Catholic Bishop Told Jesuit High School To Fire Gay Teacher, School Said 'No'

Brebeuf Jesuit Prep School

The Archbishop of Indianapolis told a Jesuit high school to fire a gay teacher.

The school said 'no.'

From CNN:

A Jesuit high school in Indiana can no longer call itself "Catholic" because it employs a teacher engaged in a same-sex marriage, the Archbishop of Indianapolis says.

Archbishop Charles Thompson's decree, dated June 21, means that Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis will no longer be recognized or identified as a Catholic institution within the archdiocese.

Thompson said the church considers Catholic school teachers to be "ministers" of the faith.

"To effectively bear witness to Christ, whether they teach religion or not, all ministers in their professional and private lives must convey and be supportive of Catholic Church teaching," the Archdiocese of Indiana said in a statement on Thursday.

In a statement, leaders from Brebeuf Jesuit Prep School said it has "respectfully declined the Archdiocese's insistence and directive that we dismiss a highly capable and qualified teacher due to the teacher being a spouse within a civilly recognized same-sex marriage."

The Rev. Brian Paulson, who heads the Midwest Province of Jesuits, said that the teacher does not teach religion and "is a longtime valued employee of the school." The teacher is not named in any of the statements.

"To our knowledge, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis' direct insertion into an employment matter of a school governed by a religious order is unprecedented," said the letter from the school's president, the Rev. William Verbryke, and two members of the board of trustees.

"This is a unique action among the more than 80 Jesuit secondary/pre-secondary schools which operate in dioceses throughout North America."

Podcast: Cuba Marches, Gilead Donates, Indya Moore Covers ELLE, Matt Bomer Stars In 'Papi Chulo'

In this week's podcast:

• Pharma giant Gilead will donate up PrEP medications for up to 200,000 American individuals in the effort to stop HIV

• Cuban gays stage an impromptu Pride march after the government cancels the annual parade

• A school in Indiana planned to deadname a transgender student at graduation

• Indya Moore becomes the first transgender woman to cover Elle Magazine

• And Matt Bomer plays a gay weatherman in the upcoming movie, 'Papi Chulo'

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Hit the play button below.

If you enjoy catching up on LGBTQ news in a quick podcast, I’d appreciate it if you would share The Randy Report with your friends.

I like to think of this podcast as the 60 Minutes of gay news —— only shorter ;)

Over 14,000 Sign Petition Asking High School To Not Deadname Trans Student At Graduation

Wyatt Thomas of Fort Wayne, Indiana

A high school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that planned to deadname a transgender student at his upcoming graduation ceremony has reversed course thanks to an online petition signed by over 14,000 supporters.

Brian Thomas, the student’s father, launched his Change.org petition after learning that the powers that be at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne planned to use the teen's old name at commencement.

The petition, addressed to principal Park Ginder, asked that the teen’s chosen and preferred name, Wyatt, be read aloud at graduation as opposed to his deadname, which he hasn't used in years.

“My transgender child is a senior this year and will graduate in early June,” Thomas wrote. “He has been going by his preferred name since the summer between his freshman and sophomore year. Teachers, pastors, managers, family and friends know him as a boy named Wyatt.

"But at graduation, because of an unwritten standard the school administration is unwilling to change, he will be called by his dead name. What is meant to be a celebration will instead be yet another moment of humiliation and embarrassment.”

“As Wyatt’s parents, we ask that our wishes be honored on behalf of our precious child. Call the name he will bear legally once the lengthy process of a name change is complete. Call him what his future university calls him. Call him what we and many others call him every day. Call him Wyatt.”

For many transgender people, undergoing a name change can be a powerful affirmation in transitioning their gender.

Each time it's spoken, it gives trans folks tangible validation as they move closer to the gender they know themselves to be.

But changing names, whether on a day-by-day basis, on government-issued ID or legal documents can be a glacially-slow process in some areas.

The good news is this past Friday the school informed Thomas that Wyatt's name will be read at graduation, and there are efforts underway to have his name on his diploma as well.

They will #CallHimWyatt at his graduation! So grateful to the school for their careful consideration and positive outcome for Wyatt. Thank you for your support and positive thoughts.

— Brian #CallHimWyatt (@TheCheekofGod) May 10, 2019

In an update on Change.org, Thomas wrote, “According to Dr. Ginder, he has been called Wyatt for three years, so why not at graduation?"

"This has been a matter of purposeful discussion and careful consideration on the part of the school, and a procedural decision has been made that benefits Wyatt," the father added. "We are grateful the school took this request seriously and gave it the attention it deserves.”

“Thank you to all who signed this petition,” Thomas said in conclusion. “The impact of your support, encouraging words and positive vibes has been felt and received with astounded gratitude. On to graduation!”

News Round-Up: February 20, 2019

(image via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• I might be a little obsessed with this handsome face. InstaHunk Steve_In_LA is pretty easy on the eyes as well ;)

• New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson has called for feds to 'break the patent' on Truvada, which is commonly prescribed as PrEP. Since the federal government helped fund the research for the drug, it has the right to break the patent and allow other companies to produce a generic version. PrEP has been shown to be 99% effective in protecting against HIV infection when used on a daily basis.

• The Republican-controlled Indiana Senate has voted to scrap all protected characteristics, including gender identity, race and sexual orientation, from a proposed hate crime bill. Indiana is one of only five states with no hate crime law in place.

• A lesbian couple in Indiana were refused service by their tax preparer, Nancy Fivecoate, because they were married. Fivecoate says she has gay clients, but she can't work for gay married clients. What do taxes have to do with religious beliefs?

• 18-time Grand Slam winner Martina Navratilova has been removed from the advisory board of pro-LGBTQ sports organization Athlete Ally for her recent anti-transgender remarks. The tennis champ says its 'cheating' to let trans women compete in women's sports.

• As he was recovering from a life-shaking breakup, out singer/songwriter Kisos penned (in real time) his upcoming EP, sweet nothings, featuring one track for each of the 5 stages of grief.

The lead single, "Happily Ever After," is a bouncy electro-pop bop with the handsome artist deep in denial, using delusion as poisoned motivation to better himself and survive the pain of seeing his ex with someone new.

Hit the play button below and enjoy! "Happily Ever After" is available now - click here.

Presidential Hopeful Pete Buttigieg On Whether America Is Ready For A Gay President

South Bend Mayor and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg

Appearing on The View today, presidential hopeful Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, was asked the question everyone wants to know: Is America ready for its first gay president?

Buttigieg's answer was perfect.

"Well, there's only one way to find out," replied the 37-year-old mayor with a smile.

He continued:

"When I came out it was 2015, I was in the middle of a reelection campaign. I was ready - you know you're ready when you're ready? - and I wanted to have a personal life.

"It was not obvious that was going to be a safe thing to do - it was in Indiana, Mike Pence was the governor at the time - and I wound up getting reelected with 80% of the vote.

"So I think people will evaluate you for the job you're doing."

Is America ready for its first gay president?

"There's only one way to find out," Democratic presidential candidate @PeteButtigieg says. https://t.co/f8u2wbJuik pic.twitter.com/CbmobVwPGO

— The View (@TheView) January 31, 2019

Buttigieg also says coming from a different generation isn't a bad thing, and that he promised his father (who passed away this Sunday) he would make him proud.

"It's not a bad thing to come from a different generation," Mayor Pete Buttigieg tells @TheView.

"We're the generation that grew up with school shootings as the norm...We're the ones that are going to be living through the impacts of climate change." https://t.co/nItAw78TVC pic.twitter.com/j97Cu8g6kG

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 31, 2019

.@PeteButtigieg shares one of the final moments he had with his father, who passed away Sunday, saying he was proud of his presidential run.

"I told him I hoped I'd make him proud," he says. "He mouthed the words, 'you will.'" https://t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/ZiMm8yiTVx

— The View (@TheView) January 31, 2019

News Round-Up: August 7, 2018

(Fran Dullon via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Spanish fitness model Fran Dullon is living this summer out LOUD. #woof

• Aryeh Cohen, a 44-year-old rabbi from St. Louis Park, a suburb of Minneapolis was arrested in a sex trafficking sting earlier this year after chatting and sharing explicit photos with someone claiming to be a 16-year-old boy on Grindr. He was apparently grooming the boy for sex.

• An Indiana judge has ordered a school district in Evansville, Ind., to allow a 17-year-old transgender student to use restrooms that align with his gender identity just days before the beginning of the school year.

• An anti-LGBT group is calling for a boycott of Britney Spears over her support for LGBTQ rights.

• Texas's Hood County Clerk Katie Lang still won't issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

• Charlotte Rae, who played the wise and wonderful "Mrs. Garrett" on the long-running sitcoms Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life fame passed away at the age of 92. After a long career on the Great White Way, the two-time Tony Award nominee moved into successful longevity television.

News Round-Up: July 22, 2018

Dan Tai

 Some news items you might have missed:

• UK fitness guy Dan Tai (above) worked out with a broken wrist this weekend. #slacker #woof #ThatFace

• Cuba is currently in the process of re-writing its constitution, and the latest draft opens the door to same-sex marriage. Instead listing marriage as between husband and wife, the language presently only defines marriage as 'between two individuals.'

• Step aside, Batman. The CW is currently developing a new addition to the DC super-hero universe of TV shows around the character of "Batwoman," aka Kate Kane. Kane, a lesbian, would be DC's first openly LGBT character on TV.

• Also in super-news, the CW's Supergirl is making TV history having cast transgender activist and actress Nicole Maines to play TV's first transgender superhero, Nia Nal (aka Dreamer), a character described as a soulful young transgender woman with a fierce drive to protect others.

• A gay couple in Indiana were turned away by an anti-gay florist when shopping for flowers for their wedding. Rita Harris of Avon Flowers was initially fine with the impending wedding date, but when she realized there wasn't a bride, she suddenly had a vacation planned and wasn't available. #liar

• New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch will not punish his players for any displays of protest during the national anthem. Tisch added that Donald Trump's interference in the issue shows “he has no understanding of why they take a knee or why they’re protesting."

• Sexy out artist Billy Winn begins his new EP, Dreamland I, with “Seal It with a Kiss,” a smooth, electro-pop track written and produced by Billy and Johnie & Elliot of the production team OneVision, about an attraction that’s so strong, words are not needed to express it.

Check out the new music video "Seal It with a Kiss" below and head over to his Soundcloud to hear the full EP.

Indiana GOP Reaffirms Commitment To "Man/Woman" Marriage

Choosing to remain stuck in the Dark Ages, the Indiana Republican Party voted overwhelmingly to reaffirm its commitment to marriage being “between a man and a woman” despite the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which made marriage equality the law of the land.

According to NWI.com, Gov. Eric Holdcomb had proposed a revised party plank regarding families that expressed support for all adults raising children.

Instead the 1,494 GOP delegates attending the biennial convention in Evansville reaffirmed the opposite-sex marriage plank first adopted in 2014.

Proposed by Porter County Republican Chairman Michael Simpson, the new language would have declared: "We support traditional families with a mother and father, blended families, grandparents, guardians, single parents and all loving adults who successfully raise and nurture children to reach their full potential every day.”

Speaking to delegates from the floor of the convention, Simpson said a broader understanding of family “is the best platform for our party and the best way for us to grow.”

But Morgan County GOP chairman Daniel Elliott, pushing the issue to the forefront of the convention, told attendees that man-woman marriage “is an important part of who we are as Hoosier Republicans.”

“This language ... recognizes the reality on the ground that most families are headed by married couples,” Elliot said.

WILL & GRACE Creator Donates Copies Of Gay Bunny Book To Indiana School Libraries

Talk about a story with a "hoppy" ending!

Earlier this month, I reported that John Oliver, host of HBO's Last Week Tonight, announced his team had written and published A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, a children's book spun from the news that Vice President Mike Pence's family had penned and illustrated their own children's book, Marlon Bundo's: A Day in the Life of the Vice President.

Jill Twiss, a writer on Oliver's Last Week Tonight show penned the charming book with illustrations by E.G. Keller.

Marlon Bundo is the actual pet rabbit of the Veep's daughter and both books follow Marlon as he hops around D.C.

But in the Last Week Tonight tome, Marlon Bundo falls in love with another male rabbit named Wesley, which probably irked the Veep as he's known for his notoriously anti-LGBT positions and policies.

The LWT book sold-out and became a #1 bestseller on Amazon.

But wait - there's more!

This week, Max Mutchnick, one of the creators of Will & Grace, has purchased and donated a copy of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo to every elementary school in the Pence's home state of Indiana.

Along with the books, Mutchnik sent a letter which read, in part:

"I would like to donate this copy of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo to your library. After hearing about the book, I brought it home and read it to my twin daughters. It's a poignant story about how love and community can rise above intolerance."

You can check out A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo on Amazon here. Maybe there's a child in your life that could benefit from some good, wholesome storytelling :)

I was blown away by the new John Oliver children’s book, “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo.” With Easter upon us, I wanted to not only support the brilliance of John Oliver, but also celebrate the Gayest Bunny of Them All: The Easter Bunny. So I decided to buy a copy of Oliver’s “Bundo” (written by Jill Twiss) for every public grammar school in Indiana. All 1,121 of them. Here’s why: Mike Pence has had an enormous platform in Indiana, and as it relates to gay people, he’s used it to spread a message of intolerance. By donating these books, I hope to counter those efforts and provide positive role models and a story of inclusion for children in Pence’s home state. If this book can help one boy or girl in Indiana love and accept who they are, I know both Marlon Bundos would be proud—even though one of them is on the downlow.

A post shared by Max Mutchnick (@maxmutchnick) on Mar 30, 2018 at 2:12pm PDT

Indiana: Carrier A/C Plant Trump "Saved" To Layoff Over 700 Employees

President Trump

Back in December, President-elect Trump boasted as he toured the Carrier air conditioner plant in Indianapolis that he had "saved" more than 700 jobs at the plant.

It turns out the jobs weren't quite "saved."

From the New York Daily News:

Carrier was going to lay off 1,400 workers and open a new facility in Mexico where labor is cheaper.

Trump said that 1,100 jobs would stay in Indianapolis because of his actions.

As it turns out, Carrier did agree to employ at least 1,069 people at the Indianapolis plant for the next 10 years in exchange for the $7 million in incentives.

But the majority of the 1,069 positions are engineering and technical workers whose positions weren’t in jeopardy, CNBC said.

The manufacturers whose jobs were on the line in November are still at risk — and 730 of them will get the ax, CNBC reported.

Trump had also taken credit for getting a promise from United Technologies to invest $16 million into the Indianapolis plant.

But that money is actually going toward more automation — which will result in fewer jobs, CNBC noted.

Donald Trump & Bernie Sanders Win Indiana Primaries, Cruz Drops Out

Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump cruised to an easy victory in the GOP Indiana primary last night, and in doing so saw his last real competitor, Sen. Ted Cruz, hit the skids and drop out of the race.

Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic primary over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but that outcome does little to change the math in the Democratic race due to Clinton's 280-285 delegate lead. Sanders would have to win 65% of all the remaining delegates to close that gap. And so far, nothing indicates a shift that seismic in the Dem race.

With Clinton and Trump looking more and more like the presumptive nominees for the presidential race, CNN reports Clinton leads 54% to 41%, a 13-point edge over the New York businessman, her largest lead since last July.

Clinton is also more trusted than Trump on many issues voters rank as critically important.

News Round-Up: May 3, 2016

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Wicked, the Broadway musical blockbuster, crosses the $4 billion mark in world-wide box office.

• Donald Trump's "working class" supporters are not so "blue collar' when compared with Hillary or Bernie voters, who are much closer to the median household income of the average American.

• CNN's Political Prediction Market now says Donald Trump is 96% likely to win today's Indiana GOP primary.

• Sarah Palin asks "Who are we to disagree with 97% of scientists on climate change?" Jimmy Kimmel agrees - who ARE we to disagree with 97% of scientists on climate change.

•Anti-LGBT "Christians" descend on Target stores telling customers they need to "repent" for shopping at a store that let's transgender folks use the rest room.

• A Texas mayor saw his anti-transgender ordinance go down in a unanimous vote.

• Netflix's Sense8 will premiere Season 2 on Christmas Day.

• High school senior exposes himself in year book photo, gets charged with felony, but also an offer from Playgirl.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Can't Answer Simple Question On LGBT Rights

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence still can't answer "yes" or "no" to the question: "Should Indiana LGBTs be able to be fired just for being who they are?"

From Freedom Indiana:

Indiana Governor Mike Pence has never been able to answer the question of whether he believes LGBT Hoosiers should be fired for who they are. Time after time, he has dodged the question of why he does not support comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBT people. Take action with Freedom Indiana and call for comprehensive LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination here.

 He is, however, very quick to pivot to the "religious freedom" of Hoosiers to be able to discriminate, isn't he?

Watch below.

Indiana: Gov. Mike Pence Indicates Support For Religious Freedoms Over LGBT Protections

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence

In his State of the State address last night, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said he plans to put religious freedom issues over anti-discrimination policies for LGBTs.

From LGBTQ Nation:

The Republican governor said in his half-hour televised State of the State speech before legislators that no one should be mistreated because of “who they love or what they believe.” But he also said that “no one should ever fear persecution because of their deeply held religious beliefs.”

“I will not support any bill that diminishes the religious freedom of Hoosiers or interferes with the constitutional rights of our citizens to live out their beliefs in worship, service or work,” Pence said.

Major business leaders across the state were NOT impressed.

Speaking for the group Indiana Competes, which represents prominent state business interests, Peter Hansom said,“We were looking for a moment of leadership, and what we got is a shoulder shrug.”

News Round-Up: October 28, 2015

Baby panda kindergarten

Some news stories you may have missed:

• You know you want to see what baby panda kindergarten looks like at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. #SuperCuteness

• Outgoing Speaker of the House John Boehner and White House may have found enough common ground to pass a two year federal budget bill. See what can happen when Congress does it's job? Will wonders never cease?

• After 20 years, a man issues an apology to a gay couple he taunted in public.

• Indiana Republican Brent Randall may oppose equal protections for LGBTs, but he believes in his right to have an active profile on a gay dating website. Btw, Randall erroneously believes Indiana state law protects LGBTs - a fact Gov. Pence and all of America is well aware is untrue.

• A month ago, the anti-LGBT group One Million Moms launched a boycott against Frito Lay/Pepsico due to the company's "rainbow Doritos," which was a limited run of colorful chips with the intent to raise money against bullying. Not only did the chips sell out in 24 hours, the company's stock has gone up 10% in one month. Good job, OMM!

Pepsico stock rises 10% in the last month

News Round-Up: June 19, 2015

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Chris Pratt, star of the biggest movie in the world (Jurassic World) says he's ok if women want to "objectify" him. It's cool with me, too :)

• For seven minutes in 2000 President Clinton considered publicly supporting marriage equality.

• The ironically named National Organization for Marriage asks all GOP presidential candidates to sign a pledge to promising to support a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

• After Indiana's "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" debacle only 32% of voters support his re-election.

• Did you hear the one about a Texas oil exec that stopped his car so he could punch out a gay couple? Sadly, it really happened.

Indiana: South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg Comes Out

(photo via South Bend Tribune)

In advance of the impending ruling from SCOTUS on marriage equality and the aftermath of Indiana's disastrous "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" debacle, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg pens an essay for the South Bend Tribune in which he makes the decision to come out.

"I was well into adulthood before I was prepared to acknowledge the simple fact that I am gay. It took years of struggle and growth for me to recognize that it’s just a fact of life, like having brown hair, and part of who I am.

"Putting something this personal on the pages of a newspaper does not come easy. We Midwesterners are instinctively private to begin with, and I’m not used to viewing this as anyone else’s business.

"But it’s clear to me that at a moment like this, being more open about it could do some good. For a local student struggling with her sexuality, it might be helpful for an openly gay mayor to send the message that her community will always have a place for her.

"And for a conservative resident from a different generation, whose unease with social change is partly rooted in the impression that he doesn’t know anyone gay, perhaps a familiar face can be a reminder that we’re all in this together as a community."

Buttigieg closes with the hope that someday his children will wonder why a mayor coming out would ever be newsworthy.

Having been elected mayor of South Bend at the age of 30, and serving in Afghanistan with the US Navy Reserves, I think Buttigieg sounds like a great example to folks in the Midwest that gays are not only people they know, but folks who set a great example.

(h/t JMG)

Walmart Fight: "This Is White Trash At It's Finest"

A brawl breaks out at an Indiana Walmart over a crowded aisle. As one woman complains to a store employee, another defends the employee.

The two customers end up on the floor in a fight with one of the women telling her young son, "Johnny, punch her in the face! Punch her in the f*&king face!"

At several points, the boy did indeed join in as his mother wrestled on top of the second woman. He kicked the second woman in the head, and picked up cans of what look like hairspray to hit the woman in the head.

During the incident one onlooker can be heard saying, "This is white trash at it's finest."

Sad.

(h/t JMG)

Barney Frank No Fan Of The Underwoods: "I Would Ban House Of Cards From Being Shown"

Openly gay retired elder statesman of Congress, Barney Frank, stopped by Conan last night and chimed in on the recent kerfuffle over Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act:

“In Indiana the calvary arrived, by which I mean the business community. In America, it’s nice to have the morally committed people on your side, but when the profit motive comes into the fight then you’re in great shape.”

It also seems that Frank is not a fan of the Netflix hit series HOUSE OF CARDS, saying “I’m a great believer in free speech and I defend the right of people to say obnoxious things about me and everybody else, but if I was going to make an exception, I would ban House of Cards from being shown.”

Memories Pizza Owners Come Out Of Hiding Since $842,000 Windfall

The owners of Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana, have come out of hiding for the first time since they told the world they would not serve a gay couple food for a wedding.

Via the Daily Mail:

In an exclusive first interview inside Memories Pizza restaurant since it closed down last week, owner Kevin O’Connor and daughter Crystal emerged from hiding and told Daily Mail Online they had been heartened by the support of 29,000 people who donated and many more who wrote to them.

They revealed they are set to share their new fortune with disabled children, a women’s help group, fire fighters, police trusts, Christian churches and Washington florist Barronelle Stutzman, 70, who was fined after declaring she would not serve a gay wedding.

The O’Connors are being advised by financial guru Ed Butowsky, an expert in the investment wealth management industry. He said: "Mr O’Connor and Crystal are genuine people. He is devastated that he has given Walkerton a bad name and people around the US might view it as a gay hating town. It is not that. But the O'Connors believe what they believe and that is their right. They want to share the money they have received and we are discussing how best that should happen. Nothing has been decided 100 per cent, but some charities will receive money as will Barronelle Stutzman who they wish to support."

Mr. O'Connor adds that ‘ If any child of mine came out as gay and entered into a gay marriage, I would still love them, but Daddy wouldn’t be going to the wedding.’

It would seem that Barronelle Stutzman becomes a double recipient as a separate crowd-sourcing campaign has already raised over $150,000.

Hate pays, huh?

It's worth noting that the Daily Mail regularly pays for stories and interviews. Just saying...