Spitzer repudiates “ex-gay” study; black LGBT activists and faith take action against NOM’s wedge politics; protection from discrimination against transgender workers takes effect; and other Bent Alaska news of the day.

Dr. Robert Spitzer repudiates “ex-gay therapy” study

The last shred of scientific “proof” of the efficacy of so-called “reparative” therapy (popularly known as “ex-gay” therapy) was demolished last week when Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, author of a widely cited study of reparative therapy, publicly repudiated the study in the New York Times.

•  Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, Noted Psychiatrist, Apologizes for Study on Gay ‘Cure’ – http://t.co/ovQ7Ef0V #

But Dr. Spitzer could not control how his study was interpreted by everyone, and he could not erase the biggest scientific flaw of them all, roundly attacked in many of the commentaries: Simply asking people whether they have changed is no evidence at all of real change. People lie, to themselves and others. They continually change their stories, to suit their needs and moods.

By almost any measure, in short, the study failed the test of scientific rigor that Dr. Spitzer himself was so instrumental in enforcing for so many years.

“As I read these commentaries, I knew this was a problem, a big problem, and one I couldn’t answer,” Dr. Spitzer said. “How do you know someone has really changed?”….

It took 11 years for him to admit it publicly.

No Wedge 2012 asks black faith leaders to take the pledge

In late March, the Human Rights Campaign uncovered official documents from the anti-LGBT National Organization for Marriage (NOM) showing that NOM had been actively working to fan the hostility (p.12) between the LGBT community and the black community. Now black LGBT activists and faith leaders have joined to address NOM’s wedge tactics.

• RT @glaad: Black #LGBT Activists and Faith Leaders Launch NoWedge2012: http://t.co/2FCDn85c #

This was the launch of the “No Wedge 2012:  A Memo to Black America” campaign, in which Civil Rights, LGBT and faith leaders all gathered to address the “wedge” tactics that have been used by conservative, anti-gay groups to “divide” the Black vote on the single issue of marriage equality.

Protection against discrimination of transgender workers takes effect

• RT @glaad: EEOC Inclusion of #Transgender Employees Under Civil Rights Act Takes Effect Today http://t.co/H2znl489 #

Last month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled that employees discriminated against because they are transgender are protected under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and today [Monday, May 21] that ruling goes into effect.

Pride in Ukraine attacked by neo-Nazis

Just a few days after this year’s International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, an attack on a Pride parade in Kiev provided another example of what LGBT people continue to experience worldwide.

• RT @VictoryFund: Photos show horrific beating of #LGBT activists in Ukraine: http://t.co/ySoYLTU6 #

With a group of three violent thugs kicking and jumping on him, Svyatoslav Sheremet lies forlornly on the ground.

He is being attacked because he is the head of the organisation Gay Forum of Ukraine.

GLSENs announces GSA of the Year Award recipient

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) announced Allies 4 Equality of James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring, Maryland as the inaugural recipient of its Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) of the Year award.

Read the announcement, and watch the video GLSEN tweeted below.

• Awesome! RT @glsen: Take a look at this inspiring #GSA “Allies 4 Equality”, our 1st ever GSA of the Year http://t.co/Z57YsM0p #LGBTA #