GLBT DIGEST August 29, 2007

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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/us/29brfs-LESBIANISAFI_BRF.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print=

August 29, 2007
Midwest
Illinois: Lesbian Is a Finalist for Bishop
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

An openly lesbian priest is one of five candidates nominated by a searchcommittee to be the next Episcopal bishop of Chicago. The nomination of thepriest, the Very Rev. Tracey Lind, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland,came as a surprise because the Episcopal Church passed a resolution at itslast general convention calling on dioceses to "exercise restraint" by notconsecrating any more openly gay bishops. The Episcopal Church has beenunder pressure from fellow churches in the Anglican Communion to declare amoratorium on gay bishops, a response to the election in 2003 of an openlygay bishop by the Diocese of New Hampshire. The election in the Diocese ofChicago is Nov. 10.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/us/29sting.html?pagewanted=print

August 29, 2007
Report Cites Other Arrests at Airport
By WILLIAM YARDLEY

The arrest report accusing Senator Larry E. Craig of disorderly conduct in abathroom stall at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport said Mr. Craig's actions followed "numerous arrests regarding sexual activity in the publicrestroom."

The airport police in Minneapolis would not elaborate yesterday on theearlier arrests, but information about efforts to prevent public sex at theairport - and at others across the country - is available online through Websites that cater to the very people police hope to stop.

In June, when Mr. Craig, Republican of Idaho, was charged with makingovertures for sex to an undercover police officer, a Web site that listsplaces for gay sex worldwide included this alert about the Minneapolisairport beside the words "Heads Up!" in red letters: "Airport police stinghere in progress. Four arrests so far this week."

Another posting, also in June, said: "Twenty people were arrested within thepast week. Plainclothes officers wait in the stalls and tap their feet andeven put their foot on yours and then arrest you when you look under thestall wall."

At least one other gay site lists a bathroom at the Minneapolis airport as apopular place for sex.



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The New York Times

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

August 29, 2007
Craig and GOP Await Voters' Judgment
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 5:12 a.m. ET

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Sen. Larry Craig has apologized to Idaho and nowwaits -- along with officials of both political parties -- to see if votersare in any mood to forgive and forget the scandal tied to his arrest in amen's bathroom.

Idaho Republicans possess a fiercely independent streak, characterized by ahealthy dose of libertarian values and distrust of the federal governmentand the media. They generally hold deep religious beliefs and conservativesocial values.

''It all makes it hard sometimes to predict exactly how Idahoans would voteor how Idaho politicians will act on certain issues,'' said James Weatherby,a professor emeritus at Boise State University who knew Craig when they werestudents at the University of Idaho.

Craig, 62, a third-term senator up for re-election next year, defendedhimself Tuesday against a police report alleging he attempted to engage in ahomosexual encounter with an undercover officer.

Flanked by his wife, Suzanne, Craig stated three times that he was not gay.He cast his arrest for lewd conduct as unfounded and his subsequent guiltyplea to disorderly conduct as an error in judgment spurred by frustrationwith the state's biggest newspaper prying into his past.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/nyregion/29mbrfs-UNIONS.html?pagewanted=print

August 29, 2007
New Jersey
Ocean Grove: Clash Over Civil Unions
By TINA KELLEY

New Jersey is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit claiming that it is pressuringthe Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association into allowing civil unions at itsboardwalk pavilion. The state argues in its motion, filed on Monday inFederal District Court in Trenton, that a state discrimination investigationshould be resolved first, said Leland Moore, a spokesman for the attorneygeneral's office. The association, a Methodist group, said in its lawsuitthat the state was violating its First Amendment rights by pressuring it toallow the ceremonies. The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights isinvestigating two discrimination complaints from gay couples whose requeststo use the pavilion, which the association owns, for civil union ceremonieswere denied. The association filed a separate request with the court askingthat the discrimination investigation be stopped. Compiled by John Sullivan



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/us/politics/29repubs.html?pagewanted=print

August 29, 2007
Political Memo
A Scandal-Scarred G.O.P. Asks, 'What Next?'
By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 - Scott Reed, a Republican strategist, was at a dinnerin Philadelphia on Monday night when his cellphone and Internet pager beganbeeping like crazy. Only later did he learn why. His party was buzzing withnews of a sex scandal involving a Republican United States senator - again.

Just when Republicans thought things could not get any worse, Senator LarryE. Craig of Idaho confirmed that he had pleaded guilty to misdemeanorcharges of disorderly conduct after an undercover police officer accused himof soliciting sex in June in a Minneapolis airport restroom. On Tuesday, Mr.Craig, 62, held a news conference to defend himself, calling the guilty plea"a mistake" and declaring, "I am not gay" - even as the Senate Republicanleadership asked for an Ethics Committee review.

It was a bizarre spectacle, and only the latest in a string of accusationsof sexual foibles and financial misdeeds that have landed Republicans in thepolitical equivalent of purgatory, the realm of late-night comic television.

Forget Mark Foley of Florida, who quit the House last year after exchangingsexually explicit e-mail messages with under-age male pages, or JackAbramoff, the lobbyist whose dealings with the old Republican Congresslanded him in prison. They are old news, replaced by a fresh crop ofscandal-plagued Republicans, men like Senator David Vitter of Louisiana,whose phone number turned up on the list of the so-called D.C. Madam, orSenator Ted Stevens of Alaska and Representative Rick Renzi of Arizona, bothcaught up in F.B.I. corruption investigations.

It is enough to make a self-respecting Republican want to tear his hair outin frustration, especially as the party is trying to defend an unpopularwar, contain the power of the new Democratic majority on Capitol Hill andgenerate some enthusiasm among voters heading toward the presidentialelection in 2008.



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/washington/29craig.html?pagewanted=print

August 29, 2007
Idaho Senator Says He Regrets Guilty Plea in Restroom Incident
By PATTI MURPHY and DAVID STOUT

BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 28 - Senator Larry E. Craig said Tuesday that heregretted his guilty plea in connection with an airport restroom incident,and he accused an Idaho newspaper of hounding him in recent months.

"I am not gay; I never have been gay," Mr. Craig, an Idaho Republican, saidat a brief appearance outside the Wells Fargo Bank building downtown.

After walking slowly to the microphone, holding the hand of his wife,Suzanne, Mr. Craig, 62, apologized for "the cloud placed over Idaho" by hisarrest and guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

His deepest regret, he said, is that he pleaded guilty when he had donenothing wrong.

The senator said he had chosen to plead guilty without consulting a lawyerand before telling his family, in the hope that the case would just "goaway."



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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/29/AR2007082900290_pf.html

Craig and GOP Await Voters' Judgment
By TODD DVORAK
The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 29, 2007; 5:12 AM

BOISE, Idaho -- Sen. Larry Craig has apologized to Idaho and now waits _along with officials of both political parties _ to see if voters are in anymood to forgive and forget the scandal tied to his arrest in a men'sbathroom.

Idaho Republicans possess a fiercely independent streak, characterized by ahealthy dose of libertarian values and distrust of the federal governmentand the media. They generally hold deep religious beliefs and conservativesocial values.

"It all makes it hard sometimes to predict exactly how Idahoans would voteor how Idaho politicians will act on certain issues," said James Weatherby,a professor emeritus at Boise State University who knew Craig when they werestudents at the University of Idaho.

Craig, 62, a third-term senator up for re-election next year, defendedhimself Tuesday against a police report alleging he attempted to engage in ahomosexual encounter with an undercover officer.

Flanked by his wife, Suzanne, Craig stated three times that he was not gay.He cast his arrest for lewd conduct as unfounded and his subsequent guiltyplea to disorderly conduct as an error in judgment spurred by frustrationwith the state's biggest newspaper prying into his past.



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NationalGayNews.com

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5278.html

Malawians oppose McConnell over gay rights
28th August 2007 11:20
Ian Dunt

Former Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell has been openly challenged bysenior Malawian politicians over his support for gay rights before he movesthere as High Commissioner.

The head of the main opposition party in Malawi - the United DemocraticFront - said Mr McConnell's support for the repeal of Section 28 and civilunions meant he was an unsuitable person to act on behalf of the country.

"To have a man who supports gay rights to come to Malawi is dangerous forus," Friday Jumbe said.

"He can easily use his influence as high commissioner to force legislationand that's my biggest fear.

"I don't want him and I know I am speaking for my party and many legislatorsthat we cannot allow such a person in Malawi."



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NationalGayNews.com

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/treasurecoast/sfl-828foley,0,7246235,print.story

Page in Foley case says he won't sue ex-lawmaker
By Amie Parnes
TCPalm.com
9:53 AM EDT, August 28, 2007
WASHINGTON

A former congressional page who received sexually explicit online messagesfrom former Rep. Mark Foley said through his lawyer that he would not file acivil suit against Foley and that he is satisfied with the news that theformer congressman is unlikely to be charged with a crime.

The 22-year-old former page learned through news reports last week thatinvestigators are leaning against charging Foley for sending the racymessages, the young man's lawyer, Stephen Jones, told Scripps Howard NewsService.

Although the investigation has yet to be completed, sources close to thecase told Scripps last week that there has been no criminal finding againstFoley.

"I have spoken to [the former page] and we don't second guess the decision,"said Jones, an Oklahoma lawyer. "We think it's an appropriate resolution."

"We wish the former congressman, Mr. Foley, well," Jones said Mondayevening.



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid48486.asp

August 29, 2007
Miami University staff can keep domestic-partner benefits

Gay and lesbian staff members at Oxford, Ohio-based Miami University cankeep their domestic-partner benefits, following Monday's affirmation by theOhio court of appeals of a lower court ruling.

Conservative lawmaker Thomas Brinkman, with legal counsel from the antigayAlliance Defense Fund, brought the case to the Ohio courts in November 2005.A year later, the suit was dismissed, but Brinkman and the Alliance DefenseFund filed a notice of appeal.

Lambda Legal acted on behalf of professors Jean Lynch and Yvonne Keller,whose families stood to lose their medical coverage if Brinkman won thecase.

The court unanimously concluded that "Brinkman's status as an Ohio taxpayerdoes not give him standing to challenge the university's policy of providinghealth insurance benefits to same-sex domestic partners of its employees."

Brinkman's original argument was that the university's domestic-partnerbenefits violated the state's constitutional amendment limiting marriage toa heterosexual couple. Lambda Legal argued that the amendment does not applyto the university because it concerns only marriage and also because thedomestic-partner benefits were provided through donated funds.



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid48491.asp

August 29, 2007
KPFK general manager resigns after sexual harassment charges

In the midst of a sexual harassment suit between radio station KPFK parentcompany Pacifica Foundation and two of its employees, KPFK's lesbian generalmanager is stepping down effective October 31, LAObserved.com reports. Asreported in the September 11 issue of The Advocate, Eva Georgia and thePacifica Foundation are being sued by KPFK news director Molly Paige, aheterosexual woman. The suit, filed in February, cites "inappropriate,sexually charged remarks, innuendoes, and gestures as well as sexuallyoffensive touching, which in turn resulted in a hostile, abusive, andintolerable working environment." Paige, who is white, also said thatGeorgia, a black woman, used racist terms toward her. Shari Epstein,Georgia's former assistant, filed a suit against Georgia for race anddisability discrimination.

A statement released by the Pacifica Foundation says the decision regardingGeorgia was reached by its national board of directors, who nonethelessacknowledged her "innovative leadership." The board had passed a resolutionin July expressing its full support for Georgia and its intention to standby her in the suit.

According to LAObserved, when Georgia came to the liberal radio station ithad significant debt, signal problems, and little staff or volunteerdiversity. Under her leadership the station has expanded, more dailynewscasts are being offered, debt has been eliminated, and the studio hasbeen renovated. (The Advocate)



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid48475.asp

August 29, 2007
Smithsonian puts artifacts from activist Frank Kameny on display

A collection of artifacts from renowned gay activist Frank Kameny is now ondisplay in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

The Frank Kameny Collection includes such objects as the protest signs fromthe 1960s demonstrations in Washington and Philadelphia, gay rights buttonswith Kameny's famous phrase "Gay Is Good," and a photograph of protesterspicketing in front of the White House on October 23, 1965, a demonstrationthat Kameny helped organize.

"This is the first time the Smithsonian has ever included displays of gaycivil rights artifacts," said Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-CombsCommunications. "This exhibit gives [the gay rights] story equal treatmentalongside other movements."

Kameny's artifacts will rest in the "Treasures of American History" exhibitalongside such historic American objects as a Greensboro, N.C., lunchcounter from a 1960 desegregation protest, the ruby slippers worn by JudyGarland in The Wizard of Oz, Lincoln's top hat, and Edison's lightbulb.

The Smithsonian describes "Treasures of American History" as representing"the breadth of American history.conveying the significance of each objectas a treasure of American history."

Other objects in this case, comprising the New Acquisitions of the NationalMuseum of American History, include a pair of boxing gloves worn and signedby Joe Louis from his fight versus Max Schmelling, a teapot reading "NoStamp Act," and a rare photograph of a freed slave wearing an American flag.

The exhibit closes October 29. (The Advocate)



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ExpressGayNews.com

http://idahostatesman.com/editorial/v-print/story/143694.html

August 28, 2007
Our View: Sen. Craig owes Idahoans an explanation

Sen. Larry Craig has spent 27 years in Congress - with rumors about hissexual orientation following him almost from the outset.

Now, after the report of Craig's arrest at a Minnesota airport restroom,Idaho's senior senator must speak candidly with the people who have hiredhim for more than a quarter of a century. He owes this to voters - no matterhow difficult that may be for him and for his family. And voters owe Craig achance to explain himself.

Craig was arrested on June 11 by a plainclothes officer investigating lewdconduct complaints, the Washington, D.C., newspaper Roll Call reportedMonday. According to Roll Call, which obtained a police incident report,Craig's behavior signaled that he wished to engage in lewd conduct. Craigpleaded guilty on Aug. 8 to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct; hepaid more than $500 in fees and fines and was sentenced to one year'sprobation. A 10-day jail sentence was stayed.

This bizarre case now moves into the court of public opinion, where Craighas a lot of explaining to do:

. If Craig's actions in the restroom were misconstrued and he was notinvolved in any inappropriate conduct, as he said in a statement Monday,then why did he plead guilty?

Craig says, in hindsight, he should not have pleaded guilty and "should havehad the advice of counsel in resolving this matter." On the surface, itseems implausible that any educated professional - much less an electedofficial - would face criminal proceedings without hiring an attorney.



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ExpressGayNews.com

http://www.gazette.com/articles/haggard_26566___article.html/organization_convicted.html

Pastor says Haggard won't work in Ariz. halfway house
Plans were prematurely announced, he says
By BRIAN NEWSOME
THE GAZETTE
August 28, 2007 - 12:30PM

The Rev Ted Haggard's recent pleas for cash and his plan to return toministry work were doused by a pastor Monday, who said the former New LifeChurch leader would not work in a Phoenix halfway house.

Compounding the former pastor's troubles, the organization Haggard chose tohandle tax-deductible contributions for his family is led by atwice-convicted sex offender.

That man, too, distanced himself from Haggard on Monday.

Haggard, reached by phone Monday, declined to comment.

He stepped down in November as president of the National Association ofEvangelicals and was dismissed as senior pastor of the 10,000-member NewLife Church amid a gay-sex and drugs scandal. He later moved to Phoenix andnow attends the 15,000-member Phoenix First Assembly of God, led by TommyBarnett. Barnett is one of three pastors assigned to help with Haggard'sspiritual restoration.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/082907romney.htm

Once A Pal Now Romney Distances Himself From Craig
by The Associated Press
Posted: August 29, 2007 - 6:30 am ET

(Washington) Mitt Romney late Tuesday distanced himself from one of his topSenate supporters, comparing his actions to President Clinton's affair withan intern and a former Republican congressman's overtures to male teenagepages.

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor chargesstemming from complaints of lewd conduct in a men's room. Craig held aprominent role with Romney's presidential campaign, serving as a Senateliaison for the campaign since February. He resigned from the post.

Craig entered his plea several weeks after an undercover police officer inthe Minneapolis airport arrested him and issued a complaint that said thethree-term senator had engaged in actions "often used by personscommunicating a desire to engage in sexual conduct."

"Yeah, I think it reminds us of Mark Foley and Bill Clinton," Romney said onCNBC's "Kudlow & Company." "I think it reminds us of the fact that peoplewho are elected to public office continue to disappoint, and they somehowthink that if they vote the right way on issues of significance or they canspeak a good game, that we'll just forgive and forget."

Foley, a Florida Republican, resigned from Congress on Sept. 29 after beingconfronted with improper computer messages he sent to congressional pages.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/082907sd.htm

Ailing SD Democrat Aims To Seek Senate Re-Election
by The Associated Press
Posted: August 29, 2007 - 9:00 am ET

(Sioux Falls, South Dakota) In his first public appearance since alife-threatening brain hemorrhage eight months ago, Sen. Tim Johnson toldsupporters his will to keep fighting for them "has never been stronger."

He went further in an interview broadcast hours later on Tuesday, tellingABC News' "Nightline" reporter Bob Woodruff he would run for re-election in2008.

"I expect to run and to win," Johnson said in slurred, halting speech.

Whether the 60-year-old Democrat does seek re-election or not - hisspokeswoman Julianne Fisher said no official decision has been made - he hascome a long way since suffering the brain hemorrhage and undergoingemergency surgery last December.

Johnson spoke for about 15 minutes to a cheering crowd at the Sioux FallsConvention Center. As the state's senior senator was brought out in awheelchair, he waved his left arm to the crowd, then rose to his feet.



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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/08/082807china.htm

Chinese Police Launch Web Patrols
by The Associated Press
Posted: August 28, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Beijing) Police in China's capital said Tuesday they will start patrollingthe Web using animated beat officers that pop up on a user's browser andwalk, bike or drive across the screen warning them to stay away from illegalInternet content.

Starting Sept. 1, the cartoon alerts will appear every half hour on 13 ofChina's top portals, including Sohu and Sina, and by the end of the yearwill appear on all Web sites registered with Beijing servers, the BeijingPublic Security Ministry said in a statement.

China stringently polices the Internet for material and content that theruling Communist Party finds politically or morally threatening.

Previously the government has shut down LGBT Web sites including severalcontaining information on HIV/AIDS. (story)

Despite the controls, gay, nudity, profanity, illegal gambling and piratedmusic, books and film have proliferated on Chinese Internet servers.



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The Miami Herald

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/218498.html

BY AMY SHERMAN
asherman@MiamiHerald.com

Related Content

Broward County commissioners unanimously tossed Fort Lauderdale Mayor JimNaugle off a tourism board Tuesday, saying his recent comments on gays aredriving away visitors.

Naugle has been talking for weeks in local and national media about hisconcerns about gay sex is public restrooms. His remarks have angered localand national gay leaders and, according to the county tourism agency,frightened away some straight tourists.

''He has demonized a significant portion of our residents and ourvisitors,'' Michael Albetta, president of the Florida GLBT Democraticcaucus, told the County Commission today.

All nine county commissioners criticized Naugle at Tuesday's commissionmeeting.

''It's unfortunate that someone who goes to church regularly doesn't knowthe word of being tolerant to everyone else,'' Commissioner Sue Gunzburgersaid. ``It pains me that there is so much hate in his body.''



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Inside Higher Education

http://insidehighered.com/news/2007/08/29/qt

An Ohio appeals court has rejected a suit challenging Miami University'spolicy of offering domestic partner benefits to employees. The decision,which upheld a lower court's ruling, was not based on whether such benefitsare legal or conflict with the state's ban on gay marriage, as the suitcharged. Rather, the appeals court upheld a lower court's ruling that underOhio law, the conservative lawmaker who sued lacked the standing to do so -either as a taxpayer or as a tuition-paying parent. The court ruled thattaxpayers do not have a general right to challenge any decision by a publicentity. As for the tuition-paying parent argument, the court noted thattuition funds are not used to pay for the benefits, and that any parent whodisagrees with a university's policies is free to stop paying tuition. Thedecision and briefs are available on the Web site of Lambda Legal, agay-rights organization that fought to defend the benefits.



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Soulforce

Support The Burnette Family and Other Allies Who Are
Standing Up for LGBT Equality in

"Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights"

"A few weeks ago, the Indianapolis Star featured a story about a gay couplewho had been in relationship for 25 years. Tragedy struck when one of themen was away on a business trip. A stroke left him unable to make importantdecisions. His parents, fundamentalist Christians, were legally able to takecustody of him, and did so quickly. They prevented his partner from seeinghim and from making health and other decisions on his behalf. Today, thisbattle is still in Indiana courts because of the backward nature of Hoosiermarriage regulations.
We badly need marriage reform in Indiana so that cases such as the one abovenever happen again. I have a four-year-old son, Marcus, who I hope will lookback on such horrors as history that he can hardly believe actuallyhappened. This is my motivation for becoming Indiana's state leader.

My faith also plays an important part in my becoming involved in LGBTmarriage rights. I am a minister in the Unitarian Universalist Association.I consider myself a religious humanist, believing that every one of us holdswithin us what some have called a spark of the divine, a great potential forgood, alongside potential for evil. I believe firmly that as consciousnessis raised, progressive Indiana residents will be moved by that 'divinespark' and will call for change."
--Rev. Andy Burnette
Indianapolis, Indiana

How You Can Be Involved in and Support "Seven Straight Nights"
To learn more about Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights and how you canbe involved, go to www.sevenstraightnights.org

To sponsor one of the states organizing a vigil, click here.
https://www.soulforce.org/sevenstraightnights/application.php?application=sevenstraightnights&action=showall

To make a general donation towards Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights,click here.
https://www.soulforce.org/application.php?application=donate&campaign_id=10

Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights is a collaborative project ofSoulforce and Atticus Circle.



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Washington Blade

http://www.washblade.com/blog/index.cfm?blog_id=14005

Craig's arrest is no surprise

The news that U.S. Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) pleaded guilty to disorderlyconduct charges stemming from an investigation into sexual activity at amen's restroom in the Minneapolis airport will not come as a surprise tothose like me who have heard the gay rumors about him for years.His office must have been working overtime to suppress the news of thearrest, because it happened in June and only leaked today in a Roll Callreport.

Craig paid $500 in fines and fees, had a 10-day jail sentence stayed andreceived one year of probation in the case, according to Roll Call. TheBlade is currently investigating and will have updated reports as we getmore information.

Craig is a conservative Republican with an abysmal record on gay issues anda 100 percent favorable rating from the Christian Coalition. Oh, and he'smarried.

Last year, I received a visit from a reporter at the Idaho Statesman who wasinvestigating rumors that Craig sought gay sex in D.C.-area restrooms,specifically in Union Station. He went so far as to stake out the bathroom,armed with glossy photos of Craig to show those using the facilities on thechance that someone had seen him there engaged in sexual activities. Notmuch came of his prolonged investigation, but now it appears he was stakingout the wrong toilets.

Craig's office is once again in full damage control mode, denying thesenator did anything wrong. Craig reportedly told police he didn't intend totap his foot or invade the space of the neighboring stall. He just has a"wide stance" in the bathroom and reached down to pick up a piece of paperfrom the floor. The undercover cop in the adjacent stall says there was nopiece of paper.

more....



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The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2007/08/27/reunite_this_family/

Reunite this family
August 27, 2007

TIM COCO, 46, runs a successful advertising agency in Haverhill. Six yearsago he met Genesio Januario Oliveira, who was visiting Boston on vacationfrom his home in Brazil. The two fell in love and in 2005, under rightsprotected by the Massachusetts Constitution, they were married. Since then,they have lived happily and quietly in a Boston suburb with their dog,Q-Tip.

Except that two weeks ago Oliveira was forced to return to Brazil underorders from the US Board of Immigration Appeals, which denied hisapplication for the asylum status he hoped would allow him to stay in theUnited States with his husband. The couple needed to pursue the asylum routebecause their same-sex marriage is not recognized by the federal government,and federal laws supersede states' when it comes to immigration.

According to the 2000 US Census, some 35,000 same-sex couples who listthemselves as "unmarried partners" similarly include one person who is a UScitizen and one person who is not. They do not all try to follow the law asdutifully as Coco and Oliveira. Indeed, Oliveira is probably rare amongimmigrants for complying with the BIA's June order to "voluntarily depart"within 60 days or risk deportation, fines, and a 10-year bar from applyingfor another US visa. When he arrived at the US consulate in Sao Paulo tocertify he had left within the 60 days, his visa was canceled. "I guess youdon't get any points for playing by the rules," says Tim.

Because Congress passed -- and former President Clinton signed -- themean-spirited Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, no federal rights extend tothe roughly 9,000 married same-sex couples in Massachusetts. There are morethan 1,000 different benefits -- from filing joint income taxes to receivingSocial Security benefits -- that are denied to same-sex couples everywherein the country, whether they live in a state that recognizes their marriageor civil union status or not. The ability of a US citizen to sponsor ahusband or wife for immigration to the United States, called a form I-130,is just one of them. "Same-sex couples are utterly shut out of thatprocess," says Mary Bonauto, the lawyer who argued the Goodridge case beforethe Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that led to legalized gay marriagein the state.



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The following links were forwarded from
Gay and Lesbian SmartBrief

http://www.smartbrief.com/index.jsp

Many physicians fear being typecast as "gay doctor"
Concerns over being stereotyped as a "gay doctor," losing straight patientsand being shunned by medical colleagues keep many physicians -- both gay andstraight -- from seeking out gay and lesbian patients. "All over thecountry, people are nervous -- even in a large city," said Joel Ginsberg,executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. "There is amajor issue of discrimination in the health-care profession, and that keepspeople from coming out." Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (8/28)

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Vermont university builds gender-neutral restrooms
The University of Vermont has become the latest of about 20 colleges anduniversities to designate certain public restrooms as "gender neutral" toprovide a safer environment for transgender people, as well as toaccommodate the disabled. "It's about inclusivity and accessibility and theimportance of meeting all people's needs, not just a few," said AnnieStevens, assistant vice president for student and campus life. USATODAY/Associated Press (8/26)

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Can Middle East become gay tourist destination?
Bertho Makso is one of the few travel marketers trying to lure gay travelersto the Middle East, despite the fact that most Muslim countries maintainlegal bans on homosexual activity. Makso, who is the lone representative forthe Arab Middle East for the U.S.-based International Gay and Lesbian TravelAssociation, advertises extensively on the Web, but uses a rainbow flag --not the word gay -- to reach his target demographic. The Wall Street Journalsubscription required) (8/27)



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

https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account7346/images/web_logo.gif>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2007

CONTACT: Ali Bay, Communications Manager
PHONE: (916) 284-9187 EMAIL: ali@eqca.org

Legislature Calls on Congress, President to Pass Federal Hate Crimes Act

Assemblymember Eng's Hate Crimes Resolution, Sponsored by EQCA, PassesSenate

SACRAMENTO - The California Senate on Monday approved a resolution urgingCongress and the president to strengthen the federal hate crimes law.
Senators passed AJR 29 by a 22-1 vote.

AJR 29, authored by Assemblymember Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park, and sponsoredby Equality California, urges Congress and the president to protect hatecrime victims who are targeted based on their real or perceived sexualorientation, gender identity or disability. It calls for passage of theLocal Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, also known as the MatthewShepard Act. The federal measure would expand the nation's hate crimesprotections and boost law enforcement's ability to investigate and prosecuteacts of violence against all protected communities of people. Currentfederal law only covers hate crimes that are motivated by race, color,national origin or religion.

In July, the Assembly passed the same resolution by a 70-1 bipartisan vote,with 46 Democrats and 24 Republicans casting an "aye" vote. That vote markedthe most bipartisan support ever received in the California Legislature fora measure affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)community. Unlike the Assembly, the hate crimes measure did not receiveRepublican support in the Senate.

"No person should have to live in fear of being harassed, assaulted, or evenmurdered, simply because someone else does not accept or understand theiridentity, appearance or behavior," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors."It is encouraging to see California legislators put their partisanshipaside to take a stand against the intolerance and violence that plagues ourcommunity and society. Our elected leaders in Washington D.C. should takenote and follow the lead set today by California lawmakers."



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

Task Force Foundation responds to 'lewd conduct' arrest of Idaho Sen. LarryCraig

"What's up with elected officials like Senator Craig? They stand forso-called 'family values' and fight basic protections for gay people whilefurtively seeking other men for sex. Infuriating pathetic hypocrites. Whatmore can you say?"
- Matt Foreman, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force



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Roll Call

http://rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/19763-1.html?type=pf

Craig Arrested, Pleads Guilty Following Incident in Airport Restroom
Monday, Aug. 27, 2007; 4:48 pm
By John McArdle,
Roll Call Staff

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was arrested in June at a Minnesota airport by aplainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a men'spublic restroom, according to an arrest report obtained by Roll Call Mondayafternoon.

Craig's arrest occurred just after noon on June 11 at Minneapolis-St. PaulInternational Airport. On Aug. 8, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanordisorderly conduct in the Hennepin County District Court. He paid more than$500 in fines and fees, and a 10-day jail sentence was stayed. He also wasgiven one year of probation with the court that began on Aug. 8.

A spokesman for Craig described the incident as a "he said/he saidmisunderstanding," and said the office would release a fuller statementlater Monday afternoon.

After he was arrested, Craig, who is married, was taken to the AirportPolice Operations Center to be interviewed about the lewd conduct incident,according to the police report. At one point during the interview, Craighanded the plainclothes sergeant who arrested him a business card thatidentified him as a U.S. Senator and said, "What do you think about that?"
the report states.

Craig was detained for approximately 45 minutes, interviewed, photographed,fingerprinted and released, and police prepared a formal complaint forinterference with privacy and disorderly conduct.

According to the incident report, Sgt. Dave Karsnia was working as aplainclothes officer on June 11 investigating civilian complaints regardingsexual activity in the men's public restroom in which Craig was arrested.

Airport police previously had made numerous arrests in the men's restroom ofthe Northstar Crossing in the Lindbergh Terminal in connection with sexualactivity.

Karsnia entered the bathroom at noon that day and about 13 minutes aftertaking a seat in a stall, he stated he could see "an older white male withgrey hair standing outside my stall."

The man, who lingered in front of the stall for two minutes, was lateridentified as Craig.

"I could see Craig look through the crack in the door from his position.Craig would look down at his hands, 'fidget' with his fingers, and then lookthrough the crack into my stall again. Craig would repeat this cycle forabout two minutes," the report states.

Craig then entered the stall next to Karsnia's and placed his roller bagagainst the front of the stall door.

more....



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

http://nsrccrm.sfsu.edu/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?q=89777&u=386

National Sexuality Resource Center
Advancing sexual literacy through new dialogues
Please forward this email to colleagues, friends and family,

Dear friends and colleagues,

The National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC) is proud to announce thearrival of our third issue of the Spanish language online magazine -Sexualidades Latinas! Check it out today:
www.sexualidadeslatinas.org

The New Issue: Young people and sexuality
Our new issue focuses on young people and issues of sexuality. Read and
watch how young people express knowledge about sexuality. See how complexthe sexual lives of young people are.

Who are we?
Sexualidadeslatinas.org - a Spanish-language online magazine - aims tobroaden sexuality dialogue among Spanish-speaking Latino communities.Articles address sexuality related topics such as media, domestic violence,immigration, day laborers and more!

Write for Sexualidades
We are always looking for contributors to write short compelling, sexualityrelated articles. Send your contributions to us atsexualidadeslatinas@gmail.com



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

The GOP's Bathroom Problem
The Nation Mon Aug 27, 8:13 PM ET

The Nation -- What's up with Republican politicos getting arrested byundercover cops for soliciting sex in public restrooms? First, Florida staterepresentative Bob Allen, formerly John McCain's state campaign co-chair,was arrested in July after he offered a police officer $20 for the privilegeof performing oral sex. And today, news broke that back in June, SenatorLarry Craig (R-Idaho), long the subject of gay rumors, was arrested in aMinnesota airport by a plainclothes cop investigating lewd conduct in themen's bathroom. Both men are married--to women. (See Max Blumenthal atCampaign Matters for more details.)

The moment is so thick with irony, I scarcely know where to begin. But let'sstart with their incredibly lame attempts at damage control. Upon arrest,both Allen and Craig attempted to use their positions of power to escapecharges (Craig handed over his US Senate business card to the officer andasked, "What do you think about that?).

Post-arrest, Allen, appealing at once to homophobia and racism, mounted a"black (gay) panic" defense. You see he wasn't really interested in givinghead, he was just trying to save his neck. Apparently, the cop was "a prettystocky black guy" and "there were nothing but other black guys around in thepark." Fearing he was "about to become a statistic," Allen did what anyother, rational, straight (straight!), white man would do if he just sohappened to find himself cruising a public restroom full of black men: forkover a Jackson and drop to your knees.

Less hysterical, but equally flimsy, is Craig's story. Through hisspokesman, Craig said that the whole incident was just a "he said/he saidmisunderstanding." Last year, when gay blogger Mike Rogers alleged thatCraig had engaged in same-sex relations, Craig called the story "absolutelyridiculous, almost laughable." I wonder if Craig was laughing on August8--when he plead guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges in aMinnesota County Court.

Of course, both Republicans have a long history of support for anti-gaylegislation--in Craig's case votes for the Federal Marriage Amendment and inAllen's a court brief against gay adoption and authorship of a failed billto ratchet up penalties for "unnatural and lascivious acts."

I'm sure as the press digests the Craig scandal, you'll hear a lot about"hypocrisy," "repressed homosexuality" and "internalized homophobia." Goodenough, I suppose, for making a somewhat cheap political point and sweepingthese undeniably creepy, tragic guys back into the Brokeback Mountain daysfrom whence they apparently came. But I wonder if the GOP's burgeoning"bathroom problem" isn't reflective of something larger than just a bunch ofconservative dudes who couldn't come out of the closet. There's somethingpalpably sad to me about what happened to Allen and Craig too, somethingoddly touching about their misplaced faith in the fading world of secret,anonymous gay sex. That world--once found in bathrooms, parks, piers andadult bookstores; the furtive refuges of adventuresome queers, married men,the curious--has been swept away by so many police raids, privatizationschemes, quality of life campaigns and internet dating services. But mostly,it's fallen away as gays have become increasingly integrated into themainstream, and also, paradoxically, more marked than ever. "You're eithergay or you're not" seems to be the equation.

Until someone like Craig, Allen, Mark Foley, Ted Haggard or Jim McGreeveyshows up to ripple momentarily the waters of public discourse on sex. Theseguys have problems, no doubt. But we might also pause to wonder if there'ssome cultural knot that gay liberation--despite its original and bestintentions--has left in place. At the very least the link between publicpower and domestic heterosexuality--with all the fetishistic displays offamily life that entails--has yet to be completely severed. Just ask RudyGuiliani, or Hillary Clinton! Moreover, that knot, perhaps best described assexual propriety, is what fuels the moral campaigns against homosexualitythat have become one of the Republican Party's identifying causes--loyallysupported by the likes of Craig, Haggard, Foley, et. al. It's also whatleads Bob Allen to the stunning and revealing calculation that it would bebetter to be seen in the public eye as an avowed racist than as someone wholikes to have sex with men sometimes.

more....



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The Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/28/AR2007082801662.html?hpid=sec-artsliving

'The Russian Years': Nureyev's Pas de Deux With Danger
By Sarah Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 29, 2007; C01

Throughout a career of unprecedented supremacy and scope, Rudolf Nureyevpersonified glamour, gallantry and raw sex appeal, onstage and off. Butaccording to a new documentary, when the future ballet star took his firstdance steps in the remote Siberian village of his youth, he was so scrawny,weak-looking and wild-haired that the girls were appalled to dance with him.

It wasn't long, however, before that impoverished but driven kid -- wholived without indoor plumbing or shoes -- vaulted into the elite trainingarm of the esteemed Kirov Ballet in 1955 and announced to classmates that hewould one day be the world's greatest dancer. How he swiftly made good onthe pledge is explored tonight on PBS in "Nureyev: The Russian Years," anengrossing 90-minute look at the young man's matchless work ethic, and theimpact his passion and confidence had on those who knew him prior to hisstunning 1961 defection to the West.

Nureyev rocked the world with that flight to freedom -- and as always, histiming was impeccable. Coming weeks after Yuri Gagarin became the first manin space, the loss of a celebrated young Soviet artist was a cultural,political and public relations disaster for the Soviet Union -- and wouldpave the way for fellow Kirov stars Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikovto defect as well.

For the ballet world, at least, the rest was history: Nureyev's legendarypartnership with the much older but rejuvenated Margot Fonteyn; hisappearances around the globe and on TV that made ballet hotter than ever inthe public eye; his unslakable thirst for artistic challenge that led him toexpand the boundaries of performance as no male dancer had.

But Nureyev seduced the world not simply through his technique -- which, asthe documentary's archival clips show, was not always flawless, even afterhe was crowned the Kirov's leading dancer -- but because of the danger,risk, animal drive and flamboyant sensuality he brought to the stage. As thefilm makes clear, those were honest qualities, part innate personality andperhaps partly fueled by political tensions. Drama and turbulence wereNureyev's constant companions until he died in 1993.

"The Russian Years," written and produced by John Bridcut and airing as partof the "Great Performances" series, capitalizes on that, unspooling itsnarrative as a romantic and political thriller.


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