What with New York legislating same-sex marriage, and Labor state conferences toppling like dominos, it appears that same-sex marriage activists have adopted a new tack: “momentum rhetoric”.

New York now joins Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont and Washington DC in having legalised gay marriage. Internationally, the club also includes Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Sweden.

If you hold to the old-fashioned idea a baby deserves both a mother and a father, the president of the Queensland branch of the Labor Party, Andrew Dettmer, calls your views "abominable".

The legalisation of same-sex marriage in the state of New York is not altogether bad news. It could wake up voters in other states – and other countries – to the strengths of the push for “marriage equality” and to the weaknesses of the defence of traditional marriage.

When Brendon Beavan, 37, met Michael Faucett, 46, more than four years ago, he wasn't afraid to ask: "Do you believe in marriage?"

"Yes," replied Michael, who admits it was love at first sight.

The first gay marriage was celebrated in Brazil overnight after a court gave its blessing to the couple living together for eight years, local media said.

With little government promotion, a major public inquiry into child protection is underway in Victoria. Announced by Premier Ted Baillieu in late January, the Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry is now considering written submissions as it wends its way across the State to hear from people in person.

The Australian Human Rights Commission says in the world of the web, cyber bullying is an abuse of human rights.

By a happy coincidence, a large international debate on gender equality considered from a multicultural perspective is taking place during the International Year of Youth (August 12, 2010 - August 11, 2011). It was proclaimed by consensus by the United Nations to be celebrated with the central theme of dialogue and mutual understanding. A world youth conference having the form of a high level meeting of the General Assembly, will be held at United Nations Headquartersin New York on 25 and 26 July 2011.

Parents might label it a waste of time but the hours spent surfing the internet, chatting online, and even on the dreaded Facebook appear to improve children's reading skills.

Indian doctors have been accused of conducting sex change operations on young girls whose parents want sons to improve the family's income prospects.

It took time for Europe to start addressing one of the saddest aspects of abortion: abortion for sexual selection. Finally, as a result of a motion for a resolution introduced May 11, 2010 by Mr Volontè and 21 other parliamentarians, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) decided to issue a report addressing this sensitive issue.

Opposition to the school chaplaincy program is widening among mental health leaders. Expert groups are branding the scheme potentially dangerous and demanding its $220 million in funding be redirected.

Video Games

Free speech defeats ban on sale of video games

WASHINGTON: A Californian law that made it a crime to sell children violent video games - including ones that allow players to attack and mutilate realistic depictions of women - has been struck down by the US Supreme Court for violating the free speech provisions of the constitution.

The rise of internet gaming is exposing Australia's tech-savvy youth to problem gambling at school with an increase in advertising adding to the growth of interactive gambling.

Makers of mobile phone apps and games could be made to submit their products for classification if the recommendations of a senate inquiry are adopted.

Federal Liberal MP Alan Tudge is seeking changes to Northern Territory laws after one of his constituents claimed he ran up an $80,000 debt gambling on credit with Sportsbet.com.au

A Muslim, a Jew and an Orthodox Greek walk into a Masonic Lodge. Does it sound like the start of a joke? It's not - it is said to be the start of a trend.