Apple video depicts its participation in the SF gay pride parade and how inclusion is good for business

Made by nature, proud by choice

From drag queens to jocks, the LGBT are proudly standing up for themselves and love, with grace. Two great examples...

From Outsports:

Chandler Whitney wanted to come out to his Walla Walla Community College baseball team, he just didn't know how or when. Over winter break he had spent time with his boyfriend, Willamette University kicker Conner Mertens, and his friends and felt acceptance by Mertens' hometown friends. It was a relief to be open and honest about his relationship with them.

When he returned to school last month, Whitney was more at ease with his sexuality. He didn't want to hide from his teammates anymore.

"I'd been planning to do it at some point anyway," Whitney told Outsports, "and seeing the reaction to Conner's story calmed me down."

Last week when the baseball team gathered for the first practices of the new year, talk turned to stories from winter break. Because he'd spent much of the break with Mertens, Whitney felt the time was now. He stood up in front of the team, said he had contemplated whether to tell them a secret or not, and shared a "confession" he'd been holding back from them since they first met:

"I'm gay."

The team broke into spontaneous applause. It took Whitney off-guard.

"Being where I am in eastern Washington, it's not the response I expected. I'm in Walla Walla, there's not a lot of open-mindedness on the surface."

In 2012, over 60% of the Walla Walla County voters rejected a ballot measure that ultimately legalized same-sex marriage in the state of Washington; Barack Obama garnered less than 40% of the vote there.

"I didn't necessarily expect hostility, but I expected a guy or two to feel uncomfortable or awkward. Everyone on the team shook my hand, gave me a hug and said we're a family and they had my back. The guys I thought would feel the most uncomfortable said don't worry about a thing, it's not a big deal."

Whitney grew up in a Catholic household in Beaverton, Ore., just a couple miles from Nike world headquarters. He was a standout baseball player, going between first base and outfield.

"I'm a pretty good hitter," Whitney said. "And my defense is fair."

He batted .350 in high school with a .461 on-base percentage. He was first-team all-state in Oregon his senior year, leading the team to the state semifinals. He attended Southridge High School, coincidentally the same name (but not the same school) as Mertens' high school. You can check out Whitney's college recruiting video below.

Most powerful quote of the day

"I was never ashamed of how I am,"

--Thomas Hitzlsperger, the German retired pro soccer player who came out yesterday

Welcoming 2014: out, proud, and more part of society

I cheer the young LGBT couples who walk around this country, hand in hand, without fear or shame. They are rightfully taking their place in society by not apologizing to anyone for how God made them. By being so open about their love, they are modeling love and acceptance for everyone, breaking down prejudices and phobic thinking. They are reminding us that our essential nature is good and worth celebrating. Full stop.

This love has always been here

Saunders High School's Boys Basketball Team wears #BeTrue t-shirts in support of their openly gay coach, Anthony Nicodemo

From Outsports:

The Saunders High School boys basketball team played their first game of the season Sunday, and it was special. 

The players entered the gym and warmed up wearing Nike #BeTrue shirts in solidarity with and support of their head coach, Anthony Nicodemo, who came out publicly as gay earlier this year. The #BeTrue line is Nike's LGBT brand that has helped fund the work of the LGBT Sports Coalition. It was a pretty powerful statement by the players, largely straight inner-city youth, who came up with the idea themselves.

The game was a thriller. After leading by 9 with under five minutes left, Saunders let Nanuet creep back into the game, which was tied with 30 seconds left. After a missed Saunders layup with seconds remaining, Nanuet grabbed the rebound and called a timeout with 0.3 seconds left. There was only one problem: They didn't have any timeouts left. Game MVP Dijon Gonzales buried two technical free throws and Saunders walked away with a 55-53 win.

Love is winning in Asia, too, as gay and lesbian couples marry in Vietnam. Cheered by hundreds of well-wishers!

Love, American style is becoming inclusive...

These bullied kids took their lives because they couldn't bear the pain and shame. But they were beautiful, whole, and complete. I fight for them everyday

Clockwise from top left: Asher Brown, Billy Lucas, Justin Aaberg, Tyler Clementi, and Seth Walsh.

Often, I think about queer kids like these, feel the piercing pain of growing up in a homophobic society, and do my best to stand up for them, my (15-year-old) self, and love. But make no mistake, we are changing this country and world, as love is triumphing over fear. I will never give up this cause.

60 Minutes profiles Jack Andraka, a 16-year-old scientific genius, who happens to be openly gay

Male beauty for a Monday

With films like this one, LGBT youth are being reminded that they are normal and beautiful, just the way they are

Today is National Coming Out day!