Latest news with #homophobia
CBC
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Ottawa officer suspended after army learned of antisemitic, homophobic 'Blue Hackle Mafia' group
The head of the Canadian Army has temporarily suspended the commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders in Ottawa after discovering a Facebook group with "abhorrent" content. As CBC News reported earlier this month, the Canadian Armed Forces has been investigating what was called the "Blue Hackle Mafia" group, which the army said was littered with "racist, misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic comments and images." Army commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright said in a July 16 message to members that he was taking steps to address the "inappropriate behaviour" in a Facebook group. Those steps include temporarily removing the head of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army, as an investigation into the group continues, he said. An interim head officer has been appointed to oversee the unit. The statement does not include names, but the regiment's website lists Lt.-Col. Ryan Hendy as the commanding officer. "This incident has damaged the reputation of the Canadian Army at a time when we are engaged in important modernization work as part of a ready, resilient, and relevant Canadian Armed Forces," Wright wrote in the statement. He previously described the Facebook group's content as "abhorrent" and said he was "disgusted" by some of the posts. According to screenshots of the Blue Hackle Mafia group shared with the Ottawa Citizen, the group posted hateful comments directed toward women and derogatory sexual comments about former prime minister Justin Trudeau. In one posting described by the newspaper, members talked about getting together for drinks at an Ottawa bar. "All welcome (except the Jews of course)," responded a member. CBC News has not verified the screenshots. Wright's statement goes on to say the army is investigating the alleged unethical conduct of any serving Canadian Army members who were part of the group. The group is also being investigated by the military police. The Blue Hackle Mafia is one of two high-profile stories about conduct in the Armed Forces this month.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indianapolis church doubles down on Pride sermon advocating for harm to LGBTQ people
An independent fundamentalist church in Indianapolis is doubling down on a sermon in which a lay preacher encouraged congregants to pray for the deaths of those who identify as LGBTQ+. The sermon — a mashup of Bible verses dotted with homophobic slurs and tied to Pride Month — was delivered June 29 at Sure Foundation Baptist Church, located in a small storefront near Lafayette Road and West 30th Street. More: Antisemitic incidents spiking in Indiana. North Central student tells her story "Why do I hate sodomites, why do I hate (slur)? Because they attack children, they're coming after your children, they are attacking them in schools today, and not only schools in public places, and they're proud about it!" church member Stephen Falco said during a Men's Preaching Night service. Falco called people who identify as LGBTQ+ "evil" and "disgusting." "There's nothing good to be proud about being a (slur). You ought to blow yourself in the head in the back of the head. You're so disgusting," he said in the sermon the church posted on YouTube. The video-sharing platform has since removed the video for violating its terms of service. Advocates for LGBTQ+ Hoosiers and other religious leaders were quick to denounce what they saw as harmful rhetoric in the sermon first reported by WISH-TV. "Such messages are not only theologically irresponsible but pastorally dangerous," the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, a faith-based civil rights organization, said in a statement. "The pulpit must never be used as a weapon to dehumanize, isolate, or incite fear." But the church, in a statement shared July 3 on its Facebook page, leaned into the criticism and proclaimed it would not apologize for the sermon. Instead, the message celebrated the attention the controversy has generated for the church. "The Bible is crystal clear that sodomites — homosexuals — deserve the death penalty carried out by a government that actually cares about the law of God," said the message signed by Evangelist Justin Zhong. G. David Caudill, founder and executive director of Equality Indiana, called the message inflammatory and extremist, saying it could inspire violence against the community. Sure Foundation Baptist Church, in response to questions from IndyStar, said it has about 35 people attend services on an average Sunday. Followers are called "soulwinners" and urged to spread the Gospel. The church website asserts its beliefs are based exclusively on the King James Bible. The Lafayette Road congregation is a branch of the Sure Foundation Baptist Church in Vancouver, Washington, which grew out of Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento, California. The Indy church is the only branch in the Midwest, according to the website, and had its first service Feb. 3, 2024. Zhong is identified as the local leader and is responsible for its day-to-day operations. Beyond its doors, the church has a presence on YouTube, Facebook, X and Rumble, a video-sharing platform that has become a right-wing alternative to YouTube because of its opposition to so-called cancel culture. More: As Trump support merges with Christian nationalism, experts warn of extremist risks "My job as a preacher is to preach the Word of God without compromise. If that means people would be pushed away, then so be it," said the response to IndyStar attributed to Zhong, Falco and the church. "My job is not to please men, but to please God. So many churches tone down the Bible in order to gain a crowd and that is wrong." The church statement said Falco's sermon was delivered as part of a Men's Preaching Night hosted every three months. Any man who is a faithful member can preach, but women are not allowed in the pulpit or any other type of leadership position, the statement said "because it's simply not biblical." Falco's comments on LGBTQ+ Hoosiers weren't his only extreme comments. Nor is he the only one from the men's programs to espouse hateful rhetoric and call for violence against people they see as an abomination or evil — including immigrants, protestors, graffiti taggers, and even those accused of minor crimes such as loitering. In the June sermon, Falco also attacked former President Joe Biden. "I have prayed for death of former President Biden many times for the wickedness he has done when he was in office, you know?" Falco said, mentioning Biden's recent cancer diagnosis. "And I believe many other Christians were also praying for his death, because he's a wicked reprobate." Another man identified in the video as "Brother Wayne" followed Falco at the pulpit that evening with a message titled "Worthy of Being Beaten." He blamed many societal problems on a lack of discipline and physical punishment, calling beatings a deterrent that has been lost in American culture. "I mean, is it really justice to put someone in jail and just let them sit there and get out with a fine or get a slap on the wrist, just to watch them turn around and do it all over again, become a repeat offender. ... If we had public beatings, it'd be much more swift," he said in a video posted on YouTube. His list of those "worthy" of a beating included protesters and those who commit even minor crimes. Some of his harshest words were aimed at immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. "I don't even understand why we're deporting these illegal criminals who are murderers, who are doing drug trafficking, sex trafficking, human trafficking. They're putting them on a plane, and they're sending them over to a prison in another country," he said. "I say we put them to death right here. I say we beat them right here." As for those who identify as LGBTQ+, he said: "I think they should be put to death. You know what, I'll go further. I think they should be beaten in public first for all their sick and demented, just (slur) and the things they're doing to our schools, to our government, to our institutions, to our churches. These people should be beaten and stomped in the mud, and then they should take a gun and blow the back of their heads off." In another Men's Preaching Night sermon from March, titled "Donald Trump: A Modern Herod," Falco again took the pulpit and called the president a pervert, and accused him of appearing religious to secure political support while having a life of pride, perversion, blasphemy and mockery of Jesus Christ. "This is what Donald Trump, our president of the United States of America, has said about his own flesh-and-blood daughter, and it is disgusting ... 'If Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her,'" Falco said in the sermon. "It's sick. You know, at least Herod had the decency to say that about his stepdaughter." Falco concluded: "Unless Donald Trump gets saved, which I hope he does ... God will judge him for it and he will go to hell." The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis countered Sure Foundation Baptist Church's message with a Bible verse, saying in its statement the Gospel is for everyone and should not be used a tool of condemnation. The clergy group said the Black Church, born in the crucible of oppression, must never mimic the very spirit of exclusion that once rejected its community. "We are called to be a sanctuary for the marginalized, not a platform for prejudice," the statement said. In standing for the dignity, inclusion and justice for all people, the group said it rejects the notion LGBTQ+ individuals are outside of God's reach, grace or redemption. "True holiness is not about who we hate; it is about how we love," the statement said. "We affirm that sin exists in all of us, we also affirm that God's grace extends to all of us. Our mission is not to decide who is beyond salvation, but to embody the inclusive love of Christ." Caudill, of Equality Indiana, said he is encouraged to see other Indianapolis faith leaders condemn the church's sermon. He's heard similar rhetoric at Pride festivals across the state — it's usually from small groups carrying signs and staging protests near festivities. "It does put my radar up to let those people who are supporters and followers of our organization, on social media and even those that are donors, to let them know we have to be more vigilant and protect ourselves," he said. "When you have that type of hateful and violent language, it could lead to someone taking those words and feeling protected to be able to go and commit violent acts against our community." Contact IndyStar investigative reporter Alexandria Burris at aburris@ Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @allyburris. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Sure Foundation Baptist Church sermon advocates harm to LGBTQ people
The Guardian
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
AFL bans West Coast player Jack Graham for four matches over homophobic slur
West Coast player Jack Graham has been suspended for four matches and will undertake an education program after using a 'highly offensive' homophobic slur during an AFL match against GWS Giants. The 27-year-old used the offensive term towards a Giants opponent during their round 17 clash and later self-reported the incident to the Eagles. The club passed the report to the AFL on Friday morning with the AFL Integrity Unit undertaking an immediate investigation and moving quickly to sanction Graham who has been withdrawn from the West Coast side to face Port Adelaide on Sunday. 'Graham used a highly offensive homophobic slur against a GWS Giants opponent, which demeans and denigrates persons regardless of their sexuality,' the AFL said in a statement. The former Richmond player will not be eligible to play for West Coast or at any level of football for the next four weeks and will also undertake Pride in Sport education. All AFL and AFLW Players and officials receive yearly education regarding vilification and the impact of such behaviour. 'Everyone understands the word he used is both hurtful and totally unacceptable in any setting, ever,' Tony Keane, AFL head of integrity and security, said. 'The AFL is very clear that homophobia has no place in our game, nor in the community. We have come a long way as a code, but this incident demonstrates there is so much more to be done, and we will continue to work together to improve our game as a safe and inclusive environment for all. The AFL took into account Graham's self-reporting of the incident, along with his private apology to the unnamed Giants player and contrition when considering its sanctions. Graham also rang AFL chief executive, Andrew Dillion, directly to apologise. 'I am very remorseful for the word I used and know such language has no place in our community or our game,' Graham said. 'I have offered my unreserved apology to the Giants player and Greater Western Sydney and would also like to publicly apologise for my comment. 'What I said does not reflect my values or our club values. I made a mistake and need to be better and will prove that through my actions going forward.' Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion Graham is playing his first season with the Eagles after lining up in 131 matches and winning two premierships with the Tigers. West Coast said that Graham had admitted to using a homophobic slur and accepted the sanctions handed down by the AFL. 'The word Jack used is completely unacceptable and does not align with societal and club values,' West Coast chief executive, Don Pyke, said. 'Jack understands the harmful effects comments like these can have on others and he has been honest in addressing this matter.'
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ryan Atkin: Gay referee says football has to 'drive out hate'
A football referee from Plymouth is calling on clubs to do more to tackle homophobia and racism within the game. Ryan Atkin, who has refereed both in the English Football League and National League, shared his experience of coming out as a gay man in the world of sport. In August 2017, he became the first man refereeing in England's professional leagues to come out as openly appeared on an episode of the LGBT Sport Podcast this week to urge football to do more to combat prejudice. "Football must take positive steps and it must take it now to drive the hate out", he said."So many football clubs have top of the range security so people shouldn't be able to hide anymore."Just because you're a paying member of public attending a football game, it doesn't give you the right to abuse other people." 'Football must do more' Mr Atkin said: "Is homophobia or racism taken seriously? It says it is but actually, what are the consequences? "Football must do more, it has to take a hard line to it."Why do people think it's acceptable to come to a sporting event and use racist or homophobic chants?"Protect your club, protect your players, protect your image - that for me is really key."He added: "You want to be judged on your profession or your sport, not your sexuality."I'm a referee who happens to be gay."
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Partygoer who killed man who made a pass at him is jailed for ANOTHER murder after he throttled his cell-mate to death while on remand
A homophobic killer who murdered a man for allegedly making a pass at him has now been jailed again - for throttling his cellmate. Vitalie Tanga, 41, was given a life sentence last year for the 'senseless' killing of Alfred Mattox, who was gay, after beating him to death in his own home in 2021. He was said to have launched the vodka-fuelled attack on Mr Mattox in his Wolverhampton home because he was gay, later claiming it was actually due to the 56-year-old making a pass at him at a party. While Tanga was in jail at HMP Birmingham awaiting trial for the murder of Mr Mattox, he turned on his cellmate Tajinder Kular and throttled him in September 2022. Mr Kular was found unconscious by prison officers in the cell the two men were sharing and died several weeks later. A post-mortem examination found ligature marks around his neck, broken bones in the neck and bruising to the face. The double killer claimed he attacked his cellmate in self-defence after they got into a row over a cigarette, but was found guilty of murder following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court. West Midlands Police said Tanga has now been jailed to life with a minimum term of 27 years, to run concurrently to his previous sentence of life with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of Mr Mattox. Tanga had been moved into Mr Kular's cell on K Wing the night before the fatal attack, Birmingham Live reported. Prosecutors said there was unlikely to have been much communication between Mr Kular and Tanga, who speaks Russian but very little English. The killer was observed behaving 'unusually' earlier in the morning. Guards went to check on Tanga at around 11.30am and found him pacing erratically around his cell - before pointing to the bottom bunk bed and sliding a thumb across his neck. He smiled and repeated the gesture when guards asked him what he meant. Then, he pulled back the duvet of the bottom bunk to reveal Mr Kular motionless. Tanga provided conflicting accounts of the incident over the following months before ultimately telling a jury that Mr Kular attacked him after offering him a cigarette and then snatching it back. He claimed he was grabbed by the throat and the two men struggled for around five minutes before the victim 'fell asleep'. Speaking after the sentencing, Det Insp Ade George of West Midlands Police, said: 'It remains a tragedy that Tajinder Kular lost his life in such circumstances. 'Tanga has not taken responsibility for his actions or shown any remorse since. 'He instead chose to blame the victim for attacking him and claiming to the court that he acted in self-defence. 'The jury did not believe this account, and this is reflected in the verdict.' His first killing took place a year earlier, when Mr Mattox and his friends were attacked while celebrating VE Day at his home. Tanga claimed his victim had made a pass at him moments before his death and he wanted to 'show him he was a man'. Sentencing Tanga last year, Judge Michael Chambers KC said: 'You subjected Mr Mattox to a brutal and sustained attack when he was in his own home. 'It arose from what was a vodka-fuelled rage involving you repeatedly kicking him to the head causing extensive fractures and brain damage from which he died on May 24.' Alfred Mattox, 56 was Tanga's first victim at his home while he was celebrating VE Day with his friends The court heard how Mr Mattox and his lodger went shopping, where they met a friend on May 10, 2021. They bought a bottle of vodka, with the group deciding to go back to Mr Mattox's flat in Merridale to 'celebrate the anniversary of the end of the Second World War'. Killer Tanga also joined in with the festivities before the group went out to buy more vodka. 'All was well' when the victim spoke to his brother on FaceTime at 4.34pm, the court heard. But neighbours raised the alarm with police after hearing 'banging noises' just under an hour later. Police rushed to the scene, arriving at 5.45pm to find Mr Mattox unconscious on the floor. He had sustained extensive fracturing to both sides of his face and skull, as well as brain damage which led to organ failure. The victim died a fortnight later on May 24. A Home Office pathologist told the earlier trial that there must have been 'at least three heavy blows to the head', consistent with kicking. When police arrived at the scene, Tanga told officers outside the flat: 'He is a ******, know what I mean' He later claimed his victim had made a pass at him, telling police in interview he 'had to show him he was a man'. Tanga's second victim was left with bruising to his head and scratches as a result of an attack in Mr Mattox's flat. It is not 'entirely clear' at what stage he sustained injuries but he has since made a full recovery.
