples. Legislative efforts followed, and Lambda Legal plaintiffs were among those who testified on behalf of a subsequent marriage equality bill, which New Jersey legislators failed to pass. In 2010, Lambda Legal filed to reactivate the 2002 case, but the New Jersey Supreme Court wanted development of more of a record. This summer we launched our current suit, led by Deputy Legal Director Hayley Gorenberg, on behalf of seven same-sex couples and their children as well as Garden State Equality. Relegating same-sex couples to an inferior civil union status violates both the New Jersey and the federal Constitutions.
    [Show full text]
  • 'A Failed Experiment': Why Civil Unions Are No Substitute for Marriage Equality
    11 arguments for marriage equality rather than civil unions ‘A failed experiment’: Why 1. Civil unions do not offer the kind of legal civil unions are no substitute equity that comes with marriage 2. Civil unions do not offer the same practical for marriage equality benefi ts as equality in marriage 3. Civil unions lead to many day-to-day problems, including outing ivil unions do not provide civil unions by enacting equality as closely as possible for same- 4. Civil unions do not offer the same social same-sex couples with the in marriage. Australia must learn sex couples without using the acceptance or status as equality in marriage, same legal rights and social from the mistakes others have term ‘marriage’ and do so within C and actually reinforce stigma and entrench acceptance as equality in marriage. made rather than repeat them. jurisdictions which allow marriage discrimination They consistently fail legal tests of for opposite-sex couples. equal treatment. They have been 5. Recent civil union inquiries have reached The New Zealand civil union found to create many problems Defi nitions and damning conclusions scheme is an example of this. in daily life, lead to forced distinctions Such a scheme at a national level 6. Political support for civil unions overseas is outing, and reinforce stigma and in Australia would be another shifting to the right discrimination. The term ‘civil union’ generally encompasses all schemes for the example. In our view schemes 7. Same-sex partners overseas prefer marriage Same-sex couples in other formal recognition of personal of this kind are established to civil unions countries who have the choice relationships that are not as substitutes for equality in 8.
    [Show full text]
  • The Transgender-Industrial Complex
    The Transgender-Industrial Complex THE TRANSGENDER– INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX Scott Howard Antelope Hill Publishing Copyright © 2020 Scott Howard First printing 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, besides select portions for quotation, without the consent of its author. Cover art by sswifty Edited by Margaret Bauer The author can be contacted at [email protected] Twitter: @HottScottHoward The publisher can be contacted at Antelopehillpublishing.com Paperback ISBN: 978-1-953730-41-1 ebook ISBN: 978-1-953730-42-8 “It’s the rush that the cockroaches get at the end of the world.” -Every Time I Die, “Ebolarama” Contents Introduction 1. All My Friends Are Going Trans 2. The Gaslight Anthem 3. Sex (Education) as a Weapon 4. Drag Me to Hell 5. The She-Male Gaze 6. What’s Love Got to Do With It? 7. Climate of Queer 8. Transforming Our World 9. Case Studies: Ireland and South Africa 10. Networks and Frameworks 11. Boas Constrictor 12. The Emperor’s New Penis 13. TERF Wars 14. Case Study: Cruel Britannia 15. Men Are From Mars, Women Have a Penis 16. Transgender, Inc. 17. Gross Domestic Products 18. Trans America: World Police 19. 50 Shades of Gay, Starring the United Nations Conclusion Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Introduction “Men who get their periods are men. Men who get pregnant and give birth are men.” The official American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Twitter account November 19th, 2019 At this point, it is safe to say that we are through the looking glass. The volume at which all things “trans”
    [Show full text]
  • A N N U a L R E P O R T 2 0
    INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2007 The mission of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is to secure the full enjoyment of the human rights of all people and communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or expression, and/or HIV status. Table of Contents From the Board Chairs .............................................................................................. 2 From the Executive Director .................................................................................... 3 IGLHRC’s Six Core Goals ........................................................................................... 4 Responds to Human Rights Crises ........................................................................ 5 Supports Domestic Human Rights Advocacy ..................................................... 9 Conducts Advocacy with Global and Regional Human Rights Treaty Bodies .............................................................................................................. 17 A Celebration of Courage ......................................................................................25 Thanks to Our Donors .............................................................................................26 Staff/Board of Directors/International Advisory Council ..............................31 Financial Position/Statement ................................................................................32
    [Show full text]
  • Frigide Barjot; Homophile Malgré Tout?1
    JACK D. Frigide Barjot; KIELY homophile malgré tout?1 Jack D. Kiely University College London Abstract Frigide Barjot is the dethroned leader of the Manif pour tous movement that saw hundreds of thousands take to the street to protest against the gay marriage and adoption bill in France from late 2012 onwards. Despite what many claimed to be the self-evident homophobia of the movement, through the denial of equal rights to all, Barjot ferociously maintained and proclaimed her homophilic proclivities, and instead shrouded her arguments against gay marriage and adoption in notions of protection of natural ‘filiation’, the rights of the child and ultimately the promotion of the heterosexual (one man/one woman) family unit above all others. It is through this overt heterosexism, however, that one could perfectly well oppose gay marriage and remain a homophile, or in the least attempt to divest oneself of the charge of homophobia. This paper explores the extent to which this homophilic/homophobic split was maintained by Barjot through the analysis of three of her published works, before, during and after the Manifs pour tous, and the extent to which this split was borne out by other members of the movement, and places this within shifting notions of French republicanism. Keywords: Barjot, Frigide, gay, marriage, homophobia Virginie Tellenne née Merle, ‘stage name’ Frigide Barjot (literally translated as ‘Frigid Bonkers’), is the television star, devout catholic and erstwhile leader of the ‘Manif pour tous’ [‘The Demo for all’] – principal opponent to the proposed ‘Mariage pour tous’ [‘Marriage for all’]2 law of the Hollande government in France – an opposition that saw hundreds of thousands take to the streets to protest against gay marriage and adoption.
    [Show full text]