GLBT DIGEST - January 21, 2007

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US ATrays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.

=

365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/01/012007txCop.htm


Ex-Cop Sentenced To 24 Years For Rape Of Texas Transsexual
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: January 20, 2007 - 4:00 pm ET



(San Antonio, Texas) A former San Antonio police officer has been sentencedto 24 years and four months in prison for the rape and beating of atranssexual woman.

Dean Gutierrez was sentenced in federal court for violating the civil rightsof Starlight Bernal by committing aggravated sexual abuse while on duty.

Gutierrez, who served on the force for 16 years before being fired when thefederal charges were laid, showed no emotion as the sentence was delivered.

Gutierrez was arrested by San Antonio Police following a lengthyinvestigation after Bernal filed a complaint.

She told investigators that on June 10, 2005 she was stopped by a SanAntonio officer who said he needed to check for warrants. Bernal said thatshe was then attacked by the officer in his patrol car. (story)



=

365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/01/012007philly.htm


Philadelphia Had Right To Arrest Anti-Gay Protestors Court Rules
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: January 21, 2007 - 12:01 am ET

(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) A federal judge has ruled that the city ofPhiladelphia did not violate the rights of an anti-gay group when itarrested them during a protest at the city's gay pride celebration in 2004.

The 11 demonstrators from Repent America had sued the city and Philly PridePresents, the organizer of OutFest, alleging their civil rights had beenviolated.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Stengel disagreed, granting summary judgmentfor the city and Philly Pride.

When members of Repent America showed up at the 2004 event police allowedthem to demonstrate at the edge of a cordoned off area where OutFest wasbeing held.




=

The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/19/AR2007011901708_pf.html


Gay Minister's Church Trial Begins
Lutheran Congregation in Atlanta Strongly Supports Its Embattled Pastor

By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 20, 2007; A02


Members of the oldest Lutheran congregation in Atlanta washed their pastor'sfeet -- and he washed theirs -- in a gesture of mutual support as heprepared to go before a tribunal that may defrock him for living withanother man.

The church trial of the Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling, 44, began yesterdaybehind closed doors at a downtown Atlanta hotel and was scheduled tocontinue through the weekend.

It is the latest in a series of similar trials in several mainlineProtestant denominations, where growing numbers of congregations areinstalling gay men and lesbians as pastors despite rules againstnon-celibate homosexuals in the pulpit.



=

The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/us/politics/21brownback.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print


January 21, 2007
Kansas Senator Announces Bid for Presidency
By RACHEL L. SWARNS


WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 - Declaring himself a proud conservative before a crowdof cheering supporters waving American flags, Senator Sam Brownback,Republican of Kansas, on Saturday announced his candidacy for president.

Mr. Brownback, an evangelical Protestant turned Roman Catholic and a formerKansas agriculture secretary, said he would focus on reviving faith andfamilies in America; combating abortion, poverty and wasteful governmentspending; opposing same-sex marriage; and revamping Social Security and thefederal tax system.

"The last thing we need in America is to take God out of our public livesand institutions," Mr. Brownback said during his speech in Topeka, Kan. "Weneed to embrace our nation's motto, 'In God we trust,' and not be ashamed ofit.

"To walk away from the Almighty is to embrace decline for a nation," hesaid. "To embrace him leads to renewal, for individuals and for nations."



=

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jake Spencer
202-797-7000 ext 230
jspencer@washblade.com

January 18, 2007 -- Houston, Texas

Window-Media today announced it would cease all operations on the HoustonVoice, effective immediately. Houston Voice, which began on November 29,1980 as The Montrose Star, provided news and information to the HoustonGLBT community for over 32 years. Window-Media acquired the publicationin 1998.

The decision to close the Houston Voice was based on declining ad sales,along with other challenges facing today's publishing business. Anyinquiries should be directed to Jake Spencer, publisher, Washington Blade,Washington, DC.



[Send your comments about articles to Rays.List@Comcast.net]

#####