Alberta Physicians Continue To Bill Homosexuality As Mental Disorder, Tillsonburg Ontario Public Library Decides Not To Censor Gay Artist’s Work, Vice-President Biden Says National Consensus On Gay Marriage “Inevitable,” Thailand Bans Transgender Film, Serbia Prosecutes Anti-Gay Extremists, Chicago Gay And Lesbian Health Center Reaches Funding Goal, Channing Tatum Struts

The Edmonton Journal reports that physicians treating homosexuality as a mental disorder billed the Alberta five times in 2009, down from a high of more than seven-hundred in 1997, the most recent statistics still troubling since it means that some doctors in the province continue to treat homosexuality as a disease that can be cured. Until Tuesday, section 302.0 of Alberta’s diagnostic codes listed homosexuality under the heading “Mental Disorders: Sexual Deviations and Disorders,” putting homosexuality first on a grouping that included bestiality and pedophilia. Health and Wellness spokesperson Andy Weiler says all such references in section 302 have since been removed from the diagnostic codes, including references to transvestism, transsexualism, and other “specified psychosexual disorders,” adding that the section will be rewritten in 2011. However, doctors can continue to use the code for billing purposes.

The Tillsonburg News reports that the south-western Ontario town’s public library reversed a ruling that covered area artist R. Bruce Flowers’ sculptures grace the library’s foyer after complaints that they depicted homosexual activity and as such were inappropriate to be displayed in a public space. On December 14th, the Tillsonburg Public Library Board “unanimously passed a motion to continue to host the Oxford County Art Project: Art in Public Spaces until February 28th, 2011,” a decision that included uncovering Flower’s four clay sculptures. According to the reports, there were five written complaints and several verbal, most objecting to the “showcasing” of “sexuality.” Flowers called the covering of his work “appalling,” arguing that the reaction was based more on the understanding that he is gay, rather that the content of the sculpture,” and that the “contributions of the gay community should be celebrated” not condemned. Chief Librarian Richard Sulkers said that the library treated all the complaints seriously, but decided that closing the exhibit would contravene the principals of intellectual freedom as endorsed by both the Canadian and Ontario Library Associations.

Appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America Friday, United States Vice-President Joe Biden said that there is “an inevitability for a national consensus on gay marriage” similar to that which occurred with the issue of gays serving openly in the military, Biden saying “I think the country’s evolving. And I think you’re going to see, you know, the next effort is probably going to be to deal with so-called DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act).” That act, passed in the early fall of 1996, defines marriage at the federal level as that only existing between one man and one woman, and that no state need to regard as marriage any same sex relationship considered a marriage elsewhere.

A Thai film about a transgender father struggling to raise two children has been banned by the country’s National Film Board, the Associated Press reports, the ban, according to the movie’s director, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, underlining the conservative side of Thai society despite a reputation for liberal, progressive social attitudes. The board ruled earlier this week that the film, Insects in the Backyard, cannot be screened in the Thailand because it is immoral and pornographic. Sukkhapisit told the AP Friday that the scenes classified as offensive by the board are imperative to the narrative and cannot be cut, added that she intends to appeal the decision.

The Associated Press reports that prosecutors in Serbian are charging a far-right leader with orchestrating violence during a gay pride march in Belgrade in October at which more than 150 people were hurt. The Higher Court in Belgrade said that Milan Obradovic, the leader of the extremist nationalist group Obraz (or Honor) is charged with “committing violent acts at a public gathering.” An unspecified number of other group members have been indicted, as well. They all face a maximum of 12 years in prison. Extremist groups attacked the police securing Serbia’s first gay pride parade in years, precipitating day-long violence. Serbia has promised to protect human rights as it proceeds to seek membership in the European Union.

The Associated Press reports that the Chicago-based gay and lesbian Howard Brown Health Center managed to raise $650,000 in 50 days after announcing on November 4th that because of a fiscal emergency it would have to close its doors after being open for more than 35 years unless funds were found. Officials say that more than 1,400 donors responded, and an anonymous donor gave $200,000 to be used to match other gifts. Howard Brown serves more than 36,000 clients each year. The Center was wrought with financial problems after the mismanagement of funds was found earlier this year, which led to the resignations of the previous CEO and chief financial officer.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan spotted Thursday shopping at the Grove in Los Angeles.