Sperm cells have been created from a female human embryo in a remarkable breakthrough that suggests it may be possible for lesbian couples to have their own biological children.

Lesbian couples could one day have children who share both their genes

British scientists who had already coaxed male bone marrow cells to develop into primitive sperm cells have now repeated the feat with female embryonic stem cells.

The University of Newcastle team that has achieved the feat is now applying for permission to turn the bone marrow of a woman into sperm which, if successful, would make the method more practical than with embryonic cells.

It raises the possibility of lesbian couples one day having children who share both their genes as sperm created from the bone marrow of one woman could be used to fertilise an egg from her partner.

Men and women differ because of what are called sex chromosomes. Both have an X chromosome. But only men possess a Y chromosome that carries several genes thought to be essential to make sperm, so there has been scepticism that female stem cells could ever be used to make sperm.

If all these experiments pan out, then the stage would also be set for a gay man to donate skin cells that could be used to make eggs, which could then be fertilised by his partner’s sperm and placed into the uterus of a surrogate mother.  (Source)

Thousands of gay couples will be following developments in this research.

I must admit I still support adoption over more procreation. There are far too many children in need of a decent home and loving parents and gay couples are in a position to cut those numbers dramatically. It would also serve as a much needed slap in the face to those on the religious right who denounce birth control and abortion yet make no effort to provide care for the thousands of children born every year to mothers who didn’t plan on them and don’t want them.

No, I’m not talking about how I spent my weekend, it’s the Israeli ambassador.

As an Israeli ambassador, Tsuriel Raphael was accomplished at putting a gloss on delicate subjects, be it Tel Aviv’s nuclear programme, the treatment of Palestinians or the invasion of Lebanon.

When San Salvador police discovered him in his official embassy residence yard in the capital San Salvador, however, smooth talk was not really an option. For starters there was the gag and the rubber ball in his mouth. There was also the matter of being drunk. And naked. And bound. And surrounded by sex toys.

Once he was untied and the gag and ball were removed Mr Raphael identified himself as the ambassador but for perhaps the first time in his diplomatic career, this was a crisis he could not explain away.

“The ministry sees his behaviour as unbecoming of a diplomat,” Zehavit Ben-Hillel, an Israeli foreign ministry spokeswoman, said yesterday. It was, she added, an unprecedented embarrassment. Mr Raphael was recalled home two weeks ago when the ministry first learned of the incident but the news became public only yesterday, when reports surfaced in the Israeli media. “He is going to remain in Israel,” said the spokeswoman.

The ambassador did not break any law so for the Salvadorean police the case is closed. The Israeli government must wish it could say the same; the incident raises questions not just about Mr Raphael but about the foreign ministry’s system of appointments.  (Source)

If I’d have known the diplomatic corps was so much fun I might have selected a different majpor in college.

Principal’s outing of gay student roils Fla. town

PONCE DE LEON, Fla. – When a high school senior told her principal that students were taunting her for being a lesbian, he told her homosexuality is wrong, outed her to her parents and ordered her to stay away from children.

He suspended some of her friends who expressed their outrage by wearing gay pride T-shirts and buttons at Ponce de Leon High School, according to court records. And he asked dozens of students whether they were gay or associated with gay students.

The American Civil Liberties Union successfully sued the district on behalf of a girl who protested against Principal David Davis, and a federal judge reprimanded Davis for conducting a “witch hunt” against gays. Davis was demoted, and school employees must now go through sensitivity training.

And despite all that, many in this conservative Panhandle community still wonder what, exactly, Davis did wrong.

“We are a small, rural district in the Bible Belt with strong Christian beliefs and feel like homosexuality is wrong,” said Steve Griffin, Holmes County’s school superintendent, who keeps a Bible on his desk and framed Scriptures on his office walls.

Many in the community support Davis and feel outsiders are forcing their beliefs on them. Griffin, who kicked Davis out of the principal’s office but allowed him to continue teaching at the school, said high schoolers here aren’t exposed to the same things as kids in Atlanta or Chicago.  (Source)

So they think outsiders (educated members of a Constitutional republic) are forcing their beliefs on them (ignorant, delusional bigots).  Wow, tough shit.  If you want to believe like fundamental Christians or Muslims perhaps America isn’t the country for you.  See, here we have the rule of law (not rule by holy decree) and we encourage respect for all our citizens, not just the ones who happen to agree with you.

Incidents like this clearly illustrate what America will look like should we ever be careless enough to allow the U.S. to be perverted into a theocracy by the intolerant, hateful Jewish zombie worshipers.

Let me begin by saying that, as a veteran myself, I have the utmost respect for the sacrifices John McCain has made for his country.  However, being a war hero doesn’t automatically imply he’s capable of performing the duties of the president in supporting and defending the Constitution.  I shouldn’t have to justify my opinions on his qualifications for the presidency, but I know if I don’t all the comments will suggest I’m not giving him credit for his service to our country.

Reason #1

Reason #2

Tyler Oakley responds to arguments against gay marriage in the only appropriate way, with satire.