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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/29/AR2006112901595_pf.html
In Conservative Chile, a Push for Change
Gays and Others Grow Bolder in Their Challenge to Nation's Cultural Arbiters
By Monte Reel
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, November 30, 2006; A14
SANTIAGO, Chile -- Emma de Ramón recently bought a condo here. But evenbefore she moved in, she said, everyone in the building knew one fact abouther: She's gay.
De Ramón and her partner, Karen Atala, a judge, have become unintentionalcelebrities since waging a battle against Chile's Supreme Court, whichforced Atala to surrender custody of her three daughters because of herrelationship with de Ramón.
Now the couple has become emblematic of a segment of the population growingnoticeably bolder recently: those eager to shed Chile's questionable labelas the most culturally conservative country in Latin America.
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The Express Gay News
http://cbs13.com/local/local_story_332003345.html
Nov 27, 2006 9:31 pm US/Pacific
Davis Student Fears More Harassment
Anny Hong
Reporting
(CBS13) DAVIS, Calif. It all happened at Harper Junior High. A student ofgay parents has been harassed and called names. His parents say their carwas torched and now they're threatening a lawsuit against the school if itdoesn't take the anti-gay harassment more seriously.
Harper Junior High School student, Zack, hasn't been to school in almost amonth. He says after years of being teased because his father is gay, oneday, it went too far.
Several students were disciplined, from detention to suspension. But Zack'sfather says it's not enough, especially when his son went back to school andwas teased again.
Almost two weeks ago, at a standing room only school board meeting, dozensof people from the community gave three hours of emotional testimony.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sfl-aaidsday01dec01,0,7349540.story
In fight against HIV, strategists look again at ways of prevention
By Maria Cheng
The Associated Press
December 1, 2006
London · Circumcision, microbicides and microfinance. These are some of themost promising options being examined as potential ways to prevent AIDS.
As World AIDS Day is marked today, some public health specialists are sayingthe focus on universal access to lifesaving antiretroviral drugs has had anunintended effect: sidelining prevention. Without a vaccine, preventing HIVinfections is key to controlling the pandemic.
New strategies that attempt to change the environment of AIDS transmissionare being considered. A study published online Thursday in the Britishmedical journal The Lancet describes how a microfinance project in SouthAfrica cut women's chances of domestic violence by more than half.
There is a strong link between HIV transmission and abusive relationships,with abusive men more likely to have multiple partners or to become violentif asked to use condoms.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/16136842.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Posted on Fri, Dec. 01, 2006
WORLD AIDS DAY
AIDS focus returns to prevention
World AIDS Day saw renewed calls for strategies focusing less on a cure andmore on slowing the pandemic, which has continued to surge in unexpectedplaces.
BY MARIA CHENG
Associated Press
LONDON - Circumcision, microbicides and microfinance. These are some of themost promising options being examined as potential ways to prevent AIDS.
As World AIDS Day is marked today, some public health experts are saying thecurrent focus on universal access to lifesaving antiretroviral drugs has hadan unintended effect: sidelining prevention. Without a vaccine, preventingHIV is key to controlling the pandemic.
New strategies that attempt to change the very environment of AIDStransmission are now being considered. A study published online Thursday inthe British medical journal The Lancet describes how a microfinance projectin South Africa cut women's chances of domestic violence by more than half.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16136633.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Posted on Fri, Dec. 01, 2006
For gay activists, it's still political season in N.J.
DONNA DE LA CRUZ
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - A dozen political operatives from around the country are in NewJersey running an intense campaign, but there's no candidate. Their goal isto convince state lawmakers - and residents - that gay couples should havethe right to marry.
Gay rights advocates are raising money, lobbying state lawmakers and goingdoor-to-door to drum up support for their cause: legislation that would givegay unions the same legal status as marriage.
"This is being run like the most intense political campaign you canimagine," said Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality. "This isa tooth-and-nail fight to the death, a 24-7, get-no-sleep politicalcampaign."
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113001930_pf.html
Cipel Says Ex-Gov. McGreevey Is Not Gay
The Associated Press
Friday, December 1, 2006; 12:06 AM
TRENTON, N.J. -- The man former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreeveyidentified as his gay lover said Thursday he believes McGreevey is not gay.
Appearing on "Larry King Live," Golan Cipel, an Israeli citizen hired byMcGreevey first as a campaign aide and later as his homeland securityadviser, said that McGreevey's 2004 resignation speech admission that he is"a gay American" was "part of the spin."
Through lawyers, Cipel had threatened to sue McGreevey for sexual harassmentshortly before and after McGreevey's resignation. A lawsuit was never filed.
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The Washington Post
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2006/12/post_13.html
Same-Sex Marriage:Good for Kids?
As Maryland's highest court prepares to hear a same-sex marriage case onMonday, a group of psychologists, social workers and child welfare advocatesspoke out yesterday in support of families headed by gays and lesbians.
At a news conference in Baltimore, the professionals highlighted anextensive body of scientific research supporting the idea that childrenraised by lesbian and gay couples develop as well as children raised byheterosexual couples.
They stressed their belief however, that the children of gay and lesbiancouples would enjoy additional benefits if their parents were allowed tomarry.
Laws that limit marriage to heterosexual couples, "provide astate-sanctioned stigma against children and families," said Ruth Fassinger,professor of psychology at the University of Maryland.
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Maryland Psychologists, Social Workers, and Child Welfare Advocates BackSame-sex Marriage
11.30.06
http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=66&id=11771
Gay Wired
In advance of oral arguments before Maryland's high court, prominentMaryland psychologists, social workers, and child welfare advocates spokeout Thursday at a press conference in support of marriage for same-sexcouples.
At the Maryland chapter of the National Association of Social Workers,representatives of these groups stressed extensive, consistent scientificevidence showing that children raised by lesbian and gay couples develop aswell as children raised by heterosexual couples.
"The evidence is clear: No matter how you measure it, children raised bysame-sex couples are no different from their peers raised by opposite-sexcouples. In areas such as social development, psychological functioning,cognitive ability, and adjustment, there is no difference when comparingthese kids," said Dr. Paul Clavelle, president of the Maryland PsychologicalAssociation.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113001370_pf.html
Same-Sex Marriage Law Takes Effect in S. Africa
By Clare Nullis
Associated Press
Friday, December 1, 2006; A20
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Nov. 30 -- South Africa on Thursday became thefirst country in Africa, and the fifth in the world, to legalize same-sexmarriages.
The Civil Union Act went into effect a day ahead of a Dec. 1 deadline set bythe country's Constitutional Court, which required that the marriage law bechanged to ensure equality for gay men and lesbians.
Gay rights groups have welcomed the law, although they criticized provisionsallowing clergy and civil marriage officers to turn away gay couples forreasons of conscience.
Some couples began hurrying to make preparations for long-awaited nuptials.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113001307_pf.html
Conservative Rabbis Reconsider Stance on Gay Sex
By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 1, 2006; A11
After years of debate, the Conservative Jewish movement is on the verge ofredefining its approach to homosexuality, a pivotal decision for a movementthat occupies a shrinking middle ground between Orthodox and Reform Judaism.
A panel of 25 eminent Conservative rabbis will meet in New York next week toconsider five proposed teshuvot, or answers, to the question of whetherhomosexual sex is permitted under Jewish law.
Although the answers have not been made public, Conservative leaders saidthat two defend the traditional position that Leviticus 18:22 -- "Do not liewith a man as one lies with a woman; it is an abomination" -- prohibitshomosexuality between men and, by extension, between women.
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http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Study_Americans_ambivalent_about_HIVAIDS_crisis_1127.html
Study: Americans ambivalent about HIV/AIDS; Conservatives 'lesscompassionate' to victims
Ron Brynaert
Published: Monday November 27, 2006
A study conducted by an international Christian child developmentorganization finds that many Americans are ambivalent about the world'sHIV/AIDS crisis, with nearly two-fifths admitting to having difficultysympathizing with victims, RAW STORY has found.
In the study commissioned by Compassion International, a ministry to poorchildren in developing countries, 1,004 telephone interviews with adults 18and older were conducted by a Christian polling organization.
In a press release, Compassion noted that the results showed "conflictingbehavior and attitudes" by Americans regarding the disease which has killedmore than 25 million people since it was first recognized in 1981, accordingto United Nations figures.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-christian-coalition,0,773127.story
Christian Coalition Pres.-Elect Leaves
By Associated Press
November 28, 2006, 12:17 PM EST
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The president-elect of the Christian Coalition of Americahas declined the job, saying the organization wouldn't let him expand itsagenda beyond opposing abortion and gay marriage.
The Rev. Joel Hunter, who was scheduled to take over the sociallyconservative group in January from Roberta Combs, said he had hoped to focuson issues such as poverty and the environment.
"These are issues that Jesus would want us to care about," said Hunter, asenior pastor at Northland Church in Longwood, Fla.
Hunter announced his decision not to take the job during an organizationboard meeting Nov. 21. A statement issued by the group said Hunter leftbecause of "differences in philosophy and vision." Hunter said he was notasked to leave.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/01/AR2006120100425_pf.html
U.S. Blacks Seek Answers to AIDS Epidemic
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter
Friday, December 1, 2006; 12:00 AM
FRIDAY, Dec. 1 (HealthDay News) -- By now, most Americans know the drill:Practice safer sex, and HIV should leave you and your community alone.
Except that it's not really working out that way for America's blacks. Studyafter study shows that HIV infections continue to escalate among thiscommunity -- especially among gay and bisexual black men -- even though theypractice safe sex at rates that equal or exceed those of whites.
For example, a study published in time for World AIDS Day on Friday intheAmerican Journal of Public Healthfound that young black adults who hadengaged in no sex over the past year, didn't drink, and didn't abuse drugswere still 25 times more likely to test positive for a sexually transmitteddisease or HIV than whites who practiced similar behaviors.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113001715_pf.html
A Lifelong Crusade for AIDS Education
By Jose Antonio Vargas
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, December 3, 2006; M02
Adam Tenner can't help but feel frustrated. "So much time has passed," saysthe 39-year-old, "and so much work is still left to be done."
It has been 25 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported, and Tennerhas been an AIDS activist for 20 of them. Starting off as a peer educatorwhile attending Sarah Lawrence College in 1986, he went on to run the HIVprevention program at YouthCare, a nonprofit organization for at-riskteenagers in Seattle, in the 1990s. In 2001, he became executive director ofMetro TeenAIDS ( http://www.metroteenaids.org), a Capitol Hill-basednonprofit group that offers a variety of HIV/AIDS services.
His is a gargantuan task. In a city with a high rate of new HIV cases -- anda school board that has yet to set a health education curriculum for thecity's public schools -- Metro TeenAIDS's work is vital.
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The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-fire-chief-harassment,0,3599158.story
Panel Recommends Firing Gay Fire Chief
By Associated Press
November 28, 2006, 8:31 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS -- A city panel recommended Tuesday that officials fire BonnieBleskachek, the nation's first openly lesbian big-city fire chief, in thewake of firefighter lawsuits accusing her of harassment and discrimination.
Bleskachek had earlier agreed to step down. But the city's executive councilunanimously rejected a negotiated deal after a closed-door meeting.
"She was pretty stunned because it was a complete surprise," saidBleskachek's attorney, Jerry Burg.
Mayor R.T. Rybak had announced the agreement in a letter to the city'sexecutive council in which he wrote that he no longer had confidence inBleskachek as chief. Neither Rybak nor City Council members wouldimmediately explain why the deal was blocked.
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kenslist@groups.queernet.org
CA: Opinion--Gay marriage remains an issue for Republicans
Pasadena Star-News, CA, November 28, 2006
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinions/ci_4735316
Gay marriage remains an issue for Republicans By Kathryn Jean Lopez,klopez@nationalreview.com
THE 2006 midterm elections may be over, but they are worth taking anotherlook at before we become wedded to the wrong conclusions.
Marriage was an issue on the ballot in eight states and was a winning issuein all but one. Voters in Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Wisconsin,Colorado, South Dakota and Idaho all voted to protect marriage.
Although some prominent voices have highlighted marriage as a distractionissue that hurt Republicans in the long run, the GOP would be wise not torush to divorce court.
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From Michael Emanuel Rajner
National Secretary - Campaign To End AIDS
merajner@gmail.com
The following link was sent to me by a dear friend at The NAMES ProjectFoundation/ AIDS Memorial Quilt. The video clip captures how a ruralcommunity reactions and responds to The Quilt. Perhaps the one thing thatstands out is when one speaker raises the fact that more must be done.
www.hattiesburgamerican.com/online/Aids/index.html
May everyone celebrate a World AIDS Day reflecting on the love ones thathave departed us, treasure HIV-infected among us and inspire the world toeducate & prevent others from infection.
Michael Emanuel Rajner
National Secretary - Campaign To End AIDS
Tel: (954) 272-8131 ? (305) 677-3506
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Gay Marriage Bill To Be Reintroduced In Calif. Assembly by 365Gay.comNewscenter Staff
Posted: December 1, 2006 5:00 pm ET
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/12/120106calif.htm
(Sacramento, California) Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) on Mondaywill reintroduce legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry inCalifornia.
Called the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act is isidentical to a bill passed last year in both the Assembly and Senate butvetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The bill would amend the Family Code to define marriage as a civil contractbetween two persons instead of a civil contract between a man and a woman,and again reaffirms that no religious institution would be required tosolemnize marriages contrary to its fundamental beliefs.
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http://wcbs880.com/pages/131693.php?contentType=4&contentId=246989
Posted: Saturday, 25 November 2006 1:52PM
NJ Schools Adjust to Transgender Teachers
TUCKERTON, N.J. (AP) -- From coast to coast, students, parents andeducators are grappling with a new classroom challenge: What to do whenMister McBeth comes to school as Miss McBeth.
As more transgender teachers undergo their transformations, school districtsand universities are facing issues many never dreamed of, including newpronouns, chats with students and staff-- even bathroom arrangements.
The sex-change operation William McBeth underwent in 2005 created acommotion in the conservative Pinelands area when she applied to be rehiredas a substitute in Eagleswood Township under the name Lily McBeth.
Parents jammed a school board meeting last winter, both to denounce andsupport her hiring.
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Detroit News, MI, November 27, 2006
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061127/OPINION03/611270325
GOP must stop digging hole with anti-gay shovel Deb Price
Sen. George Allen of Virginia was desperate. His re-election campaign was ina nosedive because of reports that he has a long history of using racialslurs. So Allen went on the attack.
In early October, an Allen radio ad ominously charged that challenger JimWebb "is one of those people" like "Hillary Clinton and their liberal alliesin Washington" who want to "weaken marriage." (Although Webb opposes gaymarriage, he objected to amending Virginia's constitution to block any sortof legal recognition for unmarried
couples.)
In the campaign's final days, Allen resorted more and more often to anti-gayscare tactics. But Webb, a former Navy secretary who wore his son's combatboots as a reminder that the young Marine is serving in Iraq, stuck to twothemes: Getting out of the "strategic blunder" of the war in Iraq andrescuing the American middle class.
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Out Military Gays Serve With Distinction In Iraq
by 365Gay.com NewscenterStaff
Posted: September 15, 2004 11:27 am ET
(Santa Barbara, California) A study of gays in the military releasedWednesday concludes that gays and lesbians are serving openly in the MiddleEast without undermining unit cohesion or the missions in Iraq andAfghanistan.
When gays are out, they report says "greater success in bonding, morale,professional advancement, levels of commitment & retention and access toessential support services."
The study, prepared for the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in theMilitary at the University of California, Santa Barbara, also found that"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has a negative effect not just on gays, but on thosearound them, by creating an atmosphere of dishonesty and distrust as well asdisrespect for the law and the principles of integrity that are essential tomilitary service.
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Poles apart: how gay people suffer under the new regime By Jerome Taylor inWarsaw
Published: 01 December 2006
The Independent Online
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2029283.ece
Twenty-five years ago, two identical twins, once childhood stars in Polandduring the Sixties, were on the run from the Communist regime's secretpolice. Today, they are the President and Prime Minister of their country,and fiercely proud of Poland's feisty role in Europe and its closefriendship with the United States.
One of the brothers, President Lech Kaczynski, flew to Britain this month tomeet the Queen and Tony Blair, part of an official visit during which thetwo countries celebrated their close alliance, built on a mild mutualEuroscepticism and a firm belief in pursuing the "war on terror". Lech'sbrother, Jaroslaw, remained in Warsaw running the country as Prime Minister.
But the journey they have made from being on the run to running the countryhas come at an unacceptably high price for many Poles. The country's gaycommunity today feels the cold blast of exclusion, just as the twins did 25years ago.
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Gay marriage case goes to Md. high court Couples hope for '07 ruling
granting full rights
By LOU CHIBBARO JR
Dec. 01, 2006
http://www.washblade.com/print.cfm?content_id=9569
Washington Blade
Nine same-sex couples are expected to be present in an Annapolis courtroom
Monday, when Maryland's highest court hears arguments over whether the state
constitution allows the couples to cement their relationships through
marriage.
The couples, who filed a lawsuit in 2004 challenging a state law banningsame-sex marriage, say they are hopeful that the seven-member Maryland Courtof Appeals will issue a decision sometime next year allowing Maryland tojoin Massachusetts and New Jersey in providing full, equal marriage rightsto same-sex couples.
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World AIDS Day: Williams Institute Releases Study on HIVDiscrimination in Health Care
http://www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/home.html
UCLA Law Study Finds High Rates of HIV Discrimination in Health Care
One-fourth to one-half of skilled nursing facilities, obstetricians, andcosmetic surgeons in LA County deny treatment to HIV-positive patients
December 1, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Brad Sears, Research Director, Williams Institute, sears@law.ucla.edu,
310.794.5279
Darcy Pottle, Williams Institute, <mailto:pottle@law.ucla.edu>
pottle@law.ucla.edu, 310.267.4382
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA-The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law andPublic Policy released a study today showing surprisingly high rates of HIVdiscrimination by health care providers in Los Angeles County. The studyreports findings from three "testing" studies of skilled nursing facilities,obstetricians, and cosmetic surgeons conducted between 2003 and 2005.
Overall, 56% of skilled nursing facilities, 47% of obstetricians, and 26% ofplastic and cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles County would not acceptHIV-positive patients for services commonly offered to HIV-negativepatients. For example, when asked if he accepted HIV-positive patients, onehealth care worker responded, "We try not to.I'm just trying to be honest."
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Fewer Czechs practicing safe sex
EU launches new awareness campaign
http://www.praguepost.com/articles/2006/11/29/fewer-czechs-practicing-safe-sex.php
By Hilda Hoy
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
November 29th, 2006
Fear is one of the greatest motivators, which is why health experts areworried by a burgeoning trend: Fewer Czechs are scared enough to practicesafe sex these days.
"People here are not afraid of AIDS," says Petr Weiss, a leading Czech sexresearcher. "Czechs do not protect themselves enough. The use of protectionagainst unwanted pregnancy has improved significantly. However, theprotection against AIDS is not sufficient."
Dec. 1 marks World AIDS Day, and Czech healthcare workers are talking aboutthe rise of HIV infection here in recent years.
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Ukrainian church council opposes legalization of same-sex marriages
30 November 2006, 18:11
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=2324
Kiev, November 30, Interfax - The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches andReligious Organizations has urged the Verkhovnaya Rada to prevent thelegalization of homosexual marriages in on an open letter on behalf of themain Christian, Judaic and Moslem confessions it represents.
"We strongly oppose the legalization of homosexual marriages in ourcountry," the letter, read out by the head of the Ukrainian Greek CatholicChurch Father Andrey (Nagirnyak) at Interfax-Ukraine's offices on Thursday,says.
The law must clearly specify that only a man and a woman may create afamily, the letter says.
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Sweden's gay blood ban to stay
Published: 1st December 2006 15:43 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/5666/
The Local
A proposal to allow gay men in Sweden to give blood is to be put on hold forat least another year after concerns were raised by health authorities.
The National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) had been expectedin November to end Sweden's lifetime ban on blood donations from men whohave had sex with men.
The ban was put in place to prevent the spread of HIV, but in the summer theboard proposed changes which would have allowed blood donations from gay menwho had not had sex for six months.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Sweden's gay blood ban to stay
Published: 1st December 2006 15:43 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/5666/
The Local
A proposal to allow gay men in Sweden to give blood is to be put on hold forat least another year after concerns were raised by health authorities.
The National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) had been expectedin November to end Sweden's lifetime ban on blood donations from men whohave had sex with men.
The ban was put in place to prevent the spread of HIV, but in the summer theboard proposed changes which would have allowed blood donations from gay menwho had not had sex for six months.
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The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16145696.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Posted on Sat, Dec. 02, 2006
IN MY OPINION
Crist's words as puzzling as his views
By BETH REINHARD
breinhard@MiamiHerald.com
Here comes ``the people's governor.''
The phrase that Republican Charlie Crist used to describe himself onthe campaign trail says everything and nothing, rings hollow and true, likemany things he says.
Crist does have an uncanny way of connecting with people, of listeningto their concerns, of showing that he cares. Equally uncanny is his way ofhitting up fat cats and lobbyists, who pumped an estimated $56 million intohis record-setting, made-for-television campaign.
Can you be the populist candidate and the richest one, too?
Candidate Charlie, now Gov.-elect Crist, hasn't changed a bit. Askedduring an interview Friday whether he still felt like he was campaigning, hesaid: ``I'm in people mode. That's very important to me.''
[ Send your comments about any of the articles in Ray's List Digest toRays.List@Comcast.net ]
#####
Saturday, December 02, 2006
NATIONAL & WORLD DIGEST DECEMBER 02, 2006
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The Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/print.cfm?content_id=3248
'Happy holidays' suits me fine
The ridiculous 'War on Christmas' campaign illustrates the unwelcomeinfluence of the religious right.
By WAYNE BESEN
Nov. 24, 2006
LEAVE IT TO the religious right to turn Santa Claus into a wedge issue andexchange the gift of seasonal cheer for a box of holiday fear. Thanks totheir histrionic "War on Christmas" campaign, major retailers, includingWal-Mart and Walgreen Co., are now dumping "Happy Holidays" for "MerryChristmas" and piping in religious Christmas carols."They're all trying toget the spirit back," industry analyst Marshal Cohentold the Los Angeles Times.
Is he talking about the universal Christmas spirit or the sectarian HolySpirit? This sudden change of heart was due to an intensive lobbyingcampaign last year by right wing organizations, such as the American FamilyAssociation and Liberty Counsel, and conservative pundits like Sean Hannityand Ann Coulter. While mainstream Americans went to the store with ashopping list, conservatives showed up with a political agenda, checkingstores once and twice to see if they were naughty or nice.
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The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/01/AR2006120100518_pf.html
Warnings, Worship Mark World AIDS Day
By DAVID McHUGH
The Associated Press
Friday, December 1, 2006; 10:53 AM
BERLIN -- World AIDS Day was marked around the globe Friday by somberreligious services, boisterous demonstrations and warnings that far moreneeds to be done to treat and prevent the disease in order to avert millionsof additional deaths.
Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko conceded his country was losing groundin the race to curb one of Europe's fastest growing epidemics, saying100,000 people have been officially registered as HIV-positive. Every day,40 citizens of the former Soviet nation are diagnosed with HIV, and eightdie from AIDS, Yushchenko said.
"Such figures are shocking," Yushchenko said in a published address timed tocoincide with World AIDS Day. "We can't be indifferent to them."
UNICEF officials are warning of a public health catastrophe in EasternEurope and Central Asia, where 270,000 people are infected, some 90 percentof them through intravenous drug use.
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2006-12-01-mormons_x.htm
Mormon political clout grows
Posted 12/1/2006 5:43 PM ET
By Diana Marrero, Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON - When Sen. Harry Reid becomes Senate majority leader next year,he will be the most powerful Mormon in Washington.
But that reign could be short-lived if Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney makesa bid for the presidency in 2008 and wins. Romney is considering a run inwhat is expected to be a wide-open field.
Reid is a Democrat from Nevada and Romney is a Republican. Though they havechosen different political stripes, they are bonded in a faith whose leadersencourage members to become active in public life.
Mormons are heeding the call. Typically conservative, they are morepolitically active than average Americans, according to a recent study. Andthe 15 Mormons in Congress is a slightly greater representation than thereligious group's percentage of the general population.
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CBS News
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/01/politics/printable2223338.shtml
Obama Shares AIDS Views With Evangelicals
LAKE FOREST, California, Dec. 1, 2006
(AP) Potential presidential candidate Barack Obama stood before one of theUnited States' largest evangelical churches Friday for a frank discussion ofsexuality and spirituality that included the declaration that condoms shouldbe made more widely available to fight AIDS.
The Democratic senator's appearance at the Saddleback megachurch was asource of dispute among evangelical leaders, with some of the mostconservative saying that a politician who supports abortion rights shouldnot have been allowed to speak at such a prominent church.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Spain-Right-to-Die.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
November 29, 2006
Spanish Woman Prompts Euthanasia Debate
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 5:12 a.m. ET
GRANADA, Spain (AP) -- Inmaculada Echevarria has spent much of her lifewatching muscular dystrophy ruin her body. She's been in a hospital bed for20 years, her movements are now reduced to wiggling her fingers and toes andshe wants to die.
''For me, life stopped having meaning a long time ago. I want them to helpme die because I have spent my whole life suffering,'' said 51-year-oldEchevarria, whose case has triggered debate in Spain on the rights of peoplewith incurable diseases to seek help in dying.
Euthanasia is illegal in Spain and people who help someone else die can bepunished with at least six months in prison. But Spain's Socialistgovernment wants to legalize it as part of a wave of liberal reforms thathave largely transformed this traditionally Roman Catholic country.
[ Send your comments about any of the articles in Ray's List Digest toRays.List@Comcast.net ]
#####
rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
=
The Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/print.cfm?content_id=3248
'Happy holidays' suits me fine
The ridiculous 'War on Christmas' campaign illustrates the unwelcomeinfluence of the religious right.
By WAYNE BESEN
Nov. 24, 2006
LEAVE IT TO the religious right to turn Santa Claus into a wedge issue andexchange the gift of seasonal cheer for a box of holiday fear. Thanks totheir histrionic "War on Christmas" campaign, major retailers, includingWal-Mart and Walgreen Co., are now dumping "Happy Holidays" for "MerryChristmas" and piping in religious Christmas carols."They're all trying toget the spirit back," industry analyst Marshal Cohentold the Los Angeles Times.
Is he talking about the universal Christmas spirit or the sectarian HolySpirit? This sudden change of heart was due to an intensive lobbyingcampaign last year by right wing organizations, such as the American FamilyAssociation and Liberty Counsel, and conservative pundits like Sean Hannityand Ann Coulter. While mainstream Americans went to the store with ashopping list, conservatives showed up with a political agenda, checkingstores once and twice to see if they were naughty or nice.
=
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/01/AR2006120100518_pf.html
Warnings, Worship Mark World AIDS Day
By DAVID McHUGH
The Associated Press
Friday, December 1, 2006; 10:53 AM
BERLIN -- World AIDS Day was marked around the globe Friday by somberreligious services, boisterous demonstrations and warnings that far moreneeds to be done to treat and prevent the disease in order to avert millionsof additional deaths.
Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko conceded his country was losing groundin the race to curb one of Europe's fastest growing epidemics, saying100,000 people have been officially registered as HIV-positive. Every day,40 citizens of the former Soviet nation are diagnosed with HIV, and eightdie from AIDS, Yushchenko said.
"Such figures are shocking," Yushchenko said in a published address timed tocoincide with World AIDS Day. "We can't be indifferent to them."
UNICEF officials are warning of a public health catastrophe in EasternEurope and Central Asia, where 270,000 people are infected, some 90 percentof them through intravenous drug use.
=
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2006-12-01-mormons_x.htm
Mormon political clout grows
Posted 12/1/2006 5:43 PM ET
By Diana Marrero, Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON - When Sen. Harry Reid becomes Senate majority leader next year,he will be the most powerful Mormon in Washington.
But that reign could be short-lived if Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney makesa bid for the presidency in 2008 and wins. Romney is considering a run inwhat is expected to be a wide-open field.
Reid is a Democrat from Nevada and Romney is a Republican. Though they havechosen different political stripes, they are bonded in a faith whose leadersencourage members to become active in public life.
Mormons are heeding the call. Typically conservative, they are morepolitically active than average Americans, according to a recent study. Andthe 15 Mormons in Congress is a slightly greater representation than thereligious group's percentage of the general population.
=
CBS News
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/01/politics/printable2223338.shtml
Obama Shares AIDS Views With Evangelicals
LAKE FOREST, California, Dec. 1, 2006
(AP) Potential presidential candidate Barack Obama stood before one of theUnited States' largest evangelical churches Friday for a frank discussion ofsexuality and spirituality that included the declaration that condoms shouldbe made more widely available to fight AIDS.
The Democratic senator's appearance at the Saddleback megachurch was asource of dispute among evangelical leaders, with some of the mostconservative saying that a politician who supports abortion rights shouldnot have been allowed to speak at such a prominent church.
=
The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Spain-Right-to-Die.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
November 29, 2006
Spanish Woman Prompts Euthanasia Debate
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 5:12 a.m. ET
GRANADA, Spain (AP) -- Inmaculada Echevarria has spent much of her lifewatching muscular dystrophy ruin her body. She's been in a hospital bed for20 years, her movements are now reduced to wiggling her fingers and toes andshe wants to die.
''For me, life stopped having meaning a long time ago. I want them to helpme die because I have spent my whole life suffering,'' said 51-year-oldEchevarria, whose case has triggered debate in Spain on the rights of peoplewith incurable diseases to seek help in dying.
Euthanasia is illegal in Spain and people who help someone else die can bepunished with at least six months in prison. But Spain's Socialistgovernment wants to legalize it as part of a wave of liberal reforms thathave largely transformed this traditionally Roman Catholic country.
[ Send your comments about any of the articles in Ray's List Digest toRays.List@Comcast.net ]
#####
FLORIDA DIGEST DECEMBER 02, 2006
**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT
rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
=
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/print.cfm?content_id=3247
ACLU sues school over rejection of gay club
Court has ruled in favor of GSAs in other states, but not in Fla.
By PHIL LAPADULA
Nov. 24, 2006
After witnessing a gay male friend of hers get beat up on campus, YasminGonzalez, 17, decided to start a Gay-Straight Alliance at Okeechobee HighSchool in Central Florida.
She and other student organizers found a teacher to serve as faculty advisorfor the club and then sought the approval of the school's principal, ToniWiersma. But Wiersma balked at the idea, citing various reasons for notallowing the club, Gonzalez said.
"At first, she didn't give us a reason; she just brushed us off," Gonzalezsaid. "After they got the letter from the attorney, she said there were toomany clubs and she wouldn't allow it at the school. She said they were onlygoing to allow academic ones."
=
http://www.local10.com/news/10429531/detail.html
Commissioner Calls For Investigation Of Police
Police Fatally Shot Person For Fourth Time This Year
POSTED: 8:01 am EST November 30, 2006
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A city official in Fort Lauderdale is calling foran independent investigation of police after officers fatally shot a personfor the fourth time this year.
City Commissioner Carlton Moore called the incidents "questionable" and saidthe most recent shooting has "the biggest question mark of all."
"We did not see, from the community's comments, no exchange of fire, that itonly came from our officers," Moore said.
At least one officer opened fire Tuesday on two men driving a stolen sportutility vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Troy Eddines, was pronounced deadat the scene. The passenger, 21-year-old Travis Jackson, was wounded.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-ccontract02dec02,0,1365133.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Broward school contracts threatening student expulsion under investigationLeaders say they didn't know of deals threatening expulsion based onperformance
By Jean-Paul Renaud
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
December 2, 2006
An investigation has been launched into how many public schools in BrowardCounty have made low-performing students and their parents sign contractsthat threaten to expel the children if they do not improve their grades andattendance.
District leaders say they were not aware of -- and never authorized -- suchcontracts.
"I understand that failure to comply with the above listed item willconstitute reason to withdraw me from [J.P. Taravella High] and I shouldexplore other educational avenues," one contract reads.
=
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061202/CAPITOLNEWS/612020345&template=printart
Article published Dec 2, 2006
Gov.-elect Crist loses first battle
Legislature won't fit Crist's bill in special session Jan. 16
By Jim Ash
FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU
Gov.-elect Charlie Crist hasn't even been sworn in and the scoreboardalready reads: Legislature 1, Crist 0.
Crist stuck out earlier this week when he tried to convince House and Senateleaders to put his ''anti-murder'' bill on the agenda of a Jan. 16 speciallegislative session called to deal with a property insurance crisis.
''If it's the governor's issue, it's certainly important, but we can onlyhandle one issue,'' said Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, R-WinterPark. ''There are so many divergent opinions on the insurance question, it'sgoing to be difficult just dealing with that.''
=
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbccentral/content/local_news/epaper/2006/12/02/s3f_shackle_1202.html
Appeals court won't rule on shackling juveniles
By Kathleen Chapman
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Appellate court judges said Friday they would not rule on whether childrenarrested as juveniles should be forced to wear shackles in the courtroom.
Travis Dunnington, who heads the juvenile division of the Palm Beach CountyPublic Defender's Office, filed motions on the issue this fall, asking PalmBeach County's four juvenile court judges to remove juvenile offenders'shackles and leg irons during court hearings.
Public defenders across the state have pushed the issue, pointing out thatadults accused of murder - and at least one alleged Al-Qaeda operative, JosePadilla - are allowed to appear in court without shackles.
Gov.-elect Charlie Crist told The Associated Press Friday that he feels itis wrong for teens to be shackled indiscriminately, regardless of offense.
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/02/news_pf/State/Crist_is_light_on_det.shtml
Crist is light on details, but vows to focus on insurance
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published December 2, 2006
MIAMI - Gov.-elect Charlie Crist said he doesn't know all the specifics onhow to solve the state's homeowners insurance problem, but he expressedconfidence Friday that lawmakers will be productive in a special session toaddress the crisis.
"I campaigned all over the state, and the issue that I heard about most wasthe insurance issue - bar none," he said.
It was one of several subjects the state attorney general addressed duringan interview with the Associated Press.
Crist said insurance will be the top issue facing him after he becomesgovernor Jan. 2 and that he may have to back off his promise to sign noother bill before his proposed "antimurder act" because of the Jan. 16special session on insurance.
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16120417.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Posted on Wed, Nov. 29, 2006
Hastings won't chair House intelligence committee
By William E. Gibson
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
(MCT)
WASHINGTON - Still haunted by his impeachment as a federal judge 17 yearsago, Rep. Alcee Hastings was denied the chairmanship of the Houseintelligence committee on Tuesday, an influential role that would have madehim a chief guardian of the nation's secrets.
Clearly disappointed but unbowed, Hastings, D-Fla., pledged to enhance hisservice to South Florida and promote national security in other ways.
To critics, he said, "Sorry, haters, God is not finished with me yet."
=
Tampabay.com
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/02/news_pf/State/Red_flags_raised_on_v.shtml
Red flags raised on voting machines
Sarasota's ballot troubles coincide with a report critical of its system.
Alisa Ulferts and Wes Allison
Published December 2, 2006
This much state elections officials know: The 10 voting machines they usedin a mock Sarasota County election this week worked as they were supposed towork. Votes were cast, and the same number of votes were counted.
Here's what they still don't know: why there were 18,000 fewer votes castNov. 7 in a bitter congressional race than in the other races on the ballotthat day. The election re-enactment failed to produce the high percentage of"undervotes" that occurred in Sarasota County on Election Day.
And that lack of certainty fed calls on Friday for another overhaul of thenation's voting systems, even as a federal agency issued a draft reportcritical of electronic voting machines.
[ Send your comments about any of the articles in Ray's List Digest toRays.List@Comcast.net ]
#####
rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.
=
Express Gay News
http://www.expressgaynews.com/print.cfm?content_id=3247
ACLU sues school over rejection of gay club
Court has ruled in favor of GSAs in other states, but not in Fla.
By PHIL LAPADULA
Nov. 24, 2006
After witnessing a gay male friend of hers get beat up on campus, YasminGonzalez, 17, decided to start a Gay-Straight Alliance at Okeechobee HighSchool in Central Florida.
She and other student organizers found a teacher to serve as faculty advisorfor the club and then sought the approval of the school's principal, ToniWiersma. But Wiersma balked at the idea, citing various reasons for notallowing the club, Gonzalez said.
"At first, she didn't give us a reason; she just brushed us off," Gonzalezsaid. "After they got the letter from the attorney, she said there were toomany clubs and she wouldn't allow it at the school. She said they were onlygoing to allow academic ones."
=
http://www.local10.com/news/10429531/detail.html
Commissioner Calls For Investigation Of Police
Police Fatally Shot Person For Fourth Time This Year
POSTED: 8:01 am EST November 30, 2006
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A city official in Fort Lauderdale is calling foran independent investigation of police after officers fatally shot a personfor the fourth time this year.
City Commissioner Carlton Moore called the incidents "questionable" and saidthe most recent shooting has "the biggest question mark of all."
"We did not see, from the community's comments, no exchange of fire, that itonly came from our officers," Moore said.
At least one officer opened fire Tuesday on two men driving a stolen sportutility vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Troy Eddines, was pronounced deadat the scene. The passenger, 21-year-old Travis Jackson, was wounded.
=
The Sun-Sentinel
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-ccontract02dec02,0,1365133.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines
Broward school contracts threatening student expulsion under investigationLeaders say they didn't know of deals threatening expulsion based onperformance
By Jean-Paul Renaud
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
December 2, 2006
An investigation has been launched into how many public schools in BrowardCounty have made low-performing students and their parents sign contractsthat threaten to expel the children if they do not improve their grades andattendance.
District leaders say they were not aware of -- and never authorized -- suchcontracts.
"I understand that failure to comply with the above listed item willconstitute reason to withdraw me from [J.P. Taravella High] and I shouldexplore other educational avenues," one contract reads.
=
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061202/CAPITOLNEWS/612020345&template=printart
Article published Dec 2, 2006
Gov.-elect Crist loses first battle
Legislature won't fit Crist's bill in special session Jan. 16
By Jim Ash
FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU
Gov.-elect Charlie Crist hasn't even been sworn in and the scoreboardalready reads: Legislature 1, Crist 0.
Crist stuck out earlier this week when he tried to convince House and Senateleaders to put his ''anti-murder'' bill on the agenda of a Jan. 16 speciallegislative session called to deal with a property insurance crisis.
''If it's the governor's issue, it's certainly important, but we can onlyhandle one issue,'' said Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, R-WinterPark. ''There are so many divergent opinions on the insurance question, it'sgoing to be difficult just dealing with that.''
=
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbccentral/content/local_news/epaper/2006/12/02/s3f_shackle_1202.html
Appeals court won't rule on shackling juveniles
By Kathleen Chapman
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Appellate court judges said Friday they would not rule on whether childrenarrested as juveniles should be forced to wear shackles in the courtroom.
Travis Dunnington, who heads the juvenile division of the Palm Beach CountyPublic Defender's Office, filed motions on the issue this fall, asking PalmBeach County's four juvenile court judges to remove juvenile offenders'shackles and leg irons during court hearings.
Public defenders across the state have pushed the issue, pointing out thatadults accused of murder - and at least one alleged Al-Qaeda operative, JosePadilla - are allowed to appear in court without shackles.
Gov.-elect Charlie Crist told The Associated Press Friday that he feels itis wrong for teens to be shackled indiscriminately, regardless of offense.
=
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/02/news_pf/State/Crist_is_light_on_det.shtml
Crist is light on details, but vows to focus on insurance
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published December 2, 2006
MIAMI - Gov.-elect Charlie Crist said he doesn't know all the specifics onhow to solve the state's homeowners insurance problem, but he expressedconfidence Friday that lawmakers will be productive in a special session toaddress the crisis.
"I campaigned all over the state, and the issue that I heard about most wasthe insurance issue - bar none," he said.
It was one of several subjects the state attorney general addressed duringan interview with the Associated Press.
Crist said insurance will be the top issue facing him after he becomesgovernor Jan. 2 and that he may have to back off his promise to sign noother bill before his proposed "antimurder act" because of the Jan. 16special session on insurance.
=
The Miami Herald
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16120417.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Posted on Wed, Nov. 29, 2006
Hastings won't chair House intelligence committee
By William E. Gibson
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
(MCT)
WASHINGTON - Still haunted by his impeachment as a federal judge 17 yearsago, Rep. Alcee Hastings was denied the chairmanship of the Houseintelligence committee on Tuesday, an influential role that would have madehim a chief guardian of the nation's secrets.
Clearly disappointed but unbowed, Hastings, D-Fla., pledged to enhance hisservice to South Florida and promote national security in other ways.
To critics, he said, "Sorry, haters, God is not finished with me yet."
=
Tampabay.com
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/02/news_pf/State/Red_flags_raised_on_v.shtml
Red flags raised on voting machines
Sarasota's ballot troubles coincide with a report critical of its system.
Alisa Ulferts and Wes Allison
Published December 2, 2006
This much state elections officials know: The 10 voting machines they usedin a mock Sarasota County election this week worked as they were supposed towork. Votes were cast, and the same number of votes were counted.
Here's what they still don't know: why there were 18,000 fewer votes castNov. 7 in a bitter congressional race than in the other races on the ballotthat day. The election re-enactment failed to produce the high percentage of"undervotes" that occurred in Sarasota County on Election Day.
And that lack of certainty fed calls on Friday for another overhaul of thenation's voting systems, even as a federal agency issued a draft reportcritical of electronic voting machines.
[ Send your comments about any of the articles in Ray's List Digest toRays.List@Comcast.net ]
#####
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