GLBT DIGEST March 08, 2007

**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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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-media-coulter.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

March 7, 2007
Papers Drop Coulter Column After Edwards Slur
By REUTERS
Filed at 7:16 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three newspapers said this week they will drop AnnCoulter's column after the conservative author referred to U.S. Democraticpresidential candidate John Edwards as a ``faggot.''

The Mountain Press in Sevierville, Tennessee, The Oakland Press in Michiganand the Lancaster New Era in Pennsylvania said they would stop runningCoulter's syndicated column because of the comment she made last week.

Republicans and Democrats have lambasted Coulter for using the gay slur inreference to Edwards, a former U.S. senator, during a speech March 2 at theAmerican Conservative Union's Political Action Conference.

``We will not continue to publish the columns of someone who uses people asa punch line to get a cheap laugh and who so freely uses an offensive termto describe another human being,'' Mountain Press Editor Stan Voit wrote.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Obit-Hattoy.html?pagewanted=print

March 7, 2007
Hattoy, Former White House Aide, Dies
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 1:38 a.m. ET

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Bob Hattoy, an advocate for gay and lesbianissues who accused the former President Bush of doing nothing about AIDSduring a nationally televised speech at the Democratic National Convention,has died. He was 56.

Hattoy, president of the California Fish and Game Commission, died Sunday ofcomplications from the disease, said Adrianna Shea, a special assistant tothe commission.

Hattoy, the son of a mechanical engineer and a school registrar, becamepolitically active protesting the Vietnam War and dropped in and out ofcollege. He worked at Disneyland and for a Los Angeles city councilmanbefore joining the staff of the Sierra Club at age 28. He was regionaldirector for the environmental group in California and Nevada.

In 1992, just after learning he had AIDS, Hattoy delivered the conventionspeech.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-New-Hampshire-Democrats.html?pagewanted=print

March 7, 2007
N.H. Democrat Resumes Bid for Top Job
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 11:49 p.m. ET

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- A gay Democrat was a shoo-in to become chairman of thestate party just a year before New Hampshire's all-important presidentialprimary. Then a former friend and roommate accused him of possessing childpornography years ago.

Raymond Buckley's political aspirations appeared dead until an investigationcleared him last week.

Now a replacement candidate has stepped aside to clear the way for Buckleyto lead the party he has worked for since age 8, when he used plywood andpaint to make a sign for a gubernatorial candidate.

Buckley, 47, withdrew from the chairman's race in January after Republicanstate Rep. Steve Vaillancourt made the accusations. He resumed his campaignfollowing a strongly worded report from the attorney general that cast doubton the allegations.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Military-Gays.html?pagewanted=print

March 7, 2007
Gay Veterans Want Lawsuit Reinstated
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 4:25 p.m. ET

BOSTON (AP) -- Twelve gay and lesbian veterans who were dismissed under themilitary's ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy asked a federal appeals courtWednesday to reinstate their lawsuit challenging the policy.

In arguments before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, they compared thepolicy to government-sanctioned discrimination against blacks.

''Systematically in the military today, gays are being harassed, hounded,harmed,'' former Army Capt. James Pietrangelo II told the court. ''This issegregation all over again.''

Gregory Katsas, a lawyer for the government, said the policy is a way toprotect military unit cohesion and reduce sexual tension.

The three-judge panel did not immediately rule.




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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Military-Gays.html?pagewanted=print

March 7, 2007
Gay Veterans Want Lawsuit Reinstated
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 4:25 p.m. ET

BOSTON (AP) -- Twelve gay and lesbian veterans who were dismissed under themilitary's ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy asked a federal appeals courtWednesday to reinstate their lawsuit challenging the policy.

In arguments before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, they compared thepolicy to government-sanctioned discrimination against blacks.

''Systematically in the military today, gays are being harassed, hounded,harmed,'' former Army Capt. James Pietrangelo II told the court. ''This issegregation all over again.''

Gregory Katsas, a lawyer for the government, said the policy is a way toprotect military unit cohesion and reduce sexual tension.

The three-judge panel did not immediately rule.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Giuliani-Baptists.html?pagewanted=print

March 7, 2007
Baptist: Evangelicals Doubt Giuliani
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 1:38 a.m. ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A Southern Baptist leader said Tuesday thatevangelical voters might tolerate a divorced presidential candidate, butthey have deep doubts about GOP hopeful Rudy Giuliani, who has been marriedthree times.

Richard Land, head of public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention,told The Associated Press that evangelicals believe the former New York Citymayor showed a lack of character during his divorce from second wife,television personality Donna Hanover.

''I mean, this is divorce on steroids,'' Land said. ''To publicly humiliateyour wife in that way, and your children. That's rough. I think that's goingto be an awfully hard sell, even if he weren't pro-choice and pro-guncontrol.''

Giuliani married his longtime companion, Judith Nathan, in 2003. They haddated publicly while Giuliani was married to Hanover. His first marriageended in an annulment.

A Giuliani staff member referred calls on Land's statement to Giuliani'sexploratory committee, which did not have an immediate response Tuesdaynight.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-People-Lance-Bass.html?pagewanted=print

March 7, 2007
Lance Bass Writes `Out of Sync' Memoir

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 5:25 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (AP) -- Lance Bass ''tells all about his life, his music and hissexuality'' in an upcoming autobiography, the publisher announced Wednesday.

''Out of Sync'' is scheduled for publication in October, said SimonSpotlight Entertainment, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

The publisher promises a behind-the-scenes look at the 27-year-old singer'sdays in boy band 'N Sync, as well as his headline-making venture to undergoastronaut training for a Russian space mission, which didn't pan out becausehe couldn't come up with the funds for the trip.

Bass announced in July that he is gay. He has said that he didn't revealthis earlier because he didn't want to affect 'N Sync's popularity. Theband, known for a string of hits including ''Bye Bye Bye'' and ''It's GonnaBe Me,'' went on hiatus in 2002.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/08/opinion/08thu2.html?pagewanted=print

March 8, 2007
Editorial
Denying Rights in Nigeria

A poisonous piece of legislation is quickly making its way through theNigerian National Assembly. Billed as an anti-gay-marriage act, it is afar-reaching assault on basic rights of association, assembly andexpression. Chillingly, the legislation - proposed last year by theadministration of President Olusegun Obasanjo - has the full andenthusiastic support of the leader of Nigeria's powerful Anglican church.Unless the international community speaks out quickly and forcefully againstthe bill, it is almost certain to become law.

Homosexual acts between consenting adults are already illegal in Nigeriaunder a penal code that dates to the colonial period. This new legislationwould impose five-year sentences on same-sex couples who have weddingceremonies - as well as on those who perform such services and on all whoattend. The bill's vague and dangerous prohibition on any public or privateshow of a "same sex amorous relationship" - which could be construed tocover having dinner with someone of the same sex - would open any known orsuspected gay man or lesbian to the threat of arrest at almost any time.

The bill also criminalizes all political organizing on behalf of gay rights.And in a country with a dauntingly high rate of H.I.V. and AIDS, the ban onholding any meetings related to gay rights could make it impossible formedical workers to counsel homosexuals on safe sex practices.

Efforts to pass the bill last year stalled in part because of strongcondemnation from the United States and the European Union. Now its backersare again trying to rush it through, and Washington and Brussels need tospeak out against it. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and one ofthe most politically influential. If it passes a law that says human rightsare not for every citizen, it will set a treacherous example for the regionand the world.



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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030501610_pf.html

The Long Fuse on Ann Coulter's Bomb

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 6, 2007; C01

At first, Ann Coulter's anti-gay crack at a Washington conference Fridaydrew almost no media coverage, although it was witnessed by hundreds ofjournalists and political operatives and captured by television cameras.

But after some Democrats and liberal bloggers slammed the professionalprovocateur -- and were joined by a number of Republicans andconservatives -- it became a news story, albeit a modest one. Journalistscould simply quote critics of the conservative author's latest rhetoricalstink bomb, in which she referred to Democratic presidential candidate JohnEdwards with a six-letter word offensive to gays.

Why the initial reluctance to report the remark, made at the ConservativePolitical Action Conference? "There was a fairly high barrier, in myopinion, to make it worthy of a story, because part of what she's about istrying to use shock language to entertain her audience and, who knows, maybeto sell books," says Adam Nagourney, chief political correspondent of theNew York Times.

Nagourney says he did not initially mention Coulter's slur at CPAC becausehe was not in the room and could not verify it. He put together a piece thefollowing day. "The fact that she said it in such a public place, and was afeatured speaker, and the fact that three of the presidential candidatescriticized her made it news," Nagourney explained.

At the end of her speech Friday, Coulter said: "I was going to have a fewcomments on the other Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, butit turns out that you have to go into rehab if you use the word [expletive],so I'm kind of at an impasse."



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365gay

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030707radio.htm

Radio Host Suspended For Slur Against Gay Politician
by The Canadian Press

Posted: March 7, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET

(Montreal, Quebec) The Quebec Human Rights Commission welcomes thecondemnation of a radio host for remarks he made about openly- gay PartiQuebecois Leader Andre Boisclair.

Louis Champagne, a radio host in the strongly sovereigntist Saguenay area,said recently that factory workers wouldn't vote for someone who's gay.

Marc-Andre Dowd, the vice-chairman of the provincial human rightscommission, said the comments made by Champagne were homophobic and had tobe denounced.

``We are happy that they were largely denounced by political leaders of allparties, journalists and editorialists,'' Dowd said Tuesday.

But he added that the commission won't comment further because it doesn'twant to get involved in the current Quebec election campaign.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030707ncban.htm

North Carolina Lawmakers Dismiss Massive Evangelical Rally Demanding GayMarriage Ban
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: March 7, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET

(Raleigh, North Carolina) Five thousand screaming, chanting evangelicalChristians demonstrating at the North Carolina Capitol have failed toconvince lawmakers to take up a proposed constitutional amendment that wouldban same-sex marriage.

Protestors from more than 100 churches across the state demonstrated infront of the legislature Tuesday. State Police estimated the crowd at morethan 10-thousand and then downsized it to fewer than five-thousand.

For the past three years the Democratically-controlled legislature hasrefused to take up the amendment issue.

North Carolina already has two laws limiting marriage to opposite sexcouples. One says that marriage licenses can be issued only to couplescomprised of a man and a woman. The other prevents the state fromrecognizing same-sex marriages performed in areas where they are legal.

After Tuesday's fiery rhetoric ended and the crowd went home, Democraticleaders said they still were not convinced an amendment is necessary.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030707yale.htm

Man Surrenders In Homophobic Attack On Yale Students
by The Associated Press

Posted: March 7, 2007 - 11:00 am ET

(San Francisco, California) One of two men accused of taunting and beatingmembers of an all-male singing group from Yale University has surrendered topolice.

Brian Dwyer, 19, turned himself in Tuesday and was later released on $80,000bond, according to Millbrae Police Sgt. Jim Vangele.

Dwyer and Richard Aicardi were charged Monday with assaulting two members ofthe Baker's Dozen a cappella group outside a New Year's Eve Party in SanFrancisco. Witnesses said that after the group sang "The Star SpangledBanner," the attackers hurled anti-gay epithets and then beat and kickedsome of the singers. One man, Evan Gogel, suffered a concussion.

Aicardi was not in custody Tuesday. Tony Brass, a lawyer for Dwyer, saidAicardi also was expected to turn himself in to police.

Brass said the circumstances around the incident made it difficult todetermine what was the truth.

"This case involves young people, it's New Year's Eve, it involves alcohol,"he said.

Aicardi was charged with two counts of felony assault by means of force andone count of battery, charges that carry a maximum penalty of eight years inprison. Dwyer was charged with one count of assault and one count ofbattery, and he faces a maximum prison sentence of seven years if he isconvicted, according to prosecutor Kamala Harris.

In a statement, Harris called it "a cowardly attack on defenseless victims."

Harris said Monday that although police identified five suspects in thecase, she did not have enough evidence to bring other charges.

Whitney Leigh, a San Francisco lawyer representing the families of two ofthe singers, said he was disappointed charges were not brought against thethree other men.

©365Gay.com 2007



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030707michael.htm

Another Drug Charge For George Michael
by The Associated Press

Posted: March 7, 2007 - 9:30 am ET

(London) George Michael, who was arrested after police found him slumpedover the steering wheel of his car in an intersection in north London lastOctober, will face an additional charge, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

No date has been set for trial on the charges, which stem from an Oct. 1incident.

Prosecutor Andrew Torrington, appearing in Brent Magistrates Court, said theoriginal charge of being unfit to drive through drugs was being amended todriving while unfit through drugs.

The new, additional charge is of being in charge of a vehicle while unfitthrough drugs.

The 43-year-old singer wasn't present in court.

©365Gay.com 2007



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The Advocate

http://advocate.com/print_article_ektid42559.asp

Why we need a federal hate-crimes law-and why we can get itThis year marks our best chance yet to get a federal hate-crimes law passedand signed into law. It would give the government the power to prosecuteanti-LGBT crimes and law enforcement the resources to investigate themproperly. So let's make sure it happens.

By Judy Shepard and Joe Solmonese


Last month 72-year-old Detroit resident Andrew Anthos was severely beatenwith a metal pipe after being asked by a man if he was gay. He would laterslip into a coma and ultimately die from the attack. His story comes shortlyafter the death of Nakia Ladelle Baker, a transgender woman who was foundbeaten to death in early January in a Nashville parking lot. In New YorkCity a few months before these two murders, Michael Sandy was also killed inan antigay assault where he was beaten, chased into traffic, hit by a car,and then dragged off the road and attacked a second time by his assailants.

As gruesome and tragic as these stories are, they are but threeheart-wrenching examples of the hundreds of anti-LGBT hate crimes that occurall over our country every year.

Fear of violence remains a horrible reality for millions of GLBTAmericans-even in places that many consider "tolerant" or "progressive."Every act of violence is tragic and harmful in its consequences, but not allcrime is based on hate. A bias-motivated crime affects not only the victimand his or her family but an entire community or category of people andtheir families.

The current federal hate-crimes law, enacted nearly 40 years ago, coversonly bias attacks based on race, ethnicity, national origin, and religion.In the case of a hate crime based on sexual orientation or gender identity,our government's hands are tied: It doesn't have the authority to go afterperpetrators of anti-LGBT violent crime. It's time to update the law toprotect everyone.

The 1968 law was an appropriate response, at the time, to the terrible actsof violence against African- Americans, but any and all hate crimes deservea just and full response. Members of the new congressional leadershipunderstand this, and that is why they support the introduction this month ofa measure to expand the federal hate-crimes law to cover sexual orientation,gender, gender identity, and disability; they have assured us that a debateand a vote on the bill will happen soon thereafter.



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The Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=11815

Iowa State Univ. groups withdraw from blood drive over gay ban
Action comes after gay fraternity complained about being excluded
AMES, Iowa (AP) | Mar 7, 1:35 PM

Some student groups will not participate in an annual blood drive this weekat Iowa State University to protest federal rules that prevent some gay menfrom donating.

Up to 500 blood donations are expected to be lost as a result of thedecision by Greek Week officials, said organizers of the Ames blood drive,the largest student-run blood drive in Iowa. The loss of that much bloodcomes at a time when Iowa blood banks are already seeing supplies run shortbecause of recent storm-related cancellations of blood drives.

The blood drive has in past years awarded points to participatingfraternities and sororities. The chapter with the highest participationreceived a trophy.

Organizers of Greek Week decided to stop awarding points for fraternities'and sororities' participation in the blood drive after members of DeltaLambda Phi, a year-old fraternity for gay and bisexual men, complained thatthe federal rules would not allow them to take part in a Greek Weekcompetition.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibits men who have had sex withanother man since 1977 from giving blood. The agency said research showsthat men who have had sex with men are 60 times more likely to be infectedwith HIV than the rest of the general public.



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The Express Gay News

http://www.expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=11807

Bill would allow gay couples to adopt
Only individual gay parents may adopt currently in Colorado
DENVER (AP) | Mar 7, 8:31 AM

Same-sex partners and other unmarried couples would be able to adoptchildren together under a bill being considered by state lawmakers.The measure (House Bill 1330), released Tuesday, is sponsored by HouseMajority Leader Alice Madden (D-Boulder) and Sen. Jennifer Veiga (D-Denver).

Under current Colorado law, individual gay parents may adopt but notsame-sex couples. Married couples are allowed to adopt each other's childrenfrom previous relationships under stepparent adoption, said Pat Steadman, alobbyist for Equal Rights Colorado, which is backing the bill. The grouppromotes the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.

Gay parents would have been allowed to adopt as couples under Referendum I,which voters rejected last fall. The referendum also would have allowed gaycouples to file as domestic partners with the state.

The new bill would allow gay couples and any other two people who aren'tmarried to adopt. For example, Steadman said, a grandparent who is raising achild may want another adult who is helping with the child's upbringing toalso be named as a legal parent to take over in case the grandparent dies.



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The Flat Hat

http://www.flathatnews.com/news/478/uva-criticized-for-denying-gym-benefits-to-gay-partners-of-staff

U.Va. criticized for denying gym benefits to gay partners of staff
6 March 2007
By Andy Garden, Flat Hat Staff Writer | The Flat Hat » news

The University of Virginia is the target of criticism by some of its gaystaff members over its policy restricting access to the universityrecreational centers, according to a report in Charlottesville's DailyProgress.

The newspaper published an article Feb. 25 focusing on U.Va.'s position,which is atypical of many of Virginia's public institutions. While U.Va.allows the heterosexual spouses of professors and staff to purchasememberships for the recreational centers on campus, it does not allow thepartners of gays to receive the same benefit.

According to Carol Wood, a U.Va. spokeswoman, the university's policy isbased on an opinion the school received from the office of former AttorneyGeneral Jerry Kilgore. "[U.Va.] is clearly compliant with state law. Icannot speak for other institutions," Wood said in the Daily Progress.

Gay and lesbian staff members have reportedly met with Virginia state Sen.Creigh Deeds (D-25), whose district represents Charlottesville, on theissue. Deeds, a Democrat who narrowly lost in his 2005 campaign for attorneygeneral, is sympathetic to their concerns.



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

Russia: An open gay to star Lenin

An open gay to star Lenin

05 March 2007
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=mosaic&div=125

Moscow, March 5, Interfax - The famous singer and open gay Boris Moiseyev isgoing to play Lenin in The Third Coming movie by Alexander Nevzorov.

'I am very interested in the movie as I have to play... Lenin. A new Lenin,who would have organize another coup d'etat in Kremlin, had he been alive,'Moiseyev said in his interview for the Mir TV i Kino (TV and Cinema World)weekly.

He complained that 'too much attention' he attracted from journalists andsociety, 'scared away common TV audience a bit.'

'Believe me, I am not dangerous,' he said, 'though armed I am, with my honorand conscience, my intellect and truth.'




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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/us/04civil.html?ex=1173675600&en=9a5ebe37a
0570267&ei=5070&emc=eta1

March 4, 2007

Doubts Rise as States Hold Sex Offenders After Prison
By MONICA DAVEY and ABBY GOODNOUGH

The decision by New York to confine sex offenders beyond their prison termsplaces the state at the forefront of a growing national movement that ispopular with politicians and voters. But such programs have almost never meta stated purpose of treating the worst criminals until they no longer pose athreat.

About 2,700 pedophiles, rapists and other sexual offenders are already beingheld indefinitely, mostly in special treatment centers, under so-calledcivil commitment programs in 19 states, which on average cost taxpayers fourtimes more than keeping the offenders in prison.

In announcing a deal with legislative leaders on Thursday, Gov. EliotSpitzer, a Democrat, suggested that New York's proposed civil commitment lawwould "become a national model" and go well beyond confining the mostviolent predators to also include mental health treatment and intensivesupervised release for offenders.

"No one has a bill like this, nobody," said State Senator Dale M. Volker, aRepublican from western New York and a leading proponent in the Legislatureof civil confinement.



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org


http://www.iht.com/

International Herald Tribune

NYC's gay council leader to march in Dublin St. Patrick's parade

The Associated Press
Sunday, March 4, 2007

http://ad.fr.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/350b/0/0/%2a/x;50126334;0-0;0;7973099;933-120/600;18426331/18444226/1;;~sscs=%3fhttp://www.thetimescenter.com/


NEW YORK: City Council Speaker Christine Quinn plans to march in Dublin,Ireland's St. Patrick's Day parade this year, again snubbing the New YorkCity parade because of its organizers' refusal to allow gay and lesbiangroups to march.

Quinn, an Irish-American who is the city's first openly gay councilspeaker, is heading to the Dublin parade at the personal invitation ofofficials there. She's expected to be joined by other members of the NewYork City Council, as well as the lord mayor of Dublin, the speaker of theLower House of the Irish Parliament, and Dublin City Council members.

"My participation in Dublin's parade is also an opportunity to marchopenly as a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community,something we have not been able to do in New York City," Quinn said in astatement Sunday. "I hope my participation in the Dublin march will send amessage about the importance of inclusion."

The New York City parade is organized by the Ancient Order ofHibernians, who have denied permission to gays and lesbians to march undertheir own banner since 1991. The group has said it does not want topoliticize the event.



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

Heterosexuality column--here it is

This column was published in the Chicago Free Press, Feb. 28, 2007.

The Origins of Heterosexuality
Paul Varnell

I've been wondering what makes people heterosexual. I've read what I canfind of the research on the origins of heterosexuality--there isn'tmuch--and no one seems to have any clear idea.

If you ask a heterosexual, he or she will generally deny that they had anykind of choice in the matter. They say that they were just born that way orat least knew at the first stirrings of sexual awareness that they wereheterosexual. "It just feels natural," they say and seem genuinely puzzledthat anyone would wonder about it.

But science isn't so sure. The fact that any phenomenon occurs most of thetime is not an explanation of why it occurs. The fact that most stars arehot is not an explanation of why they are hot.

No one seems to have found any genes for heterosexuality. Nor have studiesof human brain found anything that impels males to be attracted to femalesor vice versa. Even that zealous proponent of heterosexuality Sigmund Freudconfessed in 1915 that "the exclusive sexual interest felt by men for womenis also a problem that needs elucidating and is not a self-evident fact ..."

Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article.


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HeartStrong Inc
PO Box 2051
Seattle WA 98111
206-388-3894
http://www.heartstrong.org

Contact:
Marc Adams, Executive Director
marcadams@heartstrong.org
206-351-9993


METHODIST COLLEGE PUNISHES, THEN FIRES TRANSGENDERED DEAN; INAUGURATESLEGACY OF DISRESPECT

Seattle, WA - "Having the right to do something doesn't necessarily makeit right to do," says Marc Adams, executive director of HeartStrong, Inc."You would think that after all of the apologies our country has had tomake and all of the reparation checks they've cut that they would havelearned this lesson by now."

Adams is referring to the firestorm brewing after the recent firing by theMethodist Spring Arbor University of Dr. Julie Nemecek, Associate Dean ofAdult Studies. A calculated effort to make her disappear began almostimmediately after she informed the University of her diagnosis in 2005culminating with her termination last month.

"Spring Arbor University's attempt to seduce Dr. Nemecek in to thelifestyle they are comfortable with and firing her when she chose tofollow her own heart is sickening," Adams continues. "Religiouseducational institutions are not known for exercising real unconditionallove and this incident is no exception. SAU will now be known for thedisrespect of its employee and piety instead of an institution for higherlearning."

HeartStrong, Inc., is a national non profit co-founded by Adams more thana decade ago and its sole mission is to provide support to gay, lesbian,bisexual and transgendered students and others who are persecuted atreligious educational institutions worldwide. The HeartStrong OutreachTeam has self-driven more than 336,000 miles in eight years doing outreachand educational work.

Contact rays.list@comcast.net for the full article.


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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/03/030507sodomy.htm

Sodomy Remains Illegal In Utah
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: March 6, 2007 - 12:01 am ET

(Salt Lake City, Utah) Utah lawmakers are refusing to remove a law banningsodomy for all but married opposite-sex couples even though the SupremeCourt struck down similar laws in 2003.

The legislature ended its sitting without considering a bill to repeal thelaw. The attempt was made by state Sen. Scott McCoy (D), the only gay memberof the Utah Senate.

McCoy attached the repeal effort as an amendment to another bill. It wasremoved by the Republican leadership. The GOP majority refused to alloweither debate or public hearings.

McCoy and other critics of the sodomy law say the state is repudiatingunmarried couples - especially gays.

"There is a stigma. I think that stigma is intentional on the state ofUtah's part," civil rights attorney Brian Barnard told the Associated Press.

Barnard has tried for more than a decade to get courts to overturn the law.




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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/us/politics/04coulter.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

March 4, 2007
G.O.P. Candidates Criticize Slur by Conservative Author
By ADAM NAGOURNEY


WASHINGTON, March 3 - Three of the leading Republican presidentialcandidates on Saturday denounced one of their party's best-knownconservative commentators for using an antigay epithet when discussing aDemocratic presidential contender at a gathering of conservatives here.

The remarks by Ann Coulter, an author who regularly speaks at conservativeevents, were sharply denounced by the candidates, Senator John McCain ofArizona, Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.Their statements came after Democrats, gay rights groups and bloggers raiseda storm of protest over the remarks.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference before an overflowcrowd on Friday, Ms. Coulter said, "I was going to have a few comments onthe other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns outyou have to go into rehab if you use the word 'faggot,' so I - so kind of animpasse, can't really talk about Edwards."

Mr. Edwards's aides responded with an e-mail message that attacked Ms.Coulter and urged supporters to donate to Mr. Edwards's campaign. "John wassingled out for a personal attack because the Republican establishment knowshe poses the greatest threat to their power," said his campaign manager,David E. Bonior. "Since they have nothing real to use against him, Coulter'sresorting to the classic right-wing strategy of riling up hate to smear aprogressive champion."




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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?articleId=5372367&siteId=297

6-1 vote
Salt Lake City's policy protecting gays, minorities now law

Gays, other minorities will be protected; a former council member predictscivil unions could be next
By Heather May
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:03/07/2007 07:56:20 AM MST

Now that one of Rocky Anderson's first acts as mayor - a 2000 executiveorder protecting gay city employees from bias - will be the law in Utah'scapital, a former city councilwoman predicts civil unions will be next and acurrent councilman wonders about discrimination against obese workers.
"It's a wonderful demonstration of how our community has come tounderstand that discrimination against people based on sexual orientation iswrong," said former Councilwoman Deeda Seed of Tuesday's 6-1 vote for theordinance.
Ten years ago, she advocated for a similar law but was unsuccessful.Tuesday's vote shows the political power of the gay and lesbian community,she said. "The next frontier, and we're going to see movement soon, is thativil unions are going to be recognized, as [they] should be."
Councilman Carlton Christensen cast the lone "no" vote because heopposes recognizing the gay "lifestyle" on moral grounds.
While he said he has a "deep concern" about employees facing a hostilework environment - and doesn't want gays and lesbians to be discriminatedagainst - he fears the ordinance is more about recognition than it is aboutprotecting employees from hostility.
Plus, he worries the city discriminates against obese people, who arenot protected by the new law.
Noting he had no proof of discrimination, he said of the "slew ofsecretaries that have gone through the mayor's office, I haven't seen onethat's 25 pounds overweight."
Anderson called the charge "absolutely absurd. That is the stupidestthing that's come out of his mouth."
The mayor said the office conducts competency and writing tests. "Youwon't find any scales."



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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

SignonSanDiego.com

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20070305-9999-1n5gaylaw.html

New law propels gay rights in Mexico

State moves boldly with civil unions as nation watches
By S. Lynne Walker
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

March 5, 2007

SALTILLO, Mexico - Gabby and Ana are in love. So are Marco Antonio and JuanCarlos.

Under a sweeping new law allowing same-sex couples to form civil unions,they are planning to turn their love into a legal commitment.

Legislators in the dusty northern border state of Coahuila have stunnedMexico by giving same-sex couples property and inheritance rights longreserved for married heterosexuals.

It is a first for this predominantly Roman Catholic country, a measure soswift and so bold that it surprised even the gay community. All of a sudden,gay rights are on the national agenda.

Since Coahuila's Legislature voted 20-13 to pass the law in January, JulietaLópez, the congresswoman who introduced the legislation, has received callsfrom her counterparts in states stretching from Chihuahua to Chiapas.




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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-williams/ban-coulter_b_42610.html

Ban Coulter?

Will Ann Coulter going all Isaiah Washington on John Edwards be the laststraw of tolerance for this intolerant harridan? Given that she's crossedthe line of civility, good taste and plain old factual accuracy innumerabletimes, it's unlikely that the negative reaction to this one incident willshake her into reflection and rehab. After all, she's no Hollywood pansylike Mel Gibson. No, Miss American Sociopath (1961 - present) insists shewas merely joking, a defense which didn't fly for Michael Richards. Sadly,the rumbling laughter from Coulter's audience suggested there was a lot of"It's funny 'cause it's true" sentiment in that room.

I've been very disappointed to see so many comments in the blogosphere(including on this very site) resorting to the very mudslinging and personalinsults which are Ms. Coulter's stock in trade. Now, I confess that I didrefer to Ms. Coulter as "America's Shrew" in my Huffington essay about myweek of getting information solely from conservative sources, a seven-dayexperiment during which she was the only commentator so abhorrent that I hadto switch off the radio as an act of self-preservation. But let's be themature ones here and can it with the "Mann Coulter" references and the jokesabout her Adam's apple, okay?

What this situation calls for is an intervention. Ann needs some "toughlove". Well, okay, more like "tough hatred".

To teach Ann Coulter a lesson, she must be banned from America's airwavesfor a year.

She has to learn that you cannot say every vile thing which passes throughyour brain without being made aware that your words have consequences. Youcannot continue to insult those who were injured during their militaryservice to our country, or the widows of innocent victims of 9/11, or prettymuch anyone who is not you, and expect to be treated as a respected memberof society.




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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/06/AR2007030602331_pf.html

Montgomery Starts Sex-Ed Pilot Program

By Daniel de Vise
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 7, 2007; A01

A health teacher at Argyle Middle School in Silver Spring spoke toeighth-graders yesterday about sexual orientation. And so began a pilotprogram in Montgomery County schools that delves deeper into issues ofsexual and gender identity than most other school systems in the Washingtonregion, if not the nation.

The field test, which will start in five other schools by the end of themonth and -- barring legal intervention -- the rest of the county in fall,marks the first time Montgomery teachers have broached homosexuality as apart of the official lesson plan in eighth- and 10th-grade health classes.

About 30 students attended the first session yesterday. Teacher Katie Beckerheld to a rigid script because of legal concerns. She read, "Today, we willlook at behaviors that can have an effect on relationships, includingstereotyping based on human sexuality."

Students also studied a "word tree" that showed the effect of derogatoryremarks such as "You walk like a girl." And they were asked in a homeworkassignment to "describe a school where there is empathy, tolerance andrespect."

Luke Stocky, 14, found the class relatively dull.



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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

Studlife.com

http://media.www.studlife.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=96219150-d13d-475c-a92d-106decd296a8

'Coming Out Around the World' analyzes global LGBT issues
Scott Fabricant
Posted: 3/7/07

The International and Area Studies Honorary Society is hosting "Coming OutAround The World," tonight's town hall discussion about LGBT issues aroundthe world. The meeting will feature a panel of experts from across thecountry.

"The town hall is an exploration of LGBT issues from internationalperspectives. There is so much going on right now globally in regards toLGBT rights and identity and movements that people in the Global North justaren't aware of. Sigma Iota Rho [the international studies honorary society]felt this was the right moment to bring this to the St. Louis communitybecause, not only is it an interesting topic, but people need to be aware ofwhat's going on in the world," said Sigma Iota Rho president Micah King.

The idea for the event came when King was studying abroad in Cameroon, andwitnessed mistreatment of local gays and lesbians firsthand.

"I met a girl from a high school in Dschang who said two of her classmateswere a lesbian couple arrested on charges of homosexuality and released twoweeks later on the condition that within two years of being released theyhad to become pregnant to prove their heterosexuality. That was myintroduction to homosexuality in the developing world and the persecutionthat people there have to live with every day," said King.

The panel of experts includes Julie Dorf, founding executive director of theInternational Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission; Winifred Poster,visiting professor in Women and Gender Studies from the University ofIllinois at Urbana-Champaign; John Scagliotti, Emmy Award-winning directorof "Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World" and Scott Long,director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program atHuman Rights Watch.



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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

Reuters

http://today.reuters.com/misc/PrinterFriendlyPopup.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2007-03-04T014100Z_01_N03172846_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEXICO-GAYS.xml

Gay pop star's "coming out" causes stir in Mexico
Sat Mar 3, 2007 8:41 PM ET

By Greg Brosnan

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A 22-year-old pop star's announcement that he isgay, making him the first high-profile member of Mexico's show-businesslite to "come out" in public, has caused a stir in the deeply conservativeCatholic country.

Christian Chavez, one of six members of the glitzy pop band RBD, told fanshe was homosexual after photographs were published on a gossip Web sitepurporting to show him tying the knot with his partner in a ceremony inCanada.

"Certain photographs were released that show a part of me, a part that I wasnot prepared to speak of in fear of rejection, of criticism," he said in astatement on the group's Web site (www.grupo-rbd.com).

"I don't want to keep on lying and lie to myself because of fear," he said.

The news was splashed across the front pages of most Mexican newspapers onSaturday along with photographs of Chavez with the pink spiked hair thatmakes him stand out among the members of the band that grew out of a popularsoap opera.



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Forwarded from Leon Van Dyke:


You may already have received this but just in case you havenot, please be aware of this email from the Human RightsCampaign encouraging me to send a message to Lee Salem,Executive Vice President and Editor, Universal Press Syndicateto no longer provide a platform for Ann Coulter to spout heranti-gay rhetoric by syndicating her column.

Join me in sending an email to Lee today to put a stop toUniversal Press Syndicate giving a green light for Ann Coulterto broadcast her vile and hateful words.

Thanks.
Leon

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/coulter?rk=W7zHXqY1N_WdW



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The Sun-Sentinel

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-pastor-charged,0,1166356,print.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

Ex-Pastor Acquitted of Sex Charge

By RICHARD GREEN
Associated Press Writer

March 7, 2007, 9:11 PM EST

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A former Baptist minister who had spoken out againsthomosexuality was acquitted Wednesday of propositioning an undercover malepolice officer.

A judge found Lonnie Latham not guilty of the misdemeanor charge of offeringto engage in an act of lewdness. If convicted, he would have faced up to ayear in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Latham, 61, was arrested Jan. 3, 2006, outside a hotel in Oklahoma City.Police had accused Latham of asking the undercover officer for oral sex,which Latham denied.

Latham's attorney, Mack Martin, argued during the trial that it is notillegal for consenting adults to engage in private homosexual acts, so arequest to participate in such an act is not illegal.

District Attorney David Prater said the state has a legitimate interest inregulating such requests.



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MiamiHerald.com

http://www.miamiherald.com/569/story/34815.html

Posted on Thu, Mar. 08, 2007
Key West recruits gay spring breakers

BY DOUGLAS HANKS AND INA PAIVA CORDLE

First came the Conch Republic. Then Margaritaville. Now, some in Key Westhope to claim another title for the island's tourism repertoire: Gay SpringBreak Capital of the World.

Faced with an aging corps of gay vacationers, some island business leaderswant to reach out to the next generation of that increasingly coveteddemographic. This week, Key West's ''Gay Spring Break 2007'' gets into fullswing with same-sex-friendly pool parties, barbecues and best-body conteststhat defy the island's long-standing policy against marketing to the collegecrowd.

''It's so much nicer to be with people who are the same, and whounderstand,'' said Jill McDonald, owner of the Aqua gay and lesbian bar onDuval Street, where police will cordon off streets March 16 for a Gay Springbreak block party featuring DJ Tracy Young. ``College is hard enough.''

This week marks the height of spring break season, a 14-day stretch whennearly 3 million college students will be on vacation, including thoseattending Florida State University, the University of Florida and theUniversity of Miami. Though South Florida's tourism bureaus shun theroad-tripping college students, some destinations have begun eyeing gayspring-breakers as a lucrative -- and manageable -- niche.

The new attention comes as gay websites and publications offer their takeson a collegiate rite of passage famous for boozy antics and sexualshenanigans.


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The New York Tribune

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-inman.html?r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

March 8, 2007
"Are You Being Served?" Actor John Inman Dies
By REUTERS
Filed at 4:03 a.m. ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Actor John Inman, best known for his role as camp shopassistant Mr Humphries in the long-running BBC comedy ``Are You BeingServed?'' died aged 71 on Thursday.

Inman, who later became a pantomime regular, was one of the sitcom's mostmemorable cast members and his catchphrase ``I'm free'' became part ofpopular culture.

In 1976, he was voted ``Funniest Man On Television'' by readers of TV Timesmagazine and was also named BBC TV's ''Personality Of The Year.''

He died at St Mary's Hospital in London after having been ill for some time,his manager Phil Dale said in a statement.

``John, through his character Mr Humphries of Are You Being Served? wasknown and loved throughout the world,'' Dale said.

``He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacityaudiences throughout Britain.

``John was known for his comedy plays and farces which were enjoyed fromLondon's West End throughout the country and as far as Australia, Canada andthe USA.''

Inman's long-term partner Ron Lynch was ``devastated'' at the news, the BBCsaid.

Actress Wendy Richard, who played Miss Brahms in ``Are You Being Served?,''said she had been regularly visiting Inman who had been seriously ill withHepatitis A.

``You just have to regard it as being an end to his suffering,'' a tearfulRichard told BBC radio.

``I think John was one of the wittiest and most inventive actors I have everworked with. He was a brilliant, brilliant pantomime dame. He was a verygood all round actor really.''




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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/08/opinion/08thu2.html?pagewanted=print

March 8, 2007
Editorial
Denying Rights in Nigeria

A poisonous piece of legislation is quickly making its way through theNigerian National Assembly. Billed as an anti-gay-marriage act, it is afar-reaching assault on basic rights of association, assembly andexpression. Chillingly, the legislation - proposed last year by theadministration of President Olusegun Obasanjo - has the full andenthusiastic support of the leader of Nigeria's powerful Anglican church.Unless the international community speaks out quickly and forcefully againstthe bill, it is almost certain to become law.

Homosexual acts between consenting adults are already illegal in Nigeriaunder a penal code that dates to the colonial period. This new legislationwould impose five-year sentences on same-sex couples who have weddingceremonies - as well as on those who perform such services and on all whoattend. The bill's vague and dangerous prohibition on any public or privateshow of a "same sex amorous relationship" - which could be construed tocover having dinner with someone of the same sex - would open any known orsuspected gay man or lesbian to the threat of arrest at almost any time.

The bill also criminalizes all political organizing on behalf of gay rights.And in a country with a dauntingly high rate of H.I.V. and AIDS, the ban onholding any meetings related to gay rights could make it impossible formedical workers to counsel homosexuals on safe sex practices.

Efforts to pass the bill last year stalled in part because of strongcondemnation from the United States and the European Union. Now its backersare again trying to rush it through, and Washington and Brussels need tospeak out against it. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and one ofthe most politically influential. If it passes a law that says human rightsare not for every citizen, it will set a treacherous example for the regionand the world.



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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/06/AR2007030602485_pf.html

What Is at Issue

Wednesday, March 7, 2007; A04

Here are excerpts from new Montgomery County sex-education lessons that havedrawn objections:

· "Many people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender celebrate theirself-discovery and feel relief and a new sense of joy when they can behonest with themselves and their loved ones." (Grade 10)

· "While cross-dressers change their clothes, transsexuals sometimes changetheir body by means of hormone therapy or sexual reassignment surgery tomatch how they feel." (Grade 10)

· "People can identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgenderat any point in their lives." (Grade 10)

· "Sexual orientation is innate and a complex part of one's personality."(Grades 8 and 10)

· "Homophobia may be shown in ways as mild as laughing at a gay joke or assevere and violent as gay bashing or murder." (Grade 10)



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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/03/07/ap-state-in/d8nnb2no2.txt

Indiana University

Faculty support same-sex benefits

by Steve Hinnefeld 331-4374 | shinnefeld@heraldt.com
March 7, 2007

The Bloomington Faculty Council on Tuesday endorsed having Indiana University continue to offer health-care benefits to same-sex domestic partners of its employees.

Members said they were taking the action because some faculty and staff were concerned a state constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage could have the effect of barring partner benefits.

But the faculty council didn't take a position on the amendment. Alex Tanford, a law professor and council member, said it would have no impact on IU's domestic-partner benefit policies.

The amendment says marriage can only be between one man and one woman. It also says state law and the constitution can't be construed to confer marriage or "the legal incidents of marriage" on other couples or groups.

Supporters say the amendment is needed to prevent activist judges from ordering the state and its institutions to recognize gay marriage or provide gay couples with the same rights and benefits as married heterosexuals.


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The Detroit News

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070305/OPINION03/703050312&template=printart

Nation's first Iraq war wounded demands gay inclusion

T he first American wounded in Iraq was a gay Marine. His buddies knew it asthey rushed to his shattered body. Now he wants the nation to know asCongress weighs whether to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

In the early hours of the U.S. ground invasion of Iraq in March 2003, MarineStaff Sgt. Eric Alva's life changed forever: He stepped out of his Humveeand onto a landmine.

"There was a huge explosion and black smoke and sand falling from the skyand shrapnel flying," recalls Alva. "I was thrown 10 feet." Dazed, his earsringing, Alva saw in horror that part of his index finger was gone. And whenhe awoke in a medical tent back in Kuwait, he saw a bandaged stump where hisright leg belonged.

"My thoughts were, 'This is a nightmare. This can't be happening,'" saysAlva, a marathon runner who had just re-enlisted. "I was losing everything Ihad known for the past 12 years."

Alva, whose other leg was badly damaged, became a symbol of the physicalsacrifices being made by young Americans in Iraq. President and Mrs. Bushvisited to thank him for his service. Alva appeared on "Oprah" and in Peoplemagazine. Back home in San Antonio, he was a celebrity.




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