GLOBAL NEWS BITES

Today’s gay news round up from around the world:

America’s largest weekly gay newspaper closes: The Washington Blade, the weekly newspaper that chronicled the coming-out of the capital’s gay community, was born amid the idealism of 1960s street protests. Yesterday, the paper died, a victim of the unforgiving realities of the nation’s sagging newspaper industry.

Argentina approves Latin America’s first gay marriage: Argentina’s government said over the weekend it would not appeal a recent court ruling that authorizes marriage between two men.  So on Monday the first gay couple went to Buenos Aires’ civil court to make their marriage a reality and become the first gay married couple in Latin America.

Gay Catholics reject Catholic church’s attempt to ‘cure’ them: Gay and lesbian Roman Catholics who contact the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis for spiritual guidance can find themselves directed toward programs aimed at helping them become celibate.

World’s first gay superhero comic launches: A comic book featuring the world’s first gay superhero team has debuted at retail level. Spandex follows the exploits of transvestite crimefighter Liberty and Wonder Woman’s lesbian equivalent Diva, as they team up with fellow gay heroes Prowler, Glitter, Indigo and the twins Mr Muscles & Butch. Each issue sees them do battle with villains such as Muscle Mary, Pussy and the Pink Ninjas.

Questions raised towards Mormon Church’s support for gay rights: The first-time ever support for gay-rights legislation by the Mormon Church, which threw its backing behind a pair of Salt Lake City fair-housing and employment ordinances that passed on November 10, seems like a welcome sign of progress. Not so fast.  First of all, some conservatives believe the Church’s gesture was little more than a public relations ploy to deflect criticism of staunch LDS opposition to marriage equality for gays.

Radio station cancel shows after host spews anti-gay rant: Rob Fulmer, regional manager for Nassau Broadcasting which has cut ties with one of its hotheaded right-wing radio shows, ” Meet The New Press.” The host, Doug Lambert, let loose on New Hampshire Democratic Chair, Ray Buckley, on the tail end of the webcast of his radio show where he referred to Buckley as, ”Yeah you faggot” and danced around to mock a gay man. It is reported that Buckley is openly gay.

Archbishop urges Australian PM to block gay civil unions: The Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Mark Coleridge, has urged Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to overturn the ACT’s same-sex civil union laws, accusing the ACT Government of trying to impose homosexual unions on the community.