Pope Denounces Abortion, Same-Sex Unions
Associated Press


VATICAN CITY - In his latest blunt assessment of U.S. society, Pope John Paul II on Friday denounced the acceptance of abortion and same-sex unions as "self-centered demands" erroneously depicted as human rights.

The pontiff said that "in the face of such erroneous yet pervasive thinking," visiting U.S. bishops should stress to congregations "their special responsibility for evangelizing culture and promoting Christian values in society and public life."

"Rights are at times reduced to self-centered demands: the growth of prostitution and pornography in the name of adult choice, the acceptance of abortion in the name of women's rights, the approval of same sex unions in the name of homosexual rights," he said.



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Stonewall’s police: present at the creation
Now, 35 years after ‘the gay Alamo,’ the cops are ready to tell their side of the story
By Cyd Zeigler Jr.


On June 18, 1969, at Stonewall, on Christopher Street just east of Seventh Avenue South, the modern gay-rights movement was born.

By now, that night and the two subsequent nights have passed from the stuff of legend to become an integral part of American history. According to the historical record, drag queens, lesbians and disenfranchised gay men, outraged at abuse from the police, locked some cops in the bar and tried to burn it down. Aided by the anti-Establishment types of all stripes who gravitated to the Village at that time, they continued their disturbances for three days.

But there’s another voice in the story that is now being heard — one that has been respectfully quiet for 35 years. The policemen (they were all men) who were present on that fateful June night have their own story to tell.


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Cops watch flag raising at City Hall
By Staff


Police kept close watch over a gay pride event at City Hall yesterday after threats were made to a councillor who supported the celebration. A half-dozen uniformed officers -- including one on a rooftop using a video camera to scan partiers in the Main Street complex's courtyard -- took up positions as Winnipeg's annual Pride Week events were launched. But no violence transpired as several participants hoisted rainbow flags to celebrate the event.

Coun. Jenny Gerbasi was in a jubilant mood despite receiving several threatening anti-homosexual phone calls -- of which she didn't provide details -- during the days leading up to the gathering. She dismissed the threats, saying they were from "a small cast of usual suspects who don't accept diversity."

"It's unfortunate that they feel that way," said Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry). "It's unfortunate that they have to behave illegally by making threats of violence against people."


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Cycling lesbian grannies ride for rights.
by Jamie Way


LONGMONT-To some, lesbian cross-country-cycling grandmas may sound like the punch line to a bad joke, but to a group of over 35 gay-rights supporters gathered in front of Marilyn Musgrave's Longmont office, these "Rainbow Riders" were defending a way of life.

Carrie Ross-Stone's tattered Nikes, having seen better days, had holes worn through the toes from the long trip behind her. Saturday morning, she stood proudly in front of her supporters with her wife (to whom she was married in Canada), Elisia Ross-Stone. The two spoke to the crowd, shielded from the cold rain by only an awning and raincoats.

Carrie and Elisia left San Francisco on May 2 and are currently en route to New York City, cycling to support freedom to marry for homosexuals. Supporters ride alongside for certain stretches of the route.

"We're making a huge sacrifice," Carrie said. "It's not a joke. We're not a family in the eyes of the law. It's not only infuriating, it's humiliating." Carrie and Elisia raised a daughter together (Carrie is the biological mother), and now they're proud grandparents.