The Good News | 10.19.11

We spend so much time bummed out by the ugliness that goes on in the world, it's important to take time to appreciate the good news...

NJ Governor Chris Christie publicly denounced the anti-gay statements made by teacher Vicki Knox (Joe My God)

HRC has launched a national version of their popular NY campaign 'Americans For Marriage Equality.' The first video features Newark Maryor and superhero Cory Booker. (HRC)

Former 'Ex-Gay' activist John Smid tells Chris Matthews he's gay and gays cannot turn straight. (Towleroad)

Botswana's former president calls for decriminalization of homosexuality. (Towleroad)

After 24 years of research, the anti-malaria vaccine known as RTS,S (aka Mosquirix) is in the final stage of clinical trial and could potentially be the world's first effective anti-malaria vaccine, saving millions of lives. (Treehugger)

A Gallup poll released yesterday is the first to find plurality support for marijuana legalization, a huge step in eliminating the wastes of time, money and resources spent enforcing the criminalization of a plant found in nature. (NYT)

Several prominent Coloradan political leaders are appearing in a video message telling gay and lesbian teens that "it gets better." (KWGN)

Shaquille O'Neal appears in a new anti-LGBT bullying video by the American Federation of Teachers and GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) as part of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. (Bleacher Report)

Hundreds of LGBT voters join conservative party to help state senator Mark Grisanti (R-Buffalo) (WGRZ)

The Rev. Boon Lin Ngeo, a Malaysian Protestant pastor whose message of tolerance for homosexuals has drawn fire in his country, urges change in Malaysia. (NYT)