**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.
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Advocate.com
http://advocate.com/print_article_ektid42507.asp
Coulter uses 'f' word to mock Dems, gays
Finishing up a presentation on Friday at the Conservative Political Action
Convention, right-wing pundit Ann Coulter referred to Democratic Party
presidential nominee John Edwards as a “faggot.”
Finishing up a presentation on Friday at the Conservative Political ActionConvention, right-wing pundit Ann Coulter referred to Democratic Partypresidential nominee John Edwards as a “faggot.”
“I was going to have a few comments about the other Democratic nominee, JohnEdwards, but it turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word‘faggot,’” she said to a crowd, eliciting uncomfortable groans, then cheersand applause. “So I’m kind of at an impasse. Can’t really talk aboutEdwards, so I’ll just conclude here and take your questions. Thank you.”
In the past Coulter has made similar such crude remarks about otherliberals, referring to Al Gore as a “total fag.”
Coulter’s statement caused an uproar within the Democratic Party and gayrights groups. Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said in astatement Friday that her words were inappropriate and “bigoted.”
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365gay
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030207cin.htm
Pair Indicted For Fraudulent Signatures In Anti-Gay Ballot Measure
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 3, 2007 - 12:01 am ET
(Cincinnati, Ohio) Two women have been charged with election fraud inconnection with the collection last year of signatures on a referendum torepeal Cincinnati's LGBT rights ordinance.
Following a seven-month investigation indictments were handed down againstLois Mingo, 47 and Precilla Ward, 32. Both women had been hired by EqualRights Not Special Rights, an organization formed to repeal the ordinance.
But the grand jury did not return indictments against two other people thatlocal LGBT civil rights groups also accused to irregularities, including -Rep. Tom Brinkman (R).
Citizens To Restore Fairness, a group formed to fight the referendum, andEquality Cincinnati, said they believed the alleged fraud was widespread. Ina statement to the media Equality Cincinnati said investigators "ignored thereal extent of the changes made while the petitions were in stateRep. Tom Brinkman's control."
Equal Rights Not Special Rights had collected thousands of names onpetitions to have a repeal measure put to voters last November. But when itemerged that many of the signatures were fake the group voluntarily withdrewthe measure. (story)
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365gay
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030207quebec.htm
Quebec Premier Condemns Homophobic Attack On Opponent
by The Canadian Press
Posted: March 2, 2007 - 9:00 pm ET
(Montreal, Quebec) Liberal Premier Jean Charest is asking Quebecers to focuson issues in the provincial election campaign and not on candidates'personal lives.
Charest says it's unacceptable to comment on the private life of PartiQuebecois Leader Andre Boisclair, who is gay.
``It's not the Liberal leader who is speaking here,'' Charest said Friday.``I'm speaking as the premier of Quebec.
``We want a campaign of ideas and depth and not on questions raised aboutpeople's private lives,'' the premier said.
A controversial radio host has dragged homosexuality into the open in thecampaign after declaring Boisclair's PQ looks like a ``club of fags.''(story)
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365gay
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030207band.htm
Hit Mexican Band Singer Comes Out
by The Associated Press
Posted: March 2, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET
(Mexico City) Christian Chavez, a singer for the Mexican pop group RBD, hasannounced that he is gay after photographs showing him marrying' another manshowed up on the Internet.
''I don't want to keep on lying and lie to myself because of fear,'' Chavezsaid in a statement posted on the group's official Web site Thursday. ''Ifeel bad for not having shared this with all my fans before, as they are theones that worry and it is because of them that I decided to be honest.''
A series of photos that appeared on the Web site www.latingossip.com, alsoThursday, showed the 23-year-old star, known for his ever-changing haircolors, with another man with short black hair. The photos, taken in Canadain 2005 according to a message on the site, show the two signing documents,exchanging rings and giving each other a kiss. Canada became the fourthcountry in the world to legalize gay marriage in July 2005.
The photos ''show a part of me, a part that I was not prepared to speak ofin fear of rejection, of criticism, but especially for my family and itsconsequences,'' said Chavez, whose statement appeared in both Spanish andEnglish.
''Although I'm scared and filled with uncertainty I know that I can rely onthe support of my fans,'' he added. ''Their love is bigger than all of this.I ask them from the bottom of my heart, not to judge me for being honest andto feel proud of who they are and never make the same mistake I did.Tolerance to diversity!''
RBD, which spun off of Mexico's wildly popular two-year-long soap opera,Rebelde, achieved massive success throughout Latin America and among Spanishspeakers in the United States.
In February of last year, three people were crushed to death when thousandsof fans surged through security barriers at an autograph session in SaoPaulo, Brazil. Weeks earlier, police in New Jersey and Texas also struggledto contain unexpectedly large turnouts of fans for the RBD band.
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365gay
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030207maryland.htm
Anti-Gay Amendment Resurfaces In Maryland
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 2, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET
(Annapolis, Maryland) A proposed amendment to the Maryland Constitution thatwould bar same-sex couples from marrying has been filed in the statelegislature.
Maryland already has a law restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples.The law has been challenged on constitutional grounds and the Court ofAppeals - the highest court in Maryland - is expected to make a rulingsometime this year.
Republican lawmakers in the Senate say that if the court allows gay partnersto marry the only way to stop it would be through an amendment to theconstitution.
The proposed amendment states: "Only a marriage between a man and a woman isa valid marriage in this state."
In a committee hearing Thursday one GOP co-sponsor of the amendment, Sen.Janet Greenip claimed research shows that children are more likely to have arange of problems if they don't have a mother or a father.
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ExpressGayNews.com
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=11717
Uzbek authorities accuse U.S.-based aid group of supporting gays
Homosexuality is punishable by up to 3 years in ex-Soviet republic
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) | Mar 2, 10:01 AM
Uzbek authorities accused a U.S.-based health care aid group on Wednesday oflegal violations and supporting the "interests of homosexuals" in thetightly controlled ex-Soviet republic, where homosexuality is outlawed.
The medical nonprofit Population Services International, or PSI, failed tosubmit required legal paperwork from its headquarters in Washington and didnot register its office rental contract, theJustice Ministry said in a statement posted on the internet.
"PSI is especially famous for its projects universally asserting interestsof persons with unorthodox sexual orientation," the statement said, addingthat homosexuality is punishable by up to three years in prison inUzbekistan.
The statement also alleges that PSI, founded in 1970, was created by U.S.entrepreneur Philip Harvey to promote the use of contraceptives produced byhis sex products company, Adam & Eve.
The PSI director in Uzbekistan, Robert Grey, said the organization would notcomment.
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ExpressGayNews.com
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=11732
S.F. mayor called to taskover gay porn proclamation
O'Reilly: 'city looked upon as modern day Sodom and Gomorrah'
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) | Mar 2, 12:49 AM
Conservative pundits clucked their tongues after San Francisco Mayor GavinNewsom and two other elected officials issued official proclamationscommemorating the 40th anniversary of a studio that produces pornography forgay men.
"San Francisco has proven yet again why they remain the mocked city of thecountry," said Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, chairman of the Anaheim-basedTraditional Values Coalition. "No other major city in the nation has gone sofar as to blatantly glorify a homosexual porn producer and company."
Newsom, who has publicly opposed a local Internet porn company's plans tomove into a former National Guard armory, declared last Friday "Colt StudioDay" to honor the studio that celebrated the milestone anniversary with agala at the city's War Memorial Building.
The event came the night before the GAYVN Awards, the gay porn industry'sanswer to the Oscars.
California Assemblyman Mark Leno and San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisnerosalso issued proclamations honoring Colt Studio.
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ExpressGayNews.com
http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=11709
Romney criticizes McCain and Giuliani on gay rights
Presidential hopeful attempts to explain his past gay support
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) | Mar 1, 4:59 PM
Republican Mitt Romney assailed his two leading presidential rivalsThursday, criticizing John McCain and Rudy Giuliani on their positions ongay rights.
In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, the formerMassachusetts governor criticized Giuliani for his moderate stands onabortion, gays and gun control — even though Romney expressed similar viewsin previous campaigns.
In the interview posted on the CBN website, Romney said of Giuliani: "He ispro-choice, he is pro-gay marriage and anti-gun. That's a tough combinationin a Republican primary."
He also criticize McCain for opposing a constitutional amendment to bansame-sex marriage.
In Utah, McCain responded, saying: "I believe in the sanctity of marriagebetween a man and a woman, but I believe the states should decide."
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Pepperdine University - Graphic
http://graphic.pepperdine.edu/news/2007/2007-03-01-gay.htm
Pep snubs gay student group, club left to form Malibu chapter
CARA VAN METER
Staff Writer
Much like members of any other student organization, Pepperdine students whoare involved in the Malibu Gays, Lesbians and Everyone Else (GLEE) clubgather regularly. Like members of any other club, they sponsor studentevents and spend time getting to know each other better.
There’s a difference, though, between the Malibu GLEE club and other clubs.The GLEE Club does not have official status as a student organization. WhenGLEE club members come together, they do so in their own homes or atoff-campus locations. When they sponsor events, each member must pay out ofpocket to help cover the costs. When they spend time talking with oneanother, they’re often talking about the frustration they feel as part of aquiet (until recently) minority at Pepperdine.
“While the university respects the right of any individual to hold differentviews from the University, we are under no obligation to support the formalorganization of groups with opposing purposes,” Dean of Student Affairs MarkDavis wrote in an e-mail. Davis stressed the importance of distinguishingbetween the individual rights of students and the university’s recognitionof a student organization.
The club, organized in 2006 by current senior Jamaal Crowley, has more than50 members at Pepperdine. According to Crowley, a telecommunicationsproductions major, the club's purpose is to serve as a support system forgay students and their friends, regardless of orientation.
“It’s a lot harder doing it off campus — money issues, finding a place tohold an event, all that stuff makes a big difference,” Crowley said. “Wejust want to be recognized officially as a group that wants to do nothingbut good. We want the same rules and restrictions as any other group.”
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ExpressGayNews.com
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/3-2/news/localnews/3479.cfm
Jamaican attacks raise concerns
MCC officials contact governments, plan tourism boycott
By PHIL LAPADULA
Friday, March 02, 2007
“Come to Jamaica and feel all right,” says the Jamaican tourism ad thatappears often on South Florida TV screens, especially at this time of theyear.
But gay activists in Jamaica and their allies in Fort Lauderdale arenot feeling all right after an anti-gay attack on three men in a pharmacyFeb. 14. The attack was apparently sparked by a woman in the MonarchPharmacy in the Kingston suburb of St. Andrews Parish. The womanallegedly objected to the men’s effeminate mannerisms and appearance,according to Jamaican media reports and the police.
The woman left the pharmacy and made a phone call that resulted in anangry mob of about 2,000 people gathering outside, according to Jamaicannews reports and a press statement issued by the MCC Sunshine Cathedral inFort Lauderdale. The mob demanded that the men be turned over to them andthreatened to kill them, according to media reports.
Police eventually arrived and escorted the men out of the pharmacy. Asthey were led away, one of the men was hit in the head by a stone thatsomeone in the crowd threw. Another man was rifle-butted by a policeofficer, according to the MCC press statement. Police questioned the men andreleased them.
Since the Feb. 14 attack, there have been other anti-gay attacks on theisland, including a beating of a gay man in Montego Bay Feb. 16 and anotherbeating in Kingston on the same day, according to MCC officials.
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ExpressGayNews.com
http://www.expressgaynews.com/2007/3-2/news/localnews/3482.cfm
Spring break takes gay turn in Key West
From ‘Sex or Next’ contest to snorkeling trips, new events cater tocollege crowd
By ZACH ROSEN
Mar. 02, 2007
Crystal-clear waters. Perfect weather. Palm trees. And 10,000 gay collegestudents looking to party? Spring break, long the bastion of the straightand the fratty, is getting a queer makeover in Key West.
Between late February and early April, the gay-friendly island will behosting more than 150 events aimed at bringing college students — and anyoneelse looking to celebrate — down to Florida for a good time.
Though Key West has always been a popular gay travel destination, members ofthe Key West Business Guild, the local equivalent of a gay chamber ofcommerce, decided that the time was right to host an event that wouldintroduce a whole new gay generation to the pleasures of the island.
“We wanted an event that was geared toward younger gay people,” says Ian J.Whitney, a spring break organizer and the chair of new events for theBusiness Guild. “We put it during a time when young people traditionallytake their vacations. It’s good for us as a destination because we canintroduce Key West to the next generation of travelers. We found that peopletend to fall in love with it and come back year to year.”
And it’s easy to see why. Key West affords ample opportunities to enjoy theoutdoors. Many of the featured events over gay spring break take advantageof the pristine surroundings, with gay snorkeling trips, parasailing, jetskiing and sunset cruises available to the adventurous.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/us/politics/03cpac.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
March 3, 2007
Romney and Giuliani Make Pitch to Conservatives
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
WASHINGTON, March 2 — Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Rudolph W. Giulianiof New York are both Republican presidential candidates who have been votedinto office by largely Democratic electorates. They both have a history oftaking liberal positions on social issues. And both are viewed warily byconservative Republicans who are integral to the party’s presidentialnominating process.
Mr. Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and Mr. Giuliani, theformer mayor of New York, sought to address those challenges on Friday withspeeches to conservative advocates gathered for an annual conference inWashington.
To a certain extent, they approached the task in similar ways: by presentingthemselves as devotees of Ronald Reagan who had tamed Democratic excesses intheir communities. Mr. Giuliani talked about cutting crime, welfare andtaxes; Mr. Romney talked of cutting taxes and the size of government.
Yet they parted company on how they dealt with the more difficult questionof their positions on social issues. Mr. Romney made no mention of his pastsupport of abortion rights and gay rights, instead focusing on his currentopposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. He portrayed himself assomeone who stood at the barricades as his state sought to permit same-sexmarriage and to remove restrictions from abortion and stem cell research.
“I stood at the center of the battlefield on every major social issue,” Mr.Romney said in a speech to the gathering, the Conservative Political ActionConference. “I fought to preserve our traditional values, and to protect thesanctity of human life. I vetoed bills. I filed new bills. I enforced a lawthat banned out-of-state same-sex couples from coming to Massachusetts toget married.”
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/us/03evangelical.html?pagewanted=print
March 3, 2007
Evangelical’s Focus on Climate Draws Fire of Christian Right
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Leaders of several conservative Christian groups have sent a letter urging the National Association of Evangelicals to force its policy director in Washington to stop speakingout on global warming.
The conservative leaders say they are not convinced that global warming ishuman-induced or that human intervention can prevent it. And they accuse thedirector, the Rev. Richard Cizik, the association’s vice president forgovernment affairs, of diverting the evangelical movement from what theydeem more important issues, like abortion and homosexuality.
The letter underlines a struggle between established conservative Christianleaders, whose priority has long been sexual morality, and challengers whoare pushing to expand the evangelical movement’s agenda to include issueslike climate change and human rights.
“We have observed,” the letter says, “that Cizik and others are using theglobal warming controversy to shift the emphasis away from the great moralissues of our time.”
Those issues, the signers say, are a need to campaign against abortion andsame-sex marriage and to promote “the teaching of sexual abstinence andmorality to our children.”
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Billingsgazette.com
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/02/23/news/wyoming/40-unions.prt
Panel kills bill against gay unions
By The Associated Press
CHEYENNE - House Speaker Roy Cohee, R-Casper, cast the tie-breaking vote incommittee to kill a bill that would have barred Wyoming from recognizing gaymarriages from other states.
Wyoming already has a law in place that says marriages conducted within thestate must be between a man and a woman. Massachusetts is the only statethat grants marriage licenses to same-sex couples; others permit civilunions but the proposed law pertained only to gay marriages.
Cohee said afterward that he mulled over the impassioned comments fromresidents and legislators on both sides of the issue before deciding tooppose the bill.
"Is it a responsible thing of government to say that, OK, as a government,we'll provide certain benefits, and entitlements and rights to the people ofthis country and of this state, unless you are this or that?" Cohee said.
"Is that our responsibility to do that? I don't think it is."
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Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
www.sovo.com
http://www.sovo.com/print.cfm?content_id=6562
When we grow old
Atlanta’s gay seniors discuss hopes, fears of twilight years
By ZACK HUDSON
Mar. 02, 2007
Their voices would have to be heard. Some, though, had an easier time thanothers saying exactly what was on their minds.
“I don’t want to grow old next to a farmer from Gay, Ga. I want to grow oldnext to a drag queen,” popped a woman’s voice from the crowd.
The speaker was one of about 120 people who filled the Decatur PublicLibrary auditorium to capacity Feb. 25 for a Sunday afternoon rap session toanswer an old question, and, hopefully, start a new conversation.
Where do gay men and lesbians go when they reach retirement age?
It’s a question gerontologists and sociologists have been pondering for sometime. But for those who attended the LGBT Elder Town Hall meeting, sponsoredby a consortium of community organizations, the answer is plain: They’restaying right here.
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Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Gaycitynews.com
http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2729&dept_id=569342&newsid=18025548
03/01/2007
Two LGBTs Vie For State Assembly
By: PAUL SCHINDLER
Matthew Titone, a 45-year-old gay attorney who unsuccessfully contested anopen state Senate race in Staten Island last fall, will be the Democraticcandidate in a special election on the borough's North Shore on March 27.
The election is being held to fill a vacancy created by the death ofDemocrat John Lavelle in January.
Titone will face off against Republican Rose Margarella, a school teacherwho ran unsuccessfully last fall against Lavelle, and Kelvin Alexander, whohad sought the Democratic nod in the race, and will run on the IndependenceParty line.
Alexander, a retired police officer who has worked as an organizer forReverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network, has emphasized theimportance of people of color representation on Staten Island. If elected,Titone would be the borough's first openly gay elected official.
In last year's state Senate race, Titone was significantly outspent by theRepublican victor, Andrew Lanza, a city councilman who represented theisland's South Shore for five years. Lanza enjoyed roughly $350,000 from theRepublican Senate Campaign Committee as well as Albany GOP leaders includingMajority Leader Joe Bruno.
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Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
News.com.au
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21310074-421,00.html#
PM to review same-sex couples' rights
By Patricia Karvelas
March 02, 2007 01:00am
JOHN Howard is considering legal changes to give same-sex couples the samerights as heterosexuals in areas such as welfare, superannuation and tax.
The Prime Minister's office is preparing a Cabinet submission on the issueafter a concerted campaign from Liberal MPs.
But news of the plan is expected to trigger a backlash among conservativemembers of the Coalition.
The departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Treasury are costingproposals to end discrimination under welfare, tax and superannuation laws.
But there is concern about creating precedents that could unintentionallycost taxpayers millions of dollars.
The proposed changes come despite the Howard Government's decision to twicereject attempts by the ACT Government to make gay marriage legal in the
territory.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Starbulletin.com
http://starbulletin.com/print/2005.php?fr=/2007/03/02/editorial/editorial02.html
Civil unions' quiet death an affront to gay couples
THE ISSUE
A proposal to allow civil unions was left dormant in the House JudiciaryCommittee.
MEMBERS of the state House Judiciary Committee heard five hours ofimpassioned testimony this week on a proposal to expand the rights ofhomosexual couples. At the end, the bill appears to have died without even avote in the committee, displaying a deplorable absence of accountability.
Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey allow civil unions, recognizing rightssuch as tax breaks, adoption and health benefits for gay couples. Theproposal would grant similar rights in Hawaii, without recognizing gayunions as marriages, which are honored in Massachusetts.
More than 400 people submitted written or oral testimony on the bill anddeserved the courtesy of a committee vote on the issue. Committee ChairmanTommy Waters' later said he chose not to call for a vote because mostcommittee members opposed the bill, and he wanted to leave open thepossibility of a compromise. That seems highly unlikely, given the stridentpolarization on the issue.
Hawaii was in the forefront of gay rights 14 years ago when the stateSupreme Court required the state to explain why homosexual marriages shouldbe forbidden. Hawaii voters proceeded to approve a state constitutionalamendment that essentially ratified a ban on such marriages that had beenapproved by the Legislature.
Hawaii legislators have been progressive since then in allowing gay partnersvarious rights such as family and bereavement leaves, probate rights andhospital visitation. Gay couples were hopeful that their partnerships wouldbe recognized as civil unions not only in Hawaii but in NewHampshire, Oregon and Rhode Island, where similar legislation is pending.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
HomeNewsTribune
http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070302&Category=COLUMNISTS15&ArtNo=703020373&SectionCat=&Template=printart
Why shouldn't gays be allowed to wed?
Home News Tribune Online 03/2/07
JEN JABLOW
Be Counted
Abortion, euthanasia and cloning — all "hot button" social issues — aremorally and substantively complex, worthy of the deep divisions anddifferences they produce in the American public.
However, another hot button social issue — the right of gays and lesbians tomarry — is not. In every way, the case to allow such unions is compellingand opposition chiefly reflects either ignorance or bias.
On Feb. 19, a New Jersey law went into effect allowing same-sex couples tofile for civil unions. As a full supporter of the right for any consentingadult to marry any other consenting adult, I can appreciate this step ourstate has taken. However, like many others, I see the law as a partialvictory that leaves much to be desired. While civil unions grant gay couplesequal rights on some fronts — including adoption and medical decision-makingrights, among others — same-sex couples are limited by federal law.Washington provides more than 1,100 rights, benefits and protections tomarried couples not available to same-sex civil partners.
As a college student, I deeply value both sides of every story. Regardingcivil unions, I have already demonstrated the case for one side of thestory; gay couples simply aren't being treated equally under the law. Now,the question we should be asking ourselves is: Why not? Why not allowsame-sex couples all the rights, benefits and protections that we offerheterosexual couples?
I cannot for the life of me come up with an answer to this question.
Ever in search of "the other side of the story," I have been able to uncovertwo main criticisms to gay marriage. First, opponents question thewell-being of same-sex couples' children. According to a 2006 article inPediatrics, even in studies in which researchers have no particularinvestment in same-sex parenting research, children born and raised bylesbian partners were found to develop indistinguishably from those broughtup by male-female couples.
It's true that some parental characteristics predict difficult upbringings,but Pediatrics points to single-parent homes, not same-sex child rearing, asthe culprit. And, if critics' underlying worry is that gay parents willraise gay kids, they ought to be aware of data that indicates no significantdifference in later identification as gay or straight based on the sexualorientation of one's mother.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Sovo.com
http://sovo.com/print.cfm?content_id=6573
Hate crimes and self-hate
The American Family Association tells the truth about ‘homosexual activists,’and a Georgia lesbian puts all of our families at risk.
By LAURA DOUGLAS-BROWN
Mar. 02, 2007
There’s an adage that even a broken clock is right twice per day.
So I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked that the American Family Associationactually told the truth near the end of a recent “legislative alert”denouncing the many evils of a pending federal hate crimes bill:
“Right now the homosexual activists are winning.”
Of course we are. Americans may remain divided over gay marriage, willing topass simplistic constitutional amendments to limit access to this vitalinstitution. But on most other issues, public opinion is already decided infavor of gay equality, especially among younger people who will be the nextleaders of the country.
Last March, a national poll of 1,405 adults by the Pew Research Center forthe People & the Press found 60 percent of respondents favor allowing gaysto serve openly in the military — and support rises to 72 percent amongrespondents younger than age 30.
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Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.zwire.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=1661&dept_id=9543&newsid=18023637
03/01/2007
Homophobia is alive and active in the state of Connecticut - Editor's View
By: Bridget Albert, Editor
I recently had to have some tests done and see a surgeon. All arranged by myphysician. The subsequent visits were to offices that, while in twodifferent communities, are part of a Milford-based for-profit business.
First I had blood work done. The regular phlebotomist was on vacation, Ilearned, and the women filling in for her seemed competent. However, oncethe blood drawer saw the list of tests requested she decided to wait untilthe paperwork, including labels indicating how many tubes of blood were tobe drawn were put into the computer.
Interestingly, although I am a bit of a regular there, they had to input allthe basic information including whose policy the insurance was through.
They kept referring to my other half as a "he" although her name is a farstretch from being "he." And they couldn't understand why the computer keptrejecting the policy. It wasn't until I suggested they change the sex of thepolicyholder from "he" to "she" that the paperwork went through. At whichpoint I was stared at.
At the end of the week I was to see the surgeon. I arrived promptly, filledout the ream of paperwork, sat and waited while listening to the two womenat the desk talk about how they hoped they weren't perceived as being 'gay.'
It seems a male patient commented that the last time he had been in theyboth had the same color tops on and again that day they did as well.
While it might be an inside joke that lesbians will oftentimes be seen withsimilar articles of clothing on I don't understand why it was necessary todiscuss this topic openly and with such obvious malice. This led to aconversation about one of the women going mall shopping with her daughterand worrying about being considered gay since she would occasionally put herarm around her daughter.
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Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://citizenchris.typepad.com/citizenchris/2007/02/hrc_vs_gay_blog.html
February 28, 2007
HRC vs. gay blogosphere
At what point does scaterred criticism in the blogosphere become somethingof a movement? I'm not sure but the point of critical mass may well havebeen reached with gay bloggers and the current leadership of the HumanRights Campaign.
In the last couple of weeks, a growing number of gay bloggers from acrossthe ideological spectrum have taken aim at the decision by HRC prez JoeSolmonese to position his organization in the same way labor unions have —as a special interest within the Democratic Party.
I first blogged about Solmonese and the "Dem-jacking" of HRC a couple oftimes back in January, and again in support of gay philathropist Tim Gill'salternative outside-the-beltway approach a couple of weeks ago. For otherbloggers, the issue has come up in the same and other contexts:
Andrew Sullivan picked up on the Tim Gill thread in a post he titled "TheAntidote to HRC":
"There is hope for the gay rights movement," he wrote, "just don't expect itfrom the failed Hillary cronies at the Human Rights Campaign." I'm unclearwhether Andrew was referring to those at HRC already pining for posts in aHillary Clinton White House or maybe Hillary Rosen, who's at the core of theso-called "Massachusetts Gay Mafia" that has long controlled theorganization. Either way…
The catty young queerlings at Queerty, ever in need of a catfight, cast theconflict as a "faggot feud" between Solmonese and me. I have absolutelynothing against Joe personally and have had only positive interactions withhim. But hopefully this puts the lie to some who grumbled that I was somehowmysoginist for critiquing Solmonese's two HRC predecessors, Cheryl Jacquesand Elizabeth Birch.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
http://www.voanews.com/english/africa/2007-03-02-voa10.cfm?rss=united%20states
US, Nigerian Anglicans Seek New Solutions for Same Sex Unions and GayOrdination
By Howard Lesser
Washington, DC
02 March 2007
A pending bill in Nigeria that would introduce stiff criminal penalties forsame sex marriages and public displays of affection among homosexuals isdrawing strong criticism from human rights groups. Introduction of thelegislation comes on the heels of a meeting last month in Dar Es Salaam,Tanzania of the Anglican Communion, the world’s third largest Christiandenomination.
That church has been sharply split between traditional Church leadersrepresenting Africa and the developing world and some Anglican clergy fromthe United States over same sex unions and the consecration of gay bishops.The Reverend Canon Kendall Harmon is Chief Theologian for the EpiscopalDiocese of South Carolina. He explains how difficult it has been forAnglicans to find common ground on an issue that deals with protecting thecivil liberties of minorities, including the rights of homosexuals.
“The focus of the controversy is on non-celibate lesbian and gay bishops andthe blessing of non-celibate lesbian and gay couples. The (American)Episcopal Church (TEC) was asked in 2004 to apologize to the rest of theCommunion for what we did and how we did it in 2003. Namely, we approvedthe election of a bishop in a non-celibate, same-sex relationship, and wepassed a resolution that gave more dioceses the desire to encourage same-sexblessings and the encouragement to go ahead and allow for that at the locallevel,” he said.
Canon Harmon says that primates at the Tanzania meeting decided that theAmerican branch of the Church needs to demonstrate a greater commitment toend its acceptance of homosexual clergy. He says the Episcopal Church wasgiven a six-month ultimatum to make clear it will no longer bless same-sexrelationships “until and unless a new consensus in the Anglican Communionemerges and that we’re no longer going to approve the election of bishops innon-celibate, same-sex relationships.”
As for this week’s indications that Nigerian legislators plan to criminalizesame sex relationships and all promotion of a homosexual lifestyle, CanonHarmon says he hopes the Nigerian diocese and its leaders will strike abalance that respects the region’s cultural history and the personal rightsand freedoms of Nigerian citizens.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
Prindesource.com
http://www.pridesource.com/print.shtml?article=23674
Trans firing may cause Lansing Community College to sever partnership withSpring Arbor
By Todd A. Heywood
Originally printed 03/01/2007
EDITOR'S NOTE: Todd A. Heywood is a former Trustee of Lansing CommunityCollege and is currently suing the college Board of Trustees in InghamCounty Circuit Court for allegedly violating the Open Meetings Act.
LANSING - A lucrative partnership between Lansing Community College and theembattled Spring Arbor University may be in jeopardy due to SAU's recentfiring of a transgender employee.
LCC officials confirm the state's third largest community college isconsidering ending a proposed partnership between the two organizationsbecause of SAU's recent firing of Julie Marie Nemecek, who is transgendered,and a series of repressive policies, including an antigay policy.
The proposed partnership would have allowed SAU to offer classes and degreesat a new multimillion dollar building at LCC's downtown campus. The newbuilding, dubbed the University Center, is paid for with state dollars andmatching funds from a recent millage passed by LCC district voters.
"It is fair to say the College is considering not going forth with the draftcontract," says LCC spokesperson Tess Brown.
SAU was one of eight universities selected through a formal proposal processto be partners with LCC in the University Center. Others include WesternMichigan, U of M Flint, and Central Michigan University.
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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com
RedandBlack.com
http://www.redandblack.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=2def7464-f767-471e-afff-b60735bbfbc9
Goalie comes out, reveals double life
Players accept goalie, give him positive reactions
PETER STEINBAUER
Posted: 3/2/07
Joey Fisher lived in two different worlds.
On a typical Tuesday afternoon, the junior from Athens would attend a LambdaAlliance meeting, a student organization aimed at strengthening the gay,lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in Athens.
Fisher, a sociology major, would grab his goalie gear and then hop into hiscar to drive an hour or two to the Atlanta Ice Forum for hockey practicewith the Georgia Ice Dogs, a club team affiliated with the University.
For his freshman and sophomore seasons, Fisher's teammates knew nothing ofhis other world.
"I pass pretty well," he said of being gay. "Most people aren't able totell."
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Polish minister upholds controversial criticism of abortion, gays
Friday, March 02, 2007 at 15:21
http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=3877
Warsaw (dpa) - Roman Giertych, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerof Education, Friday in Warsaw upheld his controversial proposal to includea ban on abortion and rights for homosexuals in any possible future Europeanconstitution.
Giertych stirred controversy in Heidelberg, Germany, on Thursday during ameeting of EU education ministers when he openly criticized what he termed"homosexual propaganda" in a public speech.
"The propaganda of homosexuality is reaching ever younger children."Giertych said in the speech released to the Polish media Friday.
"In some countries it is even forbidden for children in hospital to talk orread about mommy and daddy, because this allegedly violates minority rights.Let's free ourselves of this unwise political correctness," he said.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://www.nyblade.com/2007/3-2/news/localnews/fightright.cfm
The Fight on the Right
The True Foes of Same-sex Equality: New York's Conservative Party
By KERRY ELEVELD
Mar. 02, 2007
The White Evangelical Christian right, which accounted for about 24 percentof the vote in the '06 midterm elections, is well known as the biggest, mostorganized stumbling block to LGBT rights on the national level.
But what's the biggest hurdle here in New York? "The Conservative Party,"said David Verchere, president of the Log Cabin Republicans (LCR). "TheConservative Party is the Christian right in New York. They've justconveniently organized themselves into a separate party."
The Conservative Party was founded in 1962 by a band of people who disagreedwith the socially liberal stances of Republican Gov. Nelson Rockefeller.According to its website, it has grown to about 170,000 members. But moreimportantly, no statewide GOP candidate has been elected in New York Statewithout the Conservative Party's support since 1974-a fact Verchere said iscommonly recounted in Republican circles.
But the question now is whether the Conservative Party's fortunes havechanged with the stinging defeat of all statewide Republican candidates lastfall topped of by the loss of Republican Maureen O'Connell to Democrat CraigJohnson in the special election held last month for the 7th Senate Districtseat. Johnson's win marked the first time a Democrat had won the Long Islandseat in 100 years.
Since that loss, Verchere and Log Cabin have been meeting with Republicanlegislators to advance the cause of legalizing same-sex marriage. They had13 meetings on February 12 and have scheduled another round of meetings forMarch 19.
Verchere described the reception they get as "warm" and said that manylegislators agree that same-sex couples should have legal protections fortheir relationships. Their biggest hesitation about showing public supportfor marriage or civil unions is that they'll attract a challenge from theConservative Party.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
Spain passes transsexuals' name and gender law
03/02/2007
http://www.eitb24.com/new/en/B24_37351/life/OPPOSED-BY-POPULAR-PARTY-Spain-p
asses-transsexuals-name-and/
Spain's parliament on Thursday passed a law allowing transsexuals to changetheir name and gender on official documents without needing to undergosurgery first.
The law, which had progressed through the country's lower legislativechamber earlier in the week, was opposed by the conservative oppositionPopular Party.
The new legislation requires transsexuals to present an official medicaldiagnosis stating a clinically proven case of gender dysfunction and to haveundergone appropriate treatment for two years before changes in identitydocuments can be performed.
Up until now, transsexuals in Spain could only change name and genderofficially after a sex change operation and with the approval of law courts.
Pedro Zerolo, spokesman for social affairs in the ruling socialist party andCarla Antonelli, who represents gay and lesbian interests in the party, said"Spain has placed itself at the forefront of Europe, as a leader intranssexual rights." Zerolo said the law would bring Spain into line withcountries such as Britain, whose Gender Recognition Act also loosenedrestrictions on transsexuals in 2004.
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
www.law.com
Lawsuit Hinges On Whether 'That's So Gay' Is an Anti-Gay Putdown
Lisa Leff
The Associated Press
03-01-2007
When a few classmates razzed Rebekah Rice about her Mormon upbringing withquestions such as, "Do you have 10 moms?" she shot back: "That's so gay."
Those three words landed the high school freshman in the principal's officeand resulted in a lawsuit that raises this question: When do playgroundinsults used every day all over America cross the line into hate speech thatmust be stamped out?
After Rice got a warning and a notation in her file, her parents sued,claiming officials at Maria Carillo High in Santa Rosa, Calif., violatedtheir daughter's First Amendment rights when they disciplined her foruttering a phrase "which enjoys widespread currency in youth culture,"according to court documents.
Testifying last week about the 2002 incident, Rice, now 18, said that whenshe uttered those words, she was not referring to anyone's sexualorientation. She said the phrase meant: "That's so stupid, that's so silly,that's so dumb."
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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org
http://newyorklawschool.typepad.com/leonardlink/2007/03/virginia_appeal.html
Virginia Appeals Court Says Cohabiting Ex-Wife Forfeits Support Payments
by New York Law School Professor Arthur S. Leonard, March 01, 2007 in LegalIssues
Virginia voters amended their state constitution to provide that same-sexpartners are entitled to absolutely no legal recognition for theirrelationships under any circumstances under the laws of the state, and yetthe state's Court of Appeals ruled on February 27 that if an ex-wife isliving together with her same-sex partner, that will constitute"cohabitation with any person in a situation analogous to marriage" forpurposes of construing a property settlement agreement (PSA), thus deprivingher of support payments under the agreement. Stroud v. Stroud, 2007 WL581833 (Ct.App.Va., Feb. 27, 2007).
Reversing a decision by Fairfax County Circuit Judge M. Langhorne Keith, whohad concluded that the state constitution and laws meant that the courtcould not recognize the cohabitation of a same-sex couple as having anylegal significance, the appeals court ruled in an opinion by Judge James W.Haley, Jr., that these constitutional and statutory restrictions were notrelevant to the interpretation of a contract between divorcing spouses.
"In this case," wrote Judge Haley, "a foundational issue was whether theparties intended, by the use of the word 'person' in the context of the PSA,only individuals of different sexes, or individual of both sexes.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-sydney-mardigras.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
March 3, 2007
Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras Paints the Town Green
By REUTERS
Filed at 5:48 a.m. ET
BY Jim Thornhill
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, one of thebiggest of its kind in the world, went green this year with a message toAustralians that they must take action to protect a threatened environment.
Centerpiece of the parade on Saturday night was a giant replica of planetEarth, split into two with one half barren and decaying, and the otherbright and colorful to symbolize hope. There was also all the usualrazzmatazz, with a 250-strong posse of Kylie Minogues, a band of gay Sydneylifesavers, and a six-story high trojan horse all helping to pave the city'sstreets with glitter.
``Kylie is such an inspiration,'' said Nicholas Hutchings, among a throng ofKylie devotees clad in pink hot pants and tinsel. ``We just thought she'sbeen through an awful lot and it's time to celebrate her.''
The Australian showgirl herself, recently split from French boyfriendOlivier Martinez, wasn't able to take pride of place on the float but sent amessage of support, said Hutchings, who is an account manager in his dayjob.
A record 7,500 people took part in this year's parade, with hundreds ofthousands of spectators lining the 1.6-km (mile-long) route.
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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-Image-Awards.html?pagewanted=print
March 3, 2007
Whitaker, Hudson Win NAACP Awards
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 4:45 a.m. ET
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Oscar winners Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson kepttheir winning streaks alive Friday, while ''Grey's Anatomy'' star IsaiahWashington claimed a best actor prize at the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards.''Ugly Betty'' took top television honors.
Hudson, a former ''American Idol'' finalist, garnered a best supportingactress award for her role in the musical ''Dreamgirls,'' the same categoryshe won at the Academy Awards on Sunday.
''There is nothing like being recognized and honored by your own,'' saidHudson.
Whitaker, who won a best actor Oscar for ''The Last King of Scotland,''earned the same prize at Friday's ceremony, which honor projects andindividuals who promote diversity in the arts.
''Doing this role gave me so many blessings,'' said Whitaker, who plays aUgandan dictator in the film. ''One was being able to go back to Africa andtouch my roots.''
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salon.com
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/03/03/cpac/print.html
The Republican candidates -- and Ann Coulter -- try out their acts
At the Conservative Political Action Conference, Giuliani flops and Romneyshines as the GOP presidential contenders promise the right-wing faithfuleverything, including a cure for cancer.
By Michael Scherer
Mar. 03, 2007 | The Ann Coulter presidential primary ended on Friday, beforean oversold crowd of Republican college kids and conservative activists in abasement hotel conference room. She had just finished doing her incendiarystand-up act, joking that Al Gore was fat ("Did Al Gore actually swallowMichael Moore?"), that Bill Clinton was the first black president ("halfwhite, half trash") and that John Edwards was a "faggot."
Then a question came from the audience. What did she think of Mitt Romney,the former Massachusetts governor now running for president? "I think he isprobably our best candidate," she said, with a sudden lack of sarcasm,prompting a round of applause from the room. "I think we have to be seriousabout this."
No one at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference was takingthe upcoming presidential election lightly. For the first time since 1996,the Republican Party finds itself with no single front-runner and no clearconservative standard-bearer. "Ronald Reagan is not with us," explainedDavid Keene, the chairman of the American Conservative Union, sponsor of theevent, which drew every GOP presidential contender with the notableexception of John McCain. "None of them are perfect." Meanwhile, thenational mood has turned on the Republican Party. A recent New York Timestracking poll shows that the party has a favorability rating of just 38percent, compared to 48 percent for Democrats, the lowest score in the pollsince 1998. "This conference is called CPAC," joked Mike Huckabee, a formerArkansas governor who is running for president. "Maybe this weekend it mightbe named the 'Conservative Presidential Anxiety Contest.' " He paused a beatand then added, "Dude, where's my candidate?"
All of the Republican candidates except McCain, who was campaigning in Utah,were on hand to pander, dazzle and plead for conservative support.California Rep. Duncan Hunter, the former chairman of House Armed ServicesCommittee, promised to sink more money into the military-industrial complexto ward off threats from China. Huckabee bragged that he was the firstgovernor in America with a concealed carry permit: "So don't mess with me."Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback vowed to attempt "eliminating deaths by cancer in10 years." Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, the anti-immigration crusader, toldthe crowd that Miami was becoming a "third-world country" and that Americawas becoming a "linguistic and cultural tower of Babel."
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